Ha!  Well, kind of .. ha.   I really do feel alone.  My littlest man fell asleep after swimming at the pool today (at 6pm .. so here's hoping he sleeps all night), the three other children are spending the night at Grandma and Pappy's house with their cousins, and my hubby is off getting fitted for a tuxedo (he's in his cousin's wedding in the fall).  So here I sit ... all alone.

You'd think I'd find something constructive to do .. like catch up on laundry, or mop the floor, or reorganize (or organize period!) the playroom.  But I find that I cannot focus so well when I'm alone.

This aloneness doesn't happen very often.  I was looking forward to it but now I think I take that back.  Well no I don't.  Am I confused or what?  It's nice to have this time to renew my appreciation for my family .. and hopefully convey that once the house fills back up again.  But still, in the moment, the house feels quite empty.

It's so easy to just get caught up in the circumstances.  For instance, when my kids return, they may walk in the door and immediately need something or everyone may want to tell me about everything all at once or maybe there will be some slight disciplinary issue ... well, I can let those circumstances just send me into a frenzy.  Or I can step back and appreciate their excitement or embrace the fact that I'm the one (the blessed one!) that takes care of their needs and be the Lord's helper in molding their precious hearts.  But, then again, they may walk in that door and I will have a pleasant circumstance, which is quite likely.  Point is, either way, *I* need to be the same.

I believe it was last weekend upon one of our church stops (we are church-a-holics!) that I was reminded of this ..... not to be so affected by the circumstances.  Oh, yes, that was last Saturday night.  He was speaking about thermostats and thermometers (something you've surely read about on email).  But when he said it last week, it really hit me.  It was like God opened my eyes to the influence I am on my family.  I am a thermostat .. and not always a good one.

This week I've been off.  We've been busy and I haven't been feeling well.  Circumstances, you know.  And I set the thermostat way low .. like down toward tension, and irritability, and frustration.  It's just spread like wildfire.  If I take responsibility for my own actions and attitude, I can pick us back up.

And that is my hope .. to take it up to the top .. like up toward love, kindness, gentless, self-control.  That is, when my family returns and I'm not all alone.

But in my own strength, I cannot accomplish this.  Thankfully, "it is no longer I who lives, but He who lives in me."  Praise the Lord for new mercies every morning.  Oh, I love Him!

Other reminders from last week .. praise and worship being a part of every single breath I take.  Not just a song, or a sermon, or a prayer, or an occasional thought.  EVERY BREATH!  I'm striving .. oh, I'm striving ....

Thanks for listening to my rambling ....

Be blessed everyone!