I did not expect to have another blog post this soon; but after this mornings Bible study with my son, and with his permission, I have decided to share what he taught me today. I am posting below Noah’s notes from this morning… in his exact words. We use the SOAP method in our home when studying scripture. S: scripture O: observation A: application and P: prayer. The assigned scripture reading was Ephesians 1: 3-7. Noah chose the scripture that spoke to him.

S: Ephesians 1:4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

O: Because God put us in his heart before he made the whole entire world

A: I should put god in my heart before my family and the world

P: Dear God, Thank you for putting us in your heart before the world. I will put you in my heart before my family and anything else. Thank you for food thank you for family and thank you for a home. Please heal people who don’t have anything a home, clothes, toys and people who don’t believe in you. In Jesus name Amen.

Noah has no idea how much I learn from him, and how much this time means to me. It is calming to my soul to hear how scripture speaks to him. His prayer speaks volumes to how we all should pray. He starts out with complete thanksgiving to the Lord…and he ends with praying for people. His prayer is selfless…he not once asked for anything…

A child’s understanding is so simple….and pure.

ByHisgrace,

Misty and Noah

** Poem written by myself a few years ago.

My vicious circle. The circle that I continue to repeat and wrongly assume that,  just because I am a Christian, I won’t face these ups and downs of life.

I started a new Bible study this past week titled ‘You Are Forgiven’. The timing of this study couldn’t be better….because I was in the tail end of my circle. My circle goes like this:

Spending time in God’s Word…..Obedience to His ways and will….Then “life happens”….. I pull away…..Defeated…. Surrender and back to spending time in God’s Word

Does this sound familiar to anyone else? A dear friend said it best earlier this week. She said,

“Spending time in God’s Word is the exercise for our spiritual health; just like exercising is to our physical health.”

I have always tried to be as transparent as I can; and still respect the privacy of my loved ones that may be involved in the highs and lows of my life. I will confess that the last month has not been good for me spiritually, mentally, emotionally, or physically. I was starting to make important decisions with my heart and emotions that were all over the place…. then this scripture popped up in this weeks study:

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? ~ Jeremiah 17:9

There I was…in the middle of a Bible study…actively making poor choices by “following my heart” and trying to atone for my sins by telling myself that “I’m at least in His word” and “I’m leading this Bible study so my poor choices can’t be that bad.”

***insert Godsmack

I had turned from what He had taught me. My heart has to be aligned with the Lord and His teachings or it just can not be trusted.

I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I can not carry it out.~ Romans 7:18

I understand completely what the Apostle Paul meant… Try as I might, I can not defeat the enemies attacks on my own. If I rely on my own human strength, it fails me, and I choose wrongly. I know this because I have also turned from worldly temptations BECAUSE of relying on the Lord’s strength.

I’ve posted on trying to find my new norm. I am trying to find out who Misty is now that both of my children are in school. I’ve been going at this the wrong way. I have looked at this journey from my human perspective; and through those glasses, it has been a negative. Instead, I should look with excitement to what this journey will be; what does the Lord have instore for me next?? My identity has not changed with Him… I am His daughter. I am the daughter of the one true King… He’s got this.

It has been a minute since my last blog post. In part, it is because my family has been busy wrapping up our Summer and getting ready for the new school year. However, most of you that follow know that I try to be as transparent as I can, and I will admit that I have just not had it in me to post.

My baby, has officially started kindergarten.

I’m left asking myself, now what? I have been a full time SAHM for 3 years. My life revolved around taking care of both boys. They would come first before any housework or ‘me’ time. Try as I might, a schedule never worked, I would be on their schedule. I have learned the theme songs to Paw Patrol, Little Einsteins, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse; now know that just playing one game of Candyland is just not allowed, and why just play with one toy when you have a toy room full that somehow makes it out into the living room!!

I have also learned how to calm my little one down when he is really upset. I know the difference in a cry when he is hurt, frustrated, or just seeking attention. I have found that the best nap in the world is taken when you have your children snuggled up next to you, and for a brief moment, the world seems at peace and perfect.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I have enjoyed my time at home with my boys. I felt and still feel that my place is at home, managing the household. The change is coming home after dropping both boys off…to a quiet house. I can now have a schedule that will be easier to stick to; and I can also start finding who I am again. I am volunteering at the boy’s school as the librarian; but that isn’t everyday. I still have this blog and meeting with my girls for Bible study.

So, what is my new norm?  I am not sure what my passions really are anymore…what do I want to do….who is Misty? What will my future hold?

This is a new journey, and a new chapter in my life as a wife, mother, and woman. My prayer is that I turn my focus back to Him and follow His lead. 

ByHisgrace,

Misty