Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Schedule hurdles and other fun

Well, we are trying to get the homeschool year off to a good start this year, with a schedule and a routine.  I had a beautiful schedule of when I work with each child figured out, as well as plans to begin getting up to walk/run and spend time with the Lord, as well as writing regularly.  So far this week, though, I have been battling migraines every night, as well as pain in the right side of my tummy, and then last night and today, Rebekah and Naomi have been throwing up.  And now Jon is complaining his tummy hurts as well.    Both Monday and Tuesday, however, with the exception of me working out, we were still able to stay pretty close to our school schedule.  The good thing was this week we do not have co op or anything else but dance starting up. So we have had alot of wiggle room in the schedule.  It's hard, though, not to feel seriously discouraged when you are attempting to make positive changes, and it feels like you must battle illness in addition to regular self control issues to make change. 
A mystery person (I am not sure who, but I believe it was one of my eldest daughter's friends, who are all such incredibly awesome young ladies) sent me a postcard Tuesday in the mail with a cool picture of Superman on the front (my favorite superhero)and scriptures handwritten on the other side.  One of those scriptures was this:
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.  Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest in me.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong. -2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I think it is so wonderful how God works out the details of our lives, and uses other believers as instruments of encouragement toward us.  This person had no idea what my week would be this week, and in obedience to Christ, sent me this postcard.  But God knew, and He planned in advance for me to receive this at the right moment to remind me that yes, I am weak, yes, I will make mistakes.  I do NOT have it all together, as much as I would like to.  But God is most glorified when I acknowledge my weaknesses. I feel pretty weak today. When I have been battling headaches, I felt frustrated.  When the kids started complaining of tummy pain, I felt even more discouraged.  But when I remembered this verse, I felt strengthened.  And in the midst of these challenges, I see God's hand at work.  My co op class is coming together, as I was able to get more presenters lined up to present to my class.   I have had two productive school days, despite my tummy pain.  And thanks to migraine meds, so far I have not been incapacitated by a migraine, just not sleeping as well. 

Anyway, this is where I am this week.  I am still plodding along, and every day is a new day.  I try to remind myself that even though we have not met every goal, we are still making progress.  And that is still good.