What are the things that spell H-O-M-E to you?

Mrs. Anna at Domestic Felicity blogged on this topic this morning and I was inspired to do the same.

To me it's the clink of dishes as our family shares a meal together

waking up to Bibles piled on the table from our family reading time

the sound of chatting, laughing children working together in the kitchen or barn

sitting around the table to play a board game and just enjoy one another

curling up in my favorite chair with the puppy or a cat snuggled in beside me while I crochet

stretching out on the couch with a good book

sharing a late night bowl of ice cream with my daughter when she comes home from babysitting a friend's children

the shouts of my son as he and his daddy get too "into" their game

watching the first flowers of spring opening in the yard

the sound of the puppy barking at the cat who is too regal to stoop to playing with a dog!

folding warm towels that have just been pulled from the dryer

math books, science experiments, and pencils strewn around the entire house

ragtime, or My Favorite Things played on the piano

Simply being with and enjoying each and every member of my family and making memories together.

Getting "Ahead"

 In School:
We have started doing a 6-day week in our homeschool in the hopes that we won't be so far "behind" once we have finished building our house. The children will, hopefully, be able to help with the construction but we will lose two days a week of school time during construction. (Due to Daniel's schedule we take one weekday off school each week as that is his only day off each week.) We started school earlier than normal this year to give us a little leeway as well. But, I am one of those people who hates to feel "behind". "Behind" being relative to where I want to be at a given time during the school year.

In Our House:
Daniel called from work today and wanted me to call the 911 office and see if they could give me an address for the lot we are buying in a subdivision that doesn't exist yet so we can call around and get home owner's insurance estimates. The insurance companies can't give me a quote without an address and we can't get an address until there's a street. So, I spent 15 minutes on the phone with a very helpful gentleman who couldn't tell me anything.

Why?
Why do we feel the need to be "ahead" of the game? Why are we not content to wait patiently on the Lord's timing? We believe we are following His leading in each of these areas so why is it that we don't put all our trust in Him, knowing that He works everything for our good?  This is one of the biggest things with which I struggle in my life. I feel that I need to try to take control but, if I stop and think about it, if I was in control the outcome wouldn't be nearly as good as what God has planned for me!

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ” (Philippians 4:6 & 7).

In the Peace of God:
"Be careful for nothing" - it's been a long time since I could say I was careful for nothing. But, I love what is says in verse 7 - "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,". Isn't that beautiful? I remember that peace. It's the peace that we experienced when we were traveling to Mexico to get a tubal reversal. We felt His peace and His presence throughout that entire trip! It was completely awe-inspiring.

If I am following where He leads then I can be "careful for nothing" and rest in "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding."

My goal for today is to stop trying to get ahead of God and simply trust in Him and rest in His peace.