Monday, October 10, 2011

{Back to School} The Lovely Middle


First day back. Tomorrow!

And we all have colds. Chicken stock simmering on the stove, immune booster tea steeped and ready.

It's rained all day and I've giggled every time I wiped a little nose or spied my to-do list and stacks of school books and pencils and thought, When it rains, it pours! And then I cast a little more and do the next thing.

We're in the lovely middle of this life and I would never want to be anywhere else. (It's really true!)

Because I'm armed with prayer. (And baked oatmeal soaking in the fridge, with added apples and a wee treat of half and half to pour over the top. Our traditional first-day-of-school breakfast!)

Our hopes and dreams and prayers for this coming learning year- and, well, forever- are summed up in this year's theme verse on servanthood:
1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

6 Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:1-11

(To listen to Michael Card's almost word-for-word rendition of this passage)

My neck aches and my head is full of many things, but He is always so good to supply all I need, and His mercies are new every morning.

May He bless your week, kind friends, whether you are beginning something new, finishing it, or walking right down the path of the lovely middle!

6 fellow travelers shared:

Linda said...

Praying this new school year will be filled with His presence and grace. Praying, too, that you will all be well soon.

Clare and Maggie said...

Thank you for blessing us all with these wise words today Elise :)

Kristin said...

Praying your first day was filled with delights.

Anonymous said...

Your heart, spelled out here, blesses me. Thank you.

Amara

Stacey said...

Sweet. Very sweet. You encourage and bless me always.

Being in the lovely middle of our life here in the midwest brings me the same joy and depth of gratitude.


Prayers for a speedy recovery and a profoundly meaningful school year!

Anonymous said...

Hope you are all feeling better, and your first week of school went well.

I *love* the fall flowers and magnetic letters in the jar and the yarn pumpkins (do share the how-to, my Rin would love to make some).

And...is that a Breezy Tulip print on your wall? *I've been eyeing "The Library" for a year, it reminds me of my Connor and our Quiet Time (naptime), when he first started reading.

Have a wonderful Sunday!
Love, kathi

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