An American Classic

Eli's kindergarten class memorized Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost and recited it for all the parents~



*Just a note for those who visit my blog~ most of our family lives far away and it is easier for some of them to visit my blog for pics & updates with the boys, so there will be some more family posts in the future!

From Pie Pockets to a Post

It all started with this recipe for Pear~Raspberry pie pockets. They looked delicious and fun to make, so I had some "free-time" (ha ha!) early one morning and decided to give them a try!

As I worked with my hands, mixing together all the ingredients, rolling out the dough and cutting out the hearts; so many thoughts came to mind. Each one of them centered around these verses, Proverbs 31:13b & 27, "and works with her hands in delight; She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."

I was enjoying the process of diligently making something for my boys to enjoy. It was an expression of love for them and the time-consuming work involved was worth it. When I first came across the recipe, I was drawn first to the picture and did not think about the time it would actually take to make them. I was only thinking about how wonderful the end result would be!

WOW! There are so many things in life that I approach with this same attitude. I plow ahead, sometimes overlooking the preparation needed to successfully arrive at the much desired end result. I even hurry through some details that require more investment than I think is needed. But, once I'm in the process I cannot just walk away, I must finish. This is the point where I must stop and dig in to The Source to find what will sustain me to persevere. I should have started here, but often foolishly begin on my own.

This happens in my marriage, my role as a mother, a friend, a servant in the church.... my intentions are sometimes more diligent than my actions. I feel that in my heart I am most sincere with how I would like to "flesh out" my roles, but my humanness keeps me from being as devoted as I would like to be. I am selfish, inconsistent, distracted, off-track~

Just like this beautiful recipe that caught my eye, life has many beautiful moments that I do not want to miss. But unfortunately I sometimes miss out on the best, because I have not prepared myself for the journey that is needed to receive that best. I choose for myself instead of trusting what God knows is best for me.

The previously mentioned verses are among my favorite and when I spend time thinking about how to practically live them out, I know that it must begin with me being in the Word and close to my Heavenly Father. That is how I prepare for the journey. That is how I get the best of what God has for me. It will involve me working hard and investing more time than I may have planned for. Some days I will not "feel" like giving what I need to give, but it's not about me. All that I do is "unto the Lord."

I was so excited to make these fun pies, as an expression of love. I want to be just as excited to work hard each day investing in what God has given me, as an expression of love to my Heavenly Father. I was grateful that as I was working with my hands, doing something that would be noticed by only a few, God opened my eyes to see His Truth. He awakened my heart to a vital truth that I needed to spend time renewing in my heart to live out every day. Had I completely stopped working hard and investing in my roles? Not at all, but in desiring to be obedient to God's call on my life, I cannot afford to overlook details. I must take time to read the recipe and diligently follow through. I must also be on the look-out for learning about God's truth in all circumstances.

Father, I pray that I will be a woman who works with her hands in delight, looks well to the ways of my household with diligence and offers an expression of love to You by the way I live my life each day.