Y'all today has been rough. I knew last night the moment I put it out there that I was going to do this--I needed to go ahead and write day one because I knew I would talk myself out of it. But, I decided to wait and I don't even have words to say how discouraging of a day today was. I not only was ready to not write a blog (for 31 days mind you) but I was ready to never teach again. To say the enemy had a field day on me would be an understatement (there's power in recognizing it right?).
With all that being said...here I am in a much more vulnerable state than I was 24 hours ago when I said I would do this-but it all goes back to that tugging on my heart that Jesus wants to work something out in me and hopefully encourage others in the process. Writing this blog tonight is declaring the enemy will not win. I know He's given me a voice and I will not let the enemy steal it.
Isaiah 32:18 says, "My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places." I found myself studying this verse over the weekend and feeling an urgency to FIGHT for this for my family. Last week in the McLendon household was anything but this-therefore I am making it my goal to fight in the spiritual realm for this to be true of our home.
I'll back up a little bit to bring you up to the Isaiah 32 revelation. Two weeks ago I was on a trip of a lifetime to New York City with my Mom and Sister for a week! It was incredible. Came home and was trying to get settled back into routine and normalcy (and all that comes with that). Half way through the week we took our son to his 18 month WELL visit. While there he tested positive to strep. Y'all---I did not handle this well in my heart. This positive strep test resulted in 48 hours of confinement, no school for him, which meant little productivity on my part. The whole time all I could think about was all that I had to get done and the huge weekend I had before me. Thankfully in the midst of it I learned to embrace the forced quality time I had with my son. But my patience level was next to nothing and did not fair well for the hubs who was having to leave to go to work at 4:30 in the morning. Pastor Tom says that marriage is not hard---when it becomes hard it's because of selfish reasons in our own hearts. I can realize now that every struggle that I had last week was because of selfish reasons in my own heart. We did survive the 48 hours of confinement. We did survive the multi big event weekend. But to say we aren't wounded would be a lie.
Which brings me to this series. 31 Days to a home that is peaceful, secure, and quiet. And I know it begins with me---so this 31 day journey is going to be digging into my heart, but not just on a spiritual side--a practical side too (because a peaceful, secure, quiet home involves-dare I say it- chores). It also involves me being healthy and the journey that hopefully will take place to make that happen.
So there you have it. Day One. And let me go ahead and say thank you for being along for this journey with me. It's because of you that I was encouraged to step out and do this. I'm thankful for each one of you. I'll see you tomorrow. I promise. :)Labels: 31 Days to an Isaiah 32:18 Home
