BECOMING A BALLERINA

Lucia my little Ballerina. She is as sweet as she is strong-willed and now once a week she gets to be a ballerina. I think the long time buried dancer in me just about did a triple pirouette when she put her little tights and leotard on. I wish I could tell you that we were all cool and collected and extremely sophisticated bringing her to class...but then, you know me don't you? You better believe we went posse in tow and cheered her on! 

Once a week, she gets to be a little ballerina once a week. 

I began to think about this. Obviously, if she really wanted to pursue becoming a ballerina we would not leave it at once a week. We would practice, we would cultivate our skill. You couldn't possibly become a ballerina if you only attended class once a week and let it be the only source of ballet exposure. If this small window of concentrated time were all you gave to ballet.

I've been working on becoming a more disciplined woman of God. 

I've seen pictures and heard of women who wake up early before their children to spend some time with God. I think "YES! That is what I need! How disciplined would that make me!" For the record, I am not a morning person, I am the girl who rolls her eyes at the Proverbs 31 woman waking up before the sun. That woman makes me look like the Jonah Woman....it would take a giant whale to get me out of bed that early and you better believe there will be some grumbling....but i digress.

So I've been waking up early, before my kids. I've set this time aside to pray to read to draw closer to The Almighty. It's been great, I mean truly I'm getting to focus more on God. But here's the deal....and you knew there would be one, right? It felt unfinished. I feel a little weird admitting this, but it felt like something was missing. 

Now, here is what I believe God is revealing to me...

God and prayer can not be left at this small window of concentrated time. 

You cannot become a ballerina if you only go to class once a week and leave it at that.

I cannot become a disciplined woman of God if I pray during this one window of time if I turn to scripture this one moment of my day. Sure this time set aside is a great start and foundation, it is the 'Ballet Class' but as we all know, we need to practice and continue on what we learned if we are to become ballerinas. 

So here's the deal. I'll continue to set aside that morning time alone with God, but also He needs to be there the rest of my day. I need to bring my everyday moments to God. I need to pray continuously. I need to pray when i feel like it and pray when i don't. I need to pray when it's loud as well as in those quiet moments. I need to pray when someone pops in my head and give thanks when there's just gratitude to give. Pray. Meditate. Confess. Worship. and then maybe I'll become an awesome "Ballerina"! 

So Pray on Prayers...Pray on!

"In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out." -Ephesians 6:18 (MSG)

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

and one of my favorites...

" So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering." -Romans 12:1 (MSG)

ANGORA LAKES AND CHANGING SEASONS

Twelve years ago we took a hike with some friends and swam in a lake. I was only 20 and he was 21. I think often of that couple that sat on that rock in the middle of the lake. We both agree that we were starting to fall in love at this point, as a friend captured this moment from the beach, neither one of us aware. 

I think about that young couple who had no idea what laid in store for them, falling in love but so much more. As we sat on that rock, we had no idea that one day there would be a Henry, a Lucia and a Selah. We had no idea there would be a home we would make together, a family. No idea that 12 years later we would visit that same lake with our 3 children, carrying a whole lot more love on that hike then we had before. 

God is so amazing my friends. 

I think of how we had no idea what was in store for us, but God knew all along. He knew us and who we would become 12 years later. He knows us now and who we will be 12 years from now. There is hope in that. There is hope that God has a plan through it all for those who draw near to him.

As the seasons change outside, Steve and I enter another season of change in our own lives. Our family is growing, we are now homeschooling and entering in new adventures. Every now and then I have moments where I wonder if we are on the right track to where God wants us to be. This morning as I prayed, this scripture came to heart...

" And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

Then sings my soul...

12 years ago...

Today....

12 years from now and forever...

How great thou art!

And I know some of you like the details of our trip, so for you, this is Angora Lakes. It's a little off the beaten path in Tahoe, you know...unmarked roads...short hike to actually get to the lake, but it never disappoints. They have a tiny "resort" at the end where you can rent paddle boats, kayaks, paddle boards. My pictures do not give justice to it's beauty...