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As our summer comes to an end...only 13 days left before school is in full swing...I stop to pick up my last scoop of inspirational sand to add to my overflowing sand pail.
This scoop takes me back to decades ago when I knew how to just stop and ponder. My mind whisked me back to a tree on my grandparents' farm. The tree held a very long, strong vine that drooped down the side of the tree, allowing you to climb on the vine and swing. It was "nature's swing". I would wander off from the farmhouse to quietly sit and swing among nature where I could ponder. I have always had a very busy mind...one that can wear out my husband, but never my maker. I would pour out all the questions and ponderings of my mind before my God. There, in His creation, we would sort them out.
Later, it would be the swings in the schoolyard across from my teenage home. As an adult, it was my porch rockers and walking among the pecan trees adjacent to our family home. Today, I look for those places that allow me to ponder and and question...today's places don't have the sentimental heart's tie my past places have, but the familiar time with the Lord still energizes.
All that to say....my last scoop of sand is that...pondering and questioning. The Lord has allowed these non-scheduled days of summer to bring scoops of hours of reading... therefore, prompting a season to digest what He is saying. These ponderings have been prompted by my sand scoops, as well as two books and a movie. I am taking the pieces from each scoop and digesting them.
Almost Amish - Nancy Sleeth
Lioness Arising, Wake Up and Change Your World - Lisa Bevere
Movie - Hope Springs
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So I leave this week with my sand pail in hand....scooping up the inspirational sand the Lord has for me as I ponder and question what He is saying for me in this season of life.
Cry out for insight and understanding. Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasures. Proverbs 2: 3-4
I pray you take the time needed to ponder under a wonderful tree, while swinging in the Lord's goodness.
24 Joining in with more words:
Oh I can so relate to the pondering this summer. I have been doing a lot of it too.
You will be such a blessing to those kids you will take care of at church. They will LOVE you!!
Take your break, you deserve it...
Another similarity with us. I need a rocking chair! As a kid I was so busy that if I had no rocker, I just rocked myself, or sat in a swing! I am on the hunt for one right now, for the guest bedroom. I think better and pray better with a rocking chair!! :)
I'll miss you, but will be praying for your new adventure and hope to see you back here soon.
xo
This has been a summer of many changes, which came with a whole lot of pondering - praying and being grateful.. I've enjoyed your adventures of adding to your sand pail..don't be gone toooooooooo long - wink!
Hugs
I hope the Lord fills your heart with lots of good things. I am thankful you have the wisdom to stop and listen.
I will miss you but look forward to learning what the Lord teaches you in this time of refreshment.
Go fill your pail up, Janette. Looking forward to hearing about your overflow when you come back!
Now, where's my pail...
I just know the Lord will bless this time for you as you ponder and seek Him. I will miss you for sure, but know you will come back refreshed and ready to share. Big hugs to you!!
Enjoy your down time preparing your heart for a new homeschooling year and the new job. Anytime you are with children, it is a "BIG" job. Hope that you enjoy it as much as I think you will. Don't be gone too long now...
We saw Hope Springs, too. Interesting, right?
Yes, finding time to think and question is essential, I agree.
I pray your part-time job is a blessing to you. I know it will be a blessing to others, Janette!
I need those pondering times too. Sometimes I just tell my family I'm going on a day retreat even if it's in my bedroom. May God speak to you clearly in these things as you ponder!
I pray you will be blessed and refreshed as you take on this new part-time job. It's wonderful that you still will have time with Benjamin. I'm glad the Lord gave you this time of pondering and preparing so you will be ready for all the blessings He will be sending your way.
Shaun may come home this weekend for a visit.
I will miss you!
Hugs~
Oh, what an inspiration your "pail" entries have been to me. You have such a way with words.
Enjoy your time away and we'll all look forward to your return.
Blessings abundant!
I tend to sit and ponder in the morning, in the car when I pull into work and park. It is generally cooler and quiet and before I start my day I ponder it, often with the LORD. Good times.
My sweet friend I will be praying for you and please do not be a stranger-I will miss getting on here daily to see what you have written. Please keep in touch with me through e-mail when you have a chance. Let me know soon what you schedule looks like when you know so we can plan a time and place to meet. I would be willing to come to you if that is easier on you. I will be praying for you new part time position too. It can be both fun and scary to see what God has planned for each season of our lives. Love you dearly-praying for great blessings for not only you but for those you will be blessing I know. :)
Hugs
Love you-
Jill
May God bless your times of quiet -- and your times of new beginning. It will be exciting to see what He has planned for this stage of your life. :-) Enjoy your break.
I have enjoyed watching your fill up your sandpail.
I agree with you, take the time to ponder and savor the rest of Summer.
See ya!
I relate very, very, well to the need for a break. I extended mine last week longer than usual and am "pondering" more than blogging this week as well.
I hope you come back from your break fully in tune and fully inspired.
Your post seems to ring true for so many of us. Yes, my pondering this summer has led me to change. Change has led me closer to Him.
Enjoy your break :) Hope you're back soon!
Blessings,
Marcia
I wish I could join you on the swing next to yours. We would talk and talk. Let me know what you think of the movie "Hope Springs". The previews look good. The job sounds perfect for you. Enjoy your ponderings. Your blogging friends will be here when you return.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Janette...this post totally moved me b/c it's what I need to do right now. So much is happening and I know I can make this happen in my strength. I don't want what I can do...but I want to plug into what He wants to do...got to go to those places to listen to His whisper that does something inside me that nothing else can ever do. Thank you for this post that I know came from your heart. Happy listening...and hearing...
As you probably know, I've done likewise several times in recent years. You've chosen the best part (like Mary), so I pray your sabbatical is both inspirational & rejuvenating.
Janette
Glad you have found time to swing and ponder.
Hope your new P/T job goes well.
Blessings to you
Yes, Janette. It is important we have time to ponder the grander, and the not so grand, things of life. It is during this quiet pondering that God reaches out and touches our souls. Blessings to you on your new endeavors.
Wow! You DO have/have had a lot to ponder! This is the second time today I've heard about "Almost Amish", my husband & I saw "Hope Springs" (WHOA!), and Lisa B's book sounds like one I'd LIKE to read...
Rejoicing in the ministry and opportunity you're seizing this fall...
I've enjoyed the sands of your summer, Janette and look forward to future inspiration and sharing in the weeks to come.
Dear Janette, I empathize. This is a piece near to my heart.
I try to ponder what He is saying and understand. I try to do His will. I try my best though I sometimes feel like a hamster on a wheel.
I will keep you in my prayers...please keep me in yours. Blessings dearest. Catherine xo
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