Putting Your Hand to the Plow

Like I mentioned in the last post, this past year has sort of knocked the wind out of me.  I find myself just wanting to retreat and escape.  I find it easier to just sit and veg on the computer rather than engaging in real life.

Home schooling has definitely looked different these past few years as our family business has grown.  I love what the Lord has done and the things He has set me free from in regards to what a ‘true’ education is.  But, I have been struggling these past few years with motivation to keep on keeping on.  We have been home schooling for nearly 20 years!  And, Lord willing, we have a good 12 left!  Did I mention I am just plain old weary??  Can you see the problem here?

I know I just needed a kick in the pants, and I am sure Brian has tried. He is so patient and so encouraging when I get like this, but I just refused to listen.

I was talking to my dear friend, Cindy, lamenting about how I needed to get back to school this coming week and how much I was dreading it.  If my knuckles could drag on the floor, they would be.  I was doing my fair share of whining.  YES, ladies, it’s true!  Even home school mamas get tired, weary and discouraged and just want to quit!

She asked, ‘well, how committed are you to home schooling?’ 

Um, cough, ‘pretty committed’.  The thought of not home schooling sort of jarred me to my senses.  “I would say I am 99.9% (only cause I am whining at the moment) and Brian is 200% committed.”

“Well then,” she continued, “I guess you best commit to this, put your hand to the plow and don’t look back! Pull up your big girl panties and put what Michelle ‘wants’ to the side a bit.”

Huh!  She’s right!  Simple as that.  Quit your bellyaching. Better is an open rebuke than love that is concealed . . .wounds from a friend can be trusted . . . Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.  Everybody needs a friend like that.  I later told Brian, he was like, ‘wow, how did she get away with that??!”

Peace returns when double-mindedness leaves.  I think the most painful place is that non-committed, wishy-washy, whiney place.  Once we commit and trust the Lord, peace comes.  So, I have put my hand to the plow and will not look back!  Well, if I do, I am sure Cindy will grab hold of my face and turn it back!

The verse I feel the Lord is encouraging me with for this step of faith and obedience,

Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. Isaiah 50:7

2014 WORD

Oh, my, word! I cannot believe how many months is has been since I have been here.  I can tell you that the longing in my heart to write and write is so strong. I am a bit baffled as to why it has been so impossible.  In part, I am afraid, because of my own choices of how I spend my time.  Praying for grace to overcome that one!

Our family business keeps me super busy and most of my ‘writing’ is done on our business Facebook, where I shamelessly combine the pouring out of my heart AND business.  Not sure if that is the wisest way to run a business, but it is who am and how I roll.  You can visit it, if you like.  {re}imagined just for you.

2013 was the wildest, craziest ride I have been on in a long time.  If I am being honest, it has left me weary, worn and feel just a wee bit like running away.  So it was no surprise when I was sensing the Lord speaking my ‘new’ word for 2014.  I have been mulling it over for weeks. I hear it in my spirit all the time.  I was even looking out the window one day in utter despair, put my head in my hand, looked down and on the floor, partially under a table, was a sign with the exact words painted on it.  A sign I had painted that had a flaw and was floating around our house for some strange reason. I smiled and thanked Him, for once again, calming his daughter.

I have begun to see that this little phrase is pretty much all I need for every situation when my mind takes off and is down some fruitless rabbit trail, be it fear, doubt, insecurities or hopelessness.

Simple and common phrase, Be Still and Know, but it speaks VOLUMES to me right now.

When my mind swirls with fears and insecurities, I hear, “Be Still and Know”. Shhhhh, stop the striving and just know that He is right here and in control.

When faced with my own weaknesses, “Be Still and Know” that you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus!

When I feel so far from God and my mind races, “Be Still and Know” that He will never leave me nor forsake me. KNOW that He is Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord who is there.

When so much ‘bad’ happens and the heaviness crushes any hope of it changing, “Be Still and Know” that He works ALL things together for the good of those who love Him.

The phrase, “Be Still” speaks to me of calming, quiet, shhhh, stop, cease. As if to put a finger over one’s mouth, shhh, calm your soul.

The phrase, “And Know” tells me to remember who HE is, who I am in Him and who He is in each and every situation. He is always good and I am always loved.

I don’t know about you, but my mind can take me from 0-60 in a nanosecond. The thoughts just swirl and overwhelm and I feel like my Father is saying to me, Shhhhh, quiet, just be still, and KNOW what the Truth is in this situation. Calm and peace returns.

Do you have a “WORD” for 2014? I’d love to hear it, please share.

Wow, do I miss this space, this place where I can share my heart.  She Looketh Well {dot} blogspot, I sure hope to see more of you this year.

Word of the Year 2014

WORD for 2014:
Usually it seems as though my “WORD” comes to me at the last minute. This year, it has been stirring for weeks.

When my mind swirls with fears and insecurities, I hear, “Be Still and Know”. Shhhhh, stop the striving and just know that He is right here and in control.

When faced with my own weaknesses, “Be Still and Know” that you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus!

When I feel so far from God and my mind races, “Be Still and Know” that He will never leave me nor forsake me. KNOW that He is Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord who is there.

When so much ‘bad’ happens and the heaviness crushes any hope of it changing, “Be Still and Know” that He works ALL things together for the good of those who love Him.

The phrase, “Be Still” speaks to me of calming, quiet, shhhh, stop, cease. As if to put a finger over one’s mouth, shhh, calm your soul.

The phrase, “And Know” tells me to remember who HE is, who I am in Him and who He is in each and every situation. He is always good and I am always loved.

I don’t know about you, but my mind can take me from 0-60 in a nanosecond. The thoughts just swirl and overwhelm and I feel like my Father is saying to me, Shhhhh, quiet, just be still, and KNOW what the Truth is in this situation. Calm and peace returns.

So, in case you are still wondering, my WORD, is actually WORDS, “Be Still and Know” I also love another version, Cease striving and know that I am God.

There is still time, if you want to share your WORD for 2014, feel free to share it.

Happy New Year, friends, so thankful for each of you!!