As 2012 dwindles to a close and 2013 will begin with a few changes for our family (I will be homeschooling Will again), I find myself needing to dwell on the One who never changes or grows old or weary. My Christmas break has been spent at times feeling excited, tired, overwhelmed, peaceful, stressed, fearful, sad and thankful -- just to name a few of my emotions. Over the past few weeks, I truly have been on an emotional roller coaster, mostly because of our children and our trying to discern what is best for them in many areas. Ryan has been a blessing of stability when my mind and heart start whirling in a million different directions. But my
true stability comes from God and His word. He is the One who causes the stars to shine and the rain to fall and the seasons to change. Yet He cares for even our somewhat "petty" problems, and He wants us to fall before Him no matter how we are feeling. As we've gone through Christmas holidays -- which have not been
all joy and gladness in the Porter home -- I have been reminded again and again that the sins that make me so sad/stressed/angry/overwhelmed are the very reason why Christ came! He came because of the brokenness in each of our hearts that make us hurt those in our own family, i.e. sibling rivalry and parental frustration! He came so that I might have hope -- not in myself or that our kids will grow to love one another or that homeschooling will solve all the problems for us -- but that our hope will lie in Him alone, in His humility, His grace, His love! What a Savior we serve!! I will still be tired and frustrated and sad and angry at times (probably too many times). But I have the hope that He has set me free to serve Him as a wife, a mother, a homeschool teacher, a daughter, a friend, a sister in Christ. My prayer for the close of this year is that I will step forward in faith to whatever path He leads me on, and that I would fix my eyes on Jesus -- not on my failures or those of my husband or my kids or others -- but serve Him wholeheartedly.
May the mind of Christ my Savior live in me from day to day,
by His love and pow'r controlling all I do and say.
May the Word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour,
so that all may see I triumph only through His pow'r.
May the peace of God my Father rule my life in everything,
that I may be calm to comfort sick and sorrowing.
May the love of Jesus fill me as the waters fill the sea;
him exalting, self abasing, this is victory.
May his beauty rest upon me as I seek the lost to win,
and may they forget the channel, seeing only Him.
Kate Wilkinson, 1925
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| Daddy and Daughter Date Night -- heading to the zoo |
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| Mother and Son date night -- bowling, sushi and a game of Quirkle |
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| Our annual gingerbread house |
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| Merry Christmas 2012!! |
