Enjoy the Season
Well, summer has almost come to a close. It’s funny, isn’t it, how in the midst of summer we think it will never end, and then as it ends, we wonder where it all went?
I was reminded this evening that life, like the weather, has seasons. In the midst of those seasons, it’s easy to wish ourselves in another season, not realizing that it will be over soon enough.
I know when we were little my mom thought diapers would never end—but they did. Then she was certain that we’d never learn to read—but we did. The seasons came and went, and suddenly mom found herself missing diapers and phonics. But unlike summer, which comes back again each year, those seasons never came back. Instead, new seasons came with new lessons to learn, new challenges to face, and new blessings waiting to be discovered.
As summer ends and fall begins, let’s choose to delight in whatever season of life we’re in, cherishing each moment and knowing it will soon be gone.
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV
Katherine Loop @ August 27, 2007 | Uncategorized | Comments (0)
Year-Round Vigilance
Before I left town, my garden was predominately healthy. I saw what could be the first signs of borers on one squash plant, but that was all. Everything seemed to be promising a healthy harvest.
I went away for a week and a half, leaving my brother in charge of watering the garden. Surely the garden could survive a week and a half without me watching it, right?
Wrong. Although my brother tried his best to keep up with the watering, I came home to find my garden overgrown and infested with vine borers. My squash plants no longer look very promising. As you can see in the picture, they had drooped sadly, and weeds had sprung up all around them. I learned my lesson—I couldn’t take time off gardening without expecting negative results.
My ruined garden has been reminding me that we need to guard our hearts vigilantly. Worldly ideas, like pests and weeds, are constantly trying to invade our thinking. So remember, even though you may be “off” school for a few more weeks, don’t stop tending the gardens in your children’s hearts!
–Katherine Loop
Katherine Loop @ August 20, 2007 | Uncategorized | Comments (0)
Dispelling the Jitters
With September just around the corner, I imagine that many of you are beginning to think about the upcoming school year. Perhaps some of you are questioning your abilities to teach your children. I know my mother was certainly scared at the prospect of being my teacher.
In the midst of her fears, God gave her Isaiah 54:13, “All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children’s peace.” (NIV)
My mom clung to this verse, asking God to teach us what we needed to know. And He did—truly no one teaches like God! God knows everything about everything—what better teacher could we have?
Last week, my mom and I got to tour Answers in Genesis’ new Creation Museum just outside Cincinnati. The whole museum was wonderful, but the planetarium presentation especially left an indelible impression in my mind. At one point during the presentation, our entire galaxy appeared as just a tiny dot in the scheme of stars and galaxies God has placed throughout space.
And just think—God calls each one of those stars by name and holds them in the palm of His hand! When you feel overwhelmed by your own inadequacies, stop and remember that the God who holds each star in place is there, ready and willing to teach you and your children. Keep your eyes on Him and seek His wisdom each step of the way. He gave your children to you, and He knows perfectly how to teach them—and you.
Katherine Loop @ August 15, 2007 | Uncategorized | Comments (0)