It's 80 degrees this morning in South Texas, and rightfully so I have my windows open and pumpkin banana chocolate chip muffins baking in the oven. What South Texan in their right mind wouldn't? I mean, this is fall. North Texas is probably in scarves and knee boots, so we are just sticking with the seasons here.
I love this moment in our life. Gosh, I don't want it to change. So much so that it might not. I don't know. I know that I love having the time to breathe. I love having the time to take the time. I love not having knots in my stomach about hurrying. I love being able to sit and take in my baby's coos, smiles and groans. I love being able to stop to play cows with my son on the couch and to feed him his hay. I love being able to take my daughter and classmates to their field trip at the pumpkin patch next week. Sigh ....
You are probably wondering "what the heck" about this post title. It has nothing to do with eating and everything to do with what I crave for our lifestyle. I want our life here to be natural ... no artificial ingredients ... just what God made us to be and have. I want to remove anything that causes unnecessary turmoil, stress, and strife. I want to separate us from what has gotten us off and out of focus of what really matters. I am not sure just what that looks like yet, but just like when you are trying to find out what it is that you are eating that upsets your stomach, I am slowly taking away or adding where necessary.
Discernment: the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure. "Oh, ok ... that is clear as mud." Obscure: keep from being seen; conceal.
So, to be able to discern is to be able to comprehend that which is concealed. Where do you find the ability to do that? If it is concealed, how can I get it?
The Bible.
"In its simplest definition, discernment is nothing more than the ability to decide between truth and error, right and wrong. Discernment is the process of making careful distinctions in our thinking about truth. In other words, the ability to think with discernment is synonymous with an ability to think biblically. First Thessalonians 5:21-22 teaches that it is the responsibility of every Christian to be discerning: "But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil." The apostle John issues a similar warning when he says, "Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). According to the New Testament, discernment is not optional for the believer-it is required." John MacArthur
So that is where I am right now ... discerning. Just picture me, sitting here discerning. What does that look like? Praying day in and day out. Talking with the Lord, and at times it may even sound like I am arguing with Him because of what I think He is telling me, and then I hear something completely different from Him so I question out loud. I think the flies are getting good laughs from being on my walls. I know I am not alone in this journey. I know this because I have friends that I am praying along side with for the very things I am praying for.
One thing I know for sure, God will not send me somewhere (or to do something) that He has not already, full heartedly prepared me for. I can rest assured in that and know, full well know that whatever conclusion I come to (or I guess I should say we because my hubby and I, we are in this game together) He will walk beside me the whole way. Maybe even have to give me a piggy back ride here and there.
"he makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
I fear no evil;
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff,
they comfort me."
Psalm 23:2-4
Obviously not my kids but how fitting???
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