Monday - Three Times to Speak and A Busy Monday

Inspiration

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.

Esther 4:14

Reading and Learning

 

Tucked between the chronicles of kings and the thundering of prophets, is a story of someone sitting quietly, not even realizing her seemingly obscure potential until she opens her mouth. This is a story that shouts "You have a destiny, not in spite of your circumstances but because of them!" It speaks boatloads of how God is intricately entwined with every area of our lives, even in the silence when it appears heaven isn't listening and there is no answer. When there is no obvious miracle, and when the silence is louder than anything - that's when we need to listen up and pay attention.

Pg. 57

Today we began learning about what it means to love ourselves like Jesus loves us so that we can share that love with others. And, of course, we worked in our workbooks.

During our afternoon learning time we practiced tracing letters and numbers with our fingers, reviewed shapes and sizes, listened for words that rhyme, looked for our sight words in our story, and practiced some sign language.

Outdoor Fun

We finally had a day with no rain but the back yard is still swampy in some places so the kids did not go out to play. I'm hoping that by tomorrow we will be able to play outside. We need our outside time. I did get to take two of the dogs for walks early this morning and enjoyed the views and the sunrise. Early morning walks are the best!

Other Fun

Morning playtime

Afternoon puzzles and reading

Evening playtime

On My Mind

"Tucked between the chronicles of kings and the thundering of prophets, is the story of someone sitting quietly, not even realizing her seemingly obscure potential until she opens her mouth."

I have to say this line made me laugh a little. Because obscure potential is not usually what I realize when I open my mouth! Too often what I realize anew is my well known potential to open mouth, insert foot. 

But I also had to stop and think. In spite of my talent of getting myself in trouble there are times when I do have a responsibility to speak.

Proverbs 31:8-9 says "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." And Psalm 82:3 says "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and oppressed." Speaking up for those who are struggling, those who are denied basic rights, and those who are defenseless, is so important. 

Testimony is another way the Bible tells us to open our mouth and use our words (as I tell the kids so frequently!) Revelations 12:11 speaks of the believers overcoming the accuser (satan) by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. Spoken words have power and when satan hears the testimony of the believer his power is weakened. And not only is his power weakened but other people who hear the testimony are strengthened and encouraged. 

And last, but certainly not least, there is the privilege of opening my mouth in praise. Praise is not optional. Psalm 150:6 says "let everything that has breath praise the Lord." Praise is key to living a life of victory and joy.  When I am giving praise to God it is hard to be down and discouraged. And God works through the praises of His people to show the world what an awesome God He is. Praising God at all times, whether difficult or joyous, is an expression of faith and confidence that He is Who He say He is, and does what He says He does. It is an expression of understanding that no matter what, we know the victory is already won. 

Today's Quote 

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.