Today we met with the guidance counselor of the local magnet high school. She was warm and gracious but doesn’t make the ultimate decision on whether my son’s homeschool high school credits “count” or not in their system. She will have to bring in each academic department head (they are all out right now) to come to approve his portfolio and textbooks so it will take weeks before we hear of their decision. I have placed all of this in the Lord’s hands for He is the only One who knows where my child needs to be. He will chart our course, not a public school or administrator or even myself. This is the good news that brings tranquility to my soul.
I got home from that meeting around 10:30, changed my clothes, and headed to my room with a book. One child was already at work and another was about to leave. One is headed on a vacation with some of our extended family. And two others were at swim practice and playing with friends. Mike was working from home today. I fell asleep by 11 am and didn’t wake up until 1:30 pm. It was a delicious nap, deeply restorative. My book and some sleep and some prayer calmed me, causing my nervous system to rest. Now I am hydrating, keeping the rest of this gray day quiet, children downstairs watching a show, and fixing bicycles.
June has always been a sabbatical of sorts for me, but this 2021 June has not been that. It’s been more of the unexpected, small dramas and larger ones. Reading missionary biographies and sticking to a summer Bible reading plan has given me life and perspective while I have felt tossed about. When seasons of storms come rolling in, it’s so important to find the practices that calm us on the insides. We can’t control life, but we can give ourselves spaces and disciplines that hold us, tether us firmly to Christ. Scriptures that exhort us to “hold fast” and offer us words like endurance and perseverance, to “stand firm”…these become our mantras and our daily bread.
I love calming techniques like deep breathing, stretching, naps. Scents like lavender, pairing back the schedule, and limiting social media, sugar, and caffeine. Earlier bedtimes, gentle books, long walks. But as much as I believe in all these measures, the best Calm is marinating in God’s Word. The Word reminds us of His care, His goodness, His presence. The Blessed Holy Spirit comforts and tends to us. No other source will bring us deep, restorative life than His living conversation with us. He is the friend without failings, the One who knows us best, loves us most, and has a beautiful companionable plan. There is no angst with Him. The storms don’t scare Him. By a word, He controls them. He wants to listen to our hearts, bind up the wounds, and be the dearest of friends.
I am going to pull out my journal and do some writing, read a bit more. I have Taco Chicken Bowls in the crockpot so dinner is prepared. I am creating the conditions to hear Him, be with Him, rest in Him. Receiving the Calm. Thank you for being a gentle reader, always offering me calm and kindness with your comments and emails. May the rest of your Tuesday fill you with what you need most.
Love,
Aimee
We lost our only pet in a freak accident yesterday as we headed into the busiest week of our summer with ballet camp and VBS and family coming into town...you've put into words exactly what I need to do for myself and my family during a hard week (we realize pet loss is so very much less painful than losing a person, yet still hard, especially for children...and mom...): make space to receive the calm and comfort of the Holy Spirit. I will be looking for things to put aside or put on auto as we make that space. Thank you once again for your words and timely wisdom.