Finishing Strong.....Finishing Well....

For several weeks now I seem to have had "bloggers" block!! If there is such a thing! Not that I think I am a great writer or anything..I simply write for myself and I like that part of this blogging adventure! Which is why it has been a little bothersome- that absolutely nothing has really intrigued me or made me think...hmmmm,  "I should write about this!"

  Maybe it was the beginning of school and getting used to that routine...maybe it was the frustrations we are going through with our businesses right now...maybe, just maybe I'm weary from trying to figure out God's plan for our lives and for my children's lives as well. Of course we all know...including me...that I will NEVER figure out God's plan....I will never be "privvy" to exactly what God has in store for us for the rest of our lives so to speak... I know for certain that He does not look down from the clouds and say in an audible voice, " Carolyn, just 4 more weeks and they will be home....or Carolyn, next week you will sell everything in your shop....and so on and so on...." But....what He does say should certainly enable me to remain strong and firm and not "feel" that I have nothing to say or nothing to add. I'm learning to trust,

Layton, K-4
2011

obviously!

Just last week Holly was here for 6 days....6 glorious days... we had alot of fun...she did alot with Miller....she got to pick up Layton from school.....That was a total blessing from God...just having her here to do the normal things that she and I love was a special treat from God  that was a reminder to me that I AM "privvy" to His will for my life....no matter the circumstances and  all I have to do is Trust Him!! It's made me appreciate the time that Holly and I  do get to spend together and not take it for granted! Each day is a blessing! Each child is a blessing, each moment God gives us is such a blessing!!!

Which leads me to my main point...and why I wanted to write tonight!!
I guess maybe I HAVE been "feeling" again these past few days and nights and what I'm feeling has to do with my youngest child and his stage of life!

Proverbs 3:5-6

 ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart
   and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
   and he will make your paths straight.

But...when you have a high school senior...your life changes...especially when that child is the last one at home...your baby so to speak!!  He is a WONDERFUL child....He just has Senioritis!!!! ALREADY!!! and it's only September mind you!!! I see him slacking up some in school and justifying it!  HELP!!!!!  Any advice out there??? With my others I worried and fretted ALL  through their high school years!! This one is throwing me for a loop!! I've never really had to fret over him until now!!! Thankfully, he is quick to respond when called down....tries his best to have a joyful spirit and be very respectful... and that's all fine and dandy...What is really bothering me is his lack of desire...his lack of spunk if you will...I know I've already written about him not wanting to grow up...and I really do understand that! There are so many pressures in the world today! He just wants to hunt, fish, play basketball,  hang out....be a kid!!!  I LOVE THAT!!!!!  Thankfully...in recent weeks I've seen that change to a better attitude of self resolve....he wants to go to Auburn even if none of his best friends go....I'm so proud of him for that!! Not just because it's Auburn...but because it's his decision...We are getting letters galore from other schools....a packet came today for Scholarships from Auburn that I haven't even shown him yet!!! I'm still focused on the fact that he has Senioritis!!! He made a MISERABLY low test grade last week and I'm horrified!! Like...I don't even think I ever made that low of a test grade!!! And he seems to think it will all be ok!! Now granted...once I ranted and raved he finally revealed the fact that the teacher had already come to him after class to see what was wrong...I hope and pray he will find mercy on my son!!

Miller and Roy- age 4?

 As I "ranted" at Miller....it occured to me that truthfully, my only desire is for him to finish well...It's a relatively simple concept that I don't think many kids this age consider! Life is too easy...things are too readily available and always at the touch of a button or a remote! However...if we don't finish well in these simplest of life's tasks....what will we do when we face something larger? When his college professor doesn't give a care in the world about how he does on a test....when a relationship goes sour....when friends shun him or disappoint him??? What will he do then when he never really learned what it meant to finish well in all areas of his life?! I so want him to grasp that concept...I want him to want to finish well because of his relationship with Christ and nothing else....nothing else! Nothing that the world can offer him...just simply knowing that he did all he could do to finish well. Am I asking too much? I mean it...I sure didn't think like this when I was his age but I sure wish I had!

Tom and Miller just a 2 weeks ago

Roy, Miller, Tom and "babe"

Miller, Hannah and Will...Cousins! the first day of school!
2011

I began to look at my own life....do I desire that? Do I want to finish well in everything I do simply for the reason of glorifying our Lord? Or do I desire to finish well so that other's can see it? Do I really just want Miller to look good to others to make me look better? It's a constant battle I've faced with all of my children because it involves pride...and pride is a vicious stalker....I dealt with it with my older children and finally realized that what they did was not always a reflection on ME ....I want Miller, Mitch, Holly, Brad, Britney, Layton....and most of all Me and Jim to realize that finishing well simply means glorifying Him in all that we do....whether it's school, work, going from placement to placement with Chick Fil A....raising a child....running your own business....Whatever it is....in order to glorify Him in all areas of our lives...I truly believe He wants us to "Finish Well"......

Philippians 3:14

¹⁴I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 12:1

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

 ¹Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

I would be very remiss if I did not tell you that I know what I'm talking about and blogging about truly only matters to me....I think it is really my way of seeking God's will in how to deal with this part of growing up! This part of raising children...this part of  letting my "baby" leave the nest!~ no telling what you will be reading this time next year! I will end by posting the words to the most simple of songs....but the words are oh, so very true! and I really do cling to them and sing them to myself many a day and many a night! 

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
   What a glory He sheds on our way!
   While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
   And with all who will trust and obey.
   • Refrain:
     Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
     To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
   But His smile quickly drives it away;
   Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
   Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
   But our toil He doth richly repay;
   Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
   But is blessed if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
   Until all on the altar we lay;
   For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
   Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
   Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
   What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
   Never fear, only trust and obey.