Sunrise in the pacific northwest: Mount Saint Helens in the distance
Well, today’s the day. Today, we pull out of our cozy home here in Washington and hit the road. On tap for today: 10 hours of driving.
Yesterday was rough. Jay and I flew in from speaking at CAPE in Albuquerque on Sunday. I unpacked our suitcases, ran some laundry, and packed them up again.
When preparing to leave home for two months, you’ve got to have your thinking cap on.
Only yesterday, my poor little thinking cap seemed to have been misplaced. I felt overwhelmed. The kind of overwhelmed that keeps you from cleaning your house because you don’t know where to start. I struggled to think clearly. Even my lists were overwhelming!
And then there is the fear that plagues my heart and mind.
What if we are robbed again? What if we break down? What if someone gets sick or injured? What if …
Here’s the thing: God already knows what’s going on. It does not do me any good to worry. And the most frustrating thing for me is that I know it!
Busy mom, we serve an awesome God. He gets it.
Today as I sat down to read my Bible, I looked at the calendar and noticed it was April 23. I don’t normally do this but I sensed that God would have me read Psalm 23 — and in the quietness of the dawn,God met me.
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Isn’t God good!? He knows exactly what we need each day. Are you spending time with Him each day, busy mom? He wants to meet with you. As I read today, God gently reminded me that He’s right.here. He’s always been here. He always will be.
He guides us along RIGHT paths–for His name’s sake.
He leads us beside quiet waters.
He restores our souls.
Mom, whatever you’re facing today, you can trust Him. Whatever you walk through, He’s walking beside you. He’s got it covered.
He’s good like that.
He is so good! Y’all be careful. I know you’ve put on the full armor. Can’t wait to see you at TTD next weekend. And again at HEAV in June. Safe (and fun) travels!
thank you so much for sharing! I needed this in my busy day as well. God is good, and He will supply all of my needs. ~Amen!
Hey Heidi,
Praying for you and your entire family as you are heading out the door and traveling for the next two months. Just wanted you to know that I so enjoyed hearing you speak at the NCHE conference last May 2012 in Winston-Salem, NC. Your changed my paradigm in so many ways and for the better and I continue to benefit from it. I enjoy your words of encouragement now every day. Thank you for being real and for living out on a daily basis what you are passionately telling Moms.
Praying for your family! Yes, God is good – safe travels to you!
I noticed verse 5 recently. I blogged about it, but here’s the summary:
David, a warrior, was saying that as the enemy is surrounding him, closing in, he see a banquet table in the midst of it all and sits down to rest in God’s protection.
Life and death, want and need… They’ll always be around us. We need to rest in God’s presence regardless of the circumstances around us.
Heidi thanks for coming to NM, enjoyed your gift for encouragement. Bought your book Daylight and read through it in two days. You’ve packed a lot of great advise in it. Thanks for all the laughs and thanks for the simplicity. I have some work to do to simplify, but I’m eager to get started. Thanks for Psalm 23 today. I’ll be praying for you and your precious family. I like to pray for all the homeschool moms I know while folding laundry. Blessings Michelle
Thank you for the encouragement Michelle! I really appreciate it.
I just want to thank you and your beautiful family for the Lord’s work that you do. I was so blessed to get to sit in on a couple of your sessions last year in Southern California. Your words were like refreshing water to my soul. You made me laugh out loud. You made me tear up. You touched my heart. When I got home I devoured your books. I’m so encouraged daily by your words on Facebook and here on your blog. I just wanted to speak out and say you have made a difference in my life as a wife and a mother. You have made a difference in our homeschool and the way I view my ‘job’ as my children’s teacher. Thank you Heidi!
I will be keeping your family in prayer as you journey the next several weeks. I pray for smooth travels and blessing for your whole family. I pray many are touch by what the Lord has for you to share.
Just one more thing… my kids and I started a study of Psalm 23 on Monday. 🙂 I loved reading your words here about it. Once again, the Lord using what you have to share to help and encourage a mama that needs it. Happy Travels!!! 🙂