Simplicity in May

Friday May 18, 2012


I’m a little late to the party this week, but things have been busy. There’s always time to count blessings, though, isn’t there?

Today I’m sharing another nugget of truth from Confessions by Augustine. Love that book!

I’m linking up with Susanne to talk about our five favorites of the week for Friday’s Fave Five. Click on over to Living to Tell the Story if you’d like to join us.

Here are my favorites for this week:

1. Mother’s Day. A nice day for me. We got to go to church—with our son Andrew! We decided church and lunch out would be too taxing all in one day, so we did our Mother’s Day dinner out on Saturday afternoon. Red Lobster never looked so good to me. It was great! And the cards and calls from my other three boys just made the day…along with those peach roses my hubby had waiting for me on Sunday.

2. Faithful friends…who are still saying, “Do you need ANYthing?” How sweet!

3. The end of a class, beginning of another. I just finished a class (the exam was this past week), and am ordering my books for another. This one is Machiavelli and Aquinas. Right up my alley. I’m excited!

4. Brother bonding. I love that my boys love each other. I remember those days when they couldn’t look at each other without complaining about the other. Now, they look forward to getting together, washing cars together, talking, phone calls. So glad they have each other.

5. This quote. We read Confessions by St. Augustine in the class I just finished, and I mined enough quotes to last for quite a while. I’m trying to intersperse them with others, though, so as not to overload you!

“…there is no greater simplicity than in you…Idleness appears as desire for a quiet life; yet can rest be assured apart from the Lord? …. There is no reliable security except with you.”

In these complicated, crowded days, He is our greatest simplicity; He is our only reliable security. He is our rest.

Wishing you rest this week,

Real Rest

Friday April 20, 2102

Real rest.

Sometimes our bodies crave it, sometimes our spirits long for it.

I think of spring and see the fruits of it. Winter is the earth's rest...and just look at the fruit!

Counting this week's five top blessings today along with my friends from Friday's Fave Five. We welcome you to join us -- just click on over to Susanne's place and link up.

Here are my favorites from this week:

1. Progress. Another doctor appointment this week for my son Andrew, and more progress. After a major accident like his, progress comes hand in hand with work, and that’s what he has ahead. PT is stepping up, and I’m praying he does – that he shows determination, perseverance, and stamina. There are still unanswered questions ahead, but isn’t that life? As long as we have Him by the hand, we can keep climbing in spite of those unanswered questions.

2. Reading. Oh, I know I’ve said this so many times before – but I love to teach books I love. And to see high school kids interested in a book? That’s gold! For my regular classes, it’s Lord of the Flies. Quite a few of the boys have said with surprise in their voices, “I think I’m really gonna like this book.” And for my Honors classes, we’re beginning Crime and Punishment. It’s a challenge, but I have a few who are picking up the gauntlet and showing maturity beyond their years. Exciting!

3. The help of friends. I’ve needed a little more help than usual this week, and friends have been there. Very special ones.

4. Rotisserie chicken! Andrew loves it, and it’s such an easy meal to serve when you just pick it up from the store. I love to see my boy eat and enjoy it.

5. This quote from a class I’m taking:

“You stir man to take pleasure in praising you, because you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” (Saint Augustine)

I’m reading Confessions again and it’s such a treasure trove. I just chose this out of 12 quotes I’ve noted, and I’m only halfway through the book.

Our heart is restless until it rests in You. Take my restlessness; replace it with Your rest.

Wishing real rest for you this week,

The First Official Week of Summer: Friday's Fave Five

June 18, 2010Time to look back at the blessings of the week. Thanks to Susanne at Living to Tell the Story for hosting this each week. Jump on over if you’d like to join in.

This has been the first official week of summer, and this teacher has enjoyed every minute of it. Here are some highlights.

1. The master griller. My dear hubby gladly grilled the other night. When he has the grill fired up, he likes to do it all, so he grilled hot dogs for quick lunches, steak for dinner, and chicken breasts – enough for two meals. We’ll have chicken this weekend and I’ll freeze the rest for a quick meal. I love it when he shares the work, and it tastes great, too!

2. Progress on my novel. I’ve been working on my novel-in-progress, and I’m happy to have made progress. I pretty much have tunnel vision right now and am splitting my time between my blog and the novel. I’m loving the tale – hope the publisher does…

3. My iPod. I broke down and got an iPod Touch. This was a concession as I own no Apple products, being partial to PC, particularly Dell. I had a number of gift cards from Christmas and end-of-the-year teacher gifts, and a store had a great deal. When I realized I could check my email on the thing (without paying the fee my phone service requires) and we could use it to play music in the car on vacation, I was pretty much sold. My son is still setting it up for me, though…

4. Time, time, time. The summer luxury of time for this teacher is SUCH a blessing. I’m loving it.

5. Wise words from Augustine. One of the blessings of time is the chance to read, read, read. And I have. I’ve heard this quote before but read it again this week and was reminded of how I love it. In the first paragraph of his Confessions, Augustine addresses God thus:

You made us for Yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in You.

I’ve rested in Him…and then I’ve taken the reins back from time to time. Then my restless heart drives me once again to the One in whom real rest is found. And He’s always there – full of grace, with arms open wide.

Hope you had a great week. I’d love to hear about it!

Happy Friday!