Refreshing

After a long... long... crazy... long summer :) I'm happy to report that I've hit a new season. And I'm not sure how to describe it exactly. In a nutshell- its a season of refreshing. Its like a cool glass of lemonade on a hot summers day-- of the spirit.

All summer I feel like I've been a punching bag. All kinds of crazy things coming at me from all different angles. Knocking me down and watching to see if I would pop back up. I won't go into what those things have been, there's no need. Because now, that season is over. (Praise God...)

And now, I'm finding myself refreshed. I went on a much needed mini-vacation this past weekend. No kids, no husband. A last minute girls trip, if you will, but more of a desperate grasp at sanity for those going. "A chance to miss my kids" was one description that I thought fit well. :)

I prayed on the way there that God would multiply the time. I know how these things go- they pass in the blink of an eye. Before you take a deep breath, you're home. But I prayed. And God followed through BIGtime. I was gone a little over 24 hours and it felt like 3 or 4 days. Seriously. I came home saying, "Did I REALLY leave YESTERDAY??" It was awesome.

And what happened in my heart was a much needed shower of mercy and grace. Forgiveness and refreshing. I ate, slept, shopped, browsed, sat, talked, laughed and enjoyed. I soaked in every minute. And it was balm for the soul.

Pastor Dave Buehring has been preaching some messages about the heart recently. And I've been taking them to heart. Searching the deep recesses... taking the time to really search and find the places that have been hardened and need softening. Rekindling the passion for my first Love. Asking God to give me a new heart. A heart pleasing to Him.

And I had a perspective shift. A much needed step back to look at the big picture. *Deep breath* It makes looking at each tiny piece each and every day, so much easier. I really love being a mom. And if I'm honest, I like the craziness (why do I have a feeling some of you are smiling right now because you already knew that). I love babies and their squishy legs and soft smell. I love when toddlers make senseless babble but they're completely serious. I love the revelations of preschoolers. And I love the purity of budding friendships of Kindergartners. I love cheerios under my table and peanut butter on my shirt. I know these years will be over in no time and I don't want to miss it because I didn't check my heart.

God is doing amazing things with my husband right now. And I don't want to miss that either. I don't want to be so bogged down with day to day frustrations that I'm not being a wife and helpmate. I want to the woman of God he needs. I want to be the warrior at home praying deeply and daily. There's no telling where (or when) God is taking him next and I want to be ready. Ready to take our family where God takes him.

I'm ready to dive in to first days of school, car pooling, and dare I say it- cooler weather. :) Ready for whatever bend in the road might be headed our way.

And don't get me wrong- this is a daily renewal. Every time I feel that old feeling rising up again, I stop, and literally put my arms over my face and pray. "God refresh me again. Fill me anew. Breath in me." And a supernatural energy comes over me and that plumbline perspective sets things right. I love this new season.