Happy Monday friends! Goodness but this post is late getting done…but, better late than not at all, I suppose. It is a gorgeous Monday morning here. All of our windows are open, including my office window right next to me. I actually had to go grab a light sweater. The breeze is beautiful but just a bit nippy. All that to say, it has been a wonderful morning and I have been quite productive. Just not with my blog. Sigh. But I hope your morning and week have also started off well. I say that often and, honestly, I know that many are in very different stages and seasons. I know that many are going through difficult things just now and Mondays are just the beginning are “starting it all over again.” I don’t minimize that and pray, if that is you, will find strength and encouragement for whatever faces you as you start this new week. I know that God promises to meet each of us right where you are. That is a sweet truth.
This past weekend was a nice one. We tried to do some hiking. Saturday morning began with mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine. Seemed like a great day for some time outside. And a hike. Boy, did it heat up fast. By the time we got to the battlefield not far from home (where we thought we would hike…uphill!), it was already much warmer and I knew I would not be able to go terribly far. (Remember that talk I had with my younger self last week??) Indeed, our hike was short but we still had a good time.
Speaking of walking (not necessarily hiking), I started using a weighted vest on my morning walks this morning. Interesting. It was heavy, to be sure, but not so much that I could not finish. And I am not strong. I am curious….have any of you ever used a weighted vest?? Did it make a difference and, if so, how long before you felt “used to it” and/or like you need something heavier. Just wondering.
We also got some rain on Saturday. That was a nice (and very needed) surprise. Thankfully, we were home. We actually sat on the porch for the first part of the shower…until the wind started to blow as well. In this battlefield photo from our hike, you can see how brown the grass is this time of year. My yard pretty much looks the same. We need about one of those good showers three more times this week. And maybe next:)
Yesterday was church. My Junior Church class was super sweet in the morning. We had a lesson on the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness and learning to resist temptation. Using self-control to make good choices and decisions. We also painted some rocks. Some “resist temptation rocks,” if you will. Painting is not something we do often and it was welcome fun, to be sure. Self-control was the final lesson in our fruit of the spirit series. Our summer series. I guess that means summer is over. Oh no. That brings several changes in our sweet group of Junior Church kiddos. A couple will be “graduating” out and, well, I am not ready for them to go! Such sweet boys. The class, as a whole, will be much younger now. That will take some adjusting for me.
And that brings us to a new week. My husband and I have been reading through Ezekiel in our morning devotions. Following through Paul Tripp’s devotional, Everyday Gospel. One day last week, he wrote about the gospel’s message of fresh starts and new beginnings. Of hope. I will leave you with a quote of his: In order to give us hope and to silence the enemy’s attacks, God sprinkles his word with encouraging accounts of fresh starts and new beginnings. There are several areas of my life and in the lives of those I love who need a fresh start and the hope of a new beginning. I suppose there might be for many of you as well. I am thankful for the accounts and stories He has sprinkled through His word to remind us that He delights to offer those fresh starts. I am encouraged.
Thanks for stopping by today. Here’s to a sweet week ahead. I hope you will come back again on Wednesday!!
Hi Jennifer 🙂 I love new beginnings! Even Mondays, which are usually my favorite day of the week. I have never used a weighted vest, but I see a man in our neighborhood walking with one every day. I’m not even sure what they are for. Is it kind of like ankle weights? Makes you go faster or easier once you take them off?
Have a great week! 🙂
Paul Tripp’s devotionals are great, aren’t they! So much good food for thought and soul.
I hope your week is going splendidly, friend. Enjoy these final weeks of summer!
I’m a day behind, I’m sorry to say, but I still enjoyed reading here. Your weekend sounds so lovely and relaxing…especially the sitting on the porch through the first part of the rain.
Ahhh…Paul Tripp…you can’t go wrong with his book!
Cool, crisp mornings are my favorite!! And what a sweet prayer, truth to share. I pray for that as well. We recently had a sermon on self-control as well and just wrapped up the Fruits of the Season series a couple of weeks ago. It was powerful! I love the idea of the painted rocks.
I know that place! 🙂 The weather has been wonderful this week, hasn’t it? I am loving the windows being open all day, and that fresh breeze early in the morning. We haven’t been to the battlefield in a while as I am finding it difficult to walk distances and on uneven ground, but hopefully soon I will be out there. I didn’t know there was such a thing as a weighted vest. I’ve just invested in a pair of dumbbells for strengthening exercises. A lovely post dear friend, I always enjoy reading. Thank you!
I will be thinking of you today, as you and your junior church group adjust to the changes of moving on. May God continue to bless you all.