Thoughts Over Dawn

Washing dishes.  I'm sure it drums up fond memories for we "late 30-something" folks. A time before electric dishwashers were present, much less a staple in every American home.
Marriages have been weighing heavy on my heart lately. As a woman in a spiritually unequally yoked covenant, it surprises me a bit. Not only am I witnessing the demise of marriages with friends, watching close friends fall away from the church and Christianity, seeing couples place a lot of "me" and no "you" in their lives and I'm seeing it from a whole new perspective.  It is the accumulation of my own search into building a stronger Christian marriage within my own home. LOTS of reading.
I'm currently half-way through Surviving a Spiritual Mismatch in Marriage. I am taking so much more away from this book than I ever imagined!! Not only that, but I believe the principles can be applied to any relationship. One conviction I have, is to earnestly pray if this is a way my LORD wants me to serve. Could I be a mentor to another woman in my place?

Oh, yea, the reason I stopped scrubbing to blog! Taking into account my above thoughts, along with my immense gratitude in being home with my kids and I had another "light bulb" moment.  First, might the trend in job lay-offs be God's way of making people change priorities, but maybe it's an attempt to transition families back to a Biblical standard ; having a parent in the home at all times. That being said, my door to UTA closed because I took my focus off of what He wanted and began to place myself as center. By closing off the opportunity, I was awakened to my place in my home, my place in His plan and most importantly, His place in my heart/life.

Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.
Ephesians 5:14

JOY:
Jesus
Others
Yourself

PEACE:
Pray
Empathize
Act
Confess
Emmulate

A seed begins to grow

Last Sunday I was informed by Abby's Sunday school teacher that she needed to bring her Bible each week. They are now learning to navigate their way through, learn the books and reference & read Scripture.  Well, Abby doesn't have a complete Bible, just a new testament and her book of bible stories. 
So Friday I had errands to run which included Half Price Books (for me and a book exchange) when lo and behold, not only a nice leather bound young girls NIV Bible, but 20% off! Score one for the faithful, love a good bargain.  So, as my grandmother did in 1984, I bought Abby her very first Bible. 
But it gets better! Later that afternoon I was checking my emails and noticed one from Christ Fellowship, children's minister David Klippert-Rowe. In it he proceeds to enlighten me to how Abby is voicing interest in who Christ is and how she can share him with her friends :D could a parent be more excited!! Ephesians 6:4 "...bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord"
She informed me this morning that during the night, if she wakes up or can't sleep, "I turn on my little light and read my Bible". Oh, my sweet and precious Abigail, I hope you always keep your little light shining; shining bright for the whole world to see!