One Step Back

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth" (Psalm 46:10).

Have you ever started your day sensing something was wrong with your homeschooling? As I crawled out from under the covers, I knew we needed to set the academics aside and let the day just happen. Our family relationships had been growing distant, the stress level had been building, and our homeschooling was feeling more like a chore than a blessing. Our family needed to experience the joy of being together again. Phonics rules, spelling words, and algebraic equations could wait. Today, I simply wanted to enjoy my precious children and play.

Our relationship with God can also get misconstrued as we grow in Christ. We forget that God is more concerned about being with us than our concern of doing things for Him. We hurry from one worthwhile ministry to the next and fill our lives with noble schedules for winning the lost or discipling new believers. However, even as Mary chose to worship and sit at the Master's feet, we also must step back and rediscover the simple joy of being with Jesus. No schedules, no events, no projects — just quietly loving our Lord and relishing His presence.

Can you remember the last time you relaxed and enjoyed the day for what it was — a chance to breathe, live, and take in the goodness of God's creation and love? Today's the day to take one step back, turn off the noise, and listen to the silence. Drink in the beauty of your Creator and rejoice as God speaks to your heart! "In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore" (Psalm 16:11b).

Lord, I love You so much. I bow before You in worship and praise You for Your loving goodness. Hallelujah, I give You this day and rejoice in Your presence! In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Comments(12 comments)

REBECCA G 08/30/2011 07:22:29

Love this reminder to stop and smell the roses sometimes in our homeschooling.

BONNIE D 08/30/2011 09:23:30

it is amazing how just the right message comes the right day. today we decided to take a break from the academics even before reading daily focus.

VALERIE H 08/30/2011 10:27:35

I agree, today we started off on the wrong foot and just decided to play...it\'s amazing how the right message always comes on the right day. Thank you

JENNY G 08/30/2011 18:57:59

Finally I have a moment to leave a comment! I thank God for these devotionals written by homeschooling Moms for homeschooling Moms and have shared them with my friends at church. Thank you for using the Bible\'s verses (KJV) which is the inspired word of God, without that (and of course Christ himself) we would not have anything to turn to in our lives that truly inspires, teaches, corrects, gives faith, hope, love, and a purpose to be here, doing everything that we do. Keep up the wonderful work, it is never in vain!!!

VERA S 08/30/2012 04:56:39

I really needed this. This is our first time homeschooling and we just started this week. I was looking at todays plans and was stressing over the fact that my oldest homeschooler had been giving me a hard time and we were behind in work. I\'m not stressing anymore we will just do what we can and take it easy. Enjoy teaching and not worry about it as another chore.

TRACEY D 08/30/2012 05:01:33

Tracey D

Yes, I needed to hear this. My children are in High School and soon to be in college and they are at the age where they want to do their own thing with out parents, independence is what it is called. Refreshing, to think that we can just stop and enjoy each other. I love spending time with my family.

MIA M 08/30/2012 06:40:23

thanks, I needed that.

KATHY S 08/30/2012 07:00:09

Excellent Devotional as always! Thank you.

LISA A 08/30/2012 23:19:33

This is why God is smarter than we are. He gave us His instructions in scripture to take the Sabbath He has given us as a blessing to us. He gave us His wonderful Feast Days to meet with Him, face to face all 7 of them!!! He told us that if we truly love Him that we would obey His commandments and those who don\'t are a liar, (out of the mouth of His Son, not me). Faith is following His lead and walking in His instructions (law)for our life, so it may go well with us and give us long life. Remember when Messiah told us this stuff, there wasn\'t a new testament written, what scriptures of commands was he referring us to then? The ones His Father spoke of to Moses, Abraham,Isaac and Jacob. (The Word)

May it be a delight and pure joy in wallking out His commandments He gave to us as a light to our path, a lamp unto our feet and clothes us in linen(righteousness) and brings true rest. Psalm 119.

SHEILA MOSLEY 08/30/2013 13:34:08

Thank you so much. I especially needed the reminder "(w)e forget that God is more concerned about being with us than our concern of doing things for Him."

Ana Willis 09/02/2014 13:20:24

Amen! What a perfect devotional for the sabbath, especially before this long weekend. I'm so glad I was reminded to just enjoy God's presence and the love of my children! Thank you so much!

MISTY HAYES 09/02/2014 13:20:14

Misty H

I love these devotionals we receive each day. God is so good! It's wonderful to be able to homeschool. It is such a true blessing! God definitely speaks to us when we are still and we are carefully listening.


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