New Year...I'm growing!

It's a new year and I'm growing, because our family is growing! God has blessed us with our 6th child! I'm due September 3rd. We have Katelyn [12], Cason [9], Carrie [6], Chloe [3] and 1 little girl in Heaven, Abby [our 2nd born]. Now that the new year has come, and is already flying, I've been thinking about my 'goals' for 2011. I was feeling a little stressed about the fact that I feel 'behind' in many areas of my life (morning sickness will do that) and I can't seem to get everything done. God gave me a wonderful thought a few weeks ago; actually He brought a verse to mind that allowed me to take a deep breath and REST in His mercy. The verse; Matthew 6:33:

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." [NKJV]

I like the New Living Translation..."Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."

I quickly felt God's peace fall all over me and I realized that ALL I need to do is SEEK God first and in doing so, everything else will fall into place! I do strive to put God first by having a quiet time every morning and it truly sets the pace for my day. I can definitely tell a difference when I do not carve out that early morning time, but sometimes I allow fear and doubt to seep in, as real life hits, and I forget to SEEK God first in ALL circumstances. For example, I've been struggling with my homeschool schedule [not as far along as I need to be this school year and feeling overwhelmed with regret], so I applied this verse to the problem. Last week we got back on track by starting every day with prayer and Bible [putting God first] and it has 'smoothed' my mornings in many ways. And when I start to feel like I'm not doing enough or not doing what I need to be doing [in all areas], I remind myself that I'm putting God first and He promises to 'add all these things to me' and 'give me all I need'. It's true FREEDOM!

So what is my new year's resolution for 2011?...To grow! To grow spiritually as I strive to seek God 1st AND to grow physically as this precious new life grows in me! Happy NEW YEAR...make it JOYful!