Sunday Sunshine

Today was a good day at church. I might be on the edge here, but I feel like there ARE such things as "bad days" at church - the ones where the kids are universally naughty, the talks and lessons feel lackluster, and your own attitude isn't exactly spiritually uplifting. Anyway, today's lessons were great and my kids were behaving, so I'm grateful for that.

I think we're going to do a Square Foot Garden. Have you heard of this? It's a gardening "system" where you use a special mix of soil and nutrients and a box to create a garden that is high-yield and virtually weed free. It doesn't take up much space and is low maintenance. Although it's a little late in the season to begin we can still plant tomatoes and peppers and maybe lettuce or something. One of our lessons at church was about self-reliance, and I realized that gardening is an important part of being self-reliant. Besides that, it will be a good way for us to teach the kids about planting, growing, tending, and reaping, to teach them skills like patience and responsibility, and to spend time with them not related to anything electronic, like computers or TV. Another part of self-reliance I haven't considered much is emotional resiliency. I think this is underrated. For example, how would I handle it if Dan suddenly lost his job or, worse, became disabled? Or if our house burned to the ground? Besides the financial aspects of such disasters, there is a real emotional toll taken as well at times like that. I'm not certain how you develop that strength, but I believe that, at least in part, dependence on the Lord and requesting strength from Him would help me to overcome fear and worry. Now, I should remember that I can do that today, without waiting for a real "disaster" to strike.

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." - Mother Teresa