Another Year, Another Day, Another Moment

School plans have not yet been written down for this next year.  They are still floating around in my mind.  We have lots of  plans for our family, business and service opportunities, and Jeff has asked that our school studies be built around those plans....which can make things quite interesting!

As I contemplate what the new year holds and think about writing monthly, weekly and daily plans,  I always remind myself to leave some blank spaces.  God's plans are always bigger and better than ours and if we fill our days too full of our plans then we don't make room for His.

As normal, we started back to school yesterday, trying to get back into a routine of Bible study, read alouds and all the other things we do....when I had a child come down with a fever and sore throat.  It really almost seems to never fail.  A wrench thrown into my day....or God saying hang on and love on this child a little more for the day.

After a sleepless night for some of us I am contemplating a trip to the doctor....I suspect strep throat....which will mean being out for the entire day as we also start back with piano lessons this afternoon.....which will mean that my older students will be on their own for independent work and we won't get to our group studies.....which will put us behind before we even really get going.  And, then, I remind myself that one of our chief goals in homeschooling our children is to just be a family who loves the Lord, loves each other and loves to learn.  Education doesn't just happen when we are sitting down with the books.  I am educating my children as they watch me serve them and serve their father, watching my attitude...whether I am serving joyfully or in a way that makes them think they are in the way or are interruptions.  I find myself wandering here in my sleep-deprived state so I will leave you with words much more eloquently written.

The following poem was posted two years ago as we began a new year then.  Someone suggested that I repost it this year.  I think we could change the word "year" to "day" or even "minute".

Another Year Is Dawning 

Another year is dawning,
dear Father, let it be

In working or in waiting,
another year with Thee.

Another year of progress,
another year of praise,

Another year of proving
Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies,
of faithfulness and grace,

Another year of gladness
in the shining of Thy face;

Another year of leaning
upon Thy loving breast;

Another year of trusting,
of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service,
of witness for Thy love,

Another year of training
for holier work above.

Another year is dawning,
dear Father, let it be

On earth, or else in Heaven,
another year for Thee.


Words by Frances R. Havergal, 1874. She wrote these words as a poem for her New Year's greeting cards. www.hymntime.com