A Quiet Wood

A Quiet Wood

Saturday, September 1, 2007

Labor Day

Happy September! It's Labor Day weekend, and that's just what I am doing - laboring. (Well, not actually at the moment. Right now I'm writing this post...but I am doing it in the office.) It has fallen my lot to work this weekend. I've actually gotten LOTS accomplished last night and today, and true to form, I am wildly self-impressed by it. :) *knowing smile by all family members reading this*

(I was just interrupted by some students at the window. We had a great discussion on adopting personal standards and boundaries for our lives. One never knows what a moment will bring!)

Anyway, school is officially under way. We had a wonderful revival last week with Rev. John Manley. God really helped him to preach close, penetrating messages with a lot of love, humor, and transparency. What a blessing! Since I have a personal interest in how our revivals go, I was so blessed and thankful to watch God working on our students. It is so incredible to watch tender hearts respond quickly. I hope and pray that this signals a semester blessed with hearts that are open to the voice of our Heavenly Father.

I have been reading this week about our great High Priest who made the ultimate sacrifice for us - once for all. The High Priest who is able to perfectly identify with our humanity, our pain, our temptations. The High Priest who loved us long before we loved Him. The High Priest who even now intercedes for us. On this Labor Day weekend, I remember that the great labor it took to reconcile God and fallen man is complete. The work is done, and we all may reap its benefits. No more striving and struggling on our own. We may rest in His ability, His strength, and His love. What great news! Maybe we should tell someone! :)

11 comments:

lauralavon said...

As always, I enjoyed your post. Glad someone else is in blogworld today. My girls have friends over this afternoon. They're having major water fights. It's so nice to have a long weekend. My housework continues, but not school or music practice, so that gives me a little more time here. That's nice. Hopefully, you'll have Monday off!
Glad to hear revival with J.M. went well. We have him scheduled to come to Mode in a few years. I've never heard him, but have heard much good about him.
Would love to have been a little bird to listen in on the discussion at the window. I'm always looking to understand more deeply, make sure I'm not missing anything, you know.
How true it is that we are blessed as we tap into His ability,strength and love!
Encouraging post.
Blessings!

Liz said...

I heard from some "others" that the revival had went well also. Great to hear. Always a great note to start the school year off with!

Sharlyn said...

Ahhh! It IS so nice to rest in our Father's care. Thanks for the reminder.

Sarah Cook said...

Gotta love the John Manley family! He is my pastor, after all! Enjoyed your post! Have a great Labor Day!

Cindy said...

Sorry you had to work this weekend, but glad to hear you got a lot done. Not a bit surprised that you were self-impressed :) I'm not a family member, but we just had this discussion last week! A trait you share with your Dad, if I remember correctly :) Actually, I think I tend toward that myself, like to tell others about the busywork I've gotten done. So, not pointing an accusing finger at all.

I, for one, did not get much done this weekend. I even took an extended nap on Saturday, almost unheard of for me. But oh, it felt good! I did work 10 hours today, on-call for the entire agency. I was a busy little beaver.

'K, need to go for now. Visit with the fam that has gathered. Hooray for cookouts! Hope to see you again very soon :)

Kimberly said...

YOU...self-impressed? I'm shocked!! well, not so much:)..just commenting today on MY own brilliant thoughts..amazing myself..hehe!
But...truly knowing how insufficient our strivings really are...grateful for His completeness!

jenny said...

So glad for "no more striving and struggling on our own." Good reminder, friend!

AmberDawn said...

Sonja,
Love your blog -- you're so funny! Glad revival services were good. I remember in Hobe Sound how the school revival seemed to set the tone for the new year. God is good, isn't He?
My husband, baby and I might be able to make it to Brent's concert in Emmett, ID. We're going to be going near there on our way back east but I'm not sure if it'll be that day or not. I was sure excited to see that he's in concert -- just hope it works out that we can make it!
~Amber Howell

Kim M. said...

Congrats on your productive labor day weekend! I love when I am productive... which feels rare sometimes since I have three tornadoes living in my house (their names start with "J"). But God is helping and I Love Him for it!

Julia said...

Wow, never thougth of it, but yes I get really self impressed when I accomplish a lot too. I think in my case though, it's because it so rarely happens. When it does I just have to share it with anyone who will listen. Perhaps we should just email eachother when we get lots done so as not to annoy any others. :)
I do echo the thanks and joy of resting in Jesus.

jenny said...

tsk...tsk...

me thinks you are working too hard...

missing you in bloggerdom...