"Not my will but thine, O Lord. Not my will but thine, O Lord. Not my will but thine, O Lord..." While some parents count to 10 with deep breathing to keep from losing it with the kids, this prayer method worked most times for me when our children were young. 

"Not my will but thine, O Lord." Over and over and over and over I would pray this when the girls were fighting; when the diaper pail (yes, I used cloth diapers) was tipped over; when stars were scratched into the furniture; when sullenness was the attitude of the moment; when tantrums occurred; when I had to get up during the night yet again; when .... Parenting is one of the toughest jobs a person will ever have, and it is a journey with many opportunities to serve as judge or executioner, to react in bad temper or respond with gentle consistency, to give in to selfish, impatient ways or follow God's plan.  I never really thought about how Micah 6:8 could 

relate to parenting, but I believe I could make a case for it as we journey with our children!

"Sounds Simple Enough" is what Brother Mick is calling his message as he expounds on Micah 6:1-8. Many of us have memorized verse 8,  "and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"  Mick writes, "They are (these verses), in effect, the job description for disciples; and they sound fairly easy to accomplish as well...do justice, love mercy, walk humbly. Those are good things all of us can agree upon. But the disconnect between what sounds good and simple and what you do or are able to do is vast...." 

Sunday school classes begin at 9 AM; we'll have "All Church Singing" from 9:55-10:10 in the rec room. The famous "Amish Wedding Feast" fundraiser will be during the fellowship hour following the worship service. Although the senior high hasn't had confirmation yet, they hope to serve with Mennonite Disaster Service this summer. I expect we'll begin our meal around 11:40. Everyone is welcome!

I think Sunday is the final day to bring in the Progresso Soup for the Food Pac Program which provides weekend food for children in need. Items for Mennonite Central Committee school kits are what we'll be gathering for February. mcc school kits Did you know the school kits are MCC's most requested item? I didn't until I checked out the website! Korinne and Ian distributed kits when they were in Honduras with EMU a few years ago.

Prayer for today: Keep us safe, O God, for in you we take refuge. Apart from you there is no good thing.Ps. 16 Grant us courage, Loving God, to seek justice on the path of life that you've prepared for us. Grant us wisdom, Gentle God, to live in peace, mercy, and kindness with one another. Help us to trust, Faithful God, in your Presence, knowing you'll never leave us nor forsake us. Come Kingdom of God. Be done, will of God here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus Name!  AMEN.

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd