Today was our VBS Celebration at church, which marked the end of our Bible School.  I had to take one of my favorite Bible verses and REALLY apply it to my heart this morning:

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.  2 Timothy 1:7

Even though I spent 8 years teaching high school students, I still get really nervous speaking in front of groups of adults.  Getting up in front of our entire congregation to speak (and sing and dance) is absolutely nerve-wracking!  Thankfully, I was surrounded by my wonderful church-family who always gives me their unwavering support, and my mama even came!  I’m pretty sure she came to see me, not the kids. 🙂

For me, today also marked the end of summer vacation and a new stage in my life and my family’s life.

Tomorrow Charlie will start kindergarten!  Lord, I am so glad that we decided to homeschool, because I would be a huge mess right now if I was sending him off tomorrow to go to school.  He is so excited about this new adventure, and so am I.

In addition to that, Maddie is starting dance classes tomorrow, we’re launching a new MOPS group in a few weeks, my weekly Bible Study starts back up soon, and Charlie’s science co-op begins at the end of the month. The laid-back life I have known since becoming a stay-at-home mom 5 years ago is basically over.  We now have somewhere to be most days of the week.  Not sure how I feel about that!

Change, even though it’s fun and exciting, really requires a lot of bravery, doesn’t it?

So with all of these changes happening in my life, all of these opportunities to be afraid and timid, and just say “No, I can’t do that” while I close the front door, it is no coincidence that God has been surrounding me with brave women and inundating me with Bible verses encouraging me to be brave.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15

So tomorrow I will get up early, and we’ll begin this new chapter in our lives.  It’ll be a little scary, but it will also be fun and rewarding.

One thing I am discovering about bravery: the braver we are, the more chances we will have to work for God.  I think that’s so awesome!

I’m doing something else as we speak that is requiring a tremendous amount of courage on my part:

That’s right!  Canning green beans.  I have avoided this for a while due to my fear of using a pressure cooker, but so far so good.

I hope you all have a great week!