Yesterday some of the kids and I went for a walk. It is good to get outside. I usually notice plenty when we walk, but for those closer to the ground, they seem to notice more. Our youngest daughter showed me the most amazing acorns that had split and taken root. I had never seen this before and it was amazing! Slowing down has caused us all to notice more and maybe appreciate the little things. I like this pace much better. Our family will be taking more walks together over the next 3 weeks that the kids are out of school. I have also seen some areas that we need to reset. I have heard that it takes 21 days to form a habit. Well, that is what we have been given and I consider this a gift.

With the little splitting acorn I was reminded again of roots. How small, daily habits in our home help put down roots that will continue to grow in each of our children. They will grow into oak trees before I know it and I want their roots to be deep and strong. Surface stuff has not cut it in parenting for quite sometime. Behavior is just a reflection of the heart and I am always after their heart. We have been given 21 days to do some heart work. Where there are unhealthy roots, we will use this time to take care of those. We will drink more of the living water Christ offers and less imitations from the world. We will be more creative and catch a glimpse of this aspect of our God that He has placed in each of us. Yes, another gift of this time off.

As a mom, part of me has felt driven to prepare my children for the world. Placing them in public school was not easy, but has been good. I do not want to place them in a bubble and watch it pop when they leave home and encounter the world. However, I had a thought the other day that just seems to have stayed in my mind. Why am I preparing the kids for the world and not the world for these kids? The world is not prepared for children who have their true identity in Christ, hear clearly from the Holy Spirit, love and serve like Jesus because He is their King and they are part of His Kingdom. The world can glitter and shine all it wants, but these kids recognize an imitation from a mile away.

So, during our reset we will sharpen our minds and shine lights into our hearts. Where we need to repent, we will and gladly take the new mercies the Lord offers each of us everyday. New habits will be formed and old ones that are root building, will be reinforced. May the Lord grow us all during these next days. May He find some mighty oaks among His people.