As we finish up our term it’s easy for me to look back at all we didn’t finish.  You can see from the picture above a space exists for the picture study that we missed.  Whether it’s the picture study I missed, the art lesson I couldn’t get to, the composer study I forgot to do, the history story we didn’t finish, or even the Advent story we might not finish before Christmas, it’s so easy to fall into defeat over all that I should have done and the things I should have done better.  If only I had been more organized.  If only I had instilled better habits in myself and my kids we could have accomplished more.  That line of thinking then seeps over into my other responsibilities.  If only I had done those dishes last night, and if I hadn’t forgotten to put that load of laundry on before bed.  The list goes on and on of my defeats and failures.  And that negative self talk can quickly spiral into an utter sense of hopelessness.

This season I have chosen to think differently, to think better.  The Bible says in

John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Satan wants nothing more than for me to feel like a failure.  He wants to steal my joy and destroy my hope.  So, I choose to rebuke Satan and stand firm on the truth.

So, instead of thinking about what’s left undone I will declare victory over what was accomplished!  I will remember the 6 picture studies we did accomplish, the 4 art lessons we enjoyed, the beautiful poem we memorized, the classical music we discovered, the countless books we read and the Advent story we are still working through.  I will remember the habits we worked on.  I will declare victory for my daughter who finally broke through the reading code and is picking up books on her own and finding joy reading.  I will declare victory for my son who only has 14 lessons left in his Algebra book.  I will remember that we decorated the Christmas tree last night and that’s why the dishes were left undone.  I will remember the rug that I successfully cleaned although it took several times.  I will remember the delicate sweaters I washed for my daughter to prepare for the cold weather.  I will remember the logs cut by my husband while I enjoyed time with the baby.  I will remember the snuggles with my six year old.  I will remember and declare victory over the things we accomplished this semester despite it being the most difficult one I’ve ever experienced.  I will Thank God for this time and these victories.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

And I will declare victory over my thinking.  I will praise God that he doesn’t give up on me and constantly changes me from the inside out.

So what will it be for you?  Victory or Defeat?

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