Self-Awareness and Mind Food

"Therefore we do not lose heart.  Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day." 2 Corinthians 4:16

Boy, do I need this reminder.  Those of us who trust in Christ are being renewed day by day.  Let us be encouraged by it, and not forget this truth.  

As I increase in self-awareness, I must be sure to learn and apply what I know about myself without being what Cheri Struble calls "being morbidly introspective."  I was reminded about this just today, as I have dealt with my overactive thoughts the past few days.  When I get out of my routine, as I have been this Thanksgiving weekend, I find that I am totally "off" mentally.  It's kind of like idle hands being the devil's workshop, only for me, darkness seems to envelop my mind when I stray off my usual course.

Last week, I delighted in much mind renewal, soaking up the Lord's presence in the little things, along with enjoying the Charlotte Mason advice of nourishing Mother Culture.  This is what I love doing, and it's what I ought to do.  With the events of this weekend, I was thrown off, and have not been praying, reading the Word as much, or indulging in personal reading.  I haven't been balanced mentally, to say the least!

It hit me this morning that being off my daily routine is no excuse to allow myself to be off course.  I still eat and breathe, don't I?!  One must expect holidays and days off to occur every now and then, but this doesn't mean that mind and heart food must cease.  There's never an excuse for not submerging myself in living ideas and truth.  How grateful I am for this insight from the Holy Spirit, and for self-awareness that is healthy!

On that note, I am thrilled to begin this Advent Eve with my first reading from a new treasure, The Cloud of Witness.  This precious book packed with Scripture, poetry, and other literary nuggets was the gift that Charlotte Mason would bestow on the graduates of her teacher training institution. After ordering numerous copies from England, Nancy Kelly  (a mentor from afar and CM expert extraordinaire) decided to have this gem published in the United States. 

I am in love with everything about this book, and encourage everyone to purchase a copy.  I hope it will turn me into someone as well-versed in ideas and mind food as Nancy and others who have been on the CM journey much longer than I.

On another note, I have to wish my grandmother, the vivacious "Abue," a "Feliz cumpleaños."  Born on this day in 1919 in Cuba, she has outlived all but one of her eight siblings, her husband (Papi), and almost all of her friends.  Her vigor is an inspiration, and I wish her many more happy birthdays.

Abue in her younger years....

...and Abue today, moving almost as quickly!