Almost every time that I get really frustrated with my kids, it’s because I’m trying to do something else at the same time.⁣

I’m trying to make dinner, but they keep needing me to open and close colored markers every single second. ⁣

I’m trying to text back a friend, but they need help getting in and out of dress up clothes. ⁣

I’m trying to read an article I saw online, but they keep getting into an argument with each other.⁣

When I’m completely focused on being with my kids and not trying to do anything else, everything is so much better. ⁣

I’m able to be in the moment with them. ⁣

I catch and stop the arguments before they even start. ⁣

I’m happy to help them because I see the needs that they have. ⁣

Now, the conclusion isn’t to just be 100% focused on my kids’ desires constantly, because that is not realistic in real life.

But I have been intentional in trying to create more moments throughout the day where I am completely focused on them.⁣

Not trying to do something else at the same time. ⁣

No multitasking. ⁣

Just focused on them. ⁣

As we finish our three week study of the Psalms, I can’t help but notice the spiritual connection, too. ⁣

“Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6)⁣

Praising the Lord requires putting away the to-do list. ⁣

Pushing back my mortal exhaustion and distraction. ⁣

Valuing connection over productivity. ⁣

So I’ve also been trying to make more time for one-on-one with the Lord. ⁣

Completely focused on Him. ⁣

Feeling awe and reverence and respect. ⁣

Singing. ⁣

Creating. ⁣

Pondering. ⁣

With nothing else going on. ⁣

It’s difficult. ⁣

It’s not easy to choose to do something that will not get me any closer to a cleaner house, a more organized life, or a shorter to-do list. ⁣

But it’s always worth it. It’s beautiful. It’s connecting.⁣

It’s divine to praise the Lord.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Connection over productivity first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts”. ⁣(Psalm 139:23)

Of course, the Almighty God doesn’t need an invitation to know our hearts and our thoughts.⁣

But still, isn’t that such a bold and confident invitation that David makes? ⁣

It can be uncomfortable when I realize that the Lord knows I’m making up excuses to not say my prayers again, or when I’m annoyed at someone I’m supposed to be serving, or when I’m just going through good motions without any good intent behind them. ⁣

But today, I want to do something a little different. ⁣

I invite you to reflect on the good things that the Lord would find if you invited Him to know your heart and to know your thoughts. ⁣

What good intentions would He find? ⁣

What love would He experience? ⁣

What hope and faith would He discover?

The Lord knows all the good things going on in your heart and in your mind.⁣

I bet He is proud and happy and pleased with so much. ⁣

Knowing our hearts and our thoughts actually doesn’t seem so uncomfortable anymore. ⁣

It seems… merciful. ⁣

There is so much good within you. ⁣

Even when it seems like your good intentions aren’t visible to anyone, they are visible to Him. ⁣

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Search my thoughts first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Too too many to count. ⁣

Sixth graders forget to write their names on everything from casual homework to formal tests!

The assignments I would get without a name on them would go in my “no name” folder, and zeros would go in the grade book. ⁣

When students realized their overall class grade was tanking from a missing assignment, they’d usually rush to the “no name” folder, find their nameless work, write their name on it, and turn it back in. ⁣

And their grade would go right back up. ⁣

No matter how many times they turned in late no-name work, their grade would go right back up. ⁣

Psalm 136 is pretty cool because every single verse ends with the same phrase:⁣

“For his mercy endureth for ever.”⁣

For example:

“O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 136:26)⁣

Forever. ⁣

Always extending mercy. ⁣

Every time we realize we forgot something important. ⁣

Every time we realize our spiritual progression has been halted. ⁣

Every time we know something is wrong. ⁣

He will extend His mercy. He will forgive. ⁣

Over and over and over. ⁣

We never have to worry that we’ve run out of opportunities.⁣

We don’t have to worry that we’ve taken too many chances. ⁣

That grade can always go right back up. ⁣

All semester long. And next semester. And the next. ⁣

Because His mercy endures forever! ⁣

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post His mercy endures! first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

For very good reason!⁣

But can you remember the kids at your school who were always picked first?⁣

The one that everyone always wanted for dodgeball because that meant you’d be less likely to get hit yourself? ⁣

Or maybe you were that kid.⁣

On the other hand, I was the kid everyone wanted on their team for review games in math class. ⁣

I was pretty cool.

I also think about when I had my first baby. ⁣

I had some amazing baby showers with such kind and thoughtful gifts from the people that I love. ⁣

I felt the power of all the people who were on my side. ⁣

I also think of other times in my life where I’ve been struggling and it feels like no one notices.

It’s like no one was really on my team or taking care of me. ⁣

Well in the grand scheme of life, guess who you have on your team?⁣

He’s the most coveted, most powerful, smartest, kindest, and friendliest person. ⁣

He’s the one that everyone wants. ⁣

He’s the one that’s going to guarantee that you win in the end, even if you may get hit a few times here and there. ⁣

“The Lord is on my side”. (Psalm 118:6)⁣

He’s got you. ⁣

You can breath a sigh of relief now. ⁣

You’ve got the one you were hoping for.⁣

The Lord is on your side!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Dodgeball vs. math class first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.