August is usually a flurry of end-of-summer vacations, back-to-school shopping, and building excitement as we get our kiddos ready for a new year of school. The transitions this year feel a bit wonky, don't they?
Some of us are continuing with virtual learning, while others are doing a blended version, and the rest are gearing up for face-to-face classes with a whole variety of "novel" variations.
As we prepare our families for these new adjustments, we probably all feel on edge as we tentatively step forward into uncertain territory.
It seems like a good time to reassure ourselves through scripture, seeking Comfort in the Word to keep those anxious jitters at bay.
So, let's build ourselves up with a bundle of verses on comfort and encouragement to lift up our weary souls!
I'm using a "sunny" theme as a mood booster...and acknowledging the reality of August heat continuing to simmer away one sunny day after another!
For my BQ Flip cards, I tried something different this month.
I used the Blue Letter Bible app to search out 31 verses on Comfort, then copied them into a word document.
Once I had my final collection of verses selected, I printed out the Comfort verses on a golden yellow paper for a bright pop of color. I trimmed down the verses to fit my flip cards, then I glued them on and added a few embellishments along the way.
I drew some little push pins as an embellishment to mimic a bulletin board note.
I snagged one of my sons to hole-punch the cards (you're welcome to borrow this labor tip!) and then slid the set onto a binder ring.
To brighten up my 31-day template set, I lightly brushed the pages with a yellow ink pad.
You can number your quilt squares as you go throughout the month or write them in all at once.
I like to prep as much in advance as possible because it simplifies the daily process of my devotional time. Often I'll do my prep or add other doodles on my monthly pages while I'm "watching" the news for a positive distraction.
Keep in mind that this is a resource you're building that you can refer to in the future for difficult times....or perhaps use references from it when you're sending an encouragement/condolence card to a friend.
You can create this 2-page spread in the Monthly BQJ or on separate template pages.
I jotted the scripture references onto my BQ monthly calendar as a habit tracker.
I also added a reminder re: the letter-of-the week for the ABC Bible Quilt Journal.
I scheduled a BQ Zoom chat for Thursday, August 13th, so I added that too.
When I get more information on my women's Bible study, I'll add meeting times and reading plans here. I'm really enjoying this dedicated devotional calendar w/o all the other fam activities, etc. to distract me. You can adapt this as a daily prayer planner, too. (I'd love to hear how y'all are using it!)
When I was sorting through all of these lovely scriptures on comfort and encouragement, I decided to use a verse from Isaiah for the first one:
"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you..." Isaiah 66:13
As Moms, we tend to put a lot of energy into nurturing our families, especially our kiddos.
During this chaotic and potentially anxious season, I like this reminder that the Lord is always ready to reassure us with His comforting presence.
We just have to remember to seek Him first, leaning into His peace rather than our own striving to control all the whacky variables we're navigating through.
I hope August can be a time of expanding our own Comfort zones so that we're more effective buffers for those around us.
"Cast your cares on Him," my friends,
and may His peace permeate all your back-to-school decisions!
Oh, and let's keep teachers in our prayers during this time.
Here's the link about a Note of Kindness that you can use with your children to encourage their teachers, bus drivers, etc.
Let's Bible Quilt with Love!
Have any other go-to verses that you cling to for comfort during challenging times? Please share your verses/pages in the Comments!
Page 1, Days 1-15 of #31daysofcomfort