Devoirs de Vacances

Do you remember these so-called Devoirs de Vacances-Literally translated "Vacations' Homework"-Here I face them again with my kids..but this time with a lesson. On the last week of school, Aline and I went to meet our daughters' teachers to get a feedback about this year's progress. The interesting thing in our meeting is that, next to the focus on the past year, the teachers spent a handful amount of time talking about summer, Yes, SUMMER! They talked so passionately about the importance of keeping the kids happy and enjoying the skills they crafted throughout the year..the reading, calculating, writing and more. Quoting one of them "Leila needs to feel connected to school even being physically not there..her connection is through keep doing what she enjoys at school..this will not only develop her..but make her ready and hungry to come back and learn more..she will start back school, fitting in, and hit the ground running as she, in summer, lived the school before it starts"!

WOW..That was an eye opener for the eternity we are getting ready for. It made me reflect on the life I am leading on earth, and whether the "Summer" I am living into shall lead smoothly and willingly "Back to School" or not. Same for Heaven, Am I living "Heaven" on "Earth" by acknowledging and cherishing the Love and Companionship of my Creator throughout all my days?! If Heaven is living eternally with Him, would I still want to be there...despite that I struggle sitting and enjoying His presence at least on a daily basis for few minutes? As for my kids, what if Reading, writing or maths don't move them at all..Would they wanna be back to school? I see their hunger to learn more makes them ready to embrace the days to come and the joy school will bring..They are living it before it starts.

I pray today that the short life you and I are living become a true opportunity to experience HIS Love, and taste every day the Kingdom of God that is WITHIN us as Jesus Said 
"For behold, the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]. (‭Luke‬ ‭17‬:‭21‬)" 
ولَمّا سألهُ الفَرّيسيّونَ: «مَتَى يأتي ملكوتُ اللهِ؟». أجابَهُمْ وقالَ: «لا يأتي ملكوتُ اللهِ بمُراقَبَةٍ، ولا يقولونَ: هوذا ههنا،أو: هوذا هناكَ! لأنْ ها ملكوتُ اللهِ داخِلكُمْ». (‭17‬ ‮لوقا‬:‭20-21‬ AVDDV)

Let's Live Heaven on earth and That Love so big that shall grow into us and shared outwards to all the world around us. Allow me to quote these expressive words from Pope Francis talking about our readiness "We must let him prepare our hearts, our eyes, our ears for our homeland. Being prepared for heaven means starting to see it from afar," he said, and that requires prayer, courage and the humility to allow the Lord to work in one's life.

Enjoy your Summer prepared my friends!

A Summer Vacation Plan

Those summer days...yes, i still have the memories of the summer vacation so VIVID and so energizing, it is a stock of happiness, freedom, joy that i go back to when the times get tough back in the real world (work, responsibilities, bills, etc). Thx fadi abinader myriam hany and all sunrise group for making a nice summer 2013!
This brings me to a realization that summer holiday didnt start end of july when i had my first day off...it started looonger than that..it started in me, in my mind, my talks and my thoughts as early as February or March..i started living the beach while i was still wearing my pullover and putting the heat on in the car during these cold mornings, we got the suntan lotions, the beach toys, the afternoon flavored tea we ll drink sa3et el 3assaary. We kept talking about our destination, deciding where to go, which hotel, reading reviews, checking booking.com, expdia, lonely planet, 3am 3abdo el bawab...we seek info and feedback everywhere and with everyone...why? Because we lived the vacation in our hearts already and wanted to know more about our destination..we wanted a guarantee of perfection..we even booked some restaurants few months ahead!!! I guess we are not the only ones doing so! Reviews website didnt flourish out of nothing...

This made me wonder: am I thinking about my final destination as much as my summer 2013? Do i really go checking this big book with the reviews about what to come and what to prepare for this trip? Do i Live this destination on earth? If i care that much about 2 summer weeks, will i care the same about eternity? If i am willing to do the utmost to make my summer the best, why do i take for granted my destination? Above all, can i live Heaven NOW? If it doesnt tell me much reading and preparing my trip, then i need to check whether i do really wanna go there or not. Above all, Jesus said it plain and clear..heaven starts now in our hearts "Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He replied to them by saying: 

The kingdom of God does not come with signs to be observed or with visible display, Nor will people say, Look! Here [it is]! or, See, [it is] there! For behold, the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]. (Luke 17:20, 21 AMP)"

Living Kingdom of God now, brought me to this amazing praise song made by my dear blessed friends (chantal, otta, steve) thanks for the inspiration to live this realtionship! Have a great Sunday!

ربي بقربك - عمانؤيل