Seasons Have Purpose

A few years ago I heard a message on the seasons of life that profoundly challenged and stretched me.  It shared  how each one has purpose and much goes on below the surface that's unseen to our human eyes.  Seasons are planned, purposed and exactly measured for whats necessary to support and strengthen for the season that is coming next. They are not too short or too long, but just the right amount of time to perfect the condition needed for survival in the next season.

Winter is the season where I feel God has me currently nuzzled. Frequently I find myself feeling cold, bleak, and dry from the weather conditions swirling around my life. But I stand firm, just like the oak, storing necessary nutrients for the those future appointments to be used up for His glory. There have been days where I find myself crying out to God with questions of why the struggle has to sting so badly. I watch my oldest seek to find one solid friend pushing through his social inadequacies. My middle son weeding through his frustrations to find where he fits, and my daughter learning a its not about how much we know but what we do with what we know, that truly matters.

Somedays it feels as if time stands still. Like this season will never end. But it will. One day the Seawell Family will be in a new season, where we are the "friend" that another needs. We will find our place and speak truth over others reminding them who they are in Jesus. We are being strengthened now, by who Christ says we are, which will catapult us into being a vessel for others with truths learned. Daily I find myself needing to speak words of encouragement over their weary hearts. Pressing through the exhaustion, I daily must allow His word to pour into me so I can overflow into them. HE is working. On them. On me. It's deeper than the surface.

There is purpose. It goes beyond us. It is what HE wants to do in and through us if we will stand firm, allow His truth to nourish,  and continue through those uncomfortable conditions that try to break us but ultimately make us stronger in Him. To the onlooker it may not look like much is going on, but there is a preparing in my heart for what I know HE has.

I trust in His sovereignty even if I don't totally fully grasp what He is doing. I can trust that He is God and I am not.  Stand firm. Stand tall. Your next season is coming soon.

This is the sound of surviving...take a listen....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaOExJJa_YA

Fight or Flight

The fight-or-flight response, also known as the acute stress response, refers to a physiological reaction that occurs in the presence of something that is terrifying, either mentally or physically. The response is triggered by the release of hormones that prepare your body to either stay and deal with a threat or to run away to safety. (Verywellmind.com)

                        

My natural reaction in situations that are uncomfortable is to leave, take flight and run far far away. But the Spirit of Jesus in me, presses that it is neither healthy nor fruitful. God is re-teaching me this lesson, again. As I parent, there will inevitably be situations where my children struggle with other children. They are little sinners doing life with other little sinners. My initial instinct is to just lesson the time we hang out with that child/family for a season and run away, but my heart knows this habit needs to be tweaked.

When struggles arise with other kiddos we need to train our children to seek restoration God's way as in Matthew 18. Going as the one offended or the one who has offended and search out the other person to share your heart with. It's good to start in prayer and bring Jesus into the center of the struggle. God's encouraging me to go back to this basic and foster healthy communication. Sometimes in the sharing we realize it was just a misunderstanding with feelings hurt.    

I am training my kids. All day. Everyday. I am showing my children the way to live life, and the steps to enjoy healthy relationships. As I write, I notice how much I fail in this, and feel Jesus nudging me to re-evaluate how I do friendship. Its easy to run and hide. Its easy to let friendships fade away because they rub you or your children the wrong way. But the truth tells of that refining process under the surface going on between you, your kids, and Jesus. And remember we have a real ememy, named Satan, who hates unity, friendship and family. Satan wants things kept in the dark, but God wants us to reveal our hurts out in the light.


               

Friendship is hard and takes work, but if we strive to honor the Lord in them they will bring Him great glory. Don't run when it gets tough. Seek His face and look for ways of restoration. Our friendships grounded in truth will last longer and should look different than those in the world. How we handle relationships does trickle down into how our kids do too! 

Is there a friendship that you or your child need to pay more attention to? Share your heart with someone who needs to hear it today. 

Delighting in the Details

There is power in our words. Each day thousands of words flow from our lips in many directions to many people. They have the opportunity to give life or death. Lately the Lord has been highlighting the condition of my heart and how it reflects in the words I speak aloud. I can speak heavily into the struggles and forget to praise the strengths. 

I want my kids to do well.  I hope they soar in education, grow greatly in their faith in Christ, and love others well. My dreams for my kids are grandiose. Hoping for greater because we serve a supernatural God. But if I am completely candid, my heart sometimes gets lost in the current deficit, forgetting to rejoice in the positive of the present.  Focusing on the future and neglecting to celebrate the praise-worthy things right now. 

What are my kids doing well right now? Is it their passionate zeal  for the Bible or the great grades in Math? The lonely child they embraced last week at the park? Folding their clothes and putting them away with such diligence? Praying for a friend in need?

I need to praise my children in the areas they are succeeding in. Use my mouth to uplift and remind them I DO notice those little things done well. Life is hard for our kiddos with friends, bullies, sickness, practice, learning struggles, peer pressure, and homework. 

They need to hear life spoken over them daily. Reminded that they matter and are noticed and cherished. Those little victories are important to us and God too. As we seek to hone our children in the direction of Jesus, remember God delights in the details of their life and yours too!

                        

Practice praising your child daily for one area they do well. It will change the way you look at them. And how they look at you. 

Take the Time

Tonight after dinner the boys went out for some special time with Daddy. Leaving me and my five year old daughter at home getting ready for bed. As we readied our hearts to wind down for the night, I fit in some "special Mommy time." I began sharing with my girl how I have seen such a change in her heart over the past year. From year 4 to 5 I watched as she strived to fit in with the popular girl her age in our community. Watching and longing to "fit in,"  most days realizing it probably wasn't going to happen. I saw much sassiness and less humility flowing through most of her relationships. Many meltdowns when the answer was NO and dishonoring her Mommy became a constant.

As we cuddled and I stroked her wet hair, she began to weep. She expressed sorrow for the past year and how she longed to go back to being 4 years old. This opened up the door for me to share about how HIS mercies are new every morning and that our sin is what Jesus died for. How the Lord longs for us to repent and ask for forgiveness. So right there, my daughter prayed and asked Jesus to cleanse her sweet heart of the heaviness she had been struggling with. We cried and rejoiced over the newness of tomorrow leading into a new year ahead. How God longs to restore brokenness. I am so grateful I had tonight with her. 

Many days are so busy and we must be intentional. Each night our family's goal is to spend 10 minutes with each child individually where they pick the activity we do without interruptions of other kiddos. Undistracted time where we can play and talk together. Tonight that time was so fruitful with my girl! I am grateful for our special time. It showed me that so many behavioral struggles are deep rooted issues greater than the behavior we see manifested. That even a little five year old can hold onto hurts and reflect that in her interactions with others. I am grateful God's Truth leads us to repentance. How God redeems the ugly for something beautiful if we will just hand it over to Him.

Oh how I long for special time now with my kids. Realizing that it is impactful for them...and for me too! What special time can you carve out for your kids today? Trust me it will be a deposit that will reap amazing dividends.

Pray for Them

11 years ago the Lord started me on a long journey. I gave birth to a healthy son, who on the outside looked like every other baby, but at age six we would learn has Aspergers with a few extra challenges. As I have parented him the Lord has weaved many many lessons into my life. I have been stripped and humbled much through the ups and downs of social situations. I am constantly learning things aren't always what they seem and so much is beyond the surface. 

Every new social situation gives way for training about acceptable behaviors and trying to be Jesus as we do it. We have hurt others and been hurt ourselves. Trying to find acceptance with peers while remembering to be ourselves void of nervousness. Trusting God is Sovereign even when we don't see purpose in that experience or how it was necessary to our growth.

Six months ago I watched God move. I observed part of our story...His story...unfold. There was a boy who had been so wounding with his words and actions towards my kiddos for three years. We ran in the same circles, hung out at the same places, and enjoyed similar things. At times I really hoped God would remove us from that circle. He didn't. 

But God... pressed upon my heart to have my kids pray for him, from our first struggle. We prayed many many prayers over that child, and that God would help us love well even though our hearts were hurt. Daily we prayed when encounters happened. At night we prayed as thoughts of him swirled our minds before bed. Thoughts of painful words said... as our hearts were breaking. Three years of pleading with Jesus and no results...or so we thought. 

Our pain had purpose. Six months ago after many prayers lifted we watched God move. The same little boy we had been praying for had a change of heart. God changed his heart. God answered our prayers. God moved. The little boy reached out in compassion and love towards my son who was undergoing surgery. That boy prayed for my son right before he went under. He showed that change of heart we had been praying for. WOW! Only God. God had a plan that was hidden to us. 

Jesus wanted my kids (and me too if I am totally honest) to learn how to show love and compassion to our "enemy." God showed us that HE does hear and His timing isn't always ours. The Lord gave us a glimpse into the supernatural and how we're a part of a bigger story. Hearts do change with prayer. Our heart toward our enemy and our enemy's heart towards us. Its easy to love the lovable and those who treat you well, but love and forgiveness lived out IS the GOSPEL. 

God sees. Struggles are real, Jesus is good, and trusting in Him takes faith. Even when the Lord looks silent and still...He is working beneath the surface. He is always working. Who do you need to forgive today? Pray for them and... wait. 

                  Just be still and know HE is God. 

                                            

Special Needs With Special Needs

This week has been a tough one. My son, with Aspergers entering 6th grade, has really been grappling with not having any friends. All of his good buds, who accept his many quirks and love him unconditionally, live far away. We sat and cried together as I shared about those quiet times in my adult life where I felt alone and without a friend. I told of those days I, too, desired a buddy and felt without. 

We talked about seasons, knowing that although they seem like they will never ever end that indeed they...eventually do. Seasons in life have hidden processes working beneath the surface, things greater than can be seen with the human eye. The tree that looks dead in Winter is storing necessary nutrients for Spring when it will shed beautiful colors and form. We conversed on how God continues working even when it feels very still and quiet. Insides are being fashioned and nourished for a future season. We pray each night and believe God is working. Laying this trial at His feet trusting God is knitting together the perfect friend for him. 

God is entrusting hidden treasures, as my son grows in his faith and trusts during a time that is uncomfortable and not fun. A work in secret spaces of his heart, God will expose as beauty in this next season we walk out. Its hard to watch, if I am very honest. Alone, with my face in lap, I have cried many times over my child who struggles so with social situations. It seems as we grow older, our struggles follow suit. 

God formed us with a heart for community from the beginning. It is not good to be alone. The Lord has tucked away a truth in my heart as of late...I must be intentional. I need to keep my eyes wide open for those opportunities for us to be the friend we are looking for.  Focusing not on our own struggle but how HE might use it for His glory. How Jesus might want us to befriend another who is longing for a friend too. Will it be hard? Um yeah, of course! But if I believe that God works it all for good, then this too He will use for His glory as we continue to seek His face through it all. I continue to rest in the sovereignty of God. This season will bear much fruit if we allow the nutrients sown in Winter to be used in Spring. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,  

who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can 

comfort those in any trouble with the comfort

 we ourselves receive from God.

What is God asking you to be intentional about? Have you seen truths sewn in your life lately that God wants to use for His glory?

What comes out when you are POPPED?

Whoa! I’m doing some journaling in my Journibles for Galatians and was totally convicted.  (Love these Journibles.) This however, was a good conviction – a clarifying conviction. 

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21

How many countless times have we all read this part of scripture and just skimmed over the words?  (Did you do it just now?)  We haven’t murdered anyone; we are not into idol worship or the other stuff in there – of course because we are all perfect, right?!  Well, I was convicted because my flesh was exposed – not my physical flesh, ladies but the works of my flesh.  Here’s the story:

Recently, our family went camping with other families and I took it upon myself to organize the meals.  We were to all bring such and such to share.  From what I understood it was all good and everyone was on board.  However, over and over during the weekend I heard questions about the food list.  We were coming up short in some things and I felt like everyone was blaming me.  Well, the burden of it built up so much so that at one point I yelled the loudest I may have ever yelled before, and said, “That’s IT!...” I don’t remember every word but I was angry and frustrated.  I POPPED!

You see, the evidence that I was not walking in the Spirit was that I blew up in the flesh.  My buttons were pushed and I popped out what I had been putting in.  If you saw me that day you would have said, “but Laura, you did your devotions this morning, why didn’t that come out?”  Good question, I asked that too!  The clear answer was that I was just going through the motions. <jaw drop> I was caught!

Are you caught, too?  What comes out when your buttons are pushed? 

Fill yourself with the truth whether it’s just meditating on one verse all week or a whole chapter, etc.  Better to pop out that verse than your flesh!

No Boundaries... Enjoy!

God the Father, Jesus the Son. 

I read Colossians 1:9-18 again this morning and was enlightened with a flood of fun imagery. 

It’s like one day God said to His Son, “What would you like as a gift?” This question is much like what we have asked our children recently – “What would you like to have for Christmas?”  However, this Son and Father team were very creative.

My husband and I brought the kids to Grandma & Grandpa’s house last night so we could go on a date…AND Christmas shop.  We had decided this year that we wouldn’t go buying like crazy so we adopted something my mother & sister-in-law are doing at their house.  Buy three gifts for each kid – one they need, one they want and one to help strengthen their spiritual growth.  This did help us have healthier boundaries.

As I read this section of Scripture this morning, I thought of God & Jesus having a conversation.  God says, “What would you like as a gift?  I want to bless you.  You are worthy of anything.  There are no boundaries.”  Jesus thought for a minute and then they both began to input creative ways to bless each other making the Universe and us too.  Oh, what fun they had!  Then they wrote a script and much like we do these days with Barbies or Legos, the plan starts to be acted out.  They made us in their Image.  They made things in heaven and earth that would be for Jesus’ enjoyment!  (see Colossians 1:16)

For our kids, whether their behavior has been “good or bad”, we still want to bless them… like God did for Jesus!  But Jesus was/is perfectly worthy!  Our kids (and us) are flawed yet we want to bless them, still, for their enjoyment. 

Think about how you and your family can bless and worship the only One truly worthy.  Take a minute to read His Word and worship Him.  After all, He chose to enter into “our” world even though He is above it.  But He did it so we would KNOW Him – our Creator and Savior.  (see Colossians 1:17)

Consider this: Colossians 1:13 “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.”

Prayer & Plans

The other night I wanted the kids to get into bed at a certain time so they would be able to wake up early the next morning.  Well, they were all wound up just coming from church so it was hard to get them into ‘sleep mode’.  Usually, I pray over them before they drift off to sleep but this night I was upset.  I found myself all worked up because we were past the time I had planned to get them into bed.  So, I asked if anyone else would like to pray.  Our daughter began to pray with her sweet, precious voice, “Lord, we pray that Mommy would be happy again…” 

GULP!  Lord, please listen to her prayer!!  She was right!  The Bible says “to REJOICE and be EXCEEDINGLY GLAD”, to “rejoice always”, “in everything give thanks”, etc. But it also says to “pray without ceasing.” (Matthew 5:12 emphasis mine, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Lord, please listen to our children’s prayers and help us mommies be happy even on those days…  Help us to filled our agendas with the peace of Christ (Your Word) and grace first before the clock.  Help us fight through those times we feel that we can’t pray.  Please help us pray without ceasing.  You are so good, we are so thankful for how You love us.  Please do that good work in us mommas today.

Behavior...Standing Firm

 “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil…”        

2 Timothy 2:24-26

My husband and son went to the hockey game last night.  At first, I was a little unsure of how our daughter would handle going to bed without her brother being in the room with her.  The hockey game fell on a night that my friend and I would usually get together to pray and hold each other accountable for living this Christian life.  I had planned to let our daughter watch a Veggie Tales movie while my friend was over but her behavior throughout the day was such that I couldn’t bless her with watching the special movie. 

While we were doing a puzzle before her shower and bedtime she expressed to me that she didn’t understand what the relationship was between her behavior and the ban from the movie.  (It kind of floored me that she was able to articulate all this without whining!!!)  I explained the relationship between the behavior and the blessing and that I couldn’t bless her for her poor behavior during the day.

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,” Ephesians 5:15

In those kinds of tender moments, we have to communicate in love and truth.  Correction not condemnation.  If we don’t “stick to our guns”, “put our foot down” or in a better phrase, “stand firm” our word will become weak and not trustworthy to our children.

If I would have given in to her sweet little face, she wouldn’t have learned anything.  Even if she didn’t this time, I did!  And I will have other opportunities to “stand firm” again and again I’m sure.  But next time being more confident that I’m leading her to behave wisely rather than as a fool.

BTW she was a complete angel upon my friend's arrival, and went right to bed.  I know God is doing a good work in all of us.

As mommas we might tend to feel the need to "control" all the happenings of our family.  Here's a little devotion from Our Daily Bread to help us remember the majesty of our God.  We can sing that little Sunday School song, "He's got the whole world in His hand..." but we tend to forget it when life's issues pool upon us...

https://odb.org/ (Spilling Through My Fingers, by Kirsten Holmberg. March 16, 2017)

Trees Planted

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.  For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

These verses have been very special to me through the years.  When I was in my twenties I spent a year in Costa Rica to attend a language institute for missionaries to learn the Spanish language and Latin culture.  The Costa Rican family I lived with were awesome Christians and they daily spoke into my life…or just listened to me speak in my budding Spanish accent.  One day my “Tica” mom gave me these verses to help me through the crazy journey I was on – the journey of Life. 

A decade later I would hear my mother-in-law teach these verses to her foster kids – no matter what their ages – so they would have this truth embedded in their brains for life.  And now, I get to teach it to my children. 

Just a few mornings ago, Jeremiah 17:7-8 popped up in my devotional book and so I shared it with my kids – especially to the one we’ve been having some hard moments with.  The Holy Spirit gave me a great analogy using a tree we have growing near our canal out back.  It was a tangible way to teach about how we need to be firmly planted and rely on our water source, the Bible.

(However, after I thought we were really connecting in our conversation, one of my kids said something so far off, like about the pretty colors that are on the other bushes… Well, maybe some good nuggets sunk into their sweet brains so we can revisit the conversation again another day.  As Zerby Derby says, we can just “try, try again”!)

Life Lessons Taught

Matthew and Jordan enjoy playing Legos and Barbies.  While they play I have found great opportunities to teach some life lessons on what the Bible says about certain topics.  These topics usually include marriage, living together and what clothes are appropriate to wear.

In our present day, it seems as though some or all of these topics, if left untaught at home are left vague or skewed in the minds and hearts of our children.  Teaching them what is right in the eyes of the Lord is what our kids need as they are hit with opposing views all around them.  We can help them be confident when they are face to face with decisions about how to conduct themselves in the world we live in.

Lord, thank You for giving us Your Word as the lamp to our feet (and our kids' feet) and the light to the path You want us to go in.  Please help us to prepare our children to live in the world but not be sucked into the popular views held all around them.  Prepare their hearts to receive Your Word so they can live to give You glory.  In Jesus name, Amen.

When Tutus, Lacrosse sticks and Eternity Collide

If our Kennedy had been,

She probably would have worn

Tennis shoes

Basketball shoes

And

I’ll guess…cleats too.

I think

She would have vacillated

Between

Pink and sparkles

With all out athleticism.

She would have carried a

Lacrosse stick

And worn disheveled braids,

Knee pads, sparkly tennis shoes

And a bright pink tutu.

When she played she’d be the star.

Everyone would have feared the legendary

Kennedy Drew.

I imagine KD would often lose interest,

Gather the hands of her family and friends

(Cheering for her in the stands,)

To join her in the center of the field

To twirl

Giggle

And be together.

I don’t understand why my

Tutu wearing,

Lacrosse carrying

Granddaughter didn’t take her first breath

I selfishly want her – here!

But it seems she accomplished her life’s goal.

She was equipped with gifts and talents to play this game of life.

Like a champion.

To win.

And win decisively.

God’s plan was for her to walk into

The stadium of her life

And gather her Mom and Dad,

Her future bother and sisters,

Her grandparents,

Aunts, uncles, friends

And communities

Onto her playing field.

To dance

And Laugh

And twirl about.

Kennedy Drew

our Tutu wearing, lacrosse stick carrier

was equipped

To play hard and to win.

(Kennedy Drew - January 20, 2016)

The Sacrifices You Make, Momma

I read this today and thought of all the sacrifices that surround the birth and life of a child.  Check out this Our Daily Bread Ministries devotion from December 21, 2016, written by Tim Gustafson.  https://odb.org/2016/12/21/a-personal-story/

Thanking God today for all the Mommas in the world, as you make many sacrifices each day for the life of your child.

What Are You Waiting For?

I had the opportunity to guest blog for a dear friend of mine, Shannon DeGarmo Carpino, author of "The Bounce Back Woman".  So I thought I would share my heart here as well...

http://bouncebackwoman.com

Have you ever had to wait for something that you were particularly excited for? You know the kind of thing that is so exciting your mind wonders to it when you should be thinking about something else? Perhaps it was the anticipation of an approaching birth, or butterflies the night before your wedding day, or maybe it was an exceptional Christmas present you knew you would be receiving?

For me, my most anticipated gift was the gift of finding my husband. I remember always wondering when it was going to happen with an eagerness of “would it be sometime soon?”. The years went on and I watched as some of my friends got married and I often wondered why I hadn’t yet found “the one”? Little did I know that although my search was for the right man, the Lord had a gift for me that I wasn’t expecting. You see, I didn’t have a relationship with the Lord growing up. I knew very little about the bible and who Jesus Christ was. So before God introduced me to my beloved, He introduce me to HIS beloved… The Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace.

As I reflect on the most special present of all, I am reminded of two people who waited their whole lives for one special gift, and at Christmas time God gave them just that.

Simeon, meaning obedient, was a righteous and devout man, who had eagerly waited his whole life for the Messiah. Being moved by obedience and the Spirit, he entered the temple to find the child and his parents there.

Luke 2:27-32 That day the Spirit led him to the temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the Law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

Another prophet, Anna, whose name means full of grace, lost her husband after being married only 7 years. Anna spent the duration of her life in the temple praying and worshipping God and waiting for the Messiah to come.

Luke 2:37-38 Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. [She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

This Christmas, as we participate in all the fun this time of year brings, let us remember the true reason for this season. As Simeon and Anna spent their entire lives waiting for the Savior who was to come, let us remember and reflect on the One who has come. The One who came so that we may have life to the fullest and life everlasting. Will you join me as we focus on the Giver of the greatest gift, Life-in-Him-rather than on the presents that lay under our tree? Let’s be partakers with Simeon and Anna as we anticipate celebrating Jesus’s birth, praising and worshiping our God and sharing Him with everyone.

Lord Jesus, I pray as the busyness of this season tries to consume us, please help us slow our hurried pace. May we be deliberate with our days, carving out quiet time to spend with You so that we may reflect on all that your birth means to us. Lord I also pray, that you help us reflect the good and perfect gifts you have imparted to us, so that others may see and hear the good news of You and Your Beloved.

Much love and blessings to you!

Merry Christmas,

Fran Maynard

Christmas Blessings!

This is a such a great outlook on Christmas and  on life!

(It also so reminds me of the man I begged God for... and married! LOL!)  

Merry Christmas!

Click here and Enjoy!

A special thanks to Forest Hill Church, NC for video permissions.

Bond of Peace

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:1-3

I read this verse and was determined to live out the “bond of peace” part.  All day while the normal things that would have rattled me and given me the “right” to raise my voice at our kids, I chose to remember those three words, “bond-of-peace” and act in a more peaceful manner.  The result was a more tempered momma, less stressed kids, and the unity of the Spirit.

The dictionary defines the word endeavor: try hard to do or achieve something.  Well when we invite the Lord to work in and through us to endeavor[ing] to keep the unity of the Spirit of the bond of peace we don’t have to try so hard—just let Him work through us!  He will remind you of His peace as He did me!

Bedtime is supposed to be 8pm but this night it was going on after 9:30 and I was still being asked to put cream on mosquito bites and letting them know that there is no reading in bed by the light of the little lighted Christmas tree in their room.  I felt the Lord with me like a loving coach as I handled the moment.

May we strive to keep this bond of peace in our homes as we cheer on our kids to live walking worthy of the calling with which they are called. That they would do this with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, as they endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace in their lives.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here are a few things we traditionally do on Thanksgiving and some things we are just starting this year.

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful...." Colossians 3:15–17 (check out the rest, too) 

•  We have a Thanksgiving book that explains the origins of our beloved holiday.  In this book I keep a log of where we spent our Thanksgiving each year and who was there around the table.  Everyone takes turns writing what they are thankful for next to their name.  
•  This year our kids have made the place cards for each person who will attend. 
  
  The cards are “decked-out” with a picture of a turkey, turkey facts and a scripture verse.  Matthew and Jordan have written the names of each person who will be around the table.  Some we left blank as there may be surprise people who show up!  This brings me to my next point:
• We also invite anyone who might not have a family to be with for the holidays.
•  Also, this year my mom made cookies for all the kids to decorate.  This is kind of like a Christmas thing but my sister and family will be moving houses by the end of this year so I guess that’s why we are doing it at Thanksgiving. 
•  I printed off a bunch of festive coloring pages for the kids to do if there’s ever a lull in the entertainment :-)

What are some of your traditions?  Maybe make new ones and make sure to look into your kids’ eyes and let them know how thankful you are to be their mommy!  Make it an every-day tradition.

Beyond the Universe

“My Very Early Morning Just Started Under Nasty Pancakes.”  Well, however you want to learn it, our solar system is incredibly interesting!  As our kids (and I) learn more about the Universe and the things in it, an amazing thing has happened to my faith!  I could never quite “place” God before, but now I see how He is over and beyond anything I could ever think or imagine.  Hmmm, that makes me think of a verse.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." Ephesians 3:20

As we guide our kids through this journey of life, let’s take every opportunity to give God glory!  Take another look at that verse.  How can you apply it in your life today?  It makes me think that if He is able (and He did) to create the Universe and all that is within it, what can He do with me, my kids, our churches, etc. 

Look up at the sky – just seeing those lights in the sky tell of the majesty of our God.  Although science thinks it can describe it all away, it doesn’t take the magnitude away from the Creator of the stars, planets and us!  To me it has made Him bigger, greater and more mighty, majestic in wonder and glory, worthy of our praise!