Keeping Quiet When I Want to Speak

I am a talker. I love to share and do life with others. I enjoy asking details (even though most times I forget them later...terrible memory!) and finding out what is new with my family and girlfriends. Many times I ask probing questions to find out more because I am curious. With that, I also tend to share when I am in the heat of the moment, those things that are really frustrating me. Many times I have picked up the phone to call a friend in the "moment" only to find that it is their machine that picks up. Afterwards I have been grateful that I didn't speak to them but cooled off for a bit before sharing. I need to learn to be quiet when I want to speak. It is much harder to use self-control and hold my tongue, than to spew out words I will later regret. I need to bring my frustration before the ONE who can change things...the Lord.

Our mouths have the ability to give life and death. 

The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. - Proverbs 18:21

We were in Disney the last couple of days and I realized how hard it is to keep quiet when I want to speak. Our son, was really struggling on day 2 and causing the rest of us to be on edge. We were all tired and it had been a long day. In those weak moments I would let out words telling my son just how frustrated I was with him and reminding him of how his younger brother was behaving much better and being the "leader."  Once the kids were asleep that night, I had a meltdown sharing with my husband about my exhaustion with my son's disobedience when the Holy Spirit (using my husband as the "vessel") reminded me of truth. HE nudged my heart towards the importance of being quiet and not sharing my "thoughts" in the moment but allowing my heart to settle down before speaking. Such importance in that, right?

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. - Proverbs 10:19

I am pregnant and very emotional these days. I want to be a mom who cools down before speaking. One my kids know will speak words of life and also pray with them over things they struggle with. I love that the Lord highlights those areas of our life that needs work and then allows us room to grow...loving us through it the whole time. I need to practice that more often with my kids. Allowing truth to drip from my lips to encourage them as they struggle. I want to walk alongside them as they strive towards change. 

How are you with your words in the "heat of the moment?" 

Do you use life-changing encouraging words to prod your kids towards a Godly life?

What is ONE thing you can practice this week, that will allow you to pause & reflect to Jesus first - instead of someone else?

Father, thank you for loving me enough to change my heart. Help me to be a reflection of you to my children and the outside world. Give me the self-control to keep quiet when I want to speak and bring my frustrations before you alone first :) Love you! 

Just a Friendly Reminder

Just a Friendly Reminder

Philippians 3:16

        But we must hold on to the progress we have already made

     A group I have been attending has recently challenged us to go through the book of Philippians. We have been reading a chapter five to seven times a week. This book of the Bible amazes me with the strength of faith and encouragement to Christians. It also exemplifies the bond of fellowship with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. With all the wonderful nuggets revealed in this book, this simple verse has caught my eye and captured my heart so much lately that I thought I would share. 

     Our ever changing world and busy lives seem to keep us looking to what is coming next. The next gadget, the next phase of life, next job, next meal, and so on. I feel as though this yearning for the next thing in every area of life can also infiltrate our spiritual life. I am so grateful to God for changing me in so many ways. I often think about the next thing God is trying to do. Honestly there was so much change so fast in the beginning of my Christian walk that I wonder if I examined it all carefully enough  to  be sure no to go back. I wonder if I dissected the sin enough and really got to the core of the cause so I won't slip up and fall again.

     In Paul's letter to God's holy people in Philippi including the elders and deacons he reminds them to hold on to the progress they have already made. This was used for the new believer as well as the seasoned believers in Christ. As I meditate on this verse it is a good reminder not to take advantage of the change that has already taken place. It reminds me to examine my heart and be sure that the things I have surrendered to Christ don't begin to creep in again. Being aware of the progress we have made and not forgetting the changes that had to me made with the power of Christ can help us to continue to walk in stride with Him!

Heavenly Father, 

Thank you so much for refining us over and over. Your plan continues to reflect Your amazing perfection. We want to change Father, we want to live a life that is pleasing to You. Please help us to continue to change but also to reexamine the change we have already made. Help us to stay humble and not overconfident in what has already been accomplished but give us the strength to continue this race to the end. We love and praise Your Holy Name! Amen

Philippians 3:14 

       I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the Heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling