Watch and Wonder!!

Because sometime I wonder...

Am I doing this parenting thing right?

I wonder if I am providing everything my child needs?

I wonder if they will succeed?

I need to take "me" out of the equation.  

I need to stop trying to meet the approval of others.  

God created our children.  He has the plan.  

Our wonder should be only at our Creator and give Him the praise!

A Difficult Child

Have you been praying for better discipline, to love more, to become more like Christ, for God to show you your heart and then help you clean up the junk in it?  Whatever you have been praying for; has it ever occurred to you that your difficult child may be the answer to that prayer? 

I had been reading a book on Idolatry, praying God would show me the ways I carve on people. It wasn’t long after that my son was being very difficult.  He had pushed me and pushed me, it was one of those moments where we moms look at our child and say, “I have had it up to here.” with the hand waving over the top of our head. 

The offense wasn’t in the words but in the tone and the attitude in which I said them. I watched my child take a seat, turn in on himself, and one silent tear trickle down his cheek. My heart broke as I heard God whisper, “That was carving.”

Yes, I got the outward response that I wanted, obedience and quiet, but at the cost of hurting my son’s heart. He knew I was carving. He wouldn’t put that word to it, but he felt it. 

There was no love involved. I did not honor him or value him as a person created in the image of God. I treated him as something I wanted to be obedient to my will. 

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”  (Hebrews 12:11 NIV)

I was the one receiving the discipline here, a much needed discipline, and God allowed it to happen in a way I would never forget.  He used my difficult child to show me my heart. 

Are your eyes open to what God may be teaching you through your children?  How you speak to them, the looks and the tone you use with them.  Is God showing you your own heart in that? 

Pay attention!  I hope you like what you see. 

When Satan Steals Your Motherhood

The following blog was written by Christie Elkins and posted on www.lettersfromthenest.com.  I found it real, encouraging and sweet.  I pray you are blessed by it as I was. Enjoy!


http://www.lettersfromthenest.com/2014/01/satan-steals-motherhood.html

Take Care Of Yourself

"Building up yourselves." Jude 1:20

Listen: "A woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head...but when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying 'Why this waste?'...When Jesus was aware of it, He said ...'She has done a good work'" (Mt 26:7-10 NKJV).

(REPOST: I Needed a reminder)

Try to learn from Jesus! Allow the oil of service you pour on others to be poured on you, otherwise you'll burn out. This isn't a license for self-indulgence but rather a call to do what needs to be done to restore our depleted energy and exhausted spirit. You'll never reach your highest potential if you don't.

Furthermore, people usually treat you like you treat yourself. So start treating yourself better! It's good to serve others, but too many of us are hiding behind serving others to avoid having to serve ourselves, or because we don't know how.

How can you fulfill the command to "love your neighbor as yourself", if you haven't a clue how to love and take care of yourself? Too many of us become secretly resentful of the endless responsibilities and needs dumped on us each day, while seemingly no-one takes time to give back. Ultimately you have to make deposits where the world you live in seems to make endless withdrawals, or else face insufficient funds. Pretty soon those checks are bouncing everywhere: morally, emotionally, sexually and spiritually. Who'll give back to you if not you? So, the word for you today is: "Allow the oil you pour on others, to be poured on you!"

When you take care of others but not yourself, you: (a) become spiritually and emotionally drained; (b) become resentful because your needs go unrecognized and unmet; (c) end up looking for oil in all the wrong places. That's what drove Samson to Delilah's house. She gave him a place to relax and let down his hair, and then exploited it for his destruction. When we look to others to pour the oil on us rather than learning to pour it ourselves, we end up giving a foothold to the enemy. Don't let that happen to you! Start taking better care of yourself spiritually, physically and emotionally!

CHALLENGE:  Do something today to care for yourself. Listen to your favorite song, walk outside and breathe in fresh air or perhaps a chat with a friend. 

Praying Boldly For Our Kids

The following blog link is written by Lysa Terkeurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries. Her blog is encouraging, empowering, and convicting at all the same time...a must read! Believe and know that God chose YOU to be the very mother of your children. He chose you specifically for them. We experience his peace and his glory when we walk in our calling as moms with faith rather than fear. Read on...and be encouraged. :)

Praying Boldly For Our Kids

Prayer Warrior Momma

Has the beginning of this year been as full for you as it’s been for me?  I am totally excited about this year though – don’t know what (or Who) it will bring but I’m expectant for Jesus to return!  What about you, momma?  This and the current events give me all the more reason to pray over our children Scripture prayers.  Here is a LITTLE list of Scriptures I read aloud in prayer to our kids at bedtime.  (I hold the Bible in my hands and read it so they get a visual to remember forever.) 

Deuteronomy 30:20 "that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days..."

Philippians 1:9-11 "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

Philippians 2:14-18 "Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.  Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me."

Deuteronomy 6:5 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."

Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”

And SO much more.

Jordan, our 2 ½ year-old daughter says, “Mommy, can you pray me the Bible?”  That works for me, SURE!  (Sweet moments.)  Another nightly tradition is to spend moments running my fingers through our kids’ hair and around their face reciting Numbers 6:24-25 (see above)… However, I said it from memory the first time years ago and stuck with that “version” to this day.  I say, “May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you, giving you peace and comfort through the night…” and their part is (really loud), “AND JOY IN THE MORNING!”

Lord, I pray that this post serves as an encouragement for mommas to pray for their children out-loud, from Your word.  I pray your favor upon them as they raise the generations, blessing their household with faith and much grace.

Theme Park 101 - PART 2

                                                     
My last post was about my most recent family trip to Disney and the nuggets I learned along the way. Even though I have been there many times, the Lord revealed a lot of simple truths that if I apply will lessen the stress. It will also allow me to enjoy it more as well! Here's the rest of them.....

5. Must rest & take breaks

Allow your family to have breaks from the crowd. We need to get away. Go back to your hotel room and go for a swim. Go back to your hotel room and watch some TV or play the iPad so you can relax and recharge. Go out to lunch away from the park. Allow your family to breathe without tons of people right next to them. This is always such a relief and recharges us to go back later and truly enjoy the rest of our day.

6. Mindful of Ministry

While you focus on the details of your trip, the Lord has ministry opportunities throughout your time away as well. Be mindful of those cashiers, other families, and people HE has placed alongside you as you travel. Be a LIGHT as you enjoy your vacation. Look for ways to bless others. It will remind your kids that it's not all about them...but about JESUS! HE may just place someone around you that needs to hear the Gospel.

7. Morally Upright

My kids have always been on the taller side which allows them, most times, to ride the bigger rides before their age. Well this last time my oldest wanted to ride the race cars alone, and he was about 2 inches too short. To be honest, my heart was thinking, "What's the big deal...he's a big kid and totally can handle it!" But the Lord impressed upon my heart that, that too, is a ministry opportunity with my family. To remind them...we must obey and honor the rules put in place by Disney. It allows my kids to see that my husband and I follow Truth and obey rules too! Many times we slip and make simple decisions that are morally wrong forgetting our kids are ALWAYS watching. Be careful. Be honest. Obey the rules even when it's hard. You are setting an example that will be repeated by your kids as they grow.

8. Make Memories & Be in the Present
I love the iPhone. It is awesome. It takes great pics we can later share with others. It allows us to keep the kids busy while waiting in long lines. It makes it easier to connect if my husband and I get separated. But many times we are preoccupied with Facebook, email, and our mobile device instead of enjoying the quality time before us. Make memories. Allow your "internet connection to go down" while you are in the present. Cherish the family time. The internet will be there when you return from your vacation as well.  

How was your last vacation?
Can you relate?
What is your take-away from this post?