Not My Will...

The search began. We got the “go ahead” fro the bank to buy a house. We were approved for a certain amount. We were excited to say the least.

Not quite right. Not the right price. Almost. Perfect!!! We found “the house” and after negotiating with the bank, we got it for a steal.

Until…things started to unravel. The anxiety began; the peace left. God, why is this not working out? Well, God had other plans, better plans!

After a series if unexpected events, it became evident that it was NOT the time to buy a house. It was time to pay off our credit card debt. All the saving we thought was for a house was really for a different purpose.

HIS will. Not ours.

Peace returned. I know this feeling well. It is the peace that comes through submission. Fellow mom, there is safety in surrender to God.

Is there an area in your life you feel God is calling you to surrender? Your job plans? A change in priorities? Where to send your kids to school? Whether or not to homeschool? Beginning a new ministry? Possibly saying “no” to a really tempting, but untimely opportunity? Submission in your marriage?

Let’ pray.

Heavenly Father, You are Faithful and True. We can trust you with ALL things. Please help us to surrender our plans and desire in exchange for your perfect and holy will. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Verses to ponder:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways 

and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8-9

“Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.”  Proverbs 19:21

 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, 

and all these things will be given to you as well.”  

Matthew 6:33

Grateful for HIS Plan

A couple of days ago I decided to finally nail in some frames on our walls ...after only a year of living in our new home :) I reminisced at each picture I picked up and held, remembering the sweetness of my kiddos at a much simpler age. I looked at friends I had before we moved and felt honored to be a part of their "world" for 6 years.

There was one picture that when I came across it I began to weep. It represented a much simpler day. Everyone was smiling. It was before therapies and big struggles. Before moving and those days when I felt alone. It was before three kids (but our lives wouldn't be the same without our sweet Quinnie). An easier time. 

Many times we can look at a photo (gotta love Facebook) or have a memory of a time that seems much easier. A time we want to go back to because the current situation we live in is harder. 

But remember HE is doing a work in and through your struggle. 

It's ok to smile at times of old, but just don't honker down and try to live in a time that is expired. God has a reason for your trial. He plucks us out of places and relocates us to impact new neighbors for Christ. It's not all about you! It's about eternity and the people HE loves and wants you to share with. You- with your experience and love for Jesus can make a big impact for Jesus.TOTALLY preaching to myself here!  

So what's the lesson of this blog: be content with where HE has you. Be grateful for HIS plan...even if you don't understand it. HE loves you! HE sees you right where you are. HE has a purpose in the picture of your life right now.

History makes up where you've been, but Eternity makes up where you are going! 

 Ecclesiastes 8:17 then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it.

What is HE saying to you through this blog? What do you think HE wants you to do about it?

Only God!

After being away for almost two weeks, I’ve hit the ground running.  Trying to catch up at work, at life and at home.  I had a wonderful reprieve away but now I am making up for what didn’t get done.

This past week I had the blessing of being alone with my mom and her family.  Now the blessing is “re-entry” to our family and parenting.

Yesterday alone I began juggling (or parenting the emotions and decisions that accompany) our son’s new job.

 I began to juggle (or parent the emotions) of our daughter’s husband taking a mini trip out of state. 

I also juggled (or parented) our youngest daughters completion of her final round of exams to finish high school and to prepare for her dance recital.

I woke to a heart filled with praise.  I really can’t.  I really don’t know how.  I’m really not that talented.  Only God.  Only God can parent.  Only God is big enough.  Only God can care for what these children’s need.  Only God.

Today as we seek to parent these children God has entrusted to us.  Lets not think WE must have all the answers or that WE are even capable of meeting all their needs.  Let’s see God as our children’s parent.  Only God.  Only God can parent.   Only God is big enough.  Only God can care for the needs of our children.  Only God!

Imperfect Progress

We can be so hard on ourselves. As moms, we strive to do things well, knowing little eyes are watching and ready to imitate without any given warning. It is a healthy thing to evaluate, look at ourselves, and see what challenges the Lord places before us so we can better reflect His image. 

As we sit in His presence, and allow His Word to do a work, there will always be change...it's ok. It's good. It's healthy. 

Tuesday night I was at a small group Bible study which was so refreshing. Every woman felt the freedom to be transparent and share. It was freeing to know I am not the only imperfect mommy there is. The Lord was hoping I would catch that! The study "Unglued" by Lysa Terkeurst, introduced us to "imperfect progress" - the process we go through here on earth. Imperfection getting wisdom, from the perfect One, and allowing us the grace to move forward. 

Moms, realize you are an imperfect progress! He is doing a work in and through you! You are not perfect. It's ok. HE is the only perfect parent! Breathe. You will see the fruit of your labor if you don't give up. 

Recognize your struggles, put some practical things in place that will help propel you into progress, and realize the journey isn't over...in fact it's just begun! Think of one mom you can share your struggle with, and ask her to check in once a week on your "imperfect progress." Journal it. You may be surprised at how much God does when we submit and hold each other accountable to change.

Alive and Active!

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

The other day I was sitting with two of my little ones looking for a bible story to read when I stumbled upon what I thought would be a good story.  That is when my 7 year old daughter chimed in “but mamma we just read that one”....  Humm I thought, then I realized something I hadn’t thought of before.  She didn’t know, my little Abigail didn’t know one of the best, most amazing secrets of all time, because I hadn’t told her yet! 

I smiled, and at that moment I got to share with my daughter that the bible isn’t like any other book we read, I explained that it is alive and active.  I shared with her that we are to always have our hearts ready to learn something new from God's Word.  And even to pray before reading the bible to prepare our hearts for what God may teach us.  I also explained that God’s Word is personal and that it teaches us in the different stages and ages of life we are in.  So when she reads her bible she will be learning things for her age just as her mommy and daddy will be learning appropriate lessons at our age...  

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.  2 Timothy 3:16

Have you shared with your children this special truth?  If not, maybe now is the time?

Thank you Lord for this beautiful realization.  Lord I pray that You fill us with Your wisdom as we explain precious truths to our children.  Help us to remind them that in whatever situation they are in, our Bible has the answers, the comfort, and the truth they need.  May we continue to teach our children that the Bible is not just another book, it is THE instruction book for our lifetime!   Amen.

A Fresh Love

"The righteous person faces many troubles, 

but the Lord comes to the rescue each time."

-Psalm 34:19

I came to a place where I was just grumpy. Starting my day and ending it feeling discouraged about how my kids were behaving and sad about how I was reacting to it. Wondering if it was going to get better, but never asking myself how I could help start that process.

I felt convicted, wanted to see change, and decided daily to pray:

(1) HE would give me a fresh love for my kids each day. 

(2) For me to see them the way HE does. Love them as HE does. 

(3) I would give them a great example of the Father's love. 

Our kids' first experience with God is with us. We tell them about the goodness of God, but are we a living example of it? Can our kids feel His presence through how we handle life? 

As we ask for help...He will give it! What a blessing, right?

I want my love to be fresh and new each day for my kids. The only way I can do that is by letting go of yesterday, and being hopeful for today.

Pray and ask Him to give you a fresh love today for those HE has placed in your sphere of influence. 

"Mother's Day" by Stacey Wooddell Imbimbo

How many times have you failed?

If you are anything like me, you lay in bed and think about the day that you just experienced.  You replay moments with your kids.  Good or Bad.  And usually I feel like I had a great day or boy did I mess up!

Mother’s Day was a mess up….big time!

It started out fairly early, kids thought 5:45am was a grand entrance into the day.

I had planned a busy day, church and then home to get ready for family coming over to celebrate.  We were getting together for Mother’s Day and my son’s 3^rd birthday.

I tend to over plan and over think.  See, I really want things to be nice…okay really I want them to be perfect.  I want to make and decorate a homemade cake, have a delicious meal, plus have the house looking clean and decorated for the party.

My kids are 3,2 and 1…so they tend to tear down the streamers, take off the decorative stickers, and not allow me uninterrupted time to decorate the cake.  The cherry on top was they all decided to not nap, which did not help my situation.

The clock was ticking, and I was becoming irritated, short, and basically ugly.  And I was directing all of this behavior toward my kiddos.

For the love, it was Mother’s Day.  I wasn’t even acting like those Hallmark cards depict a mother to be.

“Her children rise up and call her blessed” Proverbs 31:28….was far from what these kids would call me at this point.

And then it happened….that moment…straight from the movies…

The kids all came into the kitchen, homemade cards and gifts in hand.  “HAPPY MOTHERS DAY” they said…with lots of hugs and kisses.

And it hit me.

Hard.

FORGIVENESS.

They forgave me so easily.  They were not forced, or asked, or even manipulated. 

That just forgave me and loved me, just because I was their mom.

WOW

What a great reminder of God’s gift of forgiveness towards us.

He just forgives us, plain and simple.

No matter how many times we fail, and believe me I do it a lot.

 We are forgiven by our Savior…just because He loves us.

Psalm 86:5 “For you, Lord, are good and ready to forgive…”