everyDAY talk

since a good friend of mine's family was killed in a plane accident - i havent been able to get them off my mind or my heart... much less stop talking about it; what happened inside the plane when it was coming down, how will the remaining family members cope, will austin heal, why did God allow this to happen, what if this happened to me.... the thing i seemed to overlook, was that my 3 year old was listening to everything, and more often than not, catching me with my guard down and in tears... how was i to explain this in terms a child could understand - was it really even appropriate? a few days later i remembered about a book that was gifted to me - everyday talk by john a younts --first pages says this: "everyday talk is talk that happens in the unplanned moments. it happens in casual, unguarded moments. it happens when you are distracted or irritated and would rather not be talking at all. it happens when you receive unexpected news, good or bad." this made to question what my inital feelings/words were? i know it wasnt one of trust in the Lord sovereignty... and my daughter watched me display question and anger.... not a good example. 

so in saying all that, i feel lead to write about what im reading and experiencing - even if its only for a reminder for myself, my hopes is that (like i have done with others before) maybe i can help someone learn something before they are in over their heads in the 'question phase' of toddlerhood when situations similar to this arrise. 

Kids are turning 3!!!

This invite card customized with Smilebox

I am weak, but He is strong...

I have been going through a challenging season in my mothering: sparatic insomnia, disciplinary struggles with a toddler, and challenges with getting the kids to sleep at the same time. I have felt time and time again that I just wanted to throw in the towel and give up. I believe the Lord takes you through these seasons in order to reveal how much we desperately need Him in order to be faithful mothers to our children. I wanted to share  some encouragement that the Lord has used to lift me out of those feelings of failure and hopelessness. Mothering is not an easy task, nor is it a task that I would ever do, or want to do on my own.

Take time to be alone 
This may sound impossible, but I think it is essential, and possible if you are purposeful! I have found taking regular intervals of time to have a simple short retreat brings such relief to me. In this season of life, they have to be short, but it is amazing how a short amount of time can renew my spirits. 

Find refreshment in Psalms 23This is a passage we are all familiar with, but how often do we really meditate upon? It has brought such strength to my soul during this weary seasons, and can bring encouragement to you whatever you might be going through. Here are the thoughts that I wrote down that I wanted to pass on to you. It is re-paraphrasing Psalms 23 in part in my own words:

You are not alone
“The Lord is my Shepherd” - The Lord, God of the universe, Sovereign King, is MY SHEPHERD. Did you catch that? He is MINE! He chose to take on human flesh in order that He might adopt me into His fold.

Your every need is already met
“I have all that I need” – He has already supplied my present and future needs. He has already provided for the grace I need for each passing day in my mothering and wife roles. It has been a difficult season in child training – it feels like a dark valley with no light at the end of the tunnel, but in reality, this is only a passing season for which God has already supplied all my needs to make it through. I lack patience. I lack perseverence. Grant me, oh Lord faith and endurance. You are doing a good work in me. Growing me in Christ-likeness. Childbearing and childraising are God’s means of grace in my life to make me more like my beautiful Savior. It will bring great reward!

Let some things go
“He lets me rest in green pastures, He leads me besides peaceful streams.” Sometimes God takes us through difficult seasons and calls us to simply rest. For me that means we can be eating very simple and easy meals. We can the house picked up but no deep cleaning has to happen right now.

Focus on the goal
“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life.” I am laboring to bring eternal souls into the Kingdom! That is my mission as a mother! I am co-laboring alongside my husband to serve the Lord and His church. My God is close beside me! He guides me along right paths. He is my Shepherd and Guide. He is my Source that I might bring honor to His name.

Be thankful
“My cup overflows with blessings.” It is not just full, it is overflowing! Do you see that? What are these blessings? Write them out. I am thankful for My God – I wouldn’t be here without Him. My Husband – who lovingly leads our family and cherishes me! My two adorable children. My family – for their support and encouragement. My cup truly is overflowing!

May you dear sisters be strengthened today in your mothering! The Lord is with you!

What can you be thankful for today?

My Role as a Mother

Before I was a mom I made and ate hot meals. I had unstained clothing. I had quiet conversations on the phone. Before I was a Mom I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday. Before I was Mom I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words to lullabies. Before I was a Mom I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations. Before I was a Mom I had never been puked on, pooped on, spit on, chewed on, peed on or pinched by tiny fingers. Before I was a Mom I had complete control of my mind, my thoughts, my body, and my mind. I slept all night. Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep. Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom. Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a Mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important. Before I was a Mom I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was ok I had never known the warmth the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderfulment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

"We may not have it all together, but together we have it all."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So its probably no accident that the gospel accounts of Jesus' life and ministry begin with his mother. It is no coincidence that the gospel accounts of Jesus' life end with Jesus' mother weeping at the foot of the cross.

These are a few things I've noted:

*It seems as though Jesus' mother was never very far away from him.

*It was Mary who taught him obedience.

*Mary's obedience called for a sacrifice.

*Mary demonstrated that it didn't matter what the world thought, obedience to God was the most important aspect of living.

Maybe the greatest blessing in Jesus' life wasn't the fact that Mary was chosen to be his mother. Maybe it was that his mother chose to obey God. Her obedience qualified her to be the mother of Jesus. We mothers today are capable of making the same choices. So in theory, e

ach child born gives a mother a chance to be a Mary in carrying out the great commission... 

Mary is a perfect example of what God is willing to do with ordinary women such as ourselves.

A great woman, wife and mother is kind and teaches by modeling compassion.

The love of a mother is never exhausted. It never changes--it never tires--it endures through all; in good, in bad, even in the face of the world's condemnation, a mother's love still lives on. It was a mother's love that guided Mary to be with Jesus all the way to the cross.

There are some rules I ran across for raising children that I think are very simple...

* Teach him to pray as soon as he can speak. 

* Give them nothing they cry for and only what is good for them if they ask for it politely. 

* To prevent lying, don't punish what is freely confessed, but never allow a sinful act to go unnoticed. 

* Commend and reward good behavior. 

* Keep all promises you have made to your child.

I think it is too easy to reverse our role as a mother, to read verses and think "housekeeper" rather than "homemaker". A woman is one who makes a house a home through her godly influence. 

We should never diminish the roles God has assigned each of us in life. Wives and mothers must understand that we are the most influential people in the entire world. That is the role God has assigned in our lives. It was by a  woman that God chose to shape us, give us form and substance and life!

Putting this together makes me look at my own mothering skills. Am I showing my children compassion? A unending love that forgives even before they do wrong? Am I only guiding them when they do wrong, or am I taking the time to praise them when they do right - as large or small as that might be? What am I (doing/not doing) that is preparing my children to be examples of Christ? 

May God give me renewed strength anew every morning - and I pray that He does the same for you.