The Flower Carpets. The boys were amazed with their beauty!
Thank you God, for the gift of Your Son. And for the gift of holy Communion. May we never take forgranted Your love for us!
In the Love of Christ,
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
07 June 2012
The Feast of Corpus Christi
The Flower Carpets. The boys were amazed with their beauty!
Thank you God, for the gift of Your Son. And for the gift of holy Communion. May we never take forgranted Your love for us!
In the Love of Christ,
28 May 2012
"White Sunday" Cake
We used white frosting in honor of it being "White Sunday". The large candle in the center is to symbolize Christ, Who had promised to send the Holy Spirit.
"But the Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26
The 12 smaller candles surrounding the center candle represent the Twelve Apostles and the tongues of fire.
"And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them." Acts 2:3
The seven hearts represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
"And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:" Isaiah 11:2-3
And the twelve strawberries surrounding the cake represent the Fruits of the Spirit.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another." Galatians 5:22-26
We sang Happy Birthday to the Church before blowing out the candles with a "mighty wind".
Blessings Abound,
Celebrating Pentecost
The boys made wind twirlers as we learned about the "mighty wind". They boys thought these were great fun!
We also made stick puppets of the Twelve Apostles.
We made a special Pentecost Feast! We used recipes that would be symbolic of the amazing things that happened that day.
We also made a "Twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit Fruit Salad". You could use any twelve fruits, but we chose pineapple, banana, watermelon, peaches, kiwi, green grapes, red grapes, cantaloupe, strawberries, raspberries, black berries, and apples. The Twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit are: Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Goodness, Benignity, Long Suffering, Mildness, Faith, Modesty, Continence, and Chastity.
We also made Tongues of Fire Cookies. "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them." Acts 2:3
The Catholic feast of Pentecost has also been known as Whitsunday, from “White Sunday,” in reference to the white garments worn by those being baptized on the feast day. We decided to set our supper table with white linens, and use our white china, white candles, and white floral arrangement in honor of this tradition.
Our "Twelve Apostles" even joined us for supper!
We thank God for the beautiful celebration, and for each of the gifts that He has so graciously given to us!
Pax Christi,
02 July 2011
Faith of a Child
Jacob has been asking a lot of questions about faith lately. Really good questions! He's always been the type to seek knowledge and understanding, even from a very early age. But, lately his questions have been deep and challenging!He loves to listen to the sermon excerpts at the end of the "Home" cd from the the Esh funerals. Wednesday we were listening and the minister said, "If you don't accept the salvation that God provided, you're going to go to Hell!" Jacob turned to me with wide eyes and says, "The world needs to hear this! I need to hear this! We all do!" Oh, such wisdom there!
Then Thursday forenoon we were listening to another segment from the same cd. The minister is recounting a story of a ship captain and a young cook boy. The boy is reading Isaiah 53:5 to the dying sea captain. He reads it again, but this time inserting his name in the verse. Jacob came up to me as I was sewing and said, "Mommy, will you read it to me, putting my name in it?" Of course I immediately stopped what I was doing and grabbed my Bible! I began reading it to him,
But he was wounded for Jacob Goodman's transgressions, he was bruised for Jacob Goodman's iniquities: the chastisement of Jacob Goodman's peace was upon him; and with his stripes Jacob Goodman is healed.
He listened intently and then asked, "Will you write it down for me, with my name in it?" Is there any other answer than "YES!" Oh my heart was leaping with joy to see my precious son embrace the sacrifice that my precious Jesus made for each of us!
This week he also asked me to explain the difference in knowing that Jesus died on the cross, and accepting it. Wow! It is so amazing to have these talks with him, to watch him crave more understanding. I can just see his heart growing by the day.
What a responsibility to us as parents! I pray God will lead us and guide us as we direct this little child, and train him up in God's ways!
Love in Christ Who Died for Even Me,
01 July 2011
Love Your Enemies
Love your enemies...Returning good for evil... Yes, this is something that I've written about before. Something that I struggle with, and something that I'm determined to live out.
God knows my heart. He knows this is not something that comes easily to me. People sometimes assume that because I am "nice", this must come easily to me. It's true, niceness and sweetness does come easily to me, but loving my enemies...well, that's a whole 'nother story! Truthfully, my human nature can be vicious, especially in regards to protecting my family. If someone is unkind to those I love, it's very, very (shall we add in another very?) difficult for me to not want to lash out. Sometimes it has felt like simply holding my tongue was enough of a challenge. I didn't lash out, isn't that enough?
Jesus didn't tell us that "it would be nice if maybe you could not hate your enemies." No, He said, "Love your enemies". It goes further than that...He even tells us how to love them.
"But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
How is our Father merciful?
He created this world, this beautiful world, for us, and we defiled it with our sin. He destroyed the world we defiled and made it new again for us. We defiled it again. He then went a step further. He gave us His Son. And what did we do? We set out to destroy Him, too. And yet...and yet, He chose to give His life for us...for ME. We spit in His face with our sin and He looks at us and says, "Yes, my child, I will die for you. I love you that much!"
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Can we show this kind of love? Can we choose to sacrifice even for those who wish us harm?
When our enemy knocks on our door, can we invite them into our home? Can we share our bounty of food with them? Can we offer them a warm comfortable place to sit? Can we be kind to them?
Can we love them that hate us? Can we show the mercy our Father shows us?
I believe that we can. We serve a loving Father, and He will not ask us to do something that He won't equip us to do. If He sends us to serve as missionaries, He will provide the grace, If He sends us to die as martyrs, He will provide the strength. If He asks us to suffer for His sake, He will send contentment. If He asks us to live in prosperity, He will send us the self control to be good stewards. If He asks to be a mother, He gives us what we need to fulfill this role. Whatever He asks of us, He gives us the strength, ability, courage, restraint, love...He provides. It's just a matter of whether or not we accept this.
He asks us to set aside self. Take up your cross, and follow Him.
When my enemy knocks on my door, I pray He will give me everything I need to show them love. Let my self decrease and only Your precious love shine through instead. Let my enemies see only the love that You have for them, and not my own selfish heart.
In His Name,
God knows my heart. He knows this is not something that comes easily to me. People sometimes assume that because I am "nice", this must come easily to me. It's true, niceness and sweetness does come easily to me, but loving my enemies...well, that's a whole 'nother story! Truthfully, my human nature can be vicious, especially in regards to protecting my family. If someone is unkind to those I love, it's very, very (shall we add in another very?) difficult for me to not want to lash out. Sometimes it has felt like simply holding my tongue was enough of a challenge. I didn't lash out, isn't that enough?
Jesus didn't tell us that "it would be nice if maybe you could not hate your enemies." No, He said, "Love your enemies". It goes further than that...He even tells us how to love them.
"But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful."
Luke 6:27-36
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
How is our Father merciful?
He created this world, this beautiful world, for us, and we defiled it with our sin. He destroyed the world we defiled and made it new again for us. We defiled it again. He then went a step further. He gave us His Son. And what did we do? We set out to destroy Him, too. And yet...and yet, He chose to give His life for us...for ME. We spit in His face with our sin and He looks at us and says, "Yes, my child, I will die for you. I love you that much!"
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Can we show this kind of love? Can we choose to sacrifice even for those who wish us harm?
When our enemy knocks on our door, can we invite them into our home? Can we share our bounty of food with them? Can we offer them a warm comfortable place to sit? Can we be kind to them?
Can we love them that hate us? Can we show the mercy our Father shows us?
I believe that we can. We serve a loving Father, and He will not ask us to do something that He won't equip us to do. If He sends us to serve as missionaries, He will provide the grace, If He sends us to die as martyrs, He will provide the strength. If He asks us to suffer for His sake, He will send contentment. If He asks us to live in prosperity, He will send us the self control to be good stewards. If He asks to be a mother, He gives us what we need to fulfill this role. Whatever He asks of us, He gives us the strength, ability, courage, restraint, love...He provides. It's just a matter of whether or not we accept this.
He asks us to set aside self. Take up your cross, and follow Him.
When my enemy knocks on my door, I pray He will give me everything I need to show them love. Let my self decrease and only Your precious love shine through instead. Let my enemies see only the love that You have for them, and not my own selfish heart.
In His Name,
15 May 2011
Notes on Contentment
Make a list of positives and negatives of your life, Which list do you dwell on?
We have a choice about how we view life, we can choose to look down and see the mud, or raise our eyes to the heavens and see the stars.
God wants us to learn to be content in our circumstances, not when they improve.
There are 2 parts to contentment, ours and Gods.
1. Our part- pray rather than be anxious. Paul commands us to have nothing to do with anxiety and everything to do with prayer.
We must pray with thanksgiving.
Psalm 116:17
"I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD."
Giving thanks in difficult times is sacraficial.
We have a choice when confronted with negative circumstances, prayer or worry.
2. God's part- if you make the choice to pray rather than worry you will experience His peace.
Philippians 4:7
"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
If we feel anxious have we done our part?
When struggling with feeling content, give thanks for what God has already done.
Philippians 4:8
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Proverbs 23:7
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee."
We become what we think. Our thought life rather than our circumstances determine whether we are content.
2 Corinthians 10:5
"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"
Romans 12:2
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Philippians 4:9
"Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."
Put it into practice:
-choosing to give our anxieties to God
-choosing to pray specifically
-choosing to be thankful
-choosing to dwell on the positive
Practice substituting prayer for worry.
Peace follows a choice to obey.
Contentment is a shift in attitude not in circumstances.
Prayer
"God, don't let my pain be wasteful, use it to conform me to Your image. Use it to teach me how to be content"
Through God's Abundant Blessings,
We have a choice about how we view life, we can choose to look down and see the mud, or raise our eyes to the heavens and see the stars.
God wants us to learn to be content in our circumstances, not when they improve.
There are 2 parts to contentment, ours and Gods.
1. Our part- pray rather than be anxious. Paul commands us to have nothing to do with anxiety and everything to do with prayer.
We must pray with thanksgiving.
Psalm 116:17
"I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD."
Giving thanks in difficult times is sacraficial.
We have a choice when confronted with negative circumstances, prayer or worry.
2. God's part- if you make the choice to pray rather than worry you will experience His peace.
Philippians 4:7
"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
If we feel anxious have we done our part?
When struggling with feeling content, give thanks for what God has already done.
Philippians 4:8
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Proverbs 23:7
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee."
We become what we think. Our thought life rather than our circumstances determine whether we are content.
2 Corinthians 10:5
"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"
Romans 12:2
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Philippians 4:9
"Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."
Put it into practice:
-choosing to give our anxieties to God
-choosing to pray specifically
-choosing to be thankful
-choosing to dwell on the positive
Practice substituting prayer for worry.
Peace follows a choice to obey.
Contentment is a shift in attitude not in circumstances.
Prayer
"God, don't let my pain be wasteful, use it to conform me to Your image. Use it to teach me how to be content"
Through God's Abundant Blessings,
13 May 2011
Contentment- My Thoughts
Contentment is an issue that I have been greatly struggling with over the last few months. I began a devotional study on this subject yesterday and it really hit home for me. I thought perhaps I would share my notes with you because I know contentment is something that many women struggle with.
The first was on having an eternal perspective. An eternal perspective in God's way of seeing things. When we have an eternal perspective we view our lives and evaluate what is important from His view point.
*A Prescription for Contentment* (this one is REALLY difficult, but it really hit home for me)
1. Never allow yourself to complain about anything, not even the weather.
2. Never picture yourself in any other circumstances, or some place else.
3. Never compare your lot with anothers.
4. Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.
5. Never dwell on tomorrow, remember that tomorrow is God's, not ours.
If all of your tomorrow's are nestled in God's strong arms, you are free to live your life today.
Contentment is peace separate from circumstances. .
Contentment is a state of heart and not a state of affairs.
Contentment can be learned! (Philippians 4:11-13)
"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
I think it is important to remember that Paul wrote this while imprisoned, chained to a guard and facing certain death! If he could find contentment even then, it must be possible to find it in whatever situation we face!
At all times, in all circumstances, Christ is able and willing to provide the strength we need to be content.
God infuses contentment into us through His Word..
We become more content when we spend time in His Word, allowing it to seep in and transforming us to be like Him.
It is our "helping God out" that leads to an anxious heart. When we try to take control we take our focus off of the One who is in control, and put our eyes on our circumstances.
1 Timothy 6:15
"Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;" (KJV)
"which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords," (NIV)
This quote really hit home too-
J.I, Packer-
" Contentment is essentually a matter of accepting from God's hand what He sends, because we know that He is good and therefore it is good."
***A quiet heart is content with what God gives***
Elisabeth Elliot-
"Every assignement is measured and controlled for my eternal good. As I accept the given portion other options are cancelled, decisions become much easier, directions clearer, and hence my heart becomes inexpressibly quieter."
If we choose to let God be in control instead of ourselves, we can be a woman of contentment.
And the last point, that has probably been the biggest one for me-
Contentment is accepting God's Sovereign control over life's circumstances.
Blessings,
The first was on having an eternal perspective. An eternal perspective in God's way of seeing things. When we have an eternal perspective we view our lives and evaluate what is important from His view point.
*A Prescription for Contentment* (this one is REALLY difficult, but it really hit home for me)
1. Never allow yourself to complain about anything, not even the weather.
2. Never picture yourself in any other circumstances, or some place else.
3. Never compare your lot with anothers.
4. Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.
5. Never dwell on tomorrow, remember that tomorrow is God's, not ours.
If all of your tomorrow's are nestled in God's strong arms, you are free to live your life today.
Contentment is peace separate from circumstances. .
Contentment is a state of heart and not a state of affairs.
Contentment can be learned! (Philippians 4:11-13)
"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
I think it is important to remember that Paul wrote this while imprisoned, chained to a guard and facing certain death! If he could find contentment even then, it must be possible to find it in whatever situation we face!
At all times, in all circumstances, Christ is able and willing to provide the strength we need to be content.
God infuses contentment into us through His Word..
We become more content when we spend time in His Word, allowing it to seep in and transforming us to be like Him.
It is our "helping God out" that leads to an anxious heart. When we try to take control we take our focus off of the One who is in control, and put our eyes on our circumstances.
1 Timothy 6:15
"Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;" (KJV)
"which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords," (NIV)
This quote really hit home too-
J.I, Packer-
" Contentment is essentually a matter of accepting from God's hand what He sends, because we know that He is good and therefore it is good."
***A quiet heart is content with what God gives***
Elisabeth Elliot-
"Every assignement is measured and controlled for my eternal good. As I accept the given portion other options are cancelled, decisions become much easier, directions clearer, and hence my heart becomes inexpressibly quieter."
If we choose to let God be in control instead of ourselves, we can be a woman of contentment.
And the last point, that has probably been the biggest one for me-
Contentment is accepting God's Sovereign control over life's circumstances.
Blessings,
29 March 2011
Clinging to the Cross
What do we do when we are faced with challenges and trials?
If you are a Christian and striving to walk each day in obedience, you will face trials indeed. Trials are a necessary part of our Christian walk. They purify, correct, and mold us into being more Christ-like.
Scripture also tells us that the adversary will do anything and everything he can to deter us from following Christ. He will strive to make it too difficult, so that we want to give up. He will tear away our comforts and even friendships, and sometimes family, doing everything he can to put doubt into our hearts.
Trials can be chastening, they can be intended for our good. Or trials can be put in our path to deter us from following God with our whole being. Wherever the trial is coming from, we have control over how we choose to react.
If you are a Christian, you do not have to face these trials all alone. I find it to be such a comfort to remember that Jesus Himself went through such terrible testing and trials. Can you imagine facing unimaginable pain and death and still giving the greatest gift of love and selflessness? His friends abandoned Him, He was beaten and suffered such a cruel death, and He did so because He loved me.
Whatever difficulties we face, we can find comfort at the foot of the cross. I think about the way that Jesus handled Himself when faced with the greatest of trials. I can imagine He must have had fear, He must have felt heartbroken. He cried out to the Father. I find that to be such a comfort! Even with all that He must have felt, He still died willingly for my sins.
At the end of one of favorite cd's, "Home" by the Esh family, there are excerpts from their funeral sermons. In one of the excerpts, the minister recounts a story of a sailor reading Isaiah 53 to his captain. In the story, he inserts his name into the verse. What a powerful message! A few months ago, we were listening to it in the car, and in my head I put my name in as I was listening.
But he was wounded for Melly Elizabeth's transgressions, he was bruised for Melly Elizabeth's iniquities: the chastisement of Melly Elizabeth's peace was upon him; and with his stripes Melly Elizabeth is healed.
Wow. I cannot read or hear that verse without my eyes filling with tears. He went through that suffering for me. Should I not then, be grateful enough to handle whatever trials are sent my way with a faithful attitude? When I struggle, shouldn't I seek encouragement at the very source of my salvation?
When the storm is howling around me, that is where I hope to be found. Clinging to the cross, reliant on the One who loved me enough to give His life for me.
Love in Christ, Who First Loved Me,
If you are a Christian and striving to walk each day in obedience, you will face trials indeed. Trials are a necessary part of our Christian walk. They purify, correct, and mold us into being more Christ-like.
Scripture also tells us that the adversary will do anything and everything he can to deter us from following Christ. He will strive to make it too difficult, so that we want to give up. He will tear away our comforts and even friendships, and sometimes family, doing everything he can to put doubt into our hearts.
Trials can be chastening, they can be intended for our good. Or trials can be put in our path to deter us from following God with our whole being. Wherever the trial is coming from, we have control over how we choose to react.
If you are a Christian, you do not have to face these trials all alone. I find it to be such a comfort to remember that Jesus Himself went through such terrible testing and trials. Can you imagine facing unimaginable pain and death and still giving the greatest gift of love and selflessness? His friends abandoned Him, He was beaten and suffered such a cruel death, and He did so because He loved me.
Whatever difficulties we face, we can find comfort at the foot of the cross. I think about the way that Jesus handled Himself when faced with the greatest of trials. I can imagine He must have had fear, He must have felt heartbroken. He cried out to the Father. I find that to be such a comfort! Even with all that He must have felt, He still died willingly for my sins.
At the end of one of favorite cd's, "Home" by the Esh family, there are excerpts from their funeral sermons. In one of the excerpts, the minister recounts a story of a sailor reading Isaiah 53 to his captain. In the story, he inserts his name into the verse. What a powerful message! A few months ago, we were listening to it in the car, and in my head I put my name in as I was listening.
But he was wounded for Melly Elizabeth's transgressions, he was bruised for Melly Elizabeth's iniquities: the chastisement of Melly Elizabeth's peace was upon him; and with his stripes Melly Elizabeth is healed.
Wow. I cannot read or hear that verse without my eyes filling with tears. He went through that suffering for me. Should I not then, be grateful enough to handle whatever trials are sent my way with a faithful attitude? When I struggle, shouldn't I seek encouragement at the very source of my salvation?
When the storm is howling around me, that is where I hope to be found. Clinging to the cross, reliant on the One who loved me enough to give His life for me.
Love in Christ, Who First Loved Me,
18 February 2011
Learning From Mrs. Cardinal
Yesterday, Joshua and I were looking through an old issue of Birds and Bloom, and we came across a picture of a sweet brown bird. Joshua exclaimed, "Look, a girl cardinal!" He was correct, it was a female cardinal. He then told me all about how boy cardinals are bright beautiful red, and the girls are a pretty brown color.I thought about that a bit. I thought about how male peacocks are so beautiful, and the females so much simpler looking. I thought about how male lions have their big fancy looking manes, and the females are again much more plain. Isn't it so interesting how often times in nature, the males are the "showy" ones, but with people it's the other way around?
"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;" 1 Timothy 2:9
I wonder how it is that we have gone so far away from God's ways. Why do we, as women, feel such pressure to be beautiful? Why do we feel the need to outshine our husbands?
It seems like such an unheard of idea for women to be content in their roles as the weaker vessel, as the quiet helper for her husband. Society tells us we should want more than that, we should crave the attention of the world around us, we should desire beauty. The very idea of being created to be a helpmeet is offensive to most! How did we come so far away from God's plan for us?
I am constantly amazed at the amount of feminism that has managed to creep into my life. I have never had the desire to be anything other than wife, mother and homemaker, and yet, I can find the traces of "what about me?" in my life. I want to be seen as successful, and beautiful. I want "my time".
This can be a sometimes blurry issue. Obviously, as mothers, we do need to take proper care of ourselves. We need to get enough rest, we need to take time to make sure our appearance is neat and tidy. We need time for prayer, and study, and we should pursue activities that encourage and edify us. I think this can all become selfishness though if we are not careful to make sure that our priorities are in the proper order.
I had a little battle with these feelings this week. My husband was recognized in a meeting at work for his success. He got to walk on stage and will receive a nice award. I was so happy for him, and so proud of the hard work that he does to make sure that his family is well cared for, but I have to admit a twinge of envy. No matter how hard I work, I'm not likely to receive a "Housewife of the Year" award. I'm not going to get a trophy or plaque and be called up in front of all of my fellow housewives and be told how great I am. Don't get me wrong, I get a lot of appreciation from my family, and even from my friends. But there was that twinge...
I find the female cardinal to be beautiful. I doubt she sits around being jealous that her mate is so much prettier than she. I doubt she longs for gorgeous red feathers. I doubt she feels slighted that people notice her mate and not her. Can I follow Mrs. Cardinal's example? Can I be content with being the simple brown bird?
With Love,
15 February 2011
Kindness is Contagious!
Children can teach us so many lessons, if we are willing to learn from them!
This morning's lesson: Kindness is contagious!
I was watching the boys play the other day, and one brother took a toy from the other. The wronged brother stopped, hugged the offender and said, "I forgive you", which then caused the one who had stolen the toy to return it to his brother.
Today, after our noon meal, Jacob started wiping the chairs. Joseph saw him and said, "You are doing my job!" Jacob told him, "I saw that you were busy and thought I'd help." Joseph responded with, "That is so nice to me!"
Then, just a few minutes after this, I sat down to rock Jamie. I couldn't find his blanket so Joshua says, "He may use mine! I want to be nice like Jacob!"
Kindness begets kindness. When we see another person being kind, then it inspires us to do the same.
The little acts of kindness from the children seemed to cause an overall attitude of kindness throughout the house. What an excellent reminder that our own actions can affect the actions of those we come in contact with!
Those who know me well, know that I can tend to be a little shy. Sometimes, my shyness can actually make me appear unfriendly. I get nervous, I forget to smile at people. This past weekend I went on a trip to North Carolina to visit one of my most dear friends. I was so nervous about flying all by myself! When I get into situations such as that, I tend to be very serious, interact as little as possible with others, and just focused on what I need to do. But, I think I was so joyful about seeing my friend that I was just beaming with smiles. I ended up sitting next to a music minister on the first flight and he asked me if I had ever flown before. I told him I had, but this was my first trip by myself. He said, "Well, just keep smiling like that and you'll find that people will be more than happy to help such a friendly face!" He was right! Everywhere I went people were friendly and helpful! Kindness really is contagious!
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32
With Love in Christ,
09 February 2011
Count it all Joy- Part Two
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." James 1:2-3
The last post focused on the first half of this passage...counting it all joy when we face difficult times. I'd like to talk now about the second half.
Patience. Patience is a scary word for a lot of mothers, especially when we have children in the younger age set, and especially so if you have four of them in that age set who all happen to be boys!
Teasing aside though, patience is a struggle for most of us, and it is a virtue we all strive to achieve. I read somewhere that the word "patience" is in the New Testament 34 times (KJV).
Websters dictionary defines patience as the capacity, habit, or fact of being patient. I had never much considered patience as being a habit. One definition of habit is as follows: an acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary. A habit is something that is acquired. How many times have I heard someone say that they just weren't born with patience! I'm sure there are naturally patient people, but I am certainly not one of them! Patience is something that can be acquired. We can develop a habit of patience.
I am someone who likes a plan. When I set out to do something I want a plan for how to get it done. So, how do we develop a habit of patience?
One synonym for habit is practice. I am sure we have all heard the saying, "Practice makes perfect!". We must practice being patience.
So how is a habit formed? It is said that it takes three weeks for a new behavior to become a habit. In order to start a new habit, we must know what it is that we want. We want to form a habit of patience. We must then commit ourselves to forming this new habit. We need to strive to be consistent in practicing patience. It might even be helpful to ask a friend for accountability in this. Be prayerful. Pray for patience, pray for opportunities for patience...but be prepared to be tried!
"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."
Why does the trying of your faith worketh patience? I was doing something on this. As I mentioned in the last post, I have been going through quite a bit of trials lately. I think patience is almost a necessity in persevering in faith. Faith often times requires patience, because we don't always see what we feel like we need to see right away. Sometimes we pray for something, and the answer is "wait". Sometimes we have to choose to believe something, long before we ever have something tangible to see.
Child training is one of those areas that requires a great deal of patience. We teach, train, discipline...and often these efforts seem fruitless. It takes time, it requires patience. We wait. We wait more. We continue waiting. Sometimes it feels like all we do is wait for our efforts to bear fruit.
When we face trials, this can become even more difficult. Patience is not easy, and it's even less easy when things are hard. I don't know about you, but when my heart hurts, I don't have any interest in being patient. I want it to all be better and I want it to be better now.
But just like how our bodies grow stronger through the hard work of exercise, our patience grows when it is tested through trials. Trials can be excellent for building character, if we allow them to be. It seems that trials tend to either cause us to strengthen our character, or they can defeat us.
"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."
In Christ's Love,
Count it all Joy- Part One
This week has been hard...no, it's been really hard. It seems like every area of my life that could become a trial has become a trial. There's almost nothing that feels entirely comfortable. I think the only area of life where I feel completely secure, completely comfortable, is my relationship with my Father.
This isn't entirely unexpected. Whenever you set out to follow the narrow path, the adversary will throw every rock, thorny bush and pot hole in the way that he can think of. The more you dig in your heels, the more he challenges you.
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."James 1:2-3
It hasn't much felt like "joy" lately. To be honest, joy seems to be the very thing missing. Maybe that is why I am finding it to be such a struggle.
I know I am on the right path, I know I am right where God has called me to be, and I KNOW that means there will be trials. So then why is it so hard to focus on the joy?
Count it all joy... How do we find joy in the midst of times where everything seems to be going wrong? I know I have said this before, but it really seems to me that it all has to do with our perspective and where our focus lies. We are by nature selfish creatures, and by our very selfish nature we focus on our own struggles. We think about how we feel, and what we want. Our feelings are hurt when others disagree with us, or don't approve of what we think, or don't applaud us when we do well. Our sinful nature tells us to look at what we don't have, to be sad for whatever we are missing. We see another's family, or marriage, or home or possessions or status and bemoan what we have. We spend so much time with our focus on outward things that we are missing the joy right under our noses.
The other morning I was in a rather unpleasant mood. The children were chattering and I am sad to say that I was intentionally not listening even though I know some of it was aimed at me. Finally I noticed Jacob tugging on my sleeve. "Mommy, mommy." I turned to listen to him. "Did you know that while I was upstairs I was thanking God for you and Daddy?" Ouch. It was like a dagger right to my heart. Here I am feeling sorry for myself because I am tired and grumpy and my son, whom I was a little irritated at, was thanking God for me.
I am most guilty at becoming battle weary and losing sight of the joy. It may actually be my biggest shortcoming. I can fight through the battle and persevere with an unfaltering zeal. But, I do it without the joy.
We have a saying we use in our home when teaching obedience: Right away, All the way, and in a Joyful way. Without all three, it is not obedience. Without the joy, would good does my perseverance bring?
Joy is the evidence of a heart that is right with God. When I don't have joy, I know it's because my heart is not in the right place. Sometimes we obey and stay on the narrow path with our heads, and our hearts are wandering off elsewhere. When our heart is right with God, it is nearly impossible to not have joy. You cannot rest at the feet of Jesus, without feeling joy and peace.
Count it all joy!
Sitting at the Feet of Jesus,
21 January 2011
Dealing with Discouragement
Discouragement is something that we all face at one time or another, and most likely we will face it more times than we'd like to admit. I've been facing quite a bit of discouragement lately, and it has really caused me to think about the ways we handle it when it comes along.
When discouragement knocks us down, we really have two choices. One, stay down, roll over and let discouragement win. Or two, stand up and fight back. We can choose to turn discouragement into motivation.
Lately I have been feeling like every time I turn around, there is another disappointment trying to knock me over. Have you ever seen those blow up things with the weights in the bottom? You know, those things were you hit it and it falls over and then bounces back up again? That's exactly what I have felt like. It has been just one thing after another. Some small things, some big things, but it has all been enough to leave me feeling worn down.
It would probably be easier just to let the discouragement win, but, as my husband so lovingly said the other day, "We're a resilient bunch!" So, instead, I am turning this discouragement into motivation. When others say that I am not good enough, I am taking that as a personal challenge to be my best. I may never be good enough for some people, but I know that my best is what my Father wants from me.
Motivation can be a beautiful thing. Disappointments can also be a wonderful gift...if we allow them to be. Without failures, without disappointments and discouragement, we can become complacent. Complacency is a dangerous thing. When we become too comfortable with our situation, we begin to start letting the little things slide. We stop being so diligent, because after all, we don't have to. Everything is peachy...
Then discouragement comes along and shakes us out of our complacency. Do we give up, or do we dig in and turn things around?
Yes, discouragement, disappointment and even failure can be a gift. Years ago I heard a saying, "If you are comfortable with where you are, then you probably aren't doing much for God". When we are growing in our faith, when we are doing God's Work, the adversary will not be happy with us. He will do everything in his power to derail us, to make us want to give up. He will throw every disappointment our way that he can think of. He will attack us where he feels we have weaknesses.
What are we to do then?
First, we need to check where our focus is pointed. Are we focused on things eternal, or are we too wrapped up in the world's desires? "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them." 1 John 2:15
Once our focus is on the right place, we need to trust God to carry our burdens. "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7 Sometimes I think that we believe our discouragements are too little to matter to God. But He doesn't say "Casting all your BIG cares..." He says, "Casting all your cares..." I believe God cares about even the little discouragements in our lives, and He's waiting for us to trust Him with them.
Often times this is not a one time deal. Many times we have to cast our cares upon Him again, and again, and again. We may have to give him the same discouragement every five minutes. If you are the mother of young boys, you are familiar with that feeling! Sometimes it is minute by minute of casting the same cares upon Him!
Once we have given Him our discouragement, we need to let it go. That's not always easy. If you are someone who needs to feel "in control" like me, then it's really not easy. But Scripture says that we need not to worry. "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" Matthew 6:25
The thought of being able to give my discouragement to God is freeing. God cares enough about me to care about my hurt feelings and disappointment, and to me, that is a very encouraging thought! Use that encouragement to motivate yourself! If God cares enough to carry our burden, then we should care enough to pick ourselves up and do good!
Choose to turn discouragement into motivation.
In His Precious Name,
When discouragement knocks us down, we really have two choices. One, stay down, roll over and let discouragement win. Or two, stand up and fight back. We can choose to turn discouragement into motivation.
Lately I have been feeling like every time I turn around, there is another disappointment trying to knock me over. Have you ever seen those blow up things with the weights in the bottom? You know, those things were you hit it and it falls over and then bounces back up again? That's exactly what I have felt like. It has been just one thing after another. Some small things, some big things, but it has all been enough to leave me feeling worn down.
It would probably be easier just to let the discouragement win, but, as my husband so lovingly said the other day, "We're a resilient bunch!" So, instead, I am turning this discouragement into motivation. When others say that I am not good enough, I am taking that as a personal challenge to be my best. I may never be good enough for some people, but I know that my best is what my Father wants from me.
Motivation can be a beautiful thing. Disappointments can also be a wonderful gift...if we allow them to be. Without failures, without disappointments and discouragement, we can become complacent. Complacency is a dangerous thing. When we become too comfortable with our situation, we begin to start letting the little things slide. We stop being so diligent, because after all, we don't have to. Everything is peachy...
Then discouragement comes along and shakes us out of our complacency. Do we give up, or do we dig in and turn things around?
Yes, discouragement, disappointment and even failure can be a gift. Years ago I heard a saying, "If you are comfortable with where you are, then you probably aren't doing much for God". When we are growing in our faith, when we are doing God's Work, the adversary will not be happy with us. He will do everything in his power to derail us, to make us want to give up. He will throw every disappointment our way that he can think of. He will attack us where he feels we have weaknesses.
What are we to do then?
First, we need to check where our focus is pointed. Are we focused on things eternal, or are we too wrapped up in the world's desires? "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them." 1 John 2:15
Once our focus is on the right place, we need to trust God to carry our burdens. "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7 Sometimes I think that we believe our discouragements are too little to matter to God. But He doesn't say "Casting all your BIG cares..." He says, "Casting all your cares..." I believe God cares about even the little discouragements in our lives, and He's waiting for us to trust Him with them.
Often times this is not a one time deal. Many times we have to cast our cares upon Him again, and again, and again. We may have to give him the same discouragement every five minutes. If you are the mother of young boys, you are familiar with that feeling! Sometimes it is minute by minute of casting the same cares upon Him!
Once we have given Him our discouragement, we need to let it go. That's not always easy. If you are someone who needs to feel "in control" like me, then it's really not easy. But Scripture says that we need not to worry. "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" Matthew 6:25
The thought of being able to give my discouragement to God is freeing. God cares enough about me to care about my hurt feelings and disappointment, and to me, that is a very encouraging thought! Use that encouragement to motivate yourself! If God cares enough to carry our burden, then we should care enough to pick ourselves up and do good!
Choose to turn discouragement into motivation.
In His Precious Name,
20 January 2011
Oh, Christians!
It has been on my heart to write about this issue for a little while now, but I don't particularly enjoy writing about contentious subjects. Thus comes procrastination. It has been nagging at me though, so it is probably time to put pen to paper (or fingers to keys!).
Several weeks ago one of our the ministers at our church preached a sermon on friendship. He made an excellent point, "Christians have more reasons to be friends with each other than any other group of people because we have the most important thing in common...a love for Christ." This should, above all else, bind us together. Are we not, in fact, brothers and sisters in Christ?
And yet, it also seems that no other group finds more reasons to disagree than us as Christians. Head covering sisters look down at non-head covering sisters. Mainstream Christians accusing conservative Christians of being legalistic. One group of Mennonites snubbing another because their dresses have patterns, or suitcoats have buttons vs. hook and eye closures. Baptist churches in bitter divide over issues such as hymnals. The list could go on and on.
I don't mean to imply that none of these issues have any weight. I certainly have my own set of beliefs over many issues, some of which are rather strong. But, I cannot understand why it is that these issues can cause such bitterness, and just plain meanness amongst Christians. Are we not called to love one another? To treat each other as neighbors, as family? Why then, oh Christians, have we become so mean?
Over the last few weeks, I have witnessed some shocking behavior amongst Christian friends. I have seen such judgmentalism and hurtful words spoken amongst people who should have every reason to love each other. It is truly heartbreaking.
I have had my heart broken over such things many times. When we had left the Mennonite church over a year and a half ago, I had friends who turned their back on me, and treated me as if I had leprosy, or said hateful things. I was so shocked by it all that I felt pushed even further away. I developed almost a distaste for things that I knew were godly, simply because I couldn't imagine that the God I so deeply loved would condone such meanness. It took me some time to get past my hurt feelings, and eventually I came back to God's path for me, but, this doesn't always happen. So many Christians have been turned away, simply because the rest of us cannot be kind.
I have come to the conclusion that the biggest stumbling block in a Christian's life is other Christians. We, as a group, are the most detrimental thing to one another. Why is it that we cannot see that our harsh words wound each other? Why can we not love each other in spite of differences? Why can we not overlook these differences to see the One that binds us together? Why do we care if one brother eats pork, or another wears flowered dresses? Yes, these might be convictions that really and truly matter, but it is not our place to treat each other unkindly when we do not agree. I feel that bears repeating... It is not our place to treat each other unkindly when we do not agree.
Christians, oh Christians, are we not called to love one another?
We are called as Christians, to have Jesus' likeness shine through us. When the world looks at us, they should see His love. Are we so focused on what we think is right or wrong that we forget to love those who are sometimes unlovable? Would you show Christ's love to the cashier at Wal-mart with the lip piercing and dyed hair, or are you too busy noticing that she doesn't meet our "standards"? Does she not deserve the love of our Father just as much as the innocent looking Amish girl or the clean cut missionary's son? How many of us treat someone like this cashier with the same Christ-like love as we do someone we view as "just like us"?
I think it is important to surround ourselves with likeminded believers, who help us to build up our faith, and strengthen our walk. But, we cannot surround ourselves only with people who believe just as we do. We have to have room in our circle of friends for those who we are called to witness to. We have to allow people to grow in their faith. How will they ever grow if we decide they are unworthy?
During the aforementioned sermon a few weeks ago, one of our ministers talked about the fact that as God works in our lives, and we grow in our faith, we develop more and more levels of conscience. We have to have Christian charity for those who have not developed the same level of conscience that we have. We have to make ourselves available as examples and true friends to each other as God works in each of our lives.
I know that my faith came to the place where it is now via baby steps. I did not wake up one day as a plain dressing, headcovering, homeschooling Mennonite helpmeet. I am pretty sure that if I had learned about all of this at one time, I would have surely given up and said "I can't!" I had to learn gradually, as my heart was ready for each step. What if someone had decided I was unworthy of God's love, because I believed in modest dress, but wasn't so sure about headcovering?
Christians, oh Christians, let us show love to each other. Let us show kindness, and true charity to one another. Let us love each other, as God loves us, despite our differences, despite our shortcomings. There is not one among us who is perfect, who has it all right. We are human, we will fail each other more times than we can count. God loves us even though we do not deserve it, and will never be able to do enough to merit it. Do we not have the responsibility to show this love to each other? Christians, oh Christians, I believe that we do.
In Christ's Love,
Several weeks ago one of our the ministers at our church preached a sermon on friendship. He made an excellent point, "Christians have more reasons to be friends with each other than any other group of people because we have the most important thing in common...a love for Christ." This should, above all else, bind us together. Are we not, in fact, brothers and sisters in Christ?
And yet, it also seems that no other group finds more reasons to disagree than us as Christians. Head covering sisters look down at non-head covering sisters. Mainstream Christians accusing conservative Christians of being legalistic. One group of Mennonites snubbing another because their dresses have patterns, or suitcoats have buttons vs. hook and eye closures. Baptist churches in bitter divide over issues such as hymnals. The list could go on and on.
I don't mean to imply that none of these issues have any weight. I certainly have my own set of beliefs over many issues, some of which are rather strong. But, I cannot understand why it is that these issues can cause such bitterness, and just plain meanness amongst Christians. Are we not called to love one another? To treat each other as neighbors, as family? Why then, oh Christians, have we become so mean?
Over the last few weeks, I have witnessed some shocking behavior amongst Christian friends. I have seen such judgmentalism and hurtful words spoken amongst people who should have every reason to love each other. It is truly heartbreaking.
I have had my heart broken over such things many times. When we had left the Mennonite church over a year and a half ago, I had friends who turned their back on me, and treated me as if I had leprosy, or said hateful things. I was so shocked by it all that I felt pushed even further away. I developed almost a distaste for things that I knew were godly, simply because I couldn't imagine that the God I so deeply loved would condone such meanness. It took me some time to get past my hurt feelings, and eventually I came back to God's path for me, but, this doesn't always happen. So many Christians have been turned away, simply because the rest of us cannot be kind.
I have come to the conclusion that the biggest stumbling block in a Christian's life is other Christians. We, as a group, are the most detrimental thing to one another. Why is it that we cannot see that our harsh words wound each other? Why can we not love each other in spite of differences? Why can we not overlook these differences to see the One that binds us together? Why do we care if one brother eats pork, or another wears flowered dresses? Yes, these might be convictions that really and truly matter, but it is not our place to treat each other unkindly when we do not agree. I feel that bears repeating... It is not our place to treat each other unkindly when we do not agree.
Christians, oh Christians, are we not called to love one another?
We are called as Christians, to have Jesus' likeness shine through us. When the world looks at us, they should see His love. Are we so focused on what we think is right or wrong that we forget to love those who are sometimes unlovable? Would you show Christ's love to the cashier at Wal-mart with the lip piercing and dyed hair, or are you too busy noticing that she doesn't meet our "standards"? Does she not deserve the love of our Father just as much as the innocent looking Amish girl or the clean cut missionary's son? How many of us treat someone like this cashier with the same Christ-like love as we do someone we view as "just like us"?
I think it is important to surround ourselves with likeminded believers, who help us to build up our faith, and strengthen our walk. But, we cannot surround ourselves only with people who believe just as we do. We have to have room in our circle of friends for those who we are called to witness to. We have to allow people to grow in their faith. How will they ever grow if we decide they are unworthy?
During the aforementioned sermon a few weeks ago, one of our ministers talked about the fact that as God works in our lives, and we grow in our faith, we develop more and more levels of conscience. We have to have Christian charity for those who have not developed the same level of conscience that we have. We have to make ourselves available as examples and true friends to each other as God works in each of our lives.
I know that my faith came to the place where it is now via baby steps. I did not wake up one day as a plain dressing, headcovering, homeschooling Mennonite helpmeet. I am pretty sure that if I had learned about all of this at one time, I would have surely given up and said "I can't!" I had to learn gradually, as my heart was ready for each step. What if someone had decided I was unworthy of God's love, because I believed in modest dress, but wasn't so sure about headcovering?
Christians, oh Christians, let us show love to each other. Let us show kindness, and true charity to one another. Let us love each other, as God loves us, despite our differences, despite our shortcomings. There is not one among us who is perfect, who has it all right. We are human, we will fail each other more times than we can count. God loves us even though we do not deserve it, and will never be able to do enough to merit it. Do we not have the responsibility to show this love to each other? Christians, oh Christians, I believe that we do.
In Christ's Love,
14 January 2011
Do You Have Confidence, or Not?
Our little Joseph has the cutest way of asking questions. Everything has to end in an "or not". "Do you like chicken, or not?" "Are you sleepy, or not?" I love the way he asks questions, and I hope this phase takes a long time to grow out of!But on to the point...
Some time ago, I had met a new friend. This friend had been reading my blog before we met face to face. One day we were talking and she told me that one thing that had really stood out to her from reading my writings was my confidence. Confidence in the things our family was doing, confidence in how we are raising our children, confidence in who I am. I remember being so shocked by that. Me? Confident? After thinking further about it, I realized she was right. I did have a lot of confidence in what I believe, and who I am.
Somewhere along the way, that confidence began to slip away. I do not exactly know why, and I believe that it happened so slowly and gradually, that I didn't see it happening. I woke up one day feeling like I was adrift...
Do you know what is so amazing though? I quickly realized that the confidence wasn't gone. Even more amazing was to realize that the confidence that I had in these things can't be lost, because it doesn't come from me. What an awesome sense of power to know that Our Father supplies us with everything we need to fulfill the plans that He has for us. It's so wonderful to know that I don't have to do it alone!
I don't feel adrift anymore. My Heavenly Father knew that I needed a little encouragement, and He has moved mountains, rearranged paths, knocked down walls and built bridges wherever need be. Oh, how loved I am!
Do you have confidence, or not? I do.
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive." Jeremiah 29:11
04 January 2011
Bedtime Routine
Our bedtime has been much the same for years. It has been so neat to see our little family grow and continue on with the same traditions.
First everyone gets changed into their "nannies" (otherwise known as pajamas). We then read a bible story from Egermeiers Bible Story book. This tradition is especially sweet because Rick's grandfather, whom we were very close to, gave us this book. It was his book from when he was a small boy. It is so precious to us!
Once the story has been read, we say our prayers. I absolutely love listening to my husband pray with our children.
After prayer time we sing our night-night song. We have sung the same song since Jacob was a little baby. It is actually a VeggieTales song (which I realize is a bit ironic, since we don't watch VeggieTales, but we really liked the message of the song)
I thank God for this day, for the sun in the sky,
for my mom and my dad, and my piece of apple pie,
for my house on the ground, for His love that's all around,
that's why I say "thanks" everyday!
Because a thankful heart is a happy heart.
I'm glad for what I have, that's an easy way to start.
For the love that He shares, 'cuz He listens to our prayers,
that's why I say "thanks" everyday!
The boys love our routine, and look forward to it each evening. I love that we are building lasting traditions with them.
In Christ's Love,
for my mom and my dad, and my piece of apple pie,
for my house on the ground, for His love that's all around,
that's why I say "thanks" everyday!
Because a thankful heart is a happy heart.
I'm glad for what I have, that's an easy way to start.
For the love that He shares, 'cuz He listens to our prayers,
that's why I say "thanks" everyday!
The boys love our routine, and look forward to it each evening. I love that we are building lasting traditions with them.
In Christ's Love,
27 December 2010
Snow Covered Contentment
There is something about snow and ice covered tree branches that I find simply beautiful. No, make that breathtaking! I just love the way the snow coats every inch of each tiny little branch. It is just so beautiful...in such a simple way.Thinking about the snow covered trees led me to think about contentment. It may seem like an odd pairing, but, really if you think about it a little deeper, it makes sense.
It is easy to see the beauty in the trees during Spring time, when the branches are covered in the new life of bright green leaves and buds. Or in the Autumn, when the trees are full of the colors of changing leaves. But in the Winter, it is all stark, cold, somewhat drab looking. There are no leaves, no pretty colors...just the naked tree branches standing alone against dreary Winter skies. And then the snow comes, and the scene is quite beautiful! Here, in Missouri, our weather often flips back and forth between arctic blasts and Southern mildness. One day we have a beautiful snow covered landscape, and it is gone the next (sometimes...or it may stick around for weeks, you just never know!) Anyway, this flip flop in weather often causes the snow to start to melt, and then to freeze yet again, and it leaves our trees looking as if they have been carefully hand-painted with snow. The rest of the scene starts to look drab again, half melted snow slush all around, gray skies, mud... Ah! But, the trees! How beautiful they are! I think many people pass by them, not noticing their simple beauty, but I find them to be breathtaking. I just have to stop and look at them, soak in their beauty, because I know it will be gone again soon enough. This afternoon as we were heading out to town for a bit, I stopped and took a few pictures. I am so glad that I did, because it was all melted away by the time we arrived home!What does all of this have to do with contentment? Well, I was thinking about how easy it is to feel happy when everything around us is going the way we'd like it to, or is just pleasant. Oh but it is so much harder to feel happy when the good things are less obvious. When life feels ho-hum, and the monotony begins to feel dreary, it is hard to radiate with joy. But, the Bible tells us in all things to be content.
Paul writes about feeling content when he is in the worst of circumstances. How can he feel content when he is facing death? How is it that we struggle with feeling content when in comparison, we are in really good circumstances?
"Not that I speak in respect of want; for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." (Philippians 4:11-12)
Paul is able to feel such contentment because his peace, his joy, did not depend on outside circumstances. His contentment came from God. I believe his focus was on things eternal, and not his present circumstances. He didn't need for it to be Springtime for him to see the beauty in God's plans and His creations. God's beauty is so remarkable that it can shine through on a cold, dreary Winter's day. We just need to open our eyes and look.
I really think that is the biggest problem most of us face. It's not that the beauty isn't there, it's simply that we refuse to see it. There's a sermon on the end of one of our favorite cd's where the minister talks about the railroad sign warning of stop, look and listen. We need to stop, and look and listen in our daily lives. Take a moment and notice the beauty of God's creations, and of His plans for you. What a glorious work He is doing!
Let us pray that we might always see the beauty around us, that we might always be content, whatever our circumstances, and that we may have true joy that comes from having such an eternal focus.In Christ's Love,
30 September 2010
Little Blessings
I think that as homemakers and mothers it is easy to get discouraged at times. Sleepless nights, countless diaper changes, there’s always something or someone needing our attention every where we turn. Sometimes we get caught up in just trying to get things done and forget how blessed we really are. At least, I know I do.
But all I have to do is stop and look around me to see all of the many blessings that our Gracious Heavenly Father has bestowed upon me. One only has to look at the precious faces of our children to see His Most Holy Goodness. I know that my life has been so richly blessed and that it is only by His Grace that I am able to receive so much. Many times I am unable to see all that I have been given, but I do know that I am deeply loved by my Heavenly Father and He has surrounded me with support and love and friendship, even during difficult times. I realize that earthly love and comfort are nothing in comparison to the love that Our Lord has for me, but I truly appreciate that He let’s us have it anyway.
It is so easy for us to become burdened by the weight of difficulties in life. But we must always trust in God’s Providence, and that He will give us strength to persevere.
28 September 2010
Trusting God
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." ~ Matthew 6:33
This is one of my favorite Bible verses. I love knowing that God has things under control. If we struggle then it is because He has allowed this struggle, and when we prosper, it is because He has given this prosperity to us. All we need to do is focus on following Him, and everything else is up to Him. This is not easy to remember when things feel stressful, but what a comfort to know that He does not need us to worry about all of the details. All He asks is that we focus on Him, and His will.
"And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:" ~Matthew 6:28.
If God cares so much for these flowers, how much more then does He care for His children?
This is not to say that we mustn't work, or provide for the things we need. God is not likely to come into the kitchen and bake the bread for me. But we do not need to sit around worrying about where to get the flour to bake that bread. God provides for us. Whether it be by giving you a great job opportunity, or having a complete stranger bring you a bag of food. We don't always know how God will provide, but the important thing is to trust that He will provide. He loves us so very much. He loves us so much that all He asks of us in return is to love Him. If we can just put our faith in Him, put all of our focus on obeying His will, we can rest safely in His promise that He will take care of us. We need not go to bed at night full of worry. God knows our concerns, and He already has a plan to provide for us.
In His Abounding Grace,
This is one of my favorite Bible verses. I love knowing that God has things under control. If we struggle then it is because He has allowed this struggle, and when we prosper, it is because He has given this prosperity to us. All we need to do is focus on following Him, and everything else is up to Him. This is not easy to remember when things feel stressful, but what a comfort to know that He does not need us to worry about all of the details. All He asks is that we focus on Him, and His will.
"And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:" ~Matthew 6:28.
If God cares so much for these flowers, how much more then does He care for His children?
This is not to say that we mustn't work, or provide for the things we need. God is not likely to come into the kitchen and bake the bread for me. But we do not need to sit around worrying about where to get the flour to bake that bread. God provides for us. Whether it be by giving you a great job opportunity, or having a complete stranger bring you a bag of food. We don't always know how God will provide, but the important thing is to trust that He will provide. He loves us so very much. He loves us so much that all He asks of us in return is to love Him. If we can just put our faith in Him, put all of our focus on obeying His will, we can rest safely in His promise that He will take care of us. We need not go to bed at night full of worry. God knows our concerns, and He already has a plan to provide for us.
In His Abounding Grace,
27 September 2010
Returning Good for Evil
The subject of nonresistance, and turning the other cheek keeps coming up. It seems to be something I just can't get away from, no matter how I might try! Lately it has been very much on my heart. It is something I continually struggle with. Most would say that I am a very "nice" person, I've been described as "sweet" my entire life. What most people don't know is that I inwardly struggle with anger, and if I am not careful, I can become quite bitter and resentful. This is a battle I face every day. Sometimes every minute.
Being nonresistant means returning good for evil. When someone makes a "snarky" comment you just smile, and purpose yourself to be kind to them. It means immediately letting go of anger when someone is mean to you. It means continually forgiving, even when that forgiveness is undeserved. It means CHOOSING to love your enemies. No, it's not easy, and it is something I fail at every day.
It seems that lately I have been given the opportunity to face my struggle with turning the other cheek rather frequently. I felt drawn to read a post I had written some time ago, and felt like I should share it here.
October 28, 2008- Returning Good for Evil
It seems that no matter where I turn these days, this particular topic keeps popping back up. Believe me, I have tried to get away from it. The thought comes up in my mind and I instantly start scrambling to think of something else. Every time it comes back up it is as if I am screaming "No, God, ask me to do anything else and I will, but not this!"
That might seem a bit strange, coming from someone who has been willing to do so many other things. He tells me to homeschool and I say "Yes, Lord", dress modestly "Yes, Lord, whatever You want from me", let Him be in control of our family size "Yes, Lord, I am willing", cover my head "Yes, Lord, I will obey You." So why then? Why is THIS so hard?
We have been through some very difficult trials with our extended family. We have been broken-hearted and so angry at them for their outright persecution of us. After much prayer we were eventually able to move past our anger and even forgive. We even came to a point of feeling compassion for the utter emptiness that is in their lives. But doing good to them? How? How am I supposed to do this? Isn't just not being angry enough?
I am not one to believe in "coincidences". I have always believed that God is Providential, and that when things happen, there is usually a reason. We do not always, or even often, know why things happen, but it just seems that in hindsight, there was a really good reason for almost everything. Recently we met a lady while shopping at the Salvation Army, and that weekend she invited us over for tea and cookies. As we were preparing to leave and head home the subject of the difficult situation we had faced with our extended family somehow came up. She said "I have a book that you just have to read, it's about almost the exact same thing!" We were astonished. We have been constantly amazed to hear that so many families, just like ours, had faced the same difficulties. My husband started reading the book that evening, and could hardly put it down. He kept telling me about the story, and we were amazed, over and over again, by the similarities. The family in the book's situation went further than ours did, and they faced bigger difficulties than we did, but it was a story that we could relate too, even in the small details. After he finished reading the book he kept telling me how this theme of returning good for evil ran all through the book. It was interesting as this topic had been on my mind already, but as I mentioned, I didn't really want to think about it. He said that he just couldn't stop thinking about that, and that it was really weighing on him. Now my heart felt really heavy. I felt like screaming "Ok, ok I am listening God. But please don't make me!"
Finally willing to submit to this, we face a new problem. How do we honor God by returning good for evil, while also honoring our biblical responsibilities as parents to protect our children and to shelter them from harm? The answer of protecting them seems clear, but then what are we supposed to do to show kindness to these people? My mind feels boggled to even think of it, and to be honest, it makes my heart anxious a bit. Yes, I know, anxiety is not a godly feeling. I know that He will provide the answer to us, in His time. And I know that I am ready to listen when that answer does come. I pray that God will soften my heart so that I will not have hesitation when He reveals to us what we must do. I know that God has allowed us to go through difficult times for a purpose, and much of that purpose has shown itself to us, but is it possible that this is also part of that purpose? Is there some big lesson in learning to be kind to these people? Somehow I think the answer is yes.
In Christ's Love,
Being nonresistant means returning good for evil. When someone makes a "snarky" comment you just smile, and purpose yourself to be kind to them. It means immediately letting go of anger when someone is mean to you. It means continually forgiving, even when that forgiveness is undeserved. It means CHOOSING to love your enemies. No, it's not easy, and it is something I fail at every day.
It seems that lately I have been given the opportunity to face my struggle with turning the other cheek rather frequently. I felt drawn to read a post I had written some time ago, and felt like I should share it here.
October 28, 2008- Returning Good for Evil
It seems that no matter where I turn these days, this particular topic keeps popping back up. Believe me, I have tried to get away from it. The thought comes up in my mind and I instantly start scrambling to think of something else. Every time it comes back up it is as if I am screaming "No, God, ask me to do anything else and I will, but not this!"
That might seem a bit strange, coming from someone who has been willing to do so many other things. He tells me to homeschool and I say "Yes, Lord", dress modestly "Yes, Lord, whatever You want from me", let Him be in control of our family size "Yes, Lord, I am willing", cover my head "Yes, Lord, I will obey You." So why then? Why is THIS so hard?
We have been through some very difficult trials with our extended family. We have been broken-hearted and so angry at them for their outright persecution of us. After much prayer we were eventually able to move past our anger and even forgive. We even came to a point of feeling compassion for the utter emptiness that is in their lives. But doing good to them? How? How am I supposed to do this? Isn't just not being angry enough?
I am not one to believe in "coincidences". I have always believed that God is Providential, and that when things happen, there is usually a reason. We do not always, or even often, know why things happen, but it just seems that in hindsight, there was a really good reason for almost everything. Recently we met a lady while shopping at the Salvation Army, and that weekend she invited us over for tea and cookies. As we were preparing to leave and head home the subject of the difficult situation we had faced with our extended family somehow came up. She said "I have a book that you just have to read, it's about almost the exact same thing!" We were astonished. We have been constantly amazed to hear that so many families, just like ours, had faced the same difficulties. My husband started reading the book that evening, and could hardly put it down. He kept telling me about the story, and we were amazed, over and over again, by the similarities. The family in the book's situation went further than ours did, and they faced bigger difficulties than we did, but it was a story that we could relate too, even in the small details. After he finished reading the book he kept telling me how this theme of returning good for evil ran all through the book. It was interesting as this topic had been on my mind already, but as I mentioned, I didn't really want to think about it. He said that he just couldn't stop thinking about that, and that it was really weighing on him. Now my heart felt really heavy. I felt like screaming "Ok, ok I am listening God. But please don't make me!"
Finally willing to submit to this, we face a new problem. How do we honor God by returning good for evil, while also honoring our biblical responsibilities as parents to protect our children and to shelter them from harm? The answer of protecting them seems clear, but then what are we supposed to do to show kindness to these people? My mind feels boggled to even think of it, and to be honest, it makes my heart anxious a bit. Yes, I know, anxiety is not a godly feeling. I know that He will provide the answer to us, in His time. And I know that I am ready to listen when that answer does come. I pray that God will soften my heart so that I will not have hesitation when He reveals to us what we must do. I know that God has allowed us to go through difficult times for a purpose, and much of that purpose has shown itself to us, but is it possible that this is also part of that purpose? Is there some big lesson in learning to be kind to these people? Somehow I think the answer is yes.
In Christ's Love,
