"God's will isn't always easy, but it's always right."

God is definitely using Sally Clarkson's books lately to confirm what He's trying to convey to my spirit!

After two late nights in a row for my children, they are all three napping this afternoon. I thought about taking a little nap myself, but decided to read through the next chapter in Seasons of a Mother's Heart instead, before hopefully dozing off... WRONG! I think I'm more awake now than I was before laying down...

Ok, I'm just going to confess it. I've been back on Facebook for what, two months? And already, I've felt convicted of spending too much time on there when I should be devoting that time to my children. Honestly, I've struggled with cutting it back again, because I have received encouraging comments one after another from people who say my posts, links, etc. have been such a blessing and encouragement to them... they are so happy I'm back on FB... and so on. I have felt torn between ministering to needy mother's hearts and meeting the needs of my own children! Afterall, Ephesians 2:10 says:

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do"

Now, I don't have near the influence that Sally had when she was publishing a Wholehearted Mother Newsletter, and even then, God led her to sacrifice the influence she had on other women through that avenue to devote her time to her family. I never realized that until I read this chapter today. Why would He not be asking me to sacrifice somewhat of the same thing?

The Lord has been teaching Dwight and me to live for the here and now and not what we think He may have for us in the future. We can completely miss out on the blessings He has for us now if we're always waiting to 'do His will' until we think we have reached that unknown perfect place in the future!

So, with that said, I can't wait until we have our own place to limit the amount of TV my children watch. The truth is, I have every ability to do that now. I simply have to be obedient to the Spirit's leading and TURN IT OFF, don't give in to their whining desire to 'watch one more episode', don't turn it on so I can waste precious time piddling on Facebook... just set the boundaries I feel led to give them and stick to it. I really am the one in control of how much they watch it. I just have to be willing to do what it takes to get over the hurdle of pacifying them with 'candy' when what they need is pure spiritual milk.

"God has already dedicated my life in eternity past to do good works. His workmanship created me as a mother, and that is the work he has prepared me to do, especially at this time in life when my children are young. How can I ignore that calling on my life and expect to find blessing and fulfillment somewhere else?" -Sally

These are my thoughts for right now... a trial and error kind of proposal for myself and my children.

1. Resolve to feed them God's Word every day, preferably first thing in the morning so the day doesn't get away from us.
2. Use God's Word when correcting their attitudes/behavioral issues rather than just my 'opinion' of why they should or shouldn't react a certain way.
3. Only 'reward' them with the privilege of watching cartoons and/or movies for special occasions, weekends, or when the more important tasks have been completed.
4. Likewise, for myself, Facebook and blogging will be reserved for those times when the more important tasks have been completed.

I believe God's will for me to this dilemma is pretty simple. The real question is, will I obey His will for me? Am I willing to set aside the lure of media for my family's sake? Is it really that important in the grande scheme of things? Getting captivated by media is not... obeying the Lord most certainly is!

This final quote pretty much rocked my face off, so I will leave you with these few statements by the lovely Sally herself. If you have to, take a seat (if you're not already), read it slowly... then repeat! :)

"God's will isn't always easy, but it's always right." 

"If I want to be set apart for God's purposes, then I need to have an intimate knowledge of the God whose purposes I want to serve. The more I fellowship with him through prayer and reading his Word, the more clearly I will begin to know and recognize his will for my life. While other trusted believers may provide some needed wisdom or perspective, God's will is primarily a personal matter discovered through prayer, reflection on his Word, and daily obedience. God's will is not something hidden that needs to be found out but, rather, something revealed that needs to be done."

'Great Friday'?

"Why do we call it 'Good Friday' if Jesus died?" I have heard this question asked before, and even wondered about it, myself, when I was younger. The short answer?

Well, BECAUSE Jesus died, he took our place of punishment, pardoning us of what we truly deserve... making a way, by faith, to be reconciled to God the Father.

I'd say that's not just a 'good' thing... it's a GREAT thing!!

Thankful that Jesus "considered the joy set before him" and endured in obedience.

Thinking about Him today... How did He feel as he awoke this new day knowing what the day would hold?

"For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, SO THAT YOU MIGHT FOLLOW IN HIS STEPS. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed." 

-1 Peter 2:19-24

Maybe we should all start calling it 'Great Friday'!!

Thank you, Jesus, that you had me in mind as you faced the darkest day of your life on earth! I'm so thankful you endured such hostility, suffering, shame, and torture for the sake of the future joy (and hope) it would bring about in MY life... Help me not forget the example you left for me. Thinking of you, especially today...

You're A Mom, You're Kind of a Big Deal...

You're A Mom, You're Kind of a Big Deal...

The above link is one of my favorite stories told at the MomHeart Conference I attended back in February! I wanted to share it on here when I returned, but knew I wouldn't be able to relay the story quite like I heard... partly due to the emotional wreck I was when hearing it for the first time. If you're a mom, please take a few minutes to click the above link and find out exactly why YOU are a big deal!

Even if you're old enough to be a grandma, or you're a 'young mom' and your children are not even walking yet... read it... you're still a big deal!! :)

Blessings today as you consider just how much impact you have on the people in your life...

"Attitude Reflects Leadership" Can I Lead Like Jesus?

It's Monday... again. There are a plethora of things on my 'to do' list today. Will I accomplish them all? I don't know. But I'm learning the more important question is: How will my attitude be if I DON'T accomplish them all?

My children are 5, 3, and 20 months. There are bound to be a myriad of interuptions as I go from task to task! I am needed at every turn... beginning from the very first person awake.

"Can I please have some milk, Mommy?"... "I'm hungry, what are we going to eat for breakfast?"... "Babe, do you know where my work pants are?"... (Baby talking) "Poo Poo!"- (translation: diaper change)... "Mommy, look at these 'pity' flowers I pick for you! Can you get them a 'nink' of water... in a jar?"... "Mommy, can you help me on this word? I don't know what it is."...

And the list goes on and on and on throughout the day!

I am CONSTANTLY needed by my husband and children. But the truth is, that is the role the Lord has given me! Can I serve my family with the heart of a true leader?

"Jesus called them to him and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Matthew 20:25-28 (emphasis mine)

What Jesus was trying to say to his disciples is that the position of 'servant' isn't what they had always known. In light of the Kingdom of God, being a servant brought about high honor! Jesus left his royalty and riches in Heaven so he could be born into poverty, choosing to come to earth to serve others... not use His position of authority (in Heaven) to rule over us. He chose to serve others around Him so we can have an example of 'servant leader'. He kept His mind on the eternal, knowing after His time on earth was complete, He would be exalted to the right hand of the Father!

I remember a quote in Remember The Titans that said "Attitude reflects leadership". Can my attitude of leadership be reflective of Christ's today as I seek to give my family a visible, tangible example of what it means to serve others with joy? Can I set aside my earthly desires and keep my eyes on eternity, knowing my choice to serve them now will bring my Father pleasure? That is my prayer for today!

Father, I pray you would set a guard over my lips today as I speak to my family and minister to their heart needs. Help me to speak words of life and not death. Help me to be mindful of how Jesus served others with joy and humility... choosing to put the needs of others before His own. I need an extra dose of the Holy Spirit's power today. I can do nothing apart from you and the guidance Your Spirit brings me!! Amen

Cherishing the Moments

It's April now. The time is flying by, as usual... never stopping or slowing down for me to enjoy the precious moments in life! As I reflect on how fleeting this life is, I am reminded how easily we forget those precious moments we swore we never would.

That is why, against my better judgment, I am posting a picture of myself. It's early in the morning... there are still some sleeping in this house. I look like I rolled out of bed and snapped this pic in my pajamas. But the memory of what is underneath my clothes is what I wish to keep.

I am now entering my third trimester... for the fourth time. Twenty-eight weeks and going strong! This is the hardest leg of the race to endure, for me, with my pregnancies. I'm "all out front", unevenly distributed weight, tired, achy back, sore feet, lack of breath when I walk, no room when I eat... and so on. However, I choose to cherish this time when my tiny baby thrashes about inside the womb, kicking, hitting, hiccupping, rolling, swimming, dancing... whatever it is that he/she feels like doing in the security of the Lord's creation! All too soon, we will welcome this precious gift into the real world, and while we will attempt to re-create a safe, secure environment where our children can be nurtured and grow, the reality of the cold, dark world we live in simply cannot be altogether escaped!

And once again, I will grow to miss those kicks, hits, and rhythmic hiccups and the time I spent watching with amazement as my belly moved around and I marvelled at the magnificant creativity of the Master Artist of Life.

So without further delay...