Whether consciously or subconsciously thoughts are constantly filtering in and out of our heads, as we establish game plans for our days, weeks, and months, but how often does it go as smoothly as hoped, or exactly as we originally desired? Sometimes we can become so focused on what we think should happen, we ignore God directing us down a different path.
I stand at 5 foot nothing, with medium length dirty blonde or brunette hair (depending on who you ask) and blue eyes. I have three kids, ages 5, 3 ½, and almost 2 years old. I don’t have many hobbies, nor do I excel at many things, primarily because to do most things (even average) takes me a lot of energy and dedication. My thoughts can come out jumbled, and I occasionally say the most clichéd statements wrong. I get nervous when telling people what they don’t want to hear (even though I still do it), and I carry the emotional weight of a lot of situations around me. I don’t say this as a “woe is me moment,” but I can empathize with Moses who felt inadequate for the tasks that God called him to do.
It was 8:20pm, the kids were in their room winding down for the night. Me and my husband were relaxing on the couch, as I hear the pitter patter of little feet. This is a normal occurrence at night, the kids seeking their one (or three) last goodnight interactions.
Lately, I have been hearing a lot of people angry over legalism. What is legalism? I am sure if you asked multiple people what it is you probably would receive various answers. This seemingly attainable type of mindset eliminates the need for a Savior and yet it falls so far from the truth because no one is perfect (Romans 3:23). Bottom line, we need a Savior. Jesus fills the gaps of our imperfection and provides a means for salvation. However, sometimes I feel people take the term legalism too far, falsely assume many matters the Bible discusses as debatable. This too is dangerous because it undervalues the fact that God placed it in the Bible for a reason.
Blah. Blah. Blah. I wonder if that’s what some people hear when I talk. I want to make a difference, an impact on others’ lives, but I know it takes more than words to grow someone’s trust, to show someone love. They have to believe the words themselves and apply it to their lives, or no difference will take place. This transformation starts by getting to the heart of the matter; what is lying in the depths of your heart that only you and God know about?
I flip through the television channels as magic and sorcery is strewn through cartoons masquerading itself with innocence and enchantment, blurring lines with childlike imagination and deep spiritual darkness. The thought that these could go hand in hand is weird, yet they almost seamlessly do. As though it’s a game of ring around the rosies. On main stream television it is almost impossible to find something without magic. Then the pick and choose battle begins, or as some parents I respect do, go without TV. Wondering what will cause the greatest impact?
On May 9, 2009 at 11:24pm I gave birth to a 4lb, 11oz son. The first time I held him I didn’t fully comprehend what it was to be a mom, and yet I knew I loved this child I carried for 36 weeks. The sacrifice, the devotion, the love had not sunk in as I confidently assumed mothering in its entirety would come as naturally as riding a bike… perhaps I was thinking of a bike with training wheels?
As parents we need to be at the front lines for our children as their number one advocate and protector. Taking the first blows as situations come charging at our kids, whether it be filtering what they hear, protecting their steps, or nurturing their heart we need to invest in our kids with passion and conviction, teaching them what true love is and learning it ourselves. There are few days that go by that some foreign food substance hasn’t lodged itself on my shirt, or that the coffee pot has run dry way too early; yet, we need to plow forward. Not because it’s easy, but because we love our kids, and we are going to be held accountable for how we parented them.
Hello everyone, I had to share my new victory: chores for kids that they actually enjoy doing. It’s a magnetic chore chart, that they call a “game”, and voluntarily ask for… No, really! I’ve seen this concept on other websites; my biggest inspiration was from a website called A Spotted Pony. I gathered what worked for our family, omitted what didn’t and added my own twist on the subject. I’m a huge proponent of anything that keeps my sanity in tact.
The door shuts, as disagreements mount. There is a progression of pain, that escalates as one wonders where is this person I married? Does he hear the cries of my heart? Does he care? In a marriage you love deeply and hurt deeply. Each spouse knows the others buttons, and they WILL push them. What are some practical ways to make your spouse loveable again?