Being A Faithful Friend To Your Children

Even in their adulthood, I continue to be a faithful friend to each of them who cares about the intricate details of their lives—their pressures, finances, relationships, faith growth, and overall heart issues. I keep their secrets and seek to be a “safe” person in whom they can confide. I am determined to continue in that joyful role for my whole life.

Being a friend of adult children has required adapting to a new way of interacting with them. I’ve learned to accept their unique choices of how to live their life, their ways of relating to life, and their faith decisions.

I have learned to love them even as I trust them to God and pray that they live their lives well.

I have made myself an open conversation partner in hearing them on their individual choices as adults, and as such have become a sounding board for them when they are open to it, a persona of wise counsel if they request it. And if there is conflict, I listen and apologize when appropriate.

And in that context, I learn so much from them as well, benefitting from their stories and enjoying their companionship with all my heart. Read more about this in Uniquely You.

Tea Time Tuesday: Celebrating 10 Years of the Life With Sally Podcast

Click here to play today’s new podcast episode.

Have you ever had a dream of a project, or a long term goal you hoped to complete? That is what hosting a podcast was for me. An idea of reaching women all over the world with inspiring Biblical discipleship and messages.

Fast forward 10 years this week, and I realize that God has exceeded my expectations and blessed my proverbial socks off me.

Celebrate with me! Ten years ago this week, my podcast, Life with Sally was launched. Almost 30 million downloads, in the top 1% of podcasts in the world. And it all started with an idea, a little step of faith, a heart to inspire and encourage and a willingness to work. And what an exciting ride it has been.

It all began when a friend of mine (thanks, Kristin!) said, “Sally, you should start a podcast.” I had no idea where to start or what to do, but I had a heart to learn and spread messages of hope. She was my co-host at the beginning to help me. Soon, I knew the ropes and dived into the waters of podcast land by myself—at age 62!

I had no idea that it would grow so much and become a podcast in the top 1% of all podcasts in the world. I was stunned to see that we were being heard in 141 countries on average each week. What an amazing time we live in that we can be connected to potential friends all over the world through media. And now I pray, “God what would you dream through my life to help me reach more precious women in the next season?”

Of course all of you have made this possible. You, my dear companions week to week, write me notes and messages to keep me going. Will you companion me in this adventure? My hope is that in the next 10 years, I will hear of more sweet women worldwide being inspired and encouraged in their divine design to be used in their own story to bring God's light, truth, beauty to the world.

To celebrate, I want to give away a copy of four books (Well Lived, Teatime Discipleship, Mom Heart Moments, and Awaking Wonder) and a year membership to my online community, Life with Sally.

To enter via Instagram or Facebook, like my latest post, leave a comment (tell me what subjects you would like me to address in future podcasts), and tag a friend and you will be entered!

Join me today on my new podcast about trusting God for His work in our life.

Because Of You, Your Children Will Know How To Be Courageous

When she understands the importance of civilizing nations by raising strong children of faith in her home, and through strong family relationships, she will indeed find courage to patiently ride out the dark nights of life.

Because of her faithfulness, her legacy will be a future adult generation able to exercise moral courage and fortitude because of the foundation of virtue she carefully laid. Those who remember her strength will exhibit strength of their own in places of leadership because of the example she lived.

A valiant woman understands that her children are watching as she chooses to exhibit courage, so that someday, because of her faith and faithfulness, they will know how to be courageous.

Read more about this in Help, I’m Drowning.

Embodying The Life Of God In Your Home

Home is the place where souls are shaped and nurtured. Each of us, as mothers, has the ability to picture and embody the life of God in our own homes.

The starting point is to see our home domain as a kingdom. We are the queens, ruling those domains. As sovereigns, we have the responsibility to rule over them with excellence and intentionality, shaping the outcome of the lives lived there.

We can cultivate samples of His creativity by filling our homes with ­ art — pictures on the walls, books in baskets, arrangements of flowers strewn through our rooms, pianos or flutes or violins or whatever we like readily available so we can all practice music, paints and crayons for drawing pictures of things real or ­ imagined — there is an endless amount of ways to pass on the reality of our living and vibrant God through our home life.

What might you do today to add reminders of all the beauty of God inside your own home?

Read more about this in Mom Heart Moments.

Tea Time Tuesday: Self-Control Ties Attributes Together

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Self Control: The ability to control oneself, one's emotions, desires or expression of them in one's behavior.

Self-control—the last attribute of the Holy Spirit. This attribute ties the spirit’s attributes together. A action of our will, of obedience is required to have self-control, to live out all the Spirit wants to produce through us.

Over the past 45 years, I have spent hundreds of hours writing and podcasting by myself, sequestered at a small table or couch, working on articles to encourage, inspire, women in relationship to God.

Sometimes I am inspired to work, sometimes I am just weary, tired. But over 50 years ago, I told God, “I will be your girl.” “Tell me what your Holy Spirit would like me to do.” Over the years, I learned the meaning of self-control. I worked when I felt like it, when I didn’t.

It required self-control, when I felt like quitting, but the Holy Spirit patiently taught me to keep working. I can see I was not always self-controlled. I learned little by little, one step at a time. It was not a part of my character at first, but it was my spiritual worship of God, to love Him, to make Him known. One article, one post, one book at a time came from using my will, shaped by the Holy Spirit to keep accomplishing the work He wanted me to do. Even as a toddler grows toward adulthood, so we grow from immaturity to maturity little by little by His grace, a long obedience in the same direction.

Self-control means we learn not give in to impulses to be angry, offended, lazy, unkind. Instead, we fill our hearts with His word and admonitions. Out of a desire to please Him, we exercise our will to obey His word, to grow stronger bit by bit in these attributes the the Holy Spirit teaches us. Our character muscle grows strong because of God’s presence working in us.

Maturity, spiritual strength is not automatic, but produced one moment at a time, as we love God by choosing to live out the fruit of His Spirit living through us. When prompted to show love instead of anger, being kind and patient when we feel impatient. We choose to believe in God’s goodness, presence, when we are tempted to be discouraged.

What Does The Music Of Your Home Sound Like?

Even as an orchestra needs a conductor to choose the music, lead rehearsals, and unite all of the instruments into a harmonious sound, so every home needs someone who conducts what I call the life music of a home—its ­atmosphere.

What does the music of home “sound” like? Each home is different and will have a unique melody that defines its atmosphere, but to me there are particular themes and voices that belong in every home. These are the elements that transform a mere space into a haven of refuge, a resource of growth, and a transmitter of grace. Allow me to point out a few with my baton.

The music of welcome; of safety; of knowledge and wisdom; of beauty; of relationship; of nourishment; of rest.

My home has been decades in the making. It did not come together all at once. In my seventies, I am still refining and refreshing the atmosphere to meet the needs of my husband, our now-adult children when they come to visit, and me. It all began with the decision to begin—to envision, plan, and build. But it didn’t end there. Having a home that tells a great story happens over time as we mature, refine, create, and love.

Read more about this in The Lifegiving Home.

Celebrate Life Today

There comes a point when as a mother, you realize, “My children will never again be just the way they are now. I don't know dwell all be here together next Christmas or even next week.”

But you are a family now, today, this moment, and can celebrate each minute as it unfolds. It's your choice.

So make the choice to celebrate life with your family. It is so easy to think that life consists of the assorted responsibilities, tasks, and crises that fill up the hours of each homeschooling day. But it doesn't. The parts of life that matter most are the unexpected moments and memories that happen each day—the ones that won't be forgotten.

Choose to be thankful, and learn to be content. You'll find the joy that God wants you to know.

Read more about this in Seasons of A Mother’s Heart.

Tea Time Tuesday: Gentleness Comes From the Heart of God

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“Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.” -Matthew 11:29

I was awake last night from 3-4 a.m. This morning when I awakened, I cuddled and wiggled into my soft, warm, squishy duvet. I was mentally glancing at my heart-feelings. They were a little fretful. I lay there feeling I needed to make some big decisions that had come into my life. I pondered questions about the future, about my children’s health, lives, and future, and the state of our crazy world and country. All of a sudden, God seemed to whisper, “Be gentle with yourself today. Don’t make this day the one where you get everything done, figure life out, take care of everyone else in the world. Just be still, just rest, just breathe in my peace.” Truly, it was the message that came to my heart, even though it would be a busy, demanding one, I could choose to be mindful of gentleness.

I eased into my morning, gentle, soft music, my favorite china mug filled with hot, steaming tea, a candle flickering, a view to my gently shimmering aspen trees outside. Ahhh, peace.

Many years, I lived as Martha, rushing around, busying myself, planning more than I could accomplish, then getting grumpy with kids when life didn’t go as planned. I could see how fruitless and wasted this attitude was, but something pushed me, perhaps from guilt, to work harder, push more, get more done.

Little by little, I learned that I cannot control life, I am not in charge of the universe. Children, computers and people do not easily and naturally conform to “Sally’s” expectations and demands. I wasted energy and emotion being a bit anxious, demanding.

Today, I explore gentleness as fruit of the Spirit. Jesus said, "Learn from me and you will find rest." You will see in many verses I share today, gentleness comes from the heart of God, even amidst a busy life. The more we experience His gentleness in the depths of our hearts, where fears, selfishness and anxiety live, the more we will be able to exhibit the gentleness of Christ to those surrounding us. Our children, husband, friends, long for gentleness as our response.

Keeping Calm and Carrying On

Vow: A solemn promise that gives accountability to the choices made in light of that vow.

44 years ago on August 30, Clay and I got married in Texas with about 150 friends. and family. We made vows to God, “To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as we both shall live.”

I understood that this vow, sacred promise, was given to God as a trust of how I would seek to please Him in this sacred relationship. Thankful we are still here after 44 years with great expectation for what is ahead, whatever it may hold.

I had no idea what we were in for and I didn’t know how young and unseasoned I was, how much I needed to learn, or how I would deeply learn the meaning of perseverance as well as unconditional love.

In His loving patience, God has graciously companioned us through every kind of season, stretched us, blessed us, and given us a legacy of His love and grace. I am deeply grateful.

Love you, Clay.

Let us keep calm and carry on.

We Must Learn To Rejoice And Be Glad

I have always told my children that they might as well decide to embrace God’s will for their lives right where they are and engage in the present moment with as much faith and wisdom and skill as they can, because their circumstances are not going to miraculously change.

If we accept the puzzle we have been given and ask, “What can I learn at this juncture, God? How should I be humble and glorify You in this place?” then we will become stronger, developing muscles of faith, wisdom, humility, and understanding.

Contentment and peace come by releasing our expectations and accepting our specific, “right now” circumstances as a place where we can learn to grow and flourish.

Read more about this in Different.