A Wise Woman Sleeps

Henry Maynell Rheam

"Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life."

Proverbs 4:23

Responsibility can often pile high this time of year. Combined with tragic national news, an exceedingly busy lifestyle, constant demands from children, bills, mamas can  start to grumble and stew and spew, placing a lot of energy, worry and fear into the constantly demanding issues of our lives.  And then we fret. Often grumpiness and harshness overcomes our souls as a byproduct of the days we are living.

Fear. Fretting. Darkness. These can plague our inner hearts if we do not watch over our hearts.

 The last thing that seems productive when life is busy and overwhelming is to rest. Yet, rest may very well be the most strategic thing to do if we have a busy, full and demanding life.

When I was younger, there were times I thought life was so overwhelming and it seemed as I couldn't make it as a mom and tears were close to my eyes. But I remember that a sweet friend of mine said, "Don't think about it today. I am going to pick up your children and have them spend the night with me. You need to eat chocolate, watch a great, romantic movie, sleep for at least 10 hours, spend tomorrow at leisure--and housework is not allowed. Then do the same thing for one more day and come back when the weekend is over.  We will talk about how you are feeling."

A miracle happened. Sleep was what I most needed. I felt so much better about my life, loved my children anew and found hope--all because I just needed a little break.

Without giving ourselves time to rest, we can end up with serious illness, exhaustion, bad attitudes and fist shaking faith aimed heavenly--and then fretting about our lives.

As I have said before, "Fretting leads only to evil doing."

God put Sabbath Rest into the weeks of our lives with a purpose. I have found that when I believe and engage my heart in the goodness of God's character, and put out of my mind, after praying, all that I am carrying and just seek to be still and find joy, I see the miracles bubbling up slowly, surely, as He, my Father, delights to provide.

However, a Martha heart is often wont to see the miracles, as she is so busy living in the whirlwind of her own meek provisions, she loses all hope and becomes a wretched nag.

The more exhausted I am with life, the more tense, grumpy and tight I become and it spills all over everyone else.

Finding myself at a juncture of exhaustion from giving all that I had the last few weeks, I find that somehow when I try to figure out all of the responsibilities of the next few months, which are huge, I am tempted to be overwhelmed.

Yet, from so many times like this in the past, I have learned a secret. My Prince Jesus comes to me at just the right time, but like the story of Sleeping Beauty, the prince comes, not when she is searching the horizon, pounding her fists, running the floor, but when she is doing nothing but resting.

Resting in Him, choosing peace and putting off responsibilities and recreating is sometimes such grand medicine for my soul, that after choosing to rest and to invest in fun and love and ease of life, my strength is renewed and all issues are able to be faced with grace. I know busyness is coming, but I will face it with courage later if I rest today.

And so today, my plan is to go back to bed, to pace leisurely through the pathway of the next few days, to sip and really taste my coffee  and my tea!--And, to just sit and listen to my sweet ones at home, and focus on the beauty of their light filled eyes, to stay in comfy clothes all day, to read and pray, and then maybe to rest again, because I know that while I am resting, my Prince is already coming to my rescue.

Peace, be still, the Lord is near.

The Civilization of Nations Begins at Home

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Anchise Picchi

"Does not wisdom call,

And understanding lift up her voice?

On top of the heights beside the way,

Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

Beside the gates, at the opening to the city,

At the entrance of the doors, she cries out:

To you, O men, I call,

And my voice is to the sons of men.

O naive ones, understand prudence;

And, O fools, understand wisdom.

Listen, for I will speak noble things;

And the opening of my lips will reveal right things." ~Proverbs 8:1-6

 It’s always a joy when all my children find their way back to the nest, and this week of birthdays and  celebrating Rachael and Nathan's engagement was no exception. Seems we have had a constant stream of meals eaten, dishes washed, and then repeating the routines again and again.

 Rousing discussions this weekend in our home with many friends who are in our lives and have different opinions about all the issues, as well as opinions about movies, church, books, actors, disasters and life. More serious discussions have stimulated our ideas as we talked  about how to reach a post-modern culture, about what is really important to the Lord and what is the balance between ideals and grace, passion and redemption.

 It has been good as always, for me to enter the world of the insightful thoughts and wisdom of my thinking and reading children who are now full-hearted adults,  and see how they think and to ask what my part is in offering truth in a way that can be understood. I see all of the input I receive from differing points of view as ways that God prepares me to be a better thinker and more insightful into the souls and ways of people and ultimately as a steward of His messages.

 I have spent much time pondering what the role of motherhood has played in the issues that rage in our country today. We are all busy and live in a hectic, fast-paced culture. Yet for every “advance” it seems there is a price that must be paid, a cost to battling in spiritual realms, whether we are aware of it or not.

 The vision I see is this: if mothers rise to be the gatekeepers, making their homes places of excellence, cultivating love for each other as well as reverence and worship of God, spending personal time teaching and discipling their children, keeping them from worshiping the idol of television and serving them through this training and nurture and giving up of her own time, there will be hope.

 Then a civilization will be born where the whole culture will be populated with adults who have great souls, a call to the Kingdom of God, a passion to do what is right, a desire to protect the weak, and an honest moral character that is the foundation of right decisions made in politics, medicine, government, media and the arts.

 Yes, it requires great personal sacrifice. But in the battle between evil and good, the allegiance between our commitment to our God or our bowing to Satan has always required sacrifice. Evil is never passive and never takes a break–and neither can God’s chosen ones cease to work tirelessly to be about His business.

 When mothers abandon this great and important responsibility, there is a greater tendency for children to become the kind of adults who can be self-centered and self-serving; under-developed and ineffective without intentional training, --those who can overlook unrighteousness without any pang of conscience—because that conscience has never been developed. They become the kind of adults who can passively let others take responsibility for our government and country--to accept and validate those who would promise the moon even though the moon isn’t available in reality. When a person has no convictions, he cannot operate his life in God’s strength. It is moms who help to develop foundations of righteousness in their children’s souls.

 For this gatekeeping to occur there must be hundreds—thousands—of dinners made, laundry loads run, backs scratched and cookies baked. There must be watercolor projects and messes, hikes and games of hide and seek, money spent on wonderful life-giving books and concerts and the theatre. It will not happen in the absence of a cost.

 Time spent ministering to our children is time well spent because that investment grants us the door to their hearts. When they are soft to us because we have ministered to their needs, their minds and hearts will be soft to hear our values, our convictions, and our guidance. Moms, the way you invest your life today will indeed have a great impact on history. We need to buck up, strengthen the areas that are weak, and decide to accept the work load of small children with joy, as would please our heavenly Father. The cultivating and raising of great souls is of the utmost importance.  Your life is making a difference. Take time in the word, take time to read those books which call you to excellence, spend time praying with friends of like mind–and don’t give up!

 “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.” Hebrews 10:36

 Think about a special time you could have with your children that would soften their hearts toward you. What would you want to share with them during that time? Put it on the calendar!

 BE SURE TO JOIN ME TODAY AT MOMHEART.ORG WHERE I AM SHARING A WONDERFUL PORK ROAST RECIPE THAT I MADE UP LONG AGO--A FAVORITE FEAST OF OUR CHILDREN.

Sarah Mae and me on Life Today! Watch our interview!

WATCH US TODAY ON LIFE TODAY! SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

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How fun it was to see so many great parents at the conference in Nashville last weekend. Yet, I met so many who said what Sarah Mae and I had tweeted earlier this year when we launched our new book, Desperate. So many of us thought we had motherhood figured out--we didn't think it would be that hard. And then we were caught in the mire of the myriad of every day life details--the giving, giving, giving.

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Often, I was so busy and sleep deprived, that I did become agitated with the exhaustion and also the loneliness and feeling of being invisibility. I was so caught up in mothering, that I lost a bit of myself and my soft heart.

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Sometimes, I would expect my children to be more mature than they could possibly be at their young ages. I held high ideals and wanted them to not need me so much, until the Lord gently touched my heart and said, "When did you stop sinning? Don't  demand so much of your young children, focus on loving them instead!

Our heart all along in writing this book was for moms to not feel alone. Please join us this week on Jame's Robison's show, Life Today, and watch our interview. We would love for you to join us!

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And join us as we launch a new look on Momheart.org where we hope to be adding new training, small group guides and of course great inspiration for moms every day!

Busy busy week for me--two birthdays, kids home and more coming home and life. I pray you have a great week.

SEE YOU AT LIFETODAY WITH JAMES ROBINSON!

What Do We Do With the Questions of This Life?

Sir knight2Sometimes, life can be so difficult. There are so many unanswered questions. So much of life does not make sense.

Why do bad things happen to good people?Why do bombings happen? What are young girls sold into human trafficking? Why is there hunger and disease? Why do so many innocent people have to die in natural disasters? Why do so many of our Christian kids turn away from God; kids that we have prayed for, discipled and given our lives to? Why do family members get cancer? Why are kids killed in automobile accidents? Why, why, why? Where is God in all of this?

I know that Jesus said "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." This verse brings me comfort, and I trust the Lord with all of my heart, but it is also hard when I learn of yet another young Christian taking their own life and how much the family left behind is hurting.

It is these questions that trouble my heart and make me ask "God why?"

I have been reading "Sir Knight of the Splendid Way" to my son Jack this past month. It is a fantastic allegory about the Christian life similar to "Pilgrim's Progress." At the end of the book, the knight completes his journey to the City of the Great King and meets Jesus. He recognized Him from the path to Heaven, where He helped the knight through many tough situations and was always there for him throughout his journey, but it was not until the veil was removed and he could see Jesus for who He really was- the Vision of the Face that he saw on the night his quest began.

This Vision always brought him comfort during the storms that came to him on his quest. It was this vision, the face of Jesus, that kept him going. He knew then that here was his Savior that he had been serving with all of his heart. Here was his King! He realized that he was never alone during his entire journey. Everything then made sense.

I think that will be the way Heaven will be for us.

"For we know in part and we prophecy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection, as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."   1Corinthians 13:9-12.

After I read the chapter, I read this verse to Jack. It speaks of the fact that we do not have the same knowledge of God or understanding of His ways that we will have in Heaven. In the first century when this verse was written the mirrors were very different from what they are today; they were very dim and dark. We have a dim understanding of God on this earth and cannot fully understand everything.

I love what Matthew Henry says,  "It is the light only that will remove all clouds and darkness from the face of God.  It is at best but twilight while we are in this world;  there it will be perfect and eternal day." and  "Things are dark and confused now, in comparison of what they will be in the hereafter."

When we get to Heaven, the veil will be lifted and we will see things for how they really are.

Until then, we trust God and His goodness, care and love for us.

Beloved, I do not know what burdens you are carrying or what hurts you have in your heart. I do know that when we look at the end of these verses we see something that I believe brings comfort.

"Now I know in part, then I shall know fully even as I am fully known. " 1 Corinthians 13:12

We can take comfort in knowing that we are fully known by God and fully loved. It may feel like He is nowhere to be found but He is right there with you- fully knowing and fully loving you.

Press into God and trust Him with the questions of this life. Someday, we will see our Jesus and all will be clear. Until then, may we walk by faith and trust Jesus,who himself was "A man of sorrows aquainted with grief." Isaiah 53:3. He knows all about pain and suffering and rejection and will help you through each difficulty that this life brings.

Sweet Deb Weakly

 

 

 

Family Rhythms {FREE eBook}

A FREE eBook on family traditions for Moms! ~www.thebettermom.com Some of you may know that The Better Mom website and ministry began just about a year and a half ago. I have to say that this has been an incredible journey for us all. We are so humbled and amazed by God’s work through the thebettermom.com. Today I am thrilled to share with you our very first resource from The Better Mom team of writers. We are calling it Rhythms!

I have loved being a part of this wonderful group of writers and Ruth Schwank, the mom who started this wonderful site, has become a dear friend.

As you read the Bible, you begin to notice that God instructs His people to follow certain rhythms. In the Hebrew Scriptures, this came by way of yearly feasts, holidays, or appointed times. In the New Testament, we are told to "remember" and "proclaim" Jesus' death and resurrection as we gather regularly at the Lord's Table. These rhythms were, and are, meant to be reminders. They are sacred traditions containing sacred truths.

This is a book about family rhythms. Each of them, in their unique way, is a family tradition meant to instruct, inspire, and help pass on memories worth remembering. Our hope is that these family rhythms will help you to establish your own traditions worth passing on to the next generation! You will find one of my own favorite rhythms of life that I practiced with my sweet children. But you will have to read the book to find out what it is! :)

I pray that this book will be a tool that God uses in your family to create traditions that will last a lifetime. 

Click the subscribe button below to get our free eBook.

(NOTE** Once you subscribe by email, you will receive the link for the free eBook at the very bottom of your next daily post email from us.)

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Blessings, Ruth Schwenk, www.thebettermom.com

Starting your day off well, over 6,000 times!

ImageA healthy body is a guest-chamber for the soul; a sick body is a prison.

  Francis Bacon

What an exciting week! Nathan is engaged to the most wonderful young woman and we all shared in the story at midnight last night when all 7 of us were texting each other and them from different cities all over the US. What a fun memory to all be excited together, at midnight, texting and laughing over our phones!

This week, I am staying with a sweet friend in Kentucky and catching up on old times,  and I am looking forward to seeing so many of you in Nashville at the Gaylord, where I will be speaking. I have asked some of my friends to fill in some blogs with their own traditions and encouragement. I so appreciate hearing their hearts and hope you will, too. Today my dear friend Sandra shares with us. See you in Nashville!

As a ten year old girl, I had to face my mom's abandonment of our family. At ten, I was the oldest of 5 and had to help my father take care of the younger children.

Civility and love overflowed from my father's heart, though, and he looked for small ways to remind us that we were special and beloved by him. Mementos of his ways spoke to my hurting heart so that deep inside, I knew I was still his little princess. My father greeted me in the morning with a fresh glass of orange juice and often even a gardenia and a smile just for me.

This small gesture represented his love and care for me, in the absence of a mother's devoted love.

But the most valuable part of the morning of serving me breakfast, was the way he took time to look into my eyes, to say that he loved me, and to end his opening of the day with a gentle kiss. It filled my little heart every day with sunshine and hope.

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As I became a mom,  that one little habit meant so much to me that I tryed to find ways to communicate the same kind of love to my own daugther.

 To make it easy for myself I have planted gardenia and rose bushces so I can snip off a bloom (it's easy to do that when you live in California!)- because I wanted my daughter to treasure the same memory of gardenias and roses as a greeting to her day from one who loved her.

In the midst of a very busy life it's difficult to plan for these memorable moments, unless you have items at your finger tips that make breakfast a special moment. Planning ahead to have resources in hand have helped me to provide some of these memories. Maybe you can go to your local grocery store and see what flowers are on special or in season. Even when I was a single mom, I budgeted for buying beautiful flowers to place in my home and shared them with my daughter in her bedroom.

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I also keep a stck of napkins on hand so that I can make my table more colorful and interesting.

I keep my refriderator stocked with eggs, cheese or even last nights leftovers to create a healthy omelette.

Yoghurts line the fridge and cereals are in the cupboard.

Remember it doesn't have to be fancy, but it just has to show your love and care. Just having food at your fingertips and making your table one that invites relationship and conversation, causes the whole day to have a great start!

This one simple habit will creat a long lasting memory of love for your children, it will be a blessing as you connect with them every morning.

Just imagine what memories you would be making in their hearts if you practiced each day making breakfast a special memory--over 6000 memories!

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Sandra Maddox lives in California and loves mentoring young moms 

What Will They Remember? To Sally, the Valiant and Beloved--

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The Ranch where we lived-- and the oak tree that had witnessed many stories.

Living on 200 acres in  Walnut Springs, Texas for almost five years, shaped deep places in our children's hearts before Joy was born. One such memory was life-changing for us all. It was a magical memory in which we all danced and played and loved and remembered. I am in Kentucky with a dear friend and here is what I received this morning........(PS Sarah named this post Sally, the valiant and beloved--not me!:))

Dear Mom,

We just don’t seem able to manage a Mother’s Day together, do we? Well. In your absence and decidedly in your honor, I have a story to tell. Perhaps you’ll think it an odd one for a tribute to your motherhood. A workaday tale it may be, but in my mind it is a bright, unfading gem. For what you gave me one Texas morning almost twenty years ago remains a grace that forms the bedrock of my heart. Memories don’t get much better than that, odd or not. Here goes.

I stood with munchkin nose pressed hard against the back door glass. Outside, the skies tumbled and fought, the rain fell in torrents for the fifth day, and the roar of newborn creeks called me even through the panes. Behind me, you gathered books and pencils for a morning of school work, switching on the lamps to battle the outdoor gloom. But even as you did, the boys slipped beside me, glued their noses to the window too and when you called we turned three small, grieved faces away from a world that seemed tailor made for splashing and exploration.

“Aww Mom,” we groaned, timid but yearning for that alluring realm beyond, “can’t we just go outside and explore today?”

I still remember my startlement at your “yes.” The way you were silent for a second, took a deep breath, pushed the books aside, and put your hands on your hips.

“Old shoes and old clothes on before you go,” you ordered and we hastened for our gear, grabbing boots and jackets, hearts pattering in elation at this wholly unexpected day. We were back in two minutes, and behold, so were you. A tiny jolt touched my heart at sight of you decked in scuffed shoes and old jeans, intent upon joining our expedition. I hadn’t expected that; the Queen would lead the adventure, a queen who would also wash the several loads of muddy clothes resulting, mop up our bootprints on the kitchen floor, and defend our bedraggled state to my grandmother when we returned. But I was too little to know all of that. All I knew was that your presence hallowed the adventure. And ah, there was so much we longed to show you.

Out we tromped into a world all a-whisper, the air tingling with rain, the sky swift and changeful as the rivulets below. In an ecstasy of abandon we jumped in every puddle to be had within the first ten feet, twirled and whooped and ran all out, limbs loose and swinging, to the pasture gate that led to the flooded tank. There the real drama awaited, a real flood down by the giant oak, now up to his waist in new-made rivers.

“Come on Mom!” we screeched above the roar of the water, picking our way through the mud of the old cattle-trails, ducking beneath cedar branches and wintered vines. You came. Smiling, eyebrows arched in interest at every fossil we pointed out, every yell of false-alarm when a branch turned out not to be a snake. You came right into the streams, splashed us with the cold, swift water, and when we eyed the swiftest torrent with daring, hungry eyes, you nodded your permission. In we went, right up to our short little waists, fighting against the current in an overjoyed grapple with the one joyous fact of the water.

I remember that for one instant I looked back at you. Already in the current, I turned and sought your face. I was a little in awe that you would let us dare the flood. I was proud that you were there to see us do it. And if I was also a little afraid of the torrent, well, I had you at my back. You caught my eye. And to this day I cannot forget the glint of fun that blazed in your glance. Then the slight nod of reassurance that told me I would never be out of your sight. Then the smile, like a whisper between those who know the great camaraderie of adventure. I laughed. And dove straight in.

And that Mom, is one of the clarion moments for which I will thank you all my days.

For in that instant you gave me your own heroic view of life. I know now that courage was always your mark. You were a dreamer; lover of the underdog, a missionary in communist Poland, a writer, a teacher, daring in faith and fierce in friendship. And even when three squirmy children invaded your life, you kept that courage strong. You brought it right into your motherhood and determined that we should learn it too. That rainy day adventure was a lesson in valor, in gladness, in dreams. You wanted your children to taste the haunting grace of the world, so you freed us to heed the cry of the rain. You knew that danger is always close, so you came too. You knew that life is full of risk, so when we met the dare of the water, you let us hope, and reach, and try, and you taught us the boldness with which this thing called life must be met.

Only now, grown up as I am with the demons of oughts and shoulds ever breathing down my neck do I understand the import of the choice you made that morning. You could have said no. You could have resolutely shut that door, glared down our yearning little hearts, rebuked our impractical imaginations. You could have insisted on an ordinary day and a checklist of chores. But you saw that our hearts were ripe for the forming. You saw that holy hunger for far horizons, you saw our need to try, to dare, to reach for something just beyond our grasp. So you opened the door. Be bold, said your eyes, be joyous. Be brave with my blessing.

But you also gave us yourself. Your presence was the strength at our back, your laughter the song that sent us leaping through the rain. You stood there on the creek bank, eagle-eyed, cheerful, strong, and the sight of you glimpsed through the splash and rain sent a courage like blood pulsing through our veins. We tried all the harder because you were there. We dared because we knew you would await us at the end. And when we tromped home, gloriously wet and utterly exhausted, it was you who sat us by the fire, brewed the cocoa, and lingered with us in the flickering light. Your interest made us heroes. We told of the current that nearly got us, the branch that nearly broke, the newest fossil found, and it was your admiring words that turned us into knights at battle’s end, triumphant and ready to fight again.

To know that life is a great quest is one thing. To be given the love to meet it is another altogether. You, my precious mother, gave us both.

Courage in living and love that does not fail –  these themes defined my childhood. That one bright day was a note in a larger song. When life was dark, you lit candles. When times were grim, you made a feast (even if it was only homemade bread and cheese). When the battle I faced was doubt of God, you looked me in the eye and said “He’s bigger than your doubts.” But then you took my hand; “don’t worry, I’ll have faith for you until yours lives again.” When sickness came, when friendships failed, you challenged me to write, to love, to hope with every fibre of my being. When Oxford seemed a dream beyond all grasping, you said “just try.” And when once there, I thought for sure my essays would be flops, you ordered me to take a good long walk, drink tea, and “give it one more go.”

Meet the battle and face it with a song. Light a candle and lay a feast in the very teeth of darkness. Dare, always, to try once more. To love again. That’s what you taught me.

So here’s to you beloved and valiant mother o’ my heart. You make me think of Tennyson’s line in Ulysses, “we are, one equal temper of heroic hearts.” To have shared your heart and learned your courage is a gift that will follow me all my days. I hope I learn to be as brave as you.

Happy Mother’s Day.

Love,

Sarah

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Forgiveness--the Invisible String that knits hearts together Mentoring Monday

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Hedwig Edle von Malheim-Friedländer (1863-1916)

Way  # 8 We forgive one another, covering an offense with love when wronged or hurt.

All of us make mistakes. We lose our temper. We are selfish and want the best or biggest piece of cake. We become angry over petty issues. We break someone else's toy.

No matter how hard any of us try, we will always always make mistakes and eventually fall short of someone's expectations and disappoint those who love us.

That is why forgiveness is so very essential to the message of Christ. We are those who love the best because we are those who give the most grace, and have been given the most grace. As we love Christ, He leads us to give grace and forgive.

In a world where culture gives us every kind of excuse to divorce, to hold a grudge, to become a victim of a difficult life, to gossip, to criticize, the practice of forgiveness stands out like a beacon of light for a defense of Christianity. 

It is not logical to forgive someone who has offended us, but it is supernatural--it can only come from walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet, forgiveness and humility was constantly on the heart of Jesus.

Peter wanted to quantify forgiveness, like we all desire to do! He was willing to be noble and forgive someone, but after all, he thought there surely must be a limit! Perhaps 7 is the number we should forgive, Lord? He asked with a self-justifying heart.

No, Jesus said. 70 times 7--in other words, you must forgive, forgive, forgive, forgive, .........

Forgiving another person who has hurt us, damaged our reputation, who has continually been mean spirited or abused us in some way is one of the most difficult practices to exercise. All of us have been deeply hurt. It is natural to want to take revenge, or even to justify our own position and way of looking at an offense to justify lack of forgiveness.

Yet, it is the way of Jesus--the supernatural way of the Spirit in our lives to extend forgiveness and unconditional love.

"While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us," we read in Romans 8.

He who knew no sin became sin on our behalf. II Cor. 5:21

To truly understand Jesus, to worship Him from a grateful heart, requires that we learn to forgive and even to barely take offense when wronged. Bowing our knee and our will to actually forgive someone and expect nothing in return is not natural but supernatural. 

Jesus said that if someone hit us, we should offer him the other cheek. He told stories about forgiveness--the judge who forgave a very large debt of a man, who was not willing to forgive another man a small debt owed him.

In II Timothy 2:24, Paul admonished us:

"The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged."

If we want our children to consider marriage sacred then we must behave as though it is sacred and forgive one another when wronged. Same with family members, neighbors, fellow believers in church, neighbors, everyone.

Forgiveness is the essence of God's heart. It compelled Him to die for us.

So, if we want to give our children a secret to living a life of love, we must teach them this Family Way. If we want our children to be godly leaders in this world, they must see self-sacrificing, humble forgiveness in and through our words, our lives and our actions.

One of the most important values I have come to understand from being a mama, is that when I take responsibility for the shaping of my children's hearts, to teach them truth, I have had to become more godly in order to teach them these life-changing truths.

And so, as we approach this week's way, let us understand that helping our children practice forgiveness over and over again, will establish a pattern in their hearts to remember when they must make this choice as adults. Train up a child in the way he should go--in forgiving 70 X 70 X70 and so on, and forgiveness will become a part of his paradigm for life. If we all loved this way and forgave, the world would indeed become a place open to the heart and message of Christ.

Memory Verse: Colosians 3: 13 (and I included 12--as it was so very instructive to our children! (and to me!)

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

And so today, as you take this into your own heart, remember, that without forgiveness as a way of life in your home, your words about the death of Jesus and His sacrifice may become hollow, if forgiveness is not the rule of your own heart and home.

May God give each of us grace to become stronger and stronger at forgiving and extending love more every day. I think I will perfect this when I am 75! But at least I am working on it!

 

May Each of you have a lovely Mother's Day!

Cross_Mother_and_child One of my favorite art pieces of mother and child-Blue, my favorite color!

Your labor in the Lord is not in vain but will leave a legacy of faith and righteousness for generations to come. The story will be told about your faithfulness and love. Take Heart, your life is of great importance!

The Winners Are:

  • 2581 Nicole
  • 6212 Christina Bleeker
  • 8236 Amanda Doyle 
  • 413 Kellie Wiggins 
  • 4598 Kim Baker
  • 6897 Kristy Cody Stith
  • 8447 Michelle Robertson
  • 750 Michelle Glass Skogen
  • 2627 Elizabeth Taylor 
  • 5786 Stephanie
  • 1998 Colleen Garcia 2318 Sheri Parsons 
  • 428 Brianna McLeod Preston 
  • 5480 Rebecca Simon
  • 1089 April
  • 1011 Michele Stuchell 
  • 8970 Stephanie Dakin 
  • Congratulations to all! Thanks for entering!