On Books and Boys {A Review of Two Books to Nourish the Hearts of Sons}

I don't even know anyone who has a bigger library. My sweet friend, Lynn Custer, has worked by my side at conferences, taught Seasons of a mother's heart groups for 15 years, held mama's teas in her home and cried with ones who needed encouragement for so many years. We raised our children together and we raised this ministry together. I told her she needed to start sharing all about books with us, as she raised her own two boys on the best! Thanks, Lynn.

Nature Got There First by Phil Gates is a book that will grab the attention of that rambunctious, easily distracted, eight to thirteen year old boy. You know the one? The little guy that runs up to everything and anything with wheels or a motor and looks underneath it to try and figure out what’s making it tick? This book is perfect for the young boy that plays outside for hours coming up with all sorts of make-shift uses for sticks, rocks, and insects.

What do earthworms and elevators have in common? What about leaves and shoes, or your knees and engines? This book explores these things as well as many others. Take the example of squid for instance: what invention could have resulted in the study of the way squid drive themselves through the oceans? Phil Gates says it's jet propulsion. And what about armadillos? Is it possible that man’s idea of the armored car or a knight’s medieval armor was first formed after observing the suitably attired armadillo? How about a tropical tree? Could man have really got the idea of building mighty cathedrals based on their knowledge of how these trees are rooted and stabilized?

When Nature Got There First will cause your guys to look out of doors through a completely different lens. It draws upon the similarities between modern day inventions and those things found in nature, designed by a Creative Genius. While I wouldn’t say this book is necessarily written from a Christian perspective, I will say that it draws the Christian reader in and causes his or her gaze to fall upon the Master Designer. It will reinforce the fact that man’s ideas and creativity is not original to man. It all begins with the Maker of all things, the Inventor of all things, and the Giver of every creative thought. Who knows what other inventions can be inspired by further study and investigation of God’s amazing world?

Furthermore, who needs a boring biology textbook when there is something like this available? In fact, if more boys were allowed to read books like this one, they may find themselves a lot more interested when that biology class finally rolls around.

 

"Nature is but a name for an effect, Whose cause is God." ~ WILLIAM COWPER

 "Gotta go, Mama," called Billy. "I finished my Saturday chores, and now I need to meet Seth and the fellas for a game of stickball." So begins  The Day the Circus Came to Town by Melody Carlstrom, a story of a young boy who is about to learn the valuable lesson of thinking for himself and following that still, small voice of God.

In The Day the Circus Came to Town, Billy is a young man that can't wait to hang out with his friends, but before he gets out the door, his mama calls and reminds him, "Don't forget about the circus!" After promising to be back in time for this family outing, he's off for a fun afternoon of stickball.

While out playing, Billy and his friends bump into Zino, a funny, joyful clown. With much enthusiasm, Zino presents the boys with tickets to the circus and invites them to come along and check it out. Billy very quickly reaches to take a ticket, but then immediately hears the other boys sneering, using words like 'sissy' and 'babies' and 'wimps'. In the blink of an eye, Billy has fallen in line with all the others and rejects Zino's invitation.

What Billy soon discovers though, is that blending in with the crowd and just following along has very real consequences. It not only costs him something but it affects his family as well. In this beautifully illustrated allegory by Melody Carlson, boys and girls alike will benefit from learning from Billy's mistakes. Giving in to peer pressure, ignoring God's voice of conscience, and the advice of parents, will eventually lead to sadness and regret. Billy finds this out the hard way.

But, then there is grace. Gratefully, the book doesn't end there with Billy's mistake looming over him. With a repentant heart, He makes his way out to the circus, regretting his decision to refuse to go. Standing outside the tent, looking mournfully on as his family is inside having a wonderful time, Billy contemplates what a fool he has been and how it's too late to make it right.

But, it's never too late for God. It is never too late to pull away from the crowd and start thinking for yourself. More importantly, it is never too late to listen to God's voice and follow His leading.

What are some of your favorite books for boys? Share so we can all add it to our list?

The following post is written by Lynn Custer, a wife and mom of two grown boys, who is passionate about books, whole- hearted education and encouraging moms. Lynn makes her home in North Carolina, where she has been leading Mom Heart groups and mentoring women for over 15 years. We are so thankful to have her sharing with us today! 

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The Discipleship & Discipline Webinar

Over 1,000 moms joined us on the Discipleship & Discipline Webinar! If you weren't able to attend the live course, now you can get it on-demand. If you would like to get access to the Webinar, simply click here. It was so much fun, and we are so excited to share this with you.

Ways to Make Time for His Word

"I have come to believe that the success or failure of any woman who hopes to build her children into a godly legacy depends to a great degree on whether or not she is spending time in the presence of the Lord and filling her mind with His word." -Sally Clarkson, The Mom Walk

Desiring to secure the hearts of our children with a love for God, often we try to teach them what is right, correct their attitudes, and often become frustrated with their immaturity, and so in our exhaustion, point out faults to our immature children.

We strive to be women of godly ideals, but tend to fall short and overwhelm ourselves with the mundane, ordinary day "have-tos."

Yet, we cannot show our children the excellencies of God's character if we have not invested time in His presence. We become like the ones we spend time with! --And so if we can never make time to cultivate a deep love, a fresh worship, a spontaneous conversation with our dear Father, then we will not be living from His spirit's truth, wisdom and grace.

Spending time in God's word is essential to our restoration as mothers. Without God's word, what voices are filling our minds, hearts, and souls?

In the midst of busy, hectic schedules, it can be extremely difficult to make time for His word. We must be intentional and prioritize this necessary peace. Today, I am going to share some ideas with you on how we can not only pencil in and squeeze in our time with God, but full benefit from His amazing word.

1: Get an accountability partner.

Some of us need that extra push and reminder so that we don't forget to spend time in His word. Talk to your best girl friend about holding each other accountable for your time in scripture. Call each other, or email, weekly to check in and remind each other of the importance of God's word. Commit to a 6 month period of time to be prayer partners or to study a book of the Bible or a devotional together.

2. Bible reading plans.

With so many things going on in various directions, sometimes we don't even know where to start once we open our bibles. Bible reading plans provide schedule, routine, order, and continuity to our time in scripture. Read through one Psalm a day and circle or note each verse that speaks of His character. Or underline wisdom or truth or a promise of principle. Or Read John and do the same thing. Keep a journal close by and each day write one thing you have learned. If you have time, pray through what you have learned. These books are good places to start.

3. I Take Joy scripture challenge. 

If His lovingkindness is before you every day, then you will walk in His ways and find His blessing.

Choose one of the scriptures below and personalize it for yourself:

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."119:105

"For Your loving kindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth." -Psalm 26:3

If you're up for the challenge, write that verse on multiple sticky notes. Commit in your heart to seek His truth so that you may walk in it. Place one on your mirror, one in your car, and one on your coffee maker. Really meditate on that scripture, memorize it, and feel free to leave a comment on this blog post to share what that verse means to you in your current season of motherhood. Share this post with your friends so that we may learn from each other and grow in His wisdom, love, and truth.

Write the verse, tape it on your bathroom mirror and repeat it each time you are in the room. Or put it on your kitchen wall and say it with your children when you wash dishes. Add one verse each week and you will have a heart full of encouragement and truth when your year is up!

The Discipleship & Discipline Webinar

Over 1,000 moms joined us on the Discipleship & Discipline Webinar! If you weren't able to attend the live course, now you can get it on-demand. If you would like to get access to the Webinar, simply click here. It was so much fun, and we are so excited to share this with you.

The Power of Influence in a Home that Breathes Real, Not Just Virtual Life!

Whispering breezes amongst towering, swaying pines; pelting, drumming showers invading our car conversations, mists obscuring our views bespoke to all of us the need for an August fire in our cozy living room, steaming cups of tea, and soul-feeding sharing of hearts.  And so began a memory-making afternoon.

Even as God filled the earth with the art of a His best creation, so our homes must bespeak of His glorious creativity--colors abounding, lilting music setting the mood, feasts celebrated amongst every possible topic discussed, observed--from jokes to convictions, ideals to devotions, sadness to hilarity.

Real life should be lived in first person,--not virtual life observed.

We have had a house full of people for the last couple of weeks. The walls are fairly swaying with the life of friendships deepened, laughter ringing, voices raised in the spirit of competition of games played late into the night. (Golf,--a card game you can find on the internet-o- hearts, speed scrabble and scrabble, with even a little bit of tripoly type of card games being some of our favorites over the years.)

Oh how I wish you could hear the deeply felt convictions and beliefs and conversations of our children as they share over books read, convictions challenged by others, beliefs cherished and preserved in their lives out in the world--to peek into souls that have been nourished on the best minds of great authors, the daily devotions and faith shared that lives deeply, authentically in their own hearts, the creativity and life of these adult children being lived out as they have  become lights in their own worlds.

It is deeply fulfilling to know that all of those years of the labor of love and educating has born such satisfying fruit in their lives and souls. They were actually listening and paying attention all of those years, day in day out of the giving of our best to their hearts, minds and souls. So, my sweet friends, your work is not in vain--in God's hands it becomes a miracle.

This "life" is what my older children return home to experience--the cups of their souls longing to be refueled with the virtue, love, purity of moments shared together in the breath of God's love warming our hearts, filling us all with the sense of belonging to His destiny, kingdom, and caling, and  binding us together in the grand purpose of His calling on this family called the Clarksons.

Last night, at one time we had 3 guitars, a djembe thrumming and Clay leading the host. Real music pulsing through the open windows.

Old friendships remembered and rebuilt over banana pudding, chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, and brownies with Europeon chocolate chips sprinkled in--after a feast of spaghetti pie--an all time fav from an old Amish recipe.

Joy sported a headache and didn't feel well, so her precious friend Andrea ministered comfort by soaking her hands in warm water and making her nails beautiful.

Meanwhile, the a serious game of cards ensued, though it could have been scrabble or 10 other games that we have perfected over the years through much practice.   My dear friend and I sat on the couch and pondered the gift of our precious ones who had grown up so quickly, and by God's grace so wonderfully full of His life. Souls, minds and values were shaped mostly in the moments of every day when we breathed the life of God into the very atmosphere of our home.

The Discipleship & Discipline Webinar

Over 1,000 moms joined us on the Discipleship & Discipline Webinar! If you weren't able to attend the live course, now you can get it on-demand. If you would like to get access to the Webinar, simply click here. It was so much fun, and we are so excited to share this with you.

Flee From Temptation

 

Now it happened one day that he went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the household was there inside. She caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me!" And he left his garment in her hand and fled, and went outside.  Genesis 39:11-12

Once upon a time, a boy met a girl and they fell in love. They started having children  right away and were very happy for 25  years. The family had a successful business, in which all of the men  were involved- Daddy, Brother's and Brother-in-Law. The marriages in this tightly-knit group were strong and happy. Grandchildren began to come along. What joy! The baby girl of the family loved all of the love in her home and cherished every moment that they were all together. Everyone around them admired this family. They were a close bunch with wonderful holidays,  vacations and lots of  "just doing life together happily." Then, one day, everything changed.

The Mom became interested in another man. Then another, and sadly to say, another. It was as if someone else had occupied the once doting mother. Then the divorces started to happen.  Within one year, the parents, and both brothers marriages ended in divorce. The Mother turned to alcohol and suicide attempts to soothe her hurting soul. Then, as if to punish herself for all of her sins, she married another man, but this man physically beat her and put her in the hospital with serious injuries. The Mother died a few years later of an illness which was brought on by a broken heart, alcohol abuse,  and a guilty conscience.

Sadly to say, this was my family and I was the little girl that loved the once close ties that we all shared in our little group. For many years, I felt lost and abandoned and kept looking back to the way things used to be. But then God rescued me, saved me, and gave me the beautiful Christian life complete with my precious and Godly husband that I get to spend the rest of my life with. This is the life I have always wanted. What a blessing!

Why do I tell you all of this? Because I see many women making bad decisions and not looking ahead to what their life could be like if they keep flirting with temptation. There is a reason that God gave us the story of Joseph with Potiphar's wife. My favorite part of the story, and what I believe is the most important part is that Joseph fled- he ran! He did not argue, he did not reason, he fled. I think that this is exactly what God would have us to do when we are in a tempting situation.

I have been a fitness instructor for many years and have been in the gym and have seen many affairs in the making. They start off something like this- Girl is working out and says "Hi" to Guy, then they start chatting then decide it would be more fun to work out together. Then they go to lunch, on outings, and well, you know what happens next. I have seen it time and time again. The only thing left is a ripped up marriage with confused children that have to go between Mom and Dads separate houses.  This was my life too- I lived in both Mom and Dads houses and it was not fun.

I realize that many of you dear readers may have gone through a terrible divorce, many of which were not your fault. God definitely gives us grace and promises to be your  husband. He will cover over everything and help you to raise your children up for Him. I am mainly addressing this article, and frankly, trying to give a bit of reality to family life after an affair- it's not pretty. There is a reason God says is Proverbs 5  that the adulteress' "feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave" and He says to " Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well." God wants us to stay faithful because He knows what's best for our family, and for our heritage. Your decision to stay faithful or cheat will bless or curse your lineage after you. I saw it in my own family. My brother is now a homosexual and has no contact with his grown children. There was alcohol abuse in my family for many years. I had a time in my life where I was completely lost until the Lord found me. There are consequences to sin, and many times, it is the children who suffer.

The Bible says " The heart is deceitful above all things, and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" In our heart is where it all begins. I realize that many women can be Facebook friends with an ex- boyfriend and it's no big deal. I know that a lot of women can go to lunch with their "guy friends" and it does not affect their marriage. For me personally, after seeing what it did to my parents marriage I lean more towards the side of "running." Remember, we have "an Enemy that prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him and he will flee from you." 1 Peter 5:8. The Devil does not want you to stay married. He wants your family, he wants your children.

So what do you do if you are being tempted? Run! Get away. Don't reason, don't rationalize, just run! Pray, pray, pray for God's help. He will help you. Be honest. Tell the truth about how you are feeling. Confess. The devil has power over you as long as you keep it a secret. Stay married. Go to counseling. Have friends pray for you and keep you accountable. Also, if your man has been unfaithful or if you have already been unfaithful, get back together. Try like crazy in the power of the Holy Spirit to work it out. God will help you. I feel like my family would have been much better off in the long run if my parents could have worked it out. We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. This is why Christ came- to forgive us our sins and help us to live a happy, godly life. You are not alone.

Deb Weakly, friend, mom of 2 children, with a heart for God and mamas that never stops.

Courage In A Disastrous Voyage

After almost 60 years of subduing the life God has given me, I have walked through my fair share of adventures, joys, and sometimes disasters. One of the worst things the enemy can do is to truly convince us that our situation is unique, that we are completely alone, and that we will never be able to make it out to see the silver lining. While it's easy to believe that we are unique in these times of darkness and difficulty, scripture is filled with stories of disaster and destruction.

Acts 27:10 says:

"Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also."

Paul was in the midst of a disastrous situation, and he made sure to warn his crew about the storm that he believed would cause absolute destruction. This would be a very different story if Paul left things off right there with warnings, worry, and hopelessness. However, an angel spoke to Paul and he went on to tell his crew in verse 25:

"Keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me."

Paul's words of hope and faith restored the crew and gave them courage.

Jesus himself encountered many disastrous situations. However, even in the midst of raging seas, He spoke peace and calm over the chaos. How would you react if a crazy, angry, hateful crowd came up to you and attempted to throw you off a cliff? When that happened to Jesus, He  simply passed through those people and went to the next town. Even when the devil plotted hate and harm against Him, Jesus never allowed anything to stand in the way of His purpose.

Because of the coming of Jesus, He took away any power the enemy could have to hurt us. However, we still have to choose faith, choose courage, and choose to keep walking through the disasters until we find joy. Perhaps you are in the midst of a battle right now, a war that is raging in your heart and soul. I challenge you to walk with courage and faith through this season, no matter how disastrous the voyage may appear to be. Just like the apostle Paul, your words of hope and faith will give you the strength and courage to keep going.

So today, as an act of your will, write out in your journal just where you need courage, how you will take the strength of God and write a story of His miraculous grace in the midst of your storms.

Hands to the Plow, Eyes Full of Wonder

Today's post is written by Mom Heart writer, Katy Rose. 

A very thoughtful friend sent me a small print of The Angelus she found in an antique store, which now sits framed on my night stand.

The original meaning behind this painting is debated, but when I lie down at night and rise in the morning I’m reminded of an exhortation I heard from a pastor a while ago. As we faithfully fulfill our everyday duties and are able to recognize God in the “mundane,” we mirror the vision that the pastor cast when he said,

“Hands to the plow, eyes full of wonder.”

When I see the peasant farmers bowing in prayer over their crops, I’m reminded to work at whatever the Lord places in my day with diligence and perseverance, no matter how trivial or insignificant it may seem. Hands to the plow.

And at the same time, I’m instructed to keep my eyes fixed on the Lord, praying always to know him more fully, to understand his character and feel his magnificent, life-changing love, to glimpse his glory in the way he uses the small and humble to accomplish his work.  I can trust Him. Eyes full of wonder.

Elisabeth Elliot writes in Keep a Quiet Heart about the everyday “drudgery” of motherhood. She reminds us to cast our burdens upon the Lord, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light.  She shares about seeing this principle in practice during her visit to the Dohnavur Fellowship in India, the orphanage founded by Amy Carmichael.  She says, “Day after day, year in and year out, Indian women (most of them single) care for little children . . . They don’t go anywhere. They have none of our usual forms of amusement and diversion.  They work with extremely primitive equipment - there is no running water, for example, no stoves but wood-burning ones, no washing machines.  In one building I saw the text: 

‘There they dwelt with the King for His work.’ ”

And the same can be true for us. We have the choice to go about our daily work begrudgingly, or to instead work for Him. Grateful hearts fixed on Him: our hands to the plow, but our eyes looking towards Him, full of wonder.

(First image source)

Katy Rose, an artist at heart, is married to her high-school prom date and mama to two smiley and non-stop little boys. A life-long journaler, her blogging adventures began in 2005 while documenting life as a newlywed in Maui, continued as she settled down in New York City for several years, and then took a new turn with babies arriving and a relocation to Oklahoma for her husband’s legal education. While living in NYC, she was employed as a project manager by a foundation that worked with domestic violence victims, and spent some time outside of work serving pregnant women short on resources and support. She and her husband also work to raise awareness about the issue of human trafficking. Katy is passionate about adoption, mercy, and her family, as well as cooking, chocolate, coffee, creating, all things European, and would never pass up a real-life, inspirational story.

Marriage and motherhood have been major tools for refinement. She’s currently clinging to God’s promise that his grace is sufficient and his power is made perfect in her weakness. You can find her writing at her blog: Embrace and Let Go

The Discipleship & Discipline Webinar

Over 1,000 moms joined us on the Discipleship & Discipline Webinar! If you weren’t able to attend the live course, now you can get it on-demand. If you would like to get access to the Webinar, simply click here. It was so much fun, and we are so excited to share this with you.

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost--It has made all the difference!

Recently, at the webinar, a mom asked, "How did you face your friends and family who didn't understand your ideals?"

Taking a risk to do life differently, better, following God's trail by faith, has changed the course of the Clarkson history--but, by taking the road less travelled, we have witnessed the miracles and provision of the hand of God in amazing ways.

This, one of my favorite poems, (and I made all the kids memorize it) reflects the faith, following ideals, road.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both, And be one traveler , long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim Because it was grassy and wanted wear; But as for that, the passing there had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I marked the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted I would ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two rods diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

Since the first year Clay and I were married, we tried each fall to go drive through the mountains to see the aspen when they changed to the golden and read and bronze. A mother is the god-ordained professor who is to open the soul and mind of her children to the truths reflected in God's creation. God has provided ample evidence of His wisdom, power and beauty in each season.

Last weekend, Clay said that he thought we should take the time to go for one day to the mountains before we left to make time to see the beauty together. Though we were all busy, we are so very thankful for the way it filled our souls to marvel at His handy work and to reflect that each season has its own beauty and evidence of God's intimate involvement.

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood." What a beautiful poem this is--and such a rich amount of wisdom to discuss and reflect with your children---choices have consequences, whatever decisions you make will determine much of the rest of your life--it is so important to let God's word and truth direct your priorities and decisions. And I love the last line, "And I, I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."

Clay and I took the homeschooling road when no one thought we should. We moved our family into ministry situations with us all over the world when no one thought we should. We raised support when certain family members thought we shouldn't. We left a good job and security and insurance and went 5 years without a salary to start Whole Heart Ministries when it seemed crazy. We committed ourselves to idealistic discipleship grace-based parenting when others thought we would ruin our children. Obviously we have not lived a perfect life and have made mistakes along the way. However, we made our decisions by faith, based on convictions we found in scripture. Our desire was to please God, to build foundations that could not be shaken. God has been so faithful to us each step of the way--we took the road less traveled by and that has made all the difference.

Today, I celebrated the 93rd birthday of my oldest, sister type friend's mom's birthday. We had a chocolate party for her (brownies, cake, cookies, candy bars and mousse--it was her favorites) She has lived through two World Wars, the depression, breast cancer, the deaths of her husband and two of her three children. Yet, she has lived to see God's faithfulness.

This summer, fire devastated and destroyed 500 homes. Now we are in the midst of a crisis of flood over our whole state. This year, 3 precious ones have committed suicide that are dear to us. Several of my best friends have had cancer.  We could all be tempted to panic when life feels so uncertain. 

Yet, taking the risky roads less taken has taught me that God is trustworthy. He is in control, He will be faithful to us as we walk roads of faith. It is an important for us to teach our children to have the courage of their convictions to take the road less taken-the road of faith, the road of ideals. Life does not always turn out as we would expect it to, but God is always faithful. We all only have one life to live in which to live by faith in God, to trust in Him and rest in His peace when we are tempted to panic. We are given one life to live for His ideals and for His convictions. Then we will see Him face to face.

Let us be bold before His throne in this challenging time. Let us be of those who do not shrink back. Let us be of those whose hearts remain steadfast even in the midst of trials. God will be faithful to us. We will grow and be stretched and become less selfish and more mature and give our children a better model --if we stay faithful to his call upon our individual lives. He will call each of us to different ideals, but He will call us to step out in faith, in courage and in ministry. May His goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives and may we resist fear and live by faith until we see Him face to face. May God give each of you a special gift of His grace and peace in the midst of your trials. May He allow you to reflect on His beauty in creation as an example of His seasons and may each of you have a peaceful heart. Many blessings of His grace.

As Sarah recently wrote, "Hard realities--broken hearted facts are not ignored but faced with grace. This rises up with a lifestyle of hard work and community that, while never denying grief, yet seeks to move through life with a fragile but real hope."

Indeed, God led us to take the road less traveled, and that has indeed made all the difference.

The Discipleship & Discipline Webinar

Over 1,000 moms joined us on the Discipleship & Discipline Webinar! If you weren't able to attend the live course, now you can get it on-demand. If you would like to get access to the Webinar, simply click here. It was so much fun, and we are so excited to share this with you.

The Beauty of Women in Community

Today's post is by my friend Misty Krasawski! We have been friends for years and always enjoy a cup of tea and time to talk.~ Sally

"And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord." ~Luke 1:45

Last week we gathered again; crowding onto couches and pulling chairs in close. Children greeted one another gleefully and raced to their own spot downstairs, stopping only long enough to grab fresh-from-the-oven pumpkin muffins from the table. Knowing I'd be cleaning up chocolate chip remnants from carpet and tables later didn't deter me from opening the door wide. Within moments we were thick in embraces, stories shared and tears shed. And once again I was amazed at the power to be found in a gathering of women.

We gathered to read the Bible, to share our struggles, to laugh and to pray. Tales were told of marriage difficulties and financial challenges. Some were still facing the same mountains that had been looming over them for years. Others had found joy in new places and were willing to share all they'd learned with the rest of us, challenging us to believe for more in our own lives. When it was time to go they lingered over one-last-hugs and we all were so very grateful we'd had yet another chance to gain strength, each from the others.

Much is made of Mary, the mother of Jesus's beautiful declaration of faith, gratitude and wonder recorded later in the passage here in Luke 1, commonly known as the Magnificat. Reading her words gives us a glimpse into a heart that must have spent much time pondering scripture, one full of bravery and willingness to lay her life down in service to God--"Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word," she had said to Gabriel when given earth-shaking news. Some time later she traveled some 85 miles over mountainous terrain to visit her Aunt Elizabeth, and there the incredible words we've all probably heard many times were spoken, ever etched into Christmas cards and holiday plaques. Yet tonight as I look at this first chapter of Luke, something else strikes me: Elizabeth's words to her, which came first ...

"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? ... and blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord." Luke 1:42-45

Can you hear it? Can you hear the faith and strength spoken by an older woman into the heart of a young girl, carrying a blessing and burden no woman before or since was ever again to bear? Can you imagine an exhausted Mary, lifting searching eyes to her elderly yet extremely-pregnant relative who had been likewise blessed by a miraculous surprise, wondering what sort of greeting she might receive after enduring the whispers and conjecturing of her own community filled with people who couldn't understand or believe what was happening to her?

Strength.

Elizabeth's gift to Mary was one of strength and love. Her friendship and open door, the meals that surely were shared between the two of them over the following days as they talked together, wondering at God's plan, were an oasis of grace to Mary in a tumultuous world.

She spoke of the truth of the situation--a truth God had revealed to her. How each of us needs friends who are able to do the same! May we hear the words of God for our own friends. May we reach out and declare His goodness and celebrate all He is doing together. May we create safe places where hearts can be shared and unburdened. May we tell our sweet friends that we believe in them and in what God is doing in their lives. May we be bringers of strength, bearing cups of cold water, opening doors to homes that might be imperfect but are welcoming, true shelters for all in need.

And may we utter a few magnificats of our own.

Misty Krasawski is the hopelessly flawed, always optimistic, eternally grateful mama of eight; two of whom have flown the nest and six of whom remain at home in beautiful Colorado. She loves gardening, riding horses, reading her Bible, listening to classical music, baking chocolate chip cookies and drinking Earl Grey--preferably wrapped in a blanket in front of her fireplace with a view of the mountains. You can find her writing once in awhile at her blog, Encouraging Beautiful Motherhood. 

Right is always right even if....Mentoring Monday Way 21

2013 Family Day Mueller 049

Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil--just live innocently and joyfully.

Way # 21 We do what we know if right, regardless what others do or say.

With warm mugs of coffee in hand, ease of mood and cheer of heart, the kids were sitting around repeating all of the mantras they heard over and over again throughout their lives.

"Mama, the funny thing is, I hear your voice every day of my life, everywhere I go. And the funny thing is, it keeps directing me to make good decisions."

Sometimes we don't think our children are listening to our repeated in instruction. Yet, I believe that "Train up a child in the way he should go," is a part of shaping brain pathways of truth and morality in the minds and even the souls of our children as they shape their values.

One of the mantras they heard over and over again was, "Wrong is always wrong even if everyone is doing it. Right is always right even if no one is doing it."

Each of my children, as they have gone into very compromising places of thought and behavior, (Hollywood, New York City, Boston, Oxford, Cambridge), have said that developing this wisdom as a part of making decisions has helped them not to compromise. Understanding that the world is a place of compromise, and that we were called to be holy, set apart--light in the darkness, salt in a tasteless world, prepared my children to go into very challenging arenas, armed with an understanding of what the battle would become, and how they would be tested.

In a world of relative value and constant compromise, ("Oh, everyone I know who is a Christian watches this kind of show." Or "Everyone else I know says it is ok." And then follows, "I am a liberated Christian. I can do this in the name of religious freedom."), we must give our children a sense of absolutes in the areas that are important to God. If we listen to the voices in the world, on blogs, on facebook, even in Christian culture, we must understand that such voices create compromise.

The Ten Commandments are a great place to start--no adultery, no idols, setting themselves apart to remember their God, and to honor Him, as well as honoring their sweet mama, (Me) and their great Daddy, Clay. And such voices create compromise--

Our family considers ourselves also to have great freedom, yet we also have strong standards of holiness and morality because we have focussed on seeking to please the heart of God. The only way you can create freedom to live righteously and give wisdom in knowing how to behave in life is to teach about Jesus and His instruction every day. Only when we have pondered His words, can we understand His heart towards life.

Memory Verse: 

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,Nor stand in the path of sinners,Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord,And in His law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 1:1-2

Psalm 1 is a passage I used over and over again to train my children to walk not in the counsel of their friends or the world, but to delight in the heart and rightness of God's words in order to have a sensitive conscience to what He wanted them to do. We acted out and memorized through verse 4 and it became a picture of what a righteous person looked like in a culture that was cynical, criticizing, compromising---the blessed man walks in the counsel of the Lord.

My children had to say "no" to certain age-inappropriate movies when we were not around. They had to learn to be the ones who would not participate in certain activities of other groups. They learned, by practicing, not to engage in immoral images on the computer, (this usually will eventually accost all children--but they need to learn to say no! And they need to know they can trust you to tell you what they have seen to ask for your help.)

We talked about media, peer pressure, foolishness and read proverbs together many times to find wise ways of living.

Learning to be righteous is a heart issue, not a rules memorized issue. If it feels wrong to their heart that has been shaped on righteousness, then it is probably wrong. But you need to talk to your children as they grow, about choices, trusting you, listening to God, living above reproach in a culture that is evil.

We cannot force righteousness on our children by legalism and harshness. This only makes them want to hide from us. But instead, we nurture and cultivate a love for goodness by cultivating it in our home each day.

In all of our ideals, righteousness is progressive. In other words, we make mistakes, we fail, sometimes we do foolish things because they are so accepted in culture. Sometimes, wickedness jumps after us like Potifer's wife chasing Joseph. And our children learned the concept of fleeing--just drop what will burn you and flee--run immediately away from the temptation.

Yet, Proverbs reminds us, "The path of the righteous is like the dawn which shines brighter until the full day."

We train our children in our home, we help them and love them even if they fall, we pick them up, we protect them, we walk with them on the paths of righteousness, and they grow stronger day by day, year by year, and learn for themselves to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, who leads them in righteousness.

Maturity if a muscle built strong by much exercise.

How have you taught your children the concept of being holy--set aside for God's purposes and glory?

God sees your broken heart--you are not alone!

"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

This week, I have heard from lots of sweet, broken-hearted moms. So many of you carry loads that are so soul-bending. Yet, I want you to know you are not invisible. Many times, as I look back on my life, I wonder how I made it. At times, huddling in the dark of our bedroom, with no lights on so that no one could see me, I would cry broken-hearted tears, and pour out my grief to the Lord.

At times, I felt helpless and hopeless, but because I loved my children, I would, by faith, put one more foot in front of the other and live the day as well as I could. So much of my despair came from having no support systems, and no one to give me a break.

Psalm 139 tells us that even darkness is not dark to God. As I look back now, His hand was at work behind the scenes. The dark place built depth and beauty in the souls of my children and in me. And at each juncture, God taught me something about the world, people, life and that He would guide me through the obstacle course of life, even when I was not aware of His carrying me.

I was living a life of ideals that most of my old friends didn't believe in and few understood, so often loneliness and lack of support were my companions.

Because of no training and having been raised to be spoiled, housework was a constant battle, and often I doubted what I was doing, or if I was doing anything right at all. Was I ruining these children? Couldn't some one do better job at raising my children? I didn't always feel like mothering, but I would put one foot in front of another. And obedience to do the right thing, ended up in them feeling secure, even though my feelings sometimes swayed.

So many times I really didn't think I was going to make it.

But then I would read my Bible one more time. I would give my life and the decisions to God and beg for help and hoped that it mattered.

God did scatter some hope along my pathways that some times I did not see until looking back. But, He also knew He had a bigger arena for me, one in which I would minister to people from many backgrounds, struggles and stories, and so He used every struggle to help me become more humble. Every juncture or challenge in the road gave me compassion for others who struggled. Each obstacle conquered strengthened my wisdom and understanding so that I could be more ready and mature for the bigger, more challenging tests.

But now, through the process, God very slowly and gently used so many moments of heart break to loosen my grip on the things I thought I needed to satisfy myself--one at a time. And in the end, when my hands were empty of my personal expectations, He started giving me a hunger for heaven, for eternal things, for deeper relationships. Through the heartbreak, God gave me an appetite for my real home where I will live with Him for eternity, where my loved ones and I will experience peace in all of our relationships and all stress and sadness will be gone.

Heartbreak in this world is a proper assessment of being in a world that is dead to God and His ways. But, He, the servant of us all, is collecting every tear in a bottle to remember it, standing close to us in His mercy, and every ready to welcome us into His comfort as we understand the fellowship of His deep understanding of how we suffer.

He indeed turned my mourning to joy and has blessed me more than I could have imagined because He who began a good work, was faithful to complete it in the lives of my sweet children. And now in the midst if difficult days, they are my comfort and joy. I raised my own support systems.

Remember, precious one, your labor is not in vain. Your deep hurts are noticed by him, the one who cried when Lazarus died, and His sympathy will be always there because he is a Father who have compassion on His children. May you know that today, you are not alone. He sees you and He cares for you, deeply and always.