Own Your Life, my new book--and free bonus gifts!

I am so excited to share my new book with you!

Own Your Life book is a legacy of my life lived well for the purposes of God from seeing the faithfulness of God during every season of my life.

After over 40 years of serving Christ, 34 years of marriage, 31 years of raising four vibrant children, and ministering to countless thousands of women all over the world, I sense that each woman longs to have a purposeful life, filled with love, the goodness of God, and one that will leave a legacy. However, living intentionally must come from having a plan that fits into our busy worlds.  I learned a truth that has helped me my whole life--simplify, stay focused, live for what will matter for eternity, invest in real people. Paul’s words to the Philippian church always helped me to simplify my commitments, “But one thing I do … I press on toward the goal for the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Paul knew that he had to choose to own his life for the sake of Christ–he had one chance to live the one life he was given for God. It is a choice I made in my early twenties after reading Philippians 3:7-14 and have lived by ever since as a woman, wife, and mother. When Tyndale Publishing House asked me to write this new book, Own Your Life, I took it as a challenge not only to look back at my life of walking with God, but also as an opportunity to encourage and inspire women all over the world.

This Book is About How You Can Own Your Life

Don’t worry, that doesn’t mean doing more than you’re already doing, as though activity is the mark of ownership. Guilt is not on the agenda! Rather, I want every woman to be renewed and refreshed in a personal life vision with the conviction that you can say with Paul: “I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.” I want you to find deep, rich, and meaningful fulfillment in the life of faith you are giving and living for God.

Each year, I am reminded afresh that our weary world needs a restoration of biblical messages and a challenge for women who have chosen to own their lives for God’s glory. Mary, when told by the angel Gabriel that she would be the mother of the Son of God, responded with faith: “I am the Lord’s servant … May it be done to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:38). She owned the life God was giving her. She embraced the legacy He had for her. Each of us will find God's favor and blessing when we are free to live the life He has created for us uniquely. There is a reason tea cups and coffee cups have meant a lot to me! :) Hope you will watch my short video to find out why!

(Can't see the video? Click here)

Specific Areas of Encouragement

• Learning to love who God has made you, leaving guilt and inadequacy behind
• Living into the generous, abounding and unconditional love of God
• Finding peace, rest and strength to live the life God has given you
• Discovering the ministry moments God has designed for you to engage in every day
• Finding contentment right where you are, single, married or somewhere in between
• Building a home environment that gives life to all who come there
• Becoming the friend and lover of all, that God created you to be
• Embracing your ministry of parenting and learning how to do it with grace
• Building a long term story of faithfulness in your marriage
• Leaving a legacy of a strong faith, generous love, an intentional life

Pre-Order Own Your Life! Plus, Gifts For You!

Own Your Life is now available for preorder! You can get order it from Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Pre-order your book by January 5, 2015 and receive these special offers!

Pre-order One Book

Receive a FREE exclusive 7-Day Devotion by me to start the process of Owning Your Life.

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Pre-order Five or More Copies

Receive the FREE 7-Day Devotion plus a FREE study guide for small groups, a FREE 6-minute Introduction Video from me about the book, and five FREE beautiful, sharable, printable posters with quotations to inspire you to Own Your Life.

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Pre-order 10 or More Copies (Group study!)

Receive all of the above plus a FREE personal greeting recorded by Sally for your Group that will be studying, Own Your Life! You will also be entered to win one hour of free mentoring from me and a digital download of Whole Heart Ministries’ new book: Taking Motherhood to Hearts ~ How to Start, Lead, and Tend Your Mom Heart Group (a 30,000 word book!).

Buy on Amazon     Buy on Barnes & Noble

In order to receive your gifts, you will need to send a picture of your receipt to momentum@tyndale.com (use subject OWN YOUR LIFE).

We can only become heroes in our own stories. I pray this book encourages women all over the world  like you, to embrace God's story for you, so that each day can become a place of blessing, meaning and grace as you walk in God's vision for your life.

Study it with a friend, with a group, or enjoy it in the quiet of your own home. I am so motivated by the stories friends have shared with me about their own lives and goals for this year. Be sure to see sweet women like yourself sharing their own goals of owning their lives on my Facebook page, HERE, and share a picture of yourself, family, or life and tell us how you are going to own your life in 2015.

Blessings and blessings abundant to each of you today. Thanks so very much for letting me share this with you!

Sally

P.S. I have some really fun news to share in the next few days. If you'd like to make sure you hear it, just enter your email in the email box on my sidebar to the right (and up a bit). No spam, just announcements and articles from my blog.

Choosing to Pursue

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another with love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near." -Hebrews 10: 23-25

There are not many people whose lives really encourage us to press on, to walk in the presence of the Lord, to love others graciously and unconditionally and to believe God with all my heart. Thankfully, though, there are a few people who do make me feel more filled up when I have spent time with them--more ready to face life again, to finish well, to trust God.

Often, I have shared that if you want to find the best kind of friend, find someone you can do ministry with--someone who loves God and wants to make a difference in the world. In the midst of working together, praying, and serving people, you will grow together in memory making, faith, and accountability.

There are many wonderful people in my life, but only a handful who are truly close to me and really pursue me--to take the initiative to engage in my heart's issues and also share with me what they have been learning. These friends pray with me, send me emails to tell me they love me or appreciate what I have written, and find other ways to take time to invest in my life. In other words, they do not just love and accept me--they purposefully engage my soul each time we are together, and even when we are not! They pursue me and build me up, without me have to ask.

Choosing to pursue is an act of obedience. Taking responsibility to encourage and to give life-giving words, to redeem our time is one of the best reflections of the reality of Christ in our lives. God always initiated. Purposefully reaching out to those He would touch through us is the foundation of initiative--that intention that says, "I will pursue you--I will care for you--I will encourage you." When we pursue our children, our husband, our friends and others in our lives who may be needy, we can preserve them from despair, condemnation, and surrendering to less than God’s best. Even being intentional through smiles and cups of tea shared can transform lives. We may even help them change their destiny, by giving them the courage to hold fast their hope--to end well--to wait long enough for God to show His grace.

So He sends us to initiate, to find those who need the love and life of Christ, before they even ask. We don't initiate because we feel like it--we may be weary, and discouraged ourselves. But we do it out of obedience, because He did it, and it is His supernatural grace that drives us to give of ourselves to others.

Take a moment to complete the reflection and application below:

• “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 In this verse, we see God’s initiative! Because He loved us, He gave His Son. Who does God bring to mind that you might need to take initiative with, today?

• Sometimes when I start considering reaching out to a child or friend, I think, “Oh, I can always do it later.” But Gal. 6:10 reminds us: “So then, while we have opportunity let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” Opportunity doesn’t last forever! Think of someone who has been a wonderful influence in your life, and write them a quick note of thanks.

Delight and Be

Every year in December, our family prays about where we would like to give a special financial gift to a place or places where people are less fortunate than us, or to a cause we truly believe in! Not only is my sweet daughter-in-law, Rachael, involved in this ministry, but the leader and visionary founder is also a long friend of Whole Heart Ministry. I love them both! Imagine helping generations of young women finding wholeness, a call to Biblical femininity, understanding the importance of marriage and family and leading young women to Jesus!

(Today, my daughter-in-law, Rachael Lee Clarkson, is sharing about an important cause through a ministry she is a part of that is very close to her heart.)

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You can find me in the center of the picture above, in my hat and giant, fuzzy jacket (this California girl was just a little chilly at a retreat in Washington a couple weeks ago). For almost two years, I have been incredibly blessed with the opportunity  and privilege to be a part of Delight and Be as a mentor, big sister, and leader for young women. At age 17, I moved out to Los Angeles from Florida to pursue my career in the entertainment industry. While Hollywood is not an easy place to discover who you are as a young woman, I realize even now at age 23 that in today's culture, it isn't easy for anyone no matter where they live. Community is the glue that has held me together. Authentic, genuine accountability and friendship is an extremely rare and precious gift that has absolutely changed my life.

There is a quote from one of my favorite books, Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, that so eloquently states this truth:

“The physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer.”

Wherever you find yourself on this day, I encourage you to take a moment, stop what you’re doing, and jump in your time machine. Travel back to your teenage years…specifically when you were between the ages of 13-21. Regardless of your experience, I think we can all agree that growing into the young women God designed us to be is no easy task...especially when we attempt to do this on our own.

For the past year and a half, God has transformed my life through Delight. Delight is home...Delight is family...Delight is a place where I now have hundreds of little sisters and big sisters to do life with.

Delight gives girls inspiration to get involved in developing their skills and desires to be in the arts, while teaching them about Biblical foundations upon which to build their life--and ways to live and learn about the love of God.

We are seeking to set up our ministry as a non-profit and using our house for more retreats and spreading the retreat model all over where girls can come to be inspired.

Delight is the place where creative girls, ages 13-21 can experience the unconditional love of God, growing closer to Him while simultaneously growing closer in community to hundreds of other young women who remind them that they are not alone. Being a teenager isn’t easy and it can be especially difficult when you’re a ‘creative weirdo’ that doesn’t fit the mold. But in Delight, ‘weird’ is the norm. Creatives are free to be who God created them to be: unique, quirky, silly, and fun daughters of the King.

What started as a retreat for photographers has now grown into a ministry that celebrates all areas of the creative arts. We are so excited for this upcoming year as we have plans to really focus on these seven areas : Theater/Drama, Culinary Arts, Music, Graphic Arts (graphic design, drawing, painting, etc), Photography/Videography, Dance, and Writing/Blogging.

I just got back from Washington, where we prayed and brainstormed about the future of this ministry, and knew that in order to become all that God has for it/us, we have to become a non-profit organization. But like many other things in life, the non-profit process requires funds.

We set up an indiegogo site and are already more than half way to our goal (in LESS than two weeks time! It’s been incredible to see how God provides!) but we still need more partners to come alongside us as we push on toward the vision that God has given.

Please pray about becoming a character in this story that God is writing! Skip a coffee run or two this month and invest that $10 in the next generation of Godly young women instead. Or if giving isn’t an option, please help us spread the word by sharing this post! Everything donated beyond the $10,000 mark goes toward scholarships for girls to get to these retreats, and to the Delight House, which will be a safe haven to love and care for our fellow sisters.

We want to see every single creative young lady find purpose in her God-given gifts and talents.  Thank you for helping invest in the futures of these incredible young women.

Link to give: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/delight-ministry-non-profit-campaign

Delight and Be Blog site: http://www.delightandbe.com

Delight on FB: https://www.facebook.com/delightandbe

Love, Rachael Lee Clarkson

There is always hope! Five things to do when you are discouraged!

Sally,

I am so thankful for your blog and your books have been such a blessing in my life. I consider you my mentor though you do not know me personally. I’m sure this is the wrong “forum” to ask a question, and if you do not respond I understand. But I dare to ask anyway.

What do you do when your life doesn’t come close to how you believe it should look? I read your words and I’m thankful for the vision you cast. But for some time the vision I have for my home seems so far from my reality and I have no idea how to reconcile the two, even in my mind. Discouragement and frustration have started to seep in.

As a mama of three little boys, a homeschool mother, and a pastor’s wife, I don’t believe there is enough of me to go around and I’m starting to feel like I can’t even cover the basics, much less enjoy the riches of this season. I’m sure this is just part of the journey and a part of life that every wife and mother must face, but I don’t want to end up taking the wrong path because I gave up hope for the best.

I feel guilty for more and more things – what I cook (or don’t cook), allowing my children too much watch TV or play the Wii too long, not teaching them well or enough or the right things, not keeping up with just the daily things that make a house run, letting down those that I love most. Is there a way to hit the reset button and just start over once you’ve allowed habits to form in yourself and your children that you don’t like? I believe God’s grace is enough. And I value wisdom from those I know have walked this path and stayed on course."

From A heartfelt comment I received yesterday.How great her attitude to seek wise counsel. I would find wise women and then copy them!

Countless times, I felt like I was not accomplishing anything productive. This is such a hard job, to love, educate and help shape our children's faith. It is especially challenging in a culture that offers so much differing advice that brings voices into our heads, which then that produces guilt and inadequacy. This same culture is isolationist and  provides few support systems or Biblical direction.

So many moms feel this way, but feelings do not necessarily determine reality!

Five principles have helped me when I am overwhelmed.

1. Remember. God is with you to help you succeed.

"If God is for you, who can be against you." God is for you--for you. He wants you to succeed. He wants to work in your home. We are not adequate to complete the task of shaping our children's hearts, minds and souls by ourselves. When God's Spirit is working in our midst, He will take our fish and loaves, all that we have to give to Him, within our own limitations and together with Him, our labor becomes enough. I lived into this principle, asked God to make up for my shortcomings every day, and by faith lived as though what He promised was true. He is for you, mamas, if your heart is to serve Him. He has compassion on you, knows your weariness, and is your champion.

2. "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1 There are always do-overs in God's economy. All of us mess up, (He is mindful that we are but dust! Psalm 103) Peter blew it royally when he denied Christ at his hour of need, but before he even sinned, Jesus knew what was going to happen, and told Peter he had prayed for him. Jesus had compassion before Peter had even committed the act of denying Christ.

I wonder why we have the illusion that we are supposed to be perfect. Mamas, don't be so hard on yourself and live within your limitations. You will not ever be perfect or do it totally right--not now, not next week, not even when you are 60! (Maybe when I am 70, I will be perfect1) And to live in guilt because you have blown it or yelled at your kids or made mistakes is a big drainer. Depression is often the result of disappointed expectations. And often we disappoint our ideals.

But this is the fallen world, and we will never be able to control ourselves, our circumstances, our children or the world the live in. We live in grace and move toward maturity little by little. And so do your children. I promise, little by little they will grow up.

And your children will never be perfect, either. Love them as they are. Believe in them, touch them. Let little boys be boys, as you train them little by little to be heroes and leaders--civilization comes from a mama who treats them with respect, and gives them a heart to be dignified.

Let little ones be innocent and enter into their stages of life with joy.

Living in the grace and knowledge that God forgives, knows our limitations, is not surprised or disappointed, but wanting to give us hope is so very crucial. Don't listen to the accusers voice. Of course you have fallen short--you are a mom and you are human.

3. "He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, there was an angel touching him, and he said to him, "Arise, eat." I Kings 19:5

Elijah was so very weary from spiritual battle that he despaired of his life--wished he hadn't been born. But God knew he was extremely exhausted, battle worn, weary. So the first thing God did when Elijah poured out his heart to Him was to put him to sleep. He slept a long time--took time to physically rest. Next, and I love this, an angel touched him--physical touch, a hug, an embrace, a hand massage, a real massage, is a personal healer. I love it that God's angel touched him and brought him comfort. Then, he still didn't give him a lecture--instead, the angel fed him.

Sometimes mamas have been going for so long without a break, they start breaking down. A wise woman will learn her limitations and learn to say "no" so that she does not live in a constant state of exhaustion. And don't feel guilty for saying no. You can only hold so many ideals at once, so be sure to hold on the ones that matter. And do what you are best at doing--don't compare your life to someone else. And you may have to say no to some ministry at church for a season. Be reasonable--Jesus would never ask you to do everything--that is something you are putting on yourself--I know! I was in ministry and want to be available to everyone--but I just can't meet all needs and have peace in my home. You might just need to start out your new beginning with sleep, a touch of gentle love and eating well--perhaps exercising--and then take time to ponder and plan..

We are not just minds and hearts--we are bodies with limitations. If we over-exert, we will crash and burn. When others are taking from us 24/7, we must wisely learn that taking care of ourselves is essential to our emotional and spiritual and physical well being. This season, if you are tired, be sure to take a break--get some rest, seek some physical comfort and restoration, eat well. You deserve to be cared for--even if you have to plan for it yourself. I know I kept waiting for someone to give me permission--didn't happen. Finally, I took responsibility for my own happiness so that I could be happier and stronger for my kids on this long term journey.

I make beauty to remind me that I am worth something-I light candles, get some flowers at Sam's or Costco's--the kind that last 2 weeks, and I play music all the time.

4. "He who walks with the wise, grows wise, but  a companion of fools suffers harm." Proverbs

You might need some inspiration, some help, some counsel, some perspective. Find someone older, more experienced, wiser to meet with and ask them to help you come up with a plan. Sometimes this is easier said than done. But I have found that when I give up my pride and take the courage to pour out my heart to wise people or more mature people, I usually find compassion and often find help. This is not always true--be discerning about who you entrust yourself to as there is a lot of foolish advice around.

My mentors for many years, were books. I was always finding books that were written by women or men older and more insightful in life. People will die for lack of instruction. I would seek to read, educate myself, find wisdom, find models of wisdom, integrity and I was a learner. I determined to learn and to get better every year.

This means being teachable and changing when we need to. We were also built for community. That is why every book I have written, I have designed to be able to be used in a small group, because godly friends are essential to my long term growth. Find wise people, books, conferences, a church, the word of God and gain wisdom. Just decide to get better every day, every year--grow, progress--don't expect instant maturity on your part or your children's.

5."But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits." God's wisdom and leading lead us to peace, mercy and good fruit. Each of us must evaluate--what is stealing my peace? What is sucking my energy? How can I change it? This is a long distance run, not a spring--wisdom from above will teach you to pace yourself--and not to say yes just to please others. You are quite free to be yourself, live your own story, live within your own limitations.

What notions are misleading you? Boys are given testosterone from God for a reason--they are supposed to grow up and be strong! Work with them, accept their noise, invest in their hearts, don't try to control them--lead and inspire and train them little by little. (The 24 Family ways is a great tool for beginning to lay foundations for all the family together.)

What is not producing good fruit--your schedule? Your lack of rhythms and consistency with your children? Your lack of training with your children? Then put your finger on what is bothering you and make a practical step forward. How are you going to eliminate the stressors you have control over? How can you eliminate some of the drainers? What is one way you will become stronger and  more disciplined in the next month. Be very honest about what you must cut or quit doing or is your flaw and be vigilant about pursuing the wisdom that provides peace and good fruit.

Do first things, first. I always did devotions with the kids, first, every day. And then I read to them next. Because worshipping God has stayed with them as the oxygen we breathed every day and reading has taught all of them to think. So if I didn't get anything else done--thy would worship God and engage in ideas--this has made all of them intellectually strong.

Say no! Limit yourself. Don't accept responsibilities out of guilt. Don't join activities because of voices.  And also, write down what fills you, inspires your heart, gives you a break, helps to keep you going a little bit longer--that is wisdom--creating a life that is more pleasant for yourself, more doable. Don't copy someone else's life, and don't compare your children to others. Be yourselves and live your own happy story. God wants you to breathe and have freedom.

Well, I could go on for another 5. But, these are just a few of the things I have learned to do when I find myself walking a dark, discouraging path. Remember, there is always hope when you live in the love of God. This task of raising healthy, godly kids is not beyond reach. You just need to own your commitments, your wisdom, your choices and practice growing stronger. It doesn't happen all at once. And remember,

"The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn which shines brighter and brighter until the fulll day." Proverbs--every day, a little more light, a little more progress, and eventually, full brightness.

I am praying for all of you--but even more, God is praying for you and loves you. Don't give into discouragement or inadequate feelings. With God all things are possible. He is so glad you are trying and that you care.  You are precious to Him and He is training your character to grow strong as you are training your children.

Off to bed, but I know you are going to be ok, because He will work in your life if you leave your burdens in His hands and He who began a good work will complete it--in His time, little by little, but fully complete it. God's peace to you today!

As the Pressure of the season mounts, remember: God prefers You! Mentoring Monday

 Joy and Sarah--"Mama, I can't wait to come home-- lets just talk for hours and hours!"

Each December, knowing the stress and busyness of Christmas can create havoc if I let the whirlwind of expectations catch up with me, so I spend some time deciding what kind of person I want to give to my friends and family, how I will simplify. I also want to love Jesus well, but that requires planning on my part.

Especially when they were little, I had to make a plan--how to own my Christmas in such a way that I treasured what was important.

Now, letters and emails come from my children who are far away, and family who will be visiting, and friends who expect the events I have always held at my home for years and years play into my planning.

"Mom, let's do all the homey stuff--have breakfast in our jammies, drink tea together and talk and talk by the Christmas tree, every day. Let's make each moment count!"

These are the times that spell love to my children--TIME-my focussed time. And it was so when they were little ones.

Yesterday, I was decorating the dining room table while Clay and Joel worked on the tree. Josh Groben's song, "I'll be home for Christmas" began to play and I teared up, just getting excited, and oh so thankful to have all my children home with me, by my side, in my home, to touch, watch, laugh with and do life together.

And I don't want to waste a minute on busyness and distraction-but I want to plan and work so that I can have the most time loving all of my precious family and friends well.

As I thought about this, I looked through old journal entries, old blogs from holiday times, and my heart was reminded again, what was important--those moments that hold fast in the treasure chest of our children's souls.

Especially this one time, an unexpected grace, to touch, to enjoy, to giggle with, to celebrate life. It was a real life  moment when I could enter into the joy of being a mama and celebrate the gift of friendship with my best friends, my children.

Joy and Sarah, had entertained me in their sleepiness a cold December night, just two seasons ago.But the memory warms me still because I feel so very close to them--and indeed understood and accepted. They have become my dear friends.

Somehow, as I closed the affairs of my day and began to climb the stairs to bed, my legs felt heavier than ever. Each step reminded me how tired I was from the day of shopping at three stores, teaching a class, running around to get groceries, to the bank to deposit money a child needed, cooking and eating and washing dishes one more time. I am bone-tired lately at the end of each day.

At the top of the stairs, I heard loud music coming from Joy's room. Multi-colored paisley cloth, buttons, headbands, strewn all around her, as she diligently sowed presents for her friends. "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserable was waxing eloquently out of her speakers. (a song about a young woman who met a man who, "took her childhood in his stride," and left her pregnant, without any support--a truly touching song for us as we ponder sweet, lost women in our own culture.) It is one of our mutually favorite Broadway songs called me to sit on her bed and sing loudly with the lovely voice on You tube.

"You know, Mom, though I do think that song applies to so many girls, I also think that 'On My Own" is just as poignant!" So, I sat on her bed, legs crossed under me, jammied all about, computer on my lap and played this piece loudly, while again singing it from my heart, along with the soloist on you tube, with Joy giggling at me. "I didn't know you had it in you this late at night."

Discussing the depths of these two songs for few minutes, as only a late night brings on, giggling and chatting a bit more, I finally left her to make her Christmas gifts alone. How I do love this funny daughter of mine--the one with a hysterical sense of humor, always singing, always teaching me something from what she has been thinking, a friend of friends.

And so, it seemed only right to push Sarah's door open. "Are you asleep yet?"

"Not much chance of sleeping with you two next door," she commented wryly.

She resting like a princess, with covers up to her chin, long brown hair spread out on her pillow with soft light glowing from one tiny lamp, her Bible in hand.  Squishing against her, while sitting on the side of her bed, I asked her how she was doing. With a book deadline looming large and mission trips and college applications to finish, and expensive and challenging decisions to make, she, too, was weary and exhausted.

I reached out and gently massaging her fingers and arms, we commiserated about our own personal loads we were carrying, and talked about yielding them into His hands. I picked up a ceramic rabbit  from her table, next to her bed and made it  jump on her bed covers, just like I had done when she was a little girl and needed comic relief. (Don't know what possessed me.) We laughed and laughed at some antics that came up between us, and finally I said, "Tell me a Jesus thing before I go to bed. I need something in my mind before I go to sleep."

She smiled knowing me, and how often I live in condemnation for the little failures in my day, and opened the Bible to where she had been reading.

"Oh, how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God, and so we are." I John 3: 2-3

And suddenly my heart was filled with thanksgiving. Even as I had been delighting in my own sweet children, feeling I could be myself, resting and rejoicing in our mutual, close relationship, with the strings of their heart to tightly tied to mine, I immediately felt relieved in my heart, and accepted and at rest myself, because God also saw me as his beloved, cherished child.

You see, I prefer Joy and Sarah, my very own children. I have spent thousands and thousands of dollars on them. I have given them my time, my body, my sleepless nights, cooked thousands of meals, sought to make celebrations so very special in buying them gifts, crafting a life, putting them to bed with blessing on countless nights, forgiven them their attitudes and messes, and still preferred them from all the other people in the world--because they are mine--my  very own, coming out of my body, beloved children.

And so God, has bestowed such a great and endless and personal love for me-He has created sunrises and sunsets for me to behold every day. Placing music in my soul, He came to bring peace to my world, delight to my days, to share my moments and burdens and joys, to be my own companion in the beauty of each day.

-I am preferred and forgiven and cherished and served and thought about by Him, because I am His very own child. Even as I can, in my own limited sinful way, enjoy and celebrate my children's lives and moments and be intimate friends sharing hearts, laughter, weariness and needs, so He, as my Father, has bestowed all of His love in these very same ways on me, even knowing me to my depths, and yet willing to keep giving, celebrating life, listening, helping, comforting--because I am His very special, chosen, related to Him child.

Unimaginable, astounding that He, our heavenly Father, should love me so. And that this was the heart of the Prince of peace--to bring joy, light into my darkness, love, humor, grace--peace to my days, especially in December 

For you to remember this this day, this month, this year, He loves you so! Prepare ye the way of the Lord to enter your home this season, this day. 

And this is what I am most thankful for this year--thankful that I am His own beloved child--that He loves and enjoys me in spite of it all, through my limitations, my weariness, my vulnerable moments, because He is my Father. My thanksgiving days will spill into my Christmas celebration of His choosing to adopt me and longing to love me every day.

This is the thought I want to cherish through my December days--that He prefers me, He longs for my own little girl heart to find rest and comfort in Him and His abiding presence, that it is not the craziness that will bring me through, but the choices I make to prepare the way for Him, His love and peace to fill my heart through all the moments of my Christmas days.

And of course, these thoughts make me so very thankful for my family and thankful for you, my friends, where we will choose to celebrate Him this year together, through each moment of each day.

Thanksgivings new and old! How I love it!

 

Joy and Sarah will have lunch at the Kilns, C.S. Lewis house with sweet friends today.

(Imagine sitting at his table where he ate and talked and joked, oh well, a little bit jealous.)

Sing for joy in the Lord, oh you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming to the upright. For the word of the Lord is upright,

And all His work is done in faithfulness.

Psalm 33: 1, 4

Today I will celebrate Thanksgiving for the first time without at least 3 of my children at home, but Clay, Joel and I will celebrate big in their honor with 15 joining us for our dinner. How thankful I am that this year we have seen God's fingerprints all over our lives and His faithfulness and new lessons in life and righteousness so that we have all grown a little stronger. Though I will miss my sweet ones, I take deep joy in my heart knowing that they are flourishing in their faith, friendships and life purpose. And so I thank God that He is leading all of them in His purposes, even if I have to visit them in far off places.

Yesterday, I was thawing my natural turkey in a deep sink downstairs in the basement while I ran upstairs to answer the phone. Did I mention I had turned on the cold water faucet? And then I proceeded to talk on the phone upstairs when Joel yelled, "Mom! Mom!" And of course the water had overflowed onto the floor.

Then, as I awakened this morning, Clay said,"Kelsey, (our beloved golden retriever), had taken a dozen homemade wholewheat rolls out of the plastic bag where they were being stored and ate them down to the last crumb!

As for my sweet Rachael and Nathan, they will be in California where Rachael will be cooking up delicious recipes to share with friends. Wishing them a thankful first Thanksgiving as a couple.

I have made a turkey, a turkey breast, peas, gravy, squash casserole, rolls, corn bread dressing, pecan pie, pumpkin pie and my friends are bringing the rest. But how blessed I am to be able to share life and moments getting to know new friends and celebrating old ones.

A memory of a few years ago that brought a smile to my heart today:

But, I do love Thanksgiving! It is a time of family, resting, celebrating God's goodness, feasting and reflecting on all that HE has done faithfully in our lives. After gigantic cinnamon rolls, and lounging in our pj's, we will all take a few moments to make a list, personally, for all the things we are thankful for--then the Daddy will read whatever psalm or praise is on His heart and we will all spend time thanking and praising the Lord together.

Then comes the feasting. We have not had the privilege of having much family in our lives over the years, so we have spent some Thanksgivings alone. But, I am always so grateful when we can fill the house with friends, new and old, who also need a home for celebrating. This year, all of my children will be here except for Joel, who is being well fed at a friend's house in Maine! (Thanks for taking care of my son!) Added to our family, a sweet family with three young children, missionaries with WYAM will join us, a man from church who has no family in town, and Nate's friend and parents who will also be alone this year. So, I will have 14 at my table and we are truly going to celebrate and have a grand day together.

On our menu will be, turkey, of course, apple, pecan, cranberry pecan bread dressing, celery, onion, cornbread sage dressing, sweet potato casserole,  a congealed cranberry salad, fresh cranberry sauce, yellow squash and onion casserole, peas, green beans, lots of potatoes, and gravy, 4 dozen of my homemade rolls (great for leftover sandwiches), pumpkin chiffon pie, upside down gingerbread apple caramel cake, pumpkin cheesecake, pecan pie, and all with whip cream and ice cream to choose. And we always have a variety of sparkling juices. I think I will go do my 2 mile exercise video and sit ups to prepare for the time--or I might just take it as a day of rest.

(if you want a distracting activity for your children and you don't use the neck or giblets, put them outside a window and the birds will make a feast of it and give a show all at the same time!)

In the old testament, feasts and celebration was commanded by God--he is a celebrating Father. May You all have a wonderful day with your precious ones. And may He bless Holy is the Lord. Of all my blessings, I am most grateful for my precious family and friends. I love you who God has brought into my life to be a visual picture of His hands, heart and love for me. May He bless you today in His abundant grace.

I am also so very thankful for you, my encouraging. wonderful friends, who share with me in thoughts, ideals and beauty so often online. Hoping you have a full and beautiful day!

The Gift of a Thankful and Praying Mama

 Cornelis Pietersz Bega

It is good to give thanks to the Lord And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;  To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning And Your faithfulness by night,

Psalm 92:1-2

"Mama, You know what one of my favorite memories was?"

"Meal time, tea time, reading time, Christmas, Birthdays?" I queried.

"No, mama--something much more profoundly marked in my heart. Almost every morning when I would walk up, I would come down the stairs and you would be drinking a cup of tea, there would be candles lit in the early morning darkness of the house, and you would be sitting in your chair, reading your Bible."

"I didn't even know I was taking it in, because it was so normal. But, this year, since I have been so far away, that picture has come to my mind so very often. As a little girl, I thought if you were having a quiet time, and seeking God for all of us, as each morning began,  then all of life would be ok. And I think that is what made me have my own quiet times because I could see it always softened your heart to spend time with God. It wasn't anything you made us do, it was just the spiritual oxygen we breathed every day."

What we want our children to love must be a part of life that we cherish every day. Sometimes when Joy saw me, I was begging God to help me or sometimes I was sleepy or struggling--but she didn't always know what was going on between me and God--she just knew that every morning, He was my first companion to help me start my day. And His word would be the place my mind was taken as truth each day as I began to live one more day as faithfully as I knew how.

And so it is with the gift of giving our children the habit of being thankful. It is something that cannot just be commanded, but it is something that is felt, modeled, practiced through the heart attitudes of  a mama every day.

Choose to be thankful, practice verbalizing gratefulness and your heart will follow.

Approaching Thanksgiving has given me much happiness this year. Though most of my children will be far away this year, I am so very grateful to have a home where I might serve some other sweet friends who do not have family here. We will celebrate each other together. Several are new friends that I do not know well, others are cherished, the kind you never have enough time with, but want to invest in.

I have realized that thanksgiving, a thankful, appreciative heart is also something, a treasure to be passed on, but it comes, too, through practicing it ourselves.

God has made His patience, His constant love, His beauty so very valuable to my heart this year. I am so very blessed, humbled and grateful to be His every day. And so the past week, I have been waking, taking time to tell Him, before I do anything else.

Then, there are the words of thanksgiving that transform hearts--to know someone is actually grateful for me makes my life feel worthwhile in spite of all of my flaws. But someone has to tell me for me to know.

"Thank  you, Joel, for doing the dishes for all of my friends who were visiting here last night! That was quite a pile. You have always been such a gift of support, help and friendship in my life."

"I love you, sweet girls, my treasures, and I will miss you, but I am so very thankful you are flourishing and God is blessing your hearts. Your happy hearts make me so very content. You are my treasures."

"I love you, Rachael, and I am thankful that of all the young women in the world, God gave you to me, our family and to Nathan as a wife because you are one who blesses and loves so deeply from your heart."

"Clay, the partnership we share together in building our family, our ministry, our lives has been so very dear to me. Thank you for all of our years."

"Nathan, I love your passionate heart for God, and the man you are. It always encourages me to keep being faithful every time I hear your thoughts. I always know you will seek integrity--I am thankful for you."

When words are given thoughtfully, intentionally, and generously, our hearts follow our words and become even more grateful because we realize again how much God has given. But it also sets a standard for our children, our family, of how they will value and appreciate others in their lives.

Even as I am writing this, the very practice of writing thankful words has made me, again, so very grateful for my family. Your words can form and lead your attitude as you practice them. And then you will find your children becoming the grateful friends that you have needed to encourage you as they practice what they have lived in your home!

Passivity and isolation kills the soul, but love, gracious words, gratefulness brings life--to marriage, to friendship to children, to friends. But giving these words often requires a commitment of heart, a way of choosing to see others and a habit that needs to be practiced.

Though the food will be abundant, the feasting fun, the fellowship sweet, the true soul-filling gift of this holiday is that it leads our hearts and minds to gratefulness and thanksgiving practiced will shape our attitudes all year long.

I wish each of you a blessed holiday. I will be spending the rest of the week taking time to be away from the internet, enjoying real, personal and present relationships and hoping for a little peaceful few extra moments with the ONE who is my life and joy.

Focusing on Him (In our hearts and homes)

“He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power.” -Hebrews 1:3

People have often asked me why I emphasize beauty--art, candles, beautiful music, a cup of tea, cinnamon rolls, great stories and books, and celebrating life. It seems there are so many “more important” things to make a priority. Bringing the reality of God and His life into my home is my goal in keeping beauty primary. He painted the skies and the flowers, he gently touched human hands and feet, he gave us all a capacity to think, he told epic stories through prophets and in his sermons, he fed and celebrated amongst his own disciples. He comforted the sad, healed the broken hearted, inspired the vigorous young men sharing daily life with him to continue living for a kingdom that would never end.

He modeled, through his every waking hour, the vast love, compassion, holiness, beauty, and servant leadership that expresses the very heart of God. Jesus is not just a thought to be understood or a verse to be memorized, but a living, breathing, vibrant, loving, personal God who lives and walks amongst us right in our homes each day. Our homes must become a true and vibrant picture of the living God, of the marvelous depth and beauty of Jesus.

How can we accomplish this? By focusing on Jesus.

These past few years, I have focused my spiritual study on Jesus Himself. Jesus is, according to Hebrews 1:3, "… the exact representation of his nature …” In other words, when you see Jesus in scripture, you see God, himself, living in the flesh.

To look at Jesus is to behold God the Father. Jesus was a man who walked on water, was tossed about in the stormy sea on a smelly fishing boat, hosted a picnic and satisfied the hunger of thousands of people several times. He didn't just talk about truth, he satiated the hunger of rumbling stomachs. Jesus touched the untouchables--he touched a prostitute, lepers, the sick and dying with tenderness and love. He held children on his knee and laughed with them and loved them. Jesus was not afraid to rage at the religious leaders who led people in legalism and performance but were not compassionate--he was not afraid of them at all.

He talked of birds, trees, lilies, mountains, and creation. Jesus, the very Son of God, washed one hundred and twenty dirty toes the night before he died, and wiped them tenderly with a towel as a mother bathes the children she loves. He celebrated and drank wine at a wedding, cooked fish on the beach, and validated women for their service and tender love toward him.

He is the way and He is with us along the way.

In their hearts, it is the life and reality of a God who came to love and serve and redeem them that my children long for. For now, they experience this through my service and love and excellence and faith and confident celebration of life. I can only give to them what I have found by loving Him on my own, by seeing Him with my own eyes, by understanding Him in my own quiet time and then living from a soul fully engaged in Him. The joy of life, which is contagious, comes from being in His presence and rejoicing in it.

In my day to day life with my children, where I love and value and serve them as Jesus did His own disciples, these four will not just hear of doctrine and manners and chores, but they will feel the touch of Christ, the compassion of Christ, the encouraging words of Christ. They will learn to love Him because they have felt and seen and lived love in the minutes of our lives together. Even as Jesus said, "I will never leave you or forsake you," so I will let my children know, "I will never leave you or forsake you--I will be praying for you, I will celebrate life with you (and cook for you and give you gift cards when you are far away from me!) You can tell me anything, and I will be your friend and companion as well as your leader and guide.”

Take a moment to complete the reflection and application below:

• Psalm 16:11 says, “You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Do I experience this? Do I believe it? Do I live it?

• When you read, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” what’s your reaction? Can you relate to the truth of a Father who is always with you? Or has your past made this difficult to grasp? Ask the Lord to show you the truth of this scripture and to know how near He truly is at all times!

• If Jesus was the “exact representation” of God the Father, what does that tell you about Him? What qualities do you see in Jesus that are most important to you?

The Mom Heart Conferences are upon us! Come Join us!

A Personal Letter from Sally

Dear Sweet Mom,

Like you, I love being with my children. It is always a delight when I can spend time with them, draw them out, encourage them, and help them. In this new season of my life, it is so fulfilling to see what God is doing in their young lives. They truly are the reward and blessing of parenthood that God promises. In many ways I feel that I live for my children, and yet I know instinctively that my children are not my life. God wants me to reach for more–to leave a legacy of faith not just through my children, but through the life He has given me to live. I believe He is calling me to own my life for His glory.

After over forty years of serving Christ, and over thirty years of marriage and parenting, I feel like I can understand Paul’s words to the Philippian church, “But one thing I do … I press on toward the goal for the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Paul knew that he had to choose to own his life for the sake of Christ–he had one chance to live the one life he was given for God. It is a choice I made in my early twenties after reading Philippians 3:7-14 and have lived by ever since as a woman, wife, and mother. When Tyndale Publishing House asked me to write my new book, Own Your Life, I took it as a challenge not only to look back at my life of walking with God, but also as an opportunity to encourage Christian women.

So this year, I want to talk about how you, as a mom, can own your life. Don’t worry, that doesn’t mean doing more than you’re already doing, as though activity is the mark of ownership. Guilt is not on the agenda! Rather, I want every mother to leave our conferences this year with a renewed and refreshed conviction that you can say with Paul: “I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.” I want you to see that what you are doing as a mother is part of that “one thing” that He has for your life. I want you to find deep, rich, and meaningful fulfillment in the life of faith you are giving for your children and living for God.

Each year, I am reminded afresh that our weary world needs a restoration of biblical motherhood–women who have chosen to own their lives for God’s glory. Mary, when told by the angel Gabriel that she would be the mother of the Son of God, responded with faith: “I am the Lord’s servant … May it be done to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38). She owned the life God was giving her. She embraced the legacy He had for her. This Mom Heart Conference is just one way I can partner with the Spirit of God to encourage and equip a generation of mothers to be ready and willing to serve God no matter what. We all can live a legacy of faith.

This will be my 18th year of ministering to moms in these conferences, and I continue to be energized and excited about what God is doing through mothers in this generation. I hope you will join me this year as we reach out together to take hold of all God has for us as mothers.

In his heart,

Sally Clarkson

To Register, go HERE

If you missed the October Registration Bonus promotion, we’re giving you a second chance! Everyone who is registered by 11:59:59 PM on December 24 will be entered into a drawing to give away another FREE REGISTRATION. It’s aChristmas Day Giveaway! Stacie Crenshaw just won a free registration for the Irvine, California conference. YOU could be next! There’s only one way to get entered in the Christmas Day Giveaway drawing … you’ve got to be registered by Christmas Eve. So don’t wait, get registered today!

A story named Joel--Celebrating You, today.

Joel, at the entrance to the Kilns, the home of C.S. Lewis, last summer.

Feeling small, alone, invisible, I shifted to hide my body and face from others around me who were chatting quietly and sipping strong Austrian coffee. Tears were gathering in my eyes and ready to spill over onto my cheeks and I did not want anyone else to see.

"God, here I am and no one even knows I am here. You alone see my heart and here my cry. Please, Lord, open my womb and give me another child, bless me with a little boy if it is in your gracious will. Make me the mother of children, and help me, I pray."

At 33, I had already had one miscarriage and had so deeply enjoyed my precious little baby Sarah more than I knew a mama could, and longed for one more child. Having children was never easy for me--each one was a miracle. The first time around, I didn't have a clue how much of a gift it would be to have a little one in my arms. But now, I longed for another, but month after month passed and I did not find myself pregnant.

But God heard my prayers that day, and planted Joel inside of me. He was my Austrian baby. Perhaps living in the city of musicians--Mozart, Beethoven, while in my womb determined his destiny--that he would eventually become a composer, an orchestrator, a crafter of music.

Almost nine months pregnant found me in my tiny house, all 900 square feet of it, bustling about, readying my home by buying food for the kitchen, washing all the clothes that had piled up, and trying to tell little 2 1/2 year old Sarah that a real baby was coming to live with us.

I had just gone to bed, when without prior warning, no labor pains, my water burst. I remember thinking, "What was that? and then it dawned on me! Oh! I had better get up and shower and get ready, the baby might come in the next day. Sarah had taken 22 hours of full on labor pain and was slow to come. I assumed Joel would be, too.

It was 11:10 at night, but I got up, showered, (wanted to have clean hair at the hospital--what was I thinking?), and in the shower, I had such a pain I almost collapsed.

"Clay!" I yelled, I think maybe we should go to the hospital pretty soon. He helped me out of the shower and helped me throw on some clothes. "Wait, I have to dry my hair just a little, " groan, groan, holding fast to the wall.

We called our Austrian doctor who lived close by and drove the 5 minutes to the hospital. By this time, I could barely stand--it had only been 40 minutes since my water broke!

We stood at the entrance of the hospital, me breathing as best I could, and told them "Schnell, schnell, bitte!" Quickly, quickly, please!

They looked at us sleepily as though I was just an anxious young mom, but slowly took us up the flight of stairs to the maternity ward. Clay had called my best friend, Gwennie, to come be with us and pray!

I literally slipped off my clothes and donned a gown and fell back into the bed all the while thinking perhaps I was going to die. The doctor came in and greeted me, introduced me to the midwife, (It is a law in Austria that a midwife must deliver a baby--I had never seen her before.), and my friend Gwen came rushing through the door, and I screamed, "It can't wait!"

I lifted up my legs, pushed and out popped Joel, into the hands of the surprised midwife--an hour and 15 minutes after my water had broken. We barely had time to realize the amazing miracle that had just happened.

You never know what a day holds!

Today is his 28th birthday. We are in the mountains celebrating his day amidst snow, mountains and evergreen quiet and sparkle.

Thank you, God, for answering my prayers beyond my imagination. This strong, vibrant, gentle, creative, spiritually deep, generously loving man has blessed my life in so many ways, I can't count. And to see him as your helping, loving, supportive arms and encouragement at this season of life, is a grace beyond what I expected.

Happy Birthday, wonderful Joel. You have always been an answer to prayer. May your new year be blessed with favor, love, grace and the blessing of God. Love you forever.

mama

Perhaps you would like to find Joel's music today and enjoy it in your home! To buy and album or to listen, go HERE!

Each day, I am playing the Midwinter Carols as a prelude to Christmas! Thanks to all of you who have written Joel a thank you for this! It has encouraged him so very much!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WONDERFUL JOEL!