Bored, Restless and In Need of An Escape & Podcast

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Today, Darcy and I were so bored, we almost burst a gasket. She ran wildly round the yard and I pondered a way of escape—I need a trip, stimulation, fun, a girlfriend to go to a movie with, an adventure.

It wasn’t that I didn’t have a million things to do, plenty of deadlines and duties on my plate. But I had been pushing too hard and not attending to my human needs in other areas of my life.

I am a pretty driven person and have practiced working hard and being responsible for many years. But, sometimes, a girl gets bored with normal life, can’t wash one more dish or fill one more deadline or do one more responsible thing.

I think I will be more spiritual and more loving if I pay attention to myself and let some of the pressure out by shaking it up a bit. Planning for breaks is a very wise mature thing to do, as we are all on a long distance run. We are not just duty bound to work hard, God said he gave us “all good things to enjoy.” He created us with the ability to laugh, to experience pleasure (a massage, perhaps? dark chocolate salted almond bar? A Romantic movie? a new bright lipstick?).

Sarah and I recently sat at about 3 in the afternoon, we had both been caring for babies, up and down the stairs, rocking, singing, doing sticker books, playing with play dough—and both of us thought, “How are we going to make it until dinner time?” and then we giggled.

All of us become bored and weary of duty and work at times. But learning that it is not bad to feel like escaping—just a normal part of a demanding life—can give us permission to take a little break.

A few years ago, Joy had Sarah and me in stitches one afternoon when we picked her up after a morning spent working at our local MOPS group. She had just been assigned to the two-year-olds, a more challenging group than those she'd worked with previously.There were stories about all sorts of body fluids--specifically one little boy whose mom said he was being potty trained and who had been sent with no diapers--only underwear--and eventually cried, sobbed, screamed twice when he had accidents, and soused his clothes again and again, with Joy to clean it up. Joy was wondering if this was what most moms called "potty training." There were other stories about nose junk, bottom junk. sucking junk; kids sneezing on her, hitting each other, hitting her, screaming--and by the time we picked her up, she was exhausted!

"Did you go through all of this with us?" she asked, incredulous. "How did you make it???"

Told her I'm not really sure how I made it, but somehow muddled through. Also advised her just to be sure not to have ten two-year olds at once!

But there are just times in life or parenting or mothering or marriage that seem overwhelming and too depleting to handle. A few years ago, I came up with an idea that seemed to express our need! We decided that some days would call for us to have a Sobr Club and throw caution to the wind and leave all of our duties and responsibilities behind and play. SOBR is pronounced Sober but stands for:

Sick

Of

Being

Responsible

SOBeR-Sick Of Being Responsible

There are times that we all just have to take a break! On our sober club nights, we always do something that we want to do that is just for us--sometimes we even ask friends to join us--go to dinner, a movie, a walk in the mountains, take a drive to see the city lights--music blaring, windows down--just cruising and trying to relax. We do something different--go away from the stress, from the kids. We do not talk about any of the problems or money or stress or ministry. We just relax, have fun, get away and lighten up.

With friends or my girls, SOBeR Club nights can include going to some fun cafe, shopping for just one cute pair of earrings or a lipstick, something little or fun that we would all like. Joy prepared a small package with a Warm Vanilla Sugar candle, lotion and perfume for me as a surprise the last time I needed a sobr club time! Sarah bought me a piece of dark chocolate with almonds and suggested going somewhere for a massage, by stealing a few dollars from our little drawer where we put away dollar bills each month to have on "rainy"  days.

The principle is similar to that of the Sabbath. Get away from the responsibilities. Go to a park when your kids are driving you nuts. Stop having school and go do something fun. Take a nap. Watch a movie instead of doing one more chore, buy some flowers when it is snowing for ten days straight--just shake things up a little. Life is still there tomorrow after the SOBeR club meeting, and after we've all blown off a little steam, we can then can face the responsibilities with a little bit fresher outlook.

. Tomorrow I will get back to responsibility--but tonight I am just going To probably eat 2 chocolate chip cookies—not one, have someone else make dinner (fast food? Cafe? Call for servants?meal Have Clay make us some oatmeal :)) go to sleep and snuggle up in my covers.

Maybe you need a SOBeR club meeting of your own. Take care of yourself, you need some color, fun, grace, stimulation, a maid and a whole night of sleep. Wishing you well.

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• Share with others. My prayer is that this podcast brings encouragement to women and families, and I would be honored for you to tell others about it.

• Join my friends and me in membership at Life with Sally, a place for me to share more teaching from the Bible and messages on education, motherhood, discipleship, and more!

Living Godly in A Messy World: A Time to Reflect & Podcast

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Snow swirling outside, I had lit candles, turned on our gas fire, and snuggled up for a few much needed sequestered hours alone. Yet, as I peered out the window while sipping my first cup of tea, I saw a car pull into our driveway. I could see out the window that a young woman I knew walked to my doorway with a small bouquet of red carnations. As I opened the door, she offered me the bouquet and said with tear-filled eyes, “Please, can I talk with you for just a few minutes?”

She spilled out her story in a very few minutes, speaking of disappointment with Christian leaders who had morally compromised their vows of marriage, she spoke of political news online with partisan hatred spewing, had worries about a relative who was addicted to pornography, and ended her flow of words with,

“I just need you to pray with me. Everywhere I look, I see compromise, immorality, violence on the news, lack of integrity amongst those I hoped would be reliable and I find myself fearful of what is ahead. What kind of world am I bringing my children into? How will they be able to make it? How am I going to be able to pass on faith when I don’t know anyone who is faithful?”

It is true that we are surrounded by darkness in many fronts today. I understand her feelings and have shared them many times. Yet, when I look through my decades, at almost 67, I can see more clearly that life has often been hard and God has always been faithful. I see that living with faith, godliness, virtue, in the end brings light and beauty and goodness. Our following hard after God matters as much now as it ever has.

Life has been dark through much of history. Leaders have been wicked and self-concerned and evil, moral standards and righteous virtue has been compromised and the world seems to be swirling in a downward spiral for hundreds of years.

Yet, this time and place is the opportunity we have to be bold in our behavior, strong in our faith, courageous in our convictions, and generous in our love. Now is the time for those who truly love Christ to determine to be godly, to live holy that His light might shine through us into the dark world around us. Could it be that God allowed us to be born into this time so that we could glorify Him in this time of history in the world. Perhaps,, then, this is the time and place where we are called to be faithful, to see it as an opportunity to show HIs reality through our own lives..

I have been pondering just what it means to be godly and found myself caught up in hundreds of verses that encourage us to be godly, to live holy lives. I compiled this definition of godly from looking at multiple definitions:

Godly means pious; reverencing and respecting God, and his character, honoring His worth by worship and obedience to His admonitions and laws; obedient to the commands of God from love for, and reverence of, his character; conformed to God's law; devout; righteous; as, a godly life. Godly(adverb)

We have this chance, this opportunity to serve God faithfully. When we see darkness, we seek to show light. When we see spiritual battle, we call on God to fight for righteousness through us. When we see needs, we seek to generously show compassion and love and to bring restoration and redemption to those who long for comfort, purpose, direction.

Now is our time to be faithful, to live out a story of our faith in our king and His coming kingdom. What if instead of fear, we cultivated courage? Instead of depression, we cultivated a way of sharing in the joy of His reality and His coming return. Our story at this time will be recorded with all the great stories we read about in scripture—those who lived by faith, as recorded in Hebrews.

And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, 33 who through faith, conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and obtained what was promised, who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.…Hebrews 11:33

We can be a part of His story but He looks for absolute commitment, from our hearts, a movement toward righteousness, towards light, towards the ways of Jesus. No compromise.

It is true that it seems we are living in godless times—where people don’t seem to have a conscience, don’t live by unshakeable moral standards—don’t even know what it means to be righteous—living rightly in relationship with God and in life. A twisting of truth is taking place in almost all public arenas.

But, now is the time for us to live godly in Christ Jesus, for us to pursue Jesus as never before. Now is the time to live in front of our children in such a way that they will have hope and long to have their own opportunity to live a faithful story.  

What is our hope? If God is for us, then who can be against us? We know that ultimately God will be the victor and now is our opportunity to choose to live by this truth.

Psalm 4:3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; The Lord hears when I call to Him.

Join me today for Part 1 of my podcast about what it means to be godly. (Part 2 is recorded for our membership at LIfewithSally.com) We would love for you to join us there. May God give you eyes to see this day, this time as one in which He wants to work through you to bring about a picture of His reality.

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Books Referenced in this Podcast:

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• Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.

• Leave an iTunes Review These are so important as they help our podcast reach more women with messages of encouragement.

• Follow on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates.

• Share with others. My prayer is that this podcast brings encouragement to women and families, and I would be honored for you to tell others about it.

• Join my friends and me in membership at Life with Sally, a place for me to share more teaching from the Bible and messages on education, motherhood, discipleship, and more!

The Fallen Kingdom of Home: When Storms Overwhelm

"In this world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world." Jesus, John 16:33

Recently, when I arrived home after 5 weeks of being gone, I was looking forward to peace, calm, sunny skies. But instead we had devastating winds, and 6 more inches of snow, added to the other two feet that had fallen in the last month.

The distance between my ideals, the dreams I had of shaping a wonderful home, and the reality of messes, sick children, fusses and messes often took me by surprise. Just when I thought I had sort of subdued home , a storm of life hits and sometimes it can overwhelm.

Part of the problem is that we expect to control life, to tame the surprise winds and blasts of snow or rain, we will always be disappointed because the storms just keep coming.

Right in the smack dab middle of Jesus loving, teaching, encouraging, and training his disciples, they embark on crossing the familiar lake where they have lived all their lives, and suddenly a life-threatening storm overtakes them.

What could Jesus possibly be thinking? Does He want to lose all of His disciples at once? Is He trying to discourage them? After all, they had given up their whole lives to follow Him. Their hearts were dedicated to worshiping Him. They were busy serving other people. And really, now this? Is this any way to treat those who are following you?

Sometimes the "whaps" on our lives feel like this. Personal … invasive … too much.

Have you ever felt that way? I have cooked. I have washed dishes. I have lost years of sleep. I have loved and served and given--does anyone notice? Does it matter? --and now this? Another storm? Another problem? The relentlessness of life is about to drown me, Lord. "Do you not care that we are perishing, Lord?" the disciples asked that day on the lake. This is the same question that we, too, sometimes have on our hearts.

Just when we have the ideals of our lives in place, and have defined what the kingdom of home is, when we have determined to build our homes as places where the life of Christ will flourish, storms and battles begin to overtake us, and we feel that we will soon be overcome.

If you are experiencing weariness or discouragement, it just means you are engaged in the battle. The battle and its raging are not a measure of your success or failure, but how you respond to the battle will determine its outcome.

When we determine to make our homes a place of life, Satan is determined to thwart us. He knows the most precious treasure in God's economy are His children, His handmade creations--those who have souls that will last for eternity. And so the battleground for our future is at the soul level of life.

We are living in homes where the laws of thermodynamics can be seen every day-- energy is depleting at a constant rate and everything is moving toward disorder! Know this, understanding that it will never change, and give yourself grace. Do not expect perfection. Do not condemn yourself or become angry at your children because they are not perfect.

Walk in grace. Celebrate life. Look for joy in the corners. Find a friend to pray with, to share life with, who holds your ideals and values. Know that all moms have the same issues--just different puzzles to put together.

Our children are selfish and sinful, our husbands (and even we) are fallible and imperfect; things fall apart, get broken, cost money, people are unloving, we are challenged by the culture around us, and we lack support systems to support our ideals.

In order to know how to raise godly children, we must have a refined picture of the goals we are aiming for, but the second part of being productive in this venture of motherhood is understanding the battle. All our homes are broken, our children are broken, and without the grace of God, we will not be able to make it. But I believe and have seen that with God on our side, our labor is not in vain but is part of a story of His power and goodness throughout eternity.

Feeling weary or discouraged or inadequate or guilty from failing is a normal part of the process. Remember, You are in training, just as I am. Engaging in home life, marriage, ministry and the discipleship of my children was truly the main training ground where little by little I learned what it meant to become a more mature Christian.

Give yourself grace today, friend. I know God does.

Cultivating A Rich Inner Life Through Reading with Sarah & Podcast

Working on our thoughts, dreams, inspirations together over coffee inspires me so much. Oh the treasure of having a writing daughter and friend. A treasure indeed. (Surely little Samuel is taking it all in and will follow in all of the Clarkson’s steps. :)

“A woman who reads is a woman who knows she must act: in courage, in creativity, in kindness, and often in defiance of the darkness around her. She understands that life itself is a story and that she has the power to shape her corner of the drama.” 

Sarah Clarkson

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Our family is a family of words. Words inspire, teach, guide, comfort, lead us forward. Maybe you could say it is our vocation as a family since all of us write and speak. But the words you cherish, listen to, speak will deterring the course of your life.

Life is draining, every day, all the time. So, it is logical that we have to be diligent at filling our hearts, minds and souls on a regular basis so that we can continually be refueling.. But what to fill it with?

There is so much junk on the internet and so many voices that speak to us of compromise of morality, lowering of biblical convictions, and plain old vanity.

My goal as a woman is to sift through the books and blogs to find the messages that call me to my better self, that inspire me to love more, have more faith, live more steadfastly. But I have to invest in my thought life regularly to keep strong and to keep growing.

Truth, goodness, beauty, and excellence will beget in us a soul that is rich with truth, goodness, beauty and excellence. What you invest in your will become. These are some of the parameters of those things I read. I cannot give out in my ministry and messages unless I am filling up on what is good and godly.

How encouraging it is to converse with all of my children because they are all growing, deepening their convictions, seeking to love God. Talking to them and finding out what they are reading keeps me challenged to grow in my own life.

Sarah and I had many opportunities to talk about ideas, convictions, books, and we challenged one another to a stronger, better walk with God. And of course, we both write and pour out our thoughts and convictions through our various places of teaching and ministry.

Books have been the secret friends and guides to our own lives. Books have kept us going forward in our faith, courage and actions. Today, on my podcast, we talk about growing stronger and living a vibrant, sustainable life by investing in books that inspire and give life. . I hope it will help and encourage you to keep seeking to fill your own life with the good the beautiful and true.

Sarah is writing a newsletter online that is filled with these sorts of ideas. Maybe you would enjoy receiving her newsletter. You can find all about Sarah and sign up for her free newsletter at Sarahclarkson.com

How fun it is to know that all of those years I was reading out loud to my wiggly children, they were all developing souls that loved and lived to share words.

“My parents read to us morning and night, we read novels before bedtime, we read devotions in the morning, and we read picture books or adventure tales in the afternoon.”  Sarah Clarkson

Happy Reading.

Books Referenced in this Podcast:

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• Leave an iTunes Review These are so important as they help our podcast reach more women with messages of encouragement.

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• Share with others. My prayer is that this podcast brings encouragement to women and families, and I would be honored for you to tell others about it.

• Join my friends and me in membership at Life with Sally, a place for me to share more teaching from the Bible and messages on education, motherhood, discipleship, and more!

Planning for & Creating a Beautiful Life & Podcast Shelly Miller

“I am the light of the world.”

“The people who were walking in darkness have seen a great light.”

What have you trained your heart to notice and your mind to dwell upon? To observe? What are you looking for in the moments of your life every day?

Each of us has eyes in our heart that see life as we choose to see it. If we have determined to look for beauty, to be aware of light and goodness, then we will notice it wherever we go. Each year, I determine several themes that I will choose for the actions of my heart eyes. This year, I determined to look for light, to observe it, to note its beauty. Light reflects the essence of Christ to me, so I notice light to remind me He is everywhere.

Because of my determination to look for light, I have noticed light casting shadows and grace upon trees. I pay attention to sunrises and sunsets. I look for light because He is light and it causes me to think of Him and worship Him for bringing out of darkness into light. If we have made a decision to be critical and complaining as a way of life, we will see fault and have disappointment wherever we go.

Imagine my delight, when I went to visit a dear friend in London, and she whisked me off to an amazingly exquisite chandelier shop, with a captivating story of a woman’s legacy to gather gorgeous lights and chandeliers from castles, estates, even from Victorias’ events as well as from Lady Diana’s family home. I can’t wait for you to hear my story on my podcast today. (and my sweet friend, Shelly Miller, who took me to see the shop and meet the owners, didn’t even know I had made light a theme of my year.

But even more, my sweet friend brought me beauty, rest, comfort, pleasure and delight that I didn’t even know I needed. She prepared for me in such wonderful ways and I felt refreshed and inspirer from head to toe. It caught me pondering how to create beauty and prepare pleasure for those in my life who need to be cared for.

Hats for a rainy day! Love Shelly Miller!

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I am on my fifth week of living out of a suitcase. I have been in 4 cities, spent 3 weeks helping to care for sweet grandchildren who have not quite learned the skill of sleeping long and reaching out and seeking to help and meet needs of many on my path. I have been writing, editing, doing podcasts and blog posts and have tucked them in amidst this very demanding few weeks.

It is a privilege to me. I love pondering how to bring the love, gentleness, grace of God to my precious family, my friends and those He brings my way because He has been so very gracious and kind to me. But, as I am human, my body can become weary and exhausted or depleted, sometimes when I do not even know it.

I hurriedly packed a small computer bag, threw everything together, and then caught an early morning train to London to stay with a friend while ultimately on my way to Scotland to see Joel and Joy. My friend said she would meet me in the train station so that I would not have to figure out the subways by myself to get to her house.

Much to my surprise, she had planned such a fun day, but it unfolded a little at a time. . A visit to a chandelier shop with an amazing story behind it began our time. The delightful owners guided us through gorgeous rooms filled with treasures from castles, estates, famous and renown. The shop had a story, the people had a story and each piece was a treasure with a history of the places they had hung and the people they had served. It was fascinating as I had no idea such a shop existed. People from all over the world come to be served at this splendid place, even royalty!

Next, we lunched at a charming English cafe, (Churchill pub) where every view held charm and intriguing objects of historical interest.. We sat near a crackling fire and ate Thai food and chatted. (Who thought a pub would specialize in Pad Thai—nary a fish and chip in sight!

Next, across the street was a visit to Sally Clarke bakery. (Almost Sally Clarkson!) which was grand—a tour with the staff there, photos, and giggles. Next, after tromping through lovely roads with twists and turns, we arrived at her lovely flat. A hot pot of tea warmed us after being blown over the boulevard. Next, I ran up to my third floor room to get settled and came down to an elaborately prepared home cooked meal with candles.

The over all effect on me was an overwhelming gratefulness that someone had taken the time to serve me, to show me consideration, thoughtfulness and kindness. I had not known I needed someone to show me personal attention, but I drank it in from a parched soul that had gone too long without nourishment.

I remembered another such time that I had recorded in my journal when I was weary, depleted and felt I could not even get out of bed. I hope my story helps you to know that you are not alone and that you are seen right where you are.

*********

Sunday morning found me hiding under my covers. For years and years, as long as I can remember, I have been an early riser, mostly because it is the only way I could write and carry on a full fledged ministry and still keep my family as a priority. With books to be written and deadlines to be met and emails to be answered and radio shows for interviews and conferences to arrange, arising early gave me two to three more hours to my day. But this day, I didn't want to get up, feeling weary from the fray. I had thoughts wandering through my head like, "I don't think I can do this anymore. Why have I been driving myself for ministry? You know I love you, Lord. But for the moment, I can't think about everything and I don't want to face this day. I may never get out of bed!" Funny how Satan attacks our thoughts and uses discouragement against us female beings who live and love so much with our emotions.

Now, to give perspective, I was churning inside from the news of a friend's 6 year old daughter who had been sexually molested by a 15 year old cousin; a close family member of mine is struggling against deathly illness, another friend heavy with the care of a precious child who will have mysterious medical challenges forever, the medical issues of two of my own sweet children looming always; and all the other burdens of life. I thought about the time when Jesus was walking along and a woman who had been bleeding for years and she touched his garment and "the strength went out of him." That's how I was feeling--in the midst of my labor with sweet ones, "the strength had gone out of Sally."

Finally, after hours of staying in bed, (from 6 a.m. to 9--that is very late for me!), my feet mechanically moved to the floor. Joy's sweet voice yelled up to me from downstairs, "Don't you dare get up, Mom!" I slipped back in bed, arranged my pillows and waited. She breezed in chattering joyfully about the great morning she was having bearing a tray with a lovely napkin, a steaming hot cup of tea, a glass bowl with freshly cut up cherries, raspberries and blueberries and whip cream on the top, and a small lit candle.

Now, I might have expected this from Sarah, but I wasn't expecting it from Joy, as she was much younger at the time. (12 at the time). In that moment, Joy became to me the arms of God as she said, "I think you need a nice hug." She squeezed me tight and planted a kiss on my cheek. Her love offering to me seemed to say, "I love you, Sally. I am aware of the ragings of your soul. Here is a sweet angel to soothe your spirit with kindness today," as though it were from God Himself. Joy's service to me became an act of an angel from God, an unexpected flash of light--a gift to strengthen me.

"I have been working for an hour, Mom. I cleaned up the whole downstairs and the kitchen. It looks so pretty. I figured if you were staying in bed that long, you must be in need of cheer. I love you! Now, enjoy yourself alone for a few minutes, I have a couple of more things to take care of!"

The battle lines are familiar to me. I am what one might call an old warrior--familiar with the darkness, the battles raging, the issues at stake. I have learned to put one foot in front of another year after year, because my eyes are on what lies ahead--the reward of being with Jesus in His place that He is preparing for all of us who love Him.

I have looked at Him and thought about Him and cherished His sacrificial life and His pattern has given me reason to keep going. But this day, this weary day, He broke into my moments, through two small acts of kindness to assure me of His presence. How thankful I am that two people responded to the promptings of my heavenly Father to pour out His gentle, quiet lovingkindess on my weary soul.

Never under-estimate the power of kindness to help someone make it through. A vase of flowers, an email, a cup of tea or coffee, a candle, a short visit, a cleaned house, all of these can shift the mood and place of emotional havoc to one of “I think I can make it.”

I hope you enjoy our chat today and prepare a place and a time of kindness for yourself or someone you love.

You can find my wonderful friend and her books at: https://www.instagram.com/shellymillerwriter/

also her web site: http://shellymillerwriter.com

Refresh yourself through her words:

Books Referenced in this Podcast:

FOR MORE

• Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.

• Leave an iTunes Review These are so important as they help our podcast reach more women with messages of encouragement.

• Follow on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates.

• Share with others. My prayer is that this podcast brings encouragement to women and families, and I would be honored for you to tell others about it.

• Join my friends and me in membership at Life with Sally, a place for me to share more teaching from the Bible and messages on education, motherhood, discipleship, and more!

God Regards The Love Motivating Our Lives

We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.

~Brother Lawrence

The World is brimming over with philosophies and values that proclaim the importance of  self-fulfillment, self-promotion, accomplishment, status. Yet, our Jesus came as a man who had no stately form or majesty, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. He purposely chose to humble Himself, to become the ultimate servant king. "I am humble and meek," He said. He came not proclaiming His rights, but bowing His knee. He washed feet, touched lepers, embraced and caressed the least of these—precious children, whom He deemed worthy of honor.

When we accept with open arms and heart a precious little baby and wash their little hands and feet with love in our hearts, we are worshipping. When we hold and rock and sing comfort into the heart of a screaming babe in the middle of the night during an ear infection, we become the voice of Jesus.

When we stay up late to listen to the forlorn heart of a teen who is growing and stretching toward adulthood and feeling the injustices of the world and the imperfection of our own families, and we spend some time extending grace, patience, and soothing, hopeful words, we become the patience, hope, and compassion of Jesus.

Our multitudinous little tasks within our homes—washing one more dish, correcting one more attitude, kissing one more forehead—when given from a heart full of love for Him,  please Him far more than if we made millions and had a title of strategic importance in a life all about ourselves.

He sees in secret, He cherishes our hidden worship more than anything else we could give Him-the worship of serving His own children out of a servant heart filled with love and gratitude for Him. In this work of service is our treasure we lay up in heaven for His glory.

Nathan gave me a precious little figurine on a Mother's day many years ago. He said, "Mom, you held my heart in your hands and shaped it with your love every day, every task, every minute of serving us kids. And for that reason, you will always be there in my heart, speaking to me of all the treasures you poured in one day at a time."

Love Him today, and love those He has given you to serve today.

5 Ways To Be Healthy and Strong for the Long Run & podcast

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“Mama, do you think we can fit in a short tea time this afternoon with Kristen?”

My days in Scotland have been full to the brim with early morning heart-felt chats and warm cups of tea, dinners with friends and colleagues of Joel and Joy; attending lectures; sitting sequestered with 18 PHD students in an old paneled room on a cold rainy day for 8 hours of work as each lived in their own mind palaces and worked fervently at their these, while I wiled away hours editing a book.

The promise of a tea time with an infectiously-enthusiastic-for-life friend seemed a reward to a busy week. We split Victoria sponge Cake, and carrot cake, sipped very strong tea and talked of messages on our hearts to inspire our friends.

Kristen Emmer always inspires me, her enthusiasm for life and ideals always makes me want to grow stronger, be better, love more generously. As a trained functional medical health coach, she cares deeply about how to help women thrive within the confines of their own life story. We talked and I, once again, got excited about what she was sharing with me.

Though time was short, I thought, “I really want to do a podcast on this because my friends would be so encouraged.”

Kristen was on her way for a weekend trip with her husband, but we raced to Joy’s apartment and quickly recorded some thoughts we had all been sharing. Her desire to help women live a healthy life-style, to live strong is contagious. She is in the process of putting together all sorts of inspiration that I know will encourage you, so be sure to follow her at for more to come. https://www.emmerandearth.com

Here are the five areas we discussed today and just a brief set of notes to give you an idea of what is aired on the podcast.! I am remotivated to stay on track!

Nourishment— what you put in your body

Do you feed your body from other substances that are alive? veggies, fruit, real? Pick recipes that are made with fresh food, start out with one ingredient choices and you will probably be closest to natural.

So much more to discuss in this area, but truly what you put into your body will determine the long term health of your body.

Movement— what you do with your body

Our bodies love movement: walking, dancing, carrying, bending, stretching. If you include movement in your routines every day, it will increase your circulation, your sense of well-being and happiness, your body strength, lower your blood pressure, give better mental strength and so much more. Making this a habit as a way of life will give you a foundation of strength.

Stress—how you deal with internal and external sources of strain

Managing stress, being aware of it regularly, simplifying life will determine your long term emotional, physical and spiritual health. Determine the drainers you can get rid of, find new ways to deal with the ones that will never go away.

Relationships— the way your networks drain, train, and shape you. What people add to your life? Spend time with them. What draining people are in your life? How can you either remove yourself from drainers or find ways to get a break. Become aware about how the health of relationships adds or subtracts from you every day.

Sleep— the way you reset your body

Sleep provides rest, restoration, emotional balance, hormonal balance. How can you improve your sleep and or deal with the rhythms of sleep so that it can best benefit your body?

Books Referenced in this Podcast:

FOR MORE

• Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.

• Leave an iTunes Review These are so important as they help our podcast reach more women with messages of encouragement.

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• Share with others. My prayer is that this podcast brings encouragement to women and families, and I would be honored for you to tell others about it.

• Join my friends and me in membership at Life with Sally, a place for me to share more teaching from the Bible and messages on education, motherhood, discipleship, and more!

Why Education Matters & Adventures in Scotland, Peacocks & Podcast

God has created human beings to have a great capacity to use their brains to understand, learn, study, comprehend, create, invent, debate. And so one of the stewardships we have as moms is to take responsibility for our children's minds.

What a whirlwind of a week here in Scotland, but what fun. I am always amazed at how the Lord arranges devine appointments for me as I just pitter patter through my days. I am excited to share my podcast with you today because being in St. Andrews and rubbing shoulders with students and having conversations with Joel and Joy has reignited the fire in my mind and heart about why I believe so deeply in education and its impact on our legacy, history and lives.

I hope you will enjoy this discussion today on my podcast. Education is not primarily to prepare us to be able to get jobs, nor is it about 12 or 15 years in a formal school setting. Whether one works as a waitress, a nurse, a professor, a lawyer, a builder or farmer, education is about forming an excitement to know, to learn, to think. It also paves the way for spiritual formation and a knowledge and love of God based on intellect and wonder and worship. We are educated by what we spend our time on and engage in, by how we invest the hours of our lives. Education is about capturing the heart’s and mind’s imagination about story, history, legacy of righteousness needing to be passed down through every generation. It is a lifetime and a lifestyle pursuit. We are the conductors of such life. Join us as we talk about these important issues.

But first, imagine my delight and surprise about getting embroiled in a discussion about peacocks and their calls with four friends who have met over many years, all cyclists and all jolly and fun. I was innocently sitting on the only couch in a very tiny coffee shop typing away on my computer, (because it had internet which Joel and Joy did not have!) and was totally engrossed in my work. I finally looked up at the three other men sharing the couch with me and found out their story, a birthday celebration, an authentic peacock call right in the cafe and a basketful of delights and giggles.

I am off today again to revisit my little grands and Sarah and Thomas and then home to America to tell Clay all about it. I told him I feel a little guilty and actually thrilled that I missed the 2 feet of snow that fell in our little neighborhood while I was gone. My fondest wish is to never drive my car in snow again!

I wish you all a lovely week. Let me know what you think about my thoughts and be sure to keep the Awakening Wonder Weekend on your calendars. Love to all of you—this community is so very dear to me.

Awaking Wonder: Opening Your Child's Heart to the Beauty of Learning

By Sally Clarkson

Awaking Wonder Weekend

with Sally Clarkson & Friends

Aug 21-22 in Denver, CO
Aug 28-29 in Irving, TX
Sep 18-19 in Irvine, CA

Registration opening April 1st! Hope you can join me.

A Day to Celebrate Love With Those Who Long to Know Your Love

A Living Room Picnic for the cold winter days speaks of celebration!

Love One Another!

Happy Valentine’s Day, wonderful friends!

I hope that today is a day when you know deeply that you are loved, because you are precious to your Heavenly Father.

I love that we have a day in the year when we can be especially encouraged to give words of love, kisses and hugs, acts of service and delight in an overall celebration of loving others well. It is a day that we can use as an anchor that reminds us that everyone in our lives needs to know that they are loved.

Loving by showing it does not have to be expensive or elaborate. It just needs to be expressed. It is a day that helps us practice acting out our love in tangible ways.

Whatever you want your children to cherish and tuck deeply into their hearts must be something that is an intentional part of their lives every day, every season. Loving one another, as adults find out in marriage quickly enough, is a choice, not a feeling. Honor given to another comes from an attitude of humility and respect that is trained into a young child and practiced over many years. So, those who cultivate love and respect find it blooming more often than those who leave it unattended, or expect it to blossom all by itself.

Consequently, if you want to have children who know what it means to exhibit generous, unconditional love, you must help them practice loving every day, but especially on Valentine’s day!. When my children were young, at regular intervals, I would give them practical ways that we would practice love and giving encouragement to others.

First, we had studied our 24 Family Ways and memorized them and learned the verses—you can find the book by clicking the link below!

"We treat one another with kindness, gentleness and respect," was one of the ways that our children heard and wrote over and over again, so that this principle became a pathway in their brain.

Then, I would create ways, over the years, to help them practice taking the initiative to extend their words and actions of love towards others they cherished. One of these ideas would be a perfect project for Valentine’s Day!

One lonely year, when we felt we had no friends because of moving to a new town, we made a list of people that were special to our family, some we had just met or seen at church and a community group we had attended a couple of times. Together, we spent a whole day baking--cookies, bread, cinnamon rolls. While we waited for them to bake, I provided doilies, markers, paper, ribbon, and glue and we spent the day crafting "I love you, I am so thankful you are my friend," and "I appreciate you and thank God for you," cards.  Each child chose one of the people to present his or her card to. And of course, you could do this for ten, or three, or even just one special person!

Finally, we all gathered our plates of goodies, ribboned and carded, placed them gingerly in the car, and we were off. It took us 4 hours to deliver them to all the homes of those we had chosen to give our words of love to, and it delighted and filled all of my precious ones with memories of how much a tiny thoughtful gift can mean to someone who needs to hear the words, "I love you."

That night, I made a picnic in our living room to celebrate the day. (After all the dirty dishes and pans fun cookies made, I did not want to have one more dish to clean!) We lit candles all over the room, bought some chocolates, made a special board of picnic fare and ate in front to the fireplace. It was a favorite memory of all.

Other times we made homemade bread, a meal for someone in need of practical help who had been ill, a tea time for a friend who had just lost her mother, a feast of cookies and a “king of the mountain” game with favorite friends. More than anything, shaping my children’s hearts around the idea that love is practical and it is something we give to others from the storehouse of our own abundance became a way of thinking.

These kinds of patterns practiced are a part of who my children perceive themselves to be now as adults--lovers of others. The habit of being thoughtful was a learned value, as we practiced it regularly. The fruit of that kind of seed planting is a soul that emanates love, from being planted intentionally, cultivating and watering those seeds with deeds of kindness, led by a mother who gave her time.

Our 24 Family Ways: A Family Devotional Guide

By Clay Clarkson

Flourishing in the Meantime, Part 2 & Podcast

Play Episode on iTunes & Stitcher

The secret to becoming content and to cultivating happiness in your story is learning to make a plan to flourish right where you are, as a habit. Today, I speak about practicing holy attitudes that will serve you well as you grow and mature and live well in this long journey of life. I pray it inspired you.

Fifty-five women clustered in groups of 3's, 5's, 10's around the cozy table of our local coffee shop. Chattering, ordering coffee, quiche and soup, all seemed so very happy to be together as adults, as women, enjoying a rare time away from the daily grind. When I am going to be out of town on the night of our monthly Bible study, I reserve a local coffee shop for our evening together--just for us. So nice to have owners who love us and give generously to our group, after we have dubbed them our favorite coffee cafe for over 2 years now.

After our time of study, I always open it up for any question and spend about 10 minutes just addressing issues we all share.

"Sally, how did you live through all the mundane boring days where one day melted into another? Did you ever just feel like you were overwhelmed with the mundane tasks of it all? I feel like a prisoner in my own home."

It is true that all of us find ourselves amidst repeated chores, duties, and responsibilities--part of being an adult, part of eating, sleeping, living in this world--and often a challenging part when we feel we have no help or friends to carry the burdens.

Another mama, the next day, wrote almost the same letter. "I am dying here. Want to quit homeschooling but feel to guilty to do so. What should I do? I have been at it for 15 years."

Sometimes I see that moms have lost their vision along the way to live lives of ideals. Sometimes they just get lost in the journey, feel lonely, unappreciated, unnoticed and wonder if they are making a difference.

Though I will address some of these issues later this summer, after Joy graduates and I give her the party with all of her friends, after her's and Sarah's birthdays, after I return from California, after I get through with 6-8 weeks of therapy for my back and leg that has been so painful, after I turn in the manuscript for the Bible study guide for my new book, after my leadership intensive, after after after! :) We all have full plates.

1. Take the free short Myers-Briggs test at Truity.com and find out your personality. Assess if you think the description of you is true.  I am fully between an Enfj and an Enfp--mostly leaning toward an ENFP at this point. It means I hate to be boxed in, I love variety, I enjoy personal relationships, I am an idealist--(no surprises there!)

Many years ago, I realized that I needed to take my personality needs into account when considering what kind of life I would shape for my family so I could last better, longer. And so, I included in my life: music, experiences, adventure, interesting opportunities, personal relationships, creating community, etc. If God made me the mother of these children, he made me the way I needed to be to fulfill His purposes.Who I am is enough to fulfill His will for my life. I do not have to live someone else's life.

On hard days, if we were fussing too much and all felt like prickles, I would throw the kids in the car, give them some little snacks to munch on, put on a fun book on tape to listen to-exciting and adventurous or a wonderful sweet story, and drive. I found places in my area that would get us all outside and give us fun. Parks, hikes, bookstores, museums, frozen yoghurt places, interesting places where they could run or swim or engage their own little needs and personalities--even my little 5 star hotel where we could have a hot chocolate on a cold snowy day--and if we did not have enough money--I would get 2 mugs full and make them split! Getting out on some impossible days helped all of us settle down.

Why do people insist on living by duty and so called "authorities "voices that limit their own fun or interest? We have great freedom in the Lord to use our own brains, our own values to live into His will for our lives, if we are basically orthodox in our beliefs and the way we practice them.

Sometimes our lives seem overwhelmingly mundane because we are choosing to live boring lives.

When shaping my own plan, I knew that reading, discussing, devotions, engaging and giving a verbally rich environment was the best I could offer my children, so I did not limit our education to the lists and formulas and curriculum ways of others, as I trusted God that He had given me a will to use my imagination within the wise counsel I read about and the input I had taken in.

And so, when my adult children got into schools I did not even dream of, (Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, Berklee, New York Film Academy) I could see that reading, giving freedom to develop their own muscles emotionally, mentally and spiritually and engaging them in life,  helped them all to grow into the person God made them to be and gave them a more than adequate education and rich life. Formulas would never have worked for my family as they would have been bored and so would I have been.

2. Get rest and refreshment If you are exhausted, take some time to sleep, give yourself a break from responsibility fatigue. Play and recreation can be so healthy for your well-being. Some of the things I have added over the years are tea or coffee breaks every day--for me and 15 minutes of pleasure to do what I want. Taking a French cooking class with my girls. Going out to breakfast with my teen boys. Playing tennis as a family. Having Clay take the kids out sometimes on a Saturday so I could do something fun with a friend or just stay home and watch a movie or take a bath or whatever.

3. Don't do life alone Whether  you are an introvert or extravert, you were made for relationships. Seek people who have your values or who can build into your life. I meet with an older friend I met from mutual Austrian mission experiences as often as possible when we are both in town. We share so many values, tastes and life appetites in common. When I am particularly down, I call her and we gather. I also have regular lunches, breakfasts with a group of friends that have been meeting for 9 years now and we do ministry and life together. We are different ages, different in personality and go to different churches, but I invited them over for lunch some years ago just once a month and from that we committed to each other.

If you do not have friends around you, read books by inspiring people--(books were my mentors amidst 17 moves!) Go to a seminar, volunteer in a ministry, do something--give of yourself and invest in others.

Walking miles each day, especially in natural, beautiful places, writing, playing music all the time, using my intuition to plan new ideas, projects, writing, speaking, traveling--and then figuring out how to pay for it--and regarding my children's needs and commitments as well as Clay's when I make plans. Making the mundane parts of my life as interesting and easy as possible have helped me to endure with grace. Simplify your expectations--you will never be in control, you will never get it all done, there are always new challenges around the corner, so prepare yourself for these life occurrences.

4. Make it a goal to seek out wise women, those more mature than you, those whose lives you would like to emulate. 

"He who walks with the wise will be wise, a companion of fools suffers harm." This verse is not just for children--it is for you. Don't spend lots of time on vanity, empty websites, television, books, people who bring you down. You know if you are compromising your life--turn away from harmful influences and repent (go the other way) and ask for God's help. Jeremiah tells us if we walk after emptiness, we shall become empty. What you allow yourself to think will take hold in your life. The values you cultivate will grow in your heart. Determine to walk on the road to excellence one step at a time. Invest in the ideals you want to pursue--don't allow your heart to become addicted to women who pull you down, give you excuses to compromise your life in any way, tell you its ok to move in immoral directions. Avoid consummate complainers, those who criticize many people, those who always blame others for their difficulties or have a habit of shaking their fist at God.

Instead seek out the holy, the lovely, the good. What you seek after will determine what you become--where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Seems to me that seeing results always took longer than I thought they should but now when I look back I see how gently, strongly, intentionally, wisely God was directing and training and fulfilling his ways in my life.

5. Use your God-given imagination--it is part of the Holy Spirit to fill us with ideas, give us beauty, open doors, enlarge our boundaries. Part of being a mature believer is to use your mind, desires, convictions, dreams, enjoyment to create life in your own life.

Do it today--Own Your Circumstances, Own your design, Own your puzzle and make it an interesting, god-glorifying place to live or at least slowly move into that direction. Don't be a victim to your life's duties, find ways to make it personally fulfilling.

Off to work on bringing some color into my black and white duties of life right now. Praying blessing for each of you.

For lots and lots more ideas, read:

Own Your Life

Printables:

Books Referenced in this Podcast:

FOR MORE

• Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.

• Leave an iTunes Review These are so important as they help our podcast reach more women with messages of encouragement.

• Follow on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates.

• Share with others. My prayer is that this podcast brings encouragement to women and families, and I would be honored for you to tell others about it.

• Join my friends and me in membership at Life with Sally, a place for me to share more teaching from the Bible and messages on education, motherhood, discipleship, and more!