Wisdom, Whimsey and a Whistle — Helping moms live JOY!
On a good day you’ll find me outdoors hiking and squeezing in some writing. I love my man and my children, [read more]
I am sure, much like me, you are searching for words today.
For me, as I grappled with what I was seeing yesterday, the most soothing words were found in an old hymn.
Join me over at MomLife Today where I share my thoughts regarding Moore, Oklahoma.
More importantly – join me in prayer for the families affected, as well as those who are working tirelessly to serve.
Wow – this is way cool! I was just informed that Focus on the Family is selling the ebook version of Be The Mom for only $1.99 if you order through their site!
Just go to Be The Mom Sale and type in the code 406925 at check out!
Just last night I received yet another email from a mom who said Be The Mom is making a “real” difference in her daily momlife! God is able…that’s for sure!
I continue to be in awe over what God is doing in the lives of moms through Be The Mom and I hope and pray that God gets it into the hands of moms who need to hear the very real traps we can fall into that effect our daily attitude towards motherhood!
If Be The Mom has blessed you I hope you will consider passing along your book, or forwarding someone a copy of Be The Mom through this special sale!
Sometimes it sneaks up on me from behind and before you know it, it exposes itself!
For me, it happens like this, “I am sorry I yelled at you, but you did not do as I asked!” left eyebrow in a severe upward slant, lips pursed, hands on hips with just enough of a “neck bob” to indicate my attitude of self righteousness.
If this is an attitude that has not been revealed in your home, welcome to mine – I have exposed my big but more times than I would like to admit.
Heavy sigh.
The need to be “right” I do believe is a generational sin in my life and I am adept at failing to keep it in check – especially at a time when I most need to – during an apology.
My actions are my choice and I cannot blame my inappropriate attitude on someone else. If I am snarky, ugly or down right mean in the “heat” of a battle of words – it is wrong regardless of who got me riled up.
I am supposed to be bigger than that – bigger than a but.
If I feel like I need to apologize, then I need to apologize for my attitude and behavior based only on me and my actions. I do not need to attempt to justify myself with a big “but” – no more big buts! (I do believe we can all agree that we would prefer not to have a big ol but – and that is a word picture that will be hard to forget!)
How about you…do you have a big but?
I am blessed.
I am busy, but I am blessed and I share all about that as a guest post contributor over at Family Matters today!
When my heart to speak into the lives of moms to encourage them allows me to share life regularly through the ministry of others I am in awe of how big God is! And truly amazed at how He opens doors that leave me humbled and grateful.
Today I am sharing over at Family Matters and I hope you join me there!
Family Matters is all about helping us be better parents! If you have never read a book by Tim Kimmel, the President of Family Matters – you really need to! He is the author of Grace Based Parenting and Raising Kids for True Greatness (one of my ALL TIME favorite books) and many others…his latest release is Connecting Church & Home.
I hope you will spend some time reading some of his and his wife Darcy’s posts – they have amazing wisdom – and they are big time fun! (You know I like big time fun!)
Weary?
Worn Out?
Ready to give up?
In need of strength?
I know exactly where you can find the strength you need!
I hope you will join me over at The Mom Initiative where I am sharing some sweet truth!
You must meet my friend Susan Merrill – she is beyond awesome and as sweet as they come!
Psst…you also should get her book, I know you … you would like it because you are a Passionate Mom!
No one wants their child to be a bully!
And when we think of a “bully” we all have a picture in our head of what that looks and sounds like.
But there is another, more quiet, subtle form of being a bully – and it may be something you have not yet thought of discussing with your children.
Join me over at MomLife Today and learn more about the “other” kind of bully that could be a part of your child’s life.
I have had a few parents ask me my opinion on whether or not their child should get a tattoo. Of course I suggest seeking God’s desire, but I too know the value in gathering intel from other God seeking people when decision making – as God uses that to communicate with us too!
“Mom and Dad, I want a tattoo” drifted out of the soft spoken lips of our then eighteen year old daughter who was a Senior in High School.
Our first reaction was not to react because that is a pivotal parenting secret when dealing with the wonderings and wanderings of teenagers. They are in a place in their life where they are considering, exploring and formulating the way they are choosing to live life as they move forward.
A teen’s desire to discuss what’s swirling through their heads with their parents is a HUGE blessing and one way to keep them coming back for more discussion – is not to react…or shall I say – DO NOT FREAK THE HECK OUT when they ask you something that makes you want to freak the heck out. Even if you have to bluff your way through it…don’t react!
Deep, deep breaths, concentrated in and out breathing are much more important now than they were when you were birthing that baby, or being handed that bundle for the first time. Much more is at stake in the life of a teen.
OK, back to the tattoo.
We asked her why she wanted a tattoo and she said because she wanted a constant reminder of who she was, whose she was and a conversation starter to share her faith with others in a non-threatening way.
That sounded good. But we went a little deeper.
Why do you need a tattoo to do that? Are you sure this is not a pride issue or a go along with the crowd issue? We had some good discussion around that and she sought to determine if that was indeed part of the lure.
Then my husband did an amazing thing and to this day I honestly think that was the lesson of this discussion. He told her we would think about it and pray about it and get back to her. He then asked her if she agreed that she was still under his authority and regardless of what he told her our answer was, did she agree that she was still under his authority and would she abide by our decision.
She pointed out that she was 18 and she could do whatever she wanted. He pointed out that her scholarships for college did not cover all of her tuition and she still basically “lived” under our roof and until she was on her own she was still under his authority. She agreed to the truth of that statement.
We have done the “letting go while still teaching” dance since she hit the teen years. We have worked hard (though not always gotten it right) to “let go” and allow her to make more decisions for herself, while guiding her through the outcomes. The trial and error process has helped her to gain wisdom while she is still under our authority.
In this instance we all agreed that something as big as a tattoo on her body that cannot be removed and could be regretted was something she would remain under our authority over. We ultimately told her that we didn’t think a tattoo was wise and she agreed to remain under our authority and trust our judgment.
The acceptance of that fact was an indication that she was learning well how to submit to authority – a true blessing. Unpopular to far too many, but the truth of scripture. Submission is an important lesson we ALL need to learn. The desire for self constantly battles authority.
Unbeknownst to her, her father and I continued to discuss and seek God on the issue. The week before she left for college her father told her she could get the tattoo and that very day she went to a reputable tattoo parlor she had researched and got her tattoo – with me in tow, and I waited quietly up front as a show of support.
Her tattoo is located on her right wrist and it is the Hebrew word “remember” because she wants to remember who she is, whose she is and when someone asks what the tattoo is she tells them just that. She wants that daily reminder to remember what God has done in her life and to seek Him above all else.
There you have it, our experience with “to tattoo or not to tattoo” – the issue we felt it brought to light for our daughter and how God used it in her life and ours. I hope in some way our experience will be helpful for you.
Through the ages God has used the unqualified for His purposes in the lives of others. The Bible is filled with people called by God who immediately go to, “Who me?” coupled with eyebrows up and “you gotta be kidding me” thoughts running through their heads.
Why is it that when we read God’s word we are easily shocked that those called questioned their calling – Noah, Moses, Rahab, Mary, Peter, Paul. We read that the maker of heaven and earth prompted, yet the called question and hesitate. It’s easy to imagine that we would jump at the chance to readily accept an invitation from the Lord to do something for His purposes.
We know their stories, we imagine their not me excuses, “I can’t speak well, I have an inappropriate past…and present, I don’t know how, I am a nobody, I have enough to do already, I really don’t like people much…” all valid excuses in human terms.
Not much has changed in thousands of years. Unfortunately, when called, “Who me?” continues to be the answer that rings through the heavens. I have done it and no doubt you have done it as well.
Whether it is to teach a simple study, facilitate a small group or plan an event. It is easy to question our abilities. I hope it is easy for you to see you are in great company as you question your abilities. I also hope you will consider this very simple statement, “Do it, even if you are unqualified and do it while afraid.”
The great thing about being under qualified is you learn more fully how to be dependent upon the Lord for the task. The great thing about doing something afraid – it exercises your “fear not” muscle and trust me, that is one muscle you need at full strength.
I happen to be an encourager, so through the years I have propelled, through prayer and prodding, more than a few people towards a God intended task or purpose. It is an honor to get a glimpse into what God is doing in someone’s life and then gently push them towards His best in their lives.
How amazing is God? It leaves me awestruck that God truly uses the unqualified and unworthy for His purposes to reveal His glory.
So that begs the question…mom, what is it that God has called you to do that leaves you thinking, “Who me?”
I hope you will write it in the comment section and give me, and others who read it a chance to lift up a prayer for you – time to do some muscle strengthening moms!
As is my habit I spent time this morning praising my Father in Heaven. The beauty of modern technology…and spodify.
As I lingered in melodic truth I became overwhelmed with gratitude of who God is, who my Savior is and how I am blessed to approach each day with hope because of my relationship with the great I Am.
It is mind boggling really.
This morning I was being led in worship by Matt Redman. We sang great truths together that helped me approach my day with the right perspective!
“Scars and struggles on the way, but with joy our hearts can say, yes our hearts can say. Never once did we ever walk alone, never once did You leave us on our own, You are faithful God, You are faithful. Every step we are breathing in Your grace, ever more we’ll be breathing out Your praise. Carried by Your constant grace, held within Your perfect peace. You are faithful.”
Yes, it’s that easy mom. Each day, right there where you are, right now even, you can drown out the lies and troubles of this world and worship your Father in Heaven. Whether to gain a new perspective when approaching your day, or realigning your day with truth, right smack dab in the middle of a troublesome day.
Worship is an amazing attitude adjuster!
And if you get “caught” by your children…all the better. They learn by seeing what you do far more than they learn by you telling them what to do. If you want your children to turn to the Father – they need to see what that looks like.
After praise and worship I spend some time reading the Bible – there’s great wisdom there that you can easily speak to on your child’s level and share what you just learned. Too often we think we don’t have all the answers so we avoid sharing with children what God reveals. But God is able, a nugget a day is a great place to start.
Sweet mom, God wants you to model love more than anything else. The only way you, and your children, will ever be able to love fully is to love the Creator first.
Show them the way!
What You’re Saying