Discouraging Thought: Today was a ______ day.
Encouraging Truth: "This is the day that the Lord has made" - Psalm 118:24a
Loving Instruction: "Let us rejoice and be glad in it." - Psalm 118:24b
"I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands." - Psalm 63:4
Recently, I've found myself taking a deep breath after the kids are in bed, and thinking to myself, "That was a really _____ day." If it was good I may say "Thank you Lord!" If it was bad, I sulk - I sit on the couch and do nothing, reasoning in my head that I can do nothing because I've had an awful day. Now, sometimes, we moms do need to just sit and take a deep breath, but not with the heart I had. It hit me that I was basing my praise to God on whether or not I had a good day. I wasn't praying "God, how could you allow all three kids to be whiny and clingy on the same day?", but as far as my sinful heart goes, I may as well have questioned His love. I don't know why I do that, because even on the bad days, we are to praise our Heavenly Father, who loves us unconditionally. On the bad days, I can praise Him and remember this:
"Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory." - Psalm 73:23, 24
"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." - Zephaniah 3:17
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
Sometimes . . .
Sometimes, being a good mom means . . .
- squishing invisible bugs.
- kissing fake boo-boos.
- reading a book to two toddlers while sitting on the toilet.
- making up songs about everyone in our family.
- being a dragon that "flies" around the living room and blows fire.
- pretending I don't see the little girl hiding behind a chair yelling "Where go, girl?"
- singing the Blue's Clues theme song countless number of times.
- dancing to songs that Megan makes up about going shopping.
- having lots of fun!
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Truth for Today
Discouraging Thought: I don't know where we're supposed to be in God's big plan down the road.
Encouraging Truth: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Loving Instruction: "And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? . . . Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomrrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." - Matthew 6:27, 34
So often I wonder when we will get to where God wants us. Our plans had been for Mike to go to seminary and start a church or become a pastor and then settle down and have kids. Obviously, God has other, much better plans. I have to remind myself that we are where God wants us. He gave us our three wonderful crazy kids and for now, His plans are for us to raise them for His glory. We don't know if, when, or where God wants us to minister in a church down the road, but for now, our ministry is right here in our own home. I love the example the "excellent wife" of Proverbs 31 sets in the last half of verse 25: "she laughs at the time to come." Obviously, the excellent wife doesn't worry about tomorrow. She shouldn't - God has it all taken care of.
Encouraging Truth: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Loving Instruction: "And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? . . . Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomrrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." - Matthew 6:27, 34
So often I wonder when we will get to where God wants us. Our plans had been for Mike to go to seminary and start a church or become a pastor and then settle down and have kids. Obviously, God has other, much better plans. I have to remind myself that we are where God wants us. He gave us our three wonderful crazy kids and for now, His plans are for us to raise them for His glory. We don't know if, when, or where God wants us to minister in a church down the road, but for now, our ministry is right here in our own home. I love the example the "excellent wife" of Proverbs 31 sets in the last half of verse 25: "she laughs at the time to come." Obviously, the excellent wife doesn't worry about tomorrow. She shouldn't - God has it all taken care of.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Laundry
I think I've done 8 loads of laundry in the past two days. I definitely need to find a silver lining. So today, I ask God to help me be thankful for laundry. I am thankful for . . .
- a washer and dryer. I don't have to wash my clothes by hand or even take them to a laundrymat.
- clothes. My entire family is clothed in plenty of nice clothing.
- dressers and closets. I have a nice house and furniture in which to store our clothes.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Revlon Custom Creations
Monday, June 25, 2012
Truth for Today
Discouraging Thought: Finances are tight right now.
Encouraging Truth: "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19
Loving Instruction: "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' . . . your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness . . . " - Matthew 6:31-33a
Our Reward: " . . . and all these things will be added to you." - Matthew 6:33b
The entire section of Matthew 6:25 - 34 is an amazing message directly from Jesus about worrying. Read it when you have the time! Now I know the main truth for today is not about tithing, and I've never really struggled with tithing simply because I have a Godly Father who instilled the importance of doing so. However, while searching scripture, I foud this verse I don't remember having ever read, which is talking about tithing, and God's promise if we obey:
"Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need." - Malachi 3:10
I absolutely love the idea of "the windows of heaven" pouring down blessings. I wonder if we'll get to see these windows and blessings literally one day. Regardless, it is an awesome truth to have, one that brought tears to my eyes tonight. We serve an amazing God!
Encouraging Truth: "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19
Loving Instruction: "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' . . . your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness . . . " - Matthew 6:31-33a
Our Reward: " . . . and all these things will be added to you." - Matthew 6:33b
The entire section of Matthew 6:25 - 34 is an amazing message directly from Jesus about worrying. Read it when you have the time! Now I know the main truth for today is not about tithing, and I've never really struggled with tithing simply because I have a Godly Father who instilled the importance of doing so. However, while searching scripture, I foud this verse I don't remember having ever read, which is talking about tithing, and God's promise if we obey:
"Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need." - Malachi 3:10
I absolutely love the idea of "the windows of heaven" pouring down blessings. I wonder if we'll get to see these windows and blessings literally one day. Regardless, it is an awesome truth to have, one that brought tears to my eyes tonight. We serve an amazing God!
Friday, June 22, 2012
Today's Prayer
"O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands." - Psalm 63:1-4
Thursday, June 21, 2012
A Different Way of Thinking
June 6, 2012
Being a parent to three tiny people is not easy. The "childcare" part of this isn't difficult for me. It's the emotional part that is exhausting and stressful. Having three tiny people makes for lots of tears, lots of cranky time, lots of discipline (the older two), and lots of needs. The past few weeks have been a struggle. A struggle to deal with my children properly, a struggle to not resent the changes to my body having children created, a struggle to love my husband, a struggle to have Godly thoughts and be a Godly wife and mother. Ultimately, a struggle to glorify God. I found myself being short towards my husband and children, raising my voice much, much too often. Then I found myself thinking things like "What would I be doing if we didn't have the kids yet? What if I wasn't supposed to have this many kids? What if I wasn't supposed to be a mother at all?" Of course, all those thoughts were just circling the main question I refused to actually ask "What if God made a mistake?". I found myself getting deeper and deeper into selfish thoughts and misery, which inevitably leads to self-pity: Noone has any clue how I am feeling. I have no friends. I never leave the house. I am fat and ugly. No one has ever had it this bad as a stay-at-home mom. I am a horrible failure. I was falling into a deep hole of my own untrue thoughts and emotions and no matter how hard I tried to climb out, I kept falling. Now, I know a Christian's main goal and purpose in life is to glorify God. I've always thought of that as a heart or mind-set rather than an action. I knew I was not glorifying God, but how could I glorify Him if I'm stuck in this tiny house changing diapers and feeding cranky babies all day long?
Then I heard a message this Sunday. One I desperately needed. We were visiting our old church just to see friends. I most likely wasn't going to get challenged by the Word. The singing started . . . "Thou, O Lord, art a shield to me. My glory and the lifter of my head." I tried not to lose it. How I desperately need the Lord to lift me. Then the preaching began. The congregration was asked to repeat the following "Worshipping God is the most important thing in my life." Yeah, ok, I worship God. "Through all of our actions, we should be actively worshipping God." I've never heard that before. I've heard "glorifying", not "worshipping". Hmmm, interesting. The pastor gave the example of that including worshipping God on the baseball field. Does that mean I am to be worshipping God while changing diapers? Probably not. "Worshipping God is the most important thing in my life. To serve God is worshipping God." Worship while changing diapers? I guess so. Coming to the realization that every action should be an act of worshipping God was a humbling moment sitting there in my comfortable pew. I don't know why, but just thinking of worshipping God in a new light clicked for me. The past few days have been much better. I can concentrate on my outward actions to worship God. That has helped my discouraging train of thoughts tremendously. I can worship, and therefore glorify, God while being a stay-at-home wife and mother! So to help myself, I added things to the sentance the pastor had us repeat so many times . . .
When all three children are screaming, worshipping God is the most important thing in my life.
When my baby refuses to nap like he should, worshipping God is the most important thing in my life.
When I am disciplining my two year old for repeating a no-no for the tenth time in a half hour, worshipping God is the most important thing in my life.
When I want just five minutes of quiet and the girls want me to read books, worshipping God is the most important thing in my life.
In all things, worshipping God is the most important thing in my life.
Die to self. Worshipping God is the most important thing in my life.
Being a parent to three tiny people is not easy. The "childcare" part of this isn't difficult for me. It's the emotional part that is exhausting and stressful. Having three tiny people makes for lots of tears, lots of cranky time, lots of discipline (the older two), and lots of needs. The past few weeks have been a struggle. A struggle to deal with my children properly, a struggle to not resent the changes to my body having children created, a struggle to love my husband, a struggle to have Godly thoughts and be a Godly wife and mother. Ultimately, a struggle to glorify God. I found myself being short towards my husband and children, raising my voice much, much too often. Then I found myself thinking things like "What would I be doing if we didn't have the kids yet? What if I wasn't supposed to have this many kids? What if I wasn't supposed to be a mother at all?" Of course, all those thoughts were just circling the main question I refused to actually ask "What if God made a mistake?". I found myself getting deeper and deeper into selfish thoughts and misery, which inevitably leads to self-pity: Noone has any clue how I am feeling. I have no friends. I never leave the house. I am fat and ugly. No one has ever had it this bad as a stay-at-home mom. I am a horrible failure. I was falling into a deep hole of my own untrue thoughts and emotions and no matter how hard I tried to climb out, I kept falling. Now, I know a Christian's main goal and purpose in life is to glorify God. I've always thought of that as a heart or mind-set rather than an action. I knew I was not glorifying God, but how could I glorify Him if I'm stuck in this tiny house changing diapers and feeding cranky babies all day long?
Then I heard a message this Sunday. One I desperately needed. We were visiting our old church just to see friends. I most likely wasn't going to get challenged by the Word. The singing started . . . "Thou, O Lord, art a shield to me. My glory and the lifter of my head." I tried not to lose it. How I desperately need the Lord to lift me. Then the preaching began. The congregration was asked to repeat the following "Worshipping God is the most important thing in my life." Yeah, ok, I worship God. "Through all of our actions, we should be actively worshipping God." I've never heard that before. I've heard "glorifying", not "worshipping". Hmmm, interesting. The pastor gave the example of that including worshipping God on the baseball field. Does that mean I am to be worshipping God while changing diapers? Probably not. "Worshipping God is the most important thing in my life. To serve God is worshipping God." Worship while changing diapers? I guess so. Coming to the realization that every action should be an act of worshipping God was a humbling moment sitting there in my comfortable pew. I don't know why, but just thinking of worshipping God in a new light clicked for me. The past few days have been much better. I can concentrate on my outward actions to worship God. That has helped my discouraging train of thoughts tremendously. I can worship, and therefore glorify, God while being a stay-at-home wife and mother! So to help myself, I added things to the sentance the pastor had us repeat so many times . . .
When all three children are screaming, worshipping God is the most important thing in my life.
When my baby refuses to nap like he should, worshipping God is the most important thing in my life.
When I am disciplining my two year old for repeating a no-no for the tenth time in a half hour, worshipping God is the most important thing in my life.
When I want just five minutes of quiet and the girls want me to read books, worshipping God is the most important thing in my life.
In all things, worshipping God is the most important thing in my life.
Die to self. Worshipping God is the most important thing in my life.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Truth for Today
Discouraging Thought: My job as mommy is so tiring, often feeling never ending.
Encouraging Truth: "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9
Loving Instruction: "[An excellent wife] looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." - Proverbs 31:28
Our Reward: "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." - Proverbs 31:28
Today was a morning of weariness. After the routine of getting cups, bottle, and breakfast ready, getting all three munchkins out of bed, and then getting them all changed and dressed, I looked around the house. The living room was already drenched with toys, books, dirty laundry, clean laundry, blankets and pacifiers. The kitchen needed to be tended. Cleaning projects started the night before needed to be finished. Oh, a baby already needs changed again . . . Then this thought entered my mind: no matter how many toys I pick up, diapers I change, noses I wipe, dishes I wash, and how much laundry I fold, there will always be more. Obviously, at some point, the diapers will disappear (Lord-willing), all my children will be well, and there will be no more toys to pick up. Wait a minute - no more toys. I don't know what I'll do when I have no more toys to pick up! No more toys that play that tinny, electronic music. No more toys that tiny, chubby fingers smack and bang on the floor. At some point those fingers will be e-mailing and texting friends, and I'll long for the days that are mine now. So I will cherish these days of tiny chubby fingers, often sticky, clutching my neck, not wanting to be put down. I will cherish these days of never-ending laundry and dishes; I'm sure it will be much less fun to fold clothes three times the size they are now and cook for three hungry teenagers. God has given me a pretty cool job today - caring for three very fun (and cute) little people who think I'm the most wonderful person in the world.
Encouraging Truth: "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9
Loving Instruction: "[An excellent wife] looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." - Proverbs 31:28
Our Reward: "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." - Proverbs 31:28
Today was a morning of weariness. After the routine of getting cups, bottle, and breakfast ready, getting all three munchkins out of bed, and then getting them all changed and dressed, I looked around the house. The living room was already drenched with toys, books, dirty laundry, clean laundry, blankets and pacifiers. The kitchen needed to be tended. Cleaning projects started the night before needed to be finished. Oh, a baby already needs changed again . . . Then this thought entered my mind: no matter how many toys I pick up, diapers I change, noses I wipe, dishes I wash, and how much laundry I fold, there will always be more. Obviously, at some point, the diapers will disappear (Lord-willing), all my children will be well, and there will be no more toys to pick up. Wait a minute - no more toys. I don't know what I'll do when I have no more toys to pick up! No more toys that play that tinny, electronic music. No more toys that tiny, chubby fingers smack and bang on the floor. At some point those fingers will be e-mailing and texting friends, and I'll long for the days that are mine now. So I will cherish these days of tiny chubby fingers, often sticky, clutching my neck, not wanting to be put down. I will cherish these days of never-ending laundry and dishes; I'm sure it will be much less fun to fold clothes three times the size they are now and cook for three hungry teenagers. God has given me a pretty cool job today - caring for three very fun (and cute) little people who think I'm the most wonderful person in the world.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Truth for Today
Discouraging Thought: I have been too short and harsh with my children today.
Encouraging Truth: "For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you." - Psalm 86:5
Loving Instruction: "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." - Proverbs 15:1
"I choose gentleness . . . Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand may it be only of myself." - Max Lucado
I'm guessing I'm not the only one who gets frustrated with their tiny people. But I have to remember - they're just kids. So when Megan is yelling the same word for the hundredth time even though I still can't figure out what she's saying, Lauren is kicking the chair just because it sounds funny, and Michael is crying because he's congested and can't sleep, I can be gentle. I will treasure these chaotic times because I will miss them when they're gone.
Encouraging Truth: "For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you." - Psalm 86:5
Loving Instruction: "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." - Proverbs 15:1
"I choose gentleness . . . Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand may it be only of myself." - Max Lucado
I'm guessing I'm not the only one who gets frustrated with their tiny people. But I have to remember - they're just kids. So when Megan is yelling the same word for the hundredth time even though I still can't figure out what she's saying, Lauren is kicking the chair just because it sounds funny, and Michael is crying because he's congested and can't sleep, I can be gentle. I will treasure these chaotic times because I will miss them when they're gone.
Today's Prayer
"Keep me as the apple of your eye, hide me in the shadow of your wings." - Psalm 17:8
Monday, June 18, 2012
Truth for Today
Discouraging Thought: I really don't think I can make it through the day.
Encouraging Truth: "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10
Being a mom to tiny people isn't easy. It never fails that if one has a bad day, they all have bad days. Temper tantrums, discipline sessions, tears, whining, clinging, and more tears consume those days. It's such a comfort to know our Heavenly Father is strengthening, helping, and upholding us.
Encouraging Truth: "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10
Being a mom to tiny people isn't easy. It never fails that if one has a bad day, they all have bad days. Temper tantrums, discipline sessions, tears, whining, clinging, and more tears consume those days. It's such a comfort to know our Heavenly Father is strengthening, helping, and upholding us.
Welcome
Let's face it: being a Mom to tiny people isn't easy. I have three munchkins under three, no twins. When my third was born, he was 26 1/2 months younger than his oldest sibling. I have cared for children all my life, but was not prepared for how hard the work that having children of your own can be. I'm not talking about child care, I'm talking about the emotional, mental, and spiritual battle that is raising children for the Lord. I'm starting this blog to be an encouragement: an encouragement to myself and to others who are in the same place. Even if encouragement comes in the way of knowing you are not alone in this, I hope you will find it here. My main purpose is to share truths that will get us through the day. However, I will also be sharing recipes, product reviews, and possibly just advice and tips that have worked for me as I try to make the day as wonderful for my munchkins as possible. We Moms need all the help we can get!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)