Today's Prayer

Lord, thank you for seeing me through today. When tears dropped to my plate during my prayer for lunch and I didn't even know what to ask or say, You did. You knew that those weren't the first tears shed this morning or that they would be the last for the day. You know how emotionally and mentally exhausted I am. You know that today was a struggle from the moment I woke up. You also knew what I needed. You knew that I needed the girls to play by themselves happily. You knew that I needed Megan to start a fork sword fight over our chicken nuggets that ended up with all of us girls laughing hysterically. You knew that I needed all three kids to nap for two hours at the same time this afternoon. You knew that I needed Michael to laugh at his sisters and shreak happily when I kissed his chubby cheeks. You knew that I needed the girls to parade around the house in their red shoes and play jewelry, Megan singing her version of "Jesus Loves Me." You know, and I praise you!

Truth for Today

Discouraging Thought: No one knows what I'm going through.

Encouraging Truth: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our
          weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without
          sin." - Hebrews 4:15

Loving Instruction: "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, . . . "
          - Hebrews 4:16a

Our Reward: ". . . that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
          - Hebrews 4:16b

To say that I feel no one knows exactly what I'm going through is an understatement. I don't have any friends that have had three children in a 26 month period. I don't like to dwell on this fact and try not to even think about it due to the fact that it takes me to what I call a "thought hole". (A "thought hole" is that hole you start digging and just keep digging deeper with each following thought. It is very hard to get out of these holes!) However, I am human, and that discouraging thought pops up from time to time. 'No one knows how frustrating, exhausting, never-ending, etc. this is!' But Scripture says that is just not true. Obviously, Jesus wasn't a mother, nor did he have children. However, he was faced with situations that tempted him to be impatient and frustrated, just like me. I believe the Bible when it says Jesus was tempted in "every" way. Every way. Without exception. So it doesn't matter that I don't know of anyone else who pops out kids like it's their job. Jesus knows how hard and frustrating this life can be. He went through it - "without sin". He can help. I love the verbs: "we may receive mercy" and "find grace". We are being told that when we draw near to Christ, we will receive mercy. It's already there. It's already being offered. We also will find grace. It too, is already there. We just have to find it - find it by seeking Christ.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I am a baker. I have never, nor will I ever claim to be a cook. However, there is something I refused to bake for the longest time: your basic chocolate chip cookie. Why? Because no matter how many recipes I've tried, and how many of those recipes I tweaked, I could never get that delicious cookie you imagine dissolving in your mouth, needing an ice cold glass of milk to go with it. Ladies and Gentlemen, I have now found it: a wonderful recipe for addictive chocolate chip cookies. Thank you Crisco!

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
3/4 stick (or 3/4 cup) Crisco butter flavor all-vegetable shortening
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 large egg
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 heaping cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips

[actual recipe is for 3/4 cup chips and 3/4 cup mini chips - I changed it because I don't like too much chocolate]

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Combine brown sugar, shortening, milk and vanilla in large bow. Beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat egg into creamed mixture. Combine flour, salt and baking soda. Mix into creamed mixture until just blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough 3 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake 8 - 10 minutes for chewy cookies, or 11 to 13 minutes for crisp cookies. [I do 10 minutes for my oven.] Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet on a cooling rack. Remove cookies to rack to cool completely. Makes 3 dozen cookies.

Beautiful as they go into the oven . . .



. . . and after they come out!

Truth for Today

Discouraging Thought: I am so very tired.

Encouraging Truth:  "And [God] said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you
          rest." - Exodus 33:14

Loving Instruction: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, . . . " - Jesus
          (Matthew 11:28a)

Our Reward: ". . . and I will give you rest." - Jesus (Matthew 11:28b)

Being a mom is tiring. I believe striving to be a Godly mom is even more so. We have a greater purpose than just caring for children. We have a responsibility to raise our children for the glory of God. Most days I fall into bed and feel my body relax for the first time since waking. I love that God has assured us that He will give us rest. Oh, how I need it!

Soul Restoration

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." - Psalm 23:1-3

Today was a soul restoration day. I can only say that it is because God is good. My circumstances weren't different than any other day. I went to work for a couple hours this morning and then came home and dealt with scraped knees, dirty diapers, and temper tantrums. A cranky teething baby wanted held all day, thinking to sleep during the day must be some kind of torture. But amidst all my hectic "normal", I felt overwhelming peace pouring over me like a flood. That's not normal. That's God.

He made me lie down. He restored my soul.

"Blessed be the Lord! for he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him." - Psalm 28:6, 7

Truth and Prayer

"Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you." You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

- Psalm 16:1, 2, 11

China Glaze

I am a nail polish addict. I blame my grandmother. We had the blessing of attending the same church, and growing up, every Sunday afternoon was spent at Grandma's. Two of us grandkids were allowed to ride with our grandparents to their house and back and oh how we loved it! An especially wonderful thing to do on those Sunday afternoons was to help Grandma pick out her dress to wear for Sunday evening church, and then paint our nails accordingly. Every dress had a specific color to go along with it, and every Sunday Grandma and I painted our nails. How beautiful and grown up I felt walking into church with my perfectly polished nails. (Grandma never ever got the polish on my skin.) And so began my love of nail polish. There is just something about having pretty nails that makes me not care that my hair is thrown into a ponytail 24/7 and I didn't take have the time to apply make up.

Enter China Glaze into my life two years ago. A polish that keeps it's shine until you take it off, a polish that lasts longer than any other brand I've tried, including other salon grade, very expensive, polishes. It's not available at department stores, only hair/beauty stores, but it's about the same price as the department store polishes. (I normally pay $5 a bottle at Sally's.) Needless to say, I highly recommend this polish. Pictured is my favorite shade of red, "Salsa". When I wear it, I'm pretty sure it gives me the ability to conquer the world.

Today's Prayer

"I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

 - Psalm 73:23 - 26

Today's Prayer

Lord, please forgive me for pushing my grocery cart.

Let me explain.

Since my first baby was born, grocery shopping by myself has been my get-away. My quiet time. Time where I don't have to answer to demanding children, clean the house, or talk to anyone. Time to think or time to let my mind finally think of nothing; it didn't matter. It was my time.

Today was no different. Just a few errands to run while everyone else in my house napped. Running into the grocery store, my last stop, I threw a few basics into the cart: potatoes and an onion for dinner, milk, and orange sorbet that was on sale. Going through the line, I noticed there was no bagger to walk my groceries to my car, and I liked that. (I've always hated people doing things for me and asking for help, but pride is another many more posts worth.) As I dropped my wallet into my purse, out of the corner of my eye I see a bagger grabbing my cart and hear "Shall we?". "Oh, thank you, but I can get it" I made sure to say with a smile. This chipper girl replied "You most certainly will not.", quite happy with herself to assist me. Lady, do you even know you're dealing with? You surely must know that telling me I will "most certainly not" do something is pretty much a guarantee that I "most certainly" will in fact be doing that very thing. Before I could blink, one word came tumbling out of my mouth: "no". (Don't you hate it when that happens?!? I did not approve of my mouth saying that!) I honestly don't know if it was the tone of my voice or the look on my face, but that poor girl backed away from my cart like I had just told her there was a bomb strapped to it. Feeling very powerful having just won this little battle I marched through the exit. The guilt hit almost as fast as the hot southern air. Really? Had I just done that?

Lord, please forgive me for pushing my grocery cart. Forgive me for not thinking before I speak, for not letting Your love shine through me. She was only doing her job, happily and willingly. She was trying to serve me. I'm so sorry that I let my pride and selfishness get in the way of You.

I guess grocery shopping isn't my time. It's God's time.

Good Mom

Today, being a good mom meant . . .

• putting diapers on puppies, kitty cats, and horsies.
• playing instead of cleaning up after lunch.
• dancing to samba music (from the movie 'Rio') with the girls.
• having my face covered in pukey slobber by a 6 month old's kisses.
• reading three books a hundred times (maybe a slight exaggeration) each.
• pretending to be horribly disgusted when a certain stuffed puppy had 'stinkies' in his diaper.
• coloring Winnie the Pooh with a purple crayon even though it drives me NUTS to not be coloring him yellow.

Truth for Today

Discouraging Thought: I am not content.

Loving Instruction: "Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him,
          and to which God has called him." - I Corinthians 7:17

          "be content with what you have . . . " - Hebrews 13:5a

Encouraging Truth: " . . . for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you.""
          - Hebrews 13:5b

Our Reward: "Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment." - I Timothy 6:6

I say I am content, but I don't think I always am in my heart. Lots of times, deep in the back of my brain, I tell myself "once we get through this baby stage . . .", "once we get Mike through seminary . . . ", "once we buy a house . . . " and then fill in the blank. I'm pretty sure that means I am not completely content. I'm not saying I don't have a blessed or happy life. I do. I have a hard-working, God-fearing husband. I have three healthy children. I have seen God provide financially when the numbers don't add up. We rent a very nice house with a big, fenced yard (a wonderful thing for two toddlers). But some days I feel unsettled. Ready for the next thing. And then I am reminded that these thoughts are not those of a content woman. One day we will be out of this baby stage, but almost everything else is not for certain. Even when the baby stage is over, parenting, and life in general, may not get any easier. If "one day" never comes, I need to be content. Today, God has assigned a husband and three tiny people to me. This is His calling for my life today. That's a pretty good assignment!

Truth and Prayer for Today

"The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made." - Psalm 145:8, 9

I am so grateful for a gracious and merciful Heavenly Father. Especially on days where I fail at those qualities repeatedly. Today was one of those days where every little thing was frustrating. (Thank you, PMS!) And when every little thing is frustrating and you're caring for a 2 1/2 year old, 1 1/2 year old, and 6 month old, it's NOT a good combination! Megan (2 1/2 years) trying to perfect her fake cry every five mintues. Lauren (1 1/2 years) throwing fits. Michael puking nonstop. Megan purposefully upsetting Lauren so Lauren will scream and get in trouble. Lauren screaming. Michael not sleeping. Megan 'mothering' her siblings a little too roughly resulting in three little people crying because they're either hurt or they don't like seeing a sibling hurt, and/or Mommy giving too much comfort-cuddle time to someone else even though they need Mama love, too. Needless to say, I lost it. More than once. A harsh "Stop!" stated, a rough hand grabbing a little arm to get their attention, and most likely quite the unloving look on my face when I confronted each situation with much too little grace.

Father God, please forgive my failures. I want to be like You, but I was a far cry from Your standard today. Please give me mercy, grace, patience, and love for my children, whom I cherish. Please let Your love shine through me so they know Your love, love that can only come from You. Physically, please help me to feel more balanced and calm. You are in control of every aspect of life and I cling to that truth today. Thank you for being gracious and merciful towards me when I clearly don't deserve it. Thank you for being patient with me. You are amazing God!

Do Everything

If you've been to my house, you know the danger that is cheerios on the floor. It's like they are plants that grow up through the hardwood floor. While out shopping, I heard a song over the radio that made me smile. I don't care for the melody, but I absolutely loved the first verse. "Do Everything" by Steven Curtis Chapman

You're picking up toys on the living room floor for the 15th time today

Matching up socks and sweeping up lost cheerios that got away

You put a baby on your hip, color on your lips and head out the door

While I may not know you I bet I know you wonder sometimes,

Does it matter at all?

Let me remind you it all matters just as long as you

Do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you

Cause He made you

To do every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face

And tell the story of grace with every move that you make

In every little thing that you do

Feedback

I am so grateful for the comments, letting me know that some of my crazy hard times have been an encouragement to you. However, I really haven't gotten any feedback. If you would, please let me know what you think of everything about the blog in general. Would you want only/more Scripture and devotional type posts? I only have a few that are product reviews or girl talk - no recipes yet. Would you want more of those things? Any comments and suggestions are welcome! Thanks for your help!

Truth for Today

Discouraging Thought: Does God punish us?

Encouraging Truth: "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him" - Psalm 103:8 - 11

I worded my thought as a question because I've heard both sides of the arguement, and have often wondered myself if in fact God punishes us for our sins by allowing or even causing bad things to happen. Obviously, there will be consequenses for our actions, good and bad. But I'm talking about what you hear some people say about bad things that happen in someone's life, 'They must have done something wrong to derserve that!' I do believe God admonishes us and tries to show us our sins. But as far as 'bad things' such as accidents or tradgedies, these verses clearly point to God not punishing us. When you think about it, I guess it makes sense. He is our heavenly Father and loves us more than we could imagine. A loving father corrects and guides, but would never hurt or harm his children. He gives us far better than we deserve!

Truth for Today

Discouraging Thought: I fall short in the same way over and over.

Encouraging Truth: "For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful
              redemption." - Psalm 130:7b

Loving Instruction: "I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin." - Psalm 38:18

             "Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who
              died to sin still live in it?" - Romans 6:1b, 2

Our Reward: "as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions
              from us." - Psalm 103:12

I fail every day in the same way I did the day before. Every day, I respond to my children impatiently and rashly. Temper tantrums, disobedience, whining, and sometimes my toddler just being a toddler are all things to which I can respond incorrectly. I want to respond correctly. I want to be patient, loving, and gentle at all times. But I fail. Almost every day. Some days it does seem easier to just give in and allow myself to respond incorrectly, knowing that I'm washed in the blood. But as Paul wrote in Romans 6, "by no means" am I to do that. And God "knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust." (Psalm 103:14) It is such a comfort that God knows we are going to continually fail, yet loves us just the same. Even more comforting is that He forgives our sin, forgetting it ever happened. Such a freeing truth!

Truth for Today

"The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down."

- Psalm 145:14

Frustration

Today was frustrating. Three little people trying to catch up on sleep and get back on their schedule from a long trip. At the height of frustration, the girls were begging to go outside. It was raining, but Michael was napping and the girls were driving me crazy, so I figured I'd strip them down to diapers, put them in their rubber water shoes and let them loose with the rain and puddles. However, on our way back to their room to get their shoes, Lauren threw a fit. A Lauren fit is one most haven't experienced. Flying out of my arms, back arched, ear piercing shrieks, locked legs kicking the floor. One of the most infuriating things as a parent is trying to explain to your children that they will be getting good things. They just have to wait. She wanted to go outside. I was taking her outside. All we had to do was get shoes on. Then God smiled and said, 'Don't you see?'

I throw spiritual fits. I throw myself on the floor shrieking 'Why is money so tight? Why hasn't my husband gotten the promotion he was supposed to get months ago? Why did you give us our children this close together? Couldn't you have spaced them out like we wanted? Why can't I stop getting so frustrated? Why can't we be where we would like? Why can't I go outside?'

'My precious child, I am taking you outside. But first we have to walk to the back and put your shoes on.'

Somtimes I forget that God has a specific purpose for my life today. Most times I think if only we could get to where God wants us to minister (Mike as a pastor), it will be good. I forget that I am to minister today. Where I am. Where God has me right now. And today, He has me here. Maybe we're still in the hallway, maybe He's putting my shoes on, or maybe we're almost to the door. But wherever I am, and whatever I am doing, He is teaching me, molding me. Because He knows that maybe I'm just not ready to go outside yet.

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."
- Ecclesiastes 3:1

Today's Prayer

Dear Jesus, today was rough. It has left me physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted. My big girl refused to share anything with her little sister and wanted to be carried all day. My little girl acted like it was her job to test Mommy and see how many no-no's she could get into. She screamed, threw fits, and kicked her therapist during her therapy session which had to be rescheduled. My baby boy puked all day and didn't want to be put down. I am still recovering from driving through the night to get home from a wedding, and when I stepped on the scale this morning I realized I am officially pre-pregnancy weight. While this sounds wonderful, my clothes are no where near to fitting, even the ones I was in after my second pregnancy. I failed miserably at being meek, gentle, and loving. Thank you for forgiving me and washing me clean. Lord Jesus, I needed you today. And You were there. Just like You promise. I heard You when Megan comforted her brother in her sweet voice, "What's wong Michael? It's okee, Michael." I saw You when Lauren ate a hot dog for the first time (right after leaving the therapy session for her eating skills). I felt You while cradling my sleepy, smiling baby, remembering what a blessing You have given us in this little boy. I heard You in giggles between sisters, sharing secrets in their own language I will never know. I felt You when both girls asked for hugs at bedtime and started patting my back. Thank you for the very good, little things that saw me through the day.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." - James 1:17

Truth for Today

Discouraging Thought: My mind can not be still.

Encouraging Truth: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you" - John 14:27a

Loving Instruction: "Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." - John 14:27b

Our Reward: "The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace!" - Psalms 29:11

My mind is always busy. Thinking on the events of the day, what I didn't get done, what has to have top priority the next day, the number in the checkbook, the number of bills to pay, what needs to be added to the grocery list. Most times, I don't worry about these things, just mull them over in my brain, trying to gain as much control over my life as possible (that's a different post). I don't think that this is a sin, but it definitely is not beneficial. Tomorrow will take care of itself, God will provide, and it really doesn't matter if my house is spotless. I need rest, and I need peace. Tonight, I pray for peace!

Truth for Today

Discouraging Thought: I am fat and ugly.

Loving Instruction: "I praise you . . . " - Psalm 139:14a

Encouraging Truth: " . . . for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." - Psalm 139:14b

In college, I was told by a pastor's wife that you should be able to stand in front of the mirror and quote Psalm 139:14. That was very weird for me to hear, really wondering why she would tell me that. Now I know. When I look in the mirror, I see lots of saggy skin covered with stretch marks, wide hips, acne, and dry, frizzy hair. Thankfully, I can hide most of those even though they bother me terribly some days. However, I do realize the importance of not putting too much emphasis on trying to acheive my pre-baby body. It is quite the miracle for our female bodies to create, grow, deliver, and feed another human being. So even though I don't particularly love the changes having children has caused, I don't resent them. I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. . . . Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them." - Psalm 139:13, 16

Today's Prayer

"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" - Psalm 8:1, 3-5, 9

Why

Just a couple days ago a friend shared this blog post through facebook. Reading it was like reading my own mind as to why I started this blog. (He just expresses it better than I ever could.) It's so sad that many Christians feel the need to pretend they don't have problems, "pasts", or struggles. If we were all honest, we would realize that we are hurting, we are all searching for answers, and that all of need Jesus. Such a good read!

http://www.jonacuff.com/blog/4-words-i-say-when-i-fail/

Change

I had a good laugh at myself on the way to Wal-Mart tonight. As I went to scratch my neck and realized dried yogurt on my neck and hair was to blame for the itch, I realized that I also had yogurt on my left pant leg, spit up on my right pant leg, and snot on my shirt. My hair was thrown in a ponytail, bangs clipped back while wisps stuck out at every direction. Why did I laugh? Oh, just because three years ago, I wouldn't have left the house without my hair, makeup, and outfit being done just so. Yes, children change things just a bit!

Skinny Thighs Can Kill

"Danish scientists found that women with skinny thighs had a higher risk of heart disease and premature death than those with meatier ones." - Parenting July 2012

Maybe this means I'll live forever!

Today's Prayer

"Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name." - I Chronicles 29:10b - 13