Attitude is just about everything {a quote for thought}

Good sense makes one slow to anger,

and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 19:11

Thinking on the following quote as it relates to forgiveness...

  "The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me is more important than facts, it’s more important than the past, it’s more important than education, it’s more important than money, circumstances, failures, successes. It’s more important than what other people think or say or do. It’s more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, or a home. 

   The remarkable thing is that we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string that we have, and that is our attitude.

  I’m convinced that life is ten percent of what happens to me and ninety percent of how I react to it."

    ~Chuck Swindoll

Choose to forgive, it will bring joy to your heart.

Choosing to forgive means freedom

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you,

along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, 

as God in Christ forgave you.  Ephesians 4:31-32

We have one last meeting this Fall in our small group Bible Study, discussing the topic of forgiveness.  This has been such a good study.  In my studies, I came across this account from the life of Corrie ten Boom in an online resource.  I hope that it will be an encouragement to you as you learn to forgive others.  God's forgiveness toward each of us has been so lavish and undeserved, how can we extend any less to those who have wronged us?

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  Corrie ten Boom, author of "The Hiding Place", was taken captive and spent time in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. While in prison, Corrie saw incredible abuse, so inhumane that it drove the prisoners to incredible depths, including intentionally allowing lice to breed on their bodies because the more lice they had, the less likely it would be that the guards would molest them.  And Corrie even witnessed the death of her own dear sister.

   After the war, God sent Corrie ten Boom on a mission of mercy through the war-torn cities to encourage residents to choose forgiveness over bitterness. She would motivate her audiences by sharing some of the atrocities she had experienced,  implying that if she could forgive such horrors, so could her listeners.  

   One night speaking, she immediately recognized the man who came walking down the aisle as a particularly cruel guard in one of the concentration camps. The man did not recognize her however. As he approached Corrie he said...

"Fraulein, you don't know me, but I was a guard in one of those camps. After the war, God saved me. I wish I could go back and undo those years. I can't, but I've just been prompted by God to come tonight and ask you, would you please forgive me?"

   Then he extended his hand to her. Can you imagine the horrible thoughts and memories that raced through Corrie's mind as she recognized his face and then even worse, heard his incredible plea for forgiveness? How could she? Corrie said her arms froze at her side and she was literally unable to move. The flashbacks in her mind replaying the atrocities, the death of her sister, the abuse. 

And then God's Spirit said to her,

Corrie, what have you been telling everyone else to do? As an act of your will, will you choose to forgive?

Corrie went on to explain what happened next...

I reached out my hand, and I put it in his, and I said, "You're forgiven."

She later reported that at that moment...

It was like a dam broke loose—all the bitterness and resentment—and God set me free.

Later Corrie said...

"You never so touch the ocean of God's love as when you forgive and love your enemies."

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

   Corrie ten Boom told of not being able to forget a wrong that had been done to her. She had forgiven the person, but she kept rehashing the incident and so couldn't sleep. Finally Corrie cried out to God for help in putting the problem to rest. "His help came in the form of a kindly Lutheran pastor," Corrie wrote, "to whom I confessed my failure after two sleepless weeks." 

   "Up in the church tower," he said, nodding out the window, "is a bell which is rung by pulling on a rope. But you know what? After the sexton lets go of the rope, the bell keeps on swinging. First ding, then dong. Slower and slower until there's a final dong and it stops. I believe the same thing is true of forgiveness. When we forgive, we take our hand off the rope. But if we've been tugging at our grievances for a long time, we mustn't be surprised if the old angry thoughts keep coming for a while. They're just the ding-dongs of the old bell slowing down." 

   "And so it proved to be. There were a few more midnight reverberations, a couple of dings when the subject came up in my conversations, but the force -- which was my willingness in the matter -- had gone out of them. They came less and less often and at the last stopped altogether: we can trust God not only above our emotions, but also above our thoughts."

Source: preceptaustin.org // Ephesians 4:31-32 "verse by verse commentary"

What I look forward to {writing prompt}

There we were, in my child's room dealing with an issue.  I had to ask the probing questions, to help them to understand why what they did was wrong...why what they did was...sin.  Some people like to avoid talking about sin.  They don't like to use that word.  They're too afraid of sounding like some whacked-out "preacher" who doesn't understand love and compassion.  But the most loving thing I can do is to tell them like it is. 

To help them to see that it is their sin that Jesus gave his life for...

...their sin that desperately needs forgiveness.

...their sin that will wreak havoc in their life if they let it.

We do not wait until they do the "really bad" things.  We help them to see that even those things that most would consider "small" are big to God.

Things like disobeying a parent.  Huge problem.  

Even in simple things like neglecting to remove dirty clothes from the bathroom like mom has instructed, time and time again.

If small things are neglected, what of the bigger tasks?  And it is this principle of being faithful in little that I do not want them to miss.

Have you ever been or seen someone else utterly grieved over sin?  This was my child.  My child's face was stretched tight in an expression of deep agony and as the tears gushed forth, these are the heart wrenching words that were exclaimed...

"I wish I never did that mommy...

Why do I sin?!...I asked God to take my sin away, but I still sin!  I don't want to sin any more!

Jesus died because of my sin...I only want to do what is right!"

I sat there in complete amazement.  I admit, I wasn't expecting this.  It was one of the saddest, and at the same time most beautiful things I have ever seen.  My child, mourning over their sin...my child, hating their sin.

We are declared righteous because we have believed in Christ's work on the cross.  God has forgiven us and given us his Spirit to dwell within.  Yet the hard reality is that the struggle with sin continues.  We make choices.  We have victories and at the same time we have failures.  

We remembered the grace and forgiveness that God always extends.  He is faithful and just to forgive us when we ask...and to cleanse us from unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)  "A righteous man falls seven times and rises up again..." (Prov. 24:16)

We found hope and courage in the power we have been given to honor his name...we have his Spirit...we can choose rightly...we do not have to give in to temptations.  All is not lost and for nothing.

After sitting there and crying with my child, hating my own sin too, we rejoiced that one day we will be with God forever.  Our sin and sadness will be no more.  Our struggle will be over.

With all my heart, I long for that day.


Linking up for the writing prompt here: http://www.ellenstumbo.com/what-i-look-forward-to/

Celebrating Milestones {writing prompt}

I'm the type of person that MUST write things down if I have any hope of remembering it.  I have my stickies and my memo stations so that I can remember important things I need to do.

This week, I was glad to have another record to help my memory...a little journal I had started in 2003.  It's actually one of Joelle's favorite books.  Probably because most of the memories it contains are about her when she was little.

When I read through it's entries, I realize that if I had not written these things down I would have probably forgotten all about them.  Thinking of Joelle as a little two to three year old girl seems so distant, so long ago.  But when I read these entries...I remember.  Not only the funny things and the precious things but also the things that were so hard at the time, yet now they are a distant memory.

6.24.03

~Joelle is sitting on the stairs with her Gramma this morning.  Whenever she sits down she grunts like an old man.  It's so funny.  She also makes this exasperated sound when she lifts something from the ground--even if it's a lightweight stuffed animal!  Joelle acts as if it's extremely heavy.  I just crack up at this.

~ We're having to tell Joelle "Sssshhhh!" all the time, because she yells whenever she wants to say something.  I tell her "Please don't yell, you're being too loud", and I'm trying to teach her words that she can use instead.  I'm praying for God's wisdom in how to handle her constant yelling, sometimes shrill screaming.

~It's wonderful to see how Amera helps Joelle and teaches her things.  Amera does very well at praising Joelle when she accomplishes something.  Lately Joelle has been determined to go down the stairs while standing, rather than scooting down as usual.  Whenever she gets to the bottom of the steps she claps her hands and cheers for herself, and Amera and I join in and say "Good job, Joelle!"

7.4.03

~Joelle has gotten so good at using her fork, this morning she wants to use her fork to eat everything!  From fruit loops to broken up pieces of toast.  The funny thing is--she's actually doing a great job at it!

~Lately when I put Joelle down for a nap I wave "bye" at the door of her room.  I close the door and she says loudly over and over "Hi!, Hi!, Hi!".  It's her ways of saying "bye".  It's really cute...though I guess it's good that eventually she stops. :)

It's hard to believe we made it past the shrill screams and tumbling down the stairs.  It's hard to believe she will soon be old enough to begin babysitting.  And it's hard to believe that she has gone so far beyond just using her fork at the table...to the point of whipping up special treats in the kitchen!  I don't know exactly when it all happened.  But it did.

Two more special entries to share with you...

7.17.04

~I have started to read through the Bible.  Amera has followed my example and she has been inspired to read from start to finish as well.  This morning she is on the couch reading with such a serious expression on her face.  I think she is in Exodus.  I heard Joelle (2 1/2 years old) opening her Bible bag (with velcro).  I knew she was pulling out her Bible too!  She went and sat next to Amera and opened her Bible.  How precious!  I sat down next to Amera and said "See that?" (motioning to Joelle)..."That's the power of an example". 

~Joelle gets so excited when she hears Amera playing "Jesus loves me" on the piano.  She gets very excited and says "Mommy!, Mommy! 'Stwonn'" (that's the way she says STRONG) and she does this cute little muscle pose.  Then she says "Me! Me! Me!" and points to herself.  It's so precious to hear her little voice saying "...Yeh Jesuh wuh meeeee!" as we sing it together.  It just melts my heart every time.

I praise God that Joelle came to understand just how much Jesus loves her.  I pray it is something she will never forget.

Read more about our birthday girl here: Joelle is eleven today

Linking up for the writing prompt here: http://www.ellenstumbo.com/celebrating-milestones/

Joelle is eleven today

Joelle...

~always has her nose in a book.

~always knows what is on the calendar and looks forward to special dates with excitement.

~loves to bake treats

~loves the sound of chicken sizzling in the skillet, and enjoys cooking.

~cannot get enough of her baby sister and kisses her constantly.

~eats ketchup on her tacos just like her momma (that's one on my side hon!).

~cracks us up when she's not really trying to be funny.

~often wonders why we think things are so funny...she's more the serious type. ;)

She often laughs at her little brother though.  

 I took the above shot after Manny ran right between us pushing a wheel barrow.  

Crazy kid!

Joelle, you are growing up to be quite the young lady.  

We love you and thank God for you!

Thrown into a pit // Powerful forgiveness

He was hated and despised by those who should have loved him most.

His own brothers desired to be rid of him.  They wanted to kill him.

To pretend he didn't even exist.

Their hate was so deep, they put him down in a pit.

They would have left him to die, but it seemed better to at least make a profit.

They sold him...into slavery.  Their own brother...so despised and hated.

He was only seventeen.

It wasn't easy for their brother after that.  Imagine the emotions he experienced...

Desperately clinging to his God, he would be faithful...

He would not give in to the advances of an attractive, adulterous woman.

He would not do it and sin against his God.  Such integrity! Even in dark times.

Humiliated she turned the tables and he received a punishment he did not deserve.

He was imprisoned, UNJUSTLY.

I wonder how many times his mind went back to the day when they put him down in that pit...

Was God still in control through all this??

Years were spent in a foreign land, away from all he had ever known...he may have been tempted to think that all was lost, that God had forgotten about him...but no, he understood that God was working.  Even through all the pain, anguish and sorrow, God was still working.  

God gave Joseph wisdom and understanding to know the meaning of the dreams of a powerful Egyptian ruler.  Only God could do that.

God exalted Joseph to a position of authority and honor.  Only God could do that.

And after all that Joseph had been through, God gave him the grace to see a clear picture of his mighty work in his life.

It is one of the most beautiful forgiveness stories written by the "Author and Finisher" of Joseph's faith.

We reach the climax of the story, and surely the emotions being experienced were beyond description...

As Joseph's brothers thought for sure that he would utterly hate them for all they had done to him...

As Joseph's brothers thought for certain that he would pay them back for the evil things they had done...

But Joseph does what only God can help us do.  

He forgives.  He completely forgives.  For all of it.

God help us to forgive like that.

And to understand, like Joseph did, that God is working out his sovereign plan in our lives and it is for our good.

Through deep pain and uncertainty, He is still on his throne.
Just as he was when Joseph's brothers threw him into a pit so long ago...


[ You can find this account in the book of Genesis, starting in chapter 37 and ending in chapter 50]

~from east to west~

It is hard to believe, but soon our entire crew will be boarding an airplane and flying across the country.  Our family is beyond excited for this opportunity, yes, right on down to the small children who have never flown on an airplane before!  We are positively beaming and feel a constant amazement that God is moving things forward.

It's a comfort for us to know that we are his and that he is able to make possible whatever he sees fit.  I know I shouldn't be, because we serve a great and awesome God, but part of me feels amazed that God has brought us to this point.

Our family will be flying out to a church in California in the very near future to see if God would have my husband serve as their pastor.

It seems crazy... why would we fly our family all the way across the country?  Simply put, God opens doors for us to walk through.  We firmly believe that he is accomplishing what he wants to accomplish in our lives, we are following his lead and not our own.

I am excited about every detail of this trip.  From the drive to the airport to the boarding of the plane.  I am excited about taking my kids on this amazing adventure.  I am excited about returning to California...very close to my old stomping grounds.  I never would have thought....

I am also very excited about getting to know the people that God may have us serve and the area that God may have us reach for his glory.  So much anticipation, excitement and I admit, nervousness.  :)  But I keep reminding myself that we are in God's hands.  This is his work and I am just so glad to be a part of it!

Manny, I love how you...

Manny, 

I love how you say "C'mon 'Cara', let's play!" and you happily run off together to play with your toys.

I love how you gave Clara a big, sweet hug and said "Look mom!"  because you knew I would think it was sweet.

I love how you got so excited about this balloon.  You practically trembled with excitement.  You said "Look mom, it's up 'dare'!"  And you happily ran around the house with the balloon trailing behind you.

I love how you happily sit in the wheelbarrow while your big sister, Joelle gives you a fun ride.

I love how you play with your brother.  You make him laugh so hard with all of your crazy antics...whether it's a funny little dance, or the humorous things you say with your three year old voice.  I love watching you guys pretending to be super heroes, sword-fighting knights, cowboys, and kings of the castle.  You make me laugh with pure happiness.  

This very moment, you and your brother are the only one's up so far on this Saturday morning.  You guys are snuggled up on the couch trying to stay warm and watching a movie together.  I just have to smile.

I love how you jump right in with whatever your sisters are doing...even if it is "girl stuff".  :)

I love how you get this very determined look on your face some mornings and you grab your sister's old preschool workbook and say "I do school".  You plop that workbook on the table and get busy coloring.  That's your "school".  You are such a cute little man.

I could go on, but I'll stop there...for now.  There's so much to love about you, my sweet boy.  

Thank you God...this little man is so precious to me.

Giving even when you're not getting

I have often been the facial expression reader...the body language discerner...the tone of voice decipherer...and sometimes to a fault.  I have considered my "vibe" detector to be finely tuned and my radar for how a person really thinks and feels to be super sensitive.  I used to pride myself on that.  

The fact is, over time I realized that I wasn't always right.  Even with my own husband.  

I would read into his facial expressions and tone...

"What's wrong?  Are you upset?"  

"No, I'm fine."  

"Are you sure?"...

It was hard for me to grow in this area and just take his word for it.

And it would often happen at church too.  There would be that person, who was friendly one day and not quite as friendly and talkative the next.  Things wouldn't seem right between us...I was picking up on vibes and I didn't like the way they felt.

With a desire to make sure everything was okay between us, I would decide that I should ask her if I have offended her in any way.  Though, honestly, I couldn't think of any possible way I might have done that.

And you know what?  Over time, I began to realize that the main reason I really wanted to ask was because I wanted to be a people pleaser and I wanted to make sure they still thought well of me.  

Do you see the self-centeredness in that?

My first thought was not centered on what she might be going through.  My first thought was not to pray for her...my first thought was "I want to feel better than she's making me feel right now."  Never mind the fact that she might be going through something that I am completely unaware of.  I began to realize how selfish my concerns were.

Sometimes we struggle with the way people treat us...or maybe they don't treat us at all.  Sometimes we feel neglected, under appreciated, unnoticed, and slighted.  And it's in those times that we may need to adjust our  focus.

Instead of asking "What am I getting from people?" we should ask ourselves "What am I giving to people?".  

And with that second question open up our heart to God and ask him to search it.  

It's easy to complain about what others aren't doing, but it's harder to deeply consider what we ought to be doing.  Especially in light of what God has said.

Even the Lord Jesus "made himself nothing and took the form of a servant" (Phil. 3:7).  He "came not to be served, but to serve" (Matt. 20:28) 

Is that your mindset?

The joy and pain of motherhood

My husband's phone call came late in the evening.  The simple question "How are you?" made me wonder where in the world I could begin.  How could I possibly sum up the multitude of emotions that had been experienced in the past two hours?  An afternoon full of child rearing challenges is not so easy to sum up.

When my child does that thing they do again and surely they know it's wrong! 

There are things that I am teaching my children over, and over, and over again.  To the point where I wonder if I am getting through.  Are they getting what I am saying?!  Is it sinking in?  Their actions often speak the cold, hard truth...if anything has sunk in, it hasn't sunk in deep enough...despite my best efforts to instill it.  

Do they know how often I pray for strength to teach them what is right...do they know that it is not always what I feel like doing, yet I do it anyway? 

Do they realize how much I love, how much I care, how much it matters to me that they have good character...godly character?  

That the sibling my little one's yell at now, could someday be the friend, the co-worker, the spouse they yell at in the future?  

That toy they are bursting into tears over is far less important than cultivating a heart that is content and trusting God in every circumstance?

That lashing out to hurt those who have hurt you "does not bring about the righteousness of God" (James 1:19) and that it actually makes things worse?

As their mother, I see it so clearly.  I see the error of their ways.  I know of much better ways for them to handle their problems and yet at the same time, I am learning to handle my own.  And both of these have me hanging on God's Words for dear life.  Without it, I would be utterly lost.

I know, they are children, they are immature.  I should not be surprised when that shows.  But whether I am surprised or not...it's tough stuff being a mommy.  Sometimes, one day runs into the next and it seems to be a blur of activity.  And most of the activity consists of cleaning up messes, the physical and the spiritual.  

It can begin to feel like you're doing the same things over and over again.  It can be easy to lose sight of all the joy mingled in with the pain.  The pain is often at the forefront...sometimes we just need to push it back a bit and remember that there are good things happening, there are things to be glad about...we can't forget that.  

Sometimes I think about my children being grown adults with families of their own.  And I wonder what they will be like.  Ultimately, who they are deep inside is a matter between them and God, but I sure hope and pray that these things I am striving to teach them each and every day will really take hold in their hearts.  I have cried my heart out to God for it.  And admittedly, sometimes I want them to grasp things because it does make things better for me and for others...but most of all I want things to be better for them...and for God to be honored and glorified.

I feel like I'm on a bit of an uphill climb as a mommy lately.  I just keep looking up to God and putting one foot in front of the other.  Pray for me as I pray for you...that we would be faithful to God, to be wise and attentive mothers, by God's grace, and to spend all the time it takes to point out the paths of wisdom and righteousness to our children.  Even if it means we have to keep getting back on them ourselves.

......................................................................................................

On a lighter note...

~Today my daughter, Brienne used her birthday money to generously buy little gifts for her siblings at the dollar store.  And she enjoyed it too.  My heart was touched.

~Today, for the first time in a long time, Brienne really wanted to pray and thank God for our dinner.  She said the sweetest prayer, thanking God, mainly for me, and for specific blessings she enjoyed today.

~Today my boys were the funniest brothers!  Laughing together, running around like crazy and honestly enjoying each others company.  Ahhh...I just have to thank God for these things.  He is good through all the joy and the pain.  Always good.

A few of my favorite things

A soft, fuzzy blanket, a love for books and a precious little girl's smile.

Just a few of my favorite things.

{Thanks for the birthday money mom.  It was so fun to get the "Sherpa" blanket I've had my eye on.  

It keeps me warm in the mornings and all of the kids like to borrow it whenever they can! ;)

If I knew then what I know now {writing prompt}

Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually,

that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.  

Hebrews 13:15

Complaining?  Well...that's the easy way out.  And thanksgiving and praise?  They will often be a sacrifice.

Last week, my husband had to take a work-related trip to Tennessee and stay for a few days.  The bonus? He would get to spend some time with my mom and her husband since they live only an hour away from there.  The bigger bonus?  He would bring Joelle and Brienne with him and they would get some special time with their grandma.

It was all settled over a week in advance.  The girls were beyond excited.  Every day they would talk about going to Grandma's.  From what they would bring and where they might sleep, to what snacks to bring on the trip with dad.  They were so excited about their special trip!  And I was excited for them.

Sometimes the unexpected happens.  

To put it tactfully, a stomach virus made it's presence known in our home the night before the trip.  Some of the children were showing signs, some were not...but it became very apparent that attempting to make the trip with any of our children under these circumstances would be far too risky for everyone involved.

Our girls went from being very excited to very disappointed.  It was heart breaking.  I shed a few tears and they shed quite a few more.  They needed time to mourn their loss and I gave that to them.

Sometimes when a big thing disappoints, even the little things are harder to take.  That morning, when I attempted to iron my husband's shirt, I discovered that our iron would not work.  The thing would not even turn on!  Things just weren't going well for us.

I stood at my kitchen sink feeling a big complaint coming on. 

The trip being canceled for the girls was very disappointing...yet I had turned to the Lord in trust.  I saw this as being in his hands.  He was not surprised by this illness in our home and he meant it for our good.  I prayed with my girls, we focused our attention on God who was still in control.  

Yet, as I stood there by my kitchen sink, I just wanted to complain about my iron...and I did.  I verbalized it.  

"Whose iron just works one day and doesn't work the next?"

Well...mine, obviously.  I just wasn't willing to face reality in that moment.  

Well it just so happened that I was about to sit down and work on chapter 4 of my Bible study.  

This was the question: When and for what are we to give thanks? (according to Ephesians 5:20)

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father 

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:20

Then I read this paragraph.. (from the book "Refresh Your Heart" by Claudia Barba)

Is giving thanks always easy and natural?  Is it sometimes very difficult?

When you give thanks because it's right, not because you feel like it, 

that's a sacrifice of obedience.  You are sacrificing your "right" to complain--

your natural inclination to say just how you feel or how resentful you are 

that things haven't gone your way.  You are doing what is supernatural

rather than what is natural.  This kind of obedience is better than any animal sacrifice.

[I will praise the name of God with a song;

I will magnify him with thanksgiving.

This will please the LORD more than an ox

or a bull with horns and hoofs.

Psalm 69:30-31]

You should have seen my jaw drop.  It was just what I needed at just the right time.  To think that I can sacrificially offer thanksgiving to God, even when I don't feel like it, and that is pleasing to him.  Wow.

Even just now as I was typing I had to pause to see what Joelle needed in the kitchen.  I was dismayed to discover that a small sippy cup is wedged into the drain.  A perfect fit.  Joelle attempted to get it out and then  called me in for reinforcements.  I could not get it out either.  You don't know how bad I wanted to complain.  It would be soooo easy to gripe about.  I mean, I finally found a pocket of time for quiet reflection and a cup gets wedged in the drain!  Of all things!  

This time would be different though.  This time I understood that praise and thanksgiving are very often a sacrifice.  This time I would choose to please my God instead of my self.  I would not be complaining.  Hard as it was to resist the urge,  I WOULD NOT DO IT.  Not with my lips nor in my heart.

Because I love my God and my thanksgiving is a fragrant aroma to him.  And it is a very pleasing sacrifice.

I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving 

and call on the name of the LORD.

Psalm 116:17

[I spoke with Javier and let's just say we will be launching "operation cup removal" when he gets home this evening!  Daddy to the rescue!  :)  We both had a good chuckle over the wacky things that sometimes happen in this house.  And I was overjoyed to report my little victory over complaining.  The seemingly small, everyday moments really do matter don't they?]

Linking up for the writing prompt here: http://www.ellenstumbo.com/if-i-knew-then-what-i-know-now/

Growing {writing prompt}

Dear Isabel, 

I was in the kitchen, frying up homemade french fries for a [very] rare treat when I thought I should check on you.  These days I am often checking on you.  Sometimes the silence alarms me.  It is now possible for you to get to just about anywhere you want to go.  

Questions race through mind if I don't spot you right away...I wonder if the bathroom door is closed like it always has to be these days...I wonder if you have found some small, potential choking hazard and put it in your mouth.  A few times your siblings have all been playing with you in their bedroom and then they gradually leave until you are left completely alone.  I will notice that they are all in the living room with me and I rush to go find you, my mind racing with possible situations I might find you in.  

You do love to explore.  You love to find little treasures that are not called "toys".  Your toys are beginning to bore you.  And yes, like most of your siblings before you, there seems to be a magnetism between you and the open dishwasher.  This is usually right where the training begins.  This is when mommy begins to tell you "No", a new word to you.  And it will take a lot of work for you to understand that there are certain things that are not good for you to climb on and get in to.  But work we must.

So, back to the kitchen... I peeked around the corner and saw you there little one.  Your sweet smile held me there, it always makes me smile big too.  I wish that I could have captured the first smile you gave me, but thankfully after I ran to grab my camera you gave me another one that was pretty close to the first.  I love the delight on your face when you see me and the way your brown eyes sparkle.

I love it when you get so excited that you pant.  I love how you scrunch up your little nose and do your cute little sniffle thing while you're panting.  You've seen how much it makes everyone laugh and Oh! how you love to make us laugh!  I love how you crawl over to me as fast as you can and you hug my leg.  You hug it tight and as an added bonus you coo and make sweet sounds that positively make your momma melt.  

If I am on the floor you hurry over and tackle me, I love your little hands that grab onto my shirt to pull yourself up.  I think it's the sweetest thing in the world when you bury your face into my shoulder.  Sometimes, I feel like I could snuggle with you for hours.  You are precious to me little one.  Don't grow up too fast. ;)  I love you Izzy biz!

Love, Mom

Defining moments {writing prompt}

Being a mom is not always a glamorous thing.  It has it's share of frustrating days with the seemingly endless stream of potty training accidents.  You wonder when your child will EVER get it.  You wonder what you are doing wrong or what is wrong with them!  Why is it that another mom's method seemed to work for her in matter of days and it has been months for you.  You seem to remember your other children catching on much sooner than this...

Being a mom is not always a glamorous thing.  It has it's share of sleepless nights.  Small children who wake up screaming at two am...four am...and six am.  Children, who seem to have all their needs met, yet they wail.  You've tried everything you can possibly think of until finally, in an effort to survive, you do WHATEVER works.  You know people will think bad of you, it goes against what it says in that popular parenting book, but it works for you and your child, so you do it.

Being a mom is not always a glamorous thing.  It has it's share of blunders.  There is so much pressure to do everything just right, to keep up with the latest book philosophy, to be admired in the eyes of our friends...but you know what?  Each family is different.  What works for one may not work as well for another and that is OKAY.  Methods are fine, but don't become enslaved to a method.  You may find that you are beating your head against the wall, frustrated and trying to do "exactly what the book says", yet it just isn't working for you.  Don't be afraid to try something else.  Don't expect that you will do everything perfectly your first, second, third...or seventh time around!  Each child is different and what works for one may not work for another.  Pray and seek wisdom from God, he has promised to give it. 

You will often be humbled as a parent.  You will be driven to your knees because sometimes you just don't understand why your child does what they do.  You will realize that you don't always have all the answers to every complex issue.  Pray hard, God stands ready to help you.

Being a mom is not always a glamorous thing.  It has it's share of messes.  You will feel like you are always nursing, always correcting, always cleaning up, and always stepping on Legos and Cheerios!  These are the days, these are the moments, these are all a part of being a mother to your children.  And someday they will be grown, they will get it and you will make it through.  You will look back and smile on these days.  You will remember the battles you fought in the trenches of motherhood.

Those Legos and Cheerios all over the floor?  The evidence that you have been blessed with a gift from the Father.  The gift of a child to love and cherish.  Not only on the glamorous days, because we have our share of those too, but on the not so glamorous days as well.

God bless you mommies.  For all you do...God bless you.



Linking up for the writing prompt here: http://www.ellenstumbo.com/defining-moments/

Worry lies to you

"When you worry, you show distrust in the truthfulness of God."

"Worry accuses God of making false promises."

"Worry lies."

 ~Claudia Barba, Refresh Your Heart

What we truly believe about God comes out in our most difficult moments, doesn't it?  Most of us would probably not call God a liar outright, but that is essentially what we are doing when we succumb to worry.  We doubt God and we think he has somehow forgotten us or that somehow he is overlooking our present circumstances.  But what does his word say?

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19

"He has said, 'I will never leave you or forsake you.'" Hebrews 13:5

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God...casting all your care on him, because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

When we worry, we are believing the lie that God has forgotten about us.  But it is we who often forget who God is and what he has promised us.  We often need reminders, don't we?

As Christians, the Holy Spirit of God dwells in us.  Our bodies are the temple of the living God!  

"...your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you...You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.  So glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

You are of more value to God than a church building.  But think of how upset you would be if your church were vandalized.  Think of how appalled you would be if someone painted dreadful images and words about God all over the walls and destroyed everything inside your church!

Worry is like that.  It wreaks havoc on you.  It's lies come in and cause damage inside of you, if you believe them.  They are like black paint splattered all over the walls of your heart.  Only the truth of God's word and his promises can wash the lies away.  

Turn to God in complete trust.  He has not forgotten about you.  Your circumstances are NOT too hard for him to handle.  He is working for your good.  He will provide and he cares more deeply for you than you can possibly imagine!

Rejoice in the Lord always;

again I will say, Rejoice.

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.

The Lord is at hand;

do not be anxious (worry) about anything,

but

in everything by prayer and supplication 

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, 

which surpasses all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7

{This post contains thoughts and ideas that were gleaned from the study "Refresh Your Heart" by Claudia Barba.  It's a wonderful study that has been a tremendous encouragement to me in my faith}