ots only a few short days before my oldest sons seventh birthday. I can’t believe he’s going to be seven! My heart.
This year has been tough. Caleb hasn’t enjoyed school as much as last year. He says it’s too much work, but I think it’s more then that. None of his friends from last year are in his class and he’s had a hard time adjusting to a new teacher. Sending him to school knowing he doesn’t want to be there has been very difficult. There are some days he’s ok with going, like when there’s a holiday party, but most weeks when there’s nothing to look forward to, he always asks to stay home.
This has been hard on my mamas heart. Part of me what’s to keep him home but part of me wants him to learn and understand sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to. Regardless, it’s been a tough year, his birthday is coming up, and we are all counting down the days until summer.
Thinking about this time last year and I remember how Caleb was starting to get sick of school. His teacher had gone out on maternity leave and the log term substitute took over. Caleb had a hard time adjusting to a new teacher after he had spent most of the year with his normal teacher. He never really did adjust and by this time last year I could tell he was over school. Luckily with his birthday and a week long spring break, Caleb got the rest he needed to push through April, but come May, he was ready to be done. And I felt the same.
I feel the same way this year. It was around this time I was ready for summer and to have my son back with me every day all day. Spring break was so very welcomed and we enjoyed the time together as a family. Caleb and Hannies birthdays along with Easter were a great distraction through the month of April, but come May we were ready for long beach days.
Tomorrow is calebs class party and Thursday is a half day. Friday starts spring break and I’m hoping we can spend time together as a family for all of it. I know with Hannies birthday coming up soon, April will fly by and we’ll be in May. May was the toughest month so I’m preparing myself now. It seems forever long when you’re just so done with school.
I’m ready for summer. It’s been cold too long this march. I’m ready for the beach, rainy days inside baking and playing with my three kids, pool days, bike rides, ice cream, and having daddy home longer in the mornings and earlier in the evenings. We had such a great time last summer and I can’t wait to do it again.
While I’m ready to have my oldest home with us 24/7, I’m dreading that last day of school because it won’t be long after that last day of school that the first day of school will come again and I can’t imagine having a second grader. Not only that, my middle guy will be entering kindergarten in September. I’ll have two kids in school. For the first time in five and a half years, I’ll be home with only one kid. I’m not ready for it.
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Friday, July 21, 2017
Summer Time and the Livins Certainly Easy
We are half way through the summer and I can't even believe it. How fast time goes with three little ones! I've lost count of the weeks it's been since school. All I know now is that there's six more weeks until school starts. I know this because we counted since we started seeing back to school things in the stores. I'm not ready. We're just settling into a summer routine (if that's even possible). I'm just getting used to having my oldest son home and setting off each morning for an adventure of some sort with three kiddos in tow.
We've been a busy brood! The first week out of school was an adjustment for all of us. I had planned to do absolutely nothing, just settle down, get ready for our week long vacation the following week, and enjoy all the time together, but that didn't go over so well. My oldest was bored, my middle one was thrilled to have his older brother home to torment, and the little one was annoyed by the sudden overwhelming presence of her older brother who was infringing on her space. I was just trying to survive without totally losing it. My days were spent refereeing and trying to keep the little ones entertained. Even though I didn't plan on it, we ended up going out most days because being indoors was not fun for anyone.
We hit the library where my son signed up to read a ton of books this summer to win a prize. We played at my son's school playground and waited for daddy to get off of work (he works at the school). We played outside in the pool. We went shopping. And we rode our bikes. It was a full week, even though I didn't indeed for it to be anything but lazy.
The second week out of school was spent in Long Beach Island with my side of the family. We had a blast! The boys played mini golf, twice! We did the rides, the arcade, the beach every day, the shops for fun souvenirs and beach toys, we walked down to the bay almost twice a day, rode scooters, played cards, watched cartoons, played with the cousins, visited the Barnegat Lighthouse, and ate donuts for breakfast and ice cream for dinner. The boys LOVED it and still talk about how much fun they had. They can't wait to do it again next summer!
The third week was the week of the fourth of July so there was a lot going on. There was the fourth of July parade, BBQ at my moms house, and other BBQs with friends and more family. It was a lot of fun and the kids felt like the vacation never ended!
Finally, the fourth week out, things started to slow down and we started spending more days at home than days out and about. Thank goodness I had spent a night researching Pinterest for fun things to do at home this summer because it was a rainy week and we were stuck indoors for most of it. One day we made homemade play dough which was a ton of fun. The kids enjoyed making it and than playing with it. On another day, we colored and played with kinetic sand. And on the last rainy day we made homemade graham crackers. In the few rare moments it stopped raining, we rushed outside to get some playing time in, but it was short lived. Over all, it was a fun week and we all enjoyed the down time and the time spent together with just our family.
The fifth week out was vacation Bible school week. My oldest did NOT want to go, but my middle one couldn't wait! Naturally, when we arrived, my oldest remembered how fun it was last year and rushed right in while the middle one latched onto my leg and wouldn't let go. It was a bit of a rough start for my younger guy, but by the end of the week he was doing better. Over all, the kids had a blast at VBS with their friends and cousins, they learned a lot about Jesus, came home with a ton of crafts, and learned a bunch of awesome new songs we're still singing and listening to every morning!
Is it really the end of the sixth week out of school? I can't believe it's been that long. It definitely doesn't feel like it. We spent the whole week outside. After a week spent at VBS, most of which took place indoors, we were all craving some beach time. We spent two days at the beach and another at my sister in laws pool. It's been a hot week, near 100, but the water has been beautiful and amazingly warm and refreshing. I feel like we are finally in the 'lazy' beach days of summer. Finally. I couldn't be happier. After all, this is what summer is about: beach days and pool days spent with friends and family enjoying the time off from school.
The summer is finally calming down as far as plans are concerned. Vacation is over. The Fourth of July is over. We don't have anything major planned for the rest of the summer so that means more lazy beach days to come!
I'm really enjoying having my whole brood home. The warm (and hot) weather is welcomed. Summer wasn't always my favorite time of year (fall is), but it's become my favorite because of all the family time. I knew I'd look forward to having my son home and I was right. I don't wish him back to school. I still want him home. I have six more weeks and I plan on enjoying every moment with my kiddos. After all, it all goes by so fast.
We've been a busy brood! The first week out of school was an adjustment for all of us. I had planned to do absolutely nothing, just settle down, get ready for our week long vacation the following week, and enjoy all the time together, but that didn't go over so well. My oldest was bored, my middle one was thrilled to have his older brother home to torment, and the little one was annoyed by the sudden overwhelming presence of her older brother who was infringing on her space. I was just trying to survive without totally losing it. My days were spent refereeing and trying to keep the little ones entertained. Even though I didn't plan on it, we ended up going out most days because being indoors was not fun for anyone.
We hit the library where my son signed up to read a ton of books this summer to win a prize. We played at my son's school playground and waited for daddy to get off of work (he works at the school). We played outside in the pool. We went shopping. And we rode our bikes. It was a full week, even though I didn't indeed for it to be anything but lazy.
The second week out of school was spent in Long Beach Island with my side of the family. We had a blast! The boys played mini golf, twice! We did the rides, the arcade, the beach every day, the shops for fun souvenirs and beach toys, we walked down to the bay almost twice a day, rode scooters, played cards, watched cartoons, played with the cousins, visited the Barnegat Lighthouse, and ate donuts for breakfast and ice cream for dinner. The boys LOVED it and still talk about how much fun they had. They can't wait to do it again next summer!
The third week was the week of the fourth of July so there was a lot going on. There was the fourth of July parade, BBQ at my moms house, and other BBQs with friends and more family. It was a lot of fun and the kids felt like the vacation never ended!
Finally, the fourth week out, things started to slow down and we started spending more days at home than days out and about. Thank goodness I had spent a night researching Pinterest for fun things to do at home this summer because it was a rainy week and we were stuck indoors for most of it. One day we made homemade play dough which was a ton of fun. The kids enjoyed making it and than playing with it. On another day, we colored and played with kinetic sand. And on the last rainy day we made homemade graham crackers. In the few rare moments it stopped raining, we rushed outside to get some playing time in, but it was short lived. Over all, it was a fun week and we all enjoyed the down time and the time spent together with just our family.
The fifth week out was vacation Bible school week. My oldest did NOT want to go, but my middle one couldn't wait! Naturally, when we arrived, my oldest remembered how fun it was last year and rushed right in while the middle one latched onto my leg and wouldn't let go. It was a bit of a rough start for my younger guy, but by the end of the week he was doing better. Over all, the kids had a blast at VBS with their friends and cousins, they learned a lot about Jesus, came home with a ton of crafts, and learned a bunch of awesome new songs we're still singing and listening to every morning!
Is it really the end of the sixth week out of school? I can't believe it's been that long. It definitely doesn't feel like it. We spent the whole week outside. After a week spent at VBS, most of which took place indoors, we were all craving some beach time. We spent two days at the beach and another at my sister in laws pool. It's been a hot week, near 100, but the water has been beautiful and amazingly warm and refreshing. I feel like we are finally in the 'lazy' beach days of summer. Finally. I couldn't be happier. After all, this is what summer is about: beach days and pool days spent with friends and family enjoying the time off from school.
The summer is finally calming down as far as plans are concerned. Vacation is over. The Fourth of July is over. We don't have anything major planned for the rest of the summer so that means more lazy beach days to come!
I'm really enjoying having my whole brood home. The warm (and hot) weather is welcomed. Summer wasn't always my favorite time of year (fall is), but it's become my favorite because of all the family time. I knew I'd look forward to having my son home and I was right. I don't wish him back to school. I still want him home. I have six more weeks and I plan on enjoying every moment with my kiddos. After all, it all goes by so fast.
Thursday, June 15, 2017
The Eve of My Son's Last Day of Kindergarten
How did we get here? It seems like yesterday my son was walking into the school building unsure of what awaited him through the big maroon doors. I can remember so vividly a few tears in his eyes as he lined up outside with the rest of his class. I can remember his red polo shirt and his khaki shorts. I can remember his Disney Cars backpack and the white plastic bag full of school supplies in his hand. My goodness he was so little. He seemed to get lost among all the teachers, students, and parents waiting outside. Looking back that red polo was so appropriate. He was my heart, and it was like my little, red heart was walking around outside of my body that day. I remember saying, "I love you, bud," as he walked into the building, but barely getting out those words because a giant lump entered my throat as I opened my mouth.
I remember missing him so much the first few weeks. I nurtured this sweet boy 24/7 for the first five and a half years of his life and this was the first time we were ever apart for an extended period of time. This was all so new and it took some adjusting. I needed more time to adjust then he did. By the third day he couldn't wait to get to school. It took me a month to get used to him not being home. Well, maybe not 'used to,' just distracted enough by my three year old and 6 month old. By November, I was figuring out a routine and more comfortable with my boy being gone most of the day. I got used to him being in school, but I can't say I ever stopped missing him. If he told me he didn't like school, I'd pull him out in an instant and home school, probably out of my own selfish desire more then anything.
I didn't mind when he was sick this past winter because that meant I got to spend extra time with him. He didn't like missing school and I didn't like seeing him upset about missing out, but I loved those few extra days with him. It was like the good 'ol days, when my sweet boy was with me all the time.
Once we got through flu/cold season, my sweet boy didn't miss any school. In the middle of May I noticed it had been several months since he had missed a day of school and I contemplated keeping him home simply because I missed him and I was ready to have him home for the summer break. There were several nights where I'd grab him out of bed and go get ice cream or go for a walk with him, hand in hand of course. I was just really missing him, just like I did in the beginning. I wanted my boy back. Every day I asked him if he wanted to take a day off, but he said no and I didn't want to make him do something he didn't want to do.
Toward the end of May, I started getting super emotional when I thought about my son. How is he six now? How is this school year almost over? Where has the time gone? I didn't like having an almost first grader. It made me feel old and it made me realize my baby wasn't a baby anymore. Kindergarten sounded so 'babyish' but first grade sounded so much more mature.
I used to laugh at those moms who would talk about tearing up over their kid's preschool/kindergarten graduation or whatever. Now, I get it. Your baby isn't a baby anymore when they end a school year, at least it seems that way. In a way, they are a whole year older, and it goes way too fast. You realize how much time you didn't get with them, how quickly the coming years are going to go, and how you're almost afraid to blink because if you do you'll be sitting at a high school graduation wondering how in the world you got there.
This is how I feel on the eve of my oldest son's last day of kindergarten, like time has flown by, like he's officially not a baby anymore, like this year was the fastest yet, but they're only going to get faster and that's scary. There's a fear he won't need me soon, he won't let me snuggle him or kiss him, that he'll be too concerned about his friends and not spending time with his mom. It's emotional.
On the eve of his last day, I am so beyond grateful I got five and a half years at home with my sweet son. Despite all the endless days, nights, frustration, exhaustion, fights over his picky eating, the drudgery some days of even waking up to a fussy toddler, the boogie noses, the poopie diapers, and spit up, despite all the fear, worry, and anxiety of raising a decent kid, I'm so thankful my husband suggested I stay home with our baby boy that night standing in the kitchen of our little condo when I was five months pregnant with him. It was a LONG five and a half years, but it really wasn't. It was a mere blip on the radar.
Looking back, this year has made me realize how important time is with my son. I've realized how time gets faster once your kids are in school. I realize how much more time is spent in school then at home. I value every minute I get with him because it won't be long before I'll be sitting her on the eve of his last day of first grade and I can only imagine I'll be just as emotional because I'll not only have a second grader, but I'll be losing my second son to kindergarten. And we'll do this all over again.
So forgive my rambling. I'm just a mama who's little boy is growing up too fast for her heart to handle.
Monday, January 4, 2016
Last Year Was BIG, This Year Is small
I haven't posted in a long time, but what better time to start back up than now, the beginning of a new year?! The past year has been difficult physically, emotionally, and mentally. I spent a lot of time focusing on myself and trying to get better in all areas. I finally feel I have entered into a period of rest and can begin focusing on things outside of myself and health in general. I don't have BIG plans for this year, just a few thoughts. First, here's a little recap of the past year.
As I sat in church yesterday and thought about this time last year, I realized how different things were in my life. This time last year, I found myself coming out of a difficult period health wise. I was so grateful for what God had done in my life that I was completely on fire for Him, willing and ready to do as much Kingdom work as I could. My husband and I put off having a third child so I could focus solely on God and doing more for Him. I even quit my online teaching job because I felt it got in the way of what I really wanted to be doing. I craved to be completely immersed in God's work.
As I prayed and prayed for an opportunity to do more for God, it wasn't until April that I found out about a new MOPS group starting up in our area. Something clicked in my spirit when I heard about it and I knew right away it was where God wanted me. I wanted to become involved in MOPS leadership for several years, but it just never seemed to work out. I always had a desire for MOPS, but I just kept feeling like it wasn't the right time just yet. Last April finally felt like the right time and that desire for MOPS was overwhelming. I still thank God for the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful group and for the chance to work with the most amazing women.
Aside from this, my personal life was difficult. From health crisis to ministry crisis, life was hard and I often found myself crying out to God for relief. Many times I felt like God was kicking me when I was down and that things couldn't get worse than they already were, but they always did (there is a completely different testimony about that and I will share that when I'm ready). That is why I am grateful for this period of rest right now. Nothing is perfect, but nothing is falling apart.
Which brings me to now: pregnant with our third child with life going, dare I say, fairly smoothly (compared to the past year). My position spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically, is all very different from last year. I can't say that I am totally ready and willing to hit the ground running for God like last year, but I believe it's because God has me in a different spot for a reason.
Last year I desired to do and completely expected to do great things for God. And I expected Him to move BIG. This year, God is impressing upon my heart to focus on the small, the little things that really matter. Things like: being more patient with my kids and enjoying my time with them, spending more time with friends and taking the time to make them feel special, taking more time for my husband and family in general, loving more, especially strangers and spreading the love of God, having a better attitude toward life and people, and appreciating each day as a gift.
While all of this will be tough since there are a lot of days where I feel completely depleted, stressed out, and like I can't sacrifice one more ounce, I really believe this is what God has placed on my heart for the year. With His strength, it is all possible and I am excited to see how the little things that I attempt to do have a big impact for Him.
As I sat in church yesterday and thought about this time last year, I realized how different things were in my life. This time last year, I found myself coming out of a difficult period health wise. I was so grateful for what God had done in my life that I was completely on fire for Him, willing and ready to do as much Kingdom work as I could. My husband and I put off having a third child so I could focus solely on God and doing more for Him. I even quit my online teaching job because I felt it got in the way of what I really wanted to be doing. I craved to be completely immersed in God's work.
As I prayed and prayed for an opportunity to do more for God, it wasn't until April that I found out about a new MOPS group starting up in our area. Something clicked in my spirit when I heard about it and I knew right away it was where God wanted me. I wanted to become involved in MOPS leadership for several years, but it just never seemed to work out. I always had a desire for MOPS, but I just kept feeling like it wasn't the right time just yet. Last April finally felt like the right time and that desire for MOPS was overwhelming. I still thank God for the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful group and for the chance to work with the most amazing women.
Aside from this, my personal life was difficult. From health crisis to ministry crisis, life was hard and I often found myself crying out to God for relief. Many times I felt like God was kicking me when I was down and that things couldn't get worse than they already were, but they always did (there is a completely different testimony about that and I will share that when I'm ready). That is why I am grateful for this period of rest right now. Nothing is perfect, but nothing is falling apart.
Which brings me to now: pregnant with our third child with life going, dare I say, fairly smoothly (compared to the past year). My position spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically, is all very different from last year. I can't say that I am totally ready and willing to hit the ground running for God like last year, but I believe it's because God has me in a different spot for a reason.
Last year I desired to do and completely expected to do great things for God. And I expected Him to move BIG. This year, God is impressing upon my heart to focus on the small, the little things that really matter. Things like: being more patient with my kids and enjoying my time with them, spending more time with friends and taking the time to make them feel special, taking more time for my husband and family in general, loving more, especially strangers and spreading the love of God, having a better attitude toward life and people, and appreciating each day as a gift.
While all of this will be tough since there are a lot of days where I feel completely depleted, stressed out, and like I can't sacrifice one more ounce, I really believe this is what God has placed on my heart for the year. With His strength, it is all possible and I am excited to see how the little things that I attempt to do have a big impact for Him.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
When We Truly Grasp His LOVE...
nothing else matters. Really.
About a year ago, I was attending an amazing Bible Study. I was growing by leaps and bounds and learning so much. We were studying a book called Waking the Dead. It taught our group to dive deep into God's love for us and understand His purpose while being aware of the spiritual battle going on around us. It was deep, but it was good.
After one night specifically, I left our study so full of God's love. I don't know exactly what it was or how it all happened, but I remember getting into my car to drive home and just feeling God's love all around me. It was intense, but so very REAL. I remember thinking that I could die at that very moment, leave my family, kids, and friends all behind and I wouldn't even care because I'd be with my Savior, my precious, glorious Savior.
Did she just say she could leave her kids and be okay with it? LOL yes! I remember watching this program about people who died and came back to life. Some people weren't dead long enough to experience much of anything, but one woman in particular who died found herself standing before Jesus in the after life. She stood and talked with Him and when He told her she had to go back, she begged Him to stay. She said when she came to in her present life, she couldn't believe that she would want to leave her kids, but she said His love and presence was so amazing that nothing else mattered. I remember watching and thinking, 'she must not love her kids that much then!'
After that night after Bible Study though, I knew exactly what she was talking about. Imagine if everyone experienced God's love on that level every day! Imagine if we were all so embraced in His love how effective we would be and how much we would shine for His glory! Our world would truly be different.
Seek His face and His perfect, intense, pure, real love. He created us because He wanted others to experience that love so go find it!! It's there for the taking!
About a year ago, I was attending an amazing Bible Study. I was growing by leaps and bounds and learning so much. We were studying a book called Waking the Dead. It taught our group to dive deep into God's love for us and understand His purpose while being aware of the spiritual battle going on around us. It was deep, but it was good.
After one night specifically, I left our study so full of God's love. I don't know exactly what it was or how it all happened, but I remember getting into my car to drive home and just feeling God's love all around me. It was intense, but so very REAL. I remember thinking that I could die at that very moment, leave my family, kids, and friends all behind and I wouldn't even care because I'd be with my Savior, my precious, glorious Savior.
Did she just say she could leave her kids and be okay with it? LOL yes! I remember watching this program about people who died and came back to life. Some people weren't dead long enough to experience much of anything, but one woman in particular who died found herself standing before Jesus in the after life. She stood and talked with Him and when He told her she had to go back, she begged Him to stay. She said when she came to in her present life, she couldn't believe that she would want to leave her kids, but she said His love and presence was so amazing that nothing else mattered. I remember watching and thinking, 'she must not love her kids that much then!'
After that night after Bible Study though, I knew exactly what she was talking about. Imagine if everyone experienced God's love on that level every day! Imagine if we were all so embraced in His love how effective we would be and how much we would shine for His glory! Our world would truly be different.
Seek His face and His perfect, intense, pure, real love. He created us because He wanted others to experience that love so go find it!! It's there for the taking!
Because He loves us..
There is something I want to share. It's been along time since this situation happened, but it's time I talked about how God took a hurtful, bad situation and turned it around for good in His own time, in His own way.
A long time ago, I was a liar. I was a cheater. I was a stealer, a jealous, self indulged, unrighteous, sexually immoral mess. I had a set of issues I was dealing with and instead of handing them over to God, praying without ceasing, and asking others for prayer, I tired to fix my mess of a life in my own way and ended up making it worse. In the process, I hurt people around me, and damaged relationships I'll never get back.
The details of my mess are too lengthly to explain, but you can easily assume plenty from the adjectives people used to describe me in the past (yes, people said those things to me). Naturally, I thought I was justified in the way I acted, but looking back, it was wrong, and it hurt a lot of people. It hurt me too. Yes, I was the one lying and causing the problems, but when a group of people turn on you and never forgive you, it hurts and it makes you believe you really are a bad person. I only made things worse by walking far from the spirit of God.
Years after I damaged several unfixable friendships, I'd still have nightmares about it and wake up feeling like trash. Satan wanted to remind me of how awful I was, how those people still feel about me, and how I'm still a sinner no matter what I do. It took a lot of prayer and seeking God to be able to put that hurt all behind me and thankfully, all because I serve a gracious, merciful God, He was able to mend my brokenness and turn a bad situation to good.
See, I've learned how lying hurts people, so with prayer and healing, I strive to speak only truth. I've seen how a self indulgent attitude can offend others, so I strive to be more of a giver and lover on a daily basis. I've experienced how unrighteousness hurts people, so I strive to be more righteous daily. And thankfully, I haven't hurt more people because of those things since this one bad experience.
See, God took that bad, hurtful, damaged situation and made me a better person. Had that situation not happened, would I strive to speak truth EVERY day? Maybe not. I would not see the importance of it. If that situation hadn't happened, would I value humility? Probably not. And righteousness? Definitely not.
It was a life experience that some would agree HAD to happen for me to learn these things. Thankfully, God was with me through it all, had mercy on me and I was able to get through it with only a few damaged relationships. Could there have been more damaged friendships? Maybe. Less? Maybe. I'm glad that time is over and God has changed me. I'm glad there was an important life lesson. And I'm glad God healed me and used it to make me a better person for His purpose. With God, no matter what it is, He can turn it for good because He loves us.
A long time ago, I was a liar. I was a cheater. I was a stealer, a jealous, self indulged, unrighteous, sexually immoral mess. I had a set of issues I was dealing with and instead of handing them over to God, praying without ceasing, and asking others for prayer, I tired to fix my mess of a life in my own way and ended up making it worse. In the process, I hurt people around me, and damaged relationships I'll never get back.
The details of my mess are too lengthly to explain, but you can easily assume plenty from the adjectives people used to describe me in the past (yes, people said those things to me). Naturally, I thought I was justified in the way I acted, but looking back, it was wrong, and it hurt a lot of people. It hurt me too. Yes, I was the one lying and causing the problems, but when a group of people turn on you and never forgive you, it hurts and it makes you believe you really are a bad person. I only made things worse by walking far from the spirit of God.
Years after I damaged several unfixable friendships, I'd still have nightmares about it and wake up feeling like trash. Satan wanted to remind me of how awful I was, how those people still feel about me, and how I'm still a sinner no matter what I do. It took a lot of prayer and seeking God to be able to put that hurt all behind me and thankfully, all because I serve a gracious, merciful God, He was able to mend my brokenness and turn a bad situation to good.
See, I've learned how lying hurts people, so with prayer and healing, I strive to speak only truth. I've seen how a self indulgent attitude can offend others, so I strive to be more of a giver and lover on a daily basis. I've experienced how unrighteousness hurts people, so I strive to be more righteous daily. And thankfully, I haven't hurt more people because of those things since this one bad experience.
See, God took that bad, hurtful, damaged situation and made me a better person. Had that situation not happened, would I strive to speak truth EVERY day? Maybe not. I would not see the importance of it. If that situation hadn't happened, would I value humility? Probably not. And righteousness? Definitely not.
It was a life experience that some would agree HAD to happen for me to learn these things. Thankfully, God was with me through it all, had mercy on me and I was able to get through it with only a few damaged relationships. Could there have been more damaged friendships? Maybe. Less? Maybe. I'm glad that time is over and God has changed me. I'm glad there was an important life lesson. And I'm glad God healed me and used it to make me a better person for His purpose. With God, no matter what it is, He can turn it for good because He loves us.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Tired Mamas
Lately, life has been stressful. To sum it up, I'm simply a tired, worn out mama of two sick boys who is not feeling well herself and has a bad case of cabin fever in these dark, cold, winter days. It's during these times when my emotions get the best of me and I get stressed easily, frustrated quickly, and overwhelmed constantly.
Knowing that I cannot operate at my fullest mom potential in this state, I decided to take control. I made a promise to myself that while the kids were eating breakfast each morning, I would read a short devotional to start my day off on the right track. And by no coincidence this morning, I stumbled upon numerous "mom devotionals" about peace. How appropriate.
A few verses spoke to me and eased my nerves:
Psalm 4:8 - In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. (NIV)
Isaiah 26:3-4 - You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust You. Trust in the Lord forever for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. (NIV)
My prayer for all tired mamas today is that the Lord would impart peace to every aspect of your lives and that you would find rest in his presence.
Knowing that I cannot operate at my fullest mom potential in this state, I decided to take control. I made a promise to myself that while the kids were eating breakfast each morning, I would read a short devotional to start my day off on the right track. And by no coincidence this morning, I stumbled upon numerous "mom devotionals" about peace. How appropriate.
A few verses spoke to me and eased my nerves:
Psalm 4:8 - In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. (NIV)
Isaiah 26:3-4 - You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust You. Trust in the Lord forever for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. (NIV)
My prayer for all tired mamas today is that the Lord would impart peace to every aspect of your lives and that you would find rest in his presence.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)