Slow down and you won't get in trouble.

My husband and his brother standing by speed racer (c. 1998)

I've heard my mother-in-law use this tried and true phrase countless times over the seventeen years I've known her. She used it quite often when we were young teenagers, getting ready to haul off here or there in my husband's red Porsche 944. Can you imagine the horror of watching your child - your precious cargo - take off in a Guards Red rocket? Ticket bait. An accident waiting to happen. Insurance premium insanity. Thankfully, my husband listened to his mother's advice and always got us from point A to point B safely.

I was thinking about this just yesterday as I was speeding to our kids' swim lessons and approaching a big hill. It recently snowed and I had no idea what was on the other side of the hill, so I slowed down and approached with caution.

I thought about this again when I was making bread yesterday; I was in such a hurry to whip up a loaf of bread and get it on the dinner table, that I didn't notice the yeast expired FOUR YEARS AGO. We had a beautiful golden-brown dough brick on the table at dinner.

I thought about it again when I was hurrying to set the coffee maker. I was moving quickly because I had use the bathroom (for the 47th time) and get upstairs to watch our favorite show (the only one we watch routinely, which has recently moved to a very inconvenient weeknight time slot). I was in such a hurry that I dumped a scoop of coffee grounds in the water reservoir (filled with water, btw) instead of the coffee filter. You have no idea what kind of a mess that makes. I ended up with wet coffee grounds all over myself, the sink, the counters, the cabinets, the floor. Sigh. If I wasn't in such a hurry, I wouldn't have had that mess to deal with. That mess caused me to miss our show AND almost pee my pants.

It's not only the little things though. It's not just driving, cooking or cleaning. More and more, we see people making crazy irrational permanent life decisions to fix temporary life problems. Slow down, dear friends. Your climb might be hard, but you don't know what's on the other side of the hill. Proceed with utmost caution. Think your decisions through. Take the time. Put in the effort. Seek counsel. Pray hard. Go the extra mile. Buckle your seat belts and read the directions. Stop fixing temporary problems with permanent solutions. And? Don't lose hope.

"Why are you downcast, o my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." (Psalm 42:5)

Believe me when I say, I am guilty of making a million-and-one quick irrational decisions and need this advice as much as anyone, but I thought I'd share in case you're in need of encouragement today.

I guess I'm feeling a little...

Content? Could I possibly feel content? Do I even know what that feels like? For an entire decade, I went from "dream" job to "dream" job and yo-yo diet to yo-yo diet, anxiety attack to anxiety attack and I was always sick, out of time, stressed out, and always complaining...you get the picture. I had all these plans and ideals about what life was supposed to look like; what rung I was supposed to be clenching on the corporate ladder; how much more education I should have under my belt - certifications, degrees, accolades, etc. But, I never felt good about it. I kept hitting speed bump after speed bump. Then, a few years ago, something changed. The Lord threw out the stop sticks.


I felt and overwhelming sense of need to be still, and patient. To look at everything God had laid out before me and take care of that, and that alone, while waiting and praying about what's next. It felt amazing to be simply, yet extravagantly, marked by grace instead of degrees or other worldly accomplishments.


BY GRACE I was ready and able to begin staying at home with our (then) three kids and soon to be four (no one was more surprised about this than me). SO MUCH has changed since then and people often ask me how I do it. It's easy. It's so much easier than when I was trying to make these plans for myself. Three simple words, trust and obey. 

I didn't know I was going to be expecting a fourth baby at the same time I felt and overwhelming call to leave my career (and insurance) to stay home with our kids.

I didn't know how to balance cooking, cleaning, child rearing, and being the wife of a business-owner.

I didn't know about the substantial loss that was coming through to us: through deaths, relationships, and miscarriage - and that overwhelming grace heals us and allows us to go on.

I didn't know I would be healthier at 32 than almost every year of my 20s.

I didn't know that I'd be happily writing a blog about life and health, with no profit, instead of making big bucks as a corporate writer.

I didn't know I would be setting-up to homeschool four littles this school year. (I'm pretty sure I said I would NEVER do this, yet I'm thrilled about the opportunity now).

I didn't know that just working to trust and obey, every day, could be so much more fulfilling than any plans I've ever made for myself.

He carries us, every single time! Realizing that God's Will reigns over all allows us to experience incredible contentment. And, for that, I am SO thankful.

When the big picture falls off the wall and shatters...

So, yesterday I decided that I was going to take our family photos (read: tripod and self-timer and an entire family that will not be still for a group photo). It was sure to be a fun time, really. Since I regularly photograph other families, I should have no problem photographing my own, right? I know the photog tricks, right? I know how to capture the details; pick the perfect lighting; adjust my settings; set-up my tripod AND set the self-timer.

Yeah. My worlds were colliding yesterday and my MomTog powers were quickly failing. My mother-in-law, who is an amazing artist herself, stepped in to help on the shutter button so at least the tripod and self-timer factors were eliminated - opening our photo session up for a little better chance at success. However, despite my mother-in-law's valiant efforts (and she did well), our children are 1, 3, 5, and 7. They had no interest in sitting still for a group photo.

In fact, most of our shots came out this way.

I was getting frustrated and, finally, gave the official mother's siren of surrender, "OH, NEVERMIND." We'll do this another day (another day five years from now, perhaps).

Do you ever feel that way? You've used your precious brain space to architect the details of what's to occur; you've taken time, effort, and a whole lot of sweat and grass stains to get there and, in an instant, everything just seems to fall apart? The walls crumble. The rocks slide. It's a wash.

I was starting to feel that way. Frustrated, I flung my camera strap back over my head and the children scattered all over the yard. Three of them ran to the swings and the baby started crawling through leaf piles, quickly dirtying the fall outfit that I'd picked - so carefully - for our photo session. A few deep breaths and I started doing what I usually do, photographing the kids having fun and enjoying life.

Then I thought of something; when I photograph families, we may do the obligatory milestone family shot, but 99% of the photos I take are of life, as it happens. I want to capture actual memories being made, not just children sitting quietly in a carefully arranged huddle, with wide grins and hands folded on their laps. In real life, families don't behave that way. So, why make such a fuss to capture that?

My original plans may have been foiled by wiggling kids, but I think the Lord had a bigger plan for me yesterday.

Because of my wiggling children, I was able to capture this:

And this

Our kids will remember their precious time with grandom; they will remember dad giving them underdogs on the swing-set; they will remember getting muddy in the grass. Yesterday, I was reminded that life is more than just a pretty picture - it's the details that matter.

And the LORD presented this lesson that I seemingly have to learn, time and time again. HE knows each of our days. He knows how our lives are going to shake out. He owns the details. So, while we fiddle and fuss over something that may not have happened our way, remember the details, the learning experiences, the lives touched and the hearts surrendered. Remember that every breath and beat of our heart has been carefully orchestrated by HIM. I'm re-assured by those things, when "my" plans don't work out. How about you?

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  

Seems like an appropriate time to leave you with one of my favorite quotes. "Remember this, had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are, divine love would have put you there." -C.H. Spurgeon. 

Amen..and amen...and amen.

Nine years? Really?

Guess what, guys, yesterday the hubs and I celebrated our nine-year wedding anniversary. NINE. I realize it's not a golden or silver year or anything, but, darn it. Nine years sounds like a whole heckofalot more than eight. Amen? Last night we gorged ourselves with Chicken Bellagio and Red Velvet Cheesecake on our first child-free date in a year, while recalling the past few years of life together.

Me: "Nine years? What the heck happened?"
Hubs: "We blinked."
Me: "Yeah. Yeah, that must be it."

I mean...when you have four children, two houses, a slew of jobs, about twenty-five cars and then start your own businesses whilst digging in your heels to make it all sync up, time has a way of passing quickly. Very quickly.

Though the years have seemingly escaped us without notice, I can look back and see where we've grown and learned a lot in that time. Following six years of dating - including 10 months of engagement - we got married at age 22. After dating someone for six years, you kind of figure the expectations for marriage and doing life together will be clear. Smooth sailing, right?

Guess what.

There's still plenty to learn, and screw up. In fact, I can only speak for myself here, but I've learned more about marriage in years seven and eight than all those preceded. How? I took my focal point off of the world's expectations and locked it in on Christ, and what he expects from me as HIS daughter and my husband's wife and my kids' mom. I've been taking more Bible time, more prayer time, more praise time, and more repentance time. As my daughter's very wise kindergarten teacher told her at the end of the school year, "if you don't read your Bible, you won't grow." So simple, so true.

It's only through Christ's infallible grace and lordship that we can show selflessness, love, submissiveness, tenderheartedness, a quiet spirit and joy in all things (good and bad) to our husbands, ladies. These things don't come naturally to our crooked hearts. Our innate rottenness can be overcome by Him and we can be made new! It's only through grace that we can realize contentment and joy when things don't go our way, and also when they do. It's only through grace that we can realize our husbands are imperfect beings, such as ourselves, and not put on earth to be our saviors, our little gods. It's only through grace that our marriages can grow and prosper and that we can realize what a blessing each day is, knowing that we are never promised our next breath. The finest blessing yet, though, is to realize that none of this depends on OUR ability in this fallen world; Christ is sovereign and in all things, He is good, very good, and we must trust in Him.

Verses to reflect on:

• Proverbs 31
• I Cor 13
• Proverbs 12:4
• Ephesians 5:22-23

Get out of that funk and in the word!

You know, I'm generally a pretty happy person. I'm one of those irritating folks that wakes up happy and can run on about 30 seconds of sleep a day for many days straight without wigging out. One day last week, though, I felt the grouch coming on. I was getting a little cabin fever, fed up that it's still freaking freezing here, irritated that we still have to wear socks and coats every time we go outside and that the kids and I have had one illness after the other for the last six weeks. Six weeks, not exaggerating. By the end of the day, I was tired of being cranky and tired of myself. Just being honest, you know.

I knew I couldn't wake up in the same rare-form again the next day; so, I prescribed myself some Bible time, then early to bed. Sometimes we're like little kids that don't want to take our medicine, you know? It can be a struggle to sit down and take it when we need it most, but the Word of God is full of truths that make us well again - emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Followers of Christ know this, but often resist. I can think of other times when I felt anxious or agitated and, of course, the ultimate answer was seeking counsel through prayer or just studying the Word. It works every. single. time. Soooo...now that I'm getting older wiser, I think I'll start taking more "preventative medicine" and getting serious about seeking opportunities to soak in the word, and share it all throughout the day. I truly think surrounding ourselves with the word makes for a better day, everyday. I know what you're thinking - "I have a dozen children to chase, how can I get more Bible time?" or "I work 12hrs a day, I can't even see straight by the end of a shift!" 

Here are a couple ways to get into the Word other than just scheduling time to do it (though that's a great idea, too):

• Keep Bibles all around. How about the car (when you're a passenger - don't read and drive); the family room; your desk at work; the kitchen table; your night stand; an e-version on your phone, iPad, or iPod; or in the bathroom (don't act like you don't read in there!).
• Download Devotional apps. I like the John Piper (Desiring God) and Ravi Zacharias (RZIM) apps.
• Read Devotional books. I'm currently into Breaking Free by Beth Moore (love her!); I hope to follow that with Basic Christianity by John Stott. You can pick up scripture there and get some application, as well.
• Get audio versions. Bible, sermons, or books - there's audio versions abound. You can put your earbuds in and listen away. Great for passing time walking the dreadmill!

And, finally, I think it's always important to pray about what you're reading. Ask God to show you how His Word is relevant in your life and how you can use it to glorify Him. 

Hebrews 4:12 ~ "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

A haircut, followed by a spiritual lesson.

Okay. So, previously, I posted about cutting my own hair. I cut several inches off a month or so ago and it turned out well. Then, on Friday night, I got a little overly-confident with my new skill. I decided to cut some more off. Somewhere halfway through the process, I knew I was losing it (random chunks of hair, that is). I knew what was going to happen when I looked in the mirror. When I made the last snip, I let my hair down in looked in the mirror. "okay, okay, not that bad...the front is two inches longer than the back and that's fixable," I thought to myself. I went ahead and snipped the front to match the back. The problem was...I wasn't really equipped to make that fix on my own; I made some crazy maneuver that left the front about an inch and a half shorter than the back. It was starting to look like something from SNL. There, in my bathroom, at 10:30pm or so, I proceded to style my hair (cover my mess-up) in an effort to convince myself that it wasn't that bad. Once I was okay with it, I went to bed.

The next morning. 

I woke up with hair that very closely resembled my two-year-old's bedhead and uneven locks (not nearly as cute, of course). I looked at it, curled it, and immediately called my stylist friend (the one that I said may have to eventually come and save me). I explained my predicament. She responded with, "just call me when you need a haircut" and came right over to rescue my tortured locks.

The result? 

My hair is really short. It looks good because my stylist friend is super talented; she could put a lampshade on my head and make it look like the latest trend in hair artistry. However, it is shorter than I'm used to (which is totally my fault, btw, for getting scissor-happy).

So, what now? 

I learn a spiritual lesson of sorts. I'm not saying that haircutting is a spiritual lesson in itself, but it made me think about all of the times we (as Christians) try to fix things ourselves instead of calling out for help. I could rattle many, many accounts in my own life when I tried to be the solution instead of seeking God; We try to do things ourselves. We realize we're not doing the right thing, yet we do it anyway. When things don't work, we try to patch it all up ourselves. When that doesn't work, we (hopefully) call to Jesus for a fix. He may not fix it in the way we hoped (like how my stylist couldn't add 4 inches back to my hair) or as quickly as we'd hope, but everything is for His glory and is perfectly orchestrated by Him. 

Like my hair stylist friend who said, "Just call me when you need a haircut." Christ also commands that we call on Him. Jeremiah 29:13 says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." 

Speaking of issues more significant than my crooked hair, I have tried to be the solution. I have tried to solve a problem that was deeply rooted and obviously only fit for God to deal with. I've been refined and groomed by Christ, fixing me however he wishes.

Seek the professional problem-solver, call on Christ.

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This post is linked up to Grace Laced Mondays, Better Mom Mondays and Just for Fun Fridays

Hop on over to to those awesome sites to see who else is sharing.

A little kitchen discipline...

The last two weeks I've been poking a little fun at my baking skills, or lack thereof, via the pages of this here blog. You can read about my most-recent kitchen experiments here and here (and again on tomorrow's Pin For The Wednesdays post). I've been jokingly tattling on my "Inner-SAHM" mentioning that she's forcing me to bake even though I'm bad at it. I was just sitting here thinking about yesterday's post and the fact that grace is in every little thing. That means that grace is, indeed, in baking as well. I've come to the conclusion that my fictional "Inner-SAHM" character is really beautiful, amazing, multiplying, God-given grace. As deep-thinkin' as this may be, I feel like Christ is refining one of my weaknesses (baking) to make me more faithful overall and to show me more opportunities to serve. 

You see, my problem with baking isn't that I don't like it. In fact, I love a delicious baked good more than about anyone I know...I just prefer when someone else does the baking. My problem is that I'm impatient. I like to do it my own way (which doesn't always work). I mess up a lot (which is followed by a lot of kitchen messes). And, sometimes, it involves asking others for help (admittedly, I don't like to ask for help). Alas, the opportunities to serve others through baking continue to roll in. 


When I think about my most recent baking experiences, they haven't been to put the hush on pregnancy cravings, they've been for my church family, a fundraiser for our dear missionary friends, and my child's school (well, except for that one poke cake that Pinterest kept taunting me with). Now, I've asked God to use me for his glory. And, apparently, this is how He wants to go about it. I've been able to serve in this department with a joyful heart, I just didn't understand (until now) why I was repeatedly doing something that I claim to stink at. I'm not competitive, so it certainly wasn't a matter of keeping up with the Susie Homemakers of the world, by any means. And, FYI, my kitchen concoctions (though not the prettiest) were pretty tasty!

So, as in all things, I give Him thanks. Thank you, Jesus, for pushing me to serve in an way that puts me out of my comfort zone. Thank you for refining my heart to understand you more. Thank you for the resources to serve and thank you, thank you, thank you, for teaching me patience, perseverance, and how to make better cookies through this all. :) Amen.

Have you been put in a position to serve that's out of your comfort zone? I'd love to know about it and how you overcame your fear of being inadequately equipped to do so.

Verses to consider:

1 Timothy 4:8 
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

Hebrews 12:11 
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

^---

^{This post is listed on the Time Warp Wife's Titus2sday blog link-up. Please head over to Darlene's site to check out all of the awesome blogs linked up today!}

Never Ending Grace

Isn't it awesome how God's grace truly never ends? He is truly AMAZING in all things - on the good days, and the bad days. We took at look at John 14 during this Sunday's sermon. Though I didn't know it when I took a seat in the sanctuary, I have to say, I really needed to hear those promises of growing grace illustrated in John 14. 

The third trimester of pregnancy caught up with me last week, as it has a way of doing about this time in pregnancy. I was pouting, mostly to myself, about how hot it is outside; how my bones hurt; how everything I do seems like a chore because it's hard to move, bend, and breathe more or less; also, I was inwardly fussing about how much longer is still left in this 40 week tour - I checked my calendar a several times during the week like the number of remaining weeks was going to be suddenly lowered or something. The days pass quickly, but it seems like the countdown of weeks that remain is dragging on and on. Instead of being driven to persevere, I allowed myself to use these things as an excuse to be a little lazy and grouchy, too. Yesterday's sermon, though, was a gentle reminder that God's grace is there in full abundance and increasing, even when we're hurting. This goes for any kind of hurt - physical, emotional, or otherwise. This is a fine reminder that we must endure to glorify Him even through difficulties because HIS GRACE ALWAYS ENDURES. His grace is truly enough and, in direct alignment with the mission of this blog, I'll tell you - it's found in every second of everyday whether we want to see it or not. Grace is in the aches and pains; Grace is in the success and the happiest of hearts. Aren't you glad it is? I sure am.


John 14:1-14

Jesus Comforts His Disciples 

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God^[a]; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.”  

Jesus the Way to the Father 

⁵ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 

⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you really know me, you will know^[b] my Father as well.From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 

⁸ Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 

⁹ Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. ¹¹ Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. ¹² Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³ And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

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This post is linked up to Grace Laced Mondays, Better Mom Mondays and Just for Fun Fridays

Hop on over to to those awesome sites to see who else is sharing.

Thoughts on addiction...

I started reading Beth Moore's books for one reason and one reason only. The only stronghold I naively thought I had - addiction - prompted me to pick up Praying God's Word. Though otherwise healthy, I was convinced that I had underlying blood sugar problems that made me feel faint, sick, and a little foggy each day. I've had my blood sugar tested to no avail and, guess what? I'm fine. My blood sugar has never been high nor low and my other medical exams were always fine as well. I've even had my brain checked out. It's all fine. After having my sugar tested for probably the fourth or fifth time in my adult life, I started reading about "sugar issues." I quickly learned that the only thing wrong with me was with my heart, and not something that could be picked up by any medical test or treated by any doctor besides Jesus, the Great Physician. I was addicted to sugar. 

This may sound like a laughable addiction to those who haven't been there. I mean, it's not like sugar is a hardcore narcotic, right? There are plenty other worse things I could get into, right? Sadly, though, it's a real life PHYSICAL and SPIRITUAL health issue. It had a daily affect on me and, consequently my family, job, pocketbook, mental stability, etc. I saw the full effects of this problem when I tried to detox my sugar addiction (and it took multiple attempts). I went through all kinds of crazy. I felt like I couldn't move; I felt incredibly out of control anxious (because I couldn't use sugar to quiet my anxiety); and, I felt physically ill. Yeah, doesn't sound so funny now, does it? I expected to cut the white stuff and get back to living life as normal immediately, whatever that meant. There was a problem, though. If I couldn't have sugar...what was I going to do? How would I combat my anxiety?

In addition to fixing the action, my heart had to be healed as well. I needed another way to deal with stress (other than feeding it). Beth Moore says it very well in Praying God's Word,

"No matter whether your addictions are to substances or behaviors, God can set you free. What He requires from you is time, trust, and cooperation. The immense power of an addiction is rarely broken in a day. You see, God has as much to teach us as He has to show us. He could show His power by instantaneously setting us free from all desire for our stronghold. Often, however, God chooses the process of teaching us to walk with Him and depend on Him daily."

Resting on those thoughts made it a lot easier for me to see how trusting God was my only option; and, today, my addiction (and anxiety) are seemingly gone; I still like sweets, don't get me wrong, but I consume in the sweet like honey wisdom of the Lord to get me through instead - not ice cream and candy bars. If you're struggling with an addiction of any kind, please lay it on the Lord! If you think you're struggling because you're predisposed to this or that, lay it on the Lord!

You don't have to clean yourself up for Him, just start praying right where you are and allow Him to start working on your heart. Pray to trust Him; to be released from your burdens; to be able to seek righteousness over evil. And, give it time. As Beth said, your walk isn't a skip through the park. It's often a long walk, and sometimes it's 95 degrees out, humid, and all uphill while you're walking. Don't give up, yet delight in the time and care He's taking to refine you. Trust, trust, trust, and give Him time. 

Literally spreading the Word.

When December 25th rolls around this year, my husband and I will have spent 15 Christmases together  as a couple. A lot has happened in that time. We will have graduated high school, college, had four children, and celebrated eight years of marriage. No less, I still remember that first Christmas very well; in fact, the gift he gave me that year is something I still use all the time and has remained close by me each day. The gift page in my red leather covered KJV Bible says it was given to me, from him, on 12-25-98. I've sought refuge, deliverance and praise in the words contained in that book. I've studied the passages for my own good and the good of others. I read I Cor 13 repeatedly in preparation for our wedding from that book; I've also used it to instruct the hearts of our children. It's truly one of the most thoughtful gifts I've ever been given. I'm thankful that his 17 year old heart was convicted enough to make that Bible my Christmas gift all those years ago.

You know, the words written in that very same book instruct us to give - and to do so selflessly (Deut. 15:10 for starters). Have you ever thought of giving someone a Bible? I don't mean someone who you go to church with; a member of your small group; or, as an anonymous gift to charity. What about someone that you know is suffering? Someone who is rejecting any notion of God's presence or sovereignty? Someone who has never been to church? Someone who has professed hatred to you?

Or, have you been to scared to share the gospel in this very blatant way? There have been many times I've felt that way, too. 

There have also been times that we kept an extra stack of new Bibles at our house just for the sake of giving away. Sometimes we give and nothing happens; and, sometimes we give and it plants a seed of faith. We've given away a few Bibles over the years, but just yesterday one of my long-time friends reminded me of the Bible we gave her after a discussion about faith. She uses it in church each week; she went on to tell me how much she appreciated it and what she liked about that particular edition. That conversation made me think. We're quick to pray for others in our own private little worlds at home, but how often do we lay our hands on another person who needs prayer? How often do we hand over a Bible - our own beloved, tear-stained, ear-marked, underlined and highlighted, Bible even - to someone who could use it?

It's time to be just that deliberate about sharing our faith with others. Sometimes it's easy to feel like praying privately and wishing for the best that something will happen. But, I think we're called to go beyond ourselves and give with complete faith in prayer and in whatever we have. I'm very thankful my husband did that for me all those Christmases ago.

Some verses to consider:

• Psalm119:46 - I will speak of Thy testimonies...and not be ashamed
• Isaiah 40:9 - Lift up thy voice with strength; be not afraid
• Isaiah 62:6b - Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence
• Mark 8:38 - Whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My Words...of him shall the Son of man be ashamed
• Acts 18:9b - Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace
• Romans 1:16 - I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ
• 1 Thessalonians 2:2 - We were bold...to speak the gospel of God
• 2 Timothy1:8a - Be not thou ashamed of the testimony of our Lord

This post is listed on the Time Warp Wife's Titus2sday blog link-up. Please head over to Darlene's site to check out all of the awesome blogs linked up today!

Taming the Tongue

Shortly after I got married, at age 22, I picked up a copy of Becoming A Titus 2 Woman by Martha Peace. I flipped through, skimming some of the text, and put it down to rest on my bookshelf for many years, unread and collecting dust. I can't remember what prompted me to get the book because I had no idea what a Titus 2 woman even was and, I'm not sure I cared enough to find out. Recently, though, I've been able to spend a little more time with the fruits (I suppose they're fruits) of my former paperback-hoarding habit. I'm digging up some titles that I didn't know I had and wondering why I hadn't read them sooner. This book is one of those. Much like The Good Wife's Guide by Darlene Schacht, I find myself reading pieces and parts of it it whenever I have a second. Friends. I'm learning some great stuff from this book!

I want to tell you what's on page 123 of Martha's book. She shares an important attribute that I definitely need to work on - using a kind voice. She states that becoming a Titus 2 woman means speaking in a voice that's gentle and, therefore, kind. This is in accordance with Proverbs 31:26 (The Proverbs 31 woman can be recognized, in part, by the "teaching of kindness on her tongue"). There are SO many occasions when I raise my voice louder and louder to reach my children, to get their attention quickly. On these occasions, I just want them to stop whatever offense they're committing and behave. I'm not instructing their hearts by doing this, just trying to quiet their actions. And, that's a bad habit to have.

When I compare the occasions I've raised my voice to a disobedient child as opposed to the times I've  sat down with an offending child to have a conversation about changing his or her heart instead of just behavior, the later has been far more effective. When we speak to children shrewdly, quickly, loudly, etc in an effort to cut-corners in parenting we aren't speaking to their hearts and, what's more, we're not teaching them how to use their tongues for kindness either. If all they hear is STOP. DON'T. I MEAN IT. RIGHT NOW, with no further heart-work, what do we really expect from them at this point? We must be obedient to refine our tongues along with our hearts so we can train them to do the same. I certainly don't want a child that yells and screams to get his way, but essentially...isn't that what we do when we instruct them this way? We try to be authoritative with our voices, not our hearts. This is one Titus 2 truth I plan to work on more diligently from now on. 

I know other moms struggle in this area as well; maybe you're one of them? It's my fervent prayer today that we will be able to tame our tongues so that Christ's love that lives within us and may be made known through our hearts and words. I pray that we will take the time to implement righteous discipline in the hearts of our children, instead of cutting-corners to get the message across as quick as possible. We cannot afford to be too busy to properly care for our blessings and I pray that each one of us has the strength, wisdom, and Holy guidance to instruct the hearts of our children AND others with kindness, instead of harsh and sharp words.

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This post is linked up to Grace Laced Mondays, Better Mom Mondays and Just for Fun Fridays

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Share, please!

If you're parent, you've probably said these words once, twice, or twelve-thousand times, "share, please!" With a house full of little children, I may even say it twelve-thousand times a day. It's just one of those things that takes a while to sink in because we're all inherently selfish beings who prefer our own way. Sharing altercations at our house usually all go the same way:

• Two non-sharing children scream in sheer terror over one particular toy out of the 87 they currently have spread across the floor. 
• I reply to the scream from wherever I may be (because I totally recognize the non-sharing scream), "Start sharing, kids!" 
• After that doesn't work, I have to go confront the two non-sharers, figure out which one started it and re-assign the non-shared toy to the one who appears most convincing...or pitiful. Wait, isn't that the same?
• This usually results in more non-sharing because...guess why...I corrected their actions, but their hearts are still basking in what's best for them - Mine. Now. Who Cares About You. Oooohhh, how many times do our adult hearts have that same attitude?

Yesterday, we were facing the usual altercation. I was right there and could see what the problem was so I took my sweet offending child aside for a talk. We snuggled up on the couch and had a heart-talk, one that the Lord has had with me a time or two lately. I explained that we are given many gifts, and God calls us to share them all whether we feel like it or not. Sometimes we have to share a little bit, and sometimes we have to share until it hurts.

He calls us to share our homes, our food, our money, our love, our spiritual gifts, our time, our faith, and so on. I explained to that there are times that daddy and I are as exhausted as can be, but we still must share any fraction of what's left with all the kids and anyone else who needs us. We don't do this for ourselves. We don't do this to glorify our own self-seeking hearts (hopefully), to gain worldly acceptance, or to be the hostess with the mostest; we do it because loving Christ means loving others - regardless of if they deserve it or not - because that glorifies Him. And, when we fail to share, it's sinful and hurts the hearts of others. After-all, many others have shared with us time and time again when we needed something. Sharing goes both ways. My little non-sharing offender seemed to understand and made a noticeable effort to be giving...for a little bit anyway. Nonetheless, a seed was planted in the child's heart at that moment.

Growing up an only child, my toys were all mine; my time, all mine; my space, all mine; my concern, all for myself. Though I no longer have to worry about sharing my Cabbage Patch or anything else in my toy box, sharing has been a hard lesson learned for me and it's something we (I) have to practice every day as adults, just like our children. I love these verses on sharing; the Lord has used them to convict and instruct my heart on this very matter:

Matthew 6:3-43 - But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 

Matthew 6:19-21 - 19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

Luke 6:35 - 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 

Luke 6:38 - 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

In this - I'm #1; all about me; just relying on myself; I earned it, it's mine world that we live in - I think it's due-time to reflect on lessons in sharing - childish as they seem. So, I maintain this sentiment to myself and friends young and old - while it's not always the first desire of our hearts, or a desire at all sometimes, Share, please! It's not all about you.

Going on missions, from right where you are...

I realize that most of our lives are non-stop chaos and rare moments are those that we have just five minutes to ourselves. Let us not forget, though, that amidst our responsibilities as a wife and/or mom, we have an additional responsibility on the mission field as well. I know what you just thought, "Um, excuse me. I have no time to dart off to XYZ Country for a mission trip. I just don't." I don't either at the moment. But, I do have time to engage in mission work on a regular basis right from where I sit (or stand or drive or type...do you see where this is going?) and I bet you do, too. 

We have a responsibility as believers to work with our sisters-in-Christ as they grow in faith and come to know the Lord and to witness to unbelievers as well. It should be our mission, as stated in Titus 2:3-5, to train the younger women and to help them as they go, and to be Godly examples to them. I bet God has placed mature Christian women in your lives at some point; these women often use God's word to help us understand how to be more like Him in terms of our role of woman, wife, and mother in Christ. Sometimes our mission field is no further than a phone call, email, or visit away.

• Maybe you know a lady who's suffering in her walk and needs counsel. 
• Maybe you know a lady who's never know the beauty of Christ and needs to hear about it for the first time.
• Maybe you meet a lady in line at the grocery who's struggling with young children and could use your help getting out of the store in once piece and some prayer as well.
• Maybe you see a tired waitress who is having a rough day and could use some encouraging verses left on a napkin with her tip. 
• Maybe you have a Facebook friend who posts nothing but negativity and could use some encouraging verses and prayer in her inbox from you.
• Maybe you have a friend who struggles with depression, anxiety, a sleep disorder, an eating disorder, or any number of things and would be blessed to know you're praying for her.

The opportunities for this sort of mission are endless, ladies. There are so many ways to use our time unproductively and it's so easy to miss opportunities to serve one another because we're too busy, tired, shy, or insecure. I have been there and it's easy to go back there. I pray that we all have hearts to encourage one another. After-all, it's what we're called to do.

1 Chronicles 16:23-24
23 “Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. 24 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”

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This post is linked up to Grace Laced Mondays, Better Mom Mondays and Just for Fun Fridays

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PinFTW: Child Training Bible

From the second I saw this pin for the Child Training Bible, I knew it was a must-have for our family. What I didn't know, however, is how much it would be a must-have for mommy as well. This thoughtful Bible-centered guide for child discipline was created by a homeschooling mom of four in an effort to speak the words of truth to her own children. From what I can tell, her creation has been wildly popular. I see it popping up on pins, blogs, and Facebook almost every day.

I ordered the supplies needed to put this Bible together right away and got to work soon after it arrived. Not only has this project been helpful for me as a mom, it's been helpful for me as a Christian. Going through each area of discipline, highlighting and reading the related verses has been really enlightening. I've learned a lot of great verses and started thinking critically about how to apply some of the ones I already knew.  Putting the complete Training Bible together is simple, even for this non-crafter. All you have to do is follow the directions that come with the laminated reference cards, then highlight and post-it your heart out.

I would not only recommend this affordable, color-coded masterpiece to parents, but also to anyone who's looking for counsel within the Word of God. It's a very easy way to find scriptural direction easily to many areas of discipline - great for those just learning about the Bible and those who have read it cover to cover many times over. I encourage you to check it out and get started on your own. :)

Interested? 
Check out the Child Training Bible website by clicking here.
Link up with Child Training Bible on Facebook by clicking here.

These Bibles make great gifts - especially for new parents!!! If you've used one, I'd love to know what you think. Leave your feedback in the comment box below. Feel free to ask any questions as well and I'll do my best to answer. :)

(PS. I highly recommend ordering your highlighters and post-its from the Amazon links shown on the site - you need to make sure all of the colors match those on the laminated cards. The pew Bible shown is nice, too).

(PPS. This post is linked up with Jenny & Emily's PinFTW blog carnival at Mommin' it Up. Go check 'em out and see all that's Pinteresting today). 

Ever want to smack someone around?

I'm a pretty laid back/go with the flow girl, but I know when I'm being difficult. I bet you know when you're being difficult, too. Sometimes we just feel like being difficult for the sake of it. We do it because we're exhausted, not getting our way, selfish, angry, discontent, holding a grudge, someone else is being difficult to us, we feel like picking a fight, we feel like we must uphold a difficult demeanor because we've been wronged and that's our right, and for countless other reasons. Many times, it's others who are being difficult to us. Adults and children alike do this. 

I'm a natural peacemaker, but I'm also a sinful, imperfect human being; given that, sometimes I'd love nothing more than just to smack a difficult person around and tell to him or her to snap out of it. That's the honest truth. Don't tell me you haven't wanted to do the same at some point. And, when those thoughts cross my mind, that's when I know that I need a good backhand as much as the person who's being difficult. As a Christian saved by grace, I know abhorring another imperfect person in that way is wrong. It most certainly doesn't glorify God. I know there's a better solution, but sometimes amidst my frustration with the difficult person or situation, I just can't wrap my mind around a response that would be God-glorifying. Sometimes I react with a poor response or none at all. Lately, though, I've been seeking that truly Christlike response.

During my quiet time one day last week, I read a piece of scripture that I should probably print and hang in every room of our house as well as carry in my purse. Romans 12:9-21 tells it like it is when it comes to what to do with difficult people:

Marks of the True Christian

⁹  Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. ¹⁰  Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹ Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,^[a] serve the Lord. ¹²  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ¹³  Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

¹⁴  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵  Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.^[b] Never be wise in your own sight. ¹⁷  Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.¹⁹ Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it^[c] to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰ To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Of course, this selection's title is: Marks of the True Christian, not "How to Fix a Difficult Person." However, when it comes to dealing with people or any number of situations, I think it would be hard to go wrong with this catch-all piece of scripture. I've visited these verses several times in the past few days and look forward to referring back again next time I have the urge to smack someone around ~ or need a good smack-around myself. 

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This post is linked up to Grace Laced Mondays, Better Mom Mondays and Just for Fun Fridays

Hop on over to to those awesome sites to see who else is sharing.