Rest

His chubby fist clutches tightly at the neckline of my dress, and he sighs a contented little sigh--finally asleep.

As I gently place him on fresh sheets for a nap his hand continues to entwine in my clothes and I carefully pry it loose--and I think.

Do I clutch at "things" that make me feel secure?

Do I place more value on "stuff" than souls?

Do possesions entwine themselves so deeply in my heart that I can't hear God whispering "trust me?"

Do I lack a place of rest in my life because I refuse to "let go?"

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28

Encouragement

Have you ever felt like you couldn't go on?

Have you ever thought that if you had one more day like the previous one you might just fall apart? 

I have!!  In fact it happens a lot around here.

Probably if every mom was honest--we would say we frequently have discouraging days.

So............what do you do to encourage the other mom's around you?

Now, I know what you are thinking--"I'm so busy that I don't have time to help anyone else."

But, I'm not necessarily talking about physical help--although that would be nice too.

I'm talking about words.  (One of my favorite things by the way.)

Often I get so busy with all my own crises that I forget to notice and encourage the people around me.

It only takes a minute of time.

You could send a note.

Make a phone call.

Write an email.

Or simply drop in. (Maybe you should call first, or you might create more stress.)

I can't tell you what it means to me to have someone let me know that they were thinking of me.

Makes my load SO much lighter.

So--go ahead--encourage someone today!!

Then tell me about it in the comments. : )

Waiting

I'm struggling with thoughts and worries about the future today. 

As I was praying about some of the details this verse came to my mind. 

We only need to wait on the Lord. 

He will take care of the future.

He will renew our strength when it fails.

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;  they shall mount up with wings as eagles;  they shall run, and not be weary;  and they shall walk, and not faint."  Isaiah 40:31

Walking In Sand

I grew up mere minutes from sand dunes near Lake Michigan.  I have some fond memories of climbing sandy hills and sliding down the other side.  I also have some not-so-fond memories of having sand embedded in my clothing, but that's not what I'm writing about today.

When you climb a sand dune it is a rigorous process.  For every step you take you slide back a half step.  It can feel distinctly like you aren't making any progress at all.  Your leg muscles burn and your breath fails you and you gaze toward the top of the hill with the sun in your eyes thinking--"I'll never make it."

Not really that much different than parenting is it?  Some days you feel like no progress has been made. 

You tell the eight year old that only HE can choose to have a good attitude--only to hear him huff under his breath.

You remind the six year old that obeying mom is what he must do first--only to have him once again debate what you have asked him to do.

You remove the almost two year old from a no-no spot for the millionth time--only to have him happily return.

You can't accomplish any laundry because the baby is mysteriously fussy, and nothing will calm him, but being held CONSTANTLY by you and you alone.

Your heart aches and your patience fails you as you look up and think--"I'll never make it."

But wait--there is a strategy to climbing sand dunes that also applies to parenting.  You need to look back to see how far you have come.  You can see your straggling footprints trailing up the sandy hill, and suddenly you have courage.  "I've come this far--I can keep going."

Excuses

Lately I've become aware of a bad habit of mine because it is being reflected in my children. 

It's making excuses. 

I excuse my crabbiness toward my family by saying: "My back hurts."

I excuse my lateness to an appointment by saying: "My children were naughty."

I excuse the cold shoulder I gave to my husband by saying: "Little people have been hanging on me all day."

I realize that all of these things are true, but are they good reasons for mistreating the people I love most?  Often if we correct the issues with a little more foresight there is no need to make excuses. 

I could take a pain reliever for my back.

I could take the time to prepare better for my appointment leaving a little extra time for "naughty children."  

I could read the toddler and baby a story and play with them and they might not hang on me so much--leaving a little more for my hubby.

Sometimes I fail though even with preparation.  What should I do then?  Instead of excuses I could simply admit that I was wrong.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you."

"I'm sorry I'm late."

"Yes dear--I have time for you."

It's really not that hard, but just like the habit of making excuses wasn't born overnight--neither will the habit of being honest, and admitting the truth.  It will take a conscious effort and a lot of help from above.

My Husbands Favorite Hymn

What's Blooming

 

Trumpet vine growing on the washline post

Our onion harvest--better than I expected.

 

Bee balm--almost past it's prime.

Hibiscus bloom by the front walk--what a nice welcoming sight.