Step in the right direction

"Mom, have you ever done something and then wished you could go back and undo it?"

That was the question that one of the boys posed to me yesterday.  This comes after he has had to learn a hard lesson about choices he made.  He was dealt the consequences by Joel and I, and it appears that we have made an impact. 

Something I have been learning is to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.  This is so extremely difficult for me.  I tend to be quick on the draw, something that is totally opposite of Joel.  He reacts slowly and is more rational in the moment.  At times it is so frustrating for me.  I just want to "get in and get out" as he likes to say.  But yesterday, I was given a gift at seeing the fruit of my labor. 

When we were faced with the above situation this week, Joel had to give me "the look" to remind me to not react yet.  I literally had to bite my lip to keep from reacting.  We listened and sent said boy off to his room so we could discuss the consequences.  At first, we didn't agree on how to handle it.  But eventually, I saw the wisdom in Joel's approach and we dealt with the problem. 

It has been a good week since.  There has been an open line of communication between me and said boy.  And then yesterday happened.  He came into the room where I was working and sat down next to me. 

"Mom, have you ever done something and then wished you could go back and undo it?" 

Cha-ching!  Fist pump!  Happy dance!  It got through!  He got the message.  He understands.  Oh Son!  I'm so proud of you.

"Of course, Son, lots of times.  Some more serious than others, but yes.  There are regrets."  We talked some more about what he has learned and he was so proud to share with Joel later what he learned. 

This was a gift from God.  A high-five per se.  We did something right.  We got through and it opened up the door of communication that much more. 

"Take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."  James 1:19

So it is worth it to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry because it's not just for your sake, but also for those around you. Those that see and hear the way you react. Your kids, your friends, your family, strangers even.  The way we conduct ourselves impacts others.  So how do you want to impact someone's life?  I know I want my actions to be ones that lead others to the righteous life God desires.

Praise You in this Storm

Praise is something that is easy to do when things are going good.  But what about when we are in the midst of a trial?  It's hard to want to praise God for what he is allowing in your life.  I read in my devotional the other day something that really stuck with me. 

"When I can't praise God for what he allows, I can always praise him for who he is in what he has allowed." 

It goes along with what Casting Crowns says in their song "Praise You in this Storm".


I was sure by now
God you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm


God never promised us that life would be easy.  He did promise that he would always be faithful to us.  He has promised to supply our every need.  It may not come the way that we are expecting or wanting it, but he does provide.  It may be a financial or shelter provision.  Or is could just be the courage and strength to get through one more day.

Our goal should be to continue to keep our eyes on Him and trust that He is in control.  Praise Him for that.  Praise Him for never letting go of His hold on you.  Praise God for who He is.

• Unchanging
• Unmovable
• Faithful
• Merciful
• Savior
• Healer
• Compassionate
• Provider
• Wise

Those are just a few of the things that we can praise Him for.   Let me leave you with a few verses of praise.  Pray these verses believing that He will be faithful to carry you through whatever trials you may be facing.

Psalm 36:5-7 "Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.  Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep.  O Lord, you preserve both man and beast.  How priceless is your unfailing love."

Psalm 13:5-6 "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.  I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me."

Psalm 16:5-9, 11  "Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.  The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.  I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.  I have set the Lord always before me.  Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure.  You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

Psalm 33:20-22  "We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.  In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.  May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You."

Potential

The last few months, have been very challenging.  There have been a lot of financial, physical and emotional challenges that have popped up.  I have really been working hard to be joyful during these challenges, even though every thing in me wants to just throw the towel in and run away to somewhere sunny with a beach and drink in hand.  Obviously that isn't an option.  So, I have had to change the way I look at things. 

James 1:2-4 says "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

I love that!  "Perseverance MUST finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  We have to keep going so that we may be mature and complete.  If we give up, we won't accomplish God's work in us.  Not only are we not allowing ourselves to be our best or most complete being, but we are hindering God from completing His work in us. 

Whoa!  What???  I'm hindering God from completing His work in me???  That just lights a fire in me to keep going.  How could I allow that?  I want to live up to HIS full potential for me.  What will that take from me? 

One thing I have learned that it will take is a change in my outlook and how I respond to things.  As a Full-Time working Mother of 3, I'm certainly tired.  Pulled in a million directions.  Needed by a million people.  I have tried so hard to be grateful of the opportunity to help so many, work, personal or family related.  In the everyday mundane things (you know, like cleaning the toliet or doing the mountains of laundry), I have tried to change my focus from the unending work but to the opportunity to serve.

Jesus called us to serve each other.  It is an honor to serve others, whether they are within your household or not.  Serving should be done with a joyful heart, because you want to do it, not because you have to.  "Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I heard recently that Shelia Walsh, a well known Christian recording artist/author/speaker, prays over each piece of laundry that she folds.  How cool is that?!  What a great way to pray for your children, spouse or even yourself, that God would work, protect and guide these lives.  I think that this is something that I really need to take up.  Maybe laundry won't seem like so much of a chore. 

Perseverance in this text doesn't only mean to keep going.  I learned in a Beth Moore study that it also means to have patience with the circumstances.  The trials that we face aren't ones that are here and gone in an instant.  There are trials that go on for years.  How easy is it to lose sight of the end result or even what happens along the journey?  To become weary?  Discouraged?  Angry?  It's easy to say, "Just think of what God is doing even though you can't see it now" to someone in the midst of trials.  But it's hard to remember that when you are faced daily with continual attacks from life and the enemy.  Here is our end result that makes it all worth while...

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12

I've chosen to find joy in all things, even the every day ordinary things for the end goal is all too important or priceless to pass up.  I want to live to HIS fullest potential for me.

How far will you go?

After reading and watching this, I'm wondering what I can do.  I have watched documentaries on Sex Trafficking and it breaks my heart.  I never knew how I could help, until now. 

How far will you go to help put an end to this awful thing that is happening?  Don't think that these girls all do this because they have nothing else to do to make a living.  The majority of these girls are sold by their families or kidnapped by the people that run these brothels and underground sex houses.  It's heart breaking. 

Watch this short 3 minute video and then ask yourself...ask GOD..."What can I do to help these girls?"  How can we just sit back and allow this to happen? 

Oh happy day

Well, I say that with sarcasm.  I know I shouldn't use it because it's misleading, but don't you think somethings just call for it?  So, my day was good for the most part.  It's always a drag though knowing that Joel won't be coming home at the end of the day.  He's off to Seattle for work again.  (Thanks Sprint for all the frequent flyer miles!  We now have enough for 2 FREE tickets!!)    Anyway, back to my post...

So Nicholas and Hannah (one of the little girls I watch) were just happy as clams playing today.  They didn't get bored, which I should have known was clue numero uno.  The next BIG hint...that they played mostly in the bedroom all day.  I really didn't think much about it, except that they were happy and that makes Mama happy.  So when I went in at the end of the day (and yes, I had been in during the day, just didn't pay much attention) I found this.

Oh yes, I've had worse.  But still, when you are as crazy insistent determined about being organized as I am, it tends to be frustrating.  Now when I say organized I mean EVERYTHING in my house has a place.  Each toy has it's drawer, my DVD's and VHS's are alphabetized, our closets are organized by type and then color...

Yes, I understand this is a little obsessive, but it makes sense.  Now I know where everything is.  Don't judge me!  (HaHa)

So after going into the Death Zone Nic and Connor's room to make it so they could at least walk without putting a hole through their foot with a toy, I came out...happy...again!  Oh and the end product?  See for yourself. 

So now I know it may seem like I'm complaining.  And maybe I am a bit.  But I really am trying NOT to complain about the tasks God has put in front of me.  I may not be a missionary in a third world country.  Or a Sunday School Teacher.  Or whatever else you would think would be a God-given job.  But this is MY God-given job.  A job that I have been commanded to do without complaining and with my whole heart.

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."  Phil 2:14-15

How true is this verse in the generation we live in today?  It is crooked.  All you have to do is look at the debt people incurr to have what they don't need, or Wall Street to see how companies have been greedy and have helped to cause so much hurt & despair.  Or look at the third world countries that are struggling to survive.  Haiti, India, Ethiopia, Africa.  Do I need to go on?  We have so much more than they ever will.  Who am I to complain that my children can step on a toy and hurt themselves?  Or that I get to clean up every single toy they have?  Who am I that I have so many clothes that I can organize them by type and color? 

We need to regain our focus on what is important.  I need to regain my focus on what's important.  I want to make that my goal for this year.  To not complain about the generous tasks I have been entrusted with.  Cooking. Cleaning.  Driving my kids to school.  Helping my kids with Homework.  Making sure all my husbands needs are met.  Raising my kids.  Making sure my home is centered on God. 

And now, I leave you with those thoughts.  I pray that God will be glorified in these words and would challenge you to go about your tasks without complaining or arguing.