Life Preserver

“Those who guard their lips, preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.” Proverbs 13:3

This verse gave me such a mental picture!  I saw a person flailing and splashing about in the water. Screaming and yelling, though I am not sure if it was out of fear or anger. Fear of being alone. Fear of past or present. Fear and anger that nothing ever done is good enough. Fear that the kids won’t succeed. Fear that always keep friends pushed away, because we don’t want them to see the evil in our hearts. Or just because we are sinful, hurt people.  Fear consumes.

Regardless of the craziness, the first part of the verse, “those who guard their lips, preserve their lives.” struck me with full force.

Our words build up, encourage, tear down and hurt all out of the same mouth.

The latter part of the verse talks about bringing ruin. Not just ruin for us, but also for those around us.  This was a painful blog to write about, because of this very thing I am guilty. Perhaps this is the reason I was led to write these words?

I have a challenge. Let’s watch the faces of those we love, crumple as we speak loudly and rudely.  Let’s watch as they shine and sparkle as we encourage them. Let us see their hearts fly as we encourage them. Or, see them chained to the pain as we yell mercilessly.

I want to be a life-preserver. Not one who brings ruin.

Join me!

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Heart under construction.

God has been truly working on my heart. it has been under construction.

My voice to the kids is acidic, and hurtful at times. I would like to blame it on them but I am responsible for the actions and words of my mouth. This week I’ve been reading in Proverbs.

Proverbs 12:16 it says,  “Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.” Regardless of what they do, I am responsible for what comes out of my mouth, and how I say it. That’s confirmed two verses later in Proverbs 12:18 “The words of the reckless pierced like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” I certainly do not want to pierce my children with my words, I would much rather bring healing. So why did they frustrate me so? It probably boils down to selfishness. They don’t act like I want them to act. They don’t act how I expect them to act. Yet I have to train them to behave properly. To be a functioning and productive member of society and show self-control.
Newsflash! They are kids. Kids do dumb stuff. Kids get into fights. Kids do great things. Kids help when they’re asked. It’s just the balance of the way I view them. Therein lies my problem. I need to view them as a gift more often rather than I view them with frustration. I need to show love and patience, rather than my first response being sharp like a sword piercing them.

Psalm 85:10-13 “Love and faithfulness meet together; Righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The Lord will indeed give what is good and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before him; and prepares the way for his steps.”

Now that’s what I’m talking about! I would rather have love and faithfulness meeting together, but see, it starts with me. Not them. Me. He is faithful to work through me and I need to yield do that part of me to Him on a daily or hourly basis (minutes or seconds in reality sometimes).

I paint a rather icky picture of myself here perhaps because of what I know is on the inside of me. Parenting isn’t easy. It definitely can refine us as people.

The truth of the matter is, I want my kids to love one another. I don’t want damaged relationships, though I realize that is out of my control. I want to share from what I have seen and experienced so they don’t have to go through things I went through. Yet, just as I chose my path, they also must choose theirs.

I need to equip them for life and what lies ahead. In doing that with a relationship with God, a blanket of peace and arms full of love, they will succeed. They are God’s children. On loan to my husband and I. A lofty task, yet a worthy one.

Lord, may We today be the moms you have asked us to be. Help us to love without fear, teach without anger and be a peacemaker rather than a peace-breaker.
In the name of Jesus we pray.

Amen

You can do this friend!

Painted skies

Beauty in my backyard

Psalms for the soul part 2

The Shades of Disarray

The Shades of Disarray

By Tara Young

Many shades of disarray I can plainly see.

Why can’t my home be as tidy as I wish it to be?

The hours we read and played today. The laundry piled up high.

To say that I am not discouraged would be a great big lie.

Yet in her eyes I see a glow as first words she read out loud.

Her voice squeaked and screeched as she yelled, “I read! Mom! Aren’t you proud?”

These moments that I have with her are shades of disarray.

The cleaning and the folding will be done as I pray.

Pray that I am worthy of this child placed in my heart.

For in my womb she did not grow, but God gave her a fresh start.

So when I see the disarray, I shrug my shoulders and sigh.

I will get to that, but now, her joy is nigh.

If I wait until she naps, a lot more things get done.

Right now in my shades of disarray, she just wants to have some fun.

 

5 bucks and a pair of boots.

I was praying the other day because Sammy had a need for a pair of work boots. The 8-9 year old pair that he had just lost their sole. ( I know this because I was working in the garden the other day and found it!!! Buried! He must have lost it when he was tilling.)

I went with very little money to the three thrift stores in town and of course got a little more disappointed each time when there weren’t any boots to buy. I prayed again, “Lord, Sammy wears a size 11 boot. Please provide for him.”

The final store I went into, I found one pair of boots in his size! They are “vintage” Vibram hiking boots! I knew they were an expensive pair because they were made in Italy, but I had NO idea that I got such amazing boots for 5 BUCKS!  God does stuff like that all the time. He cares about each detail and knows all of our needs, He just waits for us to ask so He can show us HOW He will provide all of our needs according to His riches in glory. (Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A19&version=NASB)  

God cares about all of our needs.

Even a pair of size 11 boots 🙂

Bless ya friends!

Hello Sunshine. Good morning Lord.

Just peeking over the tree

You’ve given this beauty for all to see.

Rays that stream across the sky.

Bringing hope to the tear filled eye.

In this day let us walk with You, when we are weak please carry us through.

 “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5b ESV

What you say?

As I was reading…

Praying Scripture for the Kids

I was reading Psalm 119 this morning and I began to pray scripture for my family.

“Teach me good judgment for I believe in Your commandments.” Psalm 119:66

Lord, I fall short every day but I can’t live in my bed under the sheets weighed down with discouragement feeling like a failure. I would never leave me sweet solace also known as my bed if that were the case!!

Teach me good judgment when it comes to circumstances and people who I don’t know how to handle. Give me the knowledge that I need to process and deal with the things that come into my life. Give me the wisdom of Solomon as I train my children in Your ways.

Help me to guide them for You and into Your kingdom. My heart’s desire is for them to love You. My prayer for them is that they walk in Your path. I ask that when they rise on the wings of the dawn, if they settle on the seas. Even there Your hand will guide them. My hope is that Your right hand will hold them fast. (Psalm 139)

I pray that You would teach them O Lord the way of Your statutes, and give each of them and understanding so that they can keep your law and observe it with their whole heart. Father, please lead them in the path of Your commandments. May they truly delight in them. Incline their hearts to Your testimonies. You have done so much in their young lives, may they see and understand that. Help them not to do things for selfish gain. Lord, please turn their eyes from looking to worthless things that won’t fill them with lifelong peace and joy, but let them see Your abundance. Give them life in Your ways Sweet Jesus.(Psalm 119:33-37)

Bless my children with the fruit of the spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23) With love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and especially self-control. That one God has been a challenge for all of us lately!

Father reign us all in to be aligned with Your will so that we can honor You. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.