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!

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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.

 

The Amazing Adventures of Mrs. Farmer Girl and Mrs. Candy

I was out checking the garden and saw these giant purple things that had fallen to the ground. Being the curious person I am I broke it open and the dog jumped up to grab it. Thus, realizing, “Hey, I might be able to eat that.” It smells sweet and is super juicy and the bright, vivid color of a beet.

So, after a few minutes of research,  “Mrs. Farmer Girl” as she asked me to call her and myself, “Mrs. Candy” set out on a prickly pear hunting adventure.

Of course, no outing would be acceptable without dressing up just a little!  I always wear my hat in the sun but hers was a bit over sized. 🙂

Accessories are everything!

A new friend nearby encouraged us.While taking this photo, Mrs. Farmer Girl decided now would be a good time to play with the cactus, so this picture was a bit rushed as I had to do extractions.

So we finished our search with a small load. We went to the kitchen and prepared our delightful goody for sorbet.

You do have to take precautions because they have little spines that are quite painful.

Mrs. Farmer Girl didn’t touch them, she just sprayed them 🙂

Cut them in half and scoop out the center with a spoon.

We whipped them in the blender, strained the seeds (at Mrs Farmer Girl’s request and poured what remained into our ice cream maker. The Recipe we used was from http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/george-duran/prickly-pear-sorbet-recipe/index.html.

Out of pocket expense…

1/2 cup sugar 🙂

I did not save the skins for serving, I used a beautiful piece of my china instead:)

Mrs. Farmer Girl loved her portion. I am saving mine for later 🙂

Thus ended the exciting adventures of… Mrs. Farmer Girl and Mrs. Candy

Our next adventure may come sooner than I think!

Roller skating at 5:30 a.m. Why not?

This picture is a bit blurry, but I had my zoom lens still on from the moon picture I took the other day.

If you have children, you know that there isn’t much time for candid photos! She has been zooming about since about 5:30 this morning with her backpack and has stated that she loves roller skating and needs some “honey mooners”. I had just finished my first cup of coffee when I came to realize she wants some cereal 😉 Communication with a 4 year old is always fun!Have a wonderful day friends. Zoom around with joy!~

The Throne or the thrones?

Mother’s day started out superbly!  We were out of town on a trip.
I got to eat a breakfast I did not cook. WOOHOO!
The children and husband were as sweet as could be.
Then I started to feel ill.
It continued on a downward spiral until I spent the majority of mother’s day near the throne. The John. The Loo. The Head.

Of course this morning as I am feeling somewhat better, I questioned the necessity of seeking the throne. Do we seek God only when we are sick?
Do we only long for Him when we feel like we can’t go on with life the way it is?
How often do we only turn to the Lord when we have a need, and spend less time with Him when things are going smoothly?

Or

Do we seek Him daily as a true burning desire to spend time with our maker? He is the one who rejoices over us with singing. The one who loves us with an ever-lasting love.

Are we seeking things of this world that are just meant to be flushed down the toilet, or are you and I seeking things that bring a true and deep relationship with our Heavenly Father? One who longs to show us His truth?
Things of this life are not eternal. Plain and simple. We often spend so much time on things that don’t matter that we forget God has a plan for us. To further His kingdom and not worry so much about what we can get, or buy or even save up for. We want more and more and nothing satisfies. These things just don’t matter. What do I waste time doing? Is it Facebook? Is that taking time away from God? Is it TV?  Computer Time? Reading?  What are we doing to waste the time God has given us? Flushing it away never to be redeemed. Are you and I redeeming our time?

We need to spend more time seeking His Throne and His plans and not the thrones of this world that are just being used to flush endless hours of nothing down the toilet never to be gotten back.

Let’s stop wasting time on things that don’t really matter! 🙂

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.

Embrace

Embrace
By Tara Young

Let us embrace this amazing race. May we run this gauntlet with your awe-inspiring grace.

Our children Lord are a gift from You. Sometimes we go crazy with the stuff they do.

Fill us today and each day that follows, with joy not floundering like a pig in its wallow.

But to truly enjoy each moment each day. To savor, to love, to guide in Your way.

May each reaction be true, kind, and loving. Discipline and caring with firmness and hugging.

These 3 young ladies have been entrusted to us. You have blessed us not wanting to listen to us fuss.

Grateful hearts we want to grow. In Your garden of life we want them to know.

Just how grand our Father in Heaven is. He granted our hearts cries how gracious He is.

Joy flows forth now God we do ask. Help us to trust and wait while we bask.

In your glory also poured from above. Help us shower these gems with Your love

love the giver

Beautiful Mosaic Art

Beautiful Mosaic Art

By Tara Young

Stepping out of the darkness the grief is nearly gone. The ache of loss and sorrow, your mercy now upon me shon.

You are the healing hand that wiped away my tears. You sent a wonderful family that took away the fears.

That childless I would always be. Alone with no children to love. Just like that day many years ago when You gave me a precious dove.

You answered my prayer and gave me a child not one, but two, then three.  You blessed me tremendously yet sometimes it is hard to see.

There are some days the grief rolls in and nearly drowns my heart. Then I cry and remember my life is a piece of beautiful, mosaic art.

My Shadow

My Shadow

By Tara Young

I have a little shadow. She follows me around.

She does everything that I do. She mimics every sound.

Each word, each sound, and every move I make

Her little eyes inside do take.

She stores them in her memory and sometimes they come out,

In ways that are embarrassing and humbly I will pout.

From the Bible I did stray and chose that day to swerve.

Not following your will, your Word I did not observe.

You see my little shadow is a tiny girl.

A 3-year-old with years untold watching my life as it unfurled.

What do my words teach her? Are they training her in truth?

Or am I teaching her to tell a lie in her formidable youth.

Do my actions, which I show,

Send her to the cross where I pray for her to go?

Today as my shadow follows me, help me Lord I pray.

To take each tender moment to show her You today.