Grace for the Moment....

As I drove off from the local Hardee's, My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach. Let me back up and tell you why....

We were rushing out the door for church and I had not gone to the grocery store so we were out of everything food wise. I needed to do a quick run through a drive thru. Which never happens before church because I hate drive thru breakfast. I am not a fan of fast food period and I won't get on my soap box about how unhealthy it is to eat fast food, so I will leave that there. Nonetheless, we went to Hardee's for breakfast....when I got to the window to pay, my daughter said, "Mom, tell her Jesus loves her."

 

And I froze!!

 

Why? I don't know. I have prayed with people a good bit during my walk with Christ but I am different today. I have come into an understanding that I had not known before. I tasted of the Lord's love but I am learning to walk more in his love than I ever have in times past. I am realizing that HE didn't save me just because I was lost and that reason only. But that I would show HIS great love for a hurting world to those that are hurting. Perhaps my daughter saw that she needed to know that or she believed that everyone we encounter needs to encounter HIM.

 

 

In that moment, I just wanted to get to church "the safe zone for ministry" right? LOL!!

Not so!!

We are supposed to BE that Jesus encounter to those that need to know HIM.

Everywhere We Go!

 

I missed it today...."In everything set them an example of good" Titus 2:7

My daughter needed to see it lived out....and I missed it.

 

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone that believes" Romans 1:16

Where have I been....

2015 seemed to be one of the hardest years thus far for me but it ended with an amazing gift from God. My sweet Alyssa Jade was born December 4th.

She is now almost 3months. So life got a little crazy for our family. Homeschooling has been a little crazy as well but we are getting to what we can. We actually took the month of December off so I could get adjusted. It took a little longer for me to recover this time around than with my other children.

 

The children are absolute in love with their baby sister. She was a gift for us all.

Motherhood is one of the greatest gifts from the Father and I am so thankful.

Grace for the Moment....

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord," plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." You will call to me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord."       Jeremiah 29:11-14


I can't begin to tell you where I have been emotionally these past few months but this verse dropped into my heart this morning just before waking to get ready for church....

and it blessed my heart greatly!


Oh, how the Father knows exactly where we are and what we need.


I pray that this falls freshly on pliable hearts this evening as we all, mommies especially, journey toward this goal of fixing our hearts and minds on Jesus :)


Many Blessings,


Along THE Way



Much needed.....

After having such a busy and jam packed summer; when it was time for school to start I was drained. Desperate for a much needed dose of strength straight from the throne room of God.

 

 

 

Anyone else out there ever experience anything like this?

If so, how did you overcome it?


In His Grace,
Along the way

Only by His Grace...

As I drove away slowly from the church, watching my twelve year old walk in; I think how he has grown up.  One more glance toward the door and I can see him waving the I Love You sign. Something we often do when i drop them off. He was on his way to the Pinewood Derby. He really takes great joy in building his car but spending time with the other boys and there dad's, building relationships; is what this mama treasures. Does he? There is so much I want to give him as he grows. The desire to love others and putting his whole heart into the things he do; are things that rank pretty high on my list. A genuine desire to draw younger boys under his wing and encourage them seem to come so naturally to him.

"But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her

 heart and meditating on them." Luke 2:19 

Thinking on the things God has given me over the years about him and watching God perform those very things in him; is astounding. The role of motherhood is to be treasured and honored. Though disciplining is necessary; God truly performs the work. He does the growing. He is the One in control.
"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act....." Psalm 37:5 
I think so much of the time how we, as mothers, get to be there and witness the miracle of God's word in action. And I am so thankful.
As homeschool moms, we can get so caught up in the things that need to be done each day and forget that we are mothers first and that we must allow love to grace our actions and words. It is only by HIS grace that we complete the task well.

I challenge you to slow down this last half of your school year (for those of you that take a summer break) and perhaps regroup; and meditate on this miraculous work of the our Father.

Many Blessings,

Along THE Way



"But by God's grace I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not ineffective." 
1 Corinthians 15:10a

Desiring gentleness.....

"Rather, it should be that of your inner self,the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 3:4

As a mother, I long for a gentle and quiet spirit. To be quick to listen and slow to speak. So much of the time  I find myself reacting to my little ones instead of giving a gentle response. I want them to know how precious they are to the Lord and how special they are to me. 

Does my actions, words and attitude paint them a picture of how much God loves them?

When I allow my focus to be on the many cares of this life; I find myself a little more snappish and short. Rather, the Lord desires and is greatly moved by a woman with a gentle spirit. I think it is a direct reflection of HIM. A very loving God.

Let us begin to be very aware that God is with us and desires to pour on us a gentleness of spirit and character. And for this very trait to be passed on to our children, whom we desire to train up in the admonition of the Lord. Believe me, they are much more receptive this way.

"The Lord's servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth." 2 Timothy 2:24-25

Loving motherhood...

This school year has brought a lot different emotions but one that has remained the same is being in awe of the Lord by watching my little ones. How He has blessed our home.

Finding beauty in motherhood....

Sitting in my rocker, looking around at the many toys, shoes, and books that can't seem to make it's way back to where it belongs; I realize how sincerely  blessed I am. 

Yes, my littles can make just about any room look like a tornado has spun through it ........

..........and I'm grateful.

 My house could be nice and well-organized

(which I could stand to work on just a little bit more :)),

clean...without a toy in sight or books like "Guess how much I love you", just lying around.

My quiver is full and hopefully still growing. 

No, mothering four children is not easy and can be down right crazy in just about any grocery store, 

but the joy that comes with mothering super cedes every obstacle. The love of the Father poured out through my home is mind boggling. I wouldn't change a thing. Raising and nurturing them in the word is a gift from the Lord to this sometimes weary mama. Knowing that this is but my first round of discipleship. The rewards will exceed my lifetime. The hope is never ending. Oh, the privilege I have in watching these beautiful beings grow into the image of our Savior; and becoming the young men and women God purposed them to be.

"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 16:11

Part of the Journey......

The question arose while pondering this new quest of God's peace, "If I had the chance to go back would I choose differently......would I make the choice to home school? Would I choose to stay at home with my children and build my home?"

I believe in my heart of hearts I choose the high road. I choose the path that Christ has laid out for me. 

For me.....I miss that sometimes. 

I get caught up in the thoughts that I'm doing this for them only, that they may know the Lord ( which is a major reason why I'm doing this but not that alone). That they may in turn choose the way of our Lord. Today as I began the book of Judges, I read how an entire generation arose that did not know the Lord. The very people who swore to keep the commandments that Moses brought to them from the Lord. The same people that were miraculously delivered.

 Oh, how I began to cry out that the Lord might make this word a mirror to me. Show me, Father, the reflections of my heart. 

Is my life exemplifying the Father in  such a way that just 2 generations  later my offspring will still proclaim the name of Jesus or is it just enough to save my children for now?

I wondered in the beginning how does this tie in with the aforementioned questions. Oh, but it is so inter-woven through every fiber. Praise God that He didn't desire to save Abraham for salvation sake for Abraham alone, but for the seed that was within Abraham. That I might be saved today and proclaiming HE is Lord to my family. How awesome is that! How dare I entertain the notion of anything less.

Yes, yes, a million times YES......I would choose this way. I would choose the high road. I want to know Him with all that is within me, even as I've been know. He is so good :)

"....another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel."  Judges 2:10b

Building our homes....

"Every wise woman builds her house...." Proverbs 14:1

I came across this topic in a generation ceder post and it got me to thinking; in my everyday activities such as homeschooling, Sunday service, wednesday night prayer and other serving opportunities that we do along this road to godliness; what are we doing to build our homes?

All the things that we do to "glorify" God are good things in themselves but do you find yourself just going and going.....Are we really building our homes in all of this?
In all of our trivial pursuits as a wife and mother we find that this title bears a much greater calling then many of us can even comprehend. And might I add creates a desire for many to achieve excellence.

As wives and mother's we tend to get caught up in getting everything done and teaching every lesson; and the question God is asking me and many of you is "In all of this, what are you doing to build your homes?" Making it a place where MY Presence is known and abides..... Where the hearts are receptive and seeking My Voice...Where love,worship and servanthood is a center focus....??

So here I am on this pursuit of finding who I am by discovering who HE is, and HE drops this question......
I'm not quite sure of why, but I am learning that I cannot do this apart from HIM. And that it is only by faith that I can do this with HIM.

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him,for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

" In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge."

Proverbs 14:26

Good Morning Girls

So very excited to  be joining a group of wonderful ladies. 

Challenging one another ( iron sharpening iron).

Blessing one another daily!

• Psalm 127:1
• John 15:4-5
• Matthew 6:33
• 2 Timothy 1:5
• Proverbs 6:20-22

~Be Blessed~

"Then you will know that I AM the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed"

~Isaiah 49:23~

Mother's Day

 These are the joys of motherhood.

 The little blessings they bring to my life each day.

 The love of the Father, God, for my life and theirs simply over take

me.

 Blessed beyond measure!

And a special thanks and Super Happy Mother's Day to my mother and my mother-n-law! I have been so blessed to know and be taught  by these wonderful ladies.

"By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me." Psalm 42:8

“Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward”

 (Psalms 127:3)

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