"Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents." -Ephesians 5:1
It's crazy how much our kids mirror us. I mean, I know everyone says that your kids will mimic who you are, but to watch it in action is crazy. It takes some time... years go by as they watch you talk and gesture, and then one day, they start talking and gesturing and you think it's hilarious, and then you realize it is their imitation of you!
It's a good reminder that our own actions are often mimicking the people around us. Are we surrounded by people who have good actions and words? Most importantly, are we spending time with the One we want to impact us the most (and in the best way)? Our investment of time with our Father God is well worth the effort! It will help us become like Him.
Monday, January 7, 2019
Sunday, January 6, 2019
a clean slate
“It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.”
Lamentations 3:22 KJV
Every morning, we have a fresh start. Whatever happened the previous day is behind us. We may deal with the same situation, but we can look at it knowing God has supplied us with new mercy and grace to face the day.
Sometimes I think that mercy comes simply from a fresh night of sleep! But sometimes we don’t sleep well... and we still get a fresh start! Our human nature likes the idea of a clean slate. It gives us the opportunity to begin again, something we definitely need as we work toward self improvement and habit change.
Have a wonderful day and know today that’s God’s mercies have already been made new unto you!
Lamentations 3:22 KJV
Every morning, we have a fresh start. Whatever happened the previous day is behind us. We may deal with the same situation, but we can look at it knowing God has supplied us with new mercy and grace to face the day.
Sometimes I think that mercy comes simply from a fresh night of sleep! But sometimes we don’t sleep well... and we still get a fresh start! Our human nature likes the idea of a clean slate. It gives us the opportunity to begin again, something we definitely need as we work toward self improvement and habit change.
Have a wonderful day and know today that’s God’s mercies have already been made new unto you!
Saturday, January 5, 2019
yes vs. no
Every day we say yes to something. Every yes includes a no to other things in our lives.
This morning was an earlier morning than I usually want it to be, but I must have slept okay because I decided to say yes to waking up and staying up. As a result, I said no to sleeping any further and probably a solid yes to a nap later today!
My goal every day is to make sure I say yes to God, my hubby, and my kids. I can't give them everything they want when they want it (talking here about hubby and kids) because of daily tasks and such that need to be done, but I can make sure I say yes to each one of them at multiple points throughout the day... while saying yes to a good attitude as I respond to them.
James 4 says:
"So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time."
I like that description. Sometimes we have to be loud in our no to what we want but shouldn't do... aka a bad attitude or poor choices. Instead we need to say a quiet yes to God and turn our hearts to Him and acknowledge that He is with us.
Hope your day is filled with that quiet turning of your heart to the Lord.
This morning was an earlier morning than I usually want it to be, but I must have slept okay because I decided to say yes to waking up and staying up. As a result, I said no to sleeping any further and probably a solid yes to a nap later today!
My goal every day is to make sure I say yes to God, my hubby, and my kids. I can't give them everything they want when they want it (talking here about hubby and kids) because of daily tasks and such that need to be done, but I can make sure I say yes to each one of them at multiple points throughout the day... while saying yes to a good attitude as I respond to them.
James 4 says:
"So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time."
I like that description. Sometimes we have to be loud in our no to what we want but shouldn't do... aka a bad attitude or poor choices. Instead we need to say a quiet yes to God and turn our hearts to Him and acknowledge that He is with us.
Hope your day is filled with that quiet turning of your heart to the Lord.
Friday, January 4, 2019
thankful today
Happy Friday!
Today, I am thankful for my kids and being able to work from home. I am also thankful for a fresh start and tools to help me keep track of what I want to change in my life.
One tool I have begun to use this year is a non-techy weekly planner. I've tried them before, but maybe, just maybe, this year it will stick! I'm finding it's helpful to have a place to write everything down rather than trying to keep it all in my brain or on a electronic document.
What are you doing different in the New Year?
In the past, the New Year wasn't as important to me... but in the recent past, I will admit, I have been either pregnant or had a young baby in the house who kept me up at night. My mode more resembled survival mode. They were wonderful years and I wouldn't trade them. I am grateful that I am slowly but surely moving past that and the kids are growing up and I can move out of survival mode into progress.
Every season we live through has blessings. Our job is to find the blessings and celebrate them. Recognize that the difficulty we face won't last forever!
My kids are now 4, 6, and 1. Next week they will be 5, 7, and 1! It's a family birthday month! Already looking forward to next week's birthday celebration, but more importantly, enjoying spending today with them today.
Have a great day!
Today, I am thankful for my kids and being able to work from home. I am also thankful for a fresh start and tools to help me keep track of what I want to change in my life.
One tool I have begun to use this year is a non-techy weekly planner. I've tried them before, but maybe, just maybe, this year it will stick! I'm finding it's helpful to have a place to write everything down rather than trying to keep it all in my brain or on a electronic document.
What are you doing different in the New Year?
In the past, the New Year wasn't as important to me... but in the recent past, I will admit, I have been either pregnant or had a young baby in the house who kept me up at night. My mode more resembled survival mode. They were wonderful years and I wouldn't trade them. I am grateful that I am slowly but surely moving past that and the kids are growing up and I can move out of survival mode into progress.
Every season we live through has blessings. Our job is to find the blessings and celebrate them. Recognize that the difficulty we face won't last forever!
My kids are now 4, 6, and 1. Next week they will be 5, 7, and 1! It's a family birthday month! Already looking forward to next week's birthday celebration, but more importantly, enjoying spending today with them today.
Have a great day!
Thursday, January 3, 2019
when I'm tired
So last night's sleep reminded me of a lot of sleeps when the kiddos were babies... interrupted! And let me tell you, I am very glad that I'm generally past that stage of getting up with them. I definitely do better with sleep than without.
Last night I did get woken up a few times, and as a result, it's taken a bit longer to wake up this morning. I'm not a coffee person, so I don't turn to that; I'm more a midday nap person (or mid-morning nap person!!).
But here's what I rely on when I feel tired:
The Lord is my strength and my shield.
He has become my salvation.
The Lord is the stronghold of my life.
Of whom shall I be afraid?
To be honest, I think it's a combo of a few different verses in Psalms, but what's important to me is that God is by my side. Psalms is filled with descriptions of what God can be to us, and I use them when I remember! He is my strength. He fills me with what I need. He shields me. He is my shepherd. He is all I need.
I am far from perfect in relying on Him, but I do my best! And it definitely helps when I feel like I need a nap asap, but can't get it quite yet.
So today, I hope that helps you remember that the Lord can be much to you. He is your help and strength in everything you face!
Last night I did get woken up a few times, and as a result, it's taken a bit longer to wake up this morning. I'm not a coffee person, so I don't turn to that; I'm more a midday nap person (or mid-morning nap person!!).
But here's what I rely on when I feel tired:
The Lord is my strength and my shield.
He has become my salvation.
The Lord is the stronghold of my life.
Of whom shall I be afraid?
To be honest, I think it's a combo of a few different verses in Psalms, but what's important to me is that God is by my side. Psalms is filled with descriptions of what God can be to us, and I use them when I remember! He is my strength. He fills me with what I need. He shields me. He is my shepherd. He is all I need.
I am far from perfect in relying on Him, but I do my best! And it definitely helps when I feel like I need a nap asap, but can't get it quite yet.
So today, I hope that helps you remember that the Lord can be much to you. He is your help and strength in everything you face!
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
the value of five minutes
"Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom." Psalm 90:12 NLT
I'm learning how valuable five minutes is. Five minutes isn't that long, but wisdom begs that we use five minutes wisely. That doesn't necessarily mean we need to multitask or be endlessly busy, but that we choose well what we do within each set of five minutes we have.
One example I face every day, but last night in particular... when I put the kiddos to bed, we have a fairly lengthy routine that I sometimes try to cut short so I can get on with my work for that day or whatever reason/logic I have for that day. Last night, the boys had brought me a longer picture book to read, and then picked out a second even longer picture book, and I thought, "I should say no to reading both long books because it will take too much time."
Then I thought, "Spend the extra time reading to them. Those five minutes will matter more to them than to me using it to clean the kitchen or get work done."
I did. I sat and read the book fully so they could have their two books before going to bed.
Reading to my kids is a key foundation of my kids' learning at home, so it was important to invest five minutes in reading that longer book!
While I read the book, I had another choice to make. We are in the process of sorting out Legos into bins by color, and we are so close to being done. The pile of Legos left to sort was right in front of me while I read, and I wanted to finish the sorting while I read. Talk about multitasking, but also talk about distraction.
So I forced myself to simply read. Again, the kids would be more impacted by my concentrated effort of just reading than by my finishing up sorting the Legos. They may not recognize in that moment or care if I did both, but it's a principle of focus and importance I needed to do for myself and show for them to learn from.
Well, I hear a baby crying, so off I go to get her cheery face and start the day with the kiddos.
Happy day to you all! Keep at your resolutions today. Say no, say yes, do what you promised yourself... and remember the value of your choices, even for five minutes.
I'm learning how valuable five minutes is. Five minutes isn't that long, but wisdom begs that we use five minutes wisely. That doesn't necessarily mean we need to multitask or be endlessly busy, but that we choose well what we do within each set of five minutes we have.
One example I face every day, but last night in particular... when I put the kiddos to bed, we have a fairly lengthy routine that I sometimes try to cut short so I can get on with my work for that day or whatever reason/logic I have for that day. Last night, the boys had brought me a longer picture book to read, and then picked out a second even longer picture book, and I thought, "I should say no to reading both long books because it will take too much time."
Then I thought, "Spend the extra time reading to them. Those five minutes will matter more to them than to me using it to clean the kitchen or get work done."
I did. I sat and read the book fully so they could have their two books before going to bed.
Reading to my kids is a key foundation of my kids' learning at home, so it was important to invest five minutes in reading that longer book!
While I read the book, I had another choice to make. We are in the process of sorting out Legos into bins by color, and we are so close to being done. The pile of Legos left to sort was right in front of me while I read, and I wanted to finish the sorting while I read. Talk about multitasking, but also talk about distraction.
So I forced myself to simply read. Again, the kids would be more impacted by my concentrated effort of just reading than by my finishing up sorting the Legos. They may not recognize in that moment or care if I did both, but it's a principle of focus and importance I needed to do for myself and show for them to learn from.
Well, I hear a baby crying, so off I go to get her cheery face and start the day with the kiddos.
Happy day to you all! Keep at your resolutions today. Say no, say yes, do what you promised yourself... and remember the value of your choices, even for five minutes.
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Happy 2019!
So I actually have a word for the New Year!
Progress.
I've never been one much for goals, but after hearing about "words for the year" on multiple podcasts, this year, I thought of one. I just want to make progress toward the things I'd like to add/take away in my life. I know I won't be perfect, but I can make progress!
Do you have a word for 2019?
P.S. My brother Brian would have been 40 today. 40! I remember when my parents turned 40 and it was such a big deal to be "over the hill" and we gave them gag gifts and all that for their birthday, and now I'm in denial I'm getting closer to that age - and my friends are too! Crazy.
Whatever your plan for the New Year, may it also include growing closer to God. A relationship with Him is the best.
Progress.
I've never been one much for goals, but after hearing about "words for the year" on multiple podcasts, this year, I thought of one. I just want to make progress toward the things I'd like to add/take away in my life. I know I won't be perfect, but I can make progress!
Do you have a word for 2019?
P.S. My brother Brian would have been 40 today. 40! I remember when my parents turned 40 and it was such a big deal to be "over the hill" and we gave them gag gifts and all that for their birthday, and now I'm in denial I'm getting closer to that age - and my friends are too! Crazy.
Whatever your plan for the New Year, may it also include growing closer to God. A relationship with Him is the best.
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