Grant me Lord, to hold fast to what is good by the power of your love. Preserve my every word and act that corrupts the soul, and from every impulse that is unpleasing in your sight and harmful to the people around me. Teach me what I should say and how I should speak. If it be your holy will that I be quiet and make no answer , inspire me to be silent in a peaceful spirit that causes neither harm nor hurt to my fellow human beings. Father Sophrony
This is a prayer I repeated several times today.....today was a day I would not want to repeat. But by His mercy God gave me this difficult day with hard hearts, arguing, and complaining to help me to grow. I am praying for a quiet soft heart and mouth. To pray before I speak. I make a Gratitude list , but shouldn't days like today be on that list? Days that stretch me and drive me to my Father's arms in prayer? So Thank you Lord for today ......help me to remember that all is grace.
Showing posts with label parenting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parenting. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Memorials
About a year ago, I had a conversation with a friend about homeschooling. She asked how I was able to get everything done. I admitted the simple truth: I don't do all the things I would like to. She then asked me, "How do you sleep at night?" It was an innocent question, asked by a woman who knows how this job of motherhood is never ending. I answered with a heartfelt reply, about how I really had to trust God for sleep. We ended our conversation and I did not think much more about it.
However, that night in bed, when sleep eluded me again, I immediately started thinking about all the things I did not get done, all the ways this child or that one needed to improve. I was pondering about how tired I always seem to be, and how there are so many of them and just one of me. I discovered that I was not able to sleep that night because I let anxiety rule.
In the light of day, it was easy to reign in my thoughts and give them to God. It was a warm spring day after a bitter Michigan winter, so all eight of us were able to escape to the park across the street. I was watching my children; my fourteen year old nephew playing spies with my eight year old, the two older girls were entertaining the little girls, and my eldest asking if he could take a walk with me so we could talk. (A sixteen year old boy who wants to talk to his mom!) Sunshine, laughter, and everyone was having fun. I was intensely grateful, and the anxiety of the night was gone.
I thought of all the memorials the Israelites built. Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and Joshua, they constructed altars or memorials to God. This day was such a blessing, a memorial that I needed to write down and come back to. The sun will not always be shining, we won't always get along , and the hard days will come. When they do, it will be so easy for me to forget the wonderful ones, and difficult to forget the not-so-good.
It is so easy to look at the mess around you, the bad attitudes, the things that never seem to get done, and to forget all the good God has done for you. So simple to focus on what is not important, and all those thoughts that matter to the world, but shouldn't be vital to us.
Lord, help me to remember the memorials you put before me, help me to be grateful and to see you in everything.
Today I am thankful for these memorials:
148. A wedding picture on the wall that reminds me of 23 years with my husband
149. Baby pictures in the hallway
150. Rocks from the beach where we have vacationed for 12 years
151. Pictures of my sister Julie
152. A folder filled with cards from friends
154. Shelves of great books I have read to the kids
155. Recipes written by the hand of a friend or relative
157.Pictures on my screen saver, showing a life of friends, family and memories
158. Kids with better memories than me that say "Mom, remember when...."
159. A Bible, underlined and written in, reminding me of all His promises I have held on to
160. the faces that sit around our dinner table every night reminding me of how He has blessed me (He settles the barren woman in her home, as a happy mother of children, Praise the Lord Ps.113:9)
Joshua 4:2-9
"Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests stood, and to carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight."
So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and said to them, "Go over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."
So the Israelites did as Joshua commanded them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, as the LORD had told Joshua; and they carried them over with them to their camp, where they put them down. Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant had stood. And they are there to this day.
However, that night in bed, when sleep eluded me again, I immediately started thinking about all the things I did not get done, all the ways this child or that one needed to improve. I was pondering about how tired I always seem to be, and how there are so many of them and just one of me. I discovered that I was not able to sleep that night because I let anxiety rule.
In the light of day, it was easy to reign in my thoughts and give them to God. It was a warm spring day after a bitter Michigan winter, so all eight of us were able to escape to the park across the street. I was watching my children; my fourteen year old nephew playing spies with my eight year old, the two older girls were entertaining the little girls, and my eldest asking if he could take a walk with me so we could talk. (A sixteen year old boy who wants to talk to his mom!) Sunshine, laughter, and everyone was having fun. I was intensely grateful, and the anxiety of the night was gone.
I thought of all the memorials the Israelites built. Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and Joshua, they constructed altars or memorials to God. This day was such a blessing, a memorial that I needed to write down and come back to. The sun will not always be shining, we won't always get along , and the hard days will come. When they do, it will be so easy for me to forget the wonderful ones, and difficult to forget the not-so-good.
It is so easy to look at the mess around you, the bad attitudes, the things that never seem to get done, and to forget all the good God has done for you. So simple to focus on what is not important, and all those thoughts that matter to the world, but shouldn't be vital to us.
Lord, help me to remember the memorials you put before me, help me to be grateful and to see you in everything.
Today I am thankful for these memorials:
148. A wedding picture on the wall that reminds me of 23 years with my husband
149. Baby pictures in the hallway
150. Rocks from the beach where we have vacationed for 12 years
151. Pictures of my sister Julie
152. A folder filled with cards from friends
154. Shelves of great books I have read to the kids
155. Recipes written by the hand of a friend or relative
157.Pictures on my screen saver, showing a life of friends, family and memories
158. Kids with better memories than me that say "Mom, remember when...."
159. A Bible, underlined and written in, reminding me of all His promises I have held on to
160. the faces that sit around our dinner table every night reminding me of how He has blessed me (He settles the barren woman in her home, as a happy mother of children, Praise the Lord Ps.113:9)
Joshua 4:2-9
"Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests stood, and to carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight."
So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and said to them, "Go over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."
So the Israelites did as Joshua commanded them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, as the LORD had told Joshua; and they carried them over with them to their camp, where they put them down. Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant had stood. And they are there to this day.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
What I am praying and pondering......
Speak tenderly to them. Let there be kindness in your face, in your eyes , in your smile, in the warmth of your greeting. Always have a cheerful smile, but give your heart as well....
-Mother Theresa
-Mother Theresa
Friday, July 24, 2009
Being a good Shepherd
These are some thoughts I wrote down awhile ago, I am revisiting them as I pray for the Lord's strength and guidance as I walk this road of motherhood. I had been meditating on Psalm 23 and parenting.
Psalm 23 and Parenting:
1. Quiet rest: He leads me beside still waters, and green pastures.
A place to let them be who they are, love, listen, talk rest, touch, and show compassion. A place that is not too busy, a nourishing place with time together, meals together. A peaceful home and a peaceful mom. Also, literal food and rest, how often I expect too much out of a tired or hungry child.
2. Train in Righteousness: He guides me in paths of righteousness.
Gently show them God, immerse them in His beauty, majesty, and love. Pray, read, discuss. The Bible, great books, nature, talk and listen.
3. Walk the road with them: Even though I walk through the valley…you are with me.
Walk gently with compassion, this is discipleship, not running ahead, hands on hips –impatiently saying “Will you get it already??” When they are upset about something, feel it with them, when they are wrestling, wrestle with them. It is so disheartening to think that no one understands you. Walk beside, help, hold their hands through their struggles and listen.
4. Fill their cups: My cup overflows.
Let them overflow with mercy, goodness and love. What do they love? Try to love it. Listen wholeheartedly, praise them, give them comforts, warm cookies, a favorite meal. A smile, laugh with them, again LISTEN! Make them feel comforted.
Hug, touch , kiss them.
5. Prepare: You prepare a table for me.
Prepare them for life, in God’s kingdom, as the world looks on. Give them what they need, not what the world thinks they need. Choose wisdom over knowledge. Give them what the Lord shows me they need, not what everyone else is doing. Teach them. Train them. Each child is different, what Davis needs Anna may not need, seek God for what that unique and special child's needs.
6. Protect: In the presence of my enemies.
Hem them in with loving boundaries, they truly are a comfort. Protect them lovingly, gently. Pray and intercede for them. The boundaries will not be burdensome if their cups are filled.
All of this is to be done with gentleness, love, and delight in abundance.
I look at this and say “I cannot do this Lord there are too many needs pressing on me, I am too selfish, there are too many of them. "Only you, Lord, can take this small offering and make it an abundance. Help me to walk this path of motherhood to your glory and in your strength not my own. Thank you for each lamb you have put in my pasture. Thank you that you are the Good Shepherd. The sheep know you and your voice; help me to know your voice and obey.
Psalm 23 and Parenting:
1. Quiet rest: He leads me beside still waters, and green pastures.
A place to let them be who they are, love, listen, talk rest, touch, and show compassion. A place that is not too busy, a nourishing place with time together, meals together. A peaceful home and a peaceful mom. Also, literal food and rest, how often I expect too much out of a tired or hungry child.
2. Train in Righteousness: He guides me in paths of righteousness.
Gently show them God, immerse them in His beauty, majesty, and love. Pray, read, discuss. The Bible, great books, nature, talk and listen.
3. Walk the road with them: Even though I walk through the valley…you are with me.
Walk gently with compassion, this is discipleship, not running ahead, hands on hips –impatiently saying “Will you get it already??” When they are upset about something, feel it with them, when they are wrestling, wrestle with them. It is so disheartening to think that no one understands you. Walk beside, help, hold their hands through their struggles and listen.
4. Fill their cups: My cup overflows.
Let them overflow with mercy, goodness and love. What do they love? Try to love it. Listen wholeheartedly, praise them, give them comforts, warm cookies, a favorite meal. A smile, laugh with them, again LISTEN! Make them feel comforted.
Hug, touch , kiss them.
5. Prepare: You prepare a table for me.
Prepare them for life, in God’s kingdom, as the world looks on. Give them what they need, not what the world thinks they need. Choose wisdom over knowledge. Give them what the Lord shows me they need, not what everyone else is doing. Teach them. Train them. Each child is different, what Davis needs Anna may not need, seek God for what that unique and special child's needs.
6. Protect: In the presence of my enemies.
Hem them in with loving boundaries, they truly are a comfort. Protect them lovingly, gently. Pray and intercede for them. The boundaries will not be burdensome if their cups are filled.
All of this is to be done with gentleness, love, and delight in abundance.
I look at this and say “I cannot do this Lord there are too many needs pressing on me, I am too selfish, there are too many of them. "Only you, Lord, can take this small offering and make it an abundance. Help me to walk this path of motherhood to your glory and in your strength not my own. Thank you for each lamb you have put in my pasture. Thank you that you are the Good Shepherd. The sheep know you and your voice; help me to know your voice and obey.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Focused, Intentional Love, part one
Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of his love John 13:1
Focused , intentional love.... that phrase keeps going through my mind as I walk through my days ......focused, intentional. Often I am not focused but distracted, not intentional but reacting.
Jesus-on the most difficult night of his life-showed this kind of love. He washed his disciples' feet. In humility and service, the Lord of the universe performed this act of service. He did not have to do it; the disciples did not deserve or understand it. Peter even protested. But He did it anyway. It was very intentional, very personal. He did not seem to rush through it. He took off his outer garment and wrapped it around His waist, washed and dried, each dirty foot being very dear to him. He knew what was ahead and yet he stooped down to do this. This is the full extent of his love, this focused and intentional love.
Many times a day I feel like I am serving my children. But am I focused? Am I intentional? So much is swirling around me, laundry, meals, squabbles, school books, etc. I run through the assembly line. Teeth brushed? Check. Bed made? Check. Math done? Check. How often do I stop, take off my outer garment, kneel down, hold the feet of these loved ones tenderly? Really listen? Connect? Hear the words they are trying to convey? Too often, my agenda is more important than their words. Jesus did not wash their feet because they were dirty (and indeed they were). If that were the only reason, someone else could have done this chore. He did it because He loved them and saw them as souls to fill with love, not projects to be checked off.
Help me, Lord, to understand this, burn it in my heart, help me to love as you do.
Focused , intentional love.... that phrase keeps going through my mind as I walk through my days ......focused, intentional. Often I am not focused but distracted, not intentional but reacting.
Jesus-on the most difficult night of his life-showed this kind of love. He washed his disciples' feet. In humility and service, the Lord of the universe performed this act of service. He did not have to do it; the disciples did not deserve or understand it. Peter even protested. But He did it anyway. It was very intentional, very personal. He did not seem to rush through it. He took off his outer garment and wrapped it around His waist, washed and dried, each dirty foot being very dear to him. He knew what was ahead and yet he stooped down to do this. This is the full extent of his love, this focused and intentional love.
Many times a day I feel like I am serving my children. But am I focused? Am I intentional? So much is swirling around me, laundry, meals, squabbles, school books, etc. I run through the assembly line. Teeth brushed? Check. Bed made? Check. Math done? Check. How often do I stop, take off my outer garment, kneel down, hold the feet of these loved ones tenderly? Really listen? Connect? Hear the words they are trying to convey? Too often, my agenda is more important than their words. Jesus did not wash their feet because they were dirty (and indeed they were). If that were the only reason, someone else could have done this chore. He did it because He loved them and saw them as souls to fill with love, not projects to be checked off.
Help me, Lord, to understand this, burn it in my heart, help me to love as you do.
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:14-17
(picture: three-year-old Ella's feet)
Friday, February 27, 2009
Like A River Glorious
Philipians 2:1-3 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete, by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition but in humility consider others better than yourselves
John 15:17 This is my commandment, love one another.
We are commanded to love one another. It seems like a simple command, but so hard to do. In this house we love each other, or at least we try to. But not a day goes by when words or actions, many times my own, show a lack of love. We can be irritable in this family, easily offended and sharp tongued. The seamless garment of family unity that I long for is frayed, thin, and has a few holes in places. These thin palces show everywhere: sharp words to little ones, sarcastic comments, locked doors, ignoring a cry for help becacuse eyes are glued to a screen, a rude "shhhh!' to a loud voice. It shows in more subtle ways: not listening, not looking in each other's eyes, not slowing down to connect.
It is easy to justify this. We are together ALL day. Ten different people, all different ages and personalities. All sinners. A teeneager wants his "own space." A mom needs a break from the relentless responsibilities. A brother doesn't want to play with his sister. We are cooped up in cold and snow. But these are all excuses. We are acting out of selfish ambition, not considering others first, but thinking of only what "I want." We are sinners, frayed selfish sinners.
I think, on the harder days, "How did we get here?" Mainly I recall my own poor example. Are we too busy, too busy to connect with one another? Are we not taking the time to look to The One who connects us? This family overlows, like a river that skips it's bank. It is a river that never seems to stay in the neat boundaries that I desire for it. It runs on, this life of ours, like a wild river...and I feel powerless to stop it. But He is the one changes hearts and the course of a river (Pr. 21:1). He is the one working in us, completing the good work that He has begun in us. My confidence needs to be in Him (Phil 1:6) not in my self, a new book, or system. He put us here together in this family, to learn to love each other for His purpose.
So we try by His grace to mend what is frayed. Start with me Lord. Change me. Show me where I am selfish. Show me how to choose others. Mend the holes. Strengthen the weak places. Make us one, having one spirit, love, and purpose. We are a river, a strong river. Help us to flow together.
Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace, Over all victorious, in its bright increase; Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day, Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way - Frances R. Havergal
John 15:17 This is my commandment, love one another.
We are commanded to love one another. It seems like a simple command, but so hard to do. In this house we love each other, or at least we try to. But not a day goes by when words or actions, many times my own, show a lack of love. We can be irritable in this family, easily offended and sharp tongued. The seamless garment of family unity that I long for is frayed, thin, and has a few holes in places. These thin palces show everywhere: sharp words to little ones, sarcastic comments, locked doors, ignoring a cry for help becacuse eyes are glued to a screen, a rude "shhhh!' to a loud voice. It shows in more subtle ways: not listening, not looking in each other's eyes, not slowing down to connect.
It is easy to justify this. We are together ALL day. Ten different people, all different ages and personalities. All sinners. A teeneager wants his "own space." A mom needs a break from the relentless responsibilities. A brother doesn't want to play with his sister. We are cooped up in cold and snow. But these are all excuses. We are acting out of selfish ambition, not considering others first, but thinking of only what "I want." We are sinners, frayed selfish sinners.
I think, on the harder days, "How did we get here?" Mainly I recall my own poor example. Are we too busy, too busy to connect with one another? Are we not taking the time to look to The One who connects us? This family overlows, like a river that skips it's bank. It is a river that never seems to stay in the neat boundaries that I desire for it. It runs on, this life of ours, like a wild river...and I feel powerless to stop it. But He is the one changes hearts and the course of a river (Pr. 21:1). He is the one working in us, completing the good work that He has begun in us. My confidence needs to be in Him (Phil 1:6) not in my self, a new book, or system. He put us here together in this family, to learn to love each other for His purpose.
So we try by His grace to mend what is frayed. Start with me Lord. Change me. Show me where I am selfish. Show me how to choose others. Mend the holes. Strengthen the weak places. Make us one, having one spirit, love, and purpose. We are a river, a strong river. Help us to flow together.
Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace, Over all victorious, in its bright increase; Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day, Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way - Frances R. Havergal
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