Everyday is Labor Day

One night at football practice, second born accidentally locked the keys in the car. My husband was about 45 minutes away in school, so we sat at the field and waited for him to arrive. While we stood next to the car, the boys wanted to find constellations. After teaching most of the day, I was tired and really didn't feel like using my brain. I tried to act interested as we looked up at the sky. The coach who was nice enough to wait with us asked me if I would tutor some of the boys on the team one night a week. I immediately thought to myself, "I don't feel like teaching my own sons and now you want me to tutor someone else?" Good grief, can I get a break? After I got over my one minute selfish party, I agreed to help. I'm at the field anyway, so I chose to do the right thing. Sigh...every day is Labor Day for Mothers. Everyday is a teaching day and every moment offers a teaching opportunity. Thank God for Mothers and have a happy Labor Day!

Worried?


We all have concerns that can easily turn into worries. Our homes, marriages, children, jobs, and school are just a few concerns of life. The key to not allowing our concerns turn into worries is prayer. Want to worry less? Pray more! A simple concern can begin to weigh on our minds so heavily that we begin to spend alot of time thinking about it. Most of the time we're thinking about something we have no control over. Instead of using that valuable time thinking, turn the thoughts into prayer with God. Cast your cares on Him! Need a job? Need gas money? Children acting up in school? Husband not being so lovable? Need to make a big decision? Instead of allowing these concerns to marinate in our minds and turn to worry, pray about them. Yes, the thoughts will come back again and again, but as soon as they do, PRAY! This takes practice, but it works. We have to program our minds to not worry. We have to condition ourselves to be prayerful. Prayer removes worry. Prayer offers peace of mind.

The Porch

While stationed in Cuba, over twenty years ago, I walked to the beach every Sunday morning, sat on a huge rock, and communed with God. I remember the warm sand, the clear blue skies, the powerful, yet soothing sound of the ocean waves, and even the bold iguanas walking around. Even in my twenties, before I was married with children, I craved time alone with my Creator and benefited from it. Yesterday, I was reminded of my Sunday mornings in Cuba as I sat in a rocking chair on a friend’s porch. Although I wasn’t alone, I felt like I was miles away – lost in the peace of God. The trees, the soft clouds, and the wind blowing against my skin were heavenly. I didn’t have a care in the world and could have sat on the porch all night, but I knew I had to snap back into reality and go home. On the ride home, I continued enjoying the peace as I watched those same soft clouds follow me home. I realized it wasn’t about the porch at all, but the invitation the porch offered – to take a moment and be still. The huge rock in Cuba offered the same invitation. Being still allows me to honor God and His power. Being still invites me to recognize the breathtaking nature around me. Being still prompts me to exalt God. Being still invites peace, joy, and humility as I meditate on God's greatness. Just because I’m not in Cuba, sitting on a rock by the ocean, doesn’t mean I can’t take time everyday to sit and be still. God is everywhere! My rock is wherever I choose to be still. I thanked my friend for the invitation to sit and rock on her porch. I was reminded of the many benefits of being still. My mind was refreshed and renewed as if I went on a short vacation. Take a minute today to sit and be still. ]

Psalm 46:10 (NKJV)
Be still, and know that I am God...

Pearls of Wisdom

I've heard the phrase 'words of wisdom' referred to as 'pearls of wisdom'. This is so fitting because the words of the older women in my life are definitely as valuable as a pearl ... if not more. I remember one particular woman telling me that if she had school-aged children during this day and time, she would awake early just to cover her children in prayer before sending them off to school. Her words replay in my head often and although I don't send my children off to school daily, I'm reminded to pray for them each morning and throughout the day. I can't afford to get comfortable in my prayer life just because they are in my care most of the day. The enemy is still busy and a Mother's prayers offer protection from dangers seen and unseen. Have you prayed for your children today? Have you asked your Heavenly Father for His grace and mercy in regards to your children? Have you asked for His protection over them? If not, take a moment and cover God's children in prayer. He has entrusted us with His children, so we must do everything possible to love and protect them. Never send a child out unprotected!

My Village

I’ve enjoyed being the go-to person in my twelve-year old's life, but he has approached the stage that now places his father and me in the clueless bracket. I still have a couple more years with my second-born before I become clueless, but he is already showing me that it takes a village to raise a child. My dear ten- year old came home from football practice one day and spoke proudly of how serious his coach is about drinking water. Okay, I’ve only preached the importance of water to you since you were a toddler and I remind you daily to drink plenty, so what’s the big deal? I know what the big deal is. Someone outside the home has mentioned the importance of water, so now it’s gospel. I believe it’s my job to train my children and instill the right values and morals, but they still need a village of positive influences to back me up. Second-born’s sudden enlightenment with water has convinced me of this. I’m sure those of you with older children can identify with me and now I understand. Parents need help; we need a village. Single Mothers really need a village! We must be careful about the village we place our children in because they will listen, imitate, and believe their village. I want my sons' village to confirm my words, not work against them.
Another school year is here and my sons will be a year older. Where is my village? Coaches, friends and family, co-workers and business partners, church family, neighbors, plus the people God will place in our life for necessary seasons. I’ve always safeguarded my children from influences outside the home and now as they grow older, I’m seeking and identifying positive influences for them. It’s funny how things change. As I write this, I think of the older women who were members of my village growing up. I still remember their faces and the words they spoke to me. Just knowing they were in my life made a difference. Yes, it takes a village to raise a child. I can't thank my son's coach enough for instilling something that I've tried for years to do. Thank you! Will all the village people please stand up!

Psalm 34:11 (NKJV)
Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Lord, Help Me!


Lord, help me! Second-born is really trying me. He's such a bright young boy, but for some reason wants to act like the poster child for 'Don't Homeschool.' My father actually came up with that name, so I'm not the only one who recognizes the challenge in educating my younger son. His answer to most questions is, "I don't remember" or "I don't know." Auuugh! Okay, I know this isn't about him - it's about me refining my patience and compassion. It's about me depending on God for creative ways to teach His child. It's about not allowing the enemy to use me to kill my son's spirit of learning. It's about LOVE. It's about not losing my mind in the process of home educating my children. Lord, help me!

Although we've been doing a little homework all summer, yesterday I turned up the heat just a little and he acted like it was killing him. I had to take a time out and get MY head together. Laziness and attitudes don't mix well with this Mama, so I stepped away from the picture and went to my prayer closet - literally. I had to remember that this too, is spiritual warfare and I will not be beat. After taking time out to regroup, pray, and get myself in a place to hear God's voice, the rest of the day went okay. It's amazing how our attitude affects our actions and the actions of others. Well, time to get ready for another school day. What will today hold? Whatever it is, I'll just smile and praise God through it. Help me, Lord!




Do You See What I See?


Both my sons wash their own clothes, but every now and then, I'll show a little Mama mercy and throw in a load for them. I did just that yesterday and I placed the dry clothes on the sofa thinking they would see them and finish the job. I must have lost my mind for a split second by thinking they would jump in and help out because the clothes are still on the sofa. Hmmm...do they not see what I see? They must be waiting for me to say the magic words..."Get your clothes off the sofa and hang them up." I don't get it. Wash your hands, brush your hair, make your bed, pick up your clothes, take a shower, put deodorant on, brush your teeth, take out the trash. Good grief, do they see the world through do nothing eyes or what? Anyway, the clothes on my sofa only begins my day...I'm sure the Lord has more to add, so I'll just say the magic words to get the day going...."Hey! Come and get your clothes off the sofa!"

The Mood of my Home

I'm so concerned about my own moods, I never really thought about the mood of my home, but it has one - every home does. The size of the home doesn't matter or how many family members are in it, our home has a mood. I guess it's really the atmosphere or environment of the home, but mood sounds more personal to me. Last night, after a full day of discipline, bickering, homework, complaining, television, radio, attitudes, complaints, comments, telephone calls, doorbells, and an array of other household input and output, I felt the need to change the mood of my home. I turned off the television and put on soft worship music. Ahhh.... Then I brought the family together for prayer (on our knees). Once everyone was tucked away in their beds, I had an intimate moment with God. The atmosphere of my home wasn't just quiet, it was serene - peaceful. I believe the home takes on the persona of the family and everything we allow in it. We allow outside influences, worldly thoughts and words, and members of the GMC Club - grumblers, mumblers, and complainers to set up camp in our dwelling place. Sometimes it's necessary to take a time out from activity and focus on what's important - God and family.

Lazy Day

It's pouring down rain and the boys are still sleeping. Last night was their first night of football practice, so I thought I'd have a little mercy and let them sleep in a while. I've had my warm oatmeal with walnuts and I feel like getting my favorite purple blanket and curling up on the sofa and watching television. Sigh...can I call in sick? Who do I call? I thank God for the Holy Spirit because I know deep inside me is a lazy woman. If I didn't know to call on my help from above, I would definitely spend quite a few days on the sofa. My husband would probably think I'd lost my mind, and my children would think I was sick.
I know God is real because I feel Him stirring deep in my soul on these days when I just can't seem to get going. His power ignites me and I'm able to go above and beyond the call of duty. Just calling the name of Jesus gives me the power to move. If you've ever had a day where you don't feel like cleaning, cooking, or being a wife and mother....call on Jesus! He employed us, so He'll give us the resources we need to get the job done. Time to go to work! Thank God for Jesus!

Don't Get Comfortable

Saturday afternoon, I stopped for a minute and realized how calm the day had been. Hubby was cleaning the garage, the boys were swimming, and I was in the kitchen doing what I do. My thoughts were peaceful and pure and I was relaxed and happy. I thought how nice it was to have a day absent from busyness and havoc. Not long after my serene thoughts, I was led to pray as if something was about to happen. The Holy Spirit reminded me not to get comfortable in the goodness of life, but to pray as if I was going through a rough storm. It’s great to enjoy life, but I was like a kite flying in the wind. I was prompted to remain grounded and on guard. I was reminded how the enemy waits for the Mother to get comfortable in her prayer life, so he can stir up mess. A distracted Mother is the enemy's best friend. I was reminded of the protection prayer offers my family. Isn’t it funny how we stay at the feet of Jesus when we’re going through a storm? Storms kick up our prayer life a notch or two. The enemy never sleeps and is always on his job; therefore, I must always be on my job. Soldiers don’t sleep on the front line, so this soldier must always be alert and ready for daily spiritual battle. Our Saturday continued to be a peaceful one and the entire weekend went well. Today is a new day. Yes, I started my day in prayer, but I won’t get comfortable! I won't get caught in a storm without my umbrella - prayer is my covering. I will remain on guard and maintain a praying spirit throughout the day.

I Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV)
pray without ceasing.

Get Away From Me!





Lately, it seems I'm surrounded by negative thinking people. I try hard to find the good in everything - even my son's nasty room. I can change my own negative thoughts, but I can't change what comes out of another person's mouth or what they think. One thing I can choose is the company I keep! So, you don't have anything good to say? Get away from me! Keep that dark cloud over your own head! Life is short and I choose to enjoy it to the fullest, so I can't allow my mind to be cluttered with the stinkin thinkin' of others. My marriage, my children, my career, my home, my Self - these are all things exposed to outside influences and if they aren't protected from negative people with negative vibes, they will be negatively influenced. I have enough problems trying to keep my own mind clean, so why expose myself to the negative mess of the world - including people. This world is not easy to live in, but trying to find the good in everything and everybody sure does help. Choose to be happy! Choose to enjoy life! Choose to have a good attitude! Choose to be loving! Choose to be kind to others! Choose to smile! Choose to be patient! Iron those frown wrinkles out of your forehead and choose to find the good in ALL THINGS. Have a fabulous Friday and a wonderful weekend!

Over the Edge


It's sad, but true that many women are doing their best to not go crazy from day to day. Before you know it, our plates are full, we're tired and irritable, we miss meals, and we find ourselves on the edge and about to go coo-coo for cocoa puffs. Many mothers are silent about these melting moments, yet we all have a breaking point. The chipper mom, the PTA mom, the stay at home mom, the quiet mom, the church mom - we all have a limit. We push ourselves to care for everyone else leaving ourselves neglected and abused from self-love. We MUST take care of ourselves. What did you do for yourself this morning? Did you pray or meditate to begin your day? Did you have a balanced breakfast to fuel your body for the day? Did you exercise to increase your energy level? What did you do to help prevent yourself from going over the edge? Visit www.momspeaceplace.blogspot.com for helpful hints to help YOU.

Help Wanted

As I saw my husband off to work this morning at 5:45, he said he had a three-man job to do today. I could have sent him off to work in a foul mood by challenging his workload and informing him of my busy day, but instead I just chuckled and said, “I lift my eyes to the hills. My help comes from above.” Dear hubby mentioned a free movie I could take the boys to today, so I thought I’d better tackle some laundry, clean, and cook dinner early to get it out of the way. Three-man job huh? I cooked breakfast for hubby at 4:45 this morning and will cook another breakfast when the boys awake. Three-man job huh? There’s an English book I need to open with the boys today. I've got your three man job! Oh well, I really don’t have time to compare workloads, I just need to do it. I thank God for making women multi-taskers. I thank God for Jesus! It doesn’t matter what kind of job we have or what our workload is, we can’t do it alone. Whether you are a mother working two jobs, caring for elderly parents or special needs children, struggling as a Single Mother, or just trying to handle life itself, we all need the help of our almighty God. I can’t imagine my days without Him. He is my source of strength, energy, and power. No vitamins, green tea, water, or exercise can do for me what Jesus does for me. Yes, these things help me immensely, but my true help comes from above. Need help? Call on the true source.

Psalm 121:2 (NKJV)
My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.