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.