Yesterday was a very full day for me and this morning when I got out of bed, I felt like a dirty dish rag - completely limp. I planned to see my husband off to work and return to my warm bed, but I made the mistake of saying my prayers and my desire to go back to bed was gone. Plugging into The Power Source will do this. I stayed awake and began my exercise routine. After a few songs and a few 'so you think you can dance' movements of my hips, I felt restored.
Although I know the power of prayer, I'm always amazed with the benefits and results of prayer in my life - it makes a huge difference in my day. With all the hats mothers wear, we also need to be covered with a blanket of prayer.
Wife - mother - teacher - nurturer - mediator - taxi-driver - cheerleader - nutritionist - cook - manager - accountant - supporter - encourager - comforter - caretaker - protector - judge - coach - maid - nurse - referee, etc...
Whew! Do we really do all these things plus more? I don't know about you, but I know I'm not capable of doing anything without a power source. That dirty dish rag feeling I experienced this morning is who I am and without plugging into my power source, I'd still be held captive by my warm covers.
May you have a Thriving Thursday and don't forget to plug into your power source.
A Mother's Strength
The name MOMSWEB (MW) had absolutely nothing to do with the Internet or web presence when it was first formed. We were a hard copy newsletter with no website. The name was to signify the strength of mothers when we bond and encourage one another. I related this strength to the strength of a spider web. If you can get past the spider itself, there is much to learn and appreciate from its web. There are countless types and classifications of spiders and each of their webs have remarkable strength and fascinating properties.
With that said, it's comical to me how MW has used web presence to encourage and bond with mothers. The name now fits perfectly with our use of the web. Not only is MW a source of encouragement, but I'm amazed at the number of Internet relationships I've built and receive encouragement from.
Mothers have been given an extra ounce of strength and grace to carry out our role and when we come together there is no stopping us!
Be encouraged today and encourage another mother along the way.
Ethiopian Proverb - "When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion."
With that said, it's comical to me how MW has used web presence to encourage and bond with mothers. The name now fits perfectly with our use of the web. Not only is MW a source of encouragement, but I'm amazed at the number of Internet relationships I've built and receive encouragement from.
Mothers have been given an extra ounce of strength and grace to carry out our role and when we come together there is no stopping us!
Be encouraged today and encourage another mother along the way.
Ethiopian Proverb - "When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion."
Do You Go There?
I had a rough moment with first-born yesterday during our short math session. I was trying to explain something to him and his attitude got in the way so much he couldn't hear what I was saying and I couldn't get passed his attitude.
Where did the attitude come from? Are you angry at me for trying to teach you? Are you angry just because you can be angry? Are you irritated because you don't feel like learning today? Whatever his reason was, it made me angry. I tried to explain to him that Mama wasn't always saved and I have a lot of mess covered up that can easily surface, so in other words...don't take me there. Children will definitely take you there - a place we don't like to visit because it reveals our weakness, our mess, our flaws, our shortcomings, our sins, plus a few other undisclosed issues
Disclosing my old nature fueled first-born's attitude more, therefore, in our best interest, the math session was over. I told him we needed to separate before I hurt him - yes, I allowed myself to get that angry - I went there.
In order to regain my composure and my peace, I had to do some ABC homework of my own.
A - admit my mess
B - be honest - yep, I lost it and went there.
C - confess my mess - look in the mirror.
D - deal with my mess - pray about it, get over it, and move on...to a better place -mentally.
After my son and I both calmed down, I realized that ugly moment wasn't about him, but God showing me some things about mySelf.
These are moments mothers rarely share - going there. There reminds us that we haven't completed our lessons in compassion, understanding, patience, and a few other mandatory subjects.
Today is a new day and I have a new attitude. I'm glad God isn't finished with me yet, but today, we've got math to finish. Today is another opportunity to work on not going there.
Do you ever go there?
Where did the attitude come from? Are you angry at me for trying to teach you? Are you angry just because you can be angry? Are you irritated because you don't feel like learning today? Whatever his reason was, it made me angry. I tried to explain to him that Mama wasn't always saved and I have a lot of mess covered up that can easily surface, so in other words...don't take me there. Children will definitely take you there - a place we don't like to visit because it reveals our weakness, our mess, our flaws, our shortcomings, our sins, plus a few other undisclosed issues
Disclosing my old nature fueled first-born's attitude more, therefore, in our best interest, the math session was over. I told him we needed to separate before I hurt him - yes, I allowed myself to get that angry - I went there.
In order to regain my composure and my peace, I had to do some ABC homework of my own.
A - admit my mess
B - be honest - yep, I lost it and went there.
C - confess my mess - look in the mirror.
D - deal with my mess - pray about it, get over it, and move on...to a better place -mentally.
After my son and I both calmed down, I realized that ugly moment wasn't about him, but God showing me some things about mySelf.
These are moments mothers rarely share - going there. There reminds us that we haven't completed our lessons in compassion, understanding, patience, and a few other mandatory subjects.
Today is a new day and I have a new attitude. I'm glad God isn't finished with me yet, but today, we've got math to finish. Today is another opportunity to work on not going there.
Do you ever go there?
Give Me A Break!
This weekend, my hubby and the boys went to an out of town basketball game and although they were only gone for the day, I was able to do exactly what I wanted to do - NOTHING. I didn't want to read, write, blog, or any of my favorite things to do. As Julia Roberts said in Pretty Woman, I wanted to 'lay like broccoli."
I was a mother for almost 10 years before I realized REST was a secret weapon to keeping my peace of mind. I went through the phase of trying to be Super Woman followed by Super Mama and Super Wife before I realized the only Super I really possessed was being super crazy. It was definitely a lesson learned at the expense of my own sanity.
As I became older in my body and wiser in my mind, I realized REST is one thing I've often denied myself of, yet crucial to my physical and mental well-being.
Whether we call it rest, time out, a retreat, or taking a break - we need it and can't properly perform without it. Foggy brains, fatigue, forgetfulness, clumsiness, and being irritated by simple matters are just a few unwelcome issues that attach themselves to us when rest is denied. Think about how a baby or toddler acts when they are sleepy....we're older, but our actions are quite similar.
This may be a reminder to the older, wiser mothers and news to use for younger mothers, but I owe Ask Wifey a big thank you for reminding me to take a break to renew my mind; this weekend was right on time! Sometimes we get so busy and wrapped up in life that we forget we're human. Is it time to give your 'S' a rest and take a break?
Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
I was a mother for almost 10 years before I realized REST was a secret weapon to keeping my peace of mind. I went through the phase of trying to be Super Woman followed by Super Mama and Super Wife before I realized the only Super I really possessed was being super crazy. It was definitely a lesson learned at the expense of my own sanity.
As I became older in my body and wiser in my mind, I realized REST is one thing I've often denied myself of, yet crucial to my physical and mental well-being.
Whether we call it rest, time out, a retreat, or taking a break - we need it and can't properly perform without it. Foggy brains, fatigue, forgetfulness, clumsiness, and being irritated by simple matters are just a few unwelcome issues that attach themselves to us when rest is denied. Think about how a baby or toddler acts when they are sleepy....we're older, but our actions are quite similar.
This may be a reminder to the older, wiser mothers and news to use for younger mothers, but I owe Ask Wifey a big thank you for reminding me to take a break to renew my mind; this weekend was right on time! Sometimes we get so busy and wrapped up in life that we forget we're human. Is it time to give your 'S' a rest and take a break?
Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Follow Me
I enjoy blog browsing, and one of my favorite things to do is to see who is 'following' who. If you aren't familiar with blogging, one of the fun features is to have a list of viewers who enjoy your blog or find it interesting enough to come back often enough that they sign up to 'follow' your blog.
I haven't incorporated the 'follow' feature on this blog, but I enjoy following a few other blogs.
Well, being the person that I am, I took the whole 'follow' feature to another level this morning - a spiritual level. Several thought provoking questions occupied my mind;
Could I place the 'follow' feature on my life?
Only if I place the popular bumper-sticker on my forehead... Don't follow me, I'm lost too!
Am I willing to open my entire life and allow others to follow?
The scary parts too?
What kind of woman am I to follow?
You might get dizzy with my monthly moods!
What kind of example am I for mothers to follow?
Follow MOMSWEB instead of LaVender (that's my name).
What about wives needing an example to follow?
Hmmm...do they have to hear my thoughts?
Would I want anyone to follow my actions and my footsteps throughout my day?
Can I clean up first?
These are questions I asked myself because I'm ALWAYS self-examining. I asked a few more questions...
What is different about the blogs I chose to follow?
Who are the women behind the blogs?
Do I admire them or is there something about them that I desire in my life?
Do I see myself in their blog posts? Why do I relate to the blogHER?
Anyway...after these crazy questions consumed my mind for a few minutes, I was happy to go back to blog browsing and just simply enjoy the blogs. Whew...too early for deep thoughts! Will I ever add the 'follow' feature to this blog? Maybe, but right now I'm just happy you dropped by to visit.
Have a joyful weekend in Motherhood and be careful who you follow - on and off the road/web!
I haven't incorporated the 'follow' feature on this blog, but I enjoy following a few other blogs.
Well, being the person that I am, I took the whole 'follow' feature to another level this morning - a spiritual level. Several thought provoking questions occupied my mind;
Could I place the 'follow' feature on my life?
Only if I place the popular bumper-sticker on my forehead... Don't follow me, I'm lost too!
Am I willing to open my entire life and allow others to follow?
The scary parts too?
What kind of woman am I to follow?
You might get dizzy with my monthly moods!
What kind of example am I for mothers to follow?
Follow MOMSWEB instead of LaVender (that's my name).
What about wives needing an example to follow?
Hmmm...do they have to hear my thoughts?
Would I want anyone to follow my actions and my footsteps throughout my day?
Can I clean up first?
These are questions I asked myself because I'm ALWAYS self-examining. I asked a few more questions...
What is different about the blogs I chose to follow?
Who are the women behind the blogs?
Do I admire them or is there something about them that I desire in my life?
Do I see myself in their blog posts? Why do I relate to the blogHER?
Anyway...after these crazy questions consumed my mind for a few minutes, I was happy to go back to blog browsing and just simply enjoy the blogs. Whew...too early for deep thoughts! Will I ever add the 'follow' feature to this blog? Maybe, but right now I'm just happy you dropped by to visit.
Have a joyful weekend in Motherhood and be careful who you follow - on and off the road/web!
Don't Give Up!
While talking to a fellow mother recently, she was at the end of her rope in dealing with her teenage son. I'm hearing more and more of this lately as I try to maintain my own sanity with my thirteen year old. One thing I know for sure... this is a stage he MUST go through and most of his actions are normal - they are to be expected.
Knowing this, I'm teaching myself to be slow in my reactions and remember it's part of the process. I also remind myself and the crazy things I did as a teenager - my goodness, was that ME?
Loving our teens through their growing pains takes a lot of energy, time, patience, understanding, and compassion, but the return will be well worth it. Exhausting? Of course! Don't forget to plug into the Ultimate Power Source and get charged up!
This new season in my son's life is a new season in my life of parenting and spiritual growth. The only way I lose this battle (any battle) is if I give up. I must persevere and prepare daily for strange attitudes, looks of laziness, and repeating myself over and over again. Hey, I might as well get on board and enjoy the ride because I've got another son to follow.
Hang in there moms; don't give up!
Knowing this, I'm teaching myself to be slow in my reactions and remember it's part of the process. I also remind myself and the crazy things I did as a teenager - my goodness, was that ME?
Loving our teens through their growing pains takes a lot of energy, time, patience, understanding, and compassion, but the return will be well worth it. Exhausting? Of course! Don't forget to plug into the Ultimate Power Source and get charged up!
This new season in my son's life is a new season in my life of parenting and spiritual growth. The only way I lose this battle (any battle) is if I give up. I must persevere and prepare daily for strange attitudes, looks of laziness, and repeating myself over and over again. Hey, I might as well get on board and enjoy the ride because I've got another son to follow.
Hang in there moms; don't give up!
Welcome to Blogger World
Quite a few years ago, while sitting in my husband's hometown library in Oklahoma, I noticed a woman surrounded by children. I sat and watched her with amazement because she was so patient and loving with these children of all ages. Not only that, she was a beautiful woman and I could tell she was a very sweet person. I watched her for a while then boldly walked over to her and introduced myself. I told her I had been watching her and assumed she homeschooled. I was correct and I was also correct in my judgement of her personality - she was sweet as pie and welcomed my inquiring questions. We exchanged email addresses and she soon began to write for the MW E-Newsletter.
Our long distance relationship has blessed me over the years as she shares herself and her family through her family newsletters and our emails to each other. I've only pressured her a small bit (smile) to share her prose more through blogging and she has finally joined the world of blogging.
Please help me welcome Kim to blogger world. Visit Kim by clicking here
Our long distance relationship has blessed me over the years as she shares herself and her family through her family newsletters and our emails to each other. I've only pressured her a small bit (smile) to share her prose more through blogging and she has finally joined the world of blogging.
Please help me welcome Kim to blogger world. Visit Kim by clicking here
What's Taking So Long?
While using my father's computer over the weekend, the severity of one of my character flaws surfaced... patience - or the lack of. I knew if I wanted to get any computer work done, I'd have to face the ancient technology of Dial Up Internet Service. Yes, I said it - DIAL UP.
UN-BE-LIEV-ABLE! I can take a short nap while waiting for an email message to delete or start on another task and half way finish while waiting for a page to download. Good grief!
I thought about the other areas of my life where patience is not shown. When I tell one of the boys to do something, I want it done yesterday. When I call them to come to me, I find myself calling them a second time before they've had time to get to me. I sometimes run ahead of God on plans instead of waiting for Him to lead. Can I blame this lack of patience on genes? It's definitely in the blood - as a matter of fact, on my father's side! No, passing the blame won't work; I need to take control and ownership of my own ugly actions.
They say fruit doesn't fall far from the tree, so I ask myself - am I showing the fruit of the Spirit or another spirit? Hmmm... When I accepted Jesus, he gave me all of him, so I don't pray for more of Him - it's less of me that needs to happen! I need to remain Christ-controlled and allow the fruit of the Spirit to be evident at all times - not just when I want them to. It's funny, but waiting in lines and at traffic lights doesn't bother me at all.
Using my father's computer was only a test and there will be other tests and opportunities to grow in the area of patience and every other flawed character trait. Until this particular fruit of patience blossoms in every area my life, I guess I'll just be patient and let God have His way - test after test after test.
Galatians 5:22 (NIV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
UN-BE-LIEV-ABLE! I can take a short nap while waiting for an email message to delete or start on another task and half way finish while waiting for a page to download. Good grief!
I thought about the other areas of my life where patience is not shown. When I tell one of the boys to do something, I want it done yesterday. When I call them to come to me, I find myself calling them a second time before they've had time to get to me. I sometimes run ahead of God on plans instead of waiting for Him to lead. Can I blame this lack of patience on genes? It's definitely in the blood - as a matter of fact, on my father's side! No, passing the blame won't work; I need to take control and ownership of my own ugly actions.
They say fruit doesn't fall far from the tree, so I ask myself - am I showing the fruit of the Spirit or another spirit? Hmmm... When I accepted Jesus, he gave me all of him, so I don't pray for more of Him - it's less of me that needs to happen! I need to remain Christ-controlled and allow the fruit of the Spirit to be evident at all times - not just when I want them to. It's funny, but waiting in lines and at traffic lights doesn't bother me at all.
Using my father's computer was only a test and there will be other tests and opportunities to grow in the area of patience and every other flawed character trait. Until this particular fruit of patience blossoms in every area my life, I guess I'll just be patient and let God have His way - test after test after test.
Galatians 5:22 (NIV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
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