A Thursday Thought

Have you ever tried to figure out the cause of conflict in your life? Friendships, marriage, children, friends, or co-workers? Another light bulb moment ------ Conflict doesn't just happen. Something triggers a situation to create a conflict. Hmmm... my reaction or outlook on situations may be the cause of conflict. Are you the cause of conflict in your life?

Rise and Shine!

Every morning, I awake my children by saying, "Rise and shine, give God the glory!" I then walk out of their room and give them a minute to accept the fact that sleep time is over. I've been doing this for years and it's my way of reminding them of who kept them through the night and touched them to see a new day. When they come to say good morning and issue my morning hug, I tell them to start their day with Jesus. Before we begin to use His eyes, His ears, His legs, His arms, His mouth, His everything....we should give thanks and acknowledge God as our Creator.

I believe if I train my sons early to start their day with Jesus, as adults the habit will already be formed. I won't always be around to comfort and encourage them, but they'll always have an Almighty God to call on. We don't know what shape the world will be in when our children are adults, but knowing they'll start their day the right way will definitely help shape their day!

Reality Recession

Hubby was sent home today because there was no work for him. As an HVAC Tech, there is always someone needing heating or air conditioning work, but there's a recession in the air. This is about the fourth time he's been sent home in three months. I thank God he hasn't been sent home permanently. I don't truly realize the reality of our nation's recession until it hits home. When gas prices were sky high, we dealt with it, but reality still had not hit enough to make it a reality. Reading about it in the paper, hearing stories from friends and family, and watching the news just doesn't get it. I believe everyone will feel this reality before it gets better in some form or fashion. What do we do? Keep pressing on - keep saving - keep praying! God is in control!

I think of the single mothers who are feeling the heat and have nobody but themselves to depend on. I can't begin to imagine. It's thoughts like these that allow me to be just a little more thankful for my working husband.

The Fog

Early this morning, I was on the highway returning to Florida after an overnight visit with my parents. I got an early start, yet was met by dense fog, which caused me to drive much slower and with extreme caution. The boys were no help at all as they snored in the backseat. I could barely see other cars or the highway signs. Of course I prayed before I left home, but I also received an incredible Life Lesson for LaVender in the midst of my obscured visibility. I was basically driving blindly because the fog was that thick. I thought of living my life the same way – blindly and completely depending on God to give me direction. Without the fog, I would have driven faster and without much regard to God’s guidance. Yes, God would have been on my mind, but not like He was in the fog! I was reminded that I should always be completely dependent on God in all situations – regardless of the weather and life’s circumstances. My mind should be on Him continually. What makes me think I am self sufficient because my carnal eyes can see the road ahead of me? What makes me think I’m in control of any situation?

The fog wasn’t patchy; it was dense the entire trip home, yet I arrived safely. I thanked and praised God for the reminder to live my life in the fog – relying on Him completely for guidance. Every decision I make and every turn I take should be done blindly and in faith – allowing God to order my steps and to guide me along life’s highway. While driving, I thought of a phrase referring to fog that my good friend, Tori, shared with me years ago. Fog stands for Favor Of God. So, while driving blindly in the fog, I was truly in the F.O.G – the favor of God!

Have a joyful day in Motherhood and stay in the FOG!

Proverbs 8:34-35 (NIV)

Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.

Thankful Thursday

I find myself mentally complaining about little things - these little things are a part of my everyday life as a wife and mother, so why complain? Complaining isn't going to make these things disappear, so let it go! Homework, laundry, dishes (Auuuugh), errands, etc... The list can go on and on and although I may not verbally express these things, I know my mind controls my attitude and my actions. Today will be a Thankful Thursday. As soon as a negative thought crosses my mind, I will immediately replace it with a thought or praise of thankfulness. Yep, it'll be hard, yet I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. It's time for some de-programming of thoughts and re-programming of thankfulness!

I'm so blessed, I truly have NO THING to complain about!

Adapt and Adjust

While driving to church yesterday, my husband commented on the many changes of weather we’ve been experiencing. Sometimes we experience more than one season in a single day. Regardless of the weather, life goes on and our scheduled day continues; we simply adapt and adjust to the temperature. I related our frequent weather changing days to the changes we experience in life. Actually, we experience countless changes throughout the day. Different trials and triumphs invite an array of emotions. We never know what the day will hold, yet we must adjust and adapt accordingly. I’m dealing with a few major changes myself. One is being the mother of a new teenager. I feel like I’m learning to be a mother all over again. Any encouragement from expert mothers of teenagers is appreciated! I’m also dealing with changes in my physical body. Peri-menopause is no joke. The desire for simplicity in my life is another change on my heart. Where has this desire been hiding? Just as God controls the ever changing weather, He is in control of our ever changing days. I imagine Him with a remote control changing the channels of my life to keep me in His will.

As we prepare for a change in our government’s leadership, whether we welcome it or not, it’s going to happen, so we must adapt and adjust. Preparation of life is the same. There will be new life, death, aging, growth, comfort and discomfort. There will be changes in our children, our marriage, friendships, finances, jobs and in ourselves. There is a season for all things and knowing God holds the remote control of our life gives us the strength and the faith to simply adapt and adjust.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,

I've Seen the Light!

While listening to another mother speak about her children recently, I had a light bulb moment! My children need a mother! They need 24 hour guidance! They NEED to be told what to do! Why on Earth was I waiting and expecting them to show initiative in regards to keeping their room clean, washing dishes, and washing their own clothes. Ahhhh... I feel like I've just figured out a math problem I've been battling with for days. Unfortunately, I don't have initiative-driven children who are anxious to do their chores. Now that I have realized that, I can release them from the ladder of high expectations and allow them to be....just children...not Stepford Children, but normal children who need a mother to tell them what to do. Sigh...it's going to be a great day!

Don't Get Comfortable

I have to remind myself not to get comfortable in my role of Mothering. It's so easy to become complacent, however, reminding myself that I am appointed and anointed to care for God's children makes me step up to the plate and give each day my all. What an honor it is to have an opportunity to mold a heart and mind. Influential and providential - the role of the Mother is all that and some!