Musical Monday - "Stand"

"Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again." Exodus 14:13

"You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' " 2 Chronicles 20:17

"Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

"Stand"
By Britt Nicole

I wake up to another day
I don't know if I can face
All the fears, that is tearing me down
Yea, I'm trying to be brave
But I'm afraid, about to fade
I wanna stand but I don't know how

I look up and all I see is Your love holding me
When I feel like giving up
When my heart is hurt too much
Feels like I've reached the end
No, I won't turn and run
This battle will be won
When I've done all I can
I stand stand stand
I stand stand stand

Some days I lose my place
It's a fight to keep my faith
But You are with me, I am not alone, no
But all around my work is late
Toss like an ocean wave
You are my rock and the storm clouds blow

I look up and all I see is Your love holding me
When I feel like giving up
When my heart is hurt too much
Feels like I've reached the end
No, I won't turn and run
This battle will be won
When I've done all I can
I stand stand stand
I stand stand stand

On Your promise, I will stand
Oh look the ground is sinking sand
On Your promise, I will stand
Oh look the ground is sinking sand
Sinking sand oh who woooh
It's sinking sinking, yea ye

When I feel like giving up
When my heart is hurt too much
Feels like I've reached the end
No, I won't turn and run
This battle will be won, yea yea
So I'll stand stand stand
I stand stand

When Children Don't Listen

I dropped my husband off at the airport this morning. He is taking a business trip to China over the next twelve days.
After the children came home from school, they complained, whined and ignored every thing I tried to tell them.

I hate yelling at my children, and when my husband is gone, I am stressed out more than usual.
That is no excuse, but the lack of respect my children have been showing really got under my skin today.

I have been asking my daughter to clean her pet mouse's cage for two months. Yes, two months, and she has continuously said, "Tomorrow," or, "I need help." She is ten years old, and perfectly capable of cleaning out her pet's cage.

Today I threatened to get rid of her beloved pet Cuddles. My exact words were, "Either the cage gets cleaned out NOW, or Cuddles will no longer be here for you to ignore."

She cried, and whined, and went to hide in her room. So, I went right into her room, and said that if she was going to act irresponsibly, she would no longer have the responsibility of caring for a pet. I would get rid of Cuddles, if she did not start to clean out the cage now.

She cried as she cleaned it, but it got done.

When she asked me to help her put the cage back together, I refused at first, because my daughter cried, claiming she could not do it herself.

At what point do I push my children to do things for themselves?

I am a teacher, and have always loved to teach people to do things.
I have taught my daughter how to clean the pet cage. I have taught my children manners, and how to be polite.
They still don't listen to me, or follow directions.

I pray that God will guide me in teaching them the proper interaction with their parents, and how to obey the directions they are given.

There is a very fine line between directions and consequences for not following expectations, and I am striving to make it clearer for my little ones.

I pray that my diligence in this area is working, and I have evidence that it may be.
My sweet little daughter said to me tonight, "Mommy, why are you so nice to us when we're so mean to you?"

This was so nice to hear after I had yelled at them for not listening or following directions!!

I was very relieved that God sent my sweet daughter the message I needed to hear.
Hopefully He will help me to continue to see the sweetness in my children, and that He grants me patience, grace, and gentility to deal with the issues that may arise during their daddy's business trip.



"Each of you must show great respect for your mother and father, and you must always observe my Sabbath days of rest. I am the Lord your God." Leviticus 19:3 (NLT)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23

"May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." Colossians 1:11-12

"Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." Colossians 3:12-13

Musical Monday - Overnight

Thank God for the grace that we don't have to change for Him Overnight!!!

Overnight by Amy Grant

So, you've handed in your resignation
Contemplating why nothing turns out right
A little fed up with all the disappointment
So what's the point in wasting any time?

It's only temporary, so what's your hurry?
No need to worry, don't you know that?

If it all just happened overnight
You wouldn't know how much it means
Yeah, if it all just happened overnight
would never learn to believe in what you cannot see
Oh, what you cannot see

I feel like my pace is at a standstill
Do I wait till it falls into my hands?
A long highway ahead, getting started
Steady hearted is what I think I am

There's something to be said for experience
Who knows what's ahead.
Keep on going

If it all just happened overnight
You wouldn't know how much it means
If it all just happened overnight
You would never learn to believe in what you cannot see
Oh, what you cannot see

Take it a day, a day at a time
One foot in front of the other
Take it a day, a day at a time
No need to hurry, hurry
Take it a day, a day at a time
It won't happen overnight
It won't happen overnight

Have a little faith
Must appreciate
Every single day
Don't give up, no

Have a little faith
Must appreciate
Every single day
Don't give up, no

If it all just happened overnight
You wouldn't know how much it means
Yeah, if it all just happened overnight
You would never learn to believe in what you cannot see

If it all just happened overnight
You wouldn't know how much it means
If it all just happened overnight
You would never learn to believe in what you cannot see

Have a little faith
Must appreciate
Every single day
Don't give up, no

Have a little faith
Must appreciate
Every single day
Don't give up, no