This Bible Verse tugged at my heart strings today!
"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people..." ~Ephesians 1:18
When the eyes of our hearts are opened, we can appreciate the love and riches that He sends to us, even in the mess of this Earthly life. Adjusting our attitudes to look for the blessings, results in us actually experiencing MORE of the blessings and riches, because we are more aware of them.
I pray that today the Lord will open the eyes of my heart, and yours, that we might appreciate the blessings and riches our Father bestows up on us.
Amen
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Stay-At-Home Mom Battles With Herself Over Job Offer
The thought of entering the work world again scares me a little bit, but at the same time it is exciting.
My husband and I waited until he had a really good job, and we could pay the bills on his salary before we had children. We planned to have me stay at home and raise our children, and to be able to afford to not put them in child care. That has been one of our biggest priorities since we ever even considered having a family.
I have been very happy staying home for the past ten years, and seeing my babies grow. Now that they are bigger, and going off to school to learn from other amazing teachers, I am faced with the fact that I would love to teach again too.
For the past ten years I have been a stay-at-home mom. I quit a job I loved to stay home with my children. As a certified Spanish teacher, I have really enjoyed teaching children of all ages, including my own.
This year it came time for my youngest child to enter full-day Kindergarten. I knew I had to do something during the school day, while all three of my kids were at school. So, I took some classes over the summer and renewed my teaching certificate! It felt good to be getting back into my professional enrichment, and to consider being more than "just a stay-at-home mom".
Since I renewed my teaching certificate, and signed up to become a substitute teacher, I have had three full-time job offers! I cannot believe it! In this tough economy, a full-time teaching job has become VERY difficult to find!
Each time a full-time job has presented itself to me, my husband and I have had a heart-to-heart discussion of whether or not I should become a full-time teacher.
Every time, we decide that it is not the right time for our family to have two parents who work full time.
I know so many families who do not have the choice but to have both parents work full time, in order to simply pay the bills. We are truly blessed, that we CAN make the choice to have me stay home. I don't have to work. I still want to work, though.
So, rather than take a full-time classroom of my own, I have decided to remain a substitute teacher, and use my professional skills in classrooms throughout our area. I will bring home some extra money, and support full-time teachers by stepping into their classrooms when they cannot be there.
I had a mom ask me why I would choose to substitute, when I could have a full-time classroom of my own. The answers to that are numerous and a few of them selfish.
For one thing, when I step in to substitute teach, I arrive at school and spend the day with a classroom full of kids who really don't know me well. I follow plans that have been made by their full-time teacher. I can use tricks that normally wouldn't work for that teacher, but that work for the short-term! When the school day is done, I write a note to the teacher, and go home. That's it. I'm done!
If that were my full-time classroom, I would have arrived an hour before school started to prepare for my day. I would teach, and work with my students on everything from emotional, physical, and educational development to just getting along with their peers. I would have recess duty, and plans to make for the coming days. I would have to make phone calls home to some parents, and meetings with faculty and staff to attend. Then I'd have progress reports to write, papers to grade, report cards to prepare, and parent-teacher conferences to attend. I would have cross-checking of my lesson plans with the common core, and then with the state and district standards. Then add a few more meetings for who-knows-what to each week. Then, about two hours after my students had gone home, I could pack up my bag with some other preparation work and/or grading to be done at home, and finally go pick up my own three kids from child care. Then we would arrive home, where I would prepare dinner, and work on homework with my children. We would eat supper, and I would have to clean up the kitchen. At some point I would have to play taxi cab, driving my kids to their various sporting practices or other after school activities. Then, after bathing my kids, and getting them ready for bed, I would sit down to a at least another hour of school work before I collapse into my bed to rest up for another day of the same full-time teaching.
Could I take that full-time teaching job? Of course I could.
Would I love it? Probably so!
Could my family make it work, and survive? Absolutely, we could.
Do we want to? NO!!!
I would be giving up so much time with my own family to spend tons of time and energy teaching other kids.
I am so thankful that there are amazing teachers who make this sacrifice every day, to teach my kids. I choose to support them by providing quality teaching when they cannot be in their classrooms. As a substitute teacher, I love being in the classrooms, and impacting kids, as well as their teacher.
Another benefit to substitute teaching is that I can pick and choose when and where I work on a daily basis. This week I have an assignment to teach in my own daughter's classroom! That makes me so very happy! Then later in the week, I am not taking a teaching job on a certain day so I can attend my youngest's field trip to the apple orchard. I would hate to miss these opportunities with my own kids, because I was teaching another bunch of children full time.
There will come a day when I will say yes to a full-time classroom of my own again. I know that is in my future, and I really look forward to it. Until then, I thank God that I can spend more time with my own kids, and my husband, without being stressed out about the time and energy a full-time classroom would take out of me on a daily basis.
Blessings to teachers everywhere!! And Thanks be to God for the choices He has given me, and the family He has blessed me with. I am humbled to think that God really has blessed be so abundantly. Amen
"He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock, in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you." Deuteronomy 7:13
“For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly execute justice one with another, if you do not oppress the sojourner, the father-less, or the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own harm, then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever…” Jeremiah 7:5-7
My husband and I waited until he had a really good job, and we could pay the bills on his salary before we had children. We planned to have me stay at home and raise our children, and to be able to afford to not put them in child care. That has been one of our biggest priorities since we ever even considered having a family.
I have been very happy staying home for the past ten years, and seeing my babies grow. Now that they are bigger, and going off to school to learn from other amazing teachers, I am faced with the fact that I would love to teach again too.
For the past ten years I have been a stay-at-home mom. I quit a job I loved to stay home with my children. As a certified Spanish teacher, I have really enjoyed teaching children of all ages, including my own.
This year it came time for my youngest child to enter full-day Kindergarten. I knew I had to do something during the school day, while all three of my kids were at school. So, I took some classes over the summer and renewed my teaching certificate! It felt good to be getting back into my professional enrichment, and to consider being more than "just a stay-at-home mom".
Since I renewed my teaching certificate, and signed up to become a substitute teacher, I have had three full-time job offers! I cannot believe it! In this tough economy, a full-time teaching job has become VERY difficult to find!
Each time a full-time job has presented itself to me, my husband and I have had a heart-to-heart discussion of whether or not I should become a full-time teacher.
Every time, we decide that it is not the right time for our family to have two parents who work full time.
I know so many families who do not have the choice but to have both parents work full time, in order to simply pay the bills. We are truly blessed, that we CAN make the choice to have me stay home. I don't have to work. I still want to work, though.
So, rather than take a full-time classroom of my own, I have decided to remain a substitute teacher, and use my professional skills in classrooms throughout our area. I will bring home some extra money, and support full-time teachers by stepping into their classrooms when they cannot be there.
I had a mom ask me why I would choose to substitute, when I could have a full-time classroom of my own. The answers to that are numerous and a few of them selfish.
For one thing, when I step in to substitute teach, I arrive at school and spend the day with a classroom full of kids who really don't know me well. I follow plans that have been made by their full-time teacher. I can use tricks that normally wouldn't work for that teacher, but that work for the short-term! When the school day is done, I write a note to the teacher, and go home. That's it. I'm done!
If that were my full-time classroom, I would have arrived an hour before school started to prepare for my day. I would teach, and work with my students on everything from emotional, physical, and educational development to just getting along with their peers. I would have recess duty, and plans to make for the coming days. I would have to make phone calls home to some parents, and meetings with faculty and staff to attend. Then I'd have progress reports to write, papers to grade, report cards to prepare, and parent-teacher conferences to attend. I would have cross-checking of my lesson plans with the common core, and then with the state and district standards. Then add a few more meetings for who-knows-what to each week. Then, about two hours after my students had gone home, I could pack up my bag with some other preparation work and/or grading to be done at home, and finally go pick up my own three kids from child care. Then we would arrive home, where I would prepare dinner, and work on homework with my children. We would eat supper, and I would have to clean up the kitchen. At some point I would have to play taxi cab, driving my kids to their various sporting practices or other after school activities. Then, after bathing my kids, and getting them ready for bed, I would sit down to a at least another hour of school work before I collapse into my bed to rest up for another day of the same full-time teaching.
Could I take that full-time teaching job? Of course I could.
Would I love it? Probably so!
Could my family make it work, and survive? Absolutely, we could.
Do we want to? NO!!!
I would be giving up so much time with my own family to spend tons of time and energy teaching other kids.
I am so thankful that there are amazing teachers who make this sacrifice every day, to teach my kids. I choose to support them by providing quality teaching when they cannot be in their classrooms. As a substitute teacher, I love being in the classrooms, and impacting kids, as well as their teacher.
Another benefit to substitute teaching is that I can pick and choose when and where I work on a daily basis. This week I have an assignment to teach in my own daughter's classroom! That makes me so very happy! Then later in the week, I am not taking a teaching job on a certain day so I can attend my youngest's field trip to the apple orchard. I would hate to miss these opportunities with my own kids, because I was teaching another bunch of children full time.
There will come a day when I will say yes to a full-time classroom of my own again. I know that is in my future, and I really look forward to it. Until then, I thank God that I can spend more time with my own kids, and my husband, without being stressed out about the time and energy a full-time classroom would take out of me on a daily basis.
Blessings to teachers everywhere!! And Thanks be to God for the choices He has given me, and the family He has blessed me with. I am humbled to think that God really has blessed be so abundantly. Amen
"He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock, in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you." Deuteronomy 7:13
“For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly execute justice one with another, if you do not oppress the sojourner, the father-less, or the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own harm, then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever…” Jeremiah 7:5-7
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Challenging Family Dynamics
Our family experienced some interesting family dynamics this weekend.
My brother and his girlfriend welcomed their new daughter into our family. My children now have a baby cousin, and I have a baby niece. The challenge comes in explaining why my the mommy is not my children's aunt. I call her "Aunt C." to my children, but my brother consistently refers to her as "Miss C." to my children. We will have to discuss this, as it's more confusing to my kids than it should be. We have close friends that we refer to as aunts, so why should this be any different?
Then, we attended my husband's cousin's wedding. The family dynamic with these cousins has always been interesting and strange, because the culture in which the cousins were raised is completely different. My husband grew up with very hard-working, blue-collar parents, who provided everything for their five children, but counted the pennies in doing so, as to not go into debt. His cousins were raised with more money than they knew what to do with, summer homes in multiple states, and a mom who was always concerned with having the more expensive luxuries in life. Different family cultures, one not necessarily better than the other, just different.
To blend the families is always a challenge.
My husband and I belong to both of these unique situations, and try to fit in as best we can. Neither of us really care about the expensive things, nor do we really worry about labels and names. So, that being said, there is some stress in both situations. We choose not to let it ruin our lives, or our attitudes. We simply choose to let people be as they choose to be, and not to judge their decisions and actions.
Sometimes this is very difficult, while other times it's easy.
I don't think ANY families in this world are truly without their drama, or easy all of the time.
I am blessed to have wonderful families to belong to. My own small nuclear family is wonderful. We come from these extended families, and they do effect how we interact with each other, but they do not define us completely.
I am very thankful for these extended family differences, and the opportunities they offer us to learn about ourselves.
"Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration. "How can Satan cast out Satan?" he asked. "A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart."" Mark 3:23-25
"So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church?" 1 Timothy 3:2-5
My brother and his girlfriend welcomed their new daughter into our family. My children now have a baby cousin, and I have a baby niece. The challenge comes in explaining why my the mommy is not my children's aunt. I call her "Aunt C." to my children, but my brother consistently refers to her as "Miss C." to my children. We will have to discuss this, as it's more confusing to my kids than it should be. We have close friends that we refer to as aunts, so why should this be any different?
Then, we attended my husband's cousin's wedding. The family dynamic with these cousins has always been interesting and strange, because the culture in which the cousins were raised is completely different. My husband grew up with very hard-working, blue-collar parents, who provided everything for their five children, but counted the pennies in doing so, as to not go into debt. His cousins were raised with more money than they knew what to do with, summer homes in multiple states, and a mom who was always concerned with having the more expensive luxuries in life. Different family cultures, one not necessarily better than the other, just different.
To blend the families is always a challenge.
My husband and I belong to both of these unique situations, and try to fit in as best we can. Neither of us really care about the expensive things, nor do we really worry about labels and names. So, that being said, there is some stress in both situations. We choose not to let it ruin our lives, or our attitudes. We simply choose to let people be as they choose to be, and not to judge their decisions and actions.
Sometimes this is very difficult, while other times it's easy.
I don't think ANY families in this world are truly without their drama, or easy all of the time.
I am blessed to have wonderful families to belong to. My own small nuclear family is wonderful. We come from these extended families, and they do effect how we interact with each other, but they do not define us completely.
I am very thankful for these extended family differences, and the opportunities they offer us to learn about ourselves.
"Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration. "How can Satan cast out Satan?" he asked. "A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart."" Mark 3:23-25
"So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church?" 1 Timothy 3:2-5
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
GIVEAWAY!! God's Love: in the form of a GIFT Bible (NIV) & Pampering Products by Avon and Artistry!
Welcome to my latest giveaway!
Just in time for Valentine's Day, you can receive the Gift of God's Love in the form of His Word!
I have a Brand New Gift & Award Bible and some pampering products from both Avon & a beautiful burgundy soft-cover and is the New International Readers Version (NIRV), published by Zondervan!
Enter using the Rafflecopter form below!
All entries will be verified - and one lucky winner will be blessed by a new Bible and other fun gifts!
Just in time for Valentine's Day, you can receive the Gift of God's Love in the form of His Word!
I have a Brand New Gift & Award Bible and some pampering products from both Avon & a beautiful burgundy soft-cover and is the New International Readers Version (NIRV), published by Zondervan!
Enter using the Rafflecopter form below!
All entries will be verified - and one lucky winner will be blessed by a new Bible and other fun gifts!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Eyes Have Not Seen, Ears Have Not Heard...
My beautiful little princess has glasses!
She is very near-sighted, and our eye doctor prescribed bifocals for my eight-year-old little girl!!
She picked out beautiful frames, made by Vera Bradley, and was more excited to have glasses than she has been about many things lately.
So, now she and I share something else, 4 eyes!
I am just relieved that I noticed she needed glasses when I did! Over Christmas vacation, she was helping me and I asked her what time it was. She had to walk over to the clock to see it! Yikes!
So, I prayed about it - and asked her if she was having trouble seeing. She was.
The eye doctor confirmed my suspicion, and shared with me the research that shows children who are nearsighted have better eyesight with bifocals. The bifocal lenses help to keep the eye from deteriorating by more than 50%! Joy!
So, princess proceeded to try on nearly every set of frames in the office, and choose some that are really cute! The wait was almost unbearable, and she asked me every moment when she would actually get her new glasses!
What a joyful noise she made when she heard the message that her glasses were waiting for us to pick them up at the eye doctor's office.
I am relieved that we have good health insurance that covers the costs of bifocals and her beautiful brown eyes look amazing with the pink and blue frames she chose!
Keep your eyes on the Lord, and he will give you strength! Now, that she can SEE His glory around her, she will have an easier time doing just that! Bless my baby girl, and her bifocals!
AMEN
“Eyes have not seen, ears have not heard, nor has it entered into the hearts of men — the wonderful things God has prepared for they that love Him!” (Paul, 1 Corin. 2:9, NKJV)
She is very near-sighted, and our eye doctor prescribed bifocals for my eight-year-old little girl!!
She picked out beautiful frames, made by Vera Bradley, and was more excited to have glasses than she has been about many things lately.
So, now she and I share something else, 4 eyes!
I am just relieved that I noticed she needed glasses when I did! Over Christmas vacation, she was helping me and I asked her what time it was. She had to walk over to the clock to see it! Yikes!
So, I prayed about it - and asked her if she was having trouble seeing. She was.
The eye doctor confirmed my suspicion, and shared with me the research that shows children who are nearsighted have better eyesight with bifocals. The bifocal lenses help to keep the eye from deteriorating by more than 50%! Joy!
So, princess proceeded to try on nearly every set of frames in the office, and choose some that are really cute! The wait was almost unbearable, and she asked me every moment when she would actually get her new glasses!
What a joyful noise she made when she heard the message that her glasses were waiting for us to pick them up at the eye doctor's office.
I am relieved that we have good health insurance that covers the costs of bifocals and her beautiful brown eyes look amazing with the pink and blue frames she chose!
Keep your eyes on the Lord, and he will give you strength! Now, that she can SEE His glory around her, she will have an easier time doing just that! Bless my baby girl, and her bifocals!
AMEN
“Eyes have not seen, ears have not heard, nor has it entered into the hearts of men — the wonderful things God has prepared for they that love Him!” (Paul, 1 Corin. 2:9, NKJV)
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Tantrums and Prayer
My youngest son had a terrible tantrum at the toy store today!
Poor baby!
3-year-old little boys just don't have the communication tools to tell us when they are tired.
He was overly tired, in need of a nap, and Mommy didn't pay attention!
Poor baby!
I had to pray that the Lord would send me some patience, as well as get us out of the store without causing too much of a ruckus. It was close!
3-year-old little boys just don't have the communication tools to tell us when they are tired.
They just don't know how to behave well when they are overly tired.
Dear Lord,
Please help me to be better in tune with my children. Show me when they need to sleep and what I can do to create a sense of peace for my children at all times.
Help me to be a blessing to those around me, and a good role model for my children.
Amen
~Kristen
Monday, July 11, 2011
A Murderer Among Us...We Are NOT To Judge!
Last week we had a murderer in our midst!
The small city in which I live was terrorized by a man who killed seven (yes 7) people he knew, and then took his own life in the end. Two of the lives he took were children, who never lived to see their teenage years.
There is so much anger, outrage, and hatred out there toward this man, that I wonder how many of the people would call themselves Christians! Yes, I am angry for the circumstances...those innocent people should not have had their lives cut short. I am outraged that this happened in my city. I HATE crime and sin.
But I do not hate the man that committed these crimes. That is not what God calls me to do.
I know that those killed were not my close family or friends. I had never met them.
But they are my brothers and sisters in Christ. I cry for them, and for those who actually were blessed by knowing them.
I pray for those who are suffering the loss of those they loved.
Some people even LOVED the murderer. He is a son, brother, husband, and father. He is also my brother in Christ. He sinned, as we all have.
It is not my right to judge him. I do have opinions about his actions and sins - but it is not my job to say he was evil. Certainly, his actions were evil.
God has a plan for everything, and everything happens according to His will.
Satan and his evil is also present in our world - and though it may interfere in our lives, God's LOVE and plan will prevail.
We need not judge those who fall for Satan's deception and evil ways.
God will judge them fairly, and they will certainly face their own judgement in His eyes.
Dear Lord,
Please help us to remember our place is not to judge others and their sins, but to pray and find our own ways in Your Word. Protect our hearts and minds from the evil that is present in our world, that You have created and planned. Help us to see that judging others is a sin, and that we are to mind our own thoughts and hearts as blessings from You!
Your Son, Jesus, was one to be seen on Earth talking to and blessing thieves, lepers, and others who were scorned by the public. Let us be more like Him, and forgive our own judgement as we are to be judged on how we treat others!
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
~Kristen
Numbers 35:12
They will be places of refuge from the avenger, so that anyone accused of murder may not die before they stand trial before the assembly.
They will be places of refuge from the avenger, so that anyone accused of murder may not die before they stand trial before the assembly.
Deuteronomy 1:17
Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it.”
Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it.”
For those who don't know the story of the murders in Grand Rapids, here is a link:
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Spring = Rebirth
With Easter, I am reminded of so many of God's wonderful creations that come to life again in the Spring.
Within the past week our yard has gone from bare branches, to a lush, green wonderland of new leaves and blossoms! There is also a persistent mommy robin who built her nest on top of the flood lights above my deck in my back yard! The kids and I scare her from her nest every time we open the sliding glass door to go outside!
My prayer is that my spiritual connection with God, our Father, may be renewed and reborn as well, like the natural world outside has come to life again after such a dormant winter season.
I can feel His love blossoming, and see it all around me.
There is hope that His Love will be translated to righteousness in everything we do.
Lord,
I pray that we may be renewed, and that our love for You may blossom and become like the new leaves on the trees and blooms on the flowers that are emerging this Spring. Make this a season of Spiritual Spring for us, as we reconnect with Your Blessings and Love for us. You are an amazing and wonderful God.
Amen
"For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things
that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness
and praise to spring forth before all the nations."
~Isaiah 61:11~
Within the past week our yard has gone from bare branches, to a lush, green wonderland of new leaves and blossoms! There is also a persistent mommy robin who built her nest on top of the flood lights above my deck in my back yard! The kids and I scare her from her nest every time we open the sliding glass door to go outside!
My prayer is that my spiritual connection with God, our Father, may be renewed and reborn as well, like the natural world outside has come to life again after such a dormant winter season.I can feel His love blossoming, and see it all around me.
There is hope that His Love will be translated to righteousness in everything we do.
Lord,
I pray that we may be renewed, and that our love for You may blossom and become like the new leaves on the trees and blooms on the flowers that are emerging this Spring. Make this a season of Spiritual Spring for us, as we reconnect with Your Blessings and Love for us. You are an amazing and wonderful God.
Amen
"For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things
that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness
and praise to spring forth before all the nations."
~Isaiah 61:11~
Monday, April 25, 2011
Celebrating Easter and Differences with my In-Laws
I had the wonderful blessing of my husband's family enjoying their Easter meal in our home.
Three of his four sisters and their children joined us, along with his parents, as we shared some delicious food, fellowship, and over-all had a great time.
It reminds me of how very blessed I am to have married into such a wonderful, supportive, and Christian family!
Their family has always done things a certain way, and they are very much creatures of comfort. They do not often deviate from their "norm" - yet they do not judge others for the differences between them. I love this about my in-laws!
If only the rest of the Christians in our world could learn this lesson from the family I have married into!
They are gracious, kind, and accepting of all of the differences between us, as well as that which we share - our faith, families, and friendship.
I know there are so many families out there that have anxiety and tension that rule the in-law relationships. I am so blessed to not have those emotions attached to mine. I pray for those who do have strained relationships in their marriages and in their in-law relationships.
Dear Lord,
Today I lift up all of the married couples and their in-laws!
There are so many dynamics that enter into these relationships, and Lord, you are the Creator and Master of them all!
Thank you for putting these families together.
I pray that whatever situation husbands and wives may find themselves in, that they will respect, honor, and accept the differences between their families, and use those differences to glorify You!
In Jesus' Holy Name,
Amen
Three of his four sisters and their children joined us, along with his parents, as we shared some delicious food, fellowship, and over-all had a great time.
It reminds me of how very blessed I am to have married into such a wonderful, supportive, and Christian family!
Their family has always done things a certain way, and they are very much creatures of comfort. They do not often deviate from their "norm" - yet they do not judge others for the differences between them. I love this about my in-laws!
If only the rest of the Christians in our world could learn this lesson from the family I have married into!
They are gracious, kind, and accepting of all of the differences between us, as well as that which we share - our faith, families, and friendship.
I know there are so many families out there that have anxiety and tension that rule the in-law relationships. I am so blessed to not have those emotions attached to mine. I pray for those who do have strained relationships in their marriages and in their in-law relationships.
Dear Lord,
Today I lift up all of the married couples and their in-laws!
There are so many dynamics that enter into these relationships, and Lord, you are the Creator and Master of them all!
Thank you for putting these families together.
I pray that whatever situation husbands and wives may find themselves in, that they will respect, honor, and accept the differences between their families, and use those differences to glorify You!
In Jesus' Holy Name,
Amen
Friday, March 25, 2011
Mommy Guilt...Blessing Your Family Your Way!
Lately, the guilt of not having enough time with God has been weighing heavily on my heart.
My children have been sick. I have been sick. My mommy responsibilities do not end just because I don't feel well...and I feel guilty about it! I also feel guilty that I barely have enough time to physically care for my family, let alone spiritually nurture them and myself.
There are so many life coaches, spiritual leaders, and influential speakers who insist that taking time early in the morning to have that all-important one-on-one time with God, is the most important thing a mom can do to bless her family.
I have gone through the process of feeling very guilty that I am not a morning person, and that I am failing to bless my family because I don't enrich my own relationship with the Lord each morning.
Well, I have to admit, that I no longer feel this guilt!
I have found many other ways to spend that time with God, praying over my family, my house, and enriching my own spiritual life!
Here are just a few examples of what I have started to do as a busy mom to enrich my own daily journey with our Lord:
1. Praying over each room of the house as I clean it!
2. Praying as I fold the laundry, blessings for each body part that the laundry touches!
3. Keeping a Bible in each bathroom, and reading a bit whenever I am heeding my body's call of nature. If I am doing a Bible study, I keep that book there too.
4. Blogging about the scriptures that reach out and grab a hold of my heart.
5. Blessing each child and my husband by praying with them at bed time, and for them after they are sound asleep.
I don't have to feel guilty that my morning does not start with the Lord...because it DOES!!! I say a prayer before I get out of bed, that the Lord will bless my day, and that everything that I do will bring Him glory!
I don't spend an hour, or even half an hour, basking in the Glory of the Lord, to start my day. That's okay.
Spread the Glory and Blessings throughout your day, and be continually reminded of the Love He bestows upon us every moment of every day.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
My children have been sick. I have been sick. My mommy responsibilities do not end just because I don't feel well...and I feel guilty about it! I also feel guilty that I barely have enough time to physically care for my family, let alone spiritually nurture them and myself.
There are so many life coaches, spiritual leaders, and influential speakers who insist that taking time early in the morning to have that all-important one-on-one time with God, is the most important thing a mom can do to bless her family.
I have gone through the process of feeling very guilty that I am not a morning person, and that I am failing to bless my family because I don't enrich my own relationship with the Lord each morning.
Well, I have to admit, that I no longer feel this guilt!
I have found many other ways to spend that time with God, praying over my family, my house, and enriching my own spiritual life!
Here are just a few examples of what I have started to do as a busy mom to enrich my own daily journey with our Lord:
1. Praying over each room of the house as I clean it!
2. Praying as I fold the laundry, blessings for each body part that the laundry touches!
3. Keeping a Bible in each bathroom, and reading a bit whenever I am heeding my body's call of nature. If I am doing a Bible study, I keep that book there too.
4. Blogging about the scriptures that reach out and grab a hold of my heart.
5. Blessing each child and my husband by praying with them at bed time, and for them after they are sound asleep.
I don't have to feel guilty that my morning does not start with the Lord...because it DOES!!! I say a prayer before I get out of bed, that the Lord will bless my day, and that everything that I do will bring Him glory!
I don't spend an hour, or even half an hour, basking in the Glory of the Lord, to start my day. That's okay.
Spread the Glory and Blessings throughout your day, and be continually reminded of the Love He bestows upon us every moment of every day.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop
Welcome to my Blog and the Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop!
This event has been months in planning and I am super excited that the day is finally here! I have up for grabs over $25 in Gift Certificates to be won and more than 3 winners on my giveaway alone!
There are well over 150 blogs involved in this HOP! Please be sure to visit them all!
This blog is my small effort to bless others through prayer and in my writing!
In an effort to obtain more readers, and people I can bless through prayer, I am giving away some gift cards in the Spirit of Christmas and the Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop!
3 Different Random Winners will receive one of the following Gift Cards
in Random Monetary Values no less than $5 each!
This event has been months in planning and I am super excited that the day is finally here! I have up for grabs over $25 in Gift Certificates to be won and more than 3 winners on my giveaway alone!
There are well over 150 blogs involved in this HOP! Please be sure to visit them all!
This blog is my small effort to bless others through prayer and in my writing!
In an effort to obtain more readers, and people I can bless through prayer, I am giving away some gift cards in the Spirit of Christmas and the Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop!
3 Different Random Winners will receive one of the following Gift Cards
in Random Monetary Values no less than $5 each!
Amazon.com gift card
Starbucks Gift Card
Paypal Money Transfer (for International Bloggers)
Each and every person who enters this Hop will be blessed by a personal prayer!
Some may be the topics of future blog posts as well (names will be left anonymous).
The Amazon and Starbucks gift cards are valid in the U.S.A. only.
International bloggers are still encouraged to subscribe and enter - as they can win the Paypal prize!
To Qualify for the Gift Card Prizes You MUST:
Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect AND leave me a comment that includes either your favorite bible verse and/or a prayer request. Please include whether you are in the U.S. or International in your message!
3 Optional Bonus Entries:
1. Follow me on Twitter. - Leave a comment to let me know, please! :)
2. Follow me on Networked Blogs . Again, leave a comment! :)
3. Write a prayer for me, and submit it as a message via email to me. Please be sure to include your name/blog name to be entered to win the prize.
Giveaway ends on December 5, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST. The winners will be selected by random.org and notified by email and will have 48 hours to reply back before a new winner is selected. Good luck!
Entries received by December 5, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST will qualify for the prizes!
I look very forward to "meeting" many new bloggers...and I wish you Very Merry Christmas Blessings!
God's Blessings,
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