Joy In the Ordinary ~ Fun Day Monday Returns

A few weeks ago my sons and I made a cake with lots of sprinkles.  It wasn't anyone's Birthday or a holiday or anything.  It was the middle of the week.

Who needs an excuse to celebrate?  Life is a gift from God, one to be celebrated.

Susie Larson says in her book "Growing Grateful Kids: Teaching Them to Appreciate an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Places" (I am paraphrasing) when we take time to play it communicates to our children that all is well and more rests on the shoulder of God than on ours.  Susie's words are full of wisdom. 

Our family has been through some real ups and downs in the past week and a half.  It's felt much like a roller coaster ride.  Then today, more news came that brought (more) tears and saddened our hearts.  Yes, we wonder why.  We can't see what He's doing exactly.  This life can be tough.  But we trust that God is in complete control!  We want to communicate that loud and clear to our children.

So today, we keep counting down the days to Thanksgiving by modeling gratitude for our kids.  We've been going around the table at dinner time and writing down what we're grateful for.  Not as elaborate as our Thanksgiving Tree last year, but it works.  :)  We keep walking forward in faith, trusting that God sees all of this, hears our prayers, answers faithfully and rightly, that He loves us and has good plans for our family.  We keep celebrating the gifts He's given us.

There is so much hope, joy and peace in knowing Jesus.  If you know Him you have much to celebrate.  I encourage you to join us in taking the time to celebrate His goodness in the ordinary; to pause to give thanks to the Giver today!

Cake with sprinkles, anyone?

Jesus said, "The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."  John 10:10

 

Feeling Small

Sometimes I feel so small.  I feel insignificant, of little use or value.  I live in the boonies, not even a small town.  I'm not rich or famous.  I'm not "special" by the world's standards.  I'm just me; a farmer's wife.

My days are spent taking care of small things.  Two small children.  Seemingly menial tasks.  Small ministries, at least in numbers. 

It's easy to feel small in such a big world.  I tell God this and He lovingly corrects me.

The enemy of my soul would love to keep me feeling small.  To lead me to believe that I have no influence or power.  The Truth of God's Word tells me different.  In His Word I find that:

God has good plans for ME! 

The Savior of the world knows me, sees me, loves me and has a purpose for my life.

I am significant and what I do matters.  It matters very much.

In the small stuff...that really adds up to the big stuff!

Not only in the small, but especially in the small.  In the every day, mundane stuff of life.

In the seemingly insignificant one on one contact with those in my unique sphere of influence.

 

What I do for the least of these...

 

It matters!

God wants me to see that.  And He wants to do even more.  He doesn't want me to miss the joy and opportunity He has for me in the small.

When we are faithful in the small...

 

He gives even more...

 

More of Him which means:

More insight, wisdom and revelation.

More faith and hope.

More joy and peace.

More strength and courage.

 

And isn't that what I want?!  More of Him and less of me.  To become smaller.  Small isn't so bad.  When I become smaller, He becomes greater in me.

So although I am valued, loved and powerful in the name of Jesus...no, because I am all of those things...I am okay with being "small".  And I will choose to see the miracle and joy in the every day stuff of life.  All of it...every part...matters!

"Who dares despise the days of small things..."  Zechariah 4:10

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

I'm participating in Five Minute Friday.  Okay, so I'm a day late, but who's really keeping track, right?! :)

This is a time when I write on one word for five minutes.  This weeks one word prompt was "Small". 

 

Jump on over to Lisa-Jo Baker's page to see what others had to say on this subject by clicking the link below:

FUN DAY Monday Returns!! Thanksgiving Tree.

At the beginning of November last year I saw this fun idea posted on someone's Facebook page (not sure).  Because I always love to find ways to incorporate lessons on gratitude along with some crafty fun into our daily lives I loved the idea right away.  I took the picture of the tree in my head and drew it out on poster board. Then, we taped it together and Andrew (then 5 1/2) colored it in with markers.  We found some leaf shape templates online, printed them out, traced them onto orange, green and yellow construction paper and cut them out. We had so much fun doing this together while Noah (then 2 1/2) napped.  Although it doesn't look quite as "fancy" and "perfect" as the picture that probably came from Pinterest, Andrew thought it was "the coolest thing ever!"  And thanked me repeatedly for making it with him.

This is what it looked like when we we began

Okay, so real trees don't have leaves of more than one shape.  I explained that to Andrew.  But he thought it looked pretty with two different shapes and said, "It's our tree, can't we have it any way we want it?"  Now how could I argue with that?!  Sure we could.  And we did!

Our Pursuit of Thankfulness Began...

Every day, as a family, we removed one leaf.  Each of us told something we were thankful for that day, trying to never repeat the same thing all month.  I wrote it on the leaf and put it on the ground beneath the tree.  Then, we would pray, thanking God for those blessings.

This is what we had at the end.

It was such a great reminder each day to be thankful...and of just how many blessings we enjoy!  And it was fun hearing what others in the family thought of, even our (then) 2 1/2 year old!  As the days accumulated, we had to get more creative because all the "typical" stuff had already been said.  It made us "dig a little deeper".  On Thanksgiving Day we re-read all of the leaves.  It was a special time.  Memories were made and seeds of gratefulness planted.  THANKFUL we took the time to do this together.

This year I hope to make a big paper turkey, adding our thanks to each feather.  But that's for another FUN DAY Monday post.

Remember it's the simplest things that mean the most to our children.  Mostly it's about taking time to do the fun stuff.  When we incorporate life lessons and Biblical values into the fun, memories are made and the lessons often stick better...in their hearts and ours.

"O give thanks to the LORD...for He is good!" 

Psalm 107:1

Join me next time for another FUN DAY
Monday...sign up for e-mail updates
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Feel free to use this idea in your house...and share the idea with your friends.

Sufficient Grace...Even When Road Rage Creeps Up

The driver pulled right out in front of me.  How could she not see me?!  She had to have seen me in the left lane, passing another driver in the right lane, going 65 mph down the highway.  But she came flying across the other two lanes going the opposite direction and then right into my lane.  I had to slam on my brakes.  I mean SLAM.  Out of no where an old habit creeped up.  Something I hadn't done in a long time.  Something that I swore I'd never do again.  Out of complete frustration and anger, I laid on the horn and mumbled under my breath something not loving.

Immediately, I felt guilty.  I remembered the MOPS (Mother's of Preschoolers) sticker on the back of my van.  The one the car I just passed most likely saw.  The one the driver of the car I just honked at was about to see as she pulled into the right lane and I passed her.  I remembered my witness.  I remembered the God I serve, my desire to represent Him well and the grace He's shown me over and over and over again.

"His grace is sufficient."  It's easy to talk about grace while sitting in the pew or with my Bible open in study.  But what about in real life, everyday situations I face...like this one?  How do I live it out?  It's not just for me, but for everyone.

If the God of all grace lives in me (and He does), He has filled me with His Holy Spirit, and I have no obligation to live in the flesh.  His grace is enough.  His grace can be extended through me, the kind that pardons the guilty and blesses the unworthy.

I am reminded of how much I have been forgiven.  I remember my own shortcomings...even pulling out in front of someone a time or two, and much greater offenses.  I relish His grace and the grace of others when I am at fault.  I am reminded that I don't know the driver's circumstances.  But I know her need for grace.

I can extend His "abundance of grace."  His supply never runs out.  Not for me, not for others.

So I ask for forgiveness again.  I accept His grace and stop beating myself up.  I forgive, extending grace.  I pray for that driver.  And I pray that I will be more gracious the next time road rage seeks to creep in because I'm seeking to live out His grace in real life.  That means keeping my hand off the horn and my heart and mind pure.

How can you extend grace today?  How can  you accept His grace today?  His grace is sufficient!

"The grace of the Lord is poured out on us abundantly."  
I Timothy 1:4

Transformation Through His Word

On Saturday I had the opportunity to to share my testimony at ReNEWed Life Women's Event.  The focus was "How God has Transformed My Life Through the Word".  Here I will share what I said (or at least close to it)

Really there was soooo much more I wanted to say.  I mean, really, how has the Word NOT transformed my life?!  I love God's Word!  But I had a 5 minute or less goal (even though I think I might have talked 6 minutes).  This seems like such a vague overview of my life and the way the LORD has worked in me.  Then again, I believe it was what He wanted me to say for "such a time as this"...and so I never want to say more or less than that.  :) 

I grew up faithfully attending church and went to Christian school from kindergarten through 12^th grade.  At the young age of 5 I made the choice at the preaching of the Word of God to ask Jesus Christ to be my personal Savior.  I had a strong faith growing up.   I was taught the Word.  I even memorized a lot of scriptures. 

But as a young adult I found myself in a different place.   I was not only exposed to different ways of thinking,  I became angry with God when things didn’t go the way I thought they should.  I aslo had this nagging feeling that I could never measure up to the perfectionistic expectation God and others put on me. So I gave up.   One bad choice at a time, I began living life my own way.   I sought after the things the world had to offer me.     

During that time, I twisted the Word of God to fit my own agenda.  I told myself that it didn’t really matter how I lived, what I did or what others thought of me, that God loved me and I was okay with Him.   I thought I was so free.  But I had forgotten the truth I had learned, that a person can either be slave to Christ or a slave to sin, there is no other way.

Even though I was still often smiling on the outside, inside I was so conflicted.  The Holy Spirit used the Truth I learned as a girl to convict me.  I couldn’t escape it.  His Word most certainly is alive and active…” (Heb 4:12) and it was working in me. 

One day I came to a crossroads.  The world had left me, as it always does, in a pit.  My poor choices had left me with consequences.  I fell down on my knees and cried out to God.  I asked Him to forgive me and I promised to submit my life to Him completely. 

Everything changed from that day.  I realized I had been believing a lie.  God never asked me to be perfect.  But He did say, “If you love me you will obey me.”  Ironically, when I became a slave to Christ, I never felt freer!

When I recommitted my life to the LORD, I began to get back into His Word and let His Word get into me.  I have found that every time I open the Bible (with little kids it can be hard to find time, but when I take the time) God show me something that is relevant to my life.  I have grown in my faith.  I’m thankful for that because when hard days come (and they still come whether you’re a Christian or not), I am prepared.  I have my heart and mind set on Truth.   

I was thankful for that foundation when despite being overjoyed at the birth of our first son, weeks later my hormones plummeted and I experienced a severe case of PPD.  I was filled with such hopelessness, fear, despair and a desire to die.  It was the Word of God, the Truth that I knew from being in His Word beforehand; the Truth that other shared with me that got me through.  I repeated over and over II Tim 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.”

Then the miscarriages came.  During those tough days others spoke words of encouragement to us, but it was the Truth in God’s Word, that encouraged me the most.  Yes, it was hard.  But even in the midst of grief His Word filled me with peace and hope.   

(I wish I would have shared what I originally planned...I knew that as Proverbs 3:5 says that I must "Trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding.")

When I had my third miscarriage last year, I knew it was time to put the faith I said I had into action.  Faith is taking God at His Word.  In Psalm 33 (4-5, 20-22) I read, “For the Word of the LORD holds true and we can trust everything He does.  He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the LORD fills the earth. We put our hope in the LORD.  He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice for we trust in His holy name.”  The question was did I believe it.  I chose to believe.  No, I didn’t understand why, and I still don’t, but I don’t have to really, because I trust my Master. 

I still have a lot to learn and that’s why I keep going back to His Word.

This isn’t just for me, friends.  As I close I want you to know, it doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from or even where you’ve been or what you’ve done, God has a plan for your life.  There’s nothing He can’t forgive.  There’s no one He won’t change.  There’s not one thing He won’t see you through… if you will submit your life to Him completely.  Get into His Word.  Abide in it.  “Then” as John 8:32 says, “you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free.” 

Soon I hope to share more about that fabulous day at ReNEWed Life Women's Event.  After so much planning and preparation, it was a joy to see it all come to fruition.  It was a day of answered prayers!  Our God-gifted and spirit-led guest speaker, Wendy Blight, spoke beautiful Truth to our hearts. The worship music was amazing!  The other local speakers "hit it out of the ball park"!  God was glorified...and my heart rejoices!  He is amazing!!

Where Have I Been?

I've been here...

in my garden. (You can't see 1/2 of it)

And when you have a big garden you have to do something with all it produces.  So I've been here too...

in my kitchen.  This day I was canning pickles.

And here...

at VBS with my kids (plus helping and teaching the 12 preschool/kindergarten kids!) last week.

And here...

baling hay yesterday.  My husband was on the rack and our two boys were in the tractor cab with me.

And working on this...

ReNEWed Life Women's Event.

I help plan and organize this women's conference coming up on Saturday, August 10th.  This year, I will also be sharing my testimony that day.  Prayers are much appreciated!

Add in all the responsibilities of a wife and mom and the busyness of summer. Plus a couple of visits from my Indiana family.  Before long we will begin a new year of MOPS and homeschool.  My how time flies!

Life is full.  I am blessed and thankful.  God is good...all  the  time.  When I have time to sit down and write I will.  In the mean time, I will savor these moments and try to remember what He's teaching me through them.  Will you do the same?

"So I decided that there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work.  Then I realized this pleasure is from the hand of God.  For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from Him?"

Ecclesiastes 2:24-25

Here

Today I'm joining Lisa-Jo Baker for 5 Minute Friday...

Not for comments or traffic or anyone else’s agenda. But for pure love of the written word. For joy at the sound of syllables, sentences and paragraphs all strung together by the voice of the speaker.

Just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. For five minutes flat with no editing, tweaking or self critiquing (seriously hard for me...and that's why I need to do it!).

 

 

Today's prompt is "Here..."

 

It's here that I live.  It's here that I love.  It's here that I worship.  It's here that I care for the lives He's given me.  I moved to this place I call Beranville eight and a half years ago.  Never dreamed I would live in Iowa.  But here I am. 

 

I'll be honest, there have been days when I've wonder how I ever got here, and why here and why now.  Whenever those thoughts cross my mind God gives me a gentle, or sometimes not so gentle, reminder.   I come across that person I would have never met had I not come here.   And I remember the opportunties He's given me here that may have never come had I stayed there.  Chances to minister and be ministered to.  And I am thankful.  Over and over, I'm thankful. 

 

What if I had never come here?  What if I had never met the Iowa farmer that I love and married him?   Or had the two precious children that have come from that union?  I'm so thankful that He brought me here.  His plans are so much better than ours.

 

I'm here for a purpose...and you are there for a purpose.  Do you see Him in your "here"?   

FUN DAY Monday: Homemade Silly Putty Goop ~ Simple Sticky Fun!

Today I introduce to you a new series on this blog:

 

For the most part I've kept this blog rather serious, focused on my personal relationship with Jesus.  "Seeing God in the Everyday Stuff of Life".  And that still is the theme of this blog.  But the main title of this blog is Life in Beranville.  A big part of my life here in Beranville is Fun.  It's in many of those lighthearted, fun times that I see God the most!

 

I homeschool our oldest son as our younger son follows along.  We jokingly call what he does "two year old preschool".  We do fun science experiments and hands-on activites to reinforce our lessons.  And a lot of other things just for fun!

 

My husband and I work together on do-it-yourself projects around the house.  Thanks to Pinterest I have all kinds of ideas just waiting to be created! 

 

On FUN DAY Monday I will share these kind of things.  Then, later in the week, I hope to share other insights on what God is showing me. 

 

Today let's talk about Silly Putty Goop.  Shall we? 

 

We have made this several times.  It doesn't last as long as the store bought stuff (it either dries out or gets overly sticky after a few days).  But who really cares, it's cheap and fun!  My boys like making it as much they like playing with the finished product!  A BIG thank you to my cousin, Beth, who originally gave me the recipe a couple of years ago.

 

Things you will need: 2 Simple Ingredients!

 

2 Tablespoon of Elmer's Glue

1 Tablespoon of Sta-Flo Liquid Starch (found in the laundry section of most supermarkets)

 

 

Measure these out and pour them right on the kitchen counter. It's a gooey, icky mess at first.

The BOYS LOVE IT!

 

 

Just look at those happy faces! :)

 

Just when you think there's no hope for this stuff, that you're going to have a sticky mess and nothing else to show for your time...wall-ah!  All of sudden it's the pefect texture.

 

Leave it sitting on the counter for 15 to 20 minutes. 

Then, play away.

 

Don't worry if it gets on their clothes, it washes out.  It washes right off the counter too.

 

To make it even more fun add 2 drops of food coloring at the end.  If you don't want the color all over your kids' hands, I recommend dropping 2 drops in the almost done putty over the sink and kneading it in yourself.  Wash your hands immediately to remove color.

 

Here's the finished product:

We call it Silly Putty Goop 

 

Closing thoughts:

Life can be sticky! Be sure you know Who holds all things together.

 

"He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."

Colossians 1:17

 

Hope you enjoyed my 1st FUN DAY Monday post.  If so, join me again next week.

 

Follow me on Pinterest  or sign up for e-mail updates in the righthand side bar.

For Health related topics check out my Health In Beranville blog.

 

Coming up:

Homemade Playdoh Recipe and Fun Ideas

Homemade Shoe Hook project (get those shoes off the floor and stop tripping on them!)

An attempt at Unpoppable Bubbles (and an old fashioned bubbles recipe too)

My "Perfect" Marriage ~ A New Definition

We started out so sweet; an incredibly romantic, nearly perfect love story.  It was love at first sight (or should I say first chat?). 

God can use whatever tool He wants to bring two people together.  In our case it happened to be a cheesy, so called Christian website. 

We started chatting at the end of March.  We talked on the phone for hours.  We met face to face, half way between my home in Midwestern Indiana and his in Northeast Iowa, at the end of April.  We got engaged at the end of June.  And married at the end of August.  Some people saw it as a fast and furious courtship.  When you know you've found what you've been looking for, you just know.  That's how it was for us. 

Just look at us...

We were blissfully happy on our wedding day!

Then life happened.  It just did.  Even worse, we happened. 

Eight and a half years later I post pictures like the one below on my Facebook. All smiles. Looks almost perfect, doesn't it?  It's easy to give off this "perfect life" persona, not even meaning to.

Reality check: Marriage, parenthood, LIFE can be hard. 

Yes, we still love each other.  Yes, we're happy and incredibly thankful for all our blessings.  Yes, he's a terrific guy and he says I'm a terrific gal.  Still we've had our ups and downs like all people do.   

We've been blessed with healthy babies, 2 precious boys.  Then, there were the 3 miscarriages that challenged and increased our faith (not to mention the ways parenting has stretched us!). 

We've experienced good weather and hearty crops.  Then, there were the droughts and low cattle prices.  Big deals for a farmer and his wife, our whole livelihood.

We've faced health and family issues, sleeplessness, bad attitudes and parenting dilemmas. 

And, guess what, we don't always see eye to eye.  Gasp!

Even though we're followers of Jesus Christ and we desire to honor Him with our lives, we fail.

God never promised us that this life (or our marriage) would be easy. He did promise that He will go with us, helping, guiding and enabling us through this journey. He also promised that if we do it His way He will bless us. His way is Perfect! 

The problem is we don't always follow His way, we follow our flesh.  We're imperfect.  Therefore our marriage is imperfect.  Or is it?

A few months ago our pastor preached on Matthew 5:48.  "But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect."  These words were spoken by Jesus himself.  Being the perfectionist that I am that word "perfect" always bothered me.  How can we ever be perfect as He is perfect?  When our pastor explained the definition of this word in the original language the way it was used in this text, it all made perfect sense (no pun intended). 

Perfect: maturing, growing, thriving.  Having mature motives.

That definition of "Perfect" gave me a whole new outlook.

Perhaps my marriage is Perfect after all.  Because it is in the every day stuff of life, through the challenges and triumphs that we share, that we are maturing, growing and thriving, having mature motives...a prize set before us: Perfect (see def above) Love.

 

The longer I'm married the more I understand the perfect love that Jesus calls us to. Not that I'm getting it pefectly right.  I'm not.  But I'm learning more about God's kind of love...

Love that casts off fear. 

Love that's patient and enduring.

 Love that's kind even when we don't feel like it. 

 Love that swallows pride to say sorry. 

 Love that looks past offenses and lets them go.  

 

Choosing to put on a gentle and quiet spirit, rather than a stormy and demanding one.  Choosing to love my husband, day by day, moment by moment, no matter what. Not because he deserves it or because I'm so good or he's so good, but because HE is good.  And I'm seeing this same kind of love being modeled through my husband! 

 

Nope, it's not easy.  It's challenging.  But our marriage is teaching us to be more like Jesus...which is just what we desire. 

 

So I embrace our "Perfect" Marriage, as we learn and grow together. 

Choosing to love. (It truly is a choice!)

Being stretched. 

Becoming more like Jesus in the process. 

Striving for Perfect Love while living in the reality of our own imperfections. 

It's a perfectly beautiful thing!

 

I LOVE MY HUSBAND!

 

To read more blog posts on this topic check out the

Hearts At Home Third Thursday Blog Hop

 

Read another blog post about Marriage by me: But God...

 

Follow Life In Beranville on Pinterest or sign up for e-mail updates in the right hand side bar.  :)

Helping Everyone "Out There"

I listened to her talk.  Telling me all about this big thing she had been working on.  All in the name of Christ, of course. 

She had spent time, quite a bit of it. 
She had spent money, quite a bit of it. 
She had exerted effort, quite a bit of it.
She used her God given talents and interests, quite a bit of them.

She was reaching out to the needy ones "out there".  People she didn't know.  But God knows.

I listened.  I wondered.  Nothing wrong with any of it.  But still I wondered, why? 

Not that she shouldn't, because somebody should.  But why all this time, money, effort and talent for this?  For them, the unknown?  What was the appeal?  Why not help those right here in front of her?  Honestly, I thought of my own need that day and wondered why she didn't notice.

Before I could examine her any further I knew I had to stop to look in the mirror first.  Take a look inward instead of judging outward.  Why do I do what I do?  I'm afraid I'm as guilty as anyone.

Ah, I spend so much time helping everyone "out there".  Three blogs.  Four Facebook pages.  Big women's events.  A few ministries that I participate in and/or support.

Not that I shouldn't, because somebody should.  But why all this time, money, effort and talent for these things? 

First, am I so busy helping everyone "out there", that I'm missing those right here? 

Because ministry doesn't just happen at a big event or soup kitchen or missionary post in Timbuktu.  Sure, it happens there, but just as much it happens in our own homes, communities, jobs and churches. How am I living out the message I say I believe?  Ministry happens on Facebook and blogs, sure.  But what about at the grocery store?  What about in my own home?  Quite honestly, it's easier, most of the time, to help everyone "out there". 

Then, I asked myself, "What's my motivation?"  Because the motivation of my heart is even more important than what I actually do! 

Donating money, running ministries and writing on Christian blogs sounds more glamourous than scrubbing floors and washing clothes.  But I don't think what the world sees as important is necessarily what God sees as important.  In fact, I don't think the things that impress the world impress Him at all.  Yet, do I seek their honor above His?

^"But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:26-28

It's good to check my heart.  Do I do these seemingly big things to look impressive and receive human glory?  Do I serve in the trenches when no one is looking, besides the One who matters, with humility and love as my Savior, Jesus, did?  Because scrubbing floors and washing clothes with the right heart attitude are pleasing to the One who made me and saved me.  They are service in His name just the same, if not more.

How many times in my attempt to help everyone "out there", have I missed the opportunity right here.  That sick friend who needed a meal.  The little son who needed some cuddle time.  The elderly neighbor who could use a call or visit.  A husband who needed his wife.  The department store clerk who needs an encouraging word.  I miss it too often.

It starts in the heart.

What should I be doing right here...with no other motivation but the love of Jesus that dwells in me? 

What should you be doing?  It's a question worth asking.

Note: God has ministry for us right here and out there. Both big and (seemingly) small. What a shame to miss any part of these divine opportunities.  Whatever He's leading me and you to do, may we do it with no other motivation but love.

 

"Take care! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, because then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give a gift to someone in need, don't shout about it as the hypocrites do -- blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I assure you, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone, don't tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in secret, and your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you." Matthew 6:1-4

It begins here.  In the every day.  I serve.  But do I serve in love? 

What is my attitude when no one is looking, but Him?

The ones right here before my eyes (and their daddy) are my first ministry.

It starts in the heart.  Oh, not to forget!

 

Who has God put in your realm of influence?

 

Moms out there, check out this post I recently read about Christlike Mothering. Good!!

Relate?  Leave a comment.  I love hearing from friends...both right here and out there! :)
   

Wasting Time

If there’s one thing I hear every day, many times throughout the day, it’s, “Mom, watch this!”  Sometimes it’s, “Mom, look at this.”  Either way, it’s often and coming from both boys.  The two year old follows after the five year old, watching his every move and seeking to imitate it.  He even calls me “Mom” (rather than “Mommy”) just like big brother.  They are busy, rarely sit still, and they want me to take notice, “Watch this.”  Sometimes they mess up that cartwheel, perfect move or rock throw.  That calls for a “do over”.  I watch again.

(My boys throwing rocks in the creek)

There are days when I almost get tired of hearing, “Watch this” yet one more time.  But I remember how fleeting these days are, these days that these two precious little boys are most often under my feet,  wanting my every attention and seeking after only my approval and admiration.  They are growing quickly.  In a blink they will be out of the house, spending time with others that interest them more than dear ol’ mom and entertaining a much larger audience.  This season, my time with them as little boys, is slipping by.  So I watch and admire and say, “Wow, good job!”  I’m not wasting time, I’m building relationships with them, relationships that I pray will last well into their adulthood.  And I am teaching them along the way.  It matters.

God’s been teaching me some things lately (when is He not?!) too...about time.

 I detest wasting time, yet I do it more often than I care to admit.  It’s so easy to spend time.  Once it’s spent, there’s no getting it back.  I have one life.  There are no “do overs”.  I need to be intentional.  I need to spend my time wisely, doing the things He’s called me to do. 

“…lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.”  Ephesians 4:1

I make excuses.  I look at life circumstances.  I get caught up in the daily things of life and lose sight of heaven.  I waste the time God has given me.

Sure there is a time and place for relaxation and leisure.  But more often I want to be busy, kind of like my boys, full of energy and zest, rarely sitting still.  Not for busyness sake, nor for the world’s admiration.  I think sometimes in our culture people seek to be busy in order to appear fulfilled and in an attempt to prove their life matters.  I don’t want to be busy just to be busy.   I simply want to  live intentionally, doing the work He’s called me to.  I want to say, “Watch this, Lord” as I seek to obey Him, desiring to please and honor Him with my life.  I want to look ahead to eternity and the rewards awaiting there.  Not striving in my own power, but living in His. 

When I do sit, I want it to be in His presence, building relationship with Him.  Not only for our relationship sake, although that is important, but also so I can teach my sons how to do the same.  They follow in my footsteps, even more closely than my two year old follows big brother’s.  And I’m finding that my sphere of influence is even greater than I originally thought, reaching far beyond the confines of my home walls.  The world is watching…my friends, neighbors, loved ones, even acquaintances.   I want them to see Him in me.  I want to follow His every move, to imitate Him as I build relationships with others.  The only way I can do this is by getting to know Him intimately, being still before Him in prayer and Bible study.  It takes time.  But that is never wasted time.

I want to listen as He says, “Look at this” when I’m in His Word.  Or “Watch this” as He clearly displays His glory in my very ordinary day and life.  Then, I can give Him adequate thanks and praise. 

My time here is so short, fleeting.  It won’t be long before this season has passed.  I don’t want to just spend time, I want to cease every opportunity!  And I believe God takes notice of it. It matters.

Maybe this post is only for me, but I wonder if there are others out there who feel convicted about wasting their God given time.  How about you?  Are you living a life worthy of your calling, living intentionally?  Maybe it’s time to make some changes.  Maybe you need to let go of some excuses.  Maybe you need to take some time today to seek after Him and His best for you.  I will do the same.  Because that is never a waste of time!  

“…Stay away from believers who live idle lives…”  II Thessalonians 3:6

A short story: Next Saturday I will be at ReNEWed Life Women’s Event.  Just a few months ago, this event didn’t exist and, as far as I know, nothing like it has ever taken place in our small community.  My friend, Jill, and I had helped organize a big women’s retreat in a larger town an hour and a half from home for a few years.  Although it was such a blessing, at different times, each of us had felt God leading us to step off that leadership team.   One day afterwards, we discussed a prompting in our hearts to “do something” for the women right here in our rural community.   Normally, women around here would have to drive 1½ to 3 hours to attend a women’s conference.   As we prayed about it, the Lord clearly opened doors for National Speaker and Author Lisa Whittle to come to our rural area, small town Cresco, Iowa. 

I’m leaving out many details and many displays of God’s faithfulness.  But the reason I am sharing this, is to share this point: no matter who you are or where you are, God can use you if you are obedient and willing to do the work.  Do not waste time making excuses or looking at life circumstances, your lack of ability, resources or talent.  He will do things beyond your wildest imagination if you seek after His will and trust Him.  I can hardly wait to watch Him display His glory (again) next Saturday at this women’s event that two farmer’s wives and others in rural Iowa envisioned at His prompting!  And we will give Him all the praise and glory!

Have You Ever Had One of Those...Months?

Well, have you?  Have you ever had one of those days...weeks...months?  You know, where everything seems to be going heywire?  I have.  In many ways, this January has been one of those months.

Let me share a few things that happened in Beranville this month:

The month started out with my husband, Alan, having an emergency appendectomy which included an overnight in the ER with no sleep for either of us, another night and day in the hospital and 2 week of "down time" for him as he recovered.  He is rarely "sick" so this was all new to me.  And, let me tell ya, it's hard to keep a hard-working farmer down. 

Dentist ~ 2 cavities (that I get filled tomorrow).

Sick kids ~ vomiting, diarrhea, earaches.  Then,  Alan, and I had a stomach bug at the same time.  We were up together in the middle of the night getting sick.  Not a bonding experience that I recommend. :)

A head cold that just won't go away.

Some issues with my oldest son, Andrew, that are too complicated to write about in a snip-it.

More doctors visits this month than our family normally has in 6 months. 

Stool samples for 4 tests, collected in 10 containers and ran to town 3 times in one week. The first samples I collected from my 21 month old's diaper in my minivan with two popsicle sticks and a rubber glove.  All the while, little Noah was saying "Ucky!" from his car seat in the back.  :)

Tons of research online.  Trying to "self-diagnose" 3 different people that I love.  Praying for healing for them... and several others in my life.

Then, the month ended today with blood work for Noah.  Another trip to the hospital.  The blood had to be taken from his arm and it took them 3 tries to hit a vein.  I felt terrible.

It's been a bit stressful.  Sometimes I handled the stress heroically, sometimes not so much.  But, I have been reminded again and again this month that, although I can't change my circumstance, I can choose my attitude.

I refer to these verses often: "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."  I Thessalonians 5:16-18

And this past week these verses have been such a comfort to me: "This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." Hebrews 4:15-16

His grace is all I need.  So I go to Him bodly, admitting my desperation for Him.  And He understands my weaknesses!  I can be thankful, even joyful in all circumstances.  I keep praying.  I keep pushing ahead in confidence.  I can choose a good attitude because I know His grace is sufficient and works best in my weakness (see II Cor 12:9).  I don't have to be perfect!

And I'm thankful, oh so thankful, that I can see all the good that took place this month too.  Lots of eye opening, growing moments.  The smiles, hugs and laughter.  Good cuddle time with the boys on sick days.  The fun family times in the midst of the craziness (like celebrating our Andrew's 5th Birthday).  The way I have been reminded of how much God loves me, and just how much I need Him! 

Tomorrow I will probably mess up again.  But I know where to turn for an attitude adjustment when I need it most...and I need it most, all of the time.  ;) 

Goodbye January.  Welcome February.  Another month, another chance to choose a good attitude, to accept His grace and to be grateful.  Yep, it's going to be one of those months! :)

What attitude will you choose?

What Did You Want To Be?

What did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was a girl I thought I wanted to be a teacher. I lined up my stuffed animals and dollies and “played school”. Other days I would line up my mom’s daycare kids and do the same. I actually taught many of the kids to count and say their ABCs.  However, the dolls listened better and the stuffed animals were quieter then the daycare kids. But either way, I enjoyed standing in front of my make believe class.  I dreamed of making a difference in the lives of young children someday.

As my high school graduation neared, I thought travel and tourism sounded exciting. I even pursued a travel and tourism degree. Later, I worked as a travel agent and found that it’s not nearly as exciting planning for other people trips that you would love to take yourself.

As a 20 something I contemplated going back to school for marriage and family counseling OR cosmetology. I worked several different jobs...restaurant server, customer service rep, hotel front desk clerk, travel agent, office manager, etc.

Through it all I always wanted to be a MOM!

What did you want to do?  What did you want to be?  Did you ever dream of being a slave?  Yeah, me neither! :)

Yet, that's what I'm learning should be my greatest desire...to serve.  I don't mean being a door-mat.  I mean, choosing to be a slave. 

Do you think I'm losing it?  Take a look at this verse from God's Holy Word:

"...Whoever wants to be a leader among you must

 be your servant, and whoever wants to be first

among you must become your slave.

For even the Son of Man came not to

be served but to serve others

 and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Matthew 20:26-28

As a Christian, a disciple of Jesus Christ, my desire should be to serve...as Jesus came to serve.  And not just to serve (because doesn't every wife and mom serve?!?!?), but to serve as He did, not with selfish ambition or with a grumbling attitude, rather with a humble, gentle, loving, selfless spirit.  Obediently serving out of the love I have for Him and the love that overflows from Him through me to others. 

I can choose to serve, knowing nothing I can do will diminish my value and, in the same way, nothing can make Him love me more or less.  I am His, my identity is safe with Him, and yet, He tells me to serve.  It's not an easy thing to do, but it's what Jesus told me to do...to take up my cross and follow Him.

So today I desire to be a slave!   A slave, eager to serve as my Master serves!  To have a heart open to whatever and whomever He brings in my path today. 

Yes, I want to be His humble servant.  What about you?

Lord, I need your help.  I can do nothing apart from You.  I want to be Your humble servant, unselfish and yielded.  I want to serve, as You came to serve.  To be Your slave, your hands and feet.  To love as You love.  Let my desires be Your desires, my words to be Your words, my actions to be Your actions.  I know You answer as we pray according to your will and so I believe today you will answer this, my heart's cry, as I also believe it is Your heart's cry.  And tomorrow I will pray it again.  Thank you, Lord Jesus!  Amen.

"So those who are last now will be first then,

and those who are first will be last."

Matthew 20:16

Christmas in the Real World

I shared this quote in our Christmas letter in 2008.  It has remained with me and I wanted to share it with my blog friends this year.

"Let us avoid the temptation to make our Christmas worship a withdrawl from the stress and sorrow of life into a realm of unreal beauty. It was into the real world that Christ came, into a city where there was no room for Him.


He comes to us, not to shield us from the harshness of the world but to give us the courage and strength to bear it; not to snatch us away by some miracle from the conflict of life, but to give us peace - His peace - in our hearts, by which we may be calmly steadfast while the conflict rages, and be able to bring to the torn world the healing that is peace." ODB

Into the real world He came, to save us.

When we make room for Him,

our real lives He changes.

I wish for you, real reading friend, a peace-filled CHRISTmas...

the kind of peace that is a gift only He can give!

"I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart.

And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.

So don't be troubled or afraid." ~ Jesus

(John 14:27)

Another Lesson from my 4 year old...Forgiveness

Oh, the things I learn from my children!

A few days ago I raised my voice at my 4 year old.  Yes, I know, I shouldn't do this.  And, yes, I know how important my words are...and that it's not Christ like to yell...and that I wasn't setting a good example for my children.  Yes, I know.  I am ashamed of it.  But, the truth is, I did what I know I shouldn't.

I'm sure you didn't assume I was perfect.  Of course, this all out proves that I am not.  As much as I love my boys and as much as I want to be the perfect mom, I still blow it more often than I'd like to.  Thankful for God's grace...and for continued growth. 

After I raised my voice, I felt terrible.  I asked the Lord to forgive me.  Then, I went with a repentant heart to ask my little Andrew for his forgiveness.  I said, "Andrew, I'm sorry for raising my voice at you.  That was't right.  Will you please forgive me?"  He said, "Yes, I forgive you, Mommy.  It's okay."  I said, "No, it's not okay, I shouldn't have raised my voice at you."  He looked surprised as he replied, "It's okay, Mommy.  I forgive you."  I told him thank you and out of my own shame said I was sorry again.  He said, "I forgive you, Mommy.  It's okay.  I already forgave you before you even asked."     

Did you catch that?  He already forgave me before I even asked! 

Wow!  Tears flooded my eyes...unmerited, undeserved forgiveness before I asked...just because he loves me!  What a relief!  What joy flooded my heart!   

I need to take a lesson from my 4 year old!!  Do you also?

Instead of taking offense, holding a grudge, and critically looking at another's faults; how much better to overlook and forgive...without being asked...not because it's merited or deserved...just because of LOVE!

Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.

Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 

Colossians 3:13

Mama Always Said (Repost)

Have been thinking a lot about my mom.  I didn't get to spend Mother's Day or her birthday, which was last weekend, with her.  So thankful that we remain close at heart...and for cell phones. :) 

I have also been thinking about my own parenting.  As I've thought about the kind of mother I have and the kind of mother I want to be,  this "old" blog post from February 27, 2010 came to mind.  Thought  I'd repost it in honor of my mom and with gratitude for all she has taught me.  Praying that I can remember and teach my own children well. 

As adults it’s easy to “pick apart” our parents. We often focus on the mistakes they made and the things that we want to differently with our children. We tend to forget that like them we are human, and our kids will find fault with our “perfect parenting” too (Ha! As if there is such a thing!).

Today I found myself instead focusing on all the things my mom got right. She’s taught me some things…some that I have applied, and some that I know I fall short of living fully. Still, I hope to pass on much of her wisdom, kindness and compassion to my children.

Thought maybe I’d share some her wisdom with you too. :)

Lesson 1: The golden rule, “Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you.” She taught me this not so much in word, but in action! If someone was in need she was the first one to jump in. She gave of herself without reservation, without laziness, without expectation of receiving anything in return. She often did these things silently, without bringing attention to herself, and out of the abundance of her loving, compassionate heart.

Which leads me to the next things she taught…

Lesson 2: Love others. Mom always has tended to see the best in people. She loved some pretty unlovable people. She remembered many that others forgot. She even said to love that not-so-good-looking, mean, toothless bully at school! She would remind me that even he probably had a mother at home who looks at him through adoring eyes, and more importantly a Heavenly Father who loves him unconditionally. She reminded me that everyone has a soul, and potential as a child of God.

Lesson 3: Hold your tongue. Now, I must admit I have a lot of work to do on this one, but it’s not because my mama didn’t teach me! Mom would be the first NOT to tell you that you don’t have to say everything that you think. :) If it’s not nice, or uplifting, or really needed, maybe you should just keep it to yourself. Speak up when it IS needed, in kindness and love, and because of your reputation people will be more likely to listen. You don't always have to defend yourself, trust the Lord to defend and protect you.

I’ll be honest, there were times when I was growing up when I saw this as a weakness in my mom. I would often think, “Why doesn’t she stand up for herself?” or “Why didn’t she just tell them what she thinks?” Now that I’m a woman myself I see the wisdom in sometimes staying silent. Not that I want to be a doormat, or that I can’t share my opinions when appropriate (believe me I have plenty of them!), but there is something beautiful about a woman with a gentle and quiet, reverent and respectful spirit. God’s Word says so, I Peter 3:4, “You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” My mom has an unfading beauty that you can not deny!

Lesson 4: Being a mom is the best job in the world. Tears came to my eyes immediately after I typed those words, emotions of gratitude for the mothering that my mom doted upon me, and the love that I have for my own child(ren). I remember my mom saying this to me when I was a teenager, and for the first time realizing the passion behind her words. She meant it!

My mom made sacrifices so that she could be home with me…even as a single mom (she did daycare in our home). She recognized the importance of her role in my life, and I never doubted her love for me. She took pride in and made being a homemaking mama her primary role (even in the midst of “bringing home the bacon” as a single mom). Our home was warm, inviting and a haven for me. Even though money was tight, there was always good food on the table, affection to be distributed and words of encouragement to be shared. I thank God soooo often for the example that she set for me!! (Note: I’m looking forward to her coming up to help me after Baby Beran is born, so that I can gain more wisdom from this child expert!) (Note: when I wrote this in February 2010 I was expecting our second child, Noah, who is now 14 months old)

Lesson 5: Don’t be lazy. That lady is a go-getter, I tell ya! For years, I thought she must be crazy the way she kept her house clean (even in the midst of watching everyone else’s kids!)…and kept herself busy. Like the Energizer bunny, she just kept going and going (hee hee) even when I know she must have been tired. She did her work joyfully, often humming the tune to, “Oh, how I love Jesus” as she went about her work. She gave me a real life model of the virtuous and capable woman described in Proverbs 31.

Hmmmm…come to think of it, all the things my mama taught me above are described in Proverbs 31...

“She is energetic and strong, a hard worker….Her hands are busy…She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy…She is clothed with strength and dignity...When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instruction with kindness…she suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her…a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.” Excerpts from Proverbs 31:17-31

I could go on and on and on listing things that my mama has taught me, but I’ll stop here. I’m praying that I can be more like my mom because being more like her would mean being more like Jesus.

My mom was not perfect, God is the only perfect parent, but she sure was good…and still is!!

I LOVE and APPRECIATE you, Mom!!

Tell me, what did your mama always say? What did she teach you without words? I’d love to hear!