Tales of a Thankful Mom

           One of the more fun parts of my journey over the last four years is rediscovering what I like and enjoy. As a recovering people pleaser, it is far easier for me to ask others what the like than to make a decision solely based on my own preferences. I am thankful that two of my children really enjoy trying new things. I have learned so much about myself, from simply agreeing with them, when they said,”Mom, let’s try this!” I want to have a curiosity about life. and a willingness to try new things and start new traditions. I don’t want be held back by fear of other people’s opinions or fear of failure any longer. Sure, I could fail, but I could also fly. What are a few of your favorite things? Is there anything new that you would like to try as the year 2022 comes to a close?

           I laugh frequently. Children (my own and those that I substitute teach) have noticed that I sometimes laugh at things that are not very amusing. I laugh at matters that are ironic, baffling, or would fall under the category of “If I didn’t laugh, I would be tempted to cry.” I do want to laugh more from finding joy in the moment. I don’t want to take life too seriously. I want to enjoy everyday moments with my children. I want to be the Mom who plays with them. I want to be the mom who laughs. I want to dance in the living room, and listen to them laugh and tell me I can’t dance. I want to laugh as my son shows me funny things about Minecraft. I want to laugh at funny memes my eldest texts me. I want to laugh at funny animal videos that my youngest watches. I want to laugh as we play games together on weekend nights. What are some ways that you can make laughter a part of your day today?

             I am learning in counseling that focusing on extremes is not helpful. Having an “all or nothing” attitude usually causes me apprehension. Two emotions can be true at the same time, even if the emotions at first seem opposing. It is okay to feel conflicted at times. I want to be more curious about my feelings instead of ignoring the feelings that I do not want to take the time to deal with at the moment. If I don’t process my feelings, they are going to come out sideways. I would like to be less reactive, and handle my emotions in healthy ways. After all, I want to model emotional wellness to my children. I want to pray, tell God how I am feeling, and ask God to help guide me to be more emotionally healthy. I am sharing a picture of my daring youngest child who loves trying new things.

  Psalm 143:8  Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning , for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. I love this beautiful scripture. One of the things that I enjoy about letting my children sleep in on weekend mornings is reading God's word in a quiet house. I need to remember to still myself so I can hear God's words of unfailing love. I need to slow down, and listen so that God can teach me the way to walk. I think this is the perfect verse to end this 31 days of finding freedom in trusting God. Trust has not been an easy word for me. I tend to worry and want to plan five steps ahead when facing unknowns, but I think that God has taught me much about trust in 2022, and I believe that He will continue to teach and guide me.

 2 Corinthians 1:20 For every one of God's promises are "Yes" in him; therefore also through him the "Amen" is spoken, to the glory we give to God.              Through Jesus, the answer to every one of God's promises is yes. This truth really excites me. I am reminded that when fear and doubt want to whisper in my ear that, "Is is true that God loves you?" I can stand on the promise that nothing can seperate me from God's love. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to

           Five years ago, I was feeling the most lost that I ever felt in my life. I was also working as hard as I could to pretend everything was normal. Acquaintances tell me, that would have never guessed what I was going through, because I and my family seemed so normal. I am thankful that I had a community of sisters in Christ, who saw through my pretending and never gave up on me. I feel like in that season of feeling lost, that they said we have the map ,and we will walk the journey out of the darkness with you. In the last five years, I have learned much about God's grace. His grace found me in my hardest moments and draw me out of my despair. His grace is leading me home. I am so thankful that God's grace is like rain falling down on me. I am so thankful that God's grace washes away all sin and shame. "I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind but now I see."

1 Corinthians 2:2 for I made the decision to know nothing [that is, to forego philosophical or theological discussions regarding inconsequential things and opinions while] among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified [and the meaning of His redemptive, substitutionary death and His resurrection].             I have been trying to simplify my life with a couple of simple questions. "Will whatever I am stressing about be important to me in a week, a month, or a year?" My next question is "Is this something that I can do anything about today."I want to remember " "So  do not worry about tomorrow ; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34.  Remembering these two questions takes intention. It is a decision that I neede to make. What if my sole focus was Jesus and the hope of the gospel. It would be really life changing to have Paul's laser focus on what is truly important. When I start to feel scattered, ma

  Colossians 3:1-3 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at  and  seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2  And set your minds  and  keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. 3  For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.             These verses came to mind as soon as I read that the prompt for day twenty-seven is hidden. It is so easy to forget that my life is hidden with Christ in God. My new authentic life is hidden with Christ. He is my hiding place. He is my strong tower and refuge.              May I keep looking up, even in the midst of storms, because my life is hidden with Jesus in God. This is the source of true life, anything else I try to chase after is just poor substitutes. I like trying to fi

            I remember a particular weekday afternoon in March of this year. I was sitting at the table eating dinner with my children, when my phone rang, I answered it, learned that I would be going to an orientation to become for my new employer while all three of my children listened to my end of the phone conversation as they continued to eat. After I got off the phone, I explained to them that I was now being given the opportunity to become a substitue teacher at their school. My youngest congratulated me and said, "Mama, you should be able to follow your dreams too." Following dreams in that sense has always been tricky for me. I have an intense fear of failure, not just the failure itself, but disappointing those I love. I am reminded of this quote, " "What if I fall?" Oh but my darling, What if you fly? ” - Erin Hansen. In dreaming all I see is the long way down. I don't see the possibilities and the beauty of opportunities. I want to be more like