Tales of a Thankful Mom

           I have been thinking that I have not yet looked back at the previous season, and thought about what I have learned this past winter season. I really enjoy looking back over these posts to see how life changes as my children grow older and the seasons change. I find it really helpful to reflect on the recent past, and make plans for the future.  I tightened my circle.           As a recovering people pleaser, I still struggle with rejection and the fear of disappointing others. This winter, I have had to face this fear. Individuals that I am close to have made judgments about me that are not fair or factual. This has caused me to have to be more watchful about what I say to these people and others who are associated with them. As an extroverted person, I have a tendency to say what I am thinking, but I am learning that I may need to be more choosy of who I share my thoughts with, especially if individuals are going to take my words and use them against me later.  My desire to

Galatians 1:10     For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying  to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a  servant [ a ]  of Christ.           This verse has been a reminder of God's grace this week. I am a recovering people pleaser who was reminded yesterday of how far I have to go on this journey of leaving people pleasing behind. I felt despair yesterday because people that I love dearly have the wrong impression of me, and they continue to hold onto that opinion even though I have tried to explain my point of view several times. I finally realized that there was nothing that I could do to change these loved ones minds. The pleaser in me wants so badly to fix this situation, but it is like a jumbled up mess of cords. The more I try to untangle the situation the more knots I encounter. I need to give this messy situation to God, for Him to work out for His glory and my good in His perfect timing. I need to remember that even tho

           I did something that some of my friends may have thought was weird this week. I posted a picture of iced coffee from Taco Bell on my personal Facebook page. In the message attached to the picture I wrote that my children and I had Taco Bell for lunch prior to a dental appointment. A couple of years ago, I would have attached a picture of my smiling kids with their tacos as part of the Facebook post.  My teen doesn't like their picture taken especially if it is going to be posted on social media, so instead of taking a picture of them, I took a picture of my coffee to remember our spring break fast food outing. This is something that I have been learning in the past couple of years, that I need to respect others as I am telling my story. My story isn't just my story. It is my children's story. It can also be my parent's story because we lived with them for four years when we first moved back home to Florida.  Our stories are connected to the stories of so many

        On this National Son’s Day, my son remembered something that really touched my heart. My eldest asked if she could buy herself food from Arby’s. Since that would be an Uber Eats order, I asked my other children what they would like to eat. My son decided Chinese food, while my youngest declined the offer because she has a sinus infection. Fifteen minutes later my son’s order arrived. When I pulled a large container of egg drop soup out of the bag, he reminded me that it was Chloe’s favorite, and he purchased it hoping that she would have some. When I told her brother got her egg drop soup, I saw the first smile that she had smiled all day. I am so thankful that my son thought of his sister when I asked him what he wanted for dinner. He found a way to reach out and encourage her, when she is not feeling up to one of his squeezing  bear hugs right now. Is there any one that you can reach out and encourage? Has anyone ever encouraged you using my sons favorite love language, food?

           “For this reason [because I preach that you and believing Jews are joint heirs] I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was entrusted to me [to share with you] for your benefit; and that by [divine] revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I have already written in brief.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭AMP‬‬   I believe that each of us has a divine purpose. God’s grace given to each of us is a gift meant to be shared. The best way to steward God’s grace is by loving others, with the love of Christ  “God chose a million doors in the world for His love to walk through and one of those doors is you.” I believe that in sharing God’s grace we can be an instrument of His love. Sometimes being an instrument of God’s love can simply be encouraging someone that God puts in our path. We bring a little taste of Heaven to earth in these moments. How can you share God’s grace with someone t