Tales of a Thankful Mom

           My Dad has been keeping pretty busy over the last Month or so. My parents and I have both packed up our homes and moved to two different places in the past month. My Dad told his boss, “I come to work to get some rest from lifting boxes and moving furniture.” This move has been a labor of love for my parents, and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them or the help of my siblings, their spouses and my nephew. I am reminded of when I was pregnant with my first child. Since I love working with children, I thought parenting would come naturally to me. I didn’t know then that parenting takes work, especially to be the parent that each of my children individually need. Their needs have changed greatly as they walk through the threshold of childhood and step into adolescence. One thing that has proven to be true about motherhood is that it is the hardest job that I will ever love. I am so thankful that as a single Mom, I can find wisdom and rest...

        Generally, I wouldn’t say that I am an impulsive person. The only area that I act or react impulsively is sometimes in the things I say. If I am angry, I do not always use the filter of is this statement true, helpful, inspiring, necessary and kind. In those moments, I may be more interested in making my point than thinking things through before I speak. In most other ways, I am a person who likes to plan, and I try to stick to the plans that I make. There is one area that I would like to be more impulsive concerning, is saying yes more frequently, especially when my “yes” could be a blessing to others. I want to be interruptible. I want to hold to my plans loosely, leaving space for God to work out His greater plan throughout all of my days. I want to impulsively bless and encourage others. May my prayer be, “Interrupt me, Lord. May I remember that interruptions are a part of your plan for me.”

           My Dad has nicknamed my youngest child “Sunshine.” She reminds me to slow down and smell flowers, literally, and she likes to take pictures of them too. Her eldest sibling inspires me to try new things, and she challenges me to broaden my perspective. Their brother teaches me something new daily, and asks his teachers when they are going to learn about higher level science topics such as physics. My children truly are my sunshine on a cloudy day. They are my laughter and dancing. My art and the music in my home. Right now, they are on the other side of the country visiting their Dad during Summer break. I hope that they each realize how much joy they bring to my life. I will close with the classic song, “My Girl”, but I feel this way about all of my kids nor just my girls. Do you have someone in your life that reminds you of sunshine?

       I am writing these words on a Monday, instead of last Friday, because I didn’t have the words last Friday. I was cleaning my son’s room today when I heard the below song and felt inspired to write. The last few days I have been allowing my fears and doubts run amuck through my mind. My therapist told me during my last appointment that I am not always kind to myself. I needed to be reminded that “there is nothing louder than the song of my Father.” “My life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3) Thank you Lord that my life is not my past, my fears or my doubts. We are each God’s workmanship. God’s call on each of our lives is irrevocable. I am going to try to remember that when anxiety is running rampant, that if I stop and listen to my Heavenly Father’s song over me, I will find rest in the shadow of His wings.

              I find it interesting that each of us have a different perspective about time. Today seemed to fly by for me. I felt like I had a lot to do today- hello laundry- and  thinking about tomorrow, I expect tomorrow to be busy also, My youngest daughter at one point today told me that she was bored on the first day of Summer vacation. Fortunately boredom can be the springboard for creativity, if the statement of boredom isn’t taken as invitation by your older brother to pester  I mean entertain you. My children are very excited. They will be traveling out of state to see their Dad in six days.  My kids are looking forward to spending time with  their Dad, Grandparents and their New Mexican pets. I want to slow down and enjoy every moment with my kids, knowing how much I will miss them the approximately fifty four days that they will be away. I joked with my already taller than me son about how much taller he will be by the t...

          I did not want to go to my counseling appointment this week. I had the opportunity to work, and I was so tempted to reschedule my appointment and to go to work instead. I didn't cancel my appointment though. I owe my children a mother who is working on healing, especially as two of them are on their own healing journeys. I want to encourage them in prioritizing their mental health. I am glad that I kept my counseling appointment this week. I didn't realize how much I needed it until I was in the office with my counselor unpacking my fears and worries that I tend to stuff down rather than deal with them. This isn't the first time that I took steps toward wholeness and life, because my children needed me too. In fact, many of the steps that I have taken into freedom in the past five years has been because it was what was best for my children. I am not perfect at this and have made plenty of mistakes along the way. Yesterday, I made the right decision....

 The word chapters reminded me of the journaling exercise that I used to do entitled, "These are the days of . . . " So without further ado here is the list. These are the days of slime made with Elmers glue. My youngest bought slime kits for them to share with their oldest sibling. They both had fun making slime today. These are the days of award ceremonies, graduations (elementary and middle) and end of the school year activities. These are the days of my youngest discovering that she enjoys putting together power point presentations about animals and other topics that interest her. These are the days of my son saying, "Hey Mom come look at this!" requesting that we can watch a science video so that he can discuss it with me. These are the days of watching my children share their creative gifts whether that is watching my youngest prepare a presentation, my eldest sketch, or my son create video game fan art. These are the days that I am trying to slow down and sav...

          "So is there anything that we (my eldest and I) need to work on this week?" I asked. "You need to practice more self care. It is important that your children see you taking care of yourself and managing stress better." I promised my eldest's counselor that I will try. It is hard to practice self care though, when I constantly feel like there are other more pressing tasks that I should be doing. It is a deliberate choice to take a break, when there is still so much to do. I told my child's counselor that my youngest especially would like more time with me, and that I would invite them into the self care activities. My youngest loves beauty and at times feels lonely as the only one of my children that will be at elementary school next year. Learning to take time for fun to better manage stress will be good for us both. One of the ideas that we are already doing that I want to increase the frequency of is going for walks. My children love pointing out...

          Many times, one of my kids will ask me when we will do a certain activity. I used to answer them, "Soon." Even if I wasn't sure that it would be soon. The problem with that is that sometimes the "soons" get swallowed up by the never ending to do list, and I forget the things that I promised to do sometime soon. I now evaluate whether the activity is important to them, and doable at that present time for me. If the answer to both of those questions is yes, than I ask them, "How about now?" Time passes too quickly. I want to make the most of the opportunities to make memories with my children. So, yes to, "Let's go for a walk," and yes to "Mom, do you want to watch this with me?"  Yes, to "Mom, will you make this with me?". and yes to "Mom come here and listen to my favorite song." I want to remember that time is precious and that one day sooner than I realize my children will be young adults. I want ...

         Motherhood is definitely more like a marathon than a sprint. I was reminded the importance of persistence this week. My tone sets the tone in my home. I really want my children to feel welcome, safe and loved. I want my children to be happy to be home when they walk through our front door. I told my child earlier this week that everyone has a bad day sometimes, but I like to help them have restful enjoyable evenings.  So, I want to persist in giving kind words, hugs, and enjoying my children’s funny stories. I want to persist in helping with homework, and listening to their thoughts whether it be about their friends, or subjects they feel passionate about, or their perspective of the world around them. We can get into daily routines, but I want my daily routine to be “Faith, Hope, Love, Repeat.”

           The music of J J Heller has been such an encouragement on my motherhood journey. As I thought about this song, I remembered holding my youngest’s hand last weekend as she skated around the neighborhood. She is not completely steady on skates, so whenever she thought she might lose her balance. She would reach for my hand. It is such a gift to hold my children’s hands. I have been reflecting on how  saying, “yes” to their requests as much as possible, blesses me. Watching my eldest and youngest bake cookies was a fun afternoon for the three of us. Even my son who doesn’t bake, enjoyed eating the cookies that were the result of our baking endeavors. I love that my children show me videos of things and that interest them or even jokes that they come across. I enjoy our time together both individually and as a family.  I want them to know that I will always want their hands to hold.

           I have made an intentional decision this weekend to slow down. This decision has given me the time to take two long walks with my daughters, who is thankful that her siblings did not want to walk with us in the Florida heat. As Floridians, know, Summer starts in April here in Florida. Sometimes it starts in March. My youngest and I also baked  chocolate chip cookies, and I have admired her beautiful artistic creations. My son told me his thoughts about several video games, and I had a heart to heart talk with my eldest. My eldest shared her perspective about several topics, and I once again realized how important it is be available and ready to listen when my children are ready to talk.  James 1:19 " Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving];"   I rea...

 “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].” ‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬ ‭AMP‬‬        My children and I will be celebrating Jesus resurrection for the first time all on our own. Usually the holiday has been celebrated with extended family, but this year the four of us are celebrating at home instead. My youngest wants to bake cookies and decorate eggs. So those things are on the agenda for Easter Sunday/ I have been thinking about 1 Corinthians 6:20 lately You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body. If I remember that every good and perfect gift is from above and that I have been bought with the price of of Jesus' redemptive blood, why do ...

Mark 14:3  Now while Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, reclining at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of costly aromatic oil from pure nard. After breaking open the jar, she poured it on his head.           With Holy week approaching next week, this scripture stood out to me. I wonder if Jesus' statement later in the chapter surprised her. Mark 14:9 And truly, I say to you, wherever   the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told  in memory of her.”   Unlike the rich people in the temple that Jesus spoke about. rhis woman was not intentionally trying to create a scene in her worship of Jesus. She wanted to offer Jesus the best that she had to give. Jesus response to her reminds me of King David's response to his wife Michael when she did not like the way that he danced before the Lord in 2 Sameul 6.     David said to Michal, “It was before the  Lord , who chose ...

           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...

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 per...

           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...

        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 favor...

           “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. ...

 “The Lord make His face shine upon you [with favor], And be gracious to you [surrounding you with lovingkindness];” ‭‭Numbers‬ ‭6‬:‭25‬ ‭AMP‬‬           My youngest when she was little used to try to pull me away from her older siblings, telling them, “My Mommy!” To which one of them would respond in an annoyed tone, “She’s our Mom too!” I would often tell my children that each one of them is my favorite. Even though, I do not always perfectly show this truth. The Father’s love for each of us amazes me. We are His favorites! Not because of anything we have done, but because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. God cares about us so much that He knows the number of hairs on our heads. I have read that it is important for our children to be able to rest in our love for them. This truth reminds me that God is our strong tower. We can run to Him and be safe. What is your favorite verse when you need to be reminded that You are God’s favorite? Please share in the commen...