Tales of a Thankful Mom

1 Thessalonians 5:11         Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.           I have been encouraged by the kindness of others. My youngest daughters teacher has offered to bring books that she had planned on giving to her students and placing them in our mailbox. I know my daughter is going to be so happy to receive the books from her teacher. I am thankful for my friends who keep in touch with me through phone, text, email, and even Facebook. I am thankful to be a part of a community even when we are staying at home. I am thankful for daily phone calls from my sister. It is so good to stay in touch. I want to keep my eyes open for opportunities to encourage others and build up those that God has placed in my life. What are some ways that you have been encouraged recently? Do you have any ideas on how to build others up?

1 Corinthians 13:4   Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.           I hate to admit it, but I am not a patient person. Sometimes, when I am becoming impatient with my children, they will tell me that they are trying. I will respond, "Yes, you are trying my patience." I know that this is not the most understanding response. I want to set a better example. I want to be humble and kind to those that I interact with especially my children. I realize that patience will never come naturally to me, and that I need to cry out to my loving heavenly Father for help. This past month has been full of lessons for me and my children, as my children have adjusted to online e-learning. I have been learning right alongside my children about kindness, love and gentleness. I hope that we all look back on this season fondly once our lives get back to normal.     

          It is a brave choice to embrace shalom. It just seems easier especially in today's day and age to try to find peace in a wide variety of places. True peace is found in Jesus. It is not found in retail therapy. It is not found in anything that I try to justify by saying "I deserve it." It is not found in anything that can distract or entertain me. True shalom comes from abiding with Jesus. It comes from resting in the love of God. I am thankful for the season of Lent. This season reminds me of the sacrifice of Jesus and that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

        I clearly remember finishing up quiet time one morning when my children were little. I could hear the sounds of them talking as I was finishing praying. I felt so thankful for my time with God that morning. As I walked into the main area of the house. My youngest took a toy from her brother. My son snatched it back, and my youngest started crying. My eldest started yelling at my son for being mean to her baby sister. I stood there and wondered what happened. If I could go back and tell my younger self anything, is that He was with me in those moments. He is my Shalom. My life doesn't have to feel peaceful for the Prince of Peace to be actively at work in my life and my children's lives. I need to persistently pursue peace. I need to live a life of surrender to God.

         I have three important reasons for pursuing a life of shalom. These reasons are my children. I want them to remember that their mother was peaceful, and I want them to know Who is the source of true hope and peace. I want to teach them about God, and live out what I am teaching them. I want them to know that they can come to their mom when they need peace, hope and encouragement. I want them to know that I am rooting for them and praying for them. The reason that pursuing shalom is relevant is that shalom was needed thousands of years ago, and it is greatly needed today. Who can you share the gift of shalom with today?

          I understand the importance of scheduling time with God. As a mom of three children ten and under, I realize that if I don't make a point to schedule time with God, and make it a habbit it probably isn't going to happen as often as I like. The Basic Bible Atlas by John A, Beck is a great resource to use as I am studying God's word. There are many scriptures that deal with Ancient cities- Jericho, Jerusalem, and Capernaum to name a few. It was wonderful to see these cities on maps of the ancient world and see how those maps changed through the course of history. But this atlas was more than a collection of maps. The pages of  The Basic Bible Atlas described how the cities in Ancient Israel and neighboring countries were not only an important part of the history of Israel, but were also like a character themselves in the Biblical narrative. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to dig into Bible study by learning more about the villages...

 John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.” [ a ] In order to have shalom, I need to walk in step with the Prince of Peace. I sometimes panic when I feel I'll at ease. I try to fix myself, but instead of searching for peace in all the wrong places, I need to remember true peace is found in Jesus. He is my strong tower. He is my identity and security. He knows all of my sins, flaws and failures, yet He loves me anyway. Please increase in me today.