Tales of a Thankful Mom

        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.

          We all have voices. God gave us these voices to be able to communicate with each other. We need to use our words for building up and encouragement. I went through a period of several years of believing my opinion did not matter. I stopped giving my opinion because it was harshly rejected and I was even punished for having an opinion. In the two years that have passed since I broke free from that situation, I have relearned how to express my opinion. I have realized that everyone should be able to express their opinion. I have learned that friends and loved ones can have a different opinion than me. It is a good thing to be able to agree to disagree. I tell my children all the time that it is admirable to meet in the middle, and focus on what we do agree on and what we have in common with others. What about you, is it easy or difficult for you to share your opinion? Do you enjoy listening to the thoughts and opinions of others? I would love to hear your...

          I am not very patient with the growth process, I want to see results as soon as I start working a plan. I don't like waiting to see how things work out. I am learning that fretting and making a thousands contingency plans in not the path of shalom. A life of shalom is a life of surrender. It is remembering that I am not in control. It is living out Proverbs 3:5-6. It is walking with Jesus, instead of trying to run ahead of him. It is asking God to lead, guide and direct me each day. Growing in shalom is daily growing in surrender to Christ moment by moment and day by day.

            First thing that I think I need to share right away is that I struggled with the word success. I am writing about shalom, but I don't necessarily feel like I successfully chose a life of shalom as nearly as I should. I am reminded whether it is describing my circumstances, my children, or myself a language of absolutes using words such as always and never is not usually helpful. I do want to continue to work at choosing shalom. I want to remember that by prioritizing a peaceful life, and by remembering that true peace comes from God, I am taking steps toward a life of shalom. How can you walk in shalom today?