Tales of a Thankful Mom

“Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, And your earnings for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight in abundance.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:2‬ ‭AMP‬‬                    Our body’s crave nourishment. If I let them my kids would fill up on chips, candy and ice cream. This kind of diet would not be good for them. They need nourishment. They need real food. They need proteins, complex carbohydrates, and fruits and vegetables. I told my Dad that my children are more open to try new foods with their Aunts, Uncles and cousins eating with them. Nourishment is often found in community, when we gather around a table.  This reminds me of my need for spiritual nourishment. Am I looking for things that do not satisfy? Or am I looking to my Heavenly Father and His word and talking to Him through prayer? On days that I am feeling run down, am I running to Him or filling up on junk. May I r...

Our thought life is very powerful. I remember reading “Alexander and the terrible, horrible, very bad day” to my children when they were little. If you’re not familiar with the story, the titular character’s mood impacted his actions and caused him to have a bad day. I am thankful for the truth of the scripture. ““Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭AMP‬‬ I like the phrase “Worry is like a rocking, it gives you something to do, but doesn’t get you any where. Am I am living my life from a place of fear, or am I focusing on what is lovely, peaceful and admirable? May I remember that there is always somethi...

“Now may the God of peace [the source of serenity and spiritual well-being] who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood that sealed and ratified the eternal covenant, equip you with every good thing to carry out His will and strengthen you [making you complete and perfect as you ought to be], accomplishing in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:20-21‬ ‭AMP‬‬             Do I trust that God has equipped me with every good thing to carry out His will? Nothing comes as a surprise to Him. He has given me everything that I need for life and Godliness. (2 Peter 1:3) God’s perspective is eternal. He knows how it will all work out. I have seen Him make a way when there is no way. He has a plan that He is working out for our good and His glory. When life takes me by surprise, I need to trust that He is with me and that He will gu...

“And when I think about that prodigal son, I've got to smile when I see the old man run. And I know that You love us the same, 'Cause the sun came up today;” -Andrew Peterson.  I am so thankful that God’s mercies are new every morning. In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus. I need His grace every hour, every second. Mornings are so full of possibilities. I love the wide open no schedule required kind of mornings that I can ask my kids, what do they want to do, today? I love watching them laugh over the Sunday morning comics. I love the days that we can leisurely eat breakfast together. Autumn is the time of year for hot cocoa and cinnamon rolls and lots of laughter and morning snuggles. I am thankful for the opportunity to savor weekend mornings and that every morning doesn’t need to feel rushed. #31days2021

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. It is not easy for me to be still. Honestly, when I try to practice stillness I fall asleep. I used to think that falling asleep while praying was a bad thing. My Pastor said that he doesn’t think that God is disappointed with me that I sometimes fall asleep while talking to God. I now realize that talking to God until I fall asleep may be the perfect way to end a busy day. I also find stillness in leisurely walks around my neighborhood. What are some ways that you embrace stillness? #31days2021

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will go strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” Lately I have been trying to call myself when I am upset or frustrated by asking myself, “ Is this situation temporary?” If I won’t remember this frustration tomorrow than I may be wasting precious time being upset about it. I remember a quote that stated, “Being offended wastes precious time.” I will not lie and say that I will never be offended, but I do want to live open handed to let go of the temporary to grasp the eternal. What would it look like to grasp the eternal today? #31days2021

          As a recovering people pleaser, I hate failing. I especially hate failing in front of others even my family. I am learning that it is important for my children to see me fail. If they see me fail, they also see that I have tried. I don’t want my children to live life afraid of failure. If they see me fail, they will know that I am not perfect. I laugh because they know I am very far from perfect. I do want them to see that I apologize when needed and try to fix or make amends for my mistakes when possible. I want them to see that failure is part of life, but getting back up, dusting yourself off and trying again are the best response to failure . #31days2021