Wordless Wednesday

 

Changed Expression

"I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile..."  Job 9:27

 Mother's Day 2013

"A smile confuses an approaching frown." --author known

I love watching my kids smile.  It makes my day.  This week I've had the joy of seeing them smile when they...

 

teased one another,

opened birthday gifts,

had their favorite meal,

showed off their school work,

and shopped together.

Some days it feels like there are more frowns, gripes, and whines, than those beautiful smiles.

Today, I'm praying that around every corner the smiles are abundant!

 

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Lord, sometimes its easy to complain and whine.  Help Alyssa and Kyle to forget those complaints, and choose to "change their expression" and smile.  In all their comings and goings may they be reminded of the wonderful things in their lives, and to be thankful, cheerful, and full of joy.  Because you, Lord, are a part of their lives, they have great reason to rejoice and smile.  Because of your sweet salvation, they can live today with much an overflowing joy for life.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle smile their way through this day!

 

No More, No Less

“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less..."  Matthew 5:5

I love my kids! I love how God has uniquely made each one.  

I love Alyssa's humor, her strong conviction, and her creativity.  While on the other hand, I love Kyle's tenderness, his loyalty, and his discipline and determination.  Both just so special in who God created them to be.

But I'm sure there are things that Alyssa and Kyle don't like about themselves.  Isn't that just how we humans are?  

My prayer is that my children become content with who they are...
No more, no less. 

Lord, you have fearfully and wonderfully made Alyssa and Kyle, and I pray that they know that full well.  Teach them to be content in who you have made them to be.  I pray that they even revel in the gifts you've given them, the talents they have, and the plans you have for their lives.  May what they do with who you've made them, always bring you glory! 

(Pictures taken in 2009) 

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Laboring Attitude

I'm a bit late getting my prayer out this morning.  We had a busy Sunday and a lazy morning today and so I'm a little slow on actually writing down my prayer.  I guess "Labor Day" is a day to take a break from our work, so I'll just say I've enjoyed sleeping in a bit and having  my cup of coffee before I opened this page to write.

Today I need to pray for my kids work ethic and money habits.  Whew.  Or maybe it's more a prayer about contentment and mature choices.

"Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense."  Proverbs 12:11

Wants, hopes, and desires are in full supply, but the desire to get down and dirty to make a way for some of these "needs" hasn't quite arrived.  We all have to come to a point of figuring it out, and sometimes it comes when we have to learn to live on pennies until we do something about it, or need to stretch a dollar until payday. 

I don't want to be my kids' "sugar mama" for the rest of their lives.  I want them to take care of themselves and provide for their own needs like responsible adults, so that when I want to give out of love I can easily do so lavishly with joy.

Well, this is a fun way to pray on "labor day"!  

Lord, sometimes I feel like I've done such a poor job parenting, bu I have faith in knowing you can take care of these big needs.  Be Alyssa and Kyle's teacher today in the area of money, contentment and responsibility.  Move them, dear Father, from being dependent and needing to be provided for, to being mature and capable adults who work hard to take care of their needs and wants.  Working hard will bring them confidence, power, and a maturity that will make them successful adults. At the same time, tame Alyssa and Kyle's insatiable need to have more, be pampered, and fulfill the appetites that rage within them.  Living within their means is a hard lesson, but if learned now, it will serve them well in the years to come.  You provide your children with blessings along the way when we are faithful to live in obedience.  Give Alyssa and Kyle eyes to see your gifts!

 

Lessons from a Jedi

This is a repost from 2009...but as we are hanging out with family this Christmas I was reminded of how thankful I am of all our times together, and the memories we have.  This is one of them that I chuckle over periodically...

"Christmas Pancakes"

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Philippians 4:12

My Grandpa Wayne had a Christmas morning tradition when his kids were little, and on Christmas morning he would make the infamous "Christmas Pancakes." He would take whatever he could find in the refrigerator and add the treasures to some pancake batter. My mom remembers hot dogs, green beans, and all sorts of odd things that really shouldn't be found in this breakfast cuisine.

We had Christmas pancakes this morning, but Grammy is a bit nicer when keeping on with this family tradition. We had our choice of chocolate chip, banana, craisin, or plain pancakes. Oh, so yummy!

Our pancakes provided for a great spiritual lesson this morning, and as we were talking about it our 6 year old "Jedi in a Snuggie" summarized it well when he said...

"Take what you get and don't throw a fit!"

Contentment.

Gratitude.

Thanksgiving.

Life is full of "surprises", and sometimes we don't like the things handed to us. Like Christmas pancakes, life will sometime hold things unthinkable, and sometimes things that bring much delight. Our outlook and attitude is what makes or breaks us.

After the scripture, where Paul writes that he has learned what it means to be content in every situation, he writes "I can do all everything through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13) WITH Christ, we too can find the secret of contentment, gratitude, and thanksgiving.

A good reminder, Jedi Luke!

Lord, our lives are rich and abundant, and we do not want for much. You have blessed us in numerous ways, and we have much to give you thanks for. However, in our humanness we still look to the things we are lacking, and we sometimes whine, complain, and continue seeking bigger and better things. Teach my children, dear Jesus, to "take what they get" and be content, whether it is with their worldly goods, or in their circumstances. Remind them to have thankful hearts, to speak with gratitude and kindness, and to be content in the moment. Lord, we are thankful for every good gift in our lives!

Thankful Thursday: A Partner in "Crime"

I'm thankful for my dear hubby, who in the busyness of this day, wrote a blog post for me. Here's a thought from one of my favorite people in the world.  I love you, partner!

In this season of giving, spending and receiving, I'm reminded to pray that our kids learn the joy of contentment.  Recently I read (from One Thousand Blessings) that the first sin committed in the Bible is the sin of being discontent with everything God has already given.  Satan already had abundant blessing from God and yet he wanted more and hence fell from heaven.  He then tempted Adam and Eve to also become dis-satisfied with all that God had richly provided.

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:12-13

Heavenly Father, our abundant provider, we pray You will help our children learn how to be content.  In all things we pray You will help them to find their strength and joy in and through you - rather than turning to outward circumstances or material things to fill their soul.  Even as they enjoy the gift giving of this season, we pray they will never loose sight of their most precious gift born so many years ago for their salvation.  Lord, You are enough.   Teach our kids to always trust You and to be content with what You have already given.  We pray that our hearts, and the hearts of our kids, will always want for only You.

Contentment for Christmas

"So we should be satisfied just to have food and clothes."  1 Timothy 6:8

My kids think they know what they are getting for Christmas.

Christmas pajamas (2006)

They also seem to come up with lots of things they want for Christmas as we are out shopping for someone else. 

Though this season is about giving to others, and finding just the perfect gift for those we love, it's sure easy for our greedy hearts to begin focusing inward on our own wants and desires.

It's hard to practice contentment and satisfaction.

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come 

as a result of getting something we don't have, 

but rather recognizing and appreciating what we do have."  

--Frederick Keonig

Christmas Pajamas with cousins (2007)

Lord, we thank you for the blessings of this precious season.  What a delight it is to celebrate your birth!  Help our hearts and minds be focused on you, dear Jesus, and free from the greed that can so easily entangle us.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle find themselves satisfied with all that they have and content with whatever it is that they receive.  It's so hard sometimes to be satisfied just to have food and clothes, but with that all of our needs are met.  Lord, I pray that we truly reflect peace and thanksgiving this season, and are reminded that with you, we have all that we need.  Thank you, Lord, for our abundant riches and all that you have blessed our lives with.

Senior Year Elective

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."  Philippians 4:11

Lyssa's senior year of high school begins Monday.  Is this for real?  It seems like just yesterday she was beginning kindergarten.

 Lyssa's first day of kindergarten!

Lyssa was gone this week during school registration, so I had to go do it for her.  She'll love to know that her mom had to pick out an elective for her to take this semester.

Can you just sense my fear when the school secretary was issuing me this task?

I often hate making decisions for Lyss because usually I don't get it right.  Picking an elective is not a permanent decision, but one my daughter will have to live with for the next semester. 

So, the choices?
Mythology
Military History
Life Sports
Food Preparation
Broadcasting

I give you these options in hope that someone will back me up with a "Great job, Mom!" and concur that I made the right choice on her behalf.

Digital Photography

 See...she does pretty good!

I'm praying that when I announce to Lyss, when she gets home from summer camp, that her senior year schedule isn't exactly what she thought it was going to be when she left, that she'll tell me I did just what she would have done.

Of course, the fact is, life doesn't always hold everything perfectly as we wished it to be.  Sometimes we have to deal with interruptions, appointments/meetings we don't like, attitudes we despise, and classes we don't want to take.  Unfortunately, everything isn't just how we like it.  Maybe this will be one of those times.  And maybe this will be a good lesson in persevering, or being content no matter the circumstances.

Pray for me.

Pray for Lyss.

And pray that "Digital Photography" is a winner!

Oh Lord, it's hard to believe our baby is beginning her senior year in high school.  Thank you for growing her up in amazing ways, and continuing to make her who you want her to be. As she heads into a new school year, I pray that you help her to be content in every circumstance.  Stretch her through the classes that she doesn't like, the teachers that she struggles with, and the other students that sit by her side.  May this year be valuable in getting her ready for whatever you have in store for her in the future.  May this school year be one marked by high learning, fun memories, and life changing revelations.  Thank you, dear Jesus, for our dear daughter!

 

Quit Complaining!

"And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled..."  Numbers 11:1

As I sat listening to Alyssa and her friends talking about school and their teachers, one of her friends stopped and said, "I need to stop complaining.  It's so easy to do and I don't like it."  I thought "wow" cause that was coming out of a teenagers mouth.

I think I am gifted in complaining too.  It comes much more naturally to me than speaking the positive side of things.  I complain about the weather, other drivers, the messes everyone leaves around the house, the clothes in my closet...the list seems to get longer and longer the more I think about it.

I'm thinking God probably wants to say to me, "Really?  That's all you have to say?  What about all that I've given you?"

As I listened to Alyssa and her friends, I was convicted of my complaining, and reminded to pray that our kids get past their grumbling, whining, and complaining too.  Instead may we focus instead on all the beauty God bestows on us.

Lord, help Alyssa and Kyle focus the attention on the good things of this life, and rid themselves of complaining, whining, and grumbling.  Its so easy to be focused on the down side of life, and commiserate with others through talking about all that is unlovely and wrong.  The pattern of this world is to complain and you long for us to be different.  Instead, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle are transformed by the renewing of their minds, and reflect you in all that they say and do.  Move them to have hearts of thanksgiving, mouths that speak gratitude and pleasure, and eyes that focus on all that is good.  Thank you, precious Father, for all that is good in our lives!  You truly bless your children.

Cry Out to Jesus

 

Kyle...2 Years Old

"He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them."  Psalm 145:19

Oh, how I hated those times I would take my little ones to the grocery store and they would find something that they just HAD to have, and because I would say "no" a temper tantrum would ensue.  It still happens once in a while, but the temper tantrums just look a little different. 

Don't we all throw temper tantrums once in a while when things don't go the way we want?  I know that I do.  Part of growing up is learning to be content, no matter our circumstances, with whatever we receive in life.  Growing up sometimes means practicing patience and learning how to wait.

I know there are days when I want to throw myself on the floor and have a good tantrum.  Who doesn't?  I find it harder, but much more rewarding, to go to God with my complaints and tears. Prayer brings the peace my heart needs.

Just cry out to Jesus!

Lord, you know the deep desires of our hearts.  You know the big and little things that we long and hope for.  I believe that you're a God who wants to bless my children, and give them the desires of their hearts, when they choose to seek you.  Lord, when there are disappointments in Alyssa and Kyle's life, I pray that they cry out to you, and when there are hopes and dreams they long to be fulfilled, I pray that they seek you with all their hearts.  Lord, you love your children with an unfailing, unending love, and just like a parent, you want to shower them with blessing.  Show Alyssa and Kyle the wide open door, where they can enter into your presence, seek your face, and cry out their hearts to you.  You are a precious, loving God, and I stand in awe of you today. 

Living Water

"They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat upon them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water." --Isaiah 49:10

Did you know you can spend a lot of money at the grocery store on fluids to drink?  My family seems to have this need for liquids galore. In my refrigerator I can find milk, water, iced tea, juice, a variety of  pop. and creamer for my coffee.  One could think that my family has some deep thirst that is in need to be filled.   

Thirst:

1.  a. A sensation of dryness in the mouth and throat related to a need or desire to drink.

     b. The desire to drink.

2. An insistent desire; a craving

I'm praying that my kids have an "insistent desire" and crave God like nothing else, because He truly is the only "Real Thing".  He ultimately quenches every thirst that we have. 

Lord, I am so thankful that you have compassion on your children and you guide us and lead us  beside springs of water.  You quench every thirst as our true Living Water.  I pray, dear Jesus, that my children have an insatiable thirst for you, and you alone.  May they not look to anyone or anything else to fill any emptiness or dryness that they may feel in their lives.  As a deer pants for water, so may their soul pant for you.

My Christmas Wish

"Do everything without complaining or arguing..."  Philippians 2:14

The kiddos are home from school
and spending a little too much time together.
Brothers and sisters love each other so much.

We've done lots of shopping this week.
Target, Walmart, and Bed, Bath and Beyond...
all filled with things they so "need", or just have to have.

The moments at home aren't marked with tons of fun...
in their minds.
Cooking.
Cleaning.
Wrapping.
"Oh Mom!"

A grumble here,
a complaint there.

I pray that as we head to our family celebrations,
we spend time together,
and as each gift is opened,
 that those grumbles and complaints
seem amazingly absent.

That's this mom's Christmas wish.

Lord, oh how I rejoice in you this season!  Mark these days with an awe and wonder as we celebrate your birth and remember your gift of love and salvation.  Above all else, may we fall down and worship you.  May all else fade away, dear Jesus...our wants, our preferences, our fears, and those things we feel we need or deserve.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle revel in this season too, and find their hearts full of thanksgiving, contentment and gratitude.  Prick their tongues, Holy Spirit, when they are tempted to complain and grumble.  May these days be full of joy, Lord, for you are whom we are celebrating!

Greedy Friday

“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 12:15

Today is Black Friday, and my family (without me...cause I love sleep way more) is attempting to find some deals and steals.  As the kids all perused the ads in the newspaper, their wants and "needs" were voiced over and over again.

Thanksgiving is the day to be thankful for what we already have, but the focus quickly moved to all that they don't have. 

So, I'm not sure what the troops will come home with, but I pray that that greed, gluttony, and discontentment aren't part of what they will be carrying.

Lord, help Alyssa and Kyle to be on their guard against any greed; for life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.  Make their hearts content with all that they have, and to be grateful what they already have.  Holy Spirit, prompt their hearts when greed, gluttony and discontentment are the center of their thoughts.  May you fill them with all they need, and be the One thing that brings them the greatest joy. I'm thankful for you, dear Jesus, and that you give us not only what we need, but even some of those things our heart desires.  You are Lord of all, and the giver of all good things!  Amen.

Smile!

"I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile..."  Job 9:27

"A smile confuses an approaching frown." --author known

I love watching my kids smile.  It makes my day.  This week I've had the joy of seeing them smile when they...

played at the ocean,

beat me at Skipbo,

took a bite of some yummy clam chowder,

cracked a funny joke,

anticipated seeing freinds,

watched a funny movie,

took a lick of their favorite ice cream,

and played with cousins.

Some days it feels like there are more frowns, gripes, and whines, than those beautiful smiles.

Today, I'm praying that around every corner the smiles are abundant!

Lord, sometimes its easy to complain and whine.  Help Alyssa and Kyle to forget those complaints, and choose to "change their expression" and smile.  In all their comings and goings may they be reminded of the wonderful things in their lives, and to be thankful, cheerful, and full of joy.  Because you, Lord, are a part of their lives, they have great reason to rejoice and smile.  Because of your sweet salvation, they can live today with much an overflowing joy for life.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle smile their way through this day!

Practicing Contentment

"The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble."  Proverbs 19:23

 Me...It's easy to be content when you're on a dream vacation! 

The other day, I read a blog that convicted me.  God disciplines those He loves, yes? All I have to say is, "OUCH!"

The following list, is taken from the book Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow, and is a prescription for contentment.  The author of the blog I read expounds a bit on each point, so if you're interested in more information, click on the link above and take a moment to read further. 

1. Never allow yourself to complain about anything – not even the weather.

2. Never picture yourself in any other circumstances or someplace else.

3. Never compare your lot with another’s.

4. Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.

5. Never dwell on tomorrow- remember that tomorrow is God’s, not ours.

After reading the first point, I decided to try to go the entire day without uttering a complaint. Oh it wasn't pretty.  I caught myself complaining about the mess left on the counter, the kids not getting out of bed when they should, the busyness of my schedule...and on and on it went.  My heart was convicted that I needed to practice being content in every situation. 

I honestly think that my kids catch the worst of my habits, rather than the best.  (Oh, why God is that so?) So, I'm praying that I can practice contentment and gratitude, instead of grumbling and complaining, and hope that they catch something good from following my example. 

And let it begin today!

Lord, teach Alyssa and Kyle (and myself) the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  But if we have food and clothing, helps us to be content with that.  May Alyssa and Kyle's hearts, minds, and mouths live in the gratitude and thanksgiving that they are exactly where you want them to be, and have all that they need.  Teach them to rejoice always!  From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, may your name be praised.  Amen.

Garage Sale Ponderings

Jesus replied..."Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."  Luke 12:15

This last weekend our family went to work and had a garage sale.  One of my favorite things to do! (Notice the hint of sarcasm.)

A year's worth of junk was pulled down from the attic.  Yes, we had a garage sale one year ago.  And I was amazed how much stuff we had to sell.

Our one little family had 9 tables covered in stuff, and 5 garbage bags full of unwanted clothes.  And it struck me in a profound way that we keep accumulating more and more "things", and replacing good objects with something bigger and better.  Sure, some things were broken.  Some things outgrown.  Some things are just not needed anymore. But could we be content with fewer things?  Could we be satisfied with what we already own?

The moment the earnings hit our pockets, we were deciding what to buy with our part of the profits.  More stuff.

Contentment...something I'm going to work on, and something I'm praying our kids find as well!

Lord, you search me and know me, and you are familiar with all my ways.  Even my greedy, discontented self.  I see those same tendencies in our children.  Though I know it's part of the human condition, I pray Lord that you do a work within all of us, in order that we may reflect you living within us.  Help each of us to be contented with what we have, and satisfied with little.  May we move from wanting more things, assuming that would make us happier, to wanting more of You.  You, and only you, fill the empty places in our hearts, that we so often expect other things to fill.  Lord, move our hearts to contentment, peace, and thanksgiving.  May our hearts be filled with you!

The Money Pit

"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?"  Luke 14:28

Tis the season for the county fair.  As a parent, I've kind of avoided taking my children there over the years.  However, now they are teenagers, and all their friends are inviting them to go.  Kyle says he needs $30 to get in and have unlimited ride potential...and that doesn't even include any food.  Then a few minutes later Alyssa says she's wants to go too.  What a money pit the fair is.

Some days it feels like I need a better paying job.

$100 here, $100 there...clothes, sports fees, school supplies, and the list goes on and on.

It's not fun to have to tell our kids that we can't afford all their whims and desires, but it's one of the facts of life.  It provides opportunities to talk about budgets, debt, and wants versus needs.  I want them to be wise stewards of their money.

I asked the kids how they were paying to get into the fair and they just shrugged their shoulders.  They need to consider if this is really how they want to spend their precious money.  Maybe riding the ferris wheel is worth the sacrifice.

We'll see.

Lord, you have always provided for our needs, and sometimes have even blessed us with things beyond those needs.  You love your children like that.  So many times our financial troubles come when we move beyond our needs, and spend above our means in order to fulfill our wants and desires.  Lord, I pray that our children learn to make responsible decisions with their money, and plan ahead for future needs.  Move their hearts to be content with a little, and be satisfied with what they already have.  Help them to always be faithful to their financial commitments.  Lord, we always tend to want more money, but help us to be content, honest, and faithful with the money we do have.  You are the giver of all good things.

The Cell Phone Blues

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have..."  Hebrews 13:5

Sometimes I feel like contentment is an illusive thing in the lives of my children.  There's always a better phone, the need for more clothes, and wishes for more "toys".  Ebay is one of Kyle's favorite hang-out spots on the web.  When he's tired with one thing, we can sell it and get something even better.

For example, cell phones seem to come and go in our household.  When one gets old and used, or no longer is the "cool" gadget, it goes up for sale and is sent to another owner.  Then the search begins for the dream phone.  Once the purchase is made there is a week of anxious waiting for it to arrive in our mailbox.  At first the phone brings all the happiness dreamed of, but somewhere in there dissatisfaction once again shows itself. 

I know that I don't always have contentment, and have a list of wants too.  Sometimes I really have to check myself, and lay down my selfish desires because I know it's not really a need.  Contentment can happen when I allow God to fill in my "empty spaces", and be the center of my heart. 

So, maybe this can be taught to our children by my example, or maybe it will just be God doing a work in them all on His own. 

Either way, I'm hoping we won't have to buy something on ebay for a while! 

Lord, you are the giver of so many good things in our lives.  We are rich beyond measure.  However, in our humanness we long for bigger and better things.  Teach me, and our children, to be content with what we have.  Keep our lives free from the love of money, and from the belief that more "things" will make us happy.  Fill our hearts with you, dear Jesus, so that it is you we long for with all that we are.  Help my children to be content with a little, and be satisfied with only the things that they need.  Keep them from gluttony, greed, envy, and lust of things that don't bring true satisfaction.  You alone, Lord, can fill our children's every need, and bring the ultimate joy, happiness and peace that they long for.  Thank you, Jesus, for giving us all that is good!

He Alone

"The Almighty will be your gold,  the choicest silver for you."  Job 22:25

My kids like to dream about what it would be like to be rich.  They have a million and one ways to spend their wealth. They are never far from a list of "wants".  Today the list includes a trampoline, a new phone, a better iHome, shoes, etc., etc.  So many things that will bring happiness. Or so they think.

What I want them to learn is that they are already rich beyond measure.  Our God is the greatest treasure!  He alone will satisfy our deepest longings.  He alone will bring true joy.  He alone will meet our needs.

He alone.

Lord, you are the most awesome of treasures, and can fill every want and need.  You are the treasure that is not hidden far from us, and when we seek you, we will find you!  I pray, dear Jesus that my children's eyes are open to the truth that you alone will satisfy every longing, meet every need, and are the richest of treasures.  Oh what rejoicing to be done when we receive your inheritance as your Sons and Daughters.  We are rich in you, Father!  You are the greatest treasure, and I pray that Alyssa and Kyle will grab hold and live in the wealth that comes as your children.  You alone, Lord.  You alone.



P.S.  Vacation Bible School starts today...we are going on a "High Seas Adventure".  Therefore the idea for today's blog about God being our Treasure!  Oh to pass on this  powerful message this week!  I'd covet your prayers!