Clothed Like Him

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."  Colossians 3:12

Kyle (approx 2000)

A new school week is knocking on our front door.  It's Monday, and both my kids are out and about in the world, attending classes, participating in activities, and face-to-face with many kinds of people.  My prayer for Alyssa and Kyle today is that they clothe themselves with all that represents the God who made them, lives in their heart, and loves His children deeply.

And because Alyssa and Kyle are loved, they can go out and love others!

Lord, Alyssa and Kyle are your chosen children, holy and dearly loved.  So help them clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience as they walk and talk with the people they cross paths with this week.  Help them to see the beauty in each person and rejoice in their differences.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle shine you in their conversations, in their attitudes, and even in their conflicts. We can show grace and love because you gift us with grace and love even when we don't deserve it.  Thank you, precious Savior, for loving your people!



 

Ironing Out Differences

"I urge Euodia and Syntyche to iron out their differences and make up. God doesn’t want his children holding grudges."  Philippians 4:2 (The Message)

Photo Credit

Differences come and go.  Some days my kids fight over this, that, and everything.  Even at 19 and 16 Alyssa and Kyle fight over the silliest of things...

what to say,
when to eat,
where to sit,
how to be.

One day, I'm sure I'll be able to look back and laugh at their antics and attitude.  And hopefully so will they.

But grudges can easily take root.  I hope that in the process of being nit-picky, sassy, grumbly, and impatient, that my dear, sweet children learn to forgive as easily as they fight.

Ironing out differences is about as "fun" as doing the real ironing around here, but both are completely worth the effort.  The outcome is always a smoother, more beautiful, relationship.

"I urge Alyssa and Kyle to iron out their differences and make up. God doesn’t want his children holding grudges."

Dear Precious Savior, move in and through Alyssa and Kyle and help them to be patient with one another, loving each other despite all their difference, faults and failures.  It's hard work learning how to not hold grudges, but you are the perfect Teacher.  So, teach Alyssa and Kyle, Father, to love completely, forgive easily, and be fully patient and kind to one another, and in each of their relationships.  Thank you, Lord, for being actively present in our kids lives.

 

Let Anger Straggle in the Rear

"If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; 

calmness can lay great offenses to rest." --Ecclesiastes 10:4

Sensible people control their temper;
    they earn respect by overlooking wrongs. 

 --Proverbs 19:11

"Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life."  --James 1:19-21

Lord, you are the great Teacher, and your children sometimes have many things to learn.  You are a God who is slow to anger, abounding in love, and you forgive sin and rebellion.  Help us to have the same attitude.  Teach Alyssa and Kyle patience, love, and forgiveness, I pray.  Calm responses can lay great offenses to rest.   Help them to lead with their ears, follow up with their tongues, and let their anger straggle along in the rear.  May Alyssa and Kyle reflect you, dear Jesus.

Patience

 

"A patient man has great understanding, 

but a quick-tempered man displays folly."  Proverbs 14:29

I'll be the first to admit that patience hasn't always been my greatest of virtues.  If there is one thing I could go back and change about myself, especially in the early years of my children's lives, is my quick temper when times were stressful.  Oh the nasty temper in stress!

But God is in the business of change and transformation.  From the inside out He can take what is not lovely, and make it beautiful and pleasing to Him.  Thank goodness.

I pray that Alyssa and Kyle don't face the same struggle of having a quick temper and being short on patience.  As they deal with friends, experience hard bosses/teachers, drive down the road, meet someone of the opposite sex, get married, and have children, I pray that they can reflect a strength and patience that comes from Jesus living in their lives. Patience is an outward sign of maturity and Christ-likeness that will be seen in their words, actions, and responses.

My continual hope is that our children are better than me in everything, patience above all.

Lord,  you are the One in the business of changing and transforming lives.  Thank you for being continually at work in transforming me.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle live patient lives, always being slow to respond, and full of grace.  Take those quick tempers and remove their deep roots, and in their place grow patience, calmness, and a powerful kindness that reflects your Holy Spirit living in them.  Thank you, dear Jesus, for making us new creations.

Pictures taken in 2008

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Days Full of Grace

" Let your conversation be always full of grace..."  Colossians 4:6 

Three days at the beach with the family! 

I'm praying for memories, moments, and connection.  Sometimes when we hang out too long in close quarters its easy to say too much or become too easily irritated.  So far, so good, but as we spend time together and prepare to say "good bye" to Lyssa for her first year at college, I pray that our time is seasoned with grace.

Lord, this is the day you have made, and so I will rejoice and be glad.  Please be living and active in our family this week.  Help our speech to always be full of grace and used for building one another up.  Lord, help us to reflect you to one another in all that we say and do.  Amen.

Growing in Patience

"Love is patient, love is kind."  1 Corinthians 13:4

Even at 18 and 15 my children have troubles getting along.  Yesterday, in the heat of the day and in the busyness of errands, I found myself remarking on how they were acting like they did when they were 8 and 5.

"He's touching me."
"She's making fun of me."
"Moooommm."
"She hit me."
"He won't stop."

My index fingers finally found their way to my ears and the child-like side of me responded with, "La-la-la, I can't hear you!"

I'm thinking that there is still room for prayer in the department of patience and kindness...especially in regards to my kids relationship with one another. 

Oh Lord, you're sure not finished yet!

I pray, dear Jesus, that Alyssa and Kyle grow in patience and kindness.  May the words of their mouths, and the meditation of their hearts be pleasing to you.  When hot-tempered, Alyssa and Kyle can stir up dissension, but when patient they can calm a quarrel.  Lord, mark our dear children with your Spirit, so that they will look more and more like you to the world around them.  Amen.

 

Avoiding Reckless Words

"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 12:18

Brother and Sister (2004)

It's summer break and I think Alyssa and Kyle have way too much time together. They are best friends one minute, and worst enemies the next. Complaints are made that the other person eats too loud, talks too much, or is just plain "annoying." Words of irritation fly everywhere.

I pray that they will soon learn the power of their words. Their words can build-up or tear-down, bring war or promote peace, and have the power to change moods, irritations, and relationships forever. Sisters and brothers can be friends and encouragers of the best sort.

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak,
but their echoes are truly endless."
--Mother Teresa (1910-1997)

Today could be the beginning of kind and loving words between the siblings in this house. Hey, I can pray for that anyway. Our God is a miracle worker.

Oh Lord, this is the day that you have made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it! Be present with us in every moment, loving us, changing us, and making us more like you. Teach us, dear Jesus, to use our words wisely, and to be careful with how we speak. May our words be marked by your grace, peace, and compassion. Lord, teach my children the power of their words, and give them the discipline to hold their tongues and say only what is kind. I so want Alyssa and Kyle to recognize that their words can be reckless and pierce like a sword, or they can bring healing and encouragement. Mark our lives with your presence, and help us to shine you in all that we say and do. 

 

Living Beyond the Differences

"I consider my life worth nothing to me..."  Acts 20:24

 My girl and boy! (1998)

My kids are total opposites in more areas than one being a girl and one a boy.  God created them each uniquely that's for sure!

One likes to stay home.
One likes to go.

One revels in the rain.
One plays in the sun.

If one hates a song on the radio,
the other loves it.

Where one likes to go out to eat,
the other whines in disgust.

If one were to like black,
I'm sure that the other would vote for white.

There is even a difference of opinion on
chocolate vs. vanilla.

Sometimes these differences cause quite a ruckus in our home.  When Alyssa and Kyle face decisions, or react to someone else's choices, they don't always think of the other person.  It's so easy to be selfish and thoughtless of the other.

Part of growing up and maturing will be learning to put aside their preferences and considering others desires ahead of their own. 

Sometimes considering our life nothing is hard.

Lord, thank you for making Alyssa and Kyle so different in their own ways.  They are each wonderful in who you have made them to be. Continue maturing them, dear Father, and help them to learn to appreciate each other and their differences.  Putting the other person first can sometimes be hard but it's a sign of you living in them, and of  their hearts growing more compassionate and kind.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle learn to look towards the interest of others and choose to sacrifice their wants and wishes on behalf of someone else.  I know you are living in Alyssa and Kyle and you are molding them into who you want them to be.  Thank you, Lord, for wonderfully making our precious children!

 

The Few Too Many F's

 An old picture of me working the elections...

I'm fried.
I'm frazzled.
I'm flabbergasted.

It's election time, and I've been a workin' mom these last two weeks.  I've probably written a similar blog sometime over the last couple of years, but today was just enough to push me over the edge, and somehow deserves a post.  Good thing today is Friday and the end of a two week stint in the world of politics.

I've helped people who are
furious,
fickle,
and
flippant.

Some of their concerns and frustrations are reasonable, but I find that the way they "lash out" isn't in anyway kind, productive, and needed. How we treat each other, even in our anger, is so important, by golly! 

So, today, I'm praying for our kids responses in situations where they are tempted to let out their
frustrations,
fault-findings,
and,
fears.

"Complain if you must, but don't lash out."  Psalm 4:4 

(And maybe someone should pray for me!)

 Lord, help Alyssa and Kyle not to sin in their anger.  If complaining is a must, I pray that they keep from lashing out to others in a way that crushes spirits, fuels bitterness, and compromises resolution and being heard.  Help Alyssa and Kyle to not think more highly of themselves than they ought, but consider the feelings and thoughts of others in each and every encounter.  May they show the kindness of Christ to all they meet.

 

An UN-derstatement

"Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  1 Peter 5:5

When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around.  But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.  ~Author unknown

We are in this lovely stage of life called
T-E-E-N-A-G-E-R-S.
Need I say more?

As parents we are...
Uncool.
Unlovely.
Unacceptable.
Unadmired.
Unappealing.
Unbalanced.
Unbrilliant.
Unimpressive.

   Un--
   Un--
   Un--

   Unappreciated.






You'll all want to tell me this is "normal", but I'm still going to pray UNabashedly for God to UNdoubtedly change the Unpleasantness of my little UNderaged adults.

Just in case you're wondering, please understand, I still do love them UNconditionally, forever and always. 

Lord, I do thank you for my lovely teenagers.  I love Alyssa and Kyle with all of my heart.  But still I ask that you be abundantly involved in molding and leading them into being full of kindness and humility. Remove the impatience, irritability, pride and immaturity that mark this age.  Help Alyssa and Kyle to clothe themselves with humility toward others in their lives.  Thank you, Lord, for always moving in our kids lives, and making them into what you want them to be.

Boomerangs Hurt

 

 

"Don't be quick to fly off the handle.

 Anger boomerangs. 

You can spot a fool 

by the lumps on his head."   

Ecclesiastes 7:9 

(The Message)

I just have to laugh at the way the Message states the above verse.  Learning how to respond to others with patience has been one of my lifelong struggles, especially when I'm tired, cranky, and stressed.  

And now I have teenagers.  

Sometimes it requires a mountain load of patience.  

For them and for me.

Impatience is unfortunately a contagious condition.  Once started, serious treatment is in order. Fortunately, the Holy Spirit specializes in giving patience.  Patience is listed as a fruit of the Spirit and how I pray God will always help me and help all of us to find our strength and help from above.

Lord, help us to not be quick to fly off the handle.  Keep our tongues from evil and our lips from being impatient.  May we each be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.  May our family be completely humble and gentle; being patient, and bearing with one another in love.  Lord, thank you for being at work in me and helping me be more patient.  Please fill Alyssa and Kyle with your Spirit, and help them to be patient as well.

Waiting, Waiting, and More Waiting

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him."  Psalm 37:7

Yesterday we spent all day waiting. 

When you head to an amusement park in the middle of summer prepare yourself to wait.

Wait in line for rides.

Wait for those in line for rides.

Wait in line for food.

Wait for those in line for food.

There was evening waiting in the bathroom.

Waiting.

Waiting,

And more waiting.

Sometimes waiting is hard.

Waiting patiently is even harder.


Lord, learning to wait patiently is sometimes so hard.  Trusting that you have each minute of each day in your control, allows us to rest and be still.  Waiting often takes discipline and decision.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle learn to wait well, always expectantly as to what you have in store for them, and topping it off with patience.  Each day is yours, dear Jesus.  May Alyssa and Kyle be still before you and always wait patiently.

Seasoned with Grace

"Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person."  Colossians 4:6 (NASB)

Week two of summer vacation begins today.  I don't know about anybody else, but it always seems to take some adjustment for our family to get used to being together for a longer period of time than just a few hours after school.  Attitudes get irritable, words are short, and patience seems to grow mighty thin.

I want this second week to different.  I'm praying it is seasoned with grace.

Lord, this is the day you have made, and so I will rejoice and be glad.  Please be living and active in our family this week.  Help our speech to always be full of grace and used for building one another up.  Help us rid ourselves of all such things as anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from our lips.  May there be no unwholesome talk coming out of our mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.  Lord, help us to reflect you to one another in all that we say and do.  Amen.
 

Thump those Tongues

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."  Ephesians 4:29

Some movies can have great lessons.  Take Bambi....maybe my kids could learn a lesson or two from sweet little Thumper.

Thumper:  He doesn't walk very good, does he?
Mrs. Rabbit:  Thumper!
Thumper:  Yes, mama?
Mrs. Rabbit:  What did your father tell you this morning?
Thumper:  [clears throat] If you can't say something nice...don't say nothing at all.

Need I say more?

Lord, our words often reflect what is truly in our hearts.  Sometimes it's so hard to hold our tongues, and we spout off things that can be hurtful, damaging, and can't be taken back.  Even, I, Lord fail at this sometimes.  Please forgive me.  Make my heart new and clean, and may my words reflect your presence in my life.  I pray, dear Jesus, for the same thing in our children's lives.  Remind them that their words hold great power to build up or to tear down....even in their relationship with one another.  Help the slams, the names, and the negative comments cause a sourness in their mouths.  Move their hearts to choose words that lift up, encourage, speak thanksgiving and kindness, and reflect you.  Let no unwholesome talk come out of Alyssa and Kyle's mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  May this be especially true in our home.

Practice Makes Perfect

"A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression."  Proverbs 29:11

 Alyssa and Kyle...2007

They say not to pray for patience, because if you do, God will give you opportunities to practice what you lack.  You know, cause "practice makes perfect".  My fear is that if I pray for my kids to have more patience, I'll have to live through more and more opportunities where they are tested, stretched, and under pressure to stretch their quiet and kind responses.

So, really...whats a mom to do?


Heavenly Father, with your spirit indwelling within us, we can respond in ways that don't always come naturally to us.  Impatience and discord sometimes comes too easily.  I pray that you help Alyssa and Kyle grow patience, compassion, and peace-giving.  I pray that they find it easier to respond to others (including one another) with kindness and gentleness. May a kind word always be on their lips.  Help them to learn to set aside their selfish desires and look to the other person's needs and wants, but when things don't go as expected, teach them to respond with words that bring peace and unity.  May all of our lips reflect you, dear Jesus.

Thump that Tongue

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."  Ephesians 4:29

I need to pull out the movie Bambi today...maybe my kids could learn a lesson or two from sweet little Thumper.

Thumper:  He doesn't walk very good, does he?
Mrs. Rabbit:  Thumper!
Thumper:  Yes, mama?
Mrs. Rabbit:  What did your father tell you this morning?
Thumper:  [clears throat] If you can't say something nice...don't say nothing at all.

Need I say more?

We especially need help in this area as summer vacation is just around the corner, and our kids will have more time to spend together.  The transition doesn't always go smoothly, but I know that "with God all things are possible"  (Mt. 19:26)

Lord, our words often reflect what is truly in our hearts.  Sometimes it's so hard to hold our tongues, and we spout off things that can be hurtful, damaging, and can't be taken back.  Even, I, Lord fail at this sometimes.  Please forgive me.  Make my heart new and clean, and may my words reflect your presence in my life.  I pray, dear Jesus, for the same thing in our children's lives.  Remind them that their words hold great power to build up or to tear down....even in their relationship with one another.  Help the slams, the names, and the negative comments cause a sourness in their mouths.  Move their hearts to choose words that lift up, encourage, speak thanksgiving and kindness, and reflect you.  Let no unwholesome talk come out of Alyssa and Kyle's mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  Even as we move into summer vacation, may this be true in our home. 

Bathroom Battles

 
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."  Proverbs 15:1

Bathroom battles rage at our house.  Having two teenagers, sharing one tiny bathroom, sometimes causes a bit of a raucous.  From the other side of the house I can hear the grumbling and irritation with one another, as they process whose turn it is to get ready.  So far, it's first come first serve, but that doesn't always keep the irritation from brewing.  It can move from a little impatience to a full blown war in a matter of seconds.

One day I hope they figure out that talking nice to one another may get a more desired response. I'm sure they will have to continue trying to figure out the morning schedule until one of them leaves home, because whether they like it or not, we're not adding another bathroom.  A gentle answer is much cheaper.

Heavenly Father, with your spirit indwelling within us, we can respond in ways that don't always come naturally to us.  Impatience and discord sometimes comes too easily.  I pray that you help our children to respond to one another with kindness and gentleness. May a kind word always be on their lips.  Help them to learn to set aside their selfish desires and look to the other person's needs and wants, but when things don't go as expected, teach them to respond with words that bring peace and unity.  May our lips reflect you, dear Jesus.

No Words Needed

Today's verse:   "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do."  Philippians 4:4-5

Taming our Tongues

2007 Family Christmas Picture Attempt #???
As you can see we had a little trouble "taming the tongue" of the reindeer.

Today's verse: "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 12:18

Today is the 5th day of Christmas break. The kids are wanting to claim boredom, yet they know they'll get put to work if they do. The bathrooms are just waiting for one little slip of the tongue!

The other "joy" that comes from the kids being out of school, is how much fun they have together as sister and brother. NOT. They are best friends one minute, and worst enemies the next. Complaints are made that the other person eats too loud, talks too much, or is just plain "annoying." Words of irritation start flying everywhere.

I pray that they will soon learn the power of their words. Their words can build-up or tear-down, bring war or promote peace, and have the power to change moods, irritations, and relationships forever. Sisters and brothers can be friends and encouragers of the best sort.

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak,
but their echoes are truly endless."
--Mother Teresa (1910-1997)

Today I'm sure will be the beginning of kind and loving words between the siblings in this house. Hey, I can pray for that anyway. Our God is a miracle worker.

Oh Lord, this is the day that you have made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it! Be present with us in every moment, loving us, changing us, and making us more like you. Teach us, dear Jesus, to use our words wisely, and to be careful with how we speak. May our words be marked by your grace, peace, and compassion. Lord, teach my children the power of their words, and give them the discipline to hold their tongues and say only what is kind. I so want them to recognize that their words can be reckless and pierce like a sword, or they can bring healing and encouragement. Mark our lives with your presence, and help us to shine you in all that we say and do.