The end of this school year has screamed by like a Jet Ski stuck at full throttle. Sucked under the wake of a busy schedule, I’m ready to get off this ride and slow down. I’m feeling frazzled and need to refresh my mom-i-tude so I can enjoy this summer with my family.
Juggling schedules and sports, homework and the countless things that mom’s do in a day, it’s easy to feel exhausted by the end of the school year.When busyness crescendos into chaos, frantic moms can feel a little nuts. I’ve been there, and I’ve had days when I was camped out next to crazy.
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“Because God is a writer, it is only natural that we, created in His image, are writers also.”
Lynn D. Morrissey
I hear it often when the conversation turns to writing or journal keeping.
“I wish I had more time to write.”
or, “I’ve tried keeping a journal before but stopped.”
Another common concern is privacy. Revealing your heart’s condition and committing it to paper can be a scary proposition. The possibility that someone else might see something that you did not want to share can hinder the beautiful freedom that journal keeping can offer
So, whether you have never kept a journal before or are an on again off again journaler, I want to offer a few tips to help you find the time to squeeze journaling in and to keep journaling on.
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What is a Masterpiece?
If you had to name some masterpieces, what would they be? Perhaps you’d name a classic novel like Lord of the Rings by Tolkein or Moby Dick by Melville. Maybe you’d cite a great sculpture like The Pieta by Michelangelo or a painting such as the Mona Lisa by da Vinci. Or perhaps you’d focus on a great piece of music by Beethoven or Bach.
Now think about why you picked what you did. In other words, what do you think makes a masterpiece a masterpiece? The Bing Dictionary says a masterpiece is a “great artistic work,” an “artist’s best work,” and that it earns recognition.
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Happy Father’s Day, Dads!
I know this is 5 Minutes for Faith/Mom, but just for today I want to focus on a Father’s love.
Each of us has a father, a man who participated in our genetic make-up. And God chose that particular gene pool for a reason. Maybe you were blessed to have a wonderful man as your earthly father; maybe you were not . . . but whatever his parenting ability God chose him to form you. He was part of God’s plans and purposes for you.
So regardless of your feelings about today’s holiday, I’d like to take a few minutes to invite you to celebrate your Heavenly Father.
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In recent weeks, I have been inspired by not only God’s Word but a morning devotional. It’s called “Craving God” by Lysa Terkeurst. I was drawn to it by the title itself, “Craving God.”
The devotion that has been stuck in my head is on gentleness. If you would have asked me a couple weeks ago if I was a gentle woman, I would have said yes. But now I know a little better because I know more on what God says gentleness is. I always thought gentleness was a thing to do with babies and animals, turns out there’s a lot more to it then that.
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The blue card laid between us. My best handwriting filled the lines and I turned my head slightly to gain a clearer perspective. Still, no matter how long I stared, I couldn’t figure out how to explain the depth of difficulty and utter importance this verse has on us all.
And you must love the Lord your God
with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:5
Even Jesus reiterated its importance. Matthew, Mark, and Luke kept record. So I thought it would be best to start there.
His big hazel eyes were still on mine when I asked if he thought he understood.
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I’m currently with my dad in Palestine helping lead a youth sports camp for FCA. I’ve visited Israel several times before, but this is my first extended stay in Bethlehem.
Our hosts are some of the most gracious people I’ve ever met. Hospitality is a big deal in Middle Eastern culture, and I’m learning much about loving and caring for guests. It’s a ministry Jesus didn’t take for granted as He walked these hills and valleys.
There’s nothing on earth like walking where Jesus walked.
But think about this for a minute: because we have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit – the third Person of the Trinity – Jesus walks everywhere we walk.
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Run to the football game, run to the birthday party.
Run home, do a quick clean up, run to the grocery story, run back to the party.
Run to hobby lobby for that new project, run home for the baby’s nap.
Run the dishwasher, the dryer and the vacuum.
The vacuum wakes the baby! Run out for last minute errands…
I am not a runner, though there is an element of serenity and determination that appeals to me about running.
But this kind of running described above makes me weary and worn out.
This kind of running is what life and motherhood tends to become.
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