Monthly Archives: January 2012

At The End Of My Rope

As a wife, mother, daughter, friend, speaker, writer, Bible study teacher, school volunteer, (the list could go on) I sometimes feel pulled in a thousand different directions. I have responsibilities in each of these areas and it’s often difficult to juggle them all. There are days I find myself paralyzed, not sure which item to tackle first on my never-ending list of things to do. I feel like I’m hanging on the end of my rope. Can any of you relate?

It is during these times of feeling overwhelmed and paralyzed, that I sometimes slip into the trap of negative self-talk.

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Soaking Up God’s Presence

Are you aware of God’s presence? It’s easy to miss sometimes. Especially when we’re focused on other things like our trials, our goals, or our exhaustion.

As are so many others in this recession, my family has been fighting a long and very emotional battle with unemployment. With God’s prompting, I wrote a book about it. And now I’m tired. So. Very. Tired.

It’s common practice for me to fuel my spiritual tank with daily time devoted to God. This precious time is valuable. It’s time for me to soak up God’s presence, worship Him, pray, read the word, and listen quietly for His guidance.

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Teaching Through My Imperfectness

As a mother, I’ve observed how my daughter watches me. In some cases, I think she learns more by watching what I do than by listening to what I say.

As a child of God, I want to be a Godly mother, but as a human, I’m a sinful being. With my flaws and insecurities, I’ve been wondering…what do I want my daughter to learn as she watches me?

I want her…

To learn forgiveness – to see me ask for forgiveness and to forgive others, just as God forgives me.

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.

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Letting Christmas Linger

Nativity

“Alright, ladies. You know what we have to do in the morning. I don’t want any crying or complaining from any of you. It is time to get this done.”

My husband looked around the dinner table at the four of us. My daughters and I sat there a little dumbfounded, wondering what horrible thing we were going to have to do the next morning. I laughed when it hit me. The Christmas decorations had to come down.

Now, I am sure some of you may think the no crying or complaining part was intended for my daughters. Not so. My husband was addressing me – the lover of Christmas decorations.

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A New Year’s Question: What do you put your faith in?

I was at the grocery store the other day standing in line when I happened to see a young mom by the lottery ticket machine. She was small with wispy blond hair and she looked about eight months pregnant. She was darling.

One hand rested on her belly as the other hand pushed the buttons on the machine.

As I finished in line and passed her on my way out, I was struck by the hope I saw in her eyes as she bought those tickets. And I could just picture what she was thinking…

I hope I win… It would mean better times for me and my baby.

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