Love sibling more than toy…..

Matthew 6:19-21 states: “Do not store up for yourselves on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
We live in a world that is consumed with material possessions. I believe we are programmed to treasure material possessions even in our early childhood. As babies we are encouraged to cling to a blanket or pacifier for comfort. We fight with our siblings over our toys. We are rewarded for good behavior with toys and prizes. Loving parents unknowingly reinforce their children’s love for stuff. Only God can reveal a healthy balance with loving our children through gifts and stuff while teaching them to love God more than their belongings. God comes first, even when it comes to toys. When Jennah and Joshua don’t want to share their toys with each other, I remind them to share because they love their sibling more than the toy. They reluctantly share, but as I take time to teach them, they learn they show love to their sibling by sharing their toys, even if they don’t want to. At first I would tell Jennah to share or I would put the toy away. She would then respond to me, put the toy up mommy. I couldn’t believe she would rather not play with the toy than to share! Then I had to tell her to share or I would give all of the parts of the toy to Joshua. She then learned to share so she could continue to participate. I have continued this principle with Joshua and Jonah. How precious is that thought, to train our children to first love God, then family, long before our possessions! I pray God will inspire you with creative ways to teach your children to love and honor God first in their young lives.

Lord, please bless my sisters as they continue on this journey of motherhood. Bless our efforts to make every word and action bring glory to you. I pray that you will guide us to say and do what you would have us to do so that our children will see you through us.

Loving your spouse is a choice!

Sometimes I wonder how many times I must choose to love my husband. Will I ever just get to that point that it is no longer a choice, but rather a breath in my body that brings life? At times there is so much joy in waiting to embrace him at the end of the day, but most times my exhaustion pummels me before he even gets home. I have seen couples that have traded in their passion and love for each other for mommy and daddy costumes. They gladly run their kids here and there and speak cordially to each other, but simply for the sake of the kids. There is emptiness in their eyes when they look at each other. All but disgust oozes from their heart for their spouse because of letting too many conversations go unsettled and not letting down the busy guard to look to each other for comfort and support. When my days are harried and frantic, all I can do is draw up a guard and hang on so I won’t fall apart from exhaustion and discouragement. I find it so difficult to simply let down my guard to be vulnerable for my husband when I have been so busy disciplining and deciding all day long. I realize that nearly everyday I MUST choose to love and adore my husband and most importantly choose to let my guard down to love him and allow him to love me. The love in a marriage is tender and vulnerable. That doesn’t serve well in the harsh world that we are exposed to each day. We must trust God to protect us from the harsh world so that we can live with our tender hearts available to our husband, children, and friends. We must trust God to help us choose to tenderly love our husbands each day. Trust God to help you invest love and time into your marriage so that you can reap an abundance of love for a lifetime. James 5:7-11 states: “Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” I pray that God will show you ways to tenderly love your husbands and to put time into your marriage.

Refreshed with the Word

It amazes me how alive the word of God has become to me since I have had children! Take a look: Proverbs 3:1-6 states: “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (NIV) As a mother can we be any clearer that that?!?! The Bible has truly become a place of peace and rest when I actually pick it up to read. My soul is renewed and my tired body is refreshed. When my days seem to run together with only a short pause called bedtime, I find I steal a moment for MYSELF when I pick up the Bible and read either Psalms or Proverbs. I pray you will find rest and be renewed through God’s love so you can be the best mother EVER!

Love Me...

Matthew 18:5 states, "Whoever receives and accepts and welcomes one little child like this for My sake and in my name receives and accepts and welcomes Me." (Amplified) What a precious thought that we as mothers can love our little ones for His sake and in turn be loving God! I almost daily fail in this task through getting frustrated with my little blessings when one is asking, one is fussing, and one is tugging on me...well you know! Other days I am happy to realize how blessed I am when I look at their precious faces. I rub their plump rosy cheeks while they sleep and realize I can love God when I love my babies! I pray that you will realize how precious you are in the lives of your children on an everyday basis. God bless you, my fellow mother!