My Husband Rocks

I rediscovered MY HUSBAND ROCKS FRIDAYS! Yea!

My husband Lloyd definitely rocks and he is my rock. He is an amazing Dad that goes above and beyond to make sure our boys know how much he loves them. Here he is on his 30 minute lunch break bringing footballs to the boys so they can have them autographed by Razorback football players. He saw quarterback Tyler Wilson and stopped to ask him to sign the balls for the boys.

Clinging to the Cross Video

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

My mom bought all of her kids and their spouses a book for Valentine's day called Love & Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. That very afternoon my Community Group leader emailed me with the title of the new video series we were starting. You guessed it! Love & Respect! I thought "WOW! This must be God and it's going to be GOOD!" I imagined that God would show Lloyd ways in which he could do a better job of expressing his love for me. And I'm not perfect, so I'm sure God will gently guide me to being a better wife to Lloyd.
Well, I'm 100 pages in and we've watched a video, and I can tell you that I was completely WRONG! There is no gentle guiding going on. I've been smacked upside the head with my sin, and it's hard! The book is actually called Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires, The Respect He Desperately Needs. It's based on Ephesians 5:33.
"However, each one of you must also love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." (NIV)
The concept that Dr. Eggerichs presents is not new to me. I know the Bible says to respect my husband, but I'm not sure I've ever REALLY paid attention to it. I've certainly never taken the time to find out what exactly that means. Ephesians 5:33 says "and the wife MUST respect her husband." It doesn't say "WHEN the husband loves his wife as he loves himself, THEN the wife can respect her husband." It says "AND I MUST..." It's a command.
Respect is defined in several ways. These are some of the verb tense definitions I found.

• Dictionary.com: "to hold in esteem or honor" and "to show regard or consideration for."
• Word English Dictionary: "to pay proper attention to; not violate." and "to treat courteously or kindly."
• Webster's: "to take notice of; to regard with special attention; to regard as worthy of special consideration; hence to care for, to heed." and "to consider worthy of esteem."

Dictionary.com also had some interesting things to say about synonyms for respect...
"respect, esteem, veneration also imply recognition of personal qualities by approbation (approval), deference (respectful submission or yielding to the judgement, opinion, will, etc. of another; courteous regard), and more or less affection. Respect is commonly the result of admiration and approbation (approval), together with deference (respectful submission or yielding to the judgement, opinion, will, etc. of another; courteous regard). Esteem is deference combined with admiration and often with affection. Veneration is almost a religious attitude of deep respect, reverence, and love, such as we feel for persons or things of outstanding superiority, endeared by long association." (Definitions added in () are also dictionary.com)
When I look at respecting my husband in that light, conviction blows me away. I am commanded by God...

• to hold Lloyd in esteem and honor
• to show regard and consideration for him
• to pay proper attention to Lloyd
• to not violate Lloyd (meaning break, infringe, or transgress; interfere thoughtlessly with; treat irreverently)
• to treat Lloyd courteously and kindly
• to take notice of Lloyd
• to regard Lloyd with special attention
• to regard Lloyd as worthy of special consideration
• to care for Lloyd
• to consider Lloyd worthy of esteem

And if I add in some of the synonyms, I am to

• admire and approve of Lloyd, together with respectfully submitting or yielding to his judgement, opinion, will, etc.
• have affection for Lloyd
• have almost a religious attitude of deep respect, reverence, and love, such as I feel for someone or something of outstanding superiority, endeared by long association.

Lloyd is an amazing man, husband, father and I am a positive person, but even this seems too large of a task... I'm not sure I can do this when Lloyd is a "perfect" husband. So how is it I MUST do these things, even if and especially when my husband is not loving me the way God commands him too? But God quiets my restless heart and screaming mind and I'm reminded of the words we sang in church this morning.

"My soul is weak. My heart is numb. I cannot see but still my hope is found in you. I'll hold on tightly. You will never let me go. For Jesus, you will never fail. Jesus, you will never fail."

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I Cor. 12:9

Snow Days

We've had 8 "Snow Days" so far this school year, 4 of which occurred this week. Braxton's been recovering from the flu and the high for most days was in the teens. So we really didn't venture out much in our Winter Wonderland. (So thankful we decided to try Netflix last month--LOVE IT!)
Braxton has this amazing 2nd grade teacher. Because we were anticipating so many snow days, she sent a list of activities home with her students to keep them entertained and provide some education during the week. The lists ranges from "clean your room" (which Braxton responds "What kind of teacher does that?") to flip a coin 100 times and tally your results. It's been fun for all of us. As a bonus, for every activity he does and receives his parents signature, he gets a penny towards the classroom store (which means I don't have to persuade him to do his homework)! :)

One of things on the list was "Make Snow Ice Cream," and it occurred to me that I don't think I've ever done this. It was a tradition in Lloyd's home, so we decided it would be a great time to start it in our's as well. The boys loved it--Daddy even made a 2nd helping after the little ones went to bed! :)




Bryce wanted a silly picture!






Brady loved it so much he kept trying to convince us that his wasn't all gone...


Here's the recipe we used...

3 cups of loose clean snow (or shaved ice)
2 tbsp milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Mix all ingredients, sample result, and add more sugar and vanilla to taste. (compliments of Kids Bible & Me Learner Guide)

Back again...

I realized not long ago that I haven't blogged in almost a year! Oh my...I just checked again and it's been almost 2 years! So much life has happened in that short amount of time...it's hard to believe. I've been thinking that I'd like to start up again and with all of these snow days, now seems like as good a time as any!

I think I'll start with my current profession...

I used to be an elementary teacher, but I quit when Braxton was a year old. I HATED it and I really wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. So after a lot of prayer and confirmation that I was doing the right thing, I turned in my notice and never looked back. In fact, I sold or gave away EVERYTHING, with the exception of a couple notebooks and a few favorite children's books.
5 years, several moves, and 2 more children down the road, I found my self in an interesting position. Last year, October 2009, we had recently moved to West Fork, AR. Braxton's teacher was REALLY sick (turned out to be the Swine Flu) and was in the hospital. I was beginning to notice that the work coming home left a lot to be desired. So after a couple of weeks of concern and also prodding from the Spirit, I called the principal and discovered they were unsure when the teacher would be returning and they did not have a certified substitute. I volunteered to substitute for an unknown amount of time, in a new school, in my son's classroom, after having been gone for 5 years...and without childcare for my little ones. Childcare in a small town is difficult enough but to find it in October for 2 kids proved to be especially tricky. No one had room for both boys. But by the end of the week, I was hired and had amazingly found a Godly woman who kept a few other kids in her home, most of which were teacher's kids, 5 minutes from my house. And she had chickens and 2 horses for an extra bonus! God definitely gives us the desires of our hearts!
I ended up staying until Christmas and it was wonderful! God granted me favor with my principal and he asked me to come back and do a maternity leave for another 1st grade teacher around Spring Break. I decided to take that job as well and finished out the school year, but I had no intentions of going back full time. My principal even asked me if I would consider teaching full time and I told him no. I wanted to be home with my boys, after all Bryce only had 1 more year until kindergarten.
But I received a phone call on July 4th weekend from my principal. He said there was a 1st grade position open and wanted to know if I was interested. I said I didn't think so but I would call him after the weekend and let him know for sure.
The funny thing is when I was subbing in the 1st grade classes, I remembered why I loved teaching. West Fork is an awesome school with an amazing principal and staff and I had a wonderfully supportive team. So when the principal and other teachers first started asking me about teaching full time, I began praying that if God wanted me to teach, He would provide a 1st grade job in West Fork. But as time wore on, I really felt like I was supposed to stay home for at least another year so I quit praying about it.
So back to July 4th...so I get a phone call from the principal at the one school I said I would consider teaching at again, for the only grade I said I wanted, for a job I did not apply for (but many others had), and for a job I had told the principal I did not want... Lloyd and I both began to think that there was something, or Someone, much bigger at work here.
But there was still the issue of my own children... I was heartbroken! I didn't want to leave them, especially with only one year left at home with Bryce and with my sweet Brady only being 2! Even now as I type this, my heart is saddened by those thoughts...but I prayed that my husband would really hear from God about this situation and he did. Lloyd strongly felt that God wanted me to take the job, but I was still struggling with being obedient. We were at my parents house for the weekend and I went outside by myself late one night and I just poured my heart out to God...all my doubts, questions, concerns, fears, even anger that this was not what I had planned...and He answered me. I know some of you don't believe that God speaks to us directly and I'll get in to that later. But in the backyard of my parents house that night, I heard Him say that my own children were ok-they were safe and healthy and being raised by parents who loved them and love Him and I needed to go back to teaching for the Kingdom. He told me there were children and adults in the school that needed to experience His love.
So I am currently a "missionary" in West Fork Elementary, posing as a 1st grade teacher and parent facilitator. :) It hasn't been easy, that's for sure. But I have never been more certain that God, the creator of the universe, loves each and every one of us and actively seeks us out.
(Luke 15)

Happy Birthday Braxton!

Braxton is 6 today! I can't believe it! That just seems so old...like there's no baby left to hold on to in 6! I am so proud of the young man he's becoming. Braxton is kind-hearted, gentle, very smart, a great big brother, easy to get along with, a friend to everyone, and respectful (usually). My favorite thing is that he already has a heart for God. Several weeks ago, we ate lunch with some of our friends and Braxton wanted to pray. He prayed like he always does, and our friend said "Man Braxton, you're going to be a preacher or something!" I was so touched. I don't really care if Braxton grows up to be a preacher but I love that at 6 someone (other than me) recognizes his relationship with his Heavenly Father. I just pray that remains the most important relationship throughout his life--that he relies on his Father for love, joy, safety, comfort, peace, security, everything.

So, Happy Birthday Braxton! Here's to an amazing 6th year of life! I love you!

Praying for My Husband

Hi Ladies! I'm back... at least for today! My children are actually quietly playing in their room for a minute so I can blog! Woohoo!
So while I've been away, God has been working on me! As usual!

I spoke too soon! Bryce just hit Brady in the head and now Brady's crying and Bryce is screaming that he wants to come out of time out! The joys of motherhood with toddlers!

Anyway, my husband has been stressed which causes him to be cranky which causes him to not talk very sweetly to me which drives me INSANE! I've tried being nice. I've tried sarcasm. I've tried speaking truth in love and not so much in love. Nothing has worked, at least not for any extended amount of time. So I've been complaining a lot, arguing a lot, and not being very supportive. Honestly, I even told him that if it wasn't for the kids I would leave b/c I can't stand being treated this way. (Which of course is not true and I apologized profusely once I got my self under control again) I've made this about me and not about him, and once again its not about me!
And then one night this weekend, God spoke... I was smacked upside the head with the idea that I had not once prayed for my husband in any of this. I pray for him daily to be safe and blah, blah, blah, but I have not lifted him up in prayer about his job or his stress or his heart or attitude. And isn't that what I should be doing first?! So I'm committing to praying for intimately praying for my husband. Anyone else care to join me?
I Peter 3:1-2
1Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.
James 5:13-16
13Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man (or woman) is powerful and effective.

A Kept Woman

I got this in an email today and thought it was so good!


A Kept Woman...........................

I Am a 'Kept ' Woman?
You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind,
But GOD kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3)
There were times when I thought I could go no longer,
But the LORD kept me moving. (Gen 28:15)
At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong,
But the LORD kept my mouth shut.. (Psa. 13)
Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough,
But GOD has helped me to keep the lights and the water on,
the car and house payments made etc..., (Matt. 6:25 -34)
When I thought I would fall, HE kept me up.
When I thought I was weak, HE kept me strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30)
I could go on and on and on, but I'm sure you hear me!
I'm blessed to be 'kept '

I'm alive!

I know I haven't blogged in a while. Sickness seems to be over-taking our family. We've been dealing with everything from strept throat, to food poisoning, to colds. We need some healing! I really don't have anything enlightening to say...just wanted you all to know I'm alive! I'll blog soon! In the meantime, I'm on facebook! :)

Our Christmas Pictures

We took the boys to the park on Sunday to try and get a decent picture for our Christmas card. These are some of the ones I took. I was pleased overall and my Christmas card turned out cute. So, it was a successful day with only minor boughts of fit throwing and screaming profanities from their dad! :)

My little model Braxton

Brady and Mommy

My 3 little angels... :)

My Son!

"Bryce, what can we do to make our days go better?"

"EAT ICE CREAM!"

The Joys of Potty Training

I've been away from blog land for a little while. Sick babies, potty training a 2 year old, and Christmas along with normal mom job stuff will do that to a girl... But I've been reading all of yours when I get a second and I have to tell you that I love blog land! It encourages me so much to read all of them--to share in your joys and frustrations and to know that you share in mine too! So thank you Ladies!

Here's a laugh for you today! As I said before we are potty training the 2 year old. My first child of course was the easy one--gave up his bottle with no problems, handed me his pacifier one day and never took it back, become interested in potty training at 18 months but was out of diapers in the early 2s.

My #2 child...not so much! He'll be 3 in April and he has his own agenda in everything so I've let him do things when he gets ready. With a new baby, I just haven't had the fight in me! But 2 weeks ago I read something that said most children are potty trained between 18 months and 31 months. So I sit and count up #2--He's 32 months and in diapers all the time! So I thought ok, we're going to do this. And he's done great! He's completely out of diapers even at bedtime! I'm so excited!

But there's one little problem...have I mentioned he has his own agenda? Two nights ago, I reminded him to go pee-pee in the potty. He walks right inside the bathroom door, pulls down his pants, and pee-pees in the floor. Since then, he's peed on a big thing of toilet paper that I set in the bathroom floor and yesterday he peed in the trashcan when he got up from his nap! I have no idea what's going through his head! The really bad thing is that I have to stop laughing before I administer the discipline! :)

Christmas Tag

Wrapping paper or gift bags? I think that Wrapping paper is more fun to open. Plus, there couldn't be wadded up paper fights if all we used were bags!!! (Ditto Stacey!)
Real tree or artificial? I love real trees but I have an artificial one. It's big and beautiful and it was FREE! (Do you remember Amy and Rachel?)
When do you put up the tree? The weekend of Thanksgiving....but this year I got the Christmas spirit the weekend before! We put it up and the boys put 2 ornaments on every night until this week.
When do you take it down? Whenever I get the energy
Do you like eggnog? NO WAY!!!!
Favorite gift received as a child? I'm not sure what I thought then but now it was my doll house that my Pop made. My gorilla, Patrick, from my dad would be a close second.
Hardest person to buy for? this year--Brady! What do you get an 8 month old that has 2 older brothers?!
Easiest person to buy for? Braxton and Bryce--they both have a list a mile long that ranges from a new Star Wars toothbrush to a Wii!
Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, I love it!!! It was my Mamaw's!
Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? Mail if I can ever get them out. I've still got a big stack of Brady's birth announcements! Maybe I'll send those for Christmas cards! ;)
Worst Christmas gift received? There's a story that my family loves to tell of an outfit I got when I was probably 7. I opened a box from my Grannie and saw orange and brown plaid material and I said "OOOH YUCK!" I will never live that down! But the red satin bra in front of all my family when I first started wearing one was pretty embarrassing!
Favorite Christmas movie? Miracle on 34th Street, Prancer, Charlie Brown Christmas...anything except Christmas Story! (Lloyd loves that movie and I think it's stupid!)
When do you start shopping for Christmas? Summer time
Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yep, tonight at a Dirty Santa
Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Fudge and other sweets and my father-in-laws smoked meat
Lights on the tree? White
Favorite Christmas songs? I love Christmas music! The Christmas Song (it starts out, "chestnuts roasting on an open fire") and Mary Did You Know and Do You Hear What I Hear (I don't know if that's the name of that song)
Travel at Christmas or stay home? Growing up we were always traveling but I thought it was cool b/c Santa came to my house early and then again at Grannie's house. Now, I don't care as long as we're with our family!
Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Am I a mother of three? Of course I know them!!! ;) Ditto again! You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixon. Comet and Cupid and Donnor and Blitzen but do you recall the most famous reindeer of all?
Angel or star on top of tree? I actually have a beautiful red bow my Grannie made for me
Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas eve and then Santa's stuff on Christmas morning
Most annoying thing about this time of year? Traffic
Favorite ornament theme or color? I have a variety of ornaments from mine and Lloyd's childhood and a new one for each year for each of the boys. It may not be the prettiest but it's special to us!
What do you want for Christmas this year? I want the kids to have a fun Christmas and for us to make lots of wonderful memories together!!!! Ditto again but something sparkly wouldn't be bad either--actually I asked Lloyd for a robe. How old am I?

Things I Would Have Missed

• Helping Braxton get his first science fair project to school
• Bryce "McDonalds! I wuv that pwace!"
• Bryce "Call Daddy. Call Daddy NOW!" when he went pee-pee in the potty.
• Brady's belly laugh when I tickle him
• Taking and picking up Braxton from school
• Bryce's hugs and kisses for no reason
• Bryce "Mommy I wike your senin (singing) while I unknowningly sing along to "Troy 1" (High School Musical) b/c its played 4 times in my house in the last 2 days!
• Brady following me around the house army crawling
• Brady saying "Da-Da"
• Nursing Brady
• The sword in my shoe
• Wiping snotty noses and dirty behinds (yes, I'm thankful for that too b/c I KNOW they are being taken care of)
• Hearing Braxton's friend Sam try to "Get him to Jesus" b/c Brax was being mean to his little brother
• Hot chocolate, a warm fire, and a movie with my boys

I could go on and on... Thank you God for showing me just how precious this time is to me and to my boys!

Work or Home?

Let me edit this and say that this post is about ME. This is my own personal conviction and question. Each woman has an individual choice to make and not every woman is called to stay home with their children. I understand and respect that.

For a while we have been struggling with what to do about Lloyd's job. He interviewed for a job here in Fort Smith but we found out just a couple weeks ago that he didn't get the job, and then the next week we found out they had to lay off several people. So that was a God thing! I know Lloyd is unhappy where he is but the money is good, and honestly until we get out of debt we need that money.

Lately, I have really been thinking about going back to teaching. I don't want too, but it would really help our financial situation and might free up Lloyd to take a lower paying job that he enjoyed.

Earlier this week, God reminded me of when I first received confirmation that I needed to quit my teaching job and stay home with Braxton. I was really struggling with it so I decided to fast during my lunch break and pray. I remember being on my knees in the dark in my classroom. It's funny to think about now--what someone would have thought if they came in...But I was desperate, and I felt like that's what I was supposed to do. Anyway, God reminded me of the scripture in Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

I knew then that I was supposed to stay home with Braxton because my job was to teach my children to love God. I was to "impress" that on my children! Wow!

And do you know that I've had that verse come up 3 other times this week?! I think God is definitely trying to remind me again!

Now, if I could only take to heart Matthew 6:25-34
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Lord, I know this is a precious time in my boys' lives that I will never experience again. And I know that the time I have with them is much more valuable than anything money could buy. Thank you for reminding me of my "job" right now--to teach and train my boys to love You with all of their beings. I pray that I will impress that into their lives daily. Help me to be content knowing that You will provide all that we need!

My Husband Rocks Belated Friday!

I meant to write this last week, but I never made it. I have to tell you that MY HUSBAND ROCKS in a major way! Last weekend, my friend celebrated her birthday by inviting several girlfriends to rent a cabin in Branson for some serious Girl Time! Not only did Lloyd encourage me to go, he insisted I go and leave all 3, yes all 3, boys with him! Even when the school called that Friday for me to come pick up Braxton after the other 4 of us had been on antibiotics all week, he kept telling me to go. So I went--teary eyed and feeling extremely selfish--but it was just what I needed. I came home completely refreshed, with a new appreciation for my husband. He greeted me with all 3 boys smiling and healthy, with the walls still standing, and the house somewhat in order, and with a new appreciation for me. I love my husband! He rocks my socks off!

Hectic

Life has been crazy the past few weeks and my internet went down last week, so I've spent what I feel like has been my entire day on the computer catching up. How did we survive before these things? Sometimes I wish we could go back to the days of phones in our homes (even before answering machines) and hand-written letters. When family time was not interrupted by cell phones vibrating, because you know you can't turn it OFF, and you didn't have the urge to check your email 15 times a day afraid you might miss something important. Oh the days..

Pluck

Almost 3 hours ago, I sat down to update my blog. I was angry at my husband and frustrated with my children. Lloyd was asleep at 9:30 after arguing with me. There are black crayon marks all over Bryce's door. Brady won't sleep through the night anymore, and Braxton has become an argumentative, opiniated 5 year old. I really didn't know what to say in my blog, so I decided I would read everyone else's updates first.

I ended up on a blog of a couple I knew in college. Their baby boy, who was a little over a year old, died earlier this month. As I read the mom's blog, my heart ached (still does) for her, and her husband, and their other little boy. As I read about her wanting memories of her son and desiring to smell his smell, tears poured! Suddenly, I realized that she would do anything to have crayon marks on her door from a 2 year old, and a baby to hold at 4am, and a 5 year old to argue with her. And I want to run to my boys' rooms and smell them...

I also read Stacey's blog, and she had a link to another blog that reiterated what I was already convicted about... http://aholyexperience.com/2008/08/what-mother-must-sacrifice.html. I need to "pluck." I need to remember that one of the most precious gifts I can give my boys is myself, and one of the most precious gifts I can give myself is my boys.

When I sat I down to this computer, I felt unappreciated, aggravated, and tired. Just now, Bryce started crying (he fell out of bed) and I gladly went and put him back in the bed. I hugged him tight and smelled deeply and said "I love you." and in his still very sleep voice he said "I love you...too." Sheer bliss. God forgive me for not appreciating these precious gifts you have given me.

Ladies, may we "pluck" with willingness and thankfulness. May we cherish each moment with our children and our husbands. And may we never take for granted what has been "plucked" for us...

Cool Like That

I just told my mom last week that I needed to go look for some long sleeve shirts for Braxton since it's starting to get cool, and he wanted matching pjs for Christmas. (He thinks he has to match to sleep!) And guess what? One of my friend's sisters sent a bag of clothes with long sleeve shirts among other things we can definitely use and 2 sets of matching pjs in Braxton's favorite thing--Power Rangers. To top it all of...they were the Red Power Ranger which Braxton is going to be for Halloween. Not only that, but she had thrown in a few pairs of socks. I couldn't find any in the whole house while packing for our trip to Dallas on Friday... Isn't God cool like that? I need to be sure to point these things out to Braxton. God really does give us all that we need and want--better than the Lilies of the Field! Why is it we have such a hard time remembering that?!

Matthew 6:28-34

28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

He Answers When I Call

As you could tell from my blog last week, I was having a very difficult time mommying my 2 year old. And as I said, every book I read about parenting was for dealing with a rational, reasoning child, which mine is not in the midst of a 2 year old tantrum. I was at my wits end one afternoon, sitting on my bed with Brady on one hip, trying to hold my Bible in a way that I could read it and still keep it out of Brady's grip, asking God to help me...I opened my Bible and this is how He answered my cry.

"23Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25Those who oppose him he must GENTLY instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth..." 2 Timothy 2:23-25

I was convicted immediately of all the foolish and stupid arguments I've been having with my 2 year old, that I wasn't being kind or teaching anything that I wanted him to learn in my frustration, and I was definitely resentful of the fact that he was not cooperating with me!

A friend of mine recently told me (in regard to another relationship) that I need to stop trying to make people live up to my expectations and stop trying to be the Holy Spirit. When I read the part about GENTLY instructing in the hope that God would lead them to the truth, I was reminded that I need to apply that same idea to my children. I need to stop trying to make my boys live up to my expectations and the expectations of others and allow the Holy Spirit to work in their lives. I am to GENTLY instruct. GOD grants them repentance and leads them to truth.

So ladies, I pray that each of us learns to gently instruct and then we get out of the way for God to powerfully work in our kids!

BTW-I wrote this scripture on my mirror in my room as a reminder. Dry erase markers are great for that!