Lesson Learned

You know that thing you keep telling your child not to do, over and over again? They even get in trouble for doing it, but for some reason keep going back and testing that boundary. Well, Andrew now understands why I kept telling him not to "swing" the baby when he was in his Jumperoo. He learned that if you try and "swing" the baby the Jumperoo might break and send your baby brother crashing to the tile floor. Thankfully, Gabriel was not harmed in this lesson learned the hard way. We no longer have a Jumperoo for Gabriel to play in, but if that is the worst thing that happens today than we are doing well enough!

Another lesson learned along with this for Andrew was that if you yell and kick at your momma because you want to be fed now (and I mean immediately after said Jumperoo incident) that you get sent to your room. Then, if you continue to yell and scream and stomp on the floor that you get into more trouble, and for some reason lunch does not get made at that moment. It is always better to ask nicely for something, and to do what your momma says...when she says it. And yes, I do realize that this lesson will have to be learned again by my darling three year-old!

30 Day Challenge

I have started the Revive Our Hearts 30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge. Boy is it a challenge! When you set out to do something that is going to honor God and bring Him glory Satan attacks. The second day was rough, and I found myself not speaking kindly to my husband. Today is day three. It is so easy to look toward your husband, kids or friends to meet all the emotional needs you have, and then get frustrated when those needs aren't met. I know that only God can meet the deepest needs in my heart. Why do we always forget to look to Him first?

I have also started the Devotion to End All Devotions. It is a 36 week journey to study the Bible on your own. I know that the most important relationship I have is the one with my Redeemer. Next is my husband. My relationship with all others will be better if I am striving to be where I need to be with Christ and then my husband. My kids need to see where my priorities are. The world shows them to focus on themselves, that they are all that matters. The show that are out focus on how to manipulate situations to make them what you want, and then there are no real consequences. I want my kids to focus on Christ. Focus on His love and acceptance. Focus on following Him instead of their so-called friends at school. Life is a journey and I want them going on the right path...therefore I need to strive to be on the right path too, and be a more godly wife and mother.

Pray for me as I am on this journey. I know that Satan hates the family. He hates marriage. I know that I will be attacked. Your prayers are greatly appreciated.

Looking Forward

There is so much going on with so many of our family and friends. People are hurting and trying to heal. As I look forward to the future I have peace because I know that God has a plan. Jeremiah 29:11 says that God has plans to prosper us and not to harm us. He wants to give us a hope and a future. We serve an awesome God. No, we don't know what lies ahead. There are always things that we wish we could change. BUT and this is a big but, God is in control. He is still on His throne. He is still sovereign. We can have peace. It is available. Just like the old hymn says, "there is power in His blood". So my message to everyone and myself is to take heart. "Trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey". Take a deep breath, smile, love God and keep going!