Joy Around the Home - Day 7

While cleaning windows, watching children in the yard through the window, or gazing longingly out the window as the rain pours down (or heat radiates)....wishing you could go outside (or send the children outside)...

Think of this verse:

Genesis 8:6

After forty days Noah opened the window he had made in the ark

Friends, this one made me laugh when I found it. If Noah, while obeying the will of the Lord, can last on an ark for 40 days and 40 nights with his family AND countless stinky animals, I can be sure that God will give me the strength to be the mom to these 4 children...and all thier stinkerness!

Thank you for walking around the home with me this week. I have really enjoyed learning new ways to go about my day in a thankful and praisefilled manner.

Joy Around the Home- Day 6

One of my biggest grumbles about the house is the evergrowing Mount Neverrest...I mean the laundry pile.

Will you join me as I try to focus on this verse as I tackle the laundry:

Matthew 6:30

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?

Sometimes I even complain that I have "mom" clothes and not fancy, stylish things to wear. How silly of me! My father has clothed me, both literally and spiritually. For that, I need to choose to be thankful and trusting.

Joy Around the Home - Day 5

As you clean, walk by, or even sit in chairs, couches, rockers...anywhere you can take a "seat", think of this verse:

Psalm 47:8

⁸ God reigns over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne.

God is indeed on His throne. He is watching over us today as we go about our lives. Rejoice that He is and always will be there, no matter what we are facing!

Joy Around the Home - Day 4

When you wash the dishes, the laundry, or even your own hands after completing a chore, think of this verse:

Titus 3:5

⁵he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

We ourselves can be washed clean, and we can lay our burdens at His feet. We don't earn this right. He gives it to us freely, through His love and mercy. All we have to do is trust and have faith in Him.

Joy Around the Home - Day 3

Every time you stoop to pick up toys, accidently step on an item left on the floor, or drag out the vacuum to clean up a mess, think of this verse:

Psalm 143:10 (NIV)

¹⁰ Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground

God will lead us, and guide out thought to Him, even when clearing our "ground" so that we may stand upon it (or at least walk across it without tripping over toys, dogs, children, and laundry). Right now, we ARE doing God's will by caring for our children.

Are you allowing God to lead you to a level ground today?

Joy Around the Home -Day 2

Every time you turn off a light left on by little hands (or big ones for that matter) think of these verses:

2 Samuel 22:29-30

²⁹ You are my lamp, O LORD;
the LORD turns my darkness into light.

³⁰ With your help I can advance against a troop ^[a] ;
with my God I can scale a wall.

What wall are we scaling? MOTHERHOOD!

Have you turned any lights off today?

What about the "light of the world", are your turning Him "off" or "on" today as you care for your little ones? How?

Joy around the home- Day 1

This week's very creative devotions are brought to you by Contributing Writer, Kendra D.

You can download the full week here: Download Joy Around the Home

Recently, I found myself getting grumpy and out of sorts over mundane tasks. and chores around my home.

I was wiping a very sticky table down for the 147th time that day. Well, maybe the 5th time, but who's counting...

In the midst of my grumpiness, I realized the history of that table was something that should bring me joy.

My husband and I bought that table in the early years of our marriage. I wanted a small 4 seater. He wanted a 6 seater. His reason was, "One day we are going to fill those chairs."

I laughed at him.

A few years later, I was told we would never conceive children "on our own". That table became a sore spot for me. I prayed to fill just one more seat at the table. I begged, cried, and eventually bent to God's will. I thought the table would seat 2 forever.

13 years (and 4 children) after we bought that table, it had become a sore spot because it was always a mess. It was full, overflowing to be precise, and it was always sticky, chunky, and a plain ol' disaster.

Then, I realized that table should be a source of praise for me. Each time I clean the sticky chunks off of the table, I need to offer praises and thanks for two things: 1- the children that make the sticky mess and 2- the food that the children use to make that sticky mess.

It humbled me to address my grumbling spirit and put it to rights.

I found these verses:

2 Kings 25:28-30 (NIV)

He spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat of honor higher than those of the other kings who were with him in Babylon. ²⁹So Jehoiachin put aside his prison clothes and for the rest of his life ate regularly at the king's table. ³⁰Day by day the king gave Jehoiachin a regular allowance as long as he lived.

Now, I am not in prison, but I was treating my table as if it were a punishment. I want to be like Jehoiachin and put aside my grumbling. I am eating a table provided by, and filled to overflowing by THE KING. For that, I am going to choose to be thankful. My "allowance" is the joy that God has given my heart, should I choose to accept thankfulness over grumpiness...

...even when I have to figure out how to wipe crayon, glue, syrup, and dried rice off of the top of the table!!

Is there a spot in your home that brings you grief?

Please join me this week as I travel around the home, trying to find Joy in the items/places I see each and every mundane day.

PS -That is NOT my table...but it is pretty!

Quiet, Grace Filled Mom -Lesson 21

Hebrews 3:13 (NIV) But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

When I first read this verse in relation to our Quest, I thought only about how, as moms, we need to encourage each other in the Lord, daily. That fits so perfectly with the example set forth for us to pray for one another. We simply need to follow up those prayers with words of encouragement. Sometimes I just need someone else (preferably just as battle scarred as me) to let me know that I am doing a good job at this task called motherhood. I need to remember that, and take the time to encourage my mom-friends when I see them as well.

However fitting it is to encourage each other, we can’t forget to encourage our own children in what they do.  One of the most time-tested, efficient, and well proven methods of discipline is positive reinforcement. I remember this phrase well from my days in college as I earned my degree in teaching. It was even part of my teacher evaluations done while I was in the classroom. In fact, I remember clearly the little box that the principal would check off that confirmed if I had used positive reinforcement, and precisely, if I had used “specific praise”.

Giving “specific praise” means that you don’t look at a room that your child has tidied and say, “Good job”, then walk away. To give specific praise means that you would say something more like, “Wow, you really worked hard to get the sheets on your bed flat, and the toys off the floor. Good job!” Why? Well, kids need to know that they are doing a good job too. Their “job” is to be a kid. It is a hard job. Growing up is no easy task. We may look back and think how easy our children have it, but sometimes we forget that they are working…working to learn and grow into big people.

Take time to specifically praise and encourage your children in the Lord today.  I promise to do the same. Even something as simple as saying, “Sweetie, you are doing a wonderful job singing Jesus Love Me. I know it makes Jesus happy to hear that.” Or, maybe say, “You are showing God’s love by sharing that toy with your brother…good job!” The Bible says that by doing so, we are in effect, warding off “sin’s deceitfulness”. Our children will seek our attention via any means they can. It is just how they are programmed. If we offer up attention in an encouraging manner, they are much less apt to discover naughty ways to earn that same face time.

Humbled by a Child's Thirst - by Kendra

I was SO tired, and felt very sick this morning. I have mental and physical stress out the nose right now, and it is just wearing me down. My intention was to give the children their breakfast and sit down in my recliner for a few minutes. Well, I fed the kids, ran to the back room for something, and then came out to sit down and watch them eat. At the table were 4 kids, two of which had books open "reading" them. What books did they have? Their Veggie Tales Bible and the devotion book that we use in the mornings. I was going to skip devotions until I saw that.

How could I skip it now? Those very same kids that drive me bonkers were waiting, pretending to do what I should have been doing with them.

So, I sat down at the table to do devotions, and the verse for today really struck my heart. Matt 10:31 "So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Oh, how I needed that. I am carrying stress and worries around like a hiking pack on my back.

I was humbled this morning. The thirst my children have for their morning devotions really sank into my heart. I was to wrapped up in my own worries to remember to take them to the Lord, because he does care for me more than any sparrow!

Quiet, Grace Filled Mom - Lesson 20

2 Thessalonians 1:11 (NIV) “Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power.”

All throughout the letters written to the young church (in the New Testament), Paul and Timothy are constantly telling the people that they are praying for them. I often wondered why these little statements were so important that they were recorded in the Bible for generations upon generations to study. I may not have the theological chutzpah to tell you why others may read them, but I think I finally understand why God put them there for me (us) to read. But first, I have to tell you a little of my history…

A few years after I was married, I was given a medical diagnosis that shattered my world. Beyond the specific medical this and that, I was told that I was infertile. For a girl who wanted nothing more than to grow up and become a wife and mother, that was a whopper of a bitter pill to take. I wanted babies, and I wanted them NOW. God led me to a wonderful group of women called Ladies in Waiting, who eventually merged and became an international online ministry called Hannah’s Prayer, a Christian support group for married women facing the difficulties of infertility and/or infant loss. Those years were so incredibly hard for me. I even reached a point where I felt I just couldn’t pray for myself any more. My prayers seemed all dried up. Yet, for some reason, I could pray for others. Each week, we would compile a list of prayer requests and praise reports. I was able to rest in the knowledge that even when I was so weary that I couldn’t lift my eyes to heaven on my own behalf, my friends would be faithful to pray for me, and I was also faithful to pray for them. This was 10 years ago. Some of those ladies are still my dearest and closest friends. I can still count on knowing that they will be faithful to pray for me when I need it the most. Best of all, it takes all my fingers and toes to count the amazing blessings (children) that God has placed in the arms of these beautiful women (and myself).

As mothers, we need to support, stand by, and pray for each other. We aren’t in this Quest to become Quiet Grace Filled Mothers alone. Is there another mother with whom you share a similar journey? Do you have a friend with older children who has been through the “fire” and can offer a shoulder? Sometimes, finding a friend to share your joys, sorrow, challenges, and prayer request with is hard. I know! I am an Army wife. Each time we move, I ask God to please bring at least one close friend into my life. He has blessed me each time, without fail. Just ask the Lord, and wait for the blessing! Don’t be afraid to search out a mother’s Bible study, MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers) group, or even a PTA friend. You never know where God will plant that special Mom-friend for your life. If nothing else, know that as I write this devotional, I am praying for each and every mother that will ever read it.

Prayer: Oh Father, you are so wise. Thank you for teaching us that we need to pray for each other as we walk in your Word and try to become Quiet Grace Filled Mothers. Thank you for the words that seem to spill out of my fingers, and onto the page. Please, Lord, bless these words. Help them to encourage each mother who joins this quest with me. Thank you for ________________. She wants to be more like you. We both want to learn to parent our children the way you parent and guide us. Please help us to turn to you and listen to the wisdom you share in the Bible. Thank you for our children, and the many ways you have filled our arms and families. Amen.

When War Touches Your Family - by Kendra

In honor of Memorial Day, Kendra gives us a peak inside a military family, and the sacrifices they make. Thank a soldier today!

War. To a military family, that word means more than TV news broadcasts. It means someone is fighting to protect and defend the freedoms we hold dear, and that someone is a person we love. Often the word “deployment” follows hand in hand, and a whole new set of definitions must be explored.

Deployment has touched our family, and unfortunately, so has the word “wounded”. At a very young age, our children have learned what it means to send loved ones to a war zone. It was almost fun for them as we wrote letters and made up care packages to send off to Iraq and Afghanistan. However, one day, a phone call came that wasn’t fun. Our oldest was 3 when we were told that Uncle B had been wounded in action in Iraq. How do you deal with that? How do you explain to a small child that someone they love has been hurt? How do you explain why mommy stopped washing dishes and sat on the floor of the kitchen?

As a family, we felt the best way was to stay positive, but allow the truth. Uncle B had a boo-boo. She already knew that he was in Iraq. We had already looked at the map, and often discussed where he was in comparison to where we were. She knew and understood that there were people in this world that wanted to take away the things that were special to us, and that her Daddy, Aunt, and Uncle were all serving in the military to make sure she stayed nice and safe at home with Mommy. We used prayer as a tool to help us cope. We prayed and thanked God that Uncle B worked so hard to keep us safe. We prayed that the people who gave him a boo-boo would stop and learn to be kind. And, of course, we prayed that Uncle B’s doctors would know how to take care of him and he would get better. He did, and he is home safe today. That was almost 2 years ago. But, the story doesn’t end there.

We live in a military world. The doctors we go to see for everyday kiddo ordeals work in a military hospital. In that hospital, they also treat soldiers that have returned from war wounded. It is not uncommon to see a soldier that has been burnt, or one that has had to suffer the loss of a limb. How do we deal with that? While Uncle B’s wound was a terrible thing, it did help us to lay a foundation for discussions. Wounded soldiers are just another friendly face to us. We have explained, in terms our children understand, why those soldiers do what they do. They understand that in our world, not everyone is kind. Most of all, they understand that people out there love them so much that they are willing to sacrifice themselves in order to keep us safe. In truth, it is a simple reality, and one that even the youngest of children in a military family will be forced to deal with. Do not be afraid of the reality. If dealt with in a positive and heartfelt manner, children are able to understand more than we think they can. How do I know this? I grew up the same way. I knew at a tender age what it meant to send Daddy off in his airplane to war. My parents did a wonderful job helping me to understand why my Dad did what he did. Now, it is my job to help my children understand why their loved ones do what they do.

A Tasty Answer to Prayer - by Kendra

My husband has developed a new hobby. I had been praying that he would find a way to unwind from his stressful job, and I really thought an occasional fishing trip would do the trick. Nope. That is not what God had in mind at all. He answered my prayer all right, but it took me quite some time to realize that it had come packaged in a way I least expected. It all started off innocently enough on the far side of our yard. One little 8ft x 8ft garden box full of rich black dirt and was easy enough to handle, or so I thought. What I didn’t realize was that the size and scope of the garden would grow in direct proportion to the pile of scrap landscape timbers on the opposite side of our home.

Each day, my husband would come home tired and worn out. He’d pat the dogs, kiss the kids, change his clothes, and disappear outside. Man, did that get me steamed! I’d been home all day (pregnant) with 3 young children and two dogs. Wasn’t I the one who needed some quiet time outside? Eventually, I got fed up and shoved the three children that could walk out the back door to be watched by their father, while he did whatever it was he was doing. He seemed ok with that, and I simply accepted the fact that children covered in dirt were better than children whining inside while I cooked dinner.

When I finally made it around the back side of the house, I was amazed that not one, but four garden boxes and an oddly shaped patch made out of leftover flowerbed edging were now planted with miscellaneous green surprises. I was turning green myself. Green with envy over the time my husband was spending in the dirt. That time could be much better put to work in the house helping with the mountain of chores that needed accomplished. The fact that the older children were joyfully as dirty as my husband did little to comfort my spirit of jealousy.

Not long after the garden began to produce its first harvest, I visited my husband at work. He had jokingly referred to his work area as the “dungeon”, but I thought he was kidding. God opened my eyes in a very real way that day. After 45 minutes in the dark, windowless room, illuminated only by the glow of computer screens filled with images and reports, I started to feel edgy. The nervousness that enveloped me was stifling. All I wanted to do was get outside and feel the sun. To imagine that my husband spends up to 14 hours a day down in that dark hole overwhelmed me. No wonder he ran outside as soon as he got home. God had used that brief encounter to truly humble my selfish spirit. My husband didn’t just want to go outside. He needed to go outside. The garden that was turning me into a jealous green monster was saving his sanity.

That evening, I halted the dinner preparations long enough to go outside and check out the garden while my husband went about his business. He, along with his three little assistants, proudly gave me the grand tour, and then plucked a bright yellow squash off of a plant. Then he pulled off another squash, and another, continuing until my arms were full of squash the color of summer sun. I raced inside and called my neighbor. I needed a good recipe, and quick! I wanted to serve those squash at dinner that night. The problem was that no one in my family had ever liked the squash I had cooked. My wonderful neighbor came through with a recipe for a squash casserole. The ingredients were all things I had on hand already.

As we sat down to share dinner that night, I proudly produced a steaming casserole dish, filled to the brim with bubbling squash, cheese, and toasted cracker crumbs. To everyone’s surprise, it was delicious.

In Isaiah 58:11, we are given a promise; “The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” The Lord had given my husband a literal garden to feed his soul as well as our family.

That summer, I learned how to cook squash and tomatoes at least a dozen different ways. Of course, they were even tastier since they came from my husband’s garden, the tasty answer to my prayer.

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The recipe on my food blog ( www.queenofbrusselsprouts.blogspot.com ) is a "healthier" adaptation of the one I made that first harvest. I hope you enjoy it!

Quiet, Grace Filled Mom -Lesson 19

Matthew 11: 28-29 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

These verses are so easy to cling to, and so popular in devotions. I have probably read them dozens upon dozens of times. However, until I set upon this quest, I have never really paid attention to the second portion of verse 29 where Jesus says, “for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls”. That is what I want. I long to be gentle and humble in heart, just like Jesus.

Now, these verses have new meaning to me. First, above all else, Jesus wants us to come to him. He says so right here! Just picture your best friend calling to you to come, sit, and enjoy a moment of peace. This goes hand in hand with our verse in Exodus where God is promising to go with Moses and give him rest. Neither verse promises a literal time of sleep, relaxation, manicures, and kid free zones. Yet, both promise rest. How is that possible?

When sitting at the table with my best friend (aka, spending time alone with the Lord), I am sitting with someone who’s very countenance is the epitome of gentleness and peace. By simply dwelling with Him, allowing Him to teach me as His child, I can learn by example how to teach my own children. My soul is indeed what needs rest. I can get all the sleep I want (in my dreams…wait, you have to sleep to have those), but without a peaceful soul, that sleep will not help me become a Quiet Grace Filled Mother.

Prayer: Oh Father, thank you for sending your Son. He made the path so easy for me. All I have to do is come to Him, trust in Him, and I will receive rest for my soul. That is what I need. Thank you! Amen

Quiet, Grace Filled Mom - Lesson 18

Exodus 33:14 (NIV) The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

Motherhood is just about the most exhausting job I have ever done. It doesn’t stop, you don’t get breaks, and you don’t get to call in a substitute when you are sick. One side effect of motherhood is exhaustion…pure and complete, all consuming exhaustion. Not every day is like this, but many are when you have a house full of little ones. These are the days when I find my self on the verge of yelling. When I am tired, it seems like it takes more energy than I have to stop and parent in a Quiet Grace Filled manner. How am I supposed to get through those days without yelling?

Of course, the obvious answer is “get some sleep”, or some such nonsense. If you have children of the tender young age of 0 days -18 yrs, you know that moms just don’t get to sleep when they want to. We sleep when we can. So, that solution won’t work, at least for me.

OK then, how do I get rest? In Exodus, God was preparing Moses for the work ahead of him. Moses knew it would be a doozie, being for all intents and purposes a parent to his entire “people”, but God replied, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” That is pretty comforting. If Moses can lead an entire group of whining, complaining, ungrateful people by trusting in the Lord to give him rest, I know that I can lead my little merry band of mess makers while daily leaning on the Lord for rest.

It only takes a moment…a prayer…a song…a scripture verse…a sweet “I love you” from a child, to find rest. As mothers, we can take our rest in the Lord. Don’t worry, we’ll sleep when they go off to college. Or, maybe not…my mom still calls to check in on me and I have been away from their home longer than I was in it.

Quiet, Grace Filled Mom - Lesson 17

Psalm 61:1-2 (NIV) Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

This Psalm is the basis for several popular praise and worship songs for a very simple reason. These words are comforting, strong, and provide hope in any situation.

For me, as I strive to be a Quiet, Grace Filled Mother, I know that my cry and my prayer are that God would give me strength to carry out this task, wisdom to lead and train my children, and rest in the hope and trust that I can indeed lean on a “rock that is higher than I”.

Being a mom is hard. Period. It doesn’t matter how many kids you have, what ages they are, or how they came into your arms. Motherhood is a challenge and an adventure that is unlike any other we will face. It is very comforting to know that we can cry out in our desperation and be heard. A different translation of this verse says “attend unto my prayer”. The word “attend” really struck me. When I talk to God, he doesn’t “listen” the way I sometimes half heartedly listen to what my children have to say. He “attends” to my words. That means that he absorbs and processes all that I say in a focused manner. I can’t help but wonder how things would change if I took the time to “attend” to not only what my children are saying, but what I was saying as well.

In addition to thinking about my own words and listening skills, this Psalm reminded me of something else that is extremely important. When I do cry out to God, he listens. However, it is my job to follow as He will “lead me to the rock that is higher than I” when I do cry out. It isn’t enough for me just to ask for wisdom in parenting. I have to follow, learn, and dwell with my Lord before I can take strength from Him.

Prayer: Father, you are so amazing. The fact that you truly listen to, and attend to the words I say fills me with awe. Please hear my cry for strength as I work to care for these children you have given to me. Thank you for the knowledge that as I grow weary and weak from this challenge, you will sustain me. Amen

Quiet, Grace Filled Mom - Lesson 16

2 Timothy 2:14 (NIV) Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

At first glance, this verse seems like the perfect verse to teach children who fuss and quarrel with each other. Well, it probably is. However, this verse struck me as ever so important for mothers. It is so easy for us to argue with our children. Those little stinkers can pull us into a quarrel without us even knowing what happened. Sometimes, I think they go to a secret school to learn just what buttons to push to draw us into an argument that they think they can win. For me, as the argument wages on, my volume increases. The end of the episode usually ends up with me yelling something really insightful like, “BECAUSE I SAID SO”. That is not quiet, it is not grace filled, and it doesn’t teach my children anything they should learn. I don’t want to “ruin those who listen” (my little ones with radar ears).

How then, do we approach these situations? First, we have to learn to recognize the warning signs that a storm is approaching. Each child has different cues. One sets her jaw, the other stares with a certain dominance, and another clenches her fists. My little guy just gives me a smile that could charm a snake, and I know he is up to no good. If I can recognize those signs, take a deep breath, say a quick prayer, and come into the arena armed with grace instead of anger, I win before we start. The simplest way I have found is to simply not listen. By refusing to acknowledge their words until they are rephrased in a kind manner, the little bomb they planted is defused before the timer can be set. This does take training. At first, you have to talk them through the steps.

“I’m sorry, Mommy can’t understand ugly words….how can you say that differently?”

WHINE WHINE YELL FUSS….

“Can you say it this way…..”

WHINE CRY SCREAM

“I’m so sorry. When you can talk with mommy about this in a gentle way, maybe we can figure something out…..

Eventually, I promise, they will come around. I have a very wise friend who also is blessed with 3 girls and a boy. However, her children are all much older than mine. She has this routine perfected. All she has to do is look at them a certain way, and her kids rephrase what they are saying. To me, it is like watching a ballerina dancing on point when I see her gently correct and guide her children. I hope to dance the same dance one day. I want my words to be of value to my children.

Quiet, Grace Filled Mom- Lesson 14

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) 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.

When I was a little girl in children’s choir, we learned this verse set to music. Now, my children have a CD with the very same song. It is a catchy little tune, and once it gets into your head it is hard to get it out. Once again, a verse that was hidden in my heart has come to the front of my mind in reference to how I parent my children.

This is another look at the whole wisdom angle. There is no way I can do this job under the power of “my own understanding”. I do not understand my children some days. Sometimes, I quite literally don’t understand what they are saying as the words come out of those little mouths in a constant stream of whining and fussing. Other days, I can’t figure out what alien being has over taken my sweet little child and replaced him or her with a monster. OK, so maybe no aliens haven’t taken over, but on those days, I simply don’t understand why they just won’t behave the way I want them to behave. It is in these moments that I have to trust that the Lord has a plan for my crew. He alone knows who and what my children are to become. I have to trust God to lead me and control my tongue as I engage in virtual trench warfare with behaviors that are so common to little ones. Temper tantrums, biting, fits, stealing for siblings….all those lovely little issues that crop up when we have a house filled to the brim with young children.

Trust also comes in the realization that God has given these children to me on purpose. It wasn’t an accident that he filled my arms with these specific personalities. The straight path that I want to follow is that of a mother who guides her children with a loving, Godly, and wise hand. Only by trusting God to bring that wisdom into my heart, and trough practicing that wisdom, am I able to continue to daily with this job we call motherhood.

I challenge you to teach this song to your children. Make up your own catchy little tune to the words, or look it up online. However you do it, hide these words in your heart and theirs. You never know when they will pop up in a time of need.

Quiet, Grace Filled Mom- Lesson 13

Matthew 18:6 (NIV) But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

When I first began my career as a classroom teacher, I memorized this verse. The power in those words is overwhelming to me. I had to do my job well or I would be better off dead. I didn’t want to lead any child to sin. Jeepers! That sure does make you think twice, doesn’t it? The job I held as a teacher both in private and public schools became a mission as this verse was applied to my daily activities.

When I transitioned from being a classroom teacher to becoming stay at home mom/teacher, that verse moved to the back of my mind. The sheer exhaustion of becoming a new mom put me into survival mode. Actually, I seem to have stayed in that mode for about 6.5 years. But never fear, when we hide God’s word in our hearts, it does indeed come to us in our time of need.

My time of need was not to long ago. As I was frantically showering and changing to start my day, little voices could be heard in the background. You know that if you can hear something over the noise in the shower, it is not good. My temper began to rise, but the flames were doused with a healthy dose of this verse. Those words found their way from the background of my heart to the front of my mind. Oh, was I humbled right then and there. I knew that if I came out of my room, “guns a blazin’”, that I would indeed cause my “little ones” to sin. Teaching them to respond in anger and haste would be the only result of a loud outburst on my part. So, I took a deep breath, waiting to hear that all was still well (if they are fighting, at least they are alive….), gathered up the baby, and walked out into the fray. All three had to be dealt with separately, and with consequences for their behaviors. Usually, this would set the tone for a terrible day. However, by God’s Grace, and through the wisdom He had given me, the day was just fine. We were able to reset and redeem our day…even if I was a little disheveled and my hair was a mess because I forgot to comb it out.

I challenge you to memorize this verse. Our job as mothers is the most important one we have. Teaching and leading our little ones isn’t a job we can do alone. Trusting God to guide us is the only way we can make it though this challenge.

Quiet, Grace Filled Mom - Lesson 12

Matthew 7:12 “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

The old golden “do unto others” rule is golden for a reason. This sums up how we should act in so many aspects of our life: business, relationships, church, school, social encounters…and even parenting. The verse definitely affirms what God has taught me about modeling the behaviors I want my children to exhibit to others. I think we take it for granted that we have to follow this rule when interacting with peers, but it is all to easily forgotten when interacting with our own children.

When I read this verse, and the surrounding passage, I realized that it most definitely applies to parenting and becoming a Quiet Grace Filled Mother. The verse should also be a steady influence in how my home is run. If I want my children to respond to me in a respectful tone, I have to respond to them in the same manner. Do they deserve respect even though they are smaller, younger than me, and on some days just plain outright naughty? Yes, I believe they do. Those little ones are God’s workmanship, and just as important to Him as I am. By respect, I mean that they deserve to be spoken to in an even and understandable tone. If correction is needed, it should be given in a manner that is firm but not irate. This is definitely a hard one for me, especially when my crew has pushed my very limits of frustration. It is an extreme effort in self (or should I say God) control to maintain a peaceful tone in my voice. I’ve been practicing, and it is paying off.

Quiet, Grace Filled Mom - Lesson 11

1 Corinthians 8:6 (NIV) yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

It is SO easy to fall back into old habits. For me, that habit is yelling. I have proven to myself that I can not achieve this quest if I am not in the Word…meaning if I am not daily searching for and studying God’s word as set in front of me in the Bible. A month of chores, sick mom, sick kids, and traveling hubby knocked me off of my horse. I fell back into my old trap. Twice, I caught myself in the throws of a good old fashioned mom fit. Not pretty. Not pretty at all. It is so true that it is through God that we live. By live, I don’t mean that our cells are carrying out respiration and we are functioning. I mean that we are truly living out the life God wants for us, plans for us, and carries us through each day.

Prayer: Father, I am so sorry. I was becoming so confident in “my” abilities to parent that I let You fall by the side. How wrong I was. God, you are the strength in my parenting, not me. Please forgive my haughtiness, and allow me to come back into your arms. Thank you for continuing to teach me wisdom, even when I wasn’t searching for it. Help me to crave your word each day.