Giving Thanks

I can't let this weekend pass without expressing thanks to God for...

...His unfailing, gentle love that teaches and guides me daily.

...the husband that He gave me.  A man that pursues God with passion, leads our family with integrity and prayer and lets me know he loves me every single day.

...the children God has blessed me with.  Hallie, Jacob and Zachary are miraculous gifts from my merciful and loving heavenly Father.

...my parents that never cease to be some of my biggest fans.  They are always encouraging and loving me with their generosity and servant hearts.

...my big brother.  His honesty, time, friendship and his protection and love for my kids is one of the greatest gifts this year has brought me.

...my beautiful sister and her family. That I could be with them to welcome God's amazing gift of a new son into their family is a treasured memory for me.

...for my good, good friends.  Distance has not changed the bond that ties us together in Christ.  I will forever be grateful to God for answering my prayers for these precious friends.

...each breath, each moment, each day that he mercifully sustains my life for his good purposes.  That He uses my mistakes and works them into His plans for good purposes.

"for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."  Philippians 2:13 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  Romans 8:28

 

Moments

Today was great! Not perfect, but great! I managed to stop auto-pilot mothering long enough to catch some sweet moments of my children.

As we were walking home from school I watched my 3, 4 and 5 year olds strolling down the path enjoying the day and each other.

We started to put up Christmas decorations and found the box with all our Christmas books. This is Zac's first Christmas at home and he found our favorite children's book about the birth of Jesus right away. I got to watch him turn the pages and delight in the pictures and sounds the book makes.

Jacob helped me put up some outside lights today. I got to witness the most beautiful, delighted grin on his face when we turned the lights on tonight.

Watching Jacob proudly singing his songs at his preschool's Thanksgiving Feast.

Jacob singing, "God is Love, God is Love..." under his breath at the playground today.

Walking in to find Hallie had put her Precious Moments Nativity scene up in her room. All the animals and people were facing baby Jesus, not facing out for her to see them. Is that perfect or what?

As I approach Thanksgiving I am overwhelmed by God's tender mercies and abundant gifts to me. My salvation was more than I could even have asked for and yet his love is so deep that he lavishes moments like these on me every day. I saw Him working and present today in my life and I am grateful!

"Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is good!" Jeremiah 33:11

Covering My Children in Prayer

This idea was inspired by http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/2008/11/7x7. I decided to find verses to pray for my kids each day. My goal is to pray this scripture out loud, over them each day as they are getting ready to start their day and each night before they close their eyes to go to sleep. I believe in God and His promises so completely that I want my children to hear his truth and be blessed by it. My hope is that in doing this I will see God working in their lives more clearly and they might begin to recognize Him too.

Morning prayer taken from Psalm 143:8-10

Lord, let this morning bring ________ word of your unfailing love. I pray she/he will put her/his trust in you. Show her/him the way he/she should go. Rescue her/him from her/his enemies, Lord and teach her/him to do Your will.

Evening prayer taken from Psalm 4:8

Lord, I pray that _________ will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make her/him dwell in safety.

Endurance

I find myself too often feeling spent at the end of a day.  My nerves are shot from repeating the same things over and over to my children and trying desperately to catch them doing good instead of always finding fault.  Today, was one of those days.  Our sweet little Zac seemed to have spent a large majority of his day whining, grabbing, crying and disobeying.  It is so frustrating to me.  I question whether it is him being three, a boy, adoption issues, sibling rivalry, poor parenting...and then I try to balance doing laundry and cleaning our home with quality play time with all the kids.  It's hard to figure out the balance, give each child the love and care I want to give them and manage a home.  So, what is the solution?  

I am so glad I have a place to write this down.  It is a way for me to be more accountable to myself.  

First...I need to hand over my day to God first thing EVERY day.  I know this, and yet I so often fail to do it.  It's a lot like my children having to hear the same discipline and lessons from me day after day without ever seeming to learn the lesson...hmmm, maybe God is trying to teach me something about myself through my parenting.

Second...I need to pray God's Word over my kids in their presence each day.  I plan on finding some verses to share with all of you in the near future.  

Third...Remember that I am broken and they are the offspring of brokenness.  Letting my heart become more tender and compassionate as I put selfishness aside.

"Praise be to the God and Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts me in all my troubles, so that I can comfort those (my children) with the comfort I have received from God.  If I am distressed, it is for my children's comfort and salvation; if I am comforted, it is for my children's comfort, which produces in them patient endurance... (personalized for a mother).  2 Corinthians 1:3-6

Days of distress and suffering in parenting are guaranteed, and there is a purpose in every day and every situation. Knowing that suffering produces perseverance and is filled with hope actually fills my heart with a heavenly joy and drives me to endure and enjoy moments of difficulty as opportunity.

Why This Blog?

I wanted a place to write some of my reflections and thoughts about seeing and knowing Jesus in the midst of mothering my three children, Hallie, Jacob and Zachary. Too many times, my focus shifts away from Him as I go through my days and my heart's desire is that I would set my mind and heart on Him at all times and see him in all things. So, this is my attempt to journal about the moments in life that I, or others too often dismiss as mundane, routine or attribute to chance and instead see Jesus knitting all those moments together for His glory and good purposes in the lives of others and for me.

My prayer...

Lord, I pray that You would go before me. That You would guard my way and hem me in Your perfect plan. That I would know and say and do all you've prepared for me, to accomplish Your good purpose and bring glory to Your Name.