Sometimes all you can do…

…is lift up your hands and Praise the Lord.

 

So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.  Psalm 63:4

 

Leaning on Jesus

This post was inspired by my dear niece.
Up too late texting each other after a few days of learning to lean on Jesus.

I went to Ohio this past weekend to celebrate her graduation. I was circling around Indy on my way back. The two boys I had with me were ready to get home and see daddy, brother and their dog. I got off the highway to take the rest of the way home. Not normally how I go, so I made a wrong turn off of the exit. I was quite frustrated at my mistake. By the time I realized it, it was too late to go back. So we did a complete circle as I got back on the highway further down from where I had exited. We were back on our way. But right after the exit that I had previously taken a semi truck had swerved off of the road. Huge skids marks crossed the lane that I would have been driving in. It literally took my breath away when I realized that this was God’s Mighty Hand protecting me and my boys. Wow.

So we were happily home. All three boys started a VBS Monday morning. I was excited to have a week off. I just didn’t quite know a week off would mean being laid up in a chair. I started dinner Monday evening. I had asked Chad to stop by CVS to get some allergy meds for Ethan. I wanted onions for our stir fry, so I quickly jetted out the back door. I stopped off onto a hose and down I went. I knew it was bad. The pain was so intense I thought I would throw up. All three boys and the dog did all they could to help me. I had a pillow, a glass of tea and ice. Andrew called Chad after he almost called 911! I had asked for ice. Samuel came out with one little piece of ice and got right up in my face and asks, “Where do you want it, mommy?”. They were all so precious. They’ve prayed for me and made me eggs for breakfast. Chad stayed home yesterday and here I sit resting again with at least a sprained ankle. I had x-rays done on my foot today.

And Rachel says that night after she hears both stories “…leaning, leaning…safe and secure from all alarms.”

What a way to learn to lean on Jesus. Or to realize how much I do lean on Him and not take it for granted.

Deuteronomy 33:37
The eternal God is thy Refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

I certainly do have blessed peace with my Lord so near. I’m leaning on the everlasting arms.

Graduating high school! What inspiration to us fellow homeschoolers. We can do this! My sisters second graduate…

Such beautiful girls. Sis, you’ve done well. I’m proud.
And I’m so proud they are leaning on Jesus, too. What more could I desire for these young ladies.

Praying For My Boys

Today I began the challenge to pray for my precious sons.  The MOB Society  (Moms of Boys) is hosting this.  If you have boys, why don’t you join in!

Day 1 | Action Steps

• Read | The Introduction (pg. 7-9) and section titled, “The Battle” (pg. 10-11) in the eBook, “Warrior Prayers” and work through any (or all) of the Study Questions that enhance your time in this challenge!

• Pray | Work through the 10 prayers on Heart Change (pg. 12) using whatever method works best for you!

I am praying for a heart change in me!  Because let’s face it.  We can always use a change of heart about something!  Let it begin here, dear Lord, as I seek to raise up godly men.

Samuel Gave His Heart to Jesus

We have been talking with Samuel over the last few months about giving his heart to Jesus.  He has such a tender heart.  He gets that from his brothers who have been encouraging him to make this decision.  Samuel also has a buddy that has been very influential, too.  He wasn’t quite ready a few times, but this time he came to me.

Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  Romans 10:13

Last evening he came into the kitchen.  He says, “Mommy, when you ask Jesus to come into your heart, when you die you go to heaven just like that!” as he snapped his fingers together.  I smiled great big and asked him if he was ready to ask Jesus into his heart.  He says, “I think I did that when I was under the table one time.  And when everyone was here.”  He mentioned a few friends, so I gathered it was this last week when all of our co-op was here.  So we talked a little bit about it, and I asked him if he had asked Jesus to forgive him of his sins.  He said, “No, how do you do that?”

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  I John 1:9

So I told him he could pray and ask Jesus!  He said he wanted me to do it, and I told him I would be happy to help him pray.  So he prayed there right on top of the island, Samuel style.

Call to Me, and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.  Jeremiah 33:3

I looked up at him and said, “Samuel!  I’m so happy!  Jesus is so happy!”  There is singing in heaven right now!  He looked at me with a huge smile on his face and says, “OH!!!!”

I told him he would have to tell Daddy when Daddy got home.  He said, “But mommy, I don’t hear daddy pray that when he prays.  He doesn’t ask Jesus into his heart.”  I reassured him that both Daddy and I have asked Jesus into our hearts, as well as his brothers.  I also told him that you only have to do it once, that Jesus will always be in your heart forever!  He was so excited.

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.  I John 5:13

(Daddy’s face lit up when he heard the news from Samuel’s mouth later that evening)

He ran in to tell Ethan and his little buddy what he had done.  They all rejoiced that they are all going to heaven!  His friend says, “Samuel, now that you are saved when bad things happen, you can just pray to Jesus.  He controls the whole earth, you know!”  I thought that was so precious.  A mini preacher in the making.  But more importantly, a good friend.

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.  I Timothy 4:12

We told others.  I’m so thankful for the family and friends that celebrate with us.  I did have a little “negative” feedback from someone saying that he is still so young and doesn’t fully understand it all.  Well guess what, neither do I and I never will understand it all.  He believes.  We don’t second guess children’s beliefs or understandings of Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny.  And Jesus is real!  He is alive and He’s active in me and my little five year old child.

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:1-4

It’s as easy as the ABC’s this little guy is learning!  A=accept; B=believe; C=confess

There’s my boy, looking all grown up and sweet.  Thank You, Lord, for the blessing and privilege of being a mom to these boys.

My momma told me last night that she just knew something good was going to happen that day.  She was right.

Pray for this little sweetie

I have a great friend who has really been through a lot with her little guy. He is in the hospital again with respiratory complications. It is extra hard on him when he’s sick because of a metabolic disorder he has.
Isn’t he precious?!

Would you pray for him and his parents? I would appreciate it, and I know they would, too.

A Strong Foundation – Praying for Our Sons

It is written underneath our table.  It has been written underneath all the painted walls of this house.  Now it’s written underneath the floor we walk on.

The Word of God.  Living, powerful, convicting, sharp.

It’s part of the foundation we are building for this family.

It has to start here.  And I’m so thankful it means so much to their father.  They look straight to him for knowledge, for protection, and to know which way to walk.  And I need to be right there supporting them all.

Psalm 86:11
Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

Out of all the verses in Awana Andrew has learned, this was the first one he chose as we wrote on the underlayment of our new kitchen floor.  Children naturally desire to be shown the way.

Just like teaching them the Word of God, the prayers we pray for our sons are so important.  Chad and I want to have mighty warriors of Christ.

I’ve heard the call to do this before.  But this time, I am.  I want to pray purposefully and passionately for the hearts of my sons.  My desire is to watch them grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior.  I want their heart to be captured by Him and not by this world.  Oh, that they would forever sign their name like this…

So I’m going to take part in the challenge.

If you have sons, why don’t you join me in this journey?  If you do, let me know and you will have a chance to win a copy of this e-book!

Leave me a comment that you have joined up in this upcoming event to pray for your son(s).

I know my life with three sons will always be exciting.  There’s never a dull moment around here, for sure!  But I anticipate exciting things to happen in my heart, as well as theirs.

My View Across the Table

My Heart

I made these little puffy heart guys out of fabric this past weekend.  I saw an idea to use these to leave various places to remind someone that you loved them. I thought it would a fun way to remind Chad.  They make a good decoration, too.

I cut them out of an old tablecloth that I love, but can’t use because of some stains.  I cut the hearts and whipped them together under the sewing machine.  Stuffed them with a little fluff and finished them up.

After I got done, I chuckled at them.  I thought to myself that these weren’t even worth putting out.  They are so rough on the edges, the seams aren’t straight nor do they line up.  They are so imperfect.  Stained.

And then I thought about how these were such a good reflection of my own heart. I’m so imperfect, stained with sin and rough around the edges.  I, too, come unraveled.  I’m not always loyal and I don’t always have a heart full of love.  But as much as I want people to think I do, I can’t act like it.  I want to give love as much as I can, but it doesn’t always come so easy.

My heart and my flesh, they fail. Miserably.

But it doesn’t stop there.  There’s mercy and grace.

But God is the strength of my life and my portion forever.  Psalm 73:26

I’m forever thankful that God takes this heart of mine and makes it new.  He allows me to fill it with His love.  He loves me just the way I am, but He wants more for me.  There’s so much out there that’s pulling at my heart, and at yours.  Be careful.  If your desire is to have a heart like Christ, stay focused on Him.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.  Proverbs 4:23

This verse is written on a smaller chalkboard that hangs as you walk out into the garage.  I thought it would be “cute” to have a heart verse around Valentine’s Day.  But that “cute” has taught me something this time. Guarding my heart is for a reason, because what’s in my heart spills out into my life.  Yours, too.

So it’s kind of like wearing your heart on your sleeve.  I’ve just got mine on display at the table.

Dayspring Cards Review and Giveaway!

Do you remember going to the card store as a teenager with your girlfriend?  I do.  I remember going through the cards that would make you cry, and then the ones that could cause you to make a scene when you busted out in laughter.  Cards say something.  They can express you and a relationship you have like nothing else sometimes!

There is nothing like receiving a card in the mail, especially during these times where much of our communication is on the computer or the phone.  It is so personal.  You know that someone took the time to pick that one out just for you.  There’s nothing like sending one, either.  It’s like Dayspring puts it:

Your heart.  God’s love.

I love Dayspring cards, and I love the cards I am honored to review.  I received the Simply Marvelous collection.

Messages of encouragement, friendship, and birthday greetings

I’m so glad I chose this one.  I so enjoyed sending some of these out already.  I picked each one up and immediately knew who it belonged to.  I love that.

This one was the first to be sent out…

This card is so girly.  I had the perfect recipient for her, too!

Another was this…

This one is a birthday card that reads:

(Cover) God knew one day the two of them would meet and their friendship would be good, beautiful, and true.

(Inside) And it is.  Celebrating your birthday and thanking Him for you.

 

Simply Marvelous, indeed.  You have to get your hands on some of these and bless someone today!

And finally what I’ve needed all my life.  The ultimate card organizer!  How lovely is this?!

It looks nice sitting out and serves as a good reminder.  “I will bless you…and you will be a blessing.”  That is what it’s all about!

Bless someone today!  And let me help you out!  Do you want to win $20 towards some Dayspring cards, or an organizer, or anything from their website?  Leave me a comment and tell me about the last card you received in the mail.  I will randomly pick the winner on January 26th.

Give me a heart of wisdom

Written on our chalkboard for the year 2012 is this:

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.  Psalm 90:12

I love that verse, and I pray that is what we hold onto each day during this new year we face.  Looking ahead as much as our minds can hold, there’s a lot happening this year.  Some things we know about and can plan for, but mostly things we cannot.  I just pray that I might be closer to the Lord than ever before.

The book of James tells us that if we ask for wisdom, God will give it to us generously.  I need wisdom every single day, so many times a day.

I had some heart to hearts with a couple of people this week.  It was a rough week trying to get back into the swing of things after the holiday.  Rough.  My kids didn’t want to do their school work, and I really didn’t want to teach it.  I had little projects going here and there, and my house just couldn’t get to where I wanted it.  Or it would almost get there, and go right back to where it was when I blinked once.  It’s winter (although a very warm one) and the boys were going stir crazy.  I couldn’t hear myself think, let alone hear myself talking to God to ask for that wisdom (and patience and understanding and peace and rest) that I needed.  I needed a break, and I knew it.  I asked grandparents for some help, and they were there.  It was good for all of us.

We had a great weekend with lots of family on Saturday and friends today.  I love the support we get from all sides.  I look forward to a better week.

The picture here is my dad’s hand holding my three boys’ hands.  He thought it was kind of silly for me to take such a picture (he loves it when the camera comes out, ha!).  But I told him to trust that it would be precious.  It is to me.  Don’t you think?  And it speaks wisdom.