Hershey’s Kisses

Mary pondered over angelic messages and the mysterious miracle of birth to the Christ child. The marvels of worshiping shepherds and their report of a heavenly host announcement were beyond the scope of a maidservant’s understanding and it would take an eternity to unravel the depths of the Father’s love. He had sent living proof through the swaddling clothes babe that nestled near her chest. She leaned down to caress his cheek and smothered Jesus with “Her-she’s kisses!”

I have kissed the precious faces of my own children; I ponder how much I have in common with Mary. “But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them (Luke 2: 19 HCS).” Words are insufficient to express our adoration for the incarnate Savior; I cannot place kisses on His face but I can demonstrate my love through acts of love to those I encounter. Colorful red and green Hershey’s Kisses are a seasonal reminder to follow Mary’s servant heart…

 

52 Little Lines with Big Benefits

The weight of our words carry the very power of life and death in their grasp.

We have the ability to make or break the little lives that have been entrusted to us.

But sadly, and too often, hurtful, thoughtless, harsh words tumble from my lips.

And sure enough, it is my precious children who see and hear the worst of me.

I’m positive there is a filter malfunction in there somewhere.

So when I stumbled upon this brilliant collection of phrases – all designed to help make your “child feel great”, I promptly printed it out and stuck it up on the side of my fridge.

I look at it frequently.

And it makes me smile.  Because it makes my little ones smile.

And then I thought…how silly to keep this all to myself {assuming, of course, that the hundreds of people who have already tapped into the beautiful heart of Janel Breitenstein, don’t read my blog}.

Choose a couple from the list each day and be intentional about seeking out opportunities to encourage your child’s heart, and breathe life into their sweet spirit.

 

1.       The way you (insert action) is such a perfect addition for our family. God knew just what we needed when He gave us you.

2.       I’m sorry. Will you please forgive me for (insert specific action)?

3.       I forgive you. And I won’t bring this up again, okay?

4.       I want to hang out with just you tonight. What do you want to do?

5.       Thank you!

6.       Yes, there is food in the house.

7.       I trust you.

8.       I can’t believe how (insert positive adjective) you are. I can’t imagine the plans God has for you!

9.       I saw how you (insert specific positive action). I’m so proud of you.

10.   There’s money on the table for you.

11.   I believe you.

12.   I’m proud of you. And even if you weren’t so fantastic, I’d still be proud.

13.   I know you and I haven’t been seeing eye-to-eye lately. But I want to let you know that I accept you whether I agree with you or not, and I’m committed to working on our relationship so we both feel understood and secure.

14.   I got you this, just because.

15.   Lately I’ve really seen you grow in the area of (insert character quality), like when you (insert specific action).

16.   I admire you in (insert specific area). In fact, I could learn a lot from you in that area.

17.   That was a really wise choice.

18.   Snow day!

19.   You’re really growing into a young man/woman of character. I can’t tell you how exciting that is!

20.   I remember when I (insert vulnerable moment). I felt so (insert description). I don’t know if that’s like what you’re going through, but it was a tough time for me.

21.   No matter how royally you mess up, I’ll always be glad you’re mine, I’ll forgive you, and I’ll love your socks off.

22.   Go ahead and sleep in tomorrow.

23.    I had no idea you could do that! You impress me.

24.   What do you think?

25.   I canceled your dentist appointment.

26.   I love your dad so much! He is so (insert adjective).

27.   I love being around you.

28.   No chores today.

29.   I’m so glad you’re home.

30.   I love doing (insert activity) with you.

31.   You are one of the best gifts I’ve ever gotten. I am so humbled He gave me you.

32.   I feel so proud when I’m with you.

33.   You handled that so well.

34.   I made your favorite (insert food).

35.   You know, you may not feel very (insert adjective), but God knew exactly what He was doing you making you the way He did, and it was just how He wanted to express Himself. I love you just the way He made you. And I wouldn’t have wanted Him to do it any differently.

36.   I’m trusting that God will take perfect care of us. He’s always done it before! Can we pray together about this?

37.   With God’s help, your dad and I will never, ever get a divorce.

38.   That looks great on you.

39.   If I were in your shoes, I would feel so (insert adjective). Is that how you feel?

40.   Would you turn your music up?

41.   You are so well-disciplined in (insert specific area).

42.   I sent you a big ol’ care package in the mail.

43.   That was so courageous.

44.   Do you feel like I’m understanding you?

45.   If there were one thing you could change about me as your mom, what would it be?

46.   You have some real gifts in the area of (insert adjective).

47.   Let’s go to Grandma’s!

48.   It is so cool to watch you grow up.

49.   Just wanted to let you know I’m praying for you.

50.   I miss you, but I’m glad you’re having a good time!

51.   You make me so happy just by being you.

52.   I love you so much.

Family Life, Mom Life Today, Janel Breitenstein

I trust these powerful words will bless you – and their lucky recipients – as much as they have us!

By Joy McMillan, Simply Bloom

Do We Get It?

Do we get it? Do we get the fact that God truly cares about us? Or do we relegate Him to this entity that is up there pointing a finger down on earth simply granting or denying requests? Yes to her – no to him, etc.

God showed me this morning and reminded me in a way that only He can do – that He loves me. He cares for me and my feelings. And I was overwhelmed at the way in which He did it.

Sometimes I think we forget who God really is. He is a Father. A father who hurts with His children. A father who rejoices when we rejoice. A Father who feels taken for granted of and under appreciated at times. He is a King. A King who makes the tough choices for our lives when we can’t bring ourselves to make them. A King who at times, has to forego a battle in order to allow His people to win the war. He was a man. So He understands the pain of a mother, the fear of a child, and the love of a man and wife. He knows what it feels like to be betrayed, to be confused, and to feel overwhelmed. That is my God. And how often I forget that He “gets it.” He gets me.

This morning I was burdened in my heart over something. I’m not going to mention what that was for it is between me and God. But I was struggling with it. Struggling with my own pride and desires – my wants and wishes – and trying to reconcile them with what I knew God would want and expect out of me. I was trying very hard to lay down my heart.

God – in a way that only He could – overwhelmed me unexpectedly with the answer to a request that my heart dared not ask out loud. And I felt like the man in “Facing the Giants” who got on his knees and said “God, I’m overwhelmed!” It wasn’t anything big like winning a football championship or getting pregnant when you think you’re infertile – but it was still big to my heart.

God showed me that sometimes He might just be waiting on us. He might want to reward us for waiting patiently or being willing to say “no” to what we want for what He wants. He just wants to see where our loyalties lie.

And I AM overwhelmed. I’m overwhelmed to have a Heavenly Father who loves me despite my human inadequacies and flaws. A God who believes in who I can be and knows me so intricately. God has faith in ME! He sees who I can be and He gets me more than I get myself. Oh what a love.

I am overwhelmed. Are you?
~ Dionna Sanchez blogs at http://beautyinthestorm.blogspot.com – you can also follow her on twitter – http://www.twitter.com/DionnaSanchez

–

A Trophy of Grace

 

I have noticed over the past few years that sharing things from my past that used to make me cringe with shame, now have much less of a hold over me.

It seems the more honest and open I’ve been about the myriad of mistakes I’ve made, and the more I’ve allowed God to take the ugliness that was my life, the more exciting and energizing it has become.

He makes a masterpiece out of our junk.

God is just cool like that.

It’s as though what I once hid, fearful for the onslaught of rejection and judgement I assumed would follow, has become a display of God’s relentless love and extravagant grace.

I am a trophy of God’s grace.

The story below so beautifully explains this picture…

“Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house.

In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His mother – in the house was looking out the window – saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could.

Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him.

From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal and, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother’s fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.
The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, “But look at my arms.

I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my mom wouldn’t let go.”

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, or anything quite so dramatic. But, the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep shame and regret.

But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go.

In the midst of your struggle, He’s been there holding on to you.

Scripture teaches over and over again that God loves you.  He adores you.  Yes, YOU.

He sent His one and only son to die a horrendous death…to win you back.

In the same way a parent longs, no…lives, to protect their child, He wants to protect you.

But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril – and we forget that the enemyis waiting to attack.

That’s when the tug-o-war begins – and if you have the scars of His love on your arms be very, very grateful.

He did not – and will not – let you go.

by Joy McMillan, Simply Bloom

Love Like Jesus

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
   I Corinthians 13:13

Today is Valentine’s Day.  I was just on Facebook and there are thousands of people declaring their love for their spouses, their children and each other.  It’s a sweet day.  It seems like today most everyone is willing to say to at least someone … “I love you.”  Chocolates and roses and special cards are being exchanged today.  Love is in the air … as the old song states.

In 1 Corinthians 13, called The Love Chapter, Paul talks about love.  He has written a letter to the church in Corinth, giving them instruction and encouragement on their journey with Jesus.  They are a lot like we are today,  wanting to do right, but somewhat confused on how to stay on track.  As a result they dealt with problems like immaturity, instability, divisions, jealousy, envy, lawsuits, marital problems, sexual immorality  and the misuse of spiritual gifts.  Sound familiar?

But Paul doesn’t beat them up, he simply writes a letter to encourage them and help them get back on track.  And in the midst of that letter, he shares with them that no matter how great they think they are or what wonderful things they do, if they were not motivated by love, it means nothing.  He explains that love is the most excellent way.  He goes on to share that:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (I Corinthians 13:4-8)

At the Last Supper, the night before Jesus was crucified, he told his disciples:  A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.  (John 13:34,35)

If we are followers of Jesus, we must love one another.  We are to be love. It wasn’t a suggestion.  He told them it was actually a new commandment.  So now, go back to the Love is section above and replace love with your name.  Are you patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not dishonoring, not self-seeking, not easily angered.  Do you not keep records of wrongs?  Do you not delight in evil but rejoice in truth?  Do you protect?  Do you hope?  Do you persevere?  Are you unfailing?  Do you love?  Ouch …not so easy is it?

I want to be like Paul.  I don’t want you to feel beat up if you fail in some areas, because we all fall short, but rather do this exercise to take inventory, see what needs some work.  I encourage you to seek God in the areas that you struggle with, release them to him and let him fill you with His love, which will then overflow from you into those around you!

Father, thank you for your unfailing love.  When the world is fickle, when one day it loves me and one day it loves me not, you are faithful and true.  You don’t just love me, but rather you are love.  It is your nature.  It is who you are.  I honestly cannot even fathom the depth of your love. Forgive me Father for not loving as you do, help me to remove the planks out of my eyes, so that I can see others as you see them and love them as you love them.

I love you Jesus!
In Your name I pray,
Amen

God’s Blessings Upon You!
Love,
Joyce

The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow!

http://www.alifedecision.org/