Keeping Your Word

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:  He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Psalm 37:5,6

On Saturday, I had to have a little life talk with Carson.  Thursday night he had told us that he was going to go to school on Saturday and work a concession stand for one of the games.  It would give him service hours for National Junior Honor Society.  No problem, Bobby said he’d run him over and then go pick him up when he was done.

But we had a full week this past week and had been out on Friday night at a friend’s for dinner, and when Saturday morning rolled around, Carson was tired and decided he didn’t want to get up and go to school to work, he’d rather stay home and hang out with Chase.  And the more Bobby tried to encourage him to go, the more adament Carson became that he didn’t want to.

I asked Carson if he had committed to working this event.  He said, “No”, he’d just told them he might be there. 

I explained to Carson that he could stay home this one time, because he’d not made a commitment, but that it was very important to honor his word, whether he was tired or not.  If he said he was going to do something, he must honor that.

I work with a lot of volunteers at church.  Some are always on time, always doing what they said they would do.  Others … not so much.

Yesterday, our Pastor was talking about our commitments to God.  We make vows with him on Sunday, when we’re caught up in the emotion of the moment … we say, YES LORD, but then by Tuesday or Wednesday, we’ve let life get the best of us and we are back to … “No God, can’t do that right now.”

I want my little Carson to grow into a man of character … in life and with God.

I want to grow into a woman of character … in life and with God.

Father, thank you for teaching me how to be a woman of character.  I want your character, your spirit to fill me up, to flow through me, to flow out of me.  And Jesus, please teach my little Carson the same lesson.

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

Moments To Learn From

Life has its challenges and tough moments.  There are those things that come along that bring sorrow, tragedy, and unhappiness into our lives. Anyone who is alive experiences those times! But what do you do as a parent when these times come? Do you hide these times and feelings from your children? Do you try to pretend like everything will be all right even when you’re not sure that it will?
 
I believe that it’s important to be honest with our children. Children are pretty smart – smarter than we give them credit for most times. Usually, they have a hint or clue that something is going on. They might even know what that “something” could be. But oftentimes, they don’t address it because they sense our feelings on the subject.
 
I would much rather create an environment where my children come to me with their curious nature and inquisitive questions. I’d rather they know what is going on (on a level they can understand) while I am there to guide them, support them and somehow help them understand it. If I don’t share the tough and sad things in life with them, how will they be able to deal with those disappointments and sorrows when they are older? I don’t think they will know how and I would worry that they would be overcome and overwhelmed.
 
Life gives us many lessons to learn. How great it is when these lessons come for our children while they are still in our homes so that we can be there for them and with them – learning and growing together. We don’t often do them any favors by hiding the ugly stuff of life from them. We don’t want to inundate them with it, or create unnatural fears – but we do want to softly guide them into experiencing and navigating these times.
 
All children learn from you when you aren’t honest with them about the tough stuff in life is that they can’t trust you. Or, that you don’t trust them enough to share it with them. It’s important to let them know that you realize they are feeling the effects of the situation or circumstance just as you are, and that you value how it may feel being in their shoes. Give them some credit and allow them the chance to show you that they can rise up and be part of a supportive “home team” in navigating life together with you. You may just learn some things from them as you strive to teach them how to learn to be strong when the winds of life blow hard.
~ Visit Dionna’s parenting blog at http://InfluencingLives.blogspot.com

Impressions ~ By Dionna Sanchez

Every home has an atmosphere within it. When you go to visit family and friends, it is so evident when you walk in the door that each home has its own flair, personality, and character.  It has its own “vibe” as you would say.
 
As we raise a family, it’s important for us to take a good look at what atmosphere we create within our home.  What impressions are we leaving on our kids?  And a good place to start is by looking at what is on our walls and what is on our children’s walls.  The things we surround ourselves with in our home are images that constantly integrate themselves into who we are and who we are shaping our children to be.
 
When I was growing up, my home – just as any other home – had lots of décor on the walls. Some in particular that I remember are a cross in my parents room with two wedding rings in the middle of it, a picture of the last supper, and a picture of an old man praying over bread and water. My mom gave me this picture a few years ago and I hung it in my kitchen. Do you know why I love it so? Because it is a reminder to me to be thankful for everything – even the small things. It reminds me to be humble and that God gives me all that I have.  Now what kind of an image do you think this will have on my children? I’m hoping it will be just as positive and warm as it was on my heart as I grew up.
 
We need constant reminders around us that show us who we belong to and what we want our lives to be about. If we fill our home with images that contradict what we say we believe in, those will make a stronger impact on our family than what we say.
There is a verse in the Bible in Deuteronomy that says, “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
 
To me, that verse means that not only can I say I believe in the Lord, but I need to talk about Him, live a life for Him, and let Him be reflected in me in my home. If I say I love the Lord but then let my child decorate her walls with dark images, I think that is contradictory – don’t you?
 
What are you reminded of when you look at your walls? It’s something to think about because those images are nurturing the family you love.
 
 
~ Dionna Sanchez is the Founder of the Emphasis On Moms Ministry at http://www.EmphasisOnMoms.com

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How Can I Become Like a Little Child?

“Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. In truth I tell you, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” – Mark 10: 14-15

As I write this, I am coming down with a cold. I feel lousy. I want nothing more than to crawl into bed and have someone take care of me. That’s not an option, however. In fact, not only do I not have the choice of collapsing into bed, I need to care for my older son who is also sick. He needs me. I am the grown-up in this equation. I have been the adult and the mom for quite some time now. My childlike innocence left me a while ago. Life is a challenge. There is work to do, a house to take care of, and a family who depends on me. I am thankful for all of those things, but my adult responsibilities and worries are real.

But, then, I am confronted with this Gospel, which tells me that I need to become like a little child. I want to tell God, “But I am not a child! I’ve been there and done that! Those days are done.” I then try to evaluate it from the perspective of being a mother. I look at my children, and wonder, “What age child are we talking about here?” because I am not sure that my children at ages 8 and nearly 7 fit the description. In fact, thinking back to their toddler years and the way that they could protest going to Church with a volume level that could cause hearing loss, I’m not sure that they ever did. Still, there has to be some meaning here for me. What could it be? What is Jesus trying to tell me today? I need some help with this one.

Amy Welborn, writing the Living Faith reflection for Sunday, tells how she had taken her toddler daughter in the car and gone for a ride to the beach. Welborn shares, “We arrived, and she played, delighted as I sat and pondered. All this time, she had never questioned where we were going, never fought it. She had just come along for the ride, accepting and happy. . . She trusted that I loved her and would only want the best for her.” Welborn’s daughter’s trust is like the trust I need to have in God. Do my children trust? Yes, they do. I’m far from perfect, but I have tried to be a good mother. I can’t take away all their problems, but I have tried to have them feel safe and secure in my love. I think that I have succeeded in that. Then, the question becomes, “Do I trust in God’s love? Do I believe that God loves me and only wants the best for me? Can I be like a child trusting in a parent’s love?” The honest answer is “sometimes;” maybe even “most of the time.” Still, I obviously have some work to do in this area.

The homily at mass Sunday focused on dependence on God. Small children need someone to take care of them. No matter how much my six year old tries to tell me otherwise, I know that he needs a mother. Dependence means that I need God. Regardless of how much I would like to think so, I can not make it on my own. This I know. I know that if God stopped thinking about me for even a second, my very existence would cease. It doesn’t mean that sometimes I don’t try to go my own way for a while, however. I sometimes think that I know better than God what is good for me. That road usually ends in a real mess, which I then have to lean on God to help me get out of. Sometimes the consequences are irreversible. Yes, I need to depend on God and pray that I do his will, not mine.

Even in the midst of being adults, this Gospel calls us to become like little children. It invites us to trust in God’s love and to depend on Him. This isn’t always easy, but I am a work in progress. I will keep trying!

by Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur
http://spiritualwomanthoughts.blogspot.com

Bad Morning

I like to send my girls off to school with a smile on their face and hugs in their hearts. So it’s especially frustrating when they seem to be grumpy, and irritated with one another all morning.

“How rude!”

“Stop it!”

“Don’t!”

Grrr! It can make ME grumpy just listening to them!

That’s the kind of morning we had today. My heart just deflates at the thought of them leaving for school with the last memory of me being one of a chastising mother getting on their case about their attitudes!

The world is a tough place and school can be such a tough environment for our children. I want mine to have warm thoughts and feelings of home and of me. I want them to know that someone is in their corner. I want them to have the base at home to give them the courage and self esteem they need to navigate their own path and stand their ground against peer pressure.

If they leave for school feeling grumpy and frustrated with me, then I don’t think they will be very confident to go against the pack (should they need to.)

As I was watching them load up onto the bus this morning, my heart was saddened at the thought of sending them off to school on a sour note. But I thought, “I can still pray for them.” I can pray that their moods and their day will change. I can pray that somewhere, somehow, the things I teach them will permeat their hearts and lives and give them the roots they need.

As I was watching the bus take off – I saw a shadow of my oldest daughter in the backseat waving to me. I waved back and continued to see her waving at me until the bus was out of sight. It made me feel good. Maybe who I am and what I stand for is outlasting the few bad moments we had on one morning. Because my face and my hand waving at her — was the last thing she was concentrating on as she pulled away.

That’s gotta count for something.

 

~ Dionna Sanchez/Founder – EmphasisOnMoms.com

Happy First Day of School

Today is the first day of school … summer vacation is officially over. When we woke Carson this morning, Chase’s first words to him were, “Happy first day of school!” He was so excited to be going back to school, seeing his friends, getting back on a schedule.

This can be a happy day or a sad day, depending how you look at it. Chase chooses it to be a happy day!

Yesterday, our pastor was sharing a message on attitude. Our attitude affects our outlook. Our outlook affects our outcome.

There is a lot of negative in the world today. If we allow it, it can consume our thinking. And we become what we think: For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. ( Proverbs 23:7)

But Paul tells us what to focus our thoughts on:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:7-9)

Your choice …

Father, thank you for showing me what to focus my thoughts on. You are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Help me to keep my eyes and my mind on YOU!
This might not be the first day of school for me, but help me to look at today as a new day to serve you!

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

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass…
it’s about learning to dance in the rain!

Teach Your Children Well

We just finished up a week of Vacation Bible School. It was great! We had about 60 kids and 50 helpers, a full house each night. The theme this year was Crocodile Dock, Where Fearless Kids Shine God’s Light. Each night the kids learned a different attribute of God; God is With Us, God is Powerful, God Does What He Says He’ll Do, God Gives Us Life, and God Cares For Us.

On Saturday, the boys and I were hanging out at our neighbor’s pool. Chase was singing the theme song from VBS, I Will Not Be Afraid. He knew it word for word. It was so cute … watching him propel around the pool singing at the top of his lungs about how Jesus was always there to protect him.

Later on, we were back at home and Zeke ate something he shouldn’t have. Chase went over to reprimand him and I heard him telling Zeke that he needed to ask The Lord to forgive him and to accept Jesus into his heart so he’d live in heaven with us forever.

It was the cutest thing … Chase sharing the gospel with Zeke.

We have been studying the Book of James in our Sunday night ladies Group. James instructs us, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22)

In Matthew, Jesus tells us, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” ( Matthew 28:19,20)

I want to be like Chase … I want songs of praise to be on my lips and the message of Jesus to be on my heart.

Father thank you for giving us the opportunity to teach the kids through VBS. I am so thankful that you are with us, you are powerful, you do what you say you will do, you give us life and you care for us so very much. Thank you for instilling your Word in Chase’s heart, and all the other kids who were there. Encourage them to draw near to you Father … let them feel your presence in their day to day lives.

I love you Jesus!
In Your Name I Pray,
Amen

God Bless You!

Love,
Joyce

The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow!
http://www.alifedecision.org

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass…
it’s about learning to dance in the rain!

Help With The Hills

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

The boys were chatter boxes on the way home from the airport. They had so much to tell about their adventure in Ohio. Carson was telling me a story about riding the bike down a big hill. We don’t have hills in Naples, so this was a new experience for him. And the roads are gravel in Ohio, so that made the adventure even more of a challenge.

This particular hill he went down is huge. I was quite impressed that he had ventured down it. He shared that the trip down was pretty exciting, especially when he met a truck coming up the other way. The roads in Ohio aren’t very wide either. But once down, he had to turn around and get back up it. And that is where the real challenge began. I remember pushing my bike up that hill many times. There is no way you can ride up it, it is just too steep and too gravely.

So I said, “How did you get your bike back up that hill?” Carson isn’t very big. He weighs about 50 pounds, soaking wet. He was using my mom’s bike, I knew it had to be as big as he. “I helped him push the bike up the hill,” was Chase’s reply. There was only one bike, Carson rode, Chase walked.

When Chase saw his brother struggling to get that bike back up the hill, he helped him.

Sometimes in life we’re flying down the hills and it’s all fun, a big adventure, but then the hills appear and they can be steep and difficult and we need help getting up them.

A friend of mine found out this week she has cancer … she’s heading up a steep hill. A fellow shared with me his struggle with an addiction … he is heading up a steep hill. One of my friends called me this morning … her husband hasn’t worked in months … they are heading up a steep hill.

When we see someone struggling up the hill, let’s reach out and help.

Father, thank you for the times that we are going down the hills. Lord, help us to see the struggles of others … give us your heart to love them … to lend a helping hand.

I love you Jesus!
In Your Name I Pray,
Amen

God Bless You!
Joyce

The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow.
http://www.alifedecision.org

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass…
it’s about learning to dance in the rain!

A Part Of Me Is Missing

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are!
I John 3:1

On Wednesday afternoon, I put the boys on a plane. They were heading to Ohio, to spend two weeks with my mom and dad. It’s summertime, they didn’t have a lot going on this month, so Bobby and I decided it would be nice for them to spend some time with their grandparents. We found a direct flight, it was affordable, my parents were agreeable. But I had no idea how much I would miss those two little guys.

I’ve never been overly protective of the boys. Bobby takes them camping once a month from October to May and I always enjoy the time alone. The other scout moms who camp, always envy my two nights a month without my family. They’ve spent nights with their friends on sleepovers. I even allow them to stay home some days while I’m at work, they like the responsibility of taking care of each other.

But the last couple days have been very difficult for me. I miss my sons. A part of me is missing, and it is uncomfortable. The house is quiet, yes, but I don’t like it. I miss the hum of the boys playing in their room. I miss the “Mom, I’m still hungry,” from Chase before I even get up from the dinner table. But most of all, I miss tucking them into bed at night and praying with them.

I have called them many times since Wednesday … and I am happy to hear their voices, but it’s not the same. I miss their presence in my life.

I believe that I’m experiencing a small taste of what God feels … when His children are not in His Presence. God created each and every person in His image, He knew us before we were born. He has a plan and a purpose for us, and when we choose to walk away from Him, for whatever reason, He misses us, He wants us back with Him. He loves us.

I know how happy I’ll be when I’m reconnected with Carson and Chase, I can only image the way God feels when we reconnect with Him!

Father, I am so thankful to be connected to you. I don’t want to spend even one day without your presence. I know the boys are fine Lord, I just miss them. Keep them safe Jesus. Give them an extra dose of Your love while they are away.

I love you Jesus!

In Your Name I Pray,
Amen

God Bless You!
Love,
Joyce

The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow!
http://www.alifedecision.org

The Value of Youth Group

Are you concerned about your teen?  Do you worry about the choices they make in friendships? Do you feel like they are slipping away?  I can’t encourage you enough to get your child into a church youth group and setting, if they aren’t already.

I have personally seen what a strong, vibrant youth group has done for my stepson’s life. I feel so indebted to it for reinforcing what we were trying to teach him at home. They pulled him in with fun activities and caring individuals who embraced who he was and what he was interested in. Then, they started talking to him and the other kids about subjects that were relevant to their lives – sex, peer pressure, mainstream music, public school issues, standing up for Christ, etc.  He met others his age who were going through the same things as him and they were able to support one another while growing in the Lord.

Youth groups meet kids where they are at and they give them a foundation to grow on. They are a “backup plan” so to speak, for parents. They give our teens a support system; which let’s face it – they really need!  They need peers their own age who they can turn to in their schools to encourage them and understand the daily world they are a part of.

If your church has a youth group but your child doesn’t seem interested in it or it seems like it’s floundering, I encourage you to seek out a stronger one. I understand that you may like your church, but your child’s faith is important enough to make some changes in your life, don’t you think? You can either decide to switch churches for a while to give your child a stronger foundation, or you can make the agreement to let your child attend a youth group somewhere else.  If you don’t attend a church at all, I can’t urge you enough to get involved in one with an active, growing youth department. Youth are our future and any church that understands and realizes that will invest into them instead of ignoring them.

Our job as parents is tougher because of the direction our society has taken. We need all the support we can get to help us raise young men and women who will take a stand for the Lord.  Youth groups are one of the best tools to help us do that. You just need to make the choice and decision that your children are worth it.

 

~ Dionna Sanchez is Founder of the Emphasis On Moms Ministry at http://www.EmphasisOnMoms.com – you can also find her blogging over at PreciousMoms.com.