Everyone needs prayer

Last night we went to Chick-fil-A for supper and ran to WalMart for a laminator. As we were walking up to the front to check out we passed a lady and her daughter. The daughter had apparently been twisting one of her earrings and it fell out of her ear onto the floor and under the Back To School display. As I'm walking by, the mother says, "G-- D--it, Susanna, you stupid Mother F---er." Y'all, this little girl was 8 years old. I was in tears (am in tears right now typing this). My Birdie-girl looked up at me and said, "Mama, that mom said a bad word to her daughter." And she's thinking "stupid" was the only part that was bad. Anyway, Scott walked up to that little girl and said, "I just heard you lost an earring. Can I help you find it?" He then spent 8 minutes on the dirty floor helping find the missing earring.

1) I have an amazing husband. He looked beyond the appalling moment to see the little girl and that she needed something to make her day better.

2) We need to pray for people. I don't know what would ever possess a mother to speak to her child that way, but she's not the only one. That little girl, and so many other children, are hurting and are desperate to be loved.

I don't tell you this just so you'll have a "gosh that was awful" moment. I tell you this to encourage you to pray for people. Pray for strangers, people walking by, people who just look like they need it. We all need it, so you wouldn't waste a single prayer on anyone! If you look around at people, their eyes and their stance will tell you exactly who needs your prayers at that moment. It's so easy to get caught up in our own days. It's easy to see someone riding a bike or walking along the side of the road and think, "Well, s/he needs to get a car." But, people are hurting. People are struggling.

I encourage you to look deeper at people. Is that man who is walking along side the road dirty? Is he hot and parched? Wouldn't a prayer bless him? "Lord, please bless that man. Keep him safe on this busy road and to his destination. Father, if he doesn't know you, I pray that You will reveal Yourself to him so that his life can be changed by You. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Or the lady in the check out line with three kids all pitching a fit, "Father, hold that mother's hand right now. I've been there, and it's hard. But comfort her with Your love. Help her to love her children well, even in this moment. Bless her today. In Jesus' name, Amen."

You don't have to know people to pray for them. I pray for strangers just like this all of the time. It's OK. It's not weird. We are all in need of a Savior. And we can all bless others by praying for them. Pray for people you know, and pray for those that God allows to cross your path. Lift them up to their Heavenly Father. Maybe they gave up on God a long time ago...maybe it's because of a parent speaking in the way that the mother above spoke to her daughter. God hears our prayers and can do much more than we could ever imagine. You will probably never know how your prayers were answered for the strangers you lift up. And that's OK. The point in prayer is not seeing the results, but believing that God will show His grace and mercy and love in His way. How amazing to pray for another person and open up the flood gates of God's love.

Everyone needs compassion, a love that's never failing.

My God is Mighty to Save. He can move the mountains.

Ephesians 3:19-20, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

http://youtu.be/-08YZF87OBQ

Listen

Listening. That's what we all want, but so often it's what is the hardest to give. Life moves by at such a fast pace, and listening - well, it requires us to stop. Because to truly listen to someone means that we must stop all else and focus on that person.

My children want me to listen the most. While I'm up to my ears in laundry and dirty hands from cleaning the toilets, no less. So often I put them off, "Wait just a minute." "Give me just a few minutes." "Hold on a sec."

And that "minute," that "sec," turns into 10 minutes, 60 minutes, or maybe I forget all together.

When I listen to my kiddos, I'm showing them that I value them. I am able to stop what I'm doing and give them what they need. And, honestly, it's not usually more than just a few seconds of my time. But why do I have such a hard time giving it to them? Couldn't I use a little break from the endless chores of motherhood?!?

So I plan to listen today. And tomorrow, and the next day. I will listen to my children until it becomes a habit. What better habit could I start today? If I listen to them now when they are little and they feel valued and, ahem, listened to...then later when they are older and I want them to listen to me and my advice, I think, just maybe, they will be well-equipped to listen. Because they've had a good example of how to do it.

STOP.

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A post as part of Lisa Jo's Five Minute Friday.

My Choice is Not to Lose

If there is no other blog post you ever read, read THIS. I read this back in May, and it stirred my heart deeply. I felt convicted, but made excuses not to do anything about those convictions.

In this "technology centered age" it's hard to break away from technology. The always keeping up with "friends," the "following," and the "pinning" of amazing ideas we wish we had thought of. But what does the constant tie to technology really gain for us? After a great deal of prayer and soul searching, I agree with Rachel Stafford that what we are really gaining is a loss.

A loss of authentic relationships as opposed to blurbs from hundreds of "friends" on Facebook.
A loss of prioritizing what's truly important in our days.
A loss of time that has been wasted.

But most importantly, as parents, we are missing out on our children's childhoods. 

I am going to be vulnerable here and confess that for the last 4 months since Peanut has been home with us, the first sight Birdie and Buddy-Ro usually see in the morning is me nursing Peanut with my iPhone in hand. I have made many different excuses to myself and to the kiddos like, "I just need/want something to do while I'm sitting here." Or, "I'm just trying to stay awake." Or, "I'm reading my Bible on my phone." (Which is usually what I am doing first thing in the morning...but, goodness, I'd rather them have the memory of me with my actual Bible laid open with well-worn pages than a memory of me with my phone.)

I have considered on a number of occasions deleting my Facebook account so as not to have that be a constant distraction. But then another "friend" would become pregnant and I told myself that I didn't want to miss out on her excitement. Or a "friend" would go on a trip and I didn't want to miss those pictures. Or a "friend" from the past would find me and I wanted to catch up. But really, those "friendships" are less than authentic. 

Today, a friend with whom I have a real relationship with (meaning we actually talk in person, see one another in person, fellowship together on a regular basis) shared this blog post with me. It slapped me across the face even harder than when I read it back in May. Because this time I realized that I had done nothing about my earlier convictions.

Today, I did.

Before I even finished re-reading the blog post, I deleted my Facebook page. No more excuses. I simply did it. (Now that may seem drastic to you, but this was my conviction and I was honestly tired of lying to myself that it was harmless.) Maybe your area of struggle is playing Words With Friends instead of getting on the floor and playing with your kids? Maybe it's having your Kindle always in your hand instead of engaging in conversation or reading out loud with your kids? Maybe it's checking your phone/email every single time you hear a chime? I don't know your area of struggle, but I hope that you will pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what decision you need to make in order to put your children first. I truly believe that giving undivided attention is the first and most basic ingredient in any relationship.

After I deleted my Facebook page, I went straight to Birdie-girl and Buddy-Ro who were playing in Birdie's room and said something very close to this:
"Mommy wants to apologize to both of you. I am sorry that you see me on the phone a lot of the
time during the day. I am sorry, Birdie, that last night when you came in to tell me good
night while I was nursing Peanut that you saw me on my phone and thought I was too busy to
kiss you good night. I am sorry if there has ever been a time when you thought Mommy's phone
was more important than you. From now on I will try to only be on my phone if I need to talk
with someone. Everything else can wait."

Their reactions were not magical at the exact moment of my apology, but our day together was very different than recent ones. It's as if Birdie and Buddy-Ro knew that they did not have to compete with anything for their Mama's attention. They didn't have to be "put on hold" or told to "wait, just let me finish this." My choice is not to lose out on my children, and they noticed it right away. Our day was different. It was full.

Full of them.
Full of us. 

My Choice is Not to Lose

If there is no other blog post you ever read, read THIS. I read this back in May, and it stirred my heart deeply. I felt convicted, but made excuses not to do anything about those convictions.

In this "technology centered age" it's hard to break away from technology. The always keeping up with "friends," the "following," and the "pinning" of amazing ideas we wish we had thought of. But what does the constant tie to technology really gain for us? After a great deal of prayer and soul searching, I agree with Rachel Stafford that what we are really gaining is a loss.

A loss of authentic relationships as opposed to blurbs from hundreds of "friends" on Facebook.
A loss of prioritizing what's truly important in our days.
A loss of time that has been wasted.

But most importantly, as parents, we are missing out on our children's childhoods. 

I am going to be vulnerable here and confess that for the last 4 months since Porter has been home with us, the first sight Ella Beth and Landon usually see in the morning is me nursing Porter with my iPhone in hand. I have made many different excuses to myself and to the kiddos like, "I just need/want something to do while I'm sitting here." Or, "I'm just trying to stay awake." Or, "I'm reading my Bible on my phone." (Which is usually what I am doing first thing in the morning...but, goodness, I'd rather them have the memory of me with my actual Bible laid open with well-worn pages than a memory of me with my phone.)

I have considered on a number of occasions deleting my Facebook account so as not to have that be a constant distraction. But then another "friend" would become pregnant and I told myself that I didn't want to miss out on her excitement. Or a "friend" would go on a trip and I didn't want to miss those pictures. Or a "friend" from the past would find me and I wanted to catch up. But really, those "friendships" are less than authentic. 

Today, a friend with whom I have a real relationship with (meaning we actually talk in person, see one another in person, fellowship together on a regular basis) shared this blog post with me. It slapped me across the face even harder than when I read it back in May. Because this time I realized that I had done nothing about my earlier convictions.

Today, I did.

Before I even finished re-reading the blog post, I deleted my Facebook page. No more excuses. I simply did it. (Now that may seem drastic to you, but this was my conviction and I was honestly tired of lying to myself that it was harmless.) Maybe your area of struggle is playing Words With Friends instead of getting on the floor and playing with your kids? Maybe it's having your Kindle always in your hand instead of engaging in conversation or reading out loud with your kids? Maybe it's checking your phone/email every single time you hear a chime? I don't know your area of struggle, but I hope that you will pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what decision you need to make in order to put your children first. I truly believe that giving undivided attention is the first and most basic ingredient in any relationship.

After I deleted my Facebook page, I went straight to Ella Beth and Landon who were playing in Ella Beth's room and said something very close to this:
    "Mommy wants to apologize to both of you. I am sorry that you see me on the phone a lot of the
     time during the day. I am sorry, Ella Beth, that last night when you came in to tell me good
     night while I was nursing Porter that you saw me on my phone and thought I was too busy to
     kiss you good night. I am sorry if there has ever been a time when you thought Mommy's phone
     was more important than you. From now on I will try to only be on my phone if I need to talk
     with someone. Everything else can wait."

Their reactions were not magical at the exact moment of my apology, but our day together was very different than recent ones. It's as if Ella Beth and Landon knew that they did not have to compete with anything for their Mama's attention. They didn't have to be "put on hold" or told to "wait, just let me finish this." My choice is not to lose out on my children, and they noticed it right away. Our day was different. It was full.

Full of them.
Full of us. 

Don't throw those away!!!

Each year we receive wonderful picture Christmas cards, and we display the photo cards on this crazy contraption. It's actually a Christmas tree made out of wires that is made to hold cards - it's just difficult to make out when it's all covered up under cards on top of cards on top of cards. :)

But what to do with them when Christmas is over? Throw them away? Recycle them? No, they are just too pretty!

So last year we decided to keep them in a simple wire basket in our kitchen, and each week during dinner we pray as a family for the family on the card. It has grown into a nice ritual we do as a family, and most of all we are teaching our children to pray for others.



During the week that we are praying for a specific family, I try to remember to send out an email to someone in the family to let them know that they are being prayed for. One of the best things about praying for others without them knowing it is that sometimes after sending out an email, a surprising response will come. More than once during the last year, I would get an email back saying "Thank you" because that family had been going through a rough patch, or that they had an answered prayer during that week. It has been a blessing to us as a family to pray for others. And, one thing that is really touching is when we come in contact with the specific family Ella Beth will often say something like, "Hey, we've been praying for you!" She is so proud, and that is something that I am thankful is being hidden in her heart. :)

So, before you toss all of your Christmas cards, maybe decide to pray for the families or do something else creative with them!

Discontentment

God has really been laying on my heart lately how easily I fall into the trap of being discontent. So I am going to concentrate 2011 on the art of being content.


Phillipians 4:11-12 says, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."



I believe the key word in these verses is "learned." In our society (and apparently in societies many years ago) there is always the pull to want something different than what we have.
 
I found these quotes by Kent Crockett on contentment:
 
* The grass is always greenest in the center of God’s will.
 
*A nicer golf course won't make you a better golfer. A nicer environment won't make you a better person.
 
*Has it ever occurred to you that the things you now have were once things you were trying to get?




* Contentment in life is not found in a perfect set of circumstances but by choosing to be happy in every situation.

The last quote is my favorite - being content is a choice. And it is my choice to make 2011 a year of purposefully learning contentment.
 
A website that I have recently fallen in love with is http://www.aholyexperience.com/. Ann Voskamp is such a beautiful writer, and I have told more than one person that her site has changed my life. ;) One thing I am doing to intentionally learn to be content this year is by following the 100 Day Calendar found here. More and more I want to have a grateful heart, for truly God has blessed me with so much. I am choosing to develop 3 new habits over the next 100 days.
 
It's hard to be discontent when you count your blessings.

Discontentment

God has really been laying on my heart lately how easily I fall into the trap of being discontent. So I am going to concentrate 2011 on the art of being content.


Phillipians 4:11-12 says, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."



I believe the key word in these verses is "learned." In our society (and apparently in societies many years ago) there is always the pull to want something different than what we have.
 
I found these quotes by Kent Crockett on contentment:
 
* The grass is always greenest in the center of God’s will.
 
*A nicer golf course won't make you a better golfer. A nicer environment won't make you a better person.
 
*Has it ever occurred to you that the things you now have were once things you were trying to get?




* Contentment in life is not found in a perfect set of circumstances but by choosing to be happy in every situation.

The last quote is my favorite - being content is a choice. And it is my choice to make 2011 a year of purposefully learning contentment.
 
A website that I have recently fallen in love with is http://www.aholyexperience.com/. Ann Voskamp is such a beautiful writer, and I have told more than one person that her site has changed my life. ;) One thing I am doing to intentionally learn to be content this year is by following the 100 Day Calendar found here. More and more I want to have a grateful heart, for truly God has blessed me with so much. I am choosing to develop 3 new habits over the next 100 days.
 
It's hard to be discontent when you count your blessings.

Discontentment

God has really been laying on my heart lately how easily I fall into the trap of being discontent. So I am going to concentrate 2011 on the art of being content.


Phillipians 4:11-12 says, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."



I believe the key word in these verses is "learned." In our society (and apparently in societies many years ago) there is always the pull to want something different than what we have.
 
I found these quotes by Kent Crockett on contentment:
 
* The grass is always greenest in the center of God’s will.
 
*A nicer golf course won't make you a better golfer. A nicer environment won't make you a better person.
 
*Has it ever occurred to you that the things you now have were once things you were trying to get?




* Contentment in life is not found in a perfect set of circumstances but by choosing to be happy in every situation.

The last quote is my favorite - being content is a choice. And it is my choice to make 2011 a year of purposefully learning contentment.
 
A website that I have recently fallen in love with is http://www.aholyexperience.com/. Ann Voskamp is such a beautiful writer, and I have told more than one person that her site has changed my life. ;) One thing I am doing to intentionally learn to be content this year is by following the 100 Day Calendar found here. More and more I want to have a grateful heart, for truly God has blessed me with so much. I am choosing to develop 3 new habits over the next 100 days.
 
It's hard to be discontent when you count your blessings.