Time. It seems to crawl when you are a nursing mom or a mom with toddlers, when everything you do is wrapped around that child’s needs. People say things like, “Time flies. Enjoy it while you can!”.
So you treasure that finger wrapped around yours, that sweet baby smile, and those drive-by kisses.
When they become teens, time goes into warp speed and suddenly everything the seasoned moms say makes sense. You still want to treasure that time, but sometimes its hard. You are juggling. Work. Laundry. Sports. Food. Church activities.
Maybe you feel like your relationship is distant because of those demands, or all of your conversations take place in a car, or all you do is throw out commands or instructions as you walk out the door to go to one more place.
But what do your teens really need from you? You might be surprised what teens say they need. (more…)
In A Woman of Influence, one of author and speaker Carol Kent’s classic books, she says that to become a woman of influence, that you spend time alone with God, that you walk and talk with people, that you show compassion, and practice unconditional love.
But it is this point that captured my attention. To become a woman of influence, you:
Cast the vision of what Jesus can do through the life of a woman who is willing to believe the potential she has through Him.
I’ll only be on here a moment. You see, I just wrote a Live Free script about prayer this a.m. It read:
Prayer is an end to isolation. It is living our daily life with someone; with him who alone can deliver us from solitude. ~Georges Lefevre
And as I wrote it I felt that nudge that says, “Don’t write it if you aren’t going to do it.”
It’s on my list, Lord. I would only write it if I believe it.
But do it.
So, regardless of all the things that seem important right now, there is only one thing that truly is. Time with my Heavenly Father. Quiet, private time where I can just soak in the scriptures, talk to Him about all those thoughts and things to do and those concerns that swirl in this brain of mine, but mostly just to spend time in His presence as His child.
We’ll talk more next week. I can’t wait to connect with you then.
The winner of the giveaway, Real Issues, Real Teens is Gina, who shared that she is facing some issues with her beautiful teen daughter. Thank you for all your comments, your insight, and know that I am praying with you.
It had been a hard week. I had three teens. Good kids. But parenting had been challenging and I had lost my patience, my temper. I had went into my bedroom, shut the door, and in the darkness I confessed to God that sometimes I didn’t have a clue.
I went to my pastor and asked if he knew of a book, or a class I could take. Sometimes a mom just needs a little extra support, or knowledge, right?
“I think you should start that class,” he said.
“What?” It’s not the answer I wanted. I had come to him for answers.
Two weeks later the Parenting Teens class started. It was one of the best moves I had ever made (thanks, Pastor). (more…)
1. Why do you believe the Pharisees focused on the Sabbath Day instead of the miracle?
2. It’s easy to point our fingers at the Pharisees (others faults are always more obvious), but are there areas that you need to refocus? Are there areas where you need to stop focusing so you can see the miracles around you?
3. Name miracles that you have in each area:
Basics (food, breath, shelter)
Family
Friends
Faith
4. On page 86 in The Mom I Want to Be: Rising Above Your Past, I stated: Perspective is powerful. It can be a set of dark glasses through which we view life, others, and even ourselves. Or it can be a brightly lit window through which we can learn lessons from the harder moments and events–and recognize those who support us through those difficult times. If I choose to look at the dark times only I’ll miss the light. It’s not that I deny the tough stuff, but when I turn away from the past long enough to count the good things around me, I can’t help but acknowledge what I’ve been given.
Q: What are your thoughts as you read this quote?
ACTION STEP: Ask God to help you refocus. Keep your list of miracles close. When you start to focus on what you don’t have, stop. Praise God for what you do have.
Do you have a minute? {{giveaway}}
Time. It seems to crawl when you are a nursing mom or a mom with toddlers, when everything you do is wrapped around that child’s needs. People say things like, “Time flies. Enjoy it while you can!”.
