Category Archives: Who I am in Christ

Simple Helicopters

Christianity, Grace, homeschooling, Love one another, mom, motherhood, Parenting, Spiritual Encouragement, Truth, Uncategorized, , , , , , , ,

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Simple Helicopters

Helicopters. Falling. From . Trees.

No, this isn’t a new science fiction story, it is about those “seed pods” that flutter down from the maple, or box elder tree. I was sitting out on the patio the other day, listening to the wind blow and watching them fall out of the trees. It was pretty cool actually.

These helicopters land in the gutters, cracks in the brick, corners, neighbor’s yards…just about everywhere. Once landing, if the seed pod is down, they take root. The circumstances needed for perfect implantation and growing aren’t always present. If they land in fertile, tilled soil they have the best assurance of growth.

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Every year we clean out the gutters and other areas in which they have fallen. It is funny to see little tree sprouts growing out of those pods. They certainly are fragile, with one little tug will easily remove them from any area. As I have removed more and more I am reminded of life and how fragile it can be. Life is a gift given by the creator Himself.

God created us each with a purpose, a plan and His pleasure. He enjoys His time with us. He loves us.

These tender little trees need some love, concern and truth. Pulling them out and giving them truth that they needed to be planted in solid soil was the only thing that could give them life. We have some trees in our yard as a result of that “truth”. They are various sizes and in different places. But the “truth” indeed set them free!

My sister in law currently has breast and bone cancer. And years ago a dear friend passed with this very disease. If you have ever tried to encourage someone in those circumstances?  It is hard. How do you possibly minister to them? Truth.

Have you ever had to tell your child that a good friend had an accident and passed away? What can you possibly say? Just truth…

Plain, simple truth. Truth is the word of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit. Nothing else. His word is truth, his word is love. His word can set the captors free.

John 8:32 “You will know the truth and it will set you free.”

Jesus said that he was the way and the truth and the life….simple helicopters.

Simply stay focused on truth….Jesus.

Be blessed~

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

*google image, NIV*

 

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Happy Mother’s Day

Where would we be without our mothers? Well, first of all…we would not be at all!! 

It would be wrong not to stop and say thank you to my mother for all she has done and continues to do for me.

When I think about the significant women in my life I have come to realize that they were all mothers. Grandmothers who I loved and adored. Special ladies who have mentored me spiritually and emotionally through the years. Friends who have allowed me to be honest and share my innermost fears about parenting with….the list grows each time I try to make one!

Jesus knew the importance of a mother. I cannot help and think about the time at the wedding when the wine barrel was dry…typical of a mother….”Ah, come on….help out, I know you can…” and what did he do? Yep, turned the water into wine for his mom.

God refers to His love for us as a hen with its wing protecting her chicks, a momma.

And of course the cross. While Christ hung on that cross for our sin, he was concerned about his mother and her life after he was gone. He asked his beloved disciple, John to take her into his house and care for her. Jesus was dying…and yet thought of his mother. 

Mothers do the best they can.
Being a mother is the best job I have ever had. And as I get older, I am told I “mother” those around me. Oh well, it is what it is. I wouldn’t trade motherhood for anything in the world..and that includes a secluded island in the tropics, which for me is really saying something.
I was on a panel of “older” mothers this morning at a meeting,  answering questions that they had about raising children and mothering. With all that I could recall, I answered honestly and humbly. And then I realized that I needed to say something that was most important.

“You, mom, are doing a fine job. You are doing the best you can do and that is all you can do. You cannot have regrets, or want ‘do-overs’. You just must give it to the Father, concentrate on His love and stay focused on Him. That’s all anyone can do. The kids will make some bad choices…some good…but they must know that they are loved, as are you.”

So dear mothers everywhere:

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!! You are loved dear ones, you are loved.

Be blessed~

IN CHRIST ALONE



Isaiah 55:8-9

Simple Teaching

Christianity, Grace, homeschooling, mom, motherhood, Parenting, Spiritual Encouragement, teachers, , , , , , ,

Simple Teaching                                 jesus

Now, before you get all excited, I know that teaching is never SIMPLE!  I have taught and really get that.  But there was a time in my life when I thought I knew it all!  Imagine that.  Funny thing, the older I get, the less I realize I really know.

When I was in college, I studied and gathered all the information I could about great teachers and philosophers.  There were many theories on learning and child psychology.  I was going to be an incredible educator.  After all, I had two teaching certificates, a college diploma and knowledge galore.

Ahem, then I entered the classroom.  I had a classroom full of junior high and senior high boys.  Somehow all that knowledge did not help.  I needed to love these kids.  My professors never told me that part.

Jesus.  Now there was our role model for teaching.  The professors never mentioned him either.  He taught in the temple when he was 12. He taught the disciples in parables…stories that they could relate to.  And how, because of the love of God.  I had to surrender to that love with those boys.

All teachers have a goal, a plan, a reason for teaching.  Jesus was indeed the Master Teacher.  His goal was salvation and the love of God for believers.  He met people right smack dab where they were in the middle of their life!

Matthew 7:9-12 “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!  So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”  

I can just see the face of that mother giving her little boy a bite of fish….thinking, “of course I would never give him a snake, are you kidding?”

Jesus was never patronizing, he always taught with love, compassion and tenderness. ( Although I sometimes wonder if when he was teaching the disciples he got a little tired of repeating!  Peter was probably one of those kids….)  Yet, He loved them passionately.

The ultimate teacher, Jesus.  He was our example.  We are all teachers of the love of God.  He met them where they were…He loved them unconditionally.

If we rest and abide in Him, we will give us the words, peace and love when we need it.  Being led by the Holy Spirit dwelling within!! Teacher or nurse, stay at home or bus driver…we are all teachers in one way or another. It is simple really…love.

Be blessed~

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

*google image, NIV*