Tag Archives: raising children

Simple Rain

Christianity, Grace, mom, motherhood, Parenting, Spiritual Encouragement, Truth, Uncategorized, Who we are in Christ, , , , , , , ,

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Simple Rain

And rain…and rain.

“They waited for me as for the rain, And opened their mouth as for the spring rain.”  Job 29:23

We are in a pattern of rain around here most certainly.  I have been working full time the last week and wondered if all this rain was just my imagination, then my husband informed me otherwise.  It has rained…everyday, at some point or another.  And the pattern may continue for a few more.

But what a difference rain is on a summer day than on a fall day!  I could not be sitting on here on the back porch writing.  I could not enjoy the birds singing as they bathe…yet again.  I could not see the flowers perpetually growing in front of me.  I could not smell the fragrance of the honeysuckle as it tickles my nose.

I remember letting my little guys play in the warm rain.  Oh, how they loved it!  It was as though I had given them the moon!  They were allowed to get wet, soaked, drenched from head to toe.  Of course the first time I allowed this I sent them out with umbrellas.  Ha.  That lasted all of 5 seconds, as those umbrellas became better at splashing one another than actually covering themselves to avoid getting wet!

But what abandonment they experienced!  Not a care in the world.  Splashing through the street, looking for the biggest puddle they could find!  Looking for rainbows as the sun tried to peek through the cloud over head.  Opening their months to receive the best tasting water on the planet.

Yep, you guessed it.  Instead of watching them….I joined them.  No rules, no regulations, no worries.  Just simple rain.  Contentment.  Enjoying life in that moment.  Pure ‘ole fun. Rejoicing in the day, and experiencing His love.

“The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.”  Psalm 118:24

Be blessed~

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

Simple Path

Christianity, homeschooling, Parenting, Truth, Uncategorized, Who we are in Christ, , , , ,

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Simple Path

I walk down the path , minding my own business.  Things seem to be going just fine.  The path is well lit and easy to walk upon.  The bushes are lovely, the butterflies flit in and out between their blossoms.  The thorns that were always present seem to have disappeared.

  The sunshine is glimmering on the stone path.  The little squirrels twirl and whirl right in front of my feet.  What a joy the journey along the path is today!

Wait a minute.  This path is becoming a bit bumpy.  Ouch!  That stone punctured my foot.  Whoa.  I cannot see like I could a few minutes  ago! No, I am not leaving this path or asking for any help.  Those thorns weren’t there a minute ago either!

Those little squirrels suddenly have a look of evil in their eyes.  I am lost!  I cannot see where I am going.  I don’t care how many other paths there are to take that won’t hurt.  I am going this way…wait a minute, what happened to the joyful journey?

 I cannot do this.  Why did I begin to travel this way?  Don’t I know better?  Why do I always make these stupid mistakes?  What can I do now?  I am so stupid, I am so scared.  I am so ashamed.

Where did that shame come from?  Why do I feel so guilty for walking down this path?  Why am I condemning myself for walking down a simple path?  Pride has kept me from taking another path.  Why am I so scared of squirrels all of the sudden?

Does this sound like a journey we call life?  We can be walking down a path and all the circumstances on that path can change so suddenly.  We can make a mistake, we can be pierced by the thorns, hurt by a stone. But it always come, at one time or another.

Romans 8:1  “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.”  Proverbs 16:18  “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”  1 John 4:18 ” “There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

So we beat ourselves up.  We make mistakes, we take the wrong paths…circumstances of life change.  We do too little, or not enough.  We need to learn how to get up off the path, dust out feet, conquer our fear, deal with the consequences and maybe even take the other path.  The enemy has us right where he wants us when we mess up and sat down, beat up and scared on that path.

Hebrews 13:5-6  ” Never will I leave nor forsake you, so we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?'”

Stay on that path today.  If those squirrels become mean, the stones become sharp…stay the course, or even change to another path!  Either way, HE will stay with you, right by your side!

Be blessed~

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

*google image, NIV Bible*

Simple Gift

Christianity, Spiritual Encouragement, Truth, Uncategorized, , , , , , , ,

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Simple Gift

She glanced at the huge box on the table. Could it be hers? What could possibly be in that beautiful box? How long would she have to wait to find out? The suspense was almost more than her little 9 year old heart could handle!

Her daddy had brought the large box in and sat it on the table. He had looked at her and grinned, then walked out of the room. She sat on the couch, unable to take her eyes off the box. Her daddy had been gone on a business trip and always found something to bring home to her. This had to be one of those gifts!

She sat still for what seemed like an eternity. Where did he go? Should she open the box? Should she wait until he came back into the room and ask him? Should she get up and go find him? She tried to keep her mind occupied, but her mind would not concentrate on anything but that huge box!

In a few minutes her daddy walked back into the room. Her anticipation had grown.  She sat waiting for his instructions. None came. He just sat down in his chair. “What is he waiting for?” she thought to herself. “Is that for me or not?” she thought.

Five minutes passed and she tried to act as if she had not noticed the box, but it was driving her crazy. When she looked at her daddy, he smiled politely and simply looked back out the window. This was torture!

Another five minutes drove the daughter practically into madness. She had always been taught to be polite and was not sure if she should just come out and ask for the box. Finally she asked her daddy, “Daddy, I have to ask…is the gift for me?” “Why yes my precious daughter, the gift is yours.” The daughter jumped up and went to get the gift.

As she opened it she found so many of her favorite things. She found books, seashells, flowers, a picture of a bird and music. All of these things were precious to her.  She loved to read and write, give gifts of beauty to others, sing, play the piano.  She received the gifts with such thanksgiving. Daddy was so pleased, he loved being able to gift his little girl.

“Daddy” she asked. “Why did you wait so long to tell me the gift was mine?” “Well sweetheart” he replied, “I was waiting for you to simply ask for it. The gift was yours the whole time. You just had to make the decision to receive it.”

What gifts has the Father given you that you have not received? Has the Father offered you the gift of salvation? What are you waiting for? Has He given you gifts in which you can use to glorify Him and serve others? Or are you leaving them to sit in the box? Has the Father simply offered you the beauty of a seashell, but have you looked past it not receiving it as the gift of beauty to bring you joy? Whatever the gift is..our Father is a gentleman, and he will not force it on you. He gives out of love.

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.” 1 Corinthians 12:4

What gifts has the Father left for you to find and receive? Believe me, it is not a mystery…you won’t have to look hard…

Be blessed~

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

*google image, NIV Bible*