grace

God hears us.

He knows our names and He knows what delights us.

Even when we’re discouraged and the devil’s lies seem louder than our own faith, He listens and comforts with His Word.

This week has been a series of missed appointments, let-downs, not-good-enough’s and oh-woe-is-me’s. I felt depression seeping in and I wanted to just stop fighting.

I felt less-than and not measuring up to the standards I set for myself.

My children noticed. My husband was at a loss as to how to help. {But cupcakes are always welcome.}

Jesus is God’s love letter to us.

We have His Word, which is more than many people have in this world. We can read scriptures to learn about God and encourage our hearts.

I had just mentioned to my family that I hadn’t seen any hummingbirds this year and they must’ve passed us by somehow.

The the other morning, he came and hovered and chittered at me for quite a full minute. He didn’t even drink from the feeder. Then there were two more and they fought over the feeder rights. I sat on my deck in awe and delight watching these little war machines zoom back and forth and scold each other.

God knows what delights us and He knows when we need a faith boost.

This afternoon in the minivan, hot and tired, driving home with my three little kids from soccer physicals and sign-ups, grocery shopping, gassing up the van…

I broke down in God’s presence. His love surrounded me. I was overwhelmed with gratitude.

God’s Word reminds me…

my children are super healthy and apparently in the minority for being that way – at this particular clinic. The staff and doctor were impressed with my kids’ lifestyles and health. I doubt they see many kids without problems. I saw two babies with oxygen tanks in the waiting room and several unruly and obese kids.
I bought healthy produce, dairy items, and chicken at the commissary and stayed under budget! I bought everything I need on two aisles. It was a quick in-and-out with 3 kids in tow.
my kids asked for purple cabbage, carrots, and lemons instead of soda or candy at the store. I am so thankful that my kids make healthy choices. They asked me to read them “bad ingredients” on the canned lemonade, snack cakes, and candy in the checkout aisle. Wide-eyed, they asked if we could make healthier, natural versions of treats when we got home. We had grilled chicken legs, fruit, and salad (with that purple cabbage) for dinner!
even though I am discouraged by our debt – and things breaking and surprise needs that are popping up, I am plugging away and being obedient to our plan and goals. The devil lies!
listening to encouraging Christian music in the minivan helps me to focus on God and my family and our blessings rather than continue to be negative.

It’s important to learn how to let go and let be. The Holy Spirit is powerful indeed.

How to Experience God’s Love

Nature. I love experiencing Creation.
Prayer. See how I pray.
Reading Scripture
Reading about God, Scripture, Church History
Reading Poetry and Lovely Books
Loving Yourself
Loving Others
Hospitality
Serving Others

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Do you offer the “grace of presence” to your children?

Are you an intentional parent?

We Christians hear lots about grace, but do we offer it to our children? Do we model Christ’s grace in a way that they understand it?

Grace-filled family leadership is all about turning mistakes into opportunities for growth.
~Lead Your Family Like Jesus

I know there are too many times that I am “too busy” for my children. I get frustrated, tired, lazy, overwhelmed. I homeschool all four of them and I feel I deserve a break every now and then.

I must remind myself to rely on His strength.

When the devil baits me with my children’s disobedience {or because of my own lack of diligence and consistency as a parent}, I must respond with grace. I must trust in God to speak the right words and show the right actions.

It takes so much more effort to answer my children {and their behavior} patiently and kindly and seize the teachable moment, but it really pays off in the end.

I am too often reminded by gentle nudgings from my Father…I sometimes try too hard. I sometimes forget. I sometimes stop trusting.

When I stray from His path, then I get tired and lazy and full of self.

By trusting my God for answers in everything, especially parenting – because that is my number one priority – I am modeling for my children to trust me. I want them to trust that I have their best interests at heart, just as Jesus has our best interests in His heart. Children don’t always understand the why’s, and we don’t always understand His will, but we must trust and model that trust for our children.

We also must model grace.

If I am constantly harsh and unyielding, then it’s going to inspire rebellion and not obedience. I have to be a “yes mom” sometimes. I have to offer grace sometimes. I have to realize that sometimes natural consequences are more than sufficient for teaching a lesson. They don’t further need me to heap coals on their heads.

I want to be a fun mom who does the fun things and not the mean mom who always says no.

To extend grace, I must be intentional. I must be present. {Present means undivided attention – not on the computer while in the same room.}

I must know my children. I must know their hearts and desires and likes and dislikes. I must teach by example.

Only Jesus can fill us, but surely parents {more than anyone else} guide the way and help children accept Him. I want to witness my kids’ spiritual growth, as well as their intellectual and physical growth. I want to grow leaders for Jesus.

This is why we homeschool.

Grace.

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