Are you living up to God's plan for you?
Are you using your God-given talents to glorify Him?
When I begin to think about my identity in Christ I think of how the world sees me, how I see me and how God sees me.
Does it matter how the world sees me? In the big picture, NO. But it doesn't mean I don't still concern myself with how my friends {or complete strangers} view me. If I raise my voice at my kids, I know God has already forgiven me, my kids still love me, but will my friend think I'm a bad mom?
Where I believe world view matters is the ever important questions: Does my life glorify my Heavenly Father? Do my day to day actions reflect that I am a follower of Christ? Because these things are important!
Does it matter how I see me? Again, in the big scheme of things, NO. When I get inside my own head and make camp, I find I want to change myself. When I get onto myself for an action or thought I have to ask, are these thoughts condemnation from the enemy or convictions from the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:1 tells us "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (ESV) Thus I have to take out the condemning part of the thought and focus on how I can better my attitude and my actions to fit in my walk with Christ.
The truth and the most important identity question is: How does God see me? After all, He made me! He gave me a chance to redeem my life and start anew.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor 5:17 NIV) {Interesting note, NIV, NLT and ISV end the sentence with an exclamation point, I like that!}
Thank God {literally} that I am not judged, especially on things I did when I was younger!
Parts of my identity I need to remember:
I am a new creation.
Made by God.
My Heavenly Father.
I am in Christ.
I am forgiven.
God has a plan for me.
He has given me specific talents that I may fulfill my purpose.
God made me a mother, that's important. Someone thinking I raise my voice too much at my kids, not important. My feeling convicted to treat my children as God treats me, thus raising my voice less and less, important.
I want to fulfill God's purpose for me, even if I don't know what that is. God made me a mother, there's something special there. God made me a sister and a friend, there's purpose in these. He gave me the ability to write and to think with a critical mind. Where these fall into His plan for me, I don't yet know.
I know He made me,
He calls me Daughter.
He is the King of Kings,
My Heavenly Father.
I am a Princess!
*******
My amazing 5 year-old daughter has accepted Jesus as her Savior and decided to live for Christ. In her words, "not because you and Daddy want me to, but because I love Jesus. I've know God since I was a baby."
My sister suggested I now begin to teach her about her identity in Christ and I thought it was a great time to remind me of mine.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Thursday, December 8, 2011
'Twas the Write Before Christmas: Day 2 {2011}
I'm joining a wonderful community of bloggers, celebrating the Advent season and simply writing!
Tuesday's prompt:
‘Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel’
*******
Brightly shone the moon that night
They stood locked in their embrace
He had to go away again
And tears streamed down her face
Goodbyes were never easy
Especially this time of year
He had a duty to his country
Standing strong she would not fear
She and the kids would miss him
Christmas might not be the same
They'll focus on their Saviors birth
And seeing him again
Wishing to reassure him
She whispered in his ear
"Jesus will protect you
Of that I am quite sure
And if His plans differ from ours
I'll see at the end of this earthly tour"
*******
To all of our dedicated men and women serving this great nation, I thank you. If you're away from your loved ones then I pray our Lord will give you the strength to hold on to His hope and know His love will see you home. God bless you and your families.
Tuesday's prompt:
‘Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel’
*******
Brightly shone the moon that night
They stood locked in their embrace
He had to go away again
And tears streamed down her face
Goodbyes were never easy
Especially this time of year
He had a duty to his country
Standing strong she would not fear
She and the kids would miss him
Christmas might not be the same
They'll focus on their Saviors birth
And seeing him again
Wishing to reassure him
She whispered in his ear
"Jesus will protect you
Of that I am quite sure
And if His plans differ from ours
I'll see at the end of this earthly tour"
*******
To all of our dedicated men and women serving this great nation, I thank you. If you're away from your loved ones then I pray our Lord will give you the strength to hold on to His hope and know His love will see you home. God bless you and your families.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
'Twas the Write Before Christmas: Day 1 {2011}
I'm joining a wonderful community of bloggers, celebrating the Advent season and simply writing!
Our prompt for Monday's writing was an amazing photograph of snow covered trees, which can be seen here.
*******
"Mom, can we go back to Illinois?"
"No, Sweetheart, not right now. Why?"
"Because they have Christmas in Illinois."
"They have Christmas here, too, Sweetie."
"How can you have Christmas with no snow?"
The simple questions of a 4 year-old swirled in my heart for some time. The answers were easy enough to explain and she accepted them without further question and didn't ask again this year. But the conversation has stuck with me for over a year.
The truth is, it doesn't feel like Christmas without a proper Winter and the Mississippi Gulf Coast does not experience what I consider a proper Winter {especially considering when I began this post two days ago I still had my AC on}.
Growing up in Colorado I became accustom to the snow. I am a creature of change and was able to depend on the changing of seasons. I don't mind the heat as long as it's followed by the cool breezes of Autumn and the lush changing of the trees. I can easily tolerate the cold and the snow as long as the run-off uncovers the new life growing under the surface of the ice and snow.
Without these changes I feel stagnant, this leads to sadness, which leads to homesickness; where I, again, long for the Colorado and the changes of the seasons.
In our family, we celebrate Christmas as the birthday of our Savior and I understand, snow or no snow, we will celebrate and cherish the One who loves us beyond measure. But I do find it easier to get into the decorating spirit when the evergreens are blanketed in white.
Our prompt for Monday's writing was an amazing photograph of snow covered trees, which can be seen here.
*******
"Mom, can we go back to Illinois?"
"No, Sweetheart, not right now. Why?"
"Because they have Christmas in Illinois."
"They have Christmas here, too, Sweetie."
"How can you have Christmas with no snow?"
The simple questions of a 4 year-old swirled in my heart for some time. The answers were easy enough to explain and she accepted them without further question and didn't ask again this year. But the conversation has stuck with me for over a year.
The truth is, it doesn't feel like Christmas without a proper Winter and the Mississippi Gulf Coast does not experience what I consider a proper Winter {especially considering when I began this post two days ago I still had my AC on}.
Growing up in Colorado I became accustom to the snow. I am a creature of change and was able to depend on the changing of seasons. I don't mind the heat as long as it's followed by the cool breezes of Autumn and the lush changing of the trees. I can easily tolerate the cold and the snow as long as the run-off uncovers the new life growing under the surface of the ice and snow.
Without these changes I feel stagnant, this leads to sadness, which leads to homesickness; where I, again, long for the Colorado and the changes of the seasons.
In our family, we celebrate Christmas as the birthday of our Savior and I understand, snow or no snow, we will celebrate and cherish the One who loves us beyond measure. But I do find it easier to get into the decorating spirit when the evergreens are blanketed in white.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
My Life: Being Held in the Arms of Love
I fell in love with my husband, again last night.
He had walked out of the living room and Bear drowsily walked behind him. Barely holding on to her Elmo, her head drooping to the side, as if she were too tired to hold it up.
I heard a muffled, "I want Daddy." Followed by a few moments of silence.
From around the corner, the two emerged. The not-so-little girl being held against her daddy's chest, embraced tightly by his strong arms. Her head rested perfectly on his shoulder, his head on hers.
I was amazed at the amount of love emanating from such a simple embrace.
A father holding his child.
As our Father holds us.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Goals: Accountability Update 2
I missed last week and am a day behind this week, but better late than never... {Right??}
Thank you, Ally, for motivating me!
**********
Recurring goals {items needed to be completed daily, weekly or monthly}:
Read my Bible daily!
I need to remind myself why I want to do this! It is in the Word that I find peace, I find answers, I am reminded of Jesus' love for me, I'm reminded how special I am, and that no matter what, I am NEVER alone!
Create and stick to a house cleaning/maintenance schedule. Enlist the children's help. {They really do enjoy cleaning}
I have my weekly schedule written, the girls help when I ask, unfortunately I haven't kept on top of it. But it is written!
Create and stick to a prayer schedule. {Praying for specific groups of people each day}
This is actually complete but I'm not taking it off yet because I want to reduce the toys even more!
Long term goals:
Maintain "gazelle intensity" and save up enough money for {hopefully} a 50% down payment on a house once Josh retires and figure out where we're going to live.
Finish degree.
Learn a foreign language. I'm currently learning Latin with B but would like to be fluent in a commonly spoken language as well.
********
All in all I feel that I haven't done very well but I know, progress is progress and this week will be better!
Thank you, Ally, for motivating me!
**********
Recurring goals {items needed to be completed daily, weekly or monthly}:
Read my Bible daily!
I need to remind myself why I want to do this! It is in the Word that I find peace, I find answers, I am reminded of Jesus' love for me, I'm reminded how special I am, and that no matter what, I am NEVER alone!
Create and stick to a house cleaning/maintenance schedule. Enlist the children's help. {They really do enjoy cleaning}
I have my weekly schedule written, the girls help when I ask, unfortunately I haven't kept on top of it. But it is written!
Create and stick to a prayer schedule. {Praying for specific groups of people each day}
I have it written and I'm praying!
Complete monthly budget before the beginning of the month so Josh and I can have budget meetings.
I'll be wrapping it up today so we can have December's meeting this evening.
Take weekly "field trips," even if it's just to the back yard, to study something pertaining to that week's lesson.
I'm failing at this one!
Short term goals {in no specific order}:
Finish the baby's room. {His changing table is B's dressers, thus I need to get B a new dresser!}
We have the dresser, but it is nowhere near being finished.
Organize B's schooling, still allowing for flexibility.
Complete monthly budget before the beginning of the month so Josh and I can have budget meetings.
I'll be wrapping it up today so we can have December's meeting this evening.
Take weekly "field trips," even if it's just to the back yard, to study something pertaining to that week's lesson.
I'm failing at this one!
Short term goals {in no specific order}:
Finish the baby's room. {His changing table is B's dressers, thus I need to get B a new dresser!}
We have the dresser, but it is nowhere near being finished.
Organize B's schooling, still allowing for flexibility.
This is now included on my schedule!
Be debt free! {Yes, this is short term! Thanks to Dave Ramsey this should be completed within the next couple months!}
Blog more.
Slowly but surely.
Get B back on a chore/commission work schedule.
She's been working around the house I just haven't paid her, I guess I should add that money to the budget.
Beginning with the Spring semester {I have to allow some time to figure out how to be a mom of 3} take at least one class per semester.
Memorize scripture.
I'll be working on 2 Samuel 22:2-3 this week if you want to join me.
Reduce TV time! I would like to reduce the amount of evening TV time too, but I do need to discuss it with Josh {I'm sure he'll support the idea.}
Still just a little better.
Have company over, couples over for a game night or something. I've got to get over this not-quite fear of hosting.
Get on an exercise routine.
Clean out garage.
Eat out less.
Hopefully we can stick to our menu this week.
Plan a date night with my hubby! I'd like to do this monthly but with work schedules and life in general I'll accept every other month or so.
Still hasn't happened.
Reorganize all closets and storage areas in the house, make better use of them.
I started with the cleaning closet and have moved on to Baby J's room, the girl's closet is a work in progress but it is progressing.
Reduce the girls' toys to about half. I'd like to complete this before Christmas!
Be debt free! {Yes, this is short term! Thanks to Dave Ramsey this should be completed within the next couple months!}
Blog more.
Slowly but surely.
Get B back on a chore/commission work schedule.
She's been working around the house I just haven't paid her, I guess I should add that money to the budget.
Beginning with the Spring semester {I have to allow some time to figure out how to be a mom of 3} take at least one class per semester.
Memorize scripture.
I'll be working on 2 Samuel 22:2-3 this week if you want to join me.
Reduce TV time! I would like to reduce the amount of evening TV time too, but I do need to discuss it with Josh {I'm sure he'll support the idea.}
Still just a little better.
Have company over, couples over for a game night or something. I've got to get over this not-quite fear of hosting.
Get on an exercise routine.
Clean out garage.
Eat out less.
Hopefully we can stick to our menu this week.
Plan a date night with my hubby! I'd like to do this monthly but with work schedules and life in general I'll accept every other month or so.
Still hasn't happened.
Reorganize all closets and storage areas in the house, make better use of them.
I started with the cleaning closet and have moved on to Baby J's room, the girl's closet is a work in progress but it is progressing.
Reduce the girls' toys to about half. I'd like to complete this before Christmas!
This is actually complete but I'm not taking it off yet because I want to reduce the toys even more!
Long term goals:
Maintain "gazelle intensity" and save up enough money for {hopefully} a 50% down payment on a house once Josh retires and figure out where we're going to live.
Finish degree.
Learn a foreign language. I'm currently learning Latin with B but would like to be fluent in a commonly spoken language as well.
********
All in all I feel that I haven't done very well but I know, progress is progress and this week will be better!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
My Life: Update
As I finally have some time to write I know I should be writing something profound or updating my goals but instead I'll be conducting an experiment... I'm going to attempt to write this entire post from my phone while laying in bed. So it's really just going to be a personal life update because I know all three of you are sitting on the edge of your seats, dying to know what my week has been like.
Quite honestly, its been a little rough. Managing the girls while 34 weeks without the help from my husband is proving more difficult than I had anticipated. I had put in place, events and people to help the week go faster but that ended up failing as one person after another had to cancel, thus leaving with a whole lot of alone time with my girls.
With each cancelling text and email I felt more and more alone. Each person had a very good reason but when you're hormonal and a bit lonely it's hard not to take things personally, if only briefly.
So I cried, and cried, sobbing, asking God for help. He came through {as He always will} not in the way I would have chosen, but in the form of strength, grace and He helped my girls go to sleep early and without a big fuss. Thank yo, Lord!
I've been so tired this week! B has been waking up early all week, Bear has been having issues sleep during the night, she was up at 3am yesterday and stayed for about an hour. Couple the girls sleep habits with my pregnancy and sleep doesn't seem to fit in anywhere.
But alas, I lay in my bed yawning. I think it may be time to sign off, I have an early doctor's appointment in the morning.
Quite honestly, its been a little rough. Managing the girls while 34 weeks without the help from my husband is proving more difficult than I had anticipated. I had put in place, events and people to help the week go faster but that ended up failing as one person after another had to cancel, thus leaving with a whole lot of alone time with my girls.
With each cancelling text and email I felt more and more alone. Each person had a very good reason but when you're hormonal and a bit lonely it's hard not to take things personally, if only briefly.
So I cried, and cried, sobbing, asking God for help. He came through {as He always will} not in the way I would have chosen, but in the form of strength, grace and He helped my girls go to sleep early and without a big fuss. Thank yo, Lord!
I've been so tired this week! B has been waking up early all week, Bear has been having issues sleep during the night, she was up at 3am yesterday and stayed for about an hour. Couple the girls sleep habits with my pregnancy and sleep doesn't seem to fit in anywhere.
But alas, I lay in my bed yawning. I think it may be time to sign off, I have an early doctor's appointment in the morning.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Goals: Accountabilty Update
As part of the challenge put forth by Ally, we (Ally, Jaime and I) are checking in with each other in order to show support, please join us.
**********
Recurring goals {items needed to be completed daily, weekly or monthly}:
Read my Bible daily!
Doing pretty good, but I need to get better!
Create and stick to a house cleaning/maintenance schedule. Enlist the children's help. {They really do enjoy cleaning}
haven't yet but I have cleaned this past week! {woohoo, me!}
Create and stick to a prayer schedule. {Praying for specific groups of people each day}
Complete monthly budget before the beginning of the month so Josh and I can have budget meetings.
It wasn't completed before the first of the month but Josh and I did have our budget meeting.
Take weekly "field trips," even if it's just to the back yard, to study something pertaining to that week's lesson.
I haven't decided where we're going this week.
Short term goals {in no specific order}:
Finish the baby's room. {His changing table is B's dresser, thus I need to get B a new dresser!}
Budgeted money for the dresser so hopefully soon.
Organize B's schooling, still allowing for flexibility.
Be debt free! {Yes, this is short term! Thanks to Dave Ramsey this should be completed within the next couple months!}
Blog more.
Slowly but surely.
Get B back on a chore/commission work schedule.
Beginning with the Spring semester {I have to allow some time to figure out how to be a mom of 3} take at least one class per semester.
Memorize scripture.
Reduce TV time! I would like to reduce the amount of evening TV time too, but I do need to discuss it with Josh {I'm sure he'll support the idea.}
Getting a little better.
Have company over, couples over for a game night or something. I've got to get over this not-quite fear of hosting.
Get on an exercise routine.
Clean out garage.
Eat out less.
Plan a date night with my hubby! I'd like to do this monthly but with work schedules and life in general I'll accept every other month or so.
Hoping for this week, just need to work out a sitter.
Reorganize all closets and storage areas in the house, make better use of them.
Reduce the girls' toys to about half. I'd like to complete this before Christmas!
Long term goals:
Maintain "gazelle intensity" and save up enough money for {hopefully} a 50% down payment on a house once Josh retires and figure out where we're going to live.
Finish degree.
Learn a foreign language. I'm currently learning Latin with B but would like to be fluent in a commonly spoken language as well.
********
All in all I feel that I haven't done very well but I know, progress is progress and this week will be better!
**********
Recurring goals {items needed to be completed daily, weekly or monthly}:
Read my Bible daily!
Doing pretty good, but I need to get better!
Create and stick to a house cleaning/maintenance schedule. Enlist the children's help. {They really do enjoy cleaning}
haven't yet but I have cleaned this past week! {woohoo, me!}
Create and stick to a prayer schedule. {Praying for specific groups of people each day}
Complete monthly budget before the beginning of the month so Josh and I can have budget meetings.
It wasn't completed before the first of the month but Josh and I did have our budget meeting.
Take weekly "field trips," even if it's just to the back yard, to study something pertaining to that week's lesson.
I haven't decided where we're going this week.
Short term goals {in no specific order}:
Finish the baby's room. {His changing table is B's dresser, thus I need to get B a new dresser!}
Budgeted money for the dresser so hopefully soon.
Organize B's schooling, still allowing for flexibility.
Be debt free! {Yes, this is short term! Thanks to Dave Ramsey this should be completed within the next couple months!}
Blog more.
Slowly but surely.
Get B back on a chore/commission work schedule.
Beginning with the Spring semester {I have to allow some time to figure out how to be a mom of 3} take at least one class per semester.
Memorize scripture.
Reduce TV time! I would like to reduce the amount of evening TV time too, but I do need to discuss it with Josh {I'm sure he'll support the idea.}
Getting a little better.
Have company over, couples over for a game night or something. I've got to get over this not-quite fear of hosting.
Get on an exercise routine.
Clean out garage.
Eat out less.
Plan a date night with my hubby! I'd like to do this monthly but with work schedules and life in general I'll accept every other month or so.
Hoping for this week, just need to work out a sitter.
Reorganize all closets and storage areas in the house, make better use of them.
Reduce the girls' toys to about half. I'd like to complete this before Christmas!
Long term goals:
Maintain "gazelle intensity" and save up enough money for {hopefully} a 50% down payment on a house once Josh retires and figure out where we're going to live.
Finish degree.
Learn a foreign language. I'm currently learning Latin with B but would like to be fluent in a commonly spoken language as well.
********
All in all I feel that I haven't done very well but I know, progress is progress and this week will be better!
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