What A Shoplifter Taught Me About Easter

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It had started off as just an ordinary trip to the grocery store—and I wanted to get in and out as quickly as possible. (Btw, this was my life B. C. – Before Coupons. I made lists back then, but I certainly didn’t check them twice. In fact, I didn’t even try to stick very closely to a budget!)

Before finishing up, I had paused to look for a light bulb for my refrigerator. Surprised that my grocery store would carry such a dizzying array of bulbs, and wondering if a refrigerator light bulb would be labeled as such, I was just about to give up when I noticed a guy standing next to me. He was a real “he-man" type who seemed like he might know about such things, so I asked him.

He was agitated by my question, and I realized that I must have startled him. I certainly didn’t mean to. This is the South, and most of us are used to strangers striking up random conversations at the grocery store. But this guy was nervous and jumpy, and he was wearing a long-sleeved hoodie on a very warm spring day. He assured me that he had no idea which bulb I needed. Just then, I spotted one labeled appliance bulb. “That’s it,” I noted, then turned around to thank him anyway. (Remember, this is the South. We say thanks when people do help us, and even when they don’t!) But as I did, a steak fell out of the back of his hoodie.
Yes.
A steak.
A steak on a foam tray, shrink-wrapped, straight from the meat department.

There were at least three other people standing in the aisle when this happened. Simultaneously, each person turned her head. No one wanted to deal with it. I mean, really, how inconvenient. “Minister to shoplifters” was not on my to-do list that day, nor, it would seem, anyone else’s.

As I wheeled my cart around and scampered off toward the dairy section, I felt embarrassed for him and ashamed for myself. I didn’t want to tell the management on him, but I certainly didn’t want to approach him, either. “What would Jesus do?” I wondered. But I didn’t wonder for very long. In my lifestyle of haste, I went on about my shopping, forgetting all about the guy with the steak falling out of his pullover. I finished up and paid for my purchases, making sure to use my handy-dandy shopper’s discount card, but not once thanking God for His provision and the blessing of a full shopping cart. When the cashier gave me the total, I thought it sounded a little high, but I didn’t worry about it. Sometimes my math is off, and besides, I was ready to go.

After piling the groceries into my van, I headed home. At the first stoplight, however, my curiosity got the best of me, and I pulled out my receipt to check it. Aha! The discount from my shopper's card wasn't showing up! I had missed out on nearly $10 worth of savings!

I considered what I should do. Should I call the store when I got home? Should I turn around and go back now? Should I forget about it? Into my whirlwind of reasoning came these quiet words from the Lord, straight to my heart: You just bought a steak.

“Oh, Lord,” I whispered, “I had already forgotten about that guy. But You didn’t.” I drove home stunned, and for the next several days, I thought about that man, the steak, and the coupon card that the clerk scanned but that never showed up on my receipt. I figured that the $9.27 that I didn’t save was the exact price of that stolen steak. And I was so thankful to know a God who loves so much that He cared enough to pay the price for a shoplifter’s dinner.

As we celebrate Easter this weekend, I realize there are scores of people who live unaware of the fact that God has paid the price for their sins through His Son, Jesus. Jesus willingly gave His life in order for people to enjoy right relationship with God the Father. We were created to be in fellowship with God, to love Him and live in His presence. But a holy God cannot look upon our sin or allow sin in His Heaven—not unless the sin has been covered by the blood of His son. That’s the price of our sin: death. The Apostle Peter explained it this way: For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom He paid was not mere gold or silver. He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God (1 Peter 1:18-19). Jesus Christ is our gift from God. He conquered death in order that we could have eternal life.

What would Jesus do if He saw a steak fall out the back of somebody’s hoodie? Well, I believe He would pay for that steak, not secretly, but openly; not accidentally, but intentionally. He would pursue a relationship with that person and invite Him to share in His Father’s riches.

What about you? Are you trying to hide your sins in the back of your shirt? Despite your best efforts, they are falling out. While other people may turn their heads at the sight of them, Jesus sees your sins and loves you anyway. He’s already paid the price for your past, and He invites you to accept His plans for your future. You are paid for and planned for.

Have a blessed Easter!



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If You Know Who You Are, You Can Teach Her Who She Is

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When it comes to other women, do you consider yourself inclusive or exclusive?

When my friend Dianne moved to a new community, she felt frustrated after an attempt to connect with a local moms’ group. “It was like cheerleader tryouts all over again,” she mused. I knew exactly what she meant. My mind returned to the spring of my sixth grade year, when cheerleader tryouts were held at my middle school. It seemed like everyone except me had swingy hair, a perfect complexion, and athletic coordination. I felt out of place and unsure of myself. I knew from one glance at the competition that I would never make the cut.

Like Dianne, I’ve continued to experience situations as an adult in which those feelings of insecurity and inferiority resurface. I still have bad hair days and the occasional zit, causing a preoccupation with the trivial. Walking into a room full of people I’ve never met remains somewhat unnerving. There are times when I still find myself overly concerned with what others think: friends, colleagues, even complete strangers.

Did I smile big enough?
Keep my arms straight enough?
Jump high enough?

However, something has happened that has made a huge difference in my life. I’ve learned what God has to say about me, and I’ve accepted it. It doesn’t matter how I feel about me or what other people think. I believe Him! God says:


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• I am fearfully and wonderfully made, whether or not I can do a cartwheel (Psalm 139:14).
• I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved, whether or not I am chosen by a panel of judges (Colossians 3:12).
• I am a child of God, and I look like my Father, whether or not I’m having a good hair day (I John 3:1, 2).
• I am accepted by God because of my faith in Jesus Christ, whether or not I am accepted by other people ( Galatians 2:16).

Now, just imagine a world where we as women believed this--stood on it!--walked it, breathed it, lived it. And then imagine that we taught our daughters to do the same. :)

Are you setting an example today that includes others? Or are you still as clique-ish as you were in 6th grade? Or are you still believing you don't fit in, so you are reluctant to approach people and you hesitate in making new friends?

Hmmm.

Know who you are, because He says you are, and pass it on. She is depending on you to teach her to depend on Him.

Complaining and Comparing will Hinder Your Success

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"There are two things that will hinder any potential for success in life: complaining and comparison." ~James R. Moore

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These words were spoken by a former pastor of mine, the late Bro. Jimmy Moore. Bro. Jimmy said that in a sermon he preached at around the same time that my husband and I were making our decision to homeschool. The words pierced my heart, and I jotted them down immediately, then copied them onto a larger piece of paper when I got home. (In fact, I also remember writing that quote on handwriting paper, you know, the kind with solid lines and broken lines? I had my kids learn that quote too.) I kept that paper in the front of my homeschool notebook. Whenever I opened that notebook, Bro. Jimmy's quote was there to greet me.

As I stepped into homeschooling, I had to be reminded daily of the potential for disaster that was ever present in my words (complaining) and in my mind (comparing). And the truth is, this doesn't just apply to homeschooling. It applies in every area of my life. Whether it's my walk with God, homeschooling, parenting, writing, or just getting dressed in the morning, complaining and comparing will hinder my potential for success.

So how do I try to avoid some of this in my life?

A grateful heart. Pursuing a grateful heart is a biggie. When I'm tempted to complain, singing praise songs or just listing the things I'm thankful for is huge.

Re-focus. I also try to distract myself by focusing on the needs of others. I'm told of so many needs that I always have plenty to pray about. Redirecting my thoughts to petitioning the Lord on behalf of someone else gets the focus off me and puts it squarely where it should be: God and others.

Flee temptation. Here's an example: There are some blogs that I just cannot read. I admire the folks who write them, and I know that they are my sisters in Christ, but I just can't read them. It's like getting on an elevator with someone who has beautiful, long straight hair. It is seventh grade all over again. I know I'm going to compare rather than stand on who God says I am, so I just literally don't go there. :)

Pep talk. If you can talk yourself down, you can talk yourself back up again. Try the book of Ephesians if you want to know who you really are, and just sit down and read it over yourself. Truly, none of us who are in Christ have anything to complain about. He loves us each uniquely. Thank God, I have never heard Him say, Why can't you be more like her? He never compares us to each other, so why should we?

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Stuck in a Rut?

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Same old piles of laundry.

Same old kitchen sink.

Same old balance in the checkbook.

Same old number on the scale.

Same old, same old.

Sometimes life just settles into a rut. Unfortunately, the predictability of a routine can deposit a mom squarely into the mistaken mindset of control. Because we are so used to handling these daily duties, we overlook our need to tap into the power of Christ. Without Him, however, life has no real purpose. In the thick of our busy routines, we find ourselves asking that age-old question, Why am I here?

You are here, in this location. Look around. Where do you live? You might be a missionary, serving far away from your extended family and friends. You may have lived in the same zip code all your life. You may be a transplant, finding yourself in a new location and unfamiliar territory. Whatever your location, know that you are there to serve God and bring Him glory. He has a plan that was designed with you in mind. No other shoes can fill the spot where you are standing. You are here, in this very spot, to meet with God and connect others to Him.

You are here, in this generation. I was 15 when my beleaguered parents finally gave in to my pleas for a phone and had one installed in my room. I never considered that my kids would campaign just as passionately for phones that fit in their pockets--phones they do not even want to use for talking, but texting! LOL! Before I was born, God knew my generation would see some fascinating technological advances. He also knew there would be times when I would feel like I do not fit in! The truth is that I was born at exactly the right time, in exactly the right generation. Like me, you are here, at this time in the history of the world, to meet with God and to connect others to Him.

You are here, in this situation. What is going on in your life today? Are you ill? Is your heart burdened by a broken relationship? Are you feeling frustrated by rowdy and restless kids? In the midst of your circumstances, could you stop and consider that God knows where you are? He longs to reveal Himself in all the big and little things in your life. You are here: worried about a sick child, a lost job, or a depressed spouse, and God is longing for you to turn to Him for healing, provision, and comfort. You are here, in your life’s chaos, to meet with God and to connect others to Him.




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Mom's Tip of the Day #174

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Are you a praying parent? Be careful not to get praise and thanksgiving confused. Praise is about who God is; thanksgiving is about what God does.

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Infield, Outfield, Mission Field

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Heading out to the field? The baseball field?

As my sons have grown up playing baseball, I've learned that gorgeous green playing field beckons kids from all walks of life--with all kinds of moms. Approaching this time of year once again, I think back to the many women I've shared these seasons with: single moms, widowed moms, and grandmoms with full parental custody of their grandchildren. Sports moms spend a great deal of time sitting on the sidelines cheering for their kids, and, like women are prone to do, forming relationships with one another. How can you share the love of Christ with the moms sharing the sidelines with you this year?

Get to know the other mothers. Don't be shy! Introduce yourself, and put together a list of names and phone numbers. An easy way to strike up a conversation with any mom is to ask her to tell you about her child.

Arrange carpooling. Find out where other teammates live and see if you can arrange to share rides. Lots of moms need help getting their children to afternoon practice times.

Open your home. My husband grew up in a home where all of his teammates were welcome. His mother would set another place at the table and somehow divide meal portions so there was always enough to go around. A Christian home is a safe haven that God wants you to share with others.

Pray for the team. One season, our team families experienced various crises, including the death of a grandmother, one mom’s broken engagement, and another parent’s major surgery which included a hospital stay. Knowing what was going on in people’s lives gave us the opportunity to pray for these families and share Christ’s love with them through active ministry.

Support the coach. Whether you have the best coach or the worst, trust that God put your child with this person for a reason. Show your support for the coach by submitting to his authority and expertise on the field. Avoid gossip or derogatory remarks about the coach and others who are investing so much of their time and energy on your child.

Different cultures, beliefs, and lifestyles intermingle with the love we share for baseball. Too often, we shy away from others because we are afraid of getting involved or we fear our attempts at friendship will be rejected. However, these are folks with whom you already have a lot in common: You have kids the same age playing on the same team! This is a great opportunity to shed a little light and sprinkle a little salt on those around you. Ask God to open your heart to the other moms and bless the development of new relationships, opening doors to share Christ.

Want more info on sharing Christ? Check out these posts:
Can I Get a Witness? Exploring Open Doors for Sharing the Good News!
Scripture is the Key to Revealing the Truth of Christ
Faith Means Taking a Risk

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Is Your Past Affecting the Way You Parent?

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How were you parented? According to Timm Glover, a retired Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapist, one common way people parent out of fear is in their desire to parent differently from their parents. For example, a man whose own father was mostly absent due to an overloaded work schedule might try to compensate by being ultra-available to his kids. A mom who grew up under a stifling disciplinarian might try to make up for that by being “buddy-buddy” with her child.

“My home was a place of violence and fear, a place where we kids walked on egg shells, learning to do whatever necessary to keep peace,” a Chattanooga mom shared with me. “While my relationship with Christ has brought healing to so many of those wounds, I fear that.”

This Valentine's Day, Show Your Kids Love In Action

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My Valentine and me!

It was our first Valentine’s Day as a married couple. Consumed with my last semester of college, I had not remembered to buy my husband a gift! I would be late for class if I tried to fix a special breakfast (not that I could cook at that time LOL), so I quickly penned a note which I left on the kitchen table. In twenty-three years of marriage, it is one of the best gifts I have ever given him. I promised to make every day a Valentine’s Day, so that he would know he was loved all year long. In keeping that promise, I have learned that while love the emotion can be a roller coaster ride, love the action will keep a relationship on track.

In truth, the picture of love that our children see expressed in our marriages is the one that will reign as the standard for all their lives. Every male-female relationship they see will measure up to that standard, go beyond it, or drop far behind. Likewise, the active love we give our children is stored in their hearts and minds, wrapped in their memories. Love can be expressed in words, thoughts, prayers, and affection, but mostly, real love is

Mom's Tip of the Day #165

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When God invites us to cast every care upon Him (1Peter 5:7), He is serious! Potty-training, driver's training, and everything in between--our every care and concern is to be taken to Him in prayer.

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How Perfectionism and Procrastination Affect Your Relationship with Jesus

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It has always boggled my mind how good habits are so difficult to develop and bad habits are so easy to acquire! Maybe it's because bad habits "happen" to us, but we have to "happen" to good habits in order to make them stick! Author Marla "FlyLady" Cilley candidly admits her routines took months to become habits. Perhaps that's why so many people love the FlyLady and her wonderful website! She isn't ashamed to share that her good habits took a great deal of effort, and therefore, a great deal of time.

Unfortunately, our culture places a premium on speed. The battle cry is, "Get 'er done!" When our homes or our schedules don’t fall into perfect order immediately, we are quick to declare ourselves failures. But the truth is not everything can be popped in the microwave. Good habits will not be had at the drive-thru window. Nope...sometimes we are going to have to find a place to park before we go anywhere else!

Did you know your relationship with Christ can suffer from that same perfectionist mentality? Oh, believe me--it can! See if this scenario sounds familiar: You decide that you want a deeper walk with the Lord. So you begin reading God’s Word, praying more, and looking for ways to serve Him. After a mere few days of this resolve, you still aren’t the Christian you want to be. Life crowds in with its dirt and clutter: secret sins, favorite hurts, and familiar fears. Your resolve is shaken, and once again, you find yourself feeling defeated. What then?

Or this scenario: Trying to establish the habit of a daily quiet time. Dear readers, not only does this take daily determination, it must stand up to daily interruption! Whether it is your kids, your husband, or simply your own wandering mind, this is where the enemy will fight you the hardest. Will you fight back? Or will you say, "Well, there's no way I can have a decent time with the Lord today. There's too much going on. Or, I need my rest. Or, The kids are already up and going crazy. Or, I'll do it later."

When I battled perfectionism with my quiet time, the Lord reminded me of one boy, two fish, and five barley loaves. I hate to think if I had been there and had anything to do with that day! I would have immediately dismissed that child's lunch because it wouldn't have been enough. But not Jesus. He knows it is never going to be enough. That's why we need Him. When it comes your quiet time, there will never be enough time. There will never be enough energy. There will never be enough focus. There will never be enough holiness. That's why whatever we bring to Him is just loaves and fishes. He does the multiplying. He makes sure there is enough.

Maybe the tendency to perfectionism is rooted in not fully understanding the Grace of God. But we don’t have to be perfect to please Him. He loved us first! That undeserved love washes over our sin with the grace of forgiveness and the healing power of a Father’s favor. Whether it is our homes or our hearts, there is nothing we can do without Him. Surrender your imperfections to the power of the perfect Savior. He will strengthen your weak resolve, heal your hurts, and dismiss your defeated mindset. Give Him your loaves and fishes: Got 30 minutes? Great! Only got 5 minutes? Give them to Him anyway!

The FlyLady says, "Housework done incorrectly still blesses your family." So then, it makes sense to me that a quiet time done imperfectly will still bless your heart. :)

Posts in this series:

• Do Your Routines Work for You and Your Family?
• Three Steps That Will Take You from Wanting to Be Organized to Actually BEING Organized
• Simple Routines for Kids (That Really Work!)
• How Perfectionism and Procrastination Affect Your Relationship with Jesus

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Mom's Tip of the Day #122

Mom, you impact the atmosphere of your home with your attitude, your words, and your ways. To keep the peace in your home, you must first keep Christ’s peace in your heart.

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For Wherever You Have Been, And Wherever He Is Taking You

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From time to time, my husband and I will surprise our children with an unexpected trip. We pack their bags behind closed doors. One of us instigates a diversion while the other sneaks the luggage into the back of the van. With Academy Award-winning nonchalance, we announce that we need to go somewhere. It’s usually not until we turn onto the Interstate that they begin to ask: “Hey, where are we going?”

Rich and I have surprised the kids with a visit to see their cousins who live in a neighboring state. One frosty winter weekend we drove a couple of hours away and stayed overnight in a hotel that had an indoor swimming pool. There are plenty of ways to surprise the kids closer to home, as well. Once the children thought they were going to the grocery store, and instead, we went to get fast food and see a movie. The element of surprise makes everything more fun!

On a recent outing, my nine-year-old realized we were navigating roads that he’d never before seen.

“Where are we going?” he asked.

“You’ll see,” his dad smiled.

My son settled back happily into his seat and grinned. “Thanks, Dad,” he said, “for wherever you’re taking us.”

My children have come to the place where they realize that wherever Daddy is taking them, it will be a good thing. It doesn’t have to be revealed to them during the journey. They’ll understand the details once we arrive at our destination. Because of our proven track record, they can rest in the assurance that their parents have taken care of everything: pajamas, toothbrushes, even swimsuits. After all, it’s no surprise to us that the hotel has an indoor swimming pool--we’re the ones who planned the trip!

Thanksgiving beckons us to spend an extended weekend dwelling in thankfulness, providing the perfect opportunity for reflection. As I ponder my Christian journey this year, I have to question my own spirit of gratitude. Certainly, I’m thankful for the multiple blessings that the Lord has mercifully heaped upon my family and me. But can I continue to offer praises of thanksgiving for everywhere my Father took me? Or do I just thank Him for the places I wanted to go?

Do I thank Him for health but withhold praise for a two-week bout with pneumonia? Do I raise my hands high in gratitude for writing opportunities but keep my arms tightly crossed when I consider the number of articles that were rejected? Do I praise Him for spiritual victories yet at the same time fail to mention my appreciation for the inner struggles that nearly devastated me? Do I childishly reserve my standing ovation for the trips by the drive-through window and yawn at the bounty bought with seed, time, and harvest?

As I look back over the past year, I see some definite surprises between the on ramp of 2003 and the exit up ahead. Billboards promised cheap eats and rest stops, but there have been many delays due to construction. When my grandmother died earlier this year, I thought it was one trip for which I was prepared. My family had been expecting Mammaw’s death for years, even praying for it, asking God to take her home as she languished in a nursing home. Rather than breezing along in the fast lane, I found myself in the middle of a congested thoroughfare on which grief and guilt collided and traffic came to a standstill. As I give thanks this year, can I go beyond thanking the Lord for a godly grandmother to thanking Him for the things about her death that I cannot understand? Can I thank Him for the profound heartache that I experienced? Can I thank Him for the things about our relationship that can never be changed?

In everything, give thanks. Thank God for the bumps in the road. Thank Him when the map is unreadable. Thank Him for car trouble. After all, doesn’t your Heavenly Father have a proven track record? Settle back in your seat, child of God, and thank Him for wherever you have been--and for wherever He’s taking you.*

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*This article by Rebecca Ingram Powell was originally published in the November 2003 issue of ParentLife magazine (LifeWay Christian Resources)

The Emergency Room Reveals the Global Emergency of Lostness

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Many years ago, I was sitting in the emergency room holding my son David (then five years old). While playing with some friends, David had fallen and cut his face on a concrete wall. The bleeding was under control, but the cut would require stitches. On this particular day, there had been a major traffic collision nearby, so victims of the accident were being rushed in to the ER. Their needs were immediate as their lives hung in the balance. We had to wait several hours before we could see a doctor and get my little David stitched up.

The emergency room is a world of its own. It rotates on an axis that spins impartially between life and death. In the waiting area, I held David in my lap as the chairs around me filled up. The automatic doors opened continuously, admitting family and friends of the people involved in the traffic accident. Complete strangers had been brought together by disastrous circumstances. They now shared a common bond as tension, fear, and sorrow began to permeate the atmosphere. I sat in silent reverence of the tragedy as inwardly, I put David’s minor injury into perspective. I was not waiting for a verdict. I knew that David would be fine. The people around me, however, had no idea what lay ahead. With tears in their eyes and terror in their hearts, they hoped for the best.

Into this delicate environment swaggered a loud and arrogant drunk. He

Praying for Girls: Before It's Too Late

A few years ago, I was preparing to lead a high school girls' conference in Louisiana. I had asked the conference coordinator to send me a list of the names of the girls who had registered, so that I could pray over them. As I was going down the list, I came to one name--Shawna*--and I just began to weep. I had never had an experience like this before; I was literally sobbing over this girl, and I had no idea why. I asked the Lord, "What's up with this girl, Lord? Why am I crying over Shawna?" The more I prayed, the more burdened I became. Deep in my heart, I was convinced that this young woman's purity was at stake--her heart, her emotions, her future, and everything else that a girl lays down at the altar of pursuing a premature relationship with a guy who does not have her best as his priority.

On conference day, there were over 50 girls there, and as I made my way through the crowd, I was scanning every girl's nametag for Shawna. I couldn't find her. At the end of the day, the event coordinator wanted to anoint and pray over every girl who was there, one at a time. Since these were her girls, and it was her event, I moved aside to let her do this. She was spending at least ten minutes with each one of the girls, praying, admonishing, and encouraging each one as she anointed and blessed them. After about an hour, another adult leader came to me and said, "You've got to help her--she will pass out before she gets finished!" Well, I don't mind telling you that at that time, I was a little out of my element with the anointing oil and all (Did I mention that I am Baptist??? LOL), but I went to take my place at the front as the leaders shuffled the girls around to form a second prayer line. They handed me several viles of oil and parked an assistant by my side, and as I began, I looked down into the first beautiful face in the line and read her nametag: Shawna.

Yeah. Shawna.

I grabbed her by both shoulders and said (as the tears began to fall) "Shawna--I have wept over you for two weeks! Do you know why?"

And then it all came out: a crush on an older guy...a relationship she was unsure about...the strange feeling she had inside that something wasn't right...but it wasn't too late!!! Oh, praise the LORD--it wasn't too late for Shawna! We prayed and we cried and we hugged and we did, indeed, rejoice. And when I saw her the next day, she had ended it--breaking all ties and getting herself out of the relationship.

Coming up in just two weeks is the Pure In Heart Conference, which is all about capturing the hearts of tweens for the Lord Jesus Christ--before it is too late.

Before they are teenagers in full bloom.
Before they make decisions that could their lives up.
Before a lot of things.

The conference is sold out and with good reason! This event is planned, produced, and fervently prayed over, with the purposeful intention of:

• Bringing moms and tween daughters together (and grandmoms, too)
• Bringing a tween generation to God
• Bringing an adult generation back to (or closer to) God

Do you think the enemy likes this? You're right--he doesn't like it at all!

Here at Mom Seriously, I'm going to spend some time over the next two weeks talking about the conference, filling you in on what I'll be talking to the 11- and 12-year-old girls about, and also asking you to be in prayer for this event and everyone who is a part of it. Will you join me at the throne of God's Mercy? Oh, how I need you to join me in prayer! Will you pray for the girls and women who will be attending this conference? Would you be willing to invest your prayers--and your tears--in girls you do not even know--girls you will probably never meet this side of Heaven?

It's prevention. I think we need to be investing more in prevention, don't you? Even tween girls may be coming with some deep needs, and God can meet those needs! Simply pray, "Lord, may the girls coming to this conference receive everything You have for them in full. You are faithful to supply all our needs according to Your riches in glory" (Philippians 4:18, 19).

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*That is not the girl's real name.

Servanthood 101: Every Mother Is A Teacher

Some call it fall. Some call it Autumn. When I was growing up, we called it "back to school," and it was my mother's favorite season. As a high school teacher, she certainly enjoyed summer vacation, but she eagerly anticipated the return to school each year. She relished her profession and welcomed the season of its arrival in the same way she greeted her students: ready to teach, ready to give, and ready to applaud.

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On the other hand, as a student, I dreaded the onset of fall in the same capacity that my mother welcomed it. I became apprehensive at the first indication of summer's end: an empty bottle of suntan lotion, a torn flip-flop, or the fading of fireflies. Summer was always too short. It seemed I barely blinked my eyes before the slightest whisper of an autumn breeze was huffing down my neck and I was back at school. I was the student who sat watching the clock, waiting for the bell to ring, and longing to escape the confines of the classroom. The right instructor went a long way in easing my transition from the lazy, crazy, hazy of summer to the readin'-writin'-'rithmetic of the school day.

Once you enter the season of motherhood, you become a teacher. Isn't it a comfort to know that God has perfectly paired you with your little one? You are the right instructor for your child. Whether you are an educator by trade, a home schooling mom, or not--you are your child's teacher. The very nature of the relationship between mother and child is that of a teacher and a student.

Often our family will sit down to play a board game together. If the game is one that the children haven't played before, I will get out the rules and try to explain it to them. It never fails that they will become frustrated trying to understand the rules without playing the game. "Don't tell us how, Mom," they insist. "Show us how!"

I realize then that while I may feel I need to explain something to the nth degree, my children learn best when I show them. Even Jesus, who used a variety of teaching methods, including sermons, parables, and simple conversations, is best known for teaching by example. He wordlessly instructs us in parenting when we look at His life.

Mom's Tip of the Day #124

The peace of Christ is yours for the asking. It is a steady stream of comfort and stillness in the middle of the stormy sea of life.

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What's Keeping You From A Daily Quiet Time?

When I was a young parent, the realities of my life's new role not only increased my desire to meet with God every day, but also forced me to realize anew my critical need for His power and presence in my life. So often, I looked at my children and wondered, How could He have entrusted me with the care of this little person’s life? I felt so inadequate. I wanted to spend time with God. I longed to hear His voice through prayer and Bible study. But just "wanting to" didn’t make the establishment of a daily quiet time easy.

A lack of discipline is the main hindrance. Discipline, or self-control, is best illustrated by Olympian athletes. They spend extensive hours in physical training, sacrificing their lives in pursuit of a goal. Their rigorous preparation does not take shortcuts or play hooky. What's their secret? Desire. They are motivated by how desperately they want the gold.

Whether it’s eating right, exercising, staying organized, or having a daily quiet time, most of us know what we should be doing, yet we allow our human nature to keep us from doing it. We are caught in the apostle Paul’s timeless paradox of not doing what we should, and doing with gusto what we should not. As new creatures saved by Christ’s sacrifice, we foolishly continue to live in the flesh, although the spirit is willing. So it's a battle. The spirit makes to-do lists, and the flesh doesn’t get them done. The spirit thinks about making a grocery list and using coupons, and the flesh goes to the store hungry and buys everything that looks good. The spirit plans to get up in the morning for time in God's Word, and the flesh hits the snooze button...repeatedly.

Most moms lay enough guilt trips on themselves without being told that they don’t pray enough. Where do I find a balance? some ask. What else can I do? What am I doing wrong? In the struggle of spirit over flesh, we must come to a place of deeper surrender. It’s really not about trying harder to achieve more self-control. It’s about letting go of more. When I empty my arms and unclench my fists, I’ll receive more of God’s grace in raising my children and becoming the parent He wants me to be.

Today, what do you need to let go of? If you find yourself in a desperate place, as difficult as it may be, thank God for it. Let that situation, relationship, or circumstance take you to your knees for some quiet time with the Lord. The best gift you can give your family is the time you spend with the Lord every day.



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The Power of Your Silent Example

Early on in my journey as a mom, I learned the power of my silent example.

It was a warm day, and my children and I were getting ready to go to church for Bible study. They would be spending time playing with their friends on the sunny playground, and I would be in a chilly, air-conditioned classroom. I froze every week, so on this particular morning, I decided to dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt.

As we were walking out the door, I noticed that my three kids (8 and under at the time) were dressed in jeans and long sleeves. “Hey, everybody,” I said. “What gives? It’s still summer.”

“We just looked to see what you were wearing,” my son replied. “We figured it must be cold today.”

Never was the power of my example so sharply felt. I explained to the kids about my chilly classroom and let them change their clothes before we left. But this powerful lesson pierced my heart: They’re watching me, even when I’m not aware of it. They are doing what they see me do.

So how does this apply to the afternoon crunch? If I can set the example every afternoon of being calm, cool, and Christ-like, it will encourage them to do the same. But if I lose my temper in traffic, fuss about how late we are, and then fume because I didn’t make any plans for dinner, I’m not only setting a poor example, I’m setting a tone for the whole evening. And it’s the wrong one!

Proverbs 14:1 offers these wise words: “Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.” The afternoon crunch can be a time of tearing down, or it can be a time of building.

• You can build stronger relationships with your kids by listening to them.
• You can create an environment that urges your children to connect with each other.
• You can establish a safe haven by simply letting Christ use you to not only mother but minister to your kids.

Ask for His help in the traffic, in the kitchen, and in the middle of the afternoon crunch.

Read More:
The Answer to Your Middle Schooler's Afternoon Crunch? Kitchen Duty!
Practical Tips for Surviving the Afternoon Crunch

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What are you praying for your child’s first day of school?

Everybody has those first day jitters! Prayer goes a long way (from your lips to His Ear, in fact!) in keeping both you and your child peaceful as school begins. Here are a few things you can pray for your child as students, parents, and teachers get our collective groove on to begin the new year:


The right teachers. Pray for your child to have teachers who will challenge and motivate him in the learning process. Once teachers are assigned, make it a point to pray nightly with your child for his teachers--by name.

The right attitude. School is not always fun and games. After the initial “welcome back” phase wears off, students must be ready to apply themselves with diligence. Ask God to help your child stay motivated, giving her a vision that keeps her focused over the long haul.

The right friends. First, pray for your child to be the right kind of friend. Remind him that as Christians, we best express our faith through our love for others--especially those most unloveable! Then, ask God to provide healthy relationships for your child’s daily connections.

Homeschooling moms have a similar list of needs. Remember, the teacher you are praying for is yourself! Don't neglect that! You may also want to enlist a couple of praying friends to add you to their prayer list as you begin this new year.

Trusting Jesus

Hey Everybody,

Have you ever listened to what you sing? Because I grew up singing the great old hymns, the Lord often brings them to mind, and I will find myself humming a chorus or singing a verse almost absentmindedly--and when I stop and listen to what I am singing, I find that the Lord is using the words to minister to me right where I am.

This morning, the hymn "Trusting Jesus" came to mind. I actually pulled out a hymnal that we had so I could sing through all the verses.

Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by,
Trusting Him whate'er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Approaching a new school year offers new opportunities to place our trust in Jesus. Will you do it? I'd love to hear how you are choosing to trust the Lord with your current concerns...whether it is curriculum choices for your homeschool, or praying for the right teachers for your traditionally-schooled children, or wondering how you are going to pay for your child's private school tuition, or whatever you are anxious about. How are you putting your hope in Him during this back-to-school season?