God made the sun

What a beautiful start to my morning! 

Coming back from the bus stop, my youngest daughter Olivia stopped and pointed to the hill behind our home and said, "Mom, look, God's making the sun!"

I cannot tell you how this warmed my heart, to hear her delight in God's creation. It developed into a conversation of why God made the sun and the moon, one to rule the day and one to rule the night, separating light from darkness. God touched my heart more as I turned to these verses in my bible, reminding me that at the end, He "saw that it was good."

You may also be interested to know that my mother-in-law has a blog where she has been doing a bible study on the Eternal message in the stars. Her notes are beautiful!

What are you delighting in today?

Much delight from me to you!

Steph

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Why it's crucial to teach kids about God

Something I often encourage my children to do is talk to the Lord. If they're upset with me for being disciplined, I simply tell them they need to talk to the Lord about their attitude, ask Him if their ill feelings are profitable. That is what my son is doing in the photo above, taking a timeout, having a moment alone with God. (I think it is important to encourage them to build their own relationships with God, for I am merely their mother. I cannot be their Messiah.)

Yesterday Liam came to me and said, "Mom, you know how I haven't been feeling too good and my nose has been all stuffed up?"

"Yeah," I replied.

"Well, do you know what I did?" he went on. "I took a timeout and asked God if He could help me feel a little better 'cause I didn't want to be sick on vacation this weekend. And it worked! God helped me feel better!"

That warmed my heart like no other. Something as simple as a stuffy nose, he went to God and delighted in the result.

It wasn't always like this in my house though. Sure, I knew Christ, but my relationship with God was strained. I was angry. Then one day my son asked me what a bible was. A BIBLE! That blew my mind. My kid didn't know what a Bible was. This is why I encourage my kids to ask the Lord if their feelings are profitable. I was angry at God, shoving Him away, and at the same time depriving my kids the opportunity to have a relationship with Him. It wasn't as though I wasn't feeding them, providing for them, or all around being a "bad mother." 

No. 

Much worse. 

I was robbing them of the choice of eternal life.

As parents we are commanded to raise our children in the way of the Lord. It should never matter what the state of our relationship with God is. It's okay to be mad at God sometimes. But we are still responsible for teaching our children what scripture says. As believers, our children should learn from us that Christ died for our sins; and they should come to understand, through us, that they have a choice to accept Christ as their personal Lord and Savior and have eternal life. It is never our place to deprive them of that, something so glorious. Let them make that decision for themselves.

And if you're struggling, know you are not alone. I struggle day in and day out. But remember to ask God first and foremost, Is it profitable?

So much love and hugs!

Steph

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Lady Etiquette: Be a lady, not a gossip

Sure, you can have it. Scroll down ...

I know it's been a while since we first addressed the Lady Etiquette series. It is something I feel deserves a lot of thorough consideration, as our goal is to uplift others with it. Today's encouragement comes straight from God's mouth.

1 Thessalonians 4:11:

"Make it your ambition to live a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands."

I recite this verse like a mantra in my home. Every time one of my children tattles on the other, I simply respond with this verse. When they begin talking about what one of their friends/classmates did to get into trouble, I respond with this verse. It's one of my favorite verses. I honestly believe being a busy-body and a gossip is one of the most unattractive things a woman (or anyone) can do. It goes back to holding yourself to high level of respect. Not necessarily being self-righteous, but rather exercising a shred of meekness.

It seems I've been saying it a lot lately, more to adults, however, than to my children. I keep getting told everyone else's business in some way or another, which I don't care to hear (or read). In a day and age with Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc., it's so easy for our personal business to be aired all over the place. 

Keep your private life private. 

Don't over-share. 

Don't share others' private business. It's their business to share, not yours. 

If others are spreading rumors, saying nasty, hateful things, do not allow that poisonous talk to seep into your thinking. 

There is no need for you to concern yourself with other people. You only need to worry about yourself. 

Keep your eyes focused on your tasks and your goals. 

Inspire others by encouraging them to grow in character and abound in faith!

1 THESSALONIANS TYPOGRAPHY DOWNLOAD

Or you can use my chalkboard background and create your own graphic designs!

CHALKBOARD BACKGROUND DOWNLOAD

Oodles of love!

Steph

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