Practice Gratitude

Good morning!

When children are little we teach them how to pray and talk to God. Then hopefully as they grow and mature their prayer life grows just as our relationship with Christ grows.

As moms we pray for our children all the time, we ask God to bestow blessing on them, help them and guide them but I was reminded recently in Philippians 4:6 this important message..." Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God."

The part that jumped out was, "with thanksgiving." As a parent I'm so thankful for my children but when I talk to God and ask him for help with my family, I want to make sure I do it with thanksgiving first! This is something we can teach our children to do when they pray. Giving thanksgiving before we ask for guidance teaches children even more about appreciating and trusting in him.

Gratitude is a discipline that we can practice and what a better way to practice it but in prayer :)

Peace and blessings,
Lesa


                                         "A thankful heart is a happy heart." ~Unknown

Parents Need "Peeps"

Hello friends!

I was thinking about what we need to be successful in parenting. There is one simple answer..we can't do it alone!

As our children were growing we always wanted to make sure we surrounded them with godly people that could give them great advice and be mentors to them. Of course we are their parents and the number one advice givers but it's so important to have those friends and family members that can be there for them too. We liked to call those friends, "our peeps." Our children knew them as their youth ministers, church friends, teachers or family but to us they were "our peeps." The people who gave them godly advice, watched over them when they didn't think anyone was watching and gave us advice on how to parent them.

Now that my oldest daughter is married she has asked me to reveal my "peeps" but I don't think that's a good idea because there is still time for good parenting even at that age :) Besides we have other children that need the same benefits!

Peace and blessings,
Lesa


                                       "It takes a whole village to raise a child." ~African Proverb

Where's Your Table?

Good morning!

This morning I was thinking about what I was going to make for dinner tonight. It reminded me of our family dinners when the children were young. Our family dinners weren't always dinners they were lunches. My husband worked long hours when the kids were little and family dinner wasn't always an option so I would pack up the kids, take them to the sod field and have a family lunch. It wasn't around a table with pretty place settings or a centerpiece. It was usually some type of sandwiches that we ate together in the car, the truck or on a picnic blanket.

Our children have great memories of our lunches! As they grew and my husband's hours lessened in the field our lunches didn't stop they became more cherished! In our family we make sure we continue the tradition by meeting them where they're at..whether it's school, work or home. We have many family dinners now but our family lunches will always be a special time of bonding for each of us!

Wherever your table is... make it your special family time and then keep the tradition going :)

Peace and blessings,
Lesa

     "The fondest memories are made when gathered around the table" ~Unknown

               

Cultivating Communication

Let it snow!

As a teacher I always loved snow days because it was a chance to regroup, get organized and stay home. Well as a mom, I love snow days for the same reasons and more! Even though it can be cold and dreary it's also so beautiful and peaceful. We might not be able to enjoy sunshine and flowers, but we can enjoy cultivating communication with our children on these special days.

Your children will probably want to play in the snow, drink hot chocolate and watch a movie which is a perfect way to spend the day :) However, in addition try to spend some time in an activity that will encourage communication. Whether it's making cookies together, reading them a book or playing a game... don't forget to just be with them and spend time talking. We can get lost in the business of it all and forget to dialogue. Growing in communication as they grow up is an important skill to nourish and cultivate. They will remember and cherish snow days even more!

Peace and blessings,

Lesa

"Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone who with their soul encourages another person to be brave and true."  ~ Charles Dickens

Don't Forget To Ask Him

Hello friends...I'm back!

It's been awhile and I've been asking myself..why?  Well, I've decided it was doubt and lack of trust.

After our daughter got married in August I continued to write but found myself being called to other things and wondered if it really mattered or helped anyone anyway. I told myself God was probably calling me to other ministries right now but I forgot one important thing! I forgot to ask God what he really wanted from me.

This same lack of trust and sense of doubt that we experience in our own lives can creep into our lives as parents. We can get wrapped up in what we want for our children while forgetting to ask God what he really wants. There are many times in parenting when we need to let go and trust! God has a special plan for each of them!

Just remember... don't forget to ask Him what he really wants for them and not what we think we want :) 

Peace and blessings,
Lesa

"Two conflicting forces cannot exist in one human heart. When doubt reigns, faith cannot abide. Where hatred rules, love is crowded out. Where selfishness rules, there love cannot dwell. When worry is present, trust cannot crowd its way in." ~Billy Graham

Try The E Word!

Hello Monday!

The beginning of the week is always a slow start because we know it's the beginning of homework, practices, meetings, games, bedtimes, meals and stress! No matter how organized or well planned we are there is always something that comes up that can create a little more chaos!

As a parent the one thing that I've learned that doesn't help the family situation is... frustration! The more we get frustrated with the responsibilities the worse it gets.  However, the one thing I've learned along the way that works great is... encouragement!  We need it, our spouse needs it and our kids definitely need it!  When we're overwhelmed, tired and feel like we're failing it helps to hear encouraging words. It's like filling each other with a jolt of love :) and who doesn't need that!

When things get crazy this week, try to use encouraging words with one another and you might be surprised how much better it can make the week!

Peace and blessings,
Lesa

"But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."  ~Hebrews 3:13

Beautiful Reminders

Good Morning Monday!

As we enter into this fall season God reminds us even more of his infinite beauty!

In our everyday lives when things are challenging for our kids we need to remind them of the beauty and blessings in their own daily lives. God always has an amazing plan for our children but we as parents can get impatient and not trust him in the process.  I think one of the hardest things to do as parents is surrender.  We are so use to planning and controlling everything in their lives that we have to remember, we are really not in charge and God's plan is much bigger than we can imagine.

In our children's lives those things concerning friends, sports, jobs, dating, or school can seem very difficult for them but our role as parents is to teach them to be thankful for everything and prayerful about the things they need his help maneuvering through.  

Remind your children today of the beautiful things he has done in their lives :)

Peace and blessings,
Lesa

"He has made everything beautiful in his time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."   ~Ecclesiastes 3:11