Thankful Friday

Colossians 3:15

"And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful."

 

God has really been ridding me of my selfishness lately.  The more i draw near to Him the more i realize how imperfect and sinful i am.  The more i invite Him into my everyday life, the more i realize how much i need Him......in my everyday life.  

It is so easy to be thankful and have a positive attitude when things are going the way you want - the kids are well behaved and not demanding, your spouse is the apple of your eye, there is money in the bank......you catch my drift. :)  God has been laying it hard on me, especially the past few months, that we are called to be thankful despite our circumstances, hardships, and things that are out of our control.  

So many times i have allowed negative things blind me from God's goodness.  Some days i can be so fixated on problems or even exhaustion, that i miss out on special moments i could have with my boys and husband.  

I've heard it said many times - "there is always something to be thankful for."  And there really is.  God's goodness and blessings are still there despite hard circumstances.  

 

I want so badly to have a more thankful heart and positive attitude......and have that pour out into my kids, my marriage, and our home.  Thankfully, God's grace is always there when patience wears thin and i become overwhelmed by my surroundings.  

 

I want to challenge you.......as i am challenging myself......to be more thankful!  With your words, actions, and even your prayers to the Lord.  It says: Philippians 4:6-7
⁶ "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

Thankfulness brings strength and a more positive outlook.  It does not change situations to a degree, but it does change your view.......and ultimately it will have a great affect on your home.


I AM THANKFUL FOR:

Our new dishwasher!  We had to get a new fridge as well...it started leaking the same week as the dishwasher.......like i said, God is really working Thankfulness into my heart. haha!

Surprise gifts from family in NC - thank you Aunt Connie!

The smell and sight of a real Christmas Tree! I want to bottle up that smell. haha!

Morning Devotions that hit home. :)

Christmas countdown with Hershey Kisses.......my boys have gotten their years worth of sugar in the past week. 

And yes.......i was that mom yesterday - taking my boys to the store in their pjs and snow boots. haha!

Playdoh!  A huge hit with James and Adam.

Seeing Adam's reaction to the snow.

And for the hard work that my husband puts into our home and family......in and out of the house......i've got a good man!

Colossians 4:2

[ An Encouragement for Prayer ] Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

 

This Past Month

 Halloween Party At Gammy and Papa's! The kiddos had fun decorating pumpkin cookies, doing a treasure hunt, and dancing.

 My creative mother let the kiddos paint her face....the kids loved it!

 We found a small park in Erlanger that had a train playground. There was only one slide and swing, but they had a real Engine that you can walk through. 

James' Preschool Picture - melts my heart!!

 The boys all dressed up for Veterans Day!

My men hard at work finishing the basement.

Homemade barn wood frame decor.

James and his Preschool Harvest Party!  They had quite a spread!

My go to verse a lot lately-

Philippians 4:6-7

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

 The question 'how are you making your home a haven?' has been on my mind a lot.  I've been going to an awesome bible study at church for several months now, and that subject has come up a bit.  I used to always think that if i had the latest stuff or had the mindset of a 50s housewife that my home would automatically be a haven.  Don't get me wrong, i am a southern girl, and i love the smell of food baking, i love wearing aprons, and i also like having a clean house.  But that is not where a haven starts.  it starts within us.  our actions and attitudes affect the tone in our homes.  

My boys, for example, often reflect what attitude i have.  If i am edgy, short and hormonal they seem so much more whinier and demanding.  That goes for the same thing in our homes.
Because what makes up a home - people. Just like a building does not make up a church, it is the people and the presence of God that make up a church.
In Proverbs 14:1 it says "A wise WOMAN builds HER home, but a foolish WOMAN tears it down with HER own hands."  It does not say a wise MAN or a wise MAN and WOMAN.  It says just WOMAN.  i think that shows how much purpose there is in us as women...and how much God wants us to influence our homes.  

What sort of atmosphere are you creating for your children in your home?

Like i said, it starts with US (women).  We need to make sure that we are taking care of ourselves - resting, doing things we love, eating right, exercising, being surrounded by encouraging women, and most importantly spending time in God's presence and His word.  When you feed yourself with God's presence and God's word...it spills over into your home.  It doesn't make it perfect - you will still have demanding and loud kids and have laundry and dishes to do...but His peace can be there.  
And you will have more strength to handle ALL the things you have to do.  

Being a mom of two lively boys...who seem to always be on my heels.  it can be hard to have quiet time - i have written out scripture on index cards (verses that really speak to my heart) and have taped them up in places that i am at a lot throughout our home.  One is by the kitchen sink - when i do dishes i can read it.  One is on our calender.  One is even on my washer and dryer.  

We do need to make the effort to spend time with God so we can be refreshed, but God knows how exhausting it is being a wife and mommy.  He created the roles - wives, mothers, and homemakers.  His grace is there for you!  Do not be burdened with guilt if your house is not spick and span or if you don't have the latest things. You're children will not remember those things...they will remember the atmosphere in your home.  

My parents house was and still is home.  It wasn't always clean (with 4 kids that would be hard) but we had fun!  My mom used their home as a ministry to us kids.  And that is what your home is for your family and whoever else comes in.

Okay, i was not planning on typing all of that! haha!
I pray that God's peace will be in your hearts and minds as you tackle your roles as wives and mothers!

Forever Young

"May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true

May you always do for others

 And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung

May you stay forever young.

 

May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true

 

 

 

May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous

Stand upright and be strong

 May you stay forever young.

 

 

May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift

 

 

 

May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift

 

 

 

May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung

 

 

May you stay forever young

 

May you stay forever young."


-Bob Dylan

The past month in pictures.

We've had kind of a hard month.....but as i look through these pictures, i am reminded of God's blessings and love.  How can i not be thankful?  Until i have more time to blog, i will leave you with some pictures to show what has been going on. :) Have a happy day!

James' 1st day of Preschool

Brothers

Birthday kisses!

 Getting ready to go walking with Joy.

James' birthday Party.......Cousins!

A train cake attempt.......haha!

 

Dig In!

Birthday Present for James. :)

Surprise flowers for a job interview from my hubby

Tuckered little boy.

New Haircut.......4 1/2 inches shorter......hard to believe. 

Lots of Park days!

Footy Pjs!.......so cute!

Picture day at Preschool!

My Costume for family Halloween Party.......a present for Ryan.

Linus and Charlie Brown.

 

A beautiful Fall day.......prettiest blue! Another day to be thankful!