by Stacey | Mar 1, 2012 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1
This is one of our family verses. We are working hard to keep the tone in our home gentle and encouraging, even in the midst of discipline (not always easy!) because God’s Word is truth and it applies to both our children and to us as parents.
But it’s not easy. It’s not easy to keep a gentle tone when one squirms on the floor refusing to put on his shoes when the others are late for school. It’s not easy on the fifth warning to quiet down and go to sleep. It’s not easy in the midst of temper tantrums and tears.
But who said parenting was easy?
So much is at stake.
Their whole outlook on life, how they grow up and treat others, how they relate to people in authority, and what they believe about God will be shaped in these early years at home with us. There is too much at stake to miss the target God has given us.
Strength comes from God. He will give me what I need to parent in wisdom, gentleness and love. I know that. I believe it. What scares me is that I also know myself – my tendency to move ahead of Him, to try it on my own strength first, rush into my day full of my own plans.
So this is me, putting it out there publicly so you can hold me accountable, or maybe we can hold each other accountable. I am praying for gentleness in all conversations.
I cannot control the choices my children make. They are ultimately accountable to God. But I can control how I speak to them, what I teach them, and the example I set. For this, I am accountable to God.
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. (Philippians 4:5a)”
by Stacey | Feb 2, 2012 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
If I receive Your words and treasure Your commands,
If I turn my ear toward wisdom,
If my heart is inclined to understand, and I call out for insight and discernment,
If I seek it like silver,
If I pursue it like a hidden treasure,
Then I begin to comprehend the fear of the Lord
This is the beginning of wisdom – the sweet and reverent awe of my God, my Creator, my King.
The price of which is far beyond rubies and the procuring of is a blessing.
May my eyes never focus on earthly goals.
May I never despise instruction.
May I never forget Your teaching.
This is the beginning of wisdom.
Proverbs 2:1-5, “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.”
Job 28:18, “Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.”
Proverbs 3:13, “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding.”
Proverbs 17:24, “A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.”
Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 3:1, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart.”
*We touched on Proverbs 2:1-5 this week in our parenting class, Instructing a Child’s Heart. The passage stayed with me long after the class dismissed.
by Stacey | Dec 22, 2011 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
You abound in steadfast love. You listen to my pleas. You answer. Always.
You are great. You do wondrous things. You alone are God. My God.
You did a wondrous thing when you came to earth as a baby. You did a wondrous thing when you died in my place. You did a wondrous thing when you called an unworthy sinner like me by name. Thank you for grace.
Everything I have, all that I am, all whom I love are because of Your grace.
That I know You at all is an act of Your grace.
You are merciful and generous. I humbly ask for neither poverty nor riches but that I find joy in your presence. Pure Joy.
I want a thirst for You only quenched by time spent with You. I want to always want more, to know You more, to love You more.
Happy Birthday my Saviour. Please accept the only gift I have to give. My love.
by Stacey | Dec 19, 2011 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
The mountain of laundry multiplies. Dirty dishes soak. Groceries are put away just in time to make lunch, just in time to clean up, just in time to start dinner.
Always behind. Always rushing. Always worried about tomorrow.
What if for one day I stopped thinking of what comes next? What if I lived in this moment thanking God that I have just enough for right now?
Just enough clean clothes to dress the kids and just enough clean dishes. Just enough in the cupboard to feed small hungry bellies. Just enough for this moment.
Just enough grace. Just enough love. Just enough strength. Just enough patience.
Moment by moment. Day by day. Trusting tomorrow to Him; living in this moment.
by Stacey | Nov 21, 2011 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
We recently celebrated Jon’s promotion into the car booster seat with great enthusiasm. It makes travel so much easier. When Jon stepped onto the scale and saw the number 40 appear he thrust his fist into the air and punctuated the action with a resounding, “Yes, I’m growing!”
We all celebrated with him, some family members more ardently than others.
Kaitlyn has faithfully weighed herself weekly in hopes of reaching booster seat status. She struggled with the unfairness of it all. As the eldest sibling she should reach this milestone first.
I saw in her expression how much she wanted to cry when Jon obtained what she longed for. I saw her struggle to maintain composure the first time Jon buckled up. I saw the difficulty.
I also saw her swallow her disappointment and offer a weak smile. I saw determination rise up as she chose to put her sadness aside and focus on something positive. I saw something beautiful.
It’s been difficult watching her new brother swoop in and obtain something she has wanted for years. But she did what many adults struggle to do – she took the high road. She set aside her wants and celebrated with her brother. She refused to complain about something she couldn’t change.
As a parent I am forever aware that my actions constantly teach my children. This time, Kaitlyn’s actions taught me. Things don’t always unfold the way you plan. Sometimes others win, and life isn’t all about me.
Thanks for the reminder Kate.
by Stacey | Nov 10, 2011 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
You not only know me, you know everything about me. You know my thoughts, my dreams, my fears and my plans. You know me better than I know myself seeing past my actions and straight into my heart.
When You formed me in secret, weaving together my intricate parts in the depths of the earth, You wrote down my days before one was lived. You refused to observe from afar. You stepped into creation and entered into relationship with me.
You are precious to me O Lord, more precious than anything. You search me and know my heart and love me anyway. You expose my evil ways and call me back to you.
