Moms Will be Moms

Posted on May 5, 2016 by Heart of the Matter

 

dreamstime_s_68221776

I went to the grocery store today to get some things for a party I’m having at my house for my mom’s 90th birthday. Her birthday is early in May so it always coincides with Mother’s Day.

As I perused the aisles for party fare, I noticed numerous middle-aged women pushing their grocery-filled carts through the aisles. I mean more women than I’ve ever seen at one time at the grocery store. It was really busy in there—two days before Mother’s Day! “Are these poor women having to cook their own Mother’s Day meal?” I thought, feeling especially lucky that my husband was having food delivered this year so that I wouldn’t have to cook.

As I turned the corner bumping into yet another middle-aged mom, a lightbulb went on and it occurred to me that they were probably stocking up on supplies for the upcoming weekend when their grown kids would be home! You see, moms never stop being moms—not even on Mother’s Day.

As a mom of older kids myself, I could relate. When the kids come home, I always make sure the pantry is stocked with favorite snacks for our sons and that we have the ingredients for our daughter’s favorite home-cooked meal. All moms enjoy Mother’s day, but for moms with grown kids, the best thing about it is having our family together again. We fill the house with all their favorite things.

When our kids come home we want them to remember what family feels like—the fun, the food, the laughter, the love. Even if it means making Mother’s Day more about them than about us!

And you know, just as moms never stop being moms, God never stops being God. Although we can drift away from him at times in our lives, when we find our way back, he showers us with love, hope, acceptance, forgiveness—all our favorite things—and we know we are home.

I am so grateful for the privilege of being a mom to three creative, funny, smart, and talented young adults. Raising them has been my life’s greatest accomplishment. Through them I’ve learned so much about myself and about the love of my heavenly Father. It thrills me to my core when they come home again, and I will always roll out the red carpet for them—even on Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you, my readers! Enjoy your special day and smother your kids with hugs and kisses, whatever their age. Time is fleeting.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1 (NIV)

 

Posted in Holidays, Parenting | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Finding What Really Matters

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Heart of the Matter

 

 

dreamstime_s_35771471

In today’s busy world where each of us– as parents, students, citizens– are pulled in so many different directions, it is sometimes difficult to determine what really matters in life. It can certainly be hard to keep our focus as we are bombarded on a daily basis with expectations and responsibilities from all sides.

In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, (chapter 3) I believe he summarizes for us what really matters. He is writing to tell believers–those who have been “raised with Christ”– what sins should be avoided and then what characteristics should be evident in their lives as believers. My NIV version happens to title this section, “Rules for Holy Living”.

Here are Paul’s instructions to the people at Colosse:

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord, Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:12-17. (NIV)

So, what really matters?

compassion…kindness…humility…gentleness…patience…forgiveness…love…unity…peace…worship…gratitude…and giving glory and honor to Jesus Christ in everything we do.

When you parent, do it with patience and love.

When you serve on the praise team, or teach, or speak, do it with humility.

When you see a need in your community, meet it with compassion and kindness.

When someone hurts your feelings or is unkind to you, forgive them.

When you are materially blessed (as so many of us are here in America in contrast to much of the world), show gratitude.

And in everything you do, give glory to Jesus Christ, pointing others towards Him at every opportunity.

Does this seem unattainable to you? Well, guess what, in our own strength, it is!  It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we, as human beings, can live a life of beauty, peace, and grace in a world of rampant sin and ugliness.

2 Peter 1:3 tells us, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

As you go through your week this week, pray for the grace and beauty of Christ to be evident in your life. As a believer, you have the Holy Spirit power inside of you to impact the world, starting with your own precious family. Focus on what really matters. Plug in and shine bright!

 

Posted in Parenting, Spiritual Encouragement | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Shepherd’s Voice

Posted on April 27, 2016 by Heart of the Matter

dreamstime_s_43568416

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28 (NIV)

 

The sheepfold of biblical times was a place where all of the village shepherds would house their sheep at night. All of the sheep would go into the fold together and would be watched over by a watchman, of sorts, so that the shepherds could go to their own homes to sleep. The next morning, each shepherd would go to the sheepfold and would begin calling out his sheep. The sheep who belonged to that particular shepherd would come forth, recognizing their own shepherd’s voice. Isn’t that beautiful?! In John, chapter 10, Jesus used this allegory to describe his relationship with us. We, as believers, know his voice, and in obedience, follow him.

“The watchman opens the gate for Him (the shepherd), and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” John 10:3-4 (NIV)

Aren’t you glad he calls us by name? Do you recognize the shepherd’s voice, and are you following him in obedience and love? Or have other voices drowned out the shepherd’s loving call on your life…?

Posted in Salvation, Spiritual Encouragement | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Glimpse of Forever

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Heart of the Matter

I thought I would share with you, my readers, the view I had on my walk this morning…and every morning on my daily walk…a glimpse of God’s beautiful creation. Walking on a warm, breezy, spring day lifts my spirit and nurtures my soul.

IMG_7541 IMG_7542 IMG_7544

IMG_7540

We, as human beings, have the joy and blessing of enjoying God’s amazing handiwork day after day. We sometimes take that for granted as we scurry about, running from place to place, meeting deadlines, and trying our best to be all things to all people. Examples of God’s artistry are all around us. We need only take the time to really see them.

And, as glorious as it is, the beauty we see here on earth at this point in time is nothing compared to the beauty we will see on the new earth…an unspoiled, brand new, creation of God, free from sin’s influence and man’s destruction. My finite mind cannot even imagine the glory of it. The Bible says that at the end of time, God will make a new heaven and a new earth, destroying the old.

I look forward to the day I will walk hand-in-hand with my Savior on the new earth, taking in its splendor and majesty. How do I know I will experience God’s renewed creation? Because I believe in Jesus Christ and the sacrifice he made on the cross as payment for my sin. Therefore I have assurance of eternal life with God on the new earth that is so beautifully described in His Word.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Hoy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed as a bride for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,’ Look! God’s dwelling place is now among people,and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'” Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV)

My friend, if you are not sure whether or not you will spend eternity with God and walk in the splendor of his regenerate earth, you can have that assurance today! Visit my page that tells you just how you can begin a relationship with Jesus Christ.  http://atomic-temporary-101461523.wpcomstaging.com/how-to-become-a-christian/ ‎

 

 

 

 

Posted in Salvation, Spiritual Encouragement, Thankfulness | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A Letter to Moms of Sons

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Heart of the Matter

dreamstime_s_56908998

My husband and I have been praying for many years for the young man who will eventually ask for our daughter’s hand in marriage…even though now we have no idea who that person will be. We know that God has someone in mind who will be just the person she needs— to walk through life with, in service and love. My prayer is that young men are being raised up in her generation to honor God, and to lead their families with strength, humility and godliness. Here is a letter to the moms out there who are raising sons:

Dear Moms of Sons,

Please teach your sons about courtesy and respect.

Teach them to honor, respect, and appreciate the elderly.

Train them to respect you.

Teach them to love our country and to appreciate the sacrifices made to keep us free.

Teach them that the beauty of a young women is a matter of the heart.

Train them to see a young women with eyes that look to the future: “Is this a woman I could still love when beauty fades and life gets hard?” 

Help them to understand that love is a verb.

Teach them the importance of purity in thought, word, and deed, as well as, the devastating and life-altering consequences of premarital/casual sex and pornography.

Teach them the value of hard work and how to responsibly deal with money.

Raise them to love the church and to understand the importance of being a part of it.

Teach them how to fix things! (Introduce them to a hammer.)

Allow them to explore their love of the outdoors and to engage in manly pursuits.

And, above all…

Teach them to love God—with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Sincerely,

The Mom of a Daughter

Posted in Parenting, Spiritual Encouragement | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment