Category Archives: Devotional

Seeds of Encouragement

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I’m not sure what tires me out more being 23 weeks pregnant or having three little ones running around. I feel like I have been dragging myself around lately. My brain is on overdrive, my body can’t keep up and I find it difficult to keep my eyes open if I sit down for more than 2 seconds:) Can anyone out there relate?

The other day my 4 year old said “mommy do you want me to brush your hair, it looks really messy? Maybe you should put on a dress, your shirt is not very fashion”. Lol, there you have it, my 4 year old brushed my hair and got me dressed. How incredibly humbling!!

Because of my exhausted state, over past few days I have also made a point to have peaceful worship music on in the house, it seems to help lift my Spirit when I feel tired and dry. I have been crying out to the Lord (out loud); asking for help, expressing my heart, and confessing my desperation for Him in this season. Judah asked me yesterday “Mom, is everything ok”? “Yes” I replied, “why?”. He looked at me and said “you ask God for a lot of help.” Well, that is the truth and he is very observant! I am thankful that he sees my desperation and it humbles to continually confess to my 6 year old my need for the Lord.

It always amazes me how pride wants to creep in and tell us that we need to be independent, that we shouldn’t ask for help and that fearing man is more important than fearing the Lord. It says that we need to have every together, and it points to our identity as being flawed if we do not have all our ducks in a row. Thankfully over the past few years I have been able to recognize this prideful voice and ignore it when it comes calling. As godly women, wives and mothers we need to remain humble. I have found that positioning myself to remain humble provides fertile ground for seeds of encouragement to be sown. When we are prideful the soil of our heart is hard and it is difficult to plant anything in tough soil.

I have watched the Lord sow seeds of encouragement into my heart over the past few weeks as I have felt tired and broken. It reminds me of the kindling that you add to a fire to keep it burning. I see Him adding small words, actions and deeds from others to keep me going. I trust that He knows what I need, if too much kindling is added to a fire too fast, it burns dangerously fast and hot and then dies out and if not enough is added it dies out immediately. It is important to add just the right amount at the right time to sustain a warm enjoyable fire. I beleieve that He does that in our lives too.

What areas are you needing encouragement these days? Are you children able to see you in a place of brokeness before the Lord? It is important that our kids see us as human beings, not just supermom’s! They need to know that we have real feelings and real needs just like they do. This keeps us humble and it keeps them considerate. Being real and vulnerable with eachother strengthens our relationships and it promotes, healing, forgiveness and freedom!

May you be strengthen and encouraged today as you continue to burn for Him!

Rested and Refreshed!

Our family has been truly blessed this past month! We were away in Florida for just over 2 weeks and it was a wonderful time of refreshing and fun adventures together! I am reminded, everytime I go away with my family, that they truly are the most important thing in my life.
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It is so easy to get caught up in the daily routine of life and allow the simple joy of being together to be lost. As parents we need to remember that our FAMILY IS our FIRST priority. There will always be people wantings your time, others in crisis, problems that need to be solved, events that beg for your time and a to-do list that runs on forever. BUT your children won’t always live under the same roof as you, they won’t always want to snuggle or play or have time for you. Be sure to take advantage of the precious moments everyday and if you are able to getaway – DO IT!
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What a treat it was to experience the wonders of Disney world together and share all the memories that brought us. Also to play in the sand, the pools and have no agenda other than to be together!! I am thankful that the Lord reminds me of this often. I need to be ALWAYS thankful for my amazing husband and beautiful children. And on that thankful note…We ALSO came back from this trip with an exciting announcement. We are going to have another baby!!! I am currently 16 weeks along and looking forward to having this new little one join us in September!
May you experience a refreshing dose of the JOY that family and new life brings!!
All of our beautiful Kids Swimming in Naples
This is a picture of ALL of our children swimming in Florida:)

tiny detours, empowerment & a blessing

IM000068I am blessed to have the below post as a guest post on my wonderful friend Allison’s blog, she is an amazing woman of God who loves the Lord and loves serving her family! check out her blog at www.afterhissmile.com

I don’t know about you but between the constant barrage of tears, tantrums, discipline, questions, hormones, and the lack of adult interaction and sleep I find myself swirrling in a tornado of emotions and feelings that are so strong I can barely keep my footings.

In any given day I can experience emotions of highened joy and laughter and 5 minutes later sadness and doubt about my calling as a mother. So how does one live their life according to their emotions?? THEY DON’T!!

As Christian mothers we have a calling to live our everyday lives by the truth found in the word of God and our faith in Him. You can look at our emotions as tiny detours trying to take us off course. We cannot rely on them, we need to embrace them, feel them, but not allow them distact our responses to our children or to the Lord. (This is easier said than done)

I have found that as I begin to practice this everyday, it becomes easier. Relying on the grace of God, which is His supernatural empowerment, I can do ALL things through Christ. I now look at my emotional struggles as blessings because through them I am being santified to become more like the Lord and the mother I was created to be. My little ones daily witness my constant surrender to the Father as I ask for His forgiveness and theirs:) We are not called to be PERFECT mother we are called to be mothers who are perfected through the grace and mercy of our Lord.

May you be blessed today, may you recieve a fresh impartation of grace and mercy. May the peace and rest be your today as your press against the current of your emotions. And May the joy of the Lord be your strength!!

LOVE-ing my Family

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As a busy mom of three little ones I find being intentional about events and activities to be imperative. I need to plan and organize to get things done. If I don’t plan ahead it is really stressful to make things happen the way I want them to go. (Mom’s you would know this because nothing seems to work out on our timeline when children are involved:)
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Today was one of those days, we had such a wonderful time as a family and the day isn’t even over yet:) I had to plan for it and make an investment ahead of time! We had a wonderful breakfast and devotional together this morning, went to music class, did school, went to homeschool skating and are now getting ready to make heart-shaped pizzas!!
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I have found that being purposeful and intentional about loving my family and making memories together brings such joy!
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Today, as we focus on LOVE I am reminded of how deeply the Father has loved us, that He would send His son for us. Now that I have a son I can somewhat relate to this concept and I cannot imagine the depth if love it would take to give one child’s life up for my other children! I am SO thankful that his ways are higher than ours!
You are his beloved. Do you know that? No matter what state you are in you are love by God, you were His dream and you are worth SO much to Him!!
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If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.  Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. (1 Corinthians 13:3-7 MSG)
588May you know His great LOVE for you today!!

may my life be…

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As I sit here this morning, overwhelmed with birthday wishes and amazing memories of the past 31 years of life, I am truly thankful. I am thankful for family, for friends and for years of laughter. I am thankful for hard time and tears, for situations that I thought were impossible but over time have proven to be miracles. I am most especially thankful to the One who gave me life. I feel like the depth of love, joy and passion that I experience in this life come from Him. His abundant love for me brings me to my knees, the fact that He gave me this life and dreamt me into being amazes me. I do experience life and life abundant. I breathe in a deep sense of satisfaction, peace and contentment with who I am and where I am today. (this was not always the case) I give credit to the One who gives me purpose and who is the author of deep peace and rest. The song below was written by my brother-in-law Sean Dayton, I woke up singing it:) The words a mirrored reflection of my heart, and a majestic landscape of what is to come!

may my life be an offering of praise

all I have, Lord, I lay it at your feet

not just a song but the sweetest melody

I give you my life…

purify all that’s hidden in my heart

a sacrifice, Lord, I desire to bring

not just a song, or the sweetest melody

I give you my life…

I’m living for your glory, I’m living for your fame

In view of your great mercy, I bow down at your feet

Lord your mercy has paved a way for me

to bring a holy and pleasing offering

not just a song or the sweetest melody

I give you my life…

May you experience the deep love and peace that comes from knowing the One who gave you life! Have a wonderful day!

our time and devotion

 

Over the past couple weeks the Lord has taken me on a journey to search my heart. I have been challenged to be honest with myself about where I spend my time and affection. I have realized that devotion to something or someone is directly related to the amount of time spent with that something or someone. The word “worship” is defined as; showing profound respect, or adoration to, to dedicate and give devotion to, to give honor, homage, and reverance to that which is considered sacred. Worship is something that we all do.

We were all  created to become like what we worship. If we worship God we become like God. If we worship food we become fat. If we worship alcohol we become an alcoholic. If we worship work we become a workaholic. If we worship ourselves we become selffish. If we worship money we become greedy. We bow down to whatever consumes our time, energy and resources!

Who or what do you worship? Where do you spend your time and energy?

Take some time to survey your life and ask the Lord if there are things that are taking your time, energy, and affection…I don’t know about you, but after meditating of the idea that we become like what we worship it makes me long to spend time ALL MY TIME with the Lord. I want to become more like Him. I heard a quote today that summed up this concept perfectly; “We must become transparent vessels. A transparent vessel brings no glory to itself, but it glorifies what it contains” John Bevere

May you bring glory to God today. May you become more like Him as you spend time in His presence and worship Him alone!

Winter Wonderland

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Today we got TONS of snow, we have shoveled the driveway multiple times and the kids have been out playing in the snow all morning! It has been such a blessing. When I look out our back window it looks like a WINTER WONDERLAND:)

Emotion floods my heart as fond memories of my childrenhood flash through my mind when I see all the snow. Thoughts of Christmas warm my senses as I ponder the nights leading up to the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

May you enjoy a cozy day with your wonderful family!! Make time to be still and know that He is God for His glory. As you think about the coming of our Saviour, be thankful for all that His life represents for you today!

Little Living Legacies

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I have always had a deep desire in my heart to leave a “mark” on the world. To do something noble and helpful for humanity. I thought, for many years, that this “mark” would be accomplished through a career or a selfless call to overseas missions. However, I have realized that, in my case, and in the case of many other woman, this “mark” is a simple and disguised blessing that comes through motherhood! The very call on my life, to be a mother, satisfies that heart desire impact the world! The legacy that I will one day leave will be through my children. They are my little living legacies!!

These precious little ones are my inheritance or my “mark” on the world! I love them so much and I know that when I am one day gone I will live on in them. Everything I teach them will become part of who they are; this is why imparting a knowledge of the Lord, godly character, integrity and honor are so important. This makes my job as a mother so much more fulfilling. This is why I am passionate about family, about marriage, about children, about homemaking, and about homeschooling…because I know that each and every moment that I invest in my “legacies” I am investing in my destiny and the Kingdom of God.

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deut 6:4-9

Bless you and your living legacies today, let them know how much you love them. And remember a great investment will reap a great return!

What is really Important in Life?

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There are so many days where I learn so much from staying home with my children. There are so many new concepts or cool analogies about parenthood that I would love to share with the rest of the world, but sadly enough, I can never find the time to pen my heart! I find myself looking forward to writing a new blog to encourage other woman, especially mothers, and 2 weeks later I still have not be able to find the time to sit down and write.

Even as I write this post tonight, my littlest, Atirah, is teething and has had a fever for the last 36 hours. She refuses to sleep and wants me to hold her 24/7. Now that would be completely do-able if she were my only child but she isn’t, she is my third! So it has been hard juggling the kids, homschooling, feeding everyone, playing, keeping the house clean, etc. Today I didn’t have a shower and get dressed until almost 4pm! It was a long day but as I sit here and ponder the events of today, I am so thankful that I was able to be here in my home with all my kids, especially the little one who needed me most.

I find it sobering to think that one day they won’t need me like they do now. I am so used to hearing “mommy!, mommy!, mommy!” that the thought of not hearing that beautiful echo casts a sad shadow over my soul. I love to be needed and wanted by them. I was made for this! You were made for this! Let us not forget the importance of this time. Seasons will come and go, opportunities to share with others will always be there but our babies will not always be here.

Our family needs to be number one. No matter how many wonderful career or ministry opportunities arise, they are never worth failing our families. This rings very true in my heart even now, as I am choosing to be home with my family over pursuing a career in therapy/counseling. There is a huge need in the city and many people who I am sure that I could influence through this avenue but I know that this is where I need to be right now. How sad would it be if I missed this precious time with my kids? I believe I would forever regret it. (I am not saying everyone needs to be a stay-home-mom, at this time our family has decided that this is best for our current situation:)

Remember that we are important, what I do today shapes the generations to come. I was doing a bit of generational math and realized that my influence in my children’s lives (developing their morals, worldview, character, faith, etc) will, in the next 60 years will directly  impact 130 individuals. And that is only my grandchildren and their children and spouses, not to mention that hundred of thousands of people that they will interact with individually. There is no way that I could personally influence that many peoples lives in my lifetime alone . Investing in our kids bring exponential growth and blessing!

May you be blessed as you continue to serve and grow on this journey. You are a woman of faith, let your light shine!

Grace Prayers!

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Today I have been crying out to God to give me grace in raising my children. Most days offering up grace prayers is the best thing I can do for the kids and myself.

I attending a wonderful weeking of inner healing and teaching about the power of our words and actions with our children. I learned that as a mother I am God agent sent to give birth to and nurture my children. I have the ability to bless or curse them with every interaction we have, verbal or non-verbal. I want so much to bless my little ones to empower them to prosper emotionally, spiritually, and physically. I have decided that praying specifically for each of them throughout the day is very effective!

Here are some of the grace prayer from today: (I have started journaling them to watch God work in them over time)

Lord, help me to remember that washing Mercy’s sheets AGAIN in the middle of the night because she peed the bed AGAIN is not that big of a deal. Help me to remember that I am just tired that is why it seems so tedious. God thank you that I can serve my daughter in this way, I’m glad she will learn that she can always trust you to provide for her basic needs. Help me to give her an extra dose of love today as I know she feels bad for having an accident. Show me how to bless her soul so she knows that I love her for who she is NOT what she does!

Lord, give me grace to deal with Judah who wants to complain about everything I ask him to do. Help me to remember that he is testing my character, and ultimately Lord, you are testing my character. He is testing to see if I am consistent, truthful, loyal to my words, he is trying to determine whether he can trust my leadership and he is building a foundation for boundaries in his own life. God help me to remain strong, help me not to give into anger or the desires of my flesh. Remind me to bless Judah, to offer him choices rather than punishment. I want to our relationship to be my first priority. I know there is something more important than being right Lord, its being free!

God I need your GRACE with Atirah today. Lord I bless her eager, busy, adventurous spirit, that is fearless. Lord I ask for extra patience, kindness, gentless, actually I need ALL the fruits of the Spirit with her. Lord I still an unclear as to your destiny for her life as she is just starting to develop her personality, but I know one thing…she has a determination and strength that will carry her through every obstacle she might face. Thank you God. Thank you for her boldness, her humour, and her life. God give me the supernatural empowerment to care for her, train her and guide her through this life. Lord when I get frustrated and tired, bring peace and rest to my soul. Remind me to cry out for you to help me and not to try to deal with her on my own, she is a gift, thank you for her!

Lord empower me to mother, to nurture and to care. Let me give freely of myself as you gave freely of yourself for me. Let my children always know deep inside that NO one loves them like I do. I pray that they will see this in everything I do and say for them.

May you experience the freedom that comes from complete surrender and obedience in the small things!! May God grant you an extra dose of grace today!!!!