The Comfort of Obsession

As I sat on the floor next to Ira's toddler bed, waiting for him to drop off, I prayed for him and for my home like I do almost every night-
"Lord, protect our home. Do not let fear rule in this place. Bring peace and rest.." and I felt Him respond, "trust me."

The message I was getting loud and clear was that I can pray these things over and over as a sort of ritual or I can believe that He heard me the first time. He is faithful, after all. I know He doesn't desire harm to come to me or my family. So why am I still stuck on these thoughts?

Fear. I'm giving it too much room to creep in. Fear and Faith are opposite, so I can't really operate under both mindsets. At some point I have to give in to one of them totally.

But, perhaps, there's a reason I resort to these same concerns in my prayer time. Maybe the fact that I'm praying for my family's protection brings much happier feelings than those that might be associated with my growth.

In trusting God and moving on from the same repetitive prayers every night, I will inevitably be forced to focus on other issues in my life. Matters of the heart. Places that need some deep cleaning. I cannot avoid the growing pains any longer. It's time to move on here.

I wonder how many of us stay stuck in one spot of our lives? We find out that we have a particular weakness for something, and then spend all of our time trying to work through it. "Trust me," He said. Stop obsessing over that one little thing and trust that He's working on it. All things have their season of harvest. Maybe the push you need in that area will come from focusing on others. Or starting with something simple, like being more positive.

Don't get stuck in the rut of feeling defeated over one area of your life.

Life is multi-faceted. Some spots may be a little cloudy, so reflect on things through something more clear. Basics like: Love, Joy, Hope, Charity, Empathy. Just as a diamond reflects light based on the clarity in the stone. The light doesn't stay trapped inside, it makes its way back out through whatever avenue it can.

It's the light that makes it shine-
Lindsay

Daily Goals- printout

Hey friends! Lately I've been working on doing some of my posts via VIDEO! I'm really excited about it, but I'm also not very software savvy, so don't expect anything ground breaking.

In the mean time, I have been using these handy little daily goals printouts. They have really helped me stay focused throughout my day. I've seen a few circulating on Pinterest, but none really met the needs of my day (either too vague or WAY too detailed.) So I made my own.
Feel free to print them out, I suggest doing 10 copies totalling 30. You'll be set for a month.
As a side note, I don't use one EVERY day, but for days when I'm home and really need to get certain tasks done, it really REALLY helps me stay productive.

Go forth and conquer!
 -Lindsay

P.S. this is my first time using google docs, so if you can't open it, please let me know so I can figure it out :)

My Letter to the Devil,

The things you do to get under my skin. I decided it's time to write you, rather than continuing to be passive-aggressive about the way I see things here.

First off, my kids are off limits. Don't even think about it. I will spend more time praying for and with them everyday. Every. Day. Jesus' blood covers our home, don't let the door hit you on your way out.

As for my husband. I see the things you are trying with him. The past hurts, the present failures. All I can say is this, if he wasn't a threat to you, you wouldn't be trying so hard to slow him down. I know he was created with a purpose, and he will do more with his life than you've been able to do with your misery.

I'm sure it enrages you to think about the fact that we have already won. It was spoken, you burn, we live. So you can back off. You can take this as an official statement: As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

My writing, God will use it to change lives and deliver hope. Writing has been doing that for a while now (you may have noticed.) Despite your best efforts, you haven't been able to extinguish the power of the word made flesh, so I'm confident you will consistently fail at any other attempts to bring down the thing I do best.

As for our families, the patterns stop with us. The bad habits and the ability to completely ignore God's voice, I'm over it. I know when He speaks, and not to be proud here, but,  I'm going to listen. The best part? When I fail, you no longer have the prerogative to bring feelings of guilt and shame, because I know I'm covered by Grace.

Fear- I know it's something you operate in, but it's also a lie. From anxiety and paranoia to chills-up-your-spine terror, I'm over it. In releasing control and trusting God fully, I know that fear and worry will do me no good.

I will spend the rest of my life helping people escape your snares, in hopes of them living their lives joyfully and spending eternity with their Creator. And the lines you keep blurring between religion and relationship? Guess what? I'm making it my personal goal to set things straight, through the Spirit within me showing me all the flaws in your doctrine of confusion.

So learn my name. Learn to run when you hear it, because the same one that defeated you at the cross lives in me.

Sincerely HIS (not yours)-
Lindsay

Our Biggest Responsibility

My heart breaks every single time I see or a hear yet another story of a child being mistreated, abused, neglected or even killed. We all say the same thing to ourselves. "Who could do such a thing?"

While watching Life Today on Wednesday, they were promoting a campaign to help rescue children from the Sex Trade Industry. Lord knows that if there was one thing I could put my heart and soul into, it would be this. Because I believe in purity and innocence being restored. Because I know the power God has to give people their dignity back. Because children have the right to be children.

And it hit me.

Have you ever seen a predator animal hunting a herd of their prey? The predator always hunts the most vulnerable, the small, the weak. That's how our enemy operates. He sees our children as a huge target, and I am not ok with that.

So I'm here, writing because I feel that we have a tremendous responsibility to preserve innocence. Yes, there are exterior things that we need to be cautious of. I don't want to let my kids see too much in the ways of violence and sex. I don't trust just anybody to care for my children. I am careful when I take them out not to let them get too far. But some of the things that damage kids long term happen at home.

The words spoken to them. The way we show how we feel about them.

Here are a few things that we can all change as parents to keep our homes a positive environment.

• Be positive. Instead of saying "don't..don't...don't!" Be specific. Example: Say "feet on the floor," instead of "don't stand on the table."
• Do not ever let your child believe that their actions change how you feel about them. This will teach them to become people pleasers instead of allowing them to be themselves and tell the truth. If you are getting frustrated, take a deep breath, tell them you love them and that you know they are good kids. If it's really driving you nuts, call for backup! 
• Try to keep other relationships healthy at home. It's ok to have some disagreements, and it's ok for them to see a little of that, but if it's getting heated take it to another room or call a time out. After all, they do what we do, not what we say. If Mommy's disrespecting Daddy, why shouldn't they, too? 
• Always, always, always talk up their abilities! "You're so smart!" "You're so Strong!" and for girls it's absolutely healthy to say "you're so beautiful!" I want my children to have confidence in life. Imagine the great things God can do with them if they already believe they can do a lot. I'm not suggesting we celebrate mediocrity, (don't just say something out of nowhere,) but do celebrate their gifts! 
• Be real. When the time comes to talk about the big issues, don't be afraid to be honest about your past. Sex, alcohol, friends.. those things that might still feel like touchy issues to you. Talking about it candidly might be (or might not be) the thing that gives them perspective before making a wrong choice. 
• Expect failure. We are human. We are never going to do EVERYTHING right. Neither are our kids. It's really important not to set a standard of perfection just because you know better. Your kids are not your big do-over. They are people who are going to need Salvation just as much as anyone. They have temptations and free will. If you really want to be there for them in those big mess-up moments, don't judge. You were there, remember? Be ready to talk through it, to pray through it and to remind them that life goes on, and forgiveness is there. 

This generation means so much to God. And they are under attack for it. They will be the ones to reach the nations and prepare the way for the Coming of the LORD. We need to give them the best possible start so that they can literally change the world. 

A Stay-At-Home-Mommy's Heart- Failures

I can remember thinking, "when I have kids, I'm not going to let them [insert bad habit here]"

HA! 

When I worked in the daycare setting, nap time was a joke. I hated it. I could never get my class to just fall asleep. Now, with my two-year-old I'm facing the same challenges. I literally feel so frustrated sometimes because I just don't know what else I can possibly do. 

I am also not used to being far from the house. So when we go out, I always feel unprepared. In my mind, I never wanted to tote a big diaper bag. So I put a few things in my purse and go. Well.. that's not always the best plan. 

So the thought I had today is this: I need to be more teachable. 

I cannot assume that just because I now I have children, I am going to instinctively do everything right. 

So where do I go for guidance? Who knows, better than me, how to care for these precious little guys? 

Their creator. 

The Lord says, "I'll be strong where you are weak." He fills in the blanks, he gives us a broader perspective on how those little decisions affect things long-term, he gives us clarity in parenting with wisdom without trying to fit a certain mold. 

I accept that I'm not perfect. I acknowledge that I need help, and not just advice from an article or someone who's done it a certain way. I need instruction from the designer of life, from my heavenly Father, who never made a single mistake or a selfish choice regarding my well being. 

Lord open my mind and give me peace, patience and enthusiasm in the work that I do. I am so blessed beyond recognition to have the ability to raise my children at home, in a loving environment. Don't ever let me take it for granted. Teach me to instruct them according to the men you want them to be. Continually show me areas in need of improvement. And above all, guard their hearts through the process. Don't let foolish words change the way they see themselves and take our mistakes and use them for the good in their lives. Amen. 

Clinging to Grace-

Lindsay