Worry

Worry

If you are anything like me you worry, especially when it comes to your children.  I was reminded of the troubles of Esther and Daniel while listening to our local Christian radio station. Both were children at their time of greatness. Daniel was a small boy who was sold into captivity by his own brothers. While Esther lost her parents and then became the Queen at a young age. Can you imagine how they felt, the emotions they felt and did not understand due to their immaturity? But the beauty of both of these stories is that the troubles they faced were at the hand of our sovereign God. Through these two historical events we see how God can use even children to further His plan along. So this got me to thinking about my own children. I am a worrier when it comes to them and many times don't allow them to do things out of shear fear of disaster. However a work is being done in me that is helping me face these fears head on. The Bible tells in Luke "And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his  span of life?".  
We have no control over when, how or why bad things happen. This is such a hard concept to grasp especially when it comes to children.

I am reminded that God has a perfect plan and that we may not understand it but that does make it any less real. We must learn to trust in God's plan EVEN when things do not go our way. We must learn to give ourselves to His perfect plan. 

Worrying will not change His plan, it will not stop His plan from happening. But when we begin to accept His plan we find a peace within us,  a peace that tells us that He is in control. When we start to truly trust Him not only with our lives but with the lives of our children we find that we begin to see things in a different light, one that brings us outside ourselves. 

I pray that we will be able to trust our sovereign God, trust that even though His plan may not be our own we can know that He has our best interest at heart. That great things can come from very bad things.

Keep your eyes fixed upon the Lord, trust in His plan because it is the only one that is truly perfect!

Leaving a Legacy

It's something I have never really given much thought to but once again have been challenged by my bible study to think about how my decisions will affect the legacy I leave behind.
So how do we go forward with this thought at the for front of our minds? How do we strive to make every decision one that considers how this decision (big or small) will change the lives of those around us and make a lasting impression?
I am not a patient person, once my mind is set on any given task, activity or idea I have to run with it. I tend to make very hasty decisions that sometimes I regret soon afterwards. So my plan is to take each and every decision (again big or small) before the Lord and ask him to reveal to me how this will affect my legacy. How the decision at this time may feel good and right but will that feeling last long after the newness has worn off.

So are you with me...will you walk along side of me as I work towards leaving a Godly Legacy!

Struggling with a strong willed child...please share your advice, blogs, books or resources.

Okay

Okay...
It is such a simple word but so hard to say, especially in those heated moments when we need validation of our feelings or worse yet when we feel the urge to flaunt rightness.

I am guilty of this all to often and simply plan on putting the following verse into action right now..."A soothing tongue is a tree if life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit." Proverbs 15:4

This simple word can save us all from a multitude of  harmful and wounding words or actions.

Holding my tongue is not a strong suit when it comes to my husband.  There really is no excuse just plain old needing to be right...so my vow is to work on being more of the okay girl in the relationship...just think the energy we will save ourselves if we just say okay and walk away. Lets work on creating a peaceful home for our families with this simple four letter word!

Application: Try recording the times you do use the word okay and reflect on the difference that this makes in your homes.
Lets strive for wisdom...and sometime wisdom directs us to gently answering with an okay.

"A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath." Proverbs 15:1
(I plan on writing this not only on the tablet of my heart but on my kitchen chalkboard so that it is plain sight to remind me to say OKAY!)