I mean in the way that they view life, God, people, themselves.  It weighs on my heart because I’m a very imperfect human with more faults than I care to admit.  I fail my sons so often in this area.

I rest on the fact that God knew what He was doing when He blessed us with these 6 amazing young men, but that doesn’t mean that I feel like I’m fully capable all the time.  But I know that there are many moms that feel like that, even with 3 children!

So, what do we do to make sure that we’re leading our children the way they should go?  Believe it or not I think it can all be summed up in one word…Priorities.  I know all too well how quickly we get caught up in the everyday ebb and flow of life.

If the tide took us consistently in the right direction, life would be so good!  Wouldn’t that be so easy?  It’s a little crazy to think of all the times I’ve asked God to make life little easier for the right direction to be made crystal clear, but more often than not it isn’t because I’m not looking in the right direction.

So if you’re struggling with the imperfectness of your parenting, I encourage you to maybe take a few minutes and honestly write down your current priorities…what is the one thing you spend most of your time doing.  For many of us it is understandably the responsibilities of motherhood.  Those responsibilities can feel like they are all consuming!

But to be the very best parent, we need to go to the One who gave us these children and daily ask Him for guidance and direction. Here’s a couple of thoughts…

But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask. (John 11:22 – NIV)

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6 NIV)

Sure, part of it is due to the number of children that are involved and the childcare necessary to handle them while we’re gone for even just four days.  Another part of it though is worry and anxiety on my part because…you guessed it, I’m not giving it to God as I should.

Once again, I’m trying to rely on my own mind and abilities … and coming up very short.  One problem leads to another and I feel like I’m getting stuck in quicksand and finally I find myself even physically getting very run down.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT)

That is a verse I’m very familiar with, but I have to admit that I don’t always read beyond that nugget of encouragement. Sure, that verse on it’s own is wonderful and very refreshing, but there’s a wonderful promise left for us in the next verse if we just read on a little bit…

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. (Proverbs 3:7-8 NLT)

What a promise! When we lean on our own wisdom instead of looking to God we do often find ourselves needing healing and strength…and He is able to provide it for us.

How are you doing this week? Are the cares of the world weighing you down?

I encourage you to join me then in claiming these verses and simply taking all those cares and placing them at the feet of Christ.

I have 6 very healthy sons.  The twins who were premature and had a risky first couple years, have come out of that completely unscathed.

As moms, the health and well-being of our children is pretty much at the very top of the list of things we make sure are taken care of daily.  As I read about baby Stellan and many, many others in dire circumstances I am reminded once again of two very important things…

First, do NOT take anything in life for granted, realize the gift each moment we have is and celebrate it.  Second, prayer changes lives.  Maybe not always in the way we expect, but covering those who are in need is like medicine.

For those of you who are experiencing trials or difficulties today, please rest in the love and covering of God and the prayers of those around you. There’s a scripture that has comforted me through many difficult times and I hope that it touches you as well…

… but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

I pray that you are blessed today, whatever your needs are!

On Monday, I had the honor of witnessing the birth of my brand new, absolutely adorable niece.  It was a major event for me…for many reasons.

Watching a brand new baby who has just entered the world is equally as amazing as the process they take to get here. My niece spent most of her first hour of life with her mouth wide open searching for her mommy.

There are so many amazing verses in the Bible that acknowledge the significance of both birthing a baby and the relationship between a mother and her child.

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, (1 Peter 2:2)

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! (Isaiah 49:15)

All of these verses also tell us just how much more God loves us in a way that as mothers we simply cannot deny!

I encourage you all to find a scripture you relate to this week and post it around the house to commit it to heart. Like me, the scripture you choose may be one that is significant simply because of where you’re at right now.

I’m so thankful that we can be blessed each and every day right where we’re at!

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” – Psalms 46:10

Right now this is a big concept for many people.  Life is hard and finances very tight for many families throughout our country.  Jobs and homes are being lost every time we turn around and things simply look very bleak to many of us.

Regardless of our circumstances though, we can rest assured that He is God!  Always has been, always will be.  And we just need to remember and lean on that promise.

I want Him to be honored … in my home, in my decisions, in my thoughts and actions! I don’t want discouragement to overwhelm us!  Why is it then that I struggle and don’t always remember to look to Him for the answers and direction I need?

I need to simply spend more time practicing the “Be Still and know” part of that verse!  But there’s more!!!  I often wonder how God can care about the little details … you know, the ones that kind of end up putting me over the edge sometimes…

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:25 & 26 NIV)

I would like to encourage you to read all of Matthew 6:25-34.  I guarantee you will walk away encouraged.  You will know for sure that He does care about the details…about YOUR details!  What do you need today? He can meet that need abundantly.  Be still.

Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. (Isaiah 26:4 NLT)

As the mom of 6 boys, I’m sure you can understand when I say that I have plenty of opportunities to lean on God for wisdom, strength and patience.

Last night I spent quite a while in our local walk-in clinic with our 5 year old waiting to get stitches in one of his little fingers. Let’s just say that our last experience getting stitches for this particular boy was about as unpleasant as anyone could possibly imagine (much thrashing and flailing about) so I definitely felt I needed a Rock.

How often though, even in the midst of the most obvious circumstances will I simply overlook my need to take my fears, frustrations and life before God. Where I feel frustration, He can give me peace.  Where I feel fear He can give me comfort and calm.

Amazingly … possibly even miraculously, my little 5 year old was quiet through the whole process of getting his stiches. Yes, even the numbing part!  I was so speechless and shocked that this little one who is known to be quite overly emotional went through it without so much as a tear or a whimper.

When it was all over, I felt a little lightheaded.  Not from the process, but from the sudden release of all the pent up nervousness about how I had expected it to go.

Even though I hadn’t taken the time I should have to take the situation to God, I was awed by the fact that He was still in control.  I know this shouldn’t be a surprising realization, but once again He proved to me that He cares … even about the simple things.

This week, I encourage you to remember to simply lean on God for everything you need.  He loves you and cares about you more than you are able to imagine!

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