Grace in Difficulty

Blossom4 was just coming off being sick.  She was demonstrating what most moms will recognize and what I have dubbed "post-sickness attitudes."
 

I've never been sure exactly why these attitudes evidence.  Perhaps after being coddled for days, it's back to life as usual and this is something of a letdown.

Perhaps they feel better enough to be up and around, but still not normal enough to be their normal happy-go-lucky selves. 

I don't know. 

But that day was epic in her defiance and disobedience.  #idontexaggerate

I was chatting with the Rugged Mountain Man a minute and he thought a bomb went off here.

That's how crazy it sounded in the usually quiet Hollow.

By the end of the day, I was beyond exhausted.  Discouraged.  Stressed.  Overwhelmed.  Crying.

Though my goal for the day had been to remember 1 Timothy 1:5 (NASB),

"But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith,"

this mama felt like it was World War III between Blossom4 and me. 

The Rugged Mountain Man let me cry and hugged me close.  And I went to bed.  #bedtimeiswiseformamas

This morning, I felt like I ought to count my blessings, literally listing them in my journal. 

It helps my priorities when I count my blessings.  The issues and problems slide back in their proper place.

Little problems and big problems alike adjust all in the light of eternity.  Everything shifts.

I wrote, "I am thankful that I have the Holy Spirit to grace me in all the difficult things I must do today." 

This defiance from the little treasure God gave us is something we won't sweep under the carpet.

It's important enough to take my to-do list, cut it in half, just so I can be available to calmly deal with her and whatever's going on inside her heart and mind.

But I am not alone.  This issue doesn't loom as large anymore.

 

I felt peace spilling into my soul as my focus sharpened onto what was truly needed.

Grace.  The power of the Holy Spirit.  The help of God. 

Yesterday, I started out leaning on Him, but then I eventually marched back into my own strength.

"I am thankful that I have the Holy Spirit

to grace me in all the difficult things I must do today."

                              He will grace you too,

                  Dominique

      

PS - All photos from our recent nature walk with an old friend.

Summer Equals

Summer = More Crafting 

 

At least, that's what my mama thought.  Generally, the crafting wasn't limited to just warm weather months though. 

 

Those are just the easiest months to craft outside. 

We tried out these fun and messy fireworks paintings.  We improved them by adding glitter, because that's how we roll.  #blossomsheartglitter  I love that glitter can be hosed away when you craft outdoors!  That's what I'm talkin' bout!  The Blossoms were proud as peacocks to use their fireworks paintings for decorations on Monday at our patriotic family get-together. 

 

Here's to crafting with your kiddos...

even though it means one more mess to clean up,

Dominique

A Prayer

 

I stumbled on this verse as a prayer for the Blossoms.

 

"May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God

and into the steadfastness of Christ."

 2 Thessalonians 3:5 NASB

On Shepherding

As I'm reading Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp, I'm soaking in its deep truths. 

 

I'm taking my time.  I usually read fiction with a pressing urge to get to the end,

to find out what happens.

 

 

I'm on the edge of my seat, the way most folks are during a movie.  Despite that drive, I'm ruminating as much as possible on this gem of book.

One of the biggest lessons that I'm putting into practice is slowing down my parental discipline. 

 

Most good lessons aren't learned, taught or experienced simply because I'm in a hurry to get to the next task.  (Shame on me.)

 

But parenting is THE task.  The most important task that I'm doing right now.

 

On one such recent occasion, I spoke to one Blossom, "You are a great leader.  You have immense potential in leading people, but you must use it for good."

 

She responded with a sheepish, embarrassed smile and I was at a loss as to why.

 

I felt ashamed when I realized because it was because that was the first time I'd told her that, though the Rugged Mountain Man have long recognized this in her.

 

I'd been so busy giving commands like "Don't be so bossy" and "Stop bossing your sisters around."

 

I was so intent on modifying her behavior, that I'd missed the bigger picture altogether.

 

God has already put certain talents in the lives of each of our girls. 

 

As in my own life, certain talents often are accompanied by specific habitual failings or weaknesses. 

It's wise to see this and act upon those things, to let the Spirit work in those areas.

 

I was too intent on making the sisterly chaos cease, than the formation of character.

 

So, I'm just gonna keep slowing down.  This is THE task. I don't want to Blossoms to go their whole lives not hearing about their strengths and correspondingly working on their weaknesses. 

 

(More pics from our recent cabin jaunt.)

An Old Enemy; A New Trap

The commonly heard phrase "Comparison sucks your joy" is oh so very true.  Social media has proven it time and again.  You're content, until you see how much better somebody else's life is.  Comparison can make you feel inferior. 

 

A topic not often tackled is how comparison can make you feel superior.  Where does that road lead?   I'll readily admit that I feel free to privately analyze the lives of those around me.  I weigh the decisions of folks and learn.  It is discerning to do so.  If a friend is doing something right and Godly, I strive to emulate it.  If someone is making a poor or sinful decision, I don't mind their lives being a warning to mine.  It is infinitely wiser to first learn from the mistakes of others, before being forced to learn from your own mistakes.



The wisdom of this right judgment ends when the learning ceases and criticism begins. 



"But I didn't say a word." 



Critical words will eventually sprout from a critical heart. 



The path from weighing the life decisions of others to a critical heart and the eventually following critical words is often a short path.  As I mull over life lessons, I've realized that the moment I focus on someone else's decisions, feeling mine are better than theirs, I stop focusing on our own family's decisions. 



Comparison stills your momentum toward your God given goal.



As soon as I cease learning from others, and start feeling superior, my focus goes off what the Lord has called ME to do.  I stop thinking of the vision and corresponding decisions for THIS family.  I take my eyes off the goal. 



I'm learning to beware of this little known comparison trap.



Comparison halts your progress.  Comparison derails your journey.  Comparison distracts from your goal.  Doing what God wants me to do takes loads of gumption and plenty of diligence. 



Wifin' and mommin' ain't easy. 



Every ounce of grace is needed.  Not one moment can be wasted being distracted by another's life and decisions.  So, while I will continue to learn from others' decisions, I'm striving to keep my heart following the Spirit down the path He wants for this family.

Dominique

PS - All photos from our recent cabin jaunt.