Heart Reflections: Conversation Starters
There has been so much that has happened over the course of the week its hard to know how to sift through all that is going on and use those moments, sometimes even times of heartaches to start some tough conversations with our kids. Conversations about life and yes, death too. While it is my preference to focus on the happy and fun moments sometimes God allows something that brings tears to mold my heart as well as the hearts of my kids.
How we handle those conversations can be key to reaching the very heart of our children. As they deal with the death of a precious pet, loved one, or something else they will want to know answers and find peace amidst the heartache. While circumstances (like in our case the death of a family pet) will prompt conversations it’s never easy answering the questions when your child’s heartbroken.
Another great way to start some good conversations with your children is through devotionals. One of the best parts about reading through a variety of devotional books with them is that it really seems to initiate some good conversations. Some of the conversations can extend over several days too.
I pray that Jake and I will seek God’s wisdom so that we know what and how to explain God’s goodness even in the sad moments as well as taking opportunities to share truth during those happy times. May we always cherish the times we have with the ones we love even more.
Heart Reflections: You Are My Glue
God, you are the glue that holds my life together. When schedules get interrupted, things don’t go as planned, and life seems to be coming at me from all directions You are what keeps me from coming apart at the seams. On those days when I am exhausted and it takes everything in me to keep moving forward. You give me the strength and energy to face what lies ahead of me. When it feels like I am spinning my wheels and getting no where fast. You give me a new perspective. God thank you for being my glue. For loving me especially when I don’t deserve it. For bringing a song to my heart for encouragement when I need it most. For reminding me of your word and promises. For revealing your truth in unique and amazing ways. For the countless ways you shower me with your mercy and grace over and over again. Thank you God for holding my heart and life gently in your hands. May I continue to trust as you mold and make me into the person you want me to be.Heart Reflections: Finding Contentment
Linda Dillow in her book Calm My Anxious Heart speaks of a missionary woman that lives in a mud hut in Africa. When she asked the missionary how she was so content this is what she said:
- Never allow yourself to complain about anything (not even the weather).
- Never picture yourself in a different circumstance or someplace else.
- Never compare your lot with the lot of another.
- Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.
- Never dwell on tomorrow. Remember it is God’s and not ours.
A few months ago I had the opportunity to travel to India. It was an amazing trip and I had a great time exploring several different areas. I saw things while traveling that just broke my heart…people living on the street or under tarps, children who didn’t have their basic needs met, poverty, and much more. On the flip side while in India I experienced the wonderful hospitality and generosity from the people we encountered (many who didn’t have a lot yet graciously shared).
Traveling to India revealed a lot of things in my heart – one of them being how selfish and discontent I am even though I have been abundantly blessed. I have food, family, clothes, shelter and even more yet some days I still complain. I plan to use this list as a reminder to focus on the many blessings in my life so my heart will rejoice and break the shackles of discontent that sometimes holds my heart captive.
At times it can be difficult to be thankful for the many blessings we have in life. Life doesn’t always go the way we expect. I have a tendency to not only be discontent but to worry about the future or things out of my control.
I could fill my house and heart with all kinds of stuff, worry, fear, or anything else yet by doing this it only grabs hold of my heart and hampers my effectiveness in ministering to the people around me. Besides life here on earth is temporary and I cannot take stuff with me when its my time to go. Let’s take some time today to think, pray, and count our blessings in our lives and find contentment in what really matters.
Heart Reflections: Walk That Mile
As I was walking on the treadmill one morning earlier this week I realized…..whether it’s the first mile you have walked in years or the final mile in a marathon after months of training that first mile is always the hardest. You have to remain focused and determined to finish. You may not notice the fruit of all the hard work invested right away but over time you’ll build up endurance, strength, and that extra energy you need to get through each day. It really is worth it, stay focused.
It is hard enough for me to get up early and walk my one mile or more but yet often I set similar expectations on others. I figure if I can raise multiples, write a blog post for the day, work, maintain my house, attend activities, and everything else I manage to squeeze into my day surely everyone else can do the same. Right!? These type of expectations are not healthy, mainly because I have no idea of what complications or road blocks the other person faces in their lives.
On the outside most people may look like they have it all together when in reality everything really could be falling apart. Only God sees their heart. If I had to walk a mile under the weight and pressure they are baring I would most likely crumble. God does not call me to walk in their shoes but down the path He has given me. While my day to day stress is not the same as my neighbors with His guidance I can have many opportunities to make a lasting imprint on the lives of others. Instead of judging others or getting jealous of the easy life they seem to have set before them I need take those first steps down the next mile in my own life to focus on what God has for me to do today in my corner of the world.
Heart Reflections: His Will or Ours?
I shared this quote awhile back with some friends and thought it may be something that would encourage you as well.
God doesn’t reveal His will for our consideration. He reveals it for our participation. – Andy Stanley
Often I find myself praying or asking God for what I “think” would be the best for my life instead of letting Him reveal it to me and being joyful in what He wants for me. Or worse when He reveals His will and I don’t like some of the stipulations because I want the ability to negotiate the terms instead of just doing what He asks of me.
I am grateful when He does make His will clear for us even if that means it will not always be smooth sailing. Thankfully we serve a merciful, gracious, forgiving, and loving God because I feel like I stumble and make mistakes more often then I should.
Hope everyone is having a great week. Praying for you, I know it is difficult doing everything that is set out before us each day. Before long the kids will be grown. I pray that we will be able to look back on these days rejoicing in the time we spent investing in their hearts and lives.
Dear Lord, Please Put Your Arm Around My Shoulder….
Oh…..this one hits home…..far more often than I want to admit…..ouch!
If I could only could rewind those times I’ve opened my mouth and said something that I instantly or later regretted saying. Please Lord give me wisdom when I speak and to know when I should keep my mouth shut.
Heart Reflections: You Think You’re Safe
Birds Nest Safely hidden away
One day as our family was spending time outside cleaning up the yard and gardens something caught my eye. In one of our small holly trees was a little birds nest. It was nestled snugly into the trees branches with a road only a couple feet away, across the street from a cat, and on our side of the yard where a dog and kids were running around. The nest was so low to the ground that the girls were able to look into it. For weeks they kept checking to see if the bird was coming back.
It must have been a quiet day on our street for a bird to think that the location she had chosen was a good one especially with it being next to a road, cat, dog, kids, and close to the ground. The bird must have felt safe in the shelter of the tree despite all the danger around her. As I thought more about the little bird who lived in that nest it made me think about my life. How often do I go through life thinking my heart, life, and soul is safe?
I believe the bird felt protection and safety from the tiny leaves surrounding the nest, however, danger was all around it. As we go through life we will encounter hills and valleys. Sometimes we have a false sense of security in things (money in the bank, our health, family unity, etc…) much like the false sense of security the leaves provided the bird.
Yes, bad things happen to good people, but there are ways to help protect us from falling and that teach us how to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, and Friend.
- Personal Relationship with Him – a heart focused above
- Reading the Scriptures – not only does this bring you knowledge but it gives you hope, wisdom, and encouragement.
- Prayer – an on-going dialogue
Someone recently asked the question in our church Community Group – how much time did you spend reading God’s word this week? Honestly, my answer some weeks is pretty embarrassing. I often fill my days with good activities but somehow neglect the most important activity. Taking time to read God’s word, pray, and having a personal relationship with Him is the best way to not only find contentment but to truly be safe and protected.
The birds nest is easily seen from up above much like God sees me. He sees my heart, accepts me for who I am, and challenges me to grow. Where is your safety found?
A beautifully crafted bird nest exposed to the world.
Love seeing the handiwork of God’s creatures, simply amazing!
Heart Reflections: Gifts from Above
A few weeks ago I was speaking to a friend who received a gift anonymously. As we were talking I mentioned to her that we have been recipients of such gifts in our lives as well. I can think of several times God used someone in our lives to deliver special gift from above. During those times I had been praying for something specific and it came through a completely mysterious giver.
A desire to show appreciation.
After receiving the gift I would often find myself racking my brain thinking…..who could have given such an amazing gift? Did they know that I have been praying specifically about this particular item? Most of the times I never even shared the need with anyone other than God. In these situations I often find myself really wanting to know who it was that delivered the gift so I could say thank you in person or write a thank you note to them. I want to express my deep gratitude for what they did and the impact they made on my life. However, it is during those times that I realize that they don’t want me to know who it was because they didn’t do it for their glory or praise, they did it for God’s glory. It provides an opportunity for me to give God ALL the glory because only He could have instrumented such an amazing answer to my prayer. He really does hear our prayers. Whether you are going through a financial, physical, emotional time or other need, he hears and cares for you.
Directing my praise to the one who holds my life in his hands.
What do you do when you receive an mysterious answer to your prayer? Give all the thanks and credit to God. He worked through another person to directly answer your prayer. Glory in the goodness and blessings he continually bestows on us even in the midst of a difficult situation. We don’t deserve anything yet he longs for us to have a personal and ongoing relationship with him. Pray for that person who was used by God to meet your need at the time. You may never know who it was on this side of heaven but there may come a time when they have a need that God allows you to help answer.
What am I doing to help others?
On the flip side of the coin how often to I get those nudges from God to help someone or call or write or do something completely anonymous but don’t follow through with it. God can use you and me to deliver these amazing gifts to others. The gifts come in all shapes, sizes and varieties from an encouraging note, listening, phone calls, financial, physical help, and so much more (there really is no limit to the width and depth of these gifts). We may not know what is going on in their hearts and lives. They may be asking God for something specific or need to hear a word of encouragement and he gives you the opportunity to deliver His gift to them. I cannot tell you how large of a blessing and encouragement these gifts from God are to people. When you have a nudge or feel called to do something for someone take a moment and do it. You may be a tremendous blessing to a specific need that they have in their lives.
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:3-4
Photo by JD Hancock
Heart Reflections: Giving from the Heart
The gifts that Karlie and Brina wrapped up for their friends. The other day I had two pieces of left over wrapping paper from a baby shower gift that I gave to the girls to use. They were busy for about thirty minutes in the dining room talking and wrapping their goodies. Later I found out they had wrapped up a few small toys to give to a friend that they heard was moving because his parents were having financial problems. Now the girls didn’t really understand much about what type of the financial problems but they did understand that their friend was having to sell some of his toys because of the move and family situation. Without any prompting on mine or Jake’s part the girls carefully selected some special toys he would like (silly bands, match box cars, pencils, stickers, and a couple more items), wrapped them up, and brought the gifts in for us to see.
It was only when they brought us the completely wrapped gifts that we found out who they were planning on giving them to. My heart overflowed with joy to know that the girls were willing to part with a few treasured toys to help a friend in need. They were not just giving any toy, they were trying to find some of their favorite toys to give away.
How often to I unconditionally give of my best to others? Do I give from the heart or is it to receive notice or out of the feeling of obligation? The most wonderful gift comes from the heart with no strings attached much like the greatest gift we have ever been given. I am thankful for a Savior who gave his life for me and for girls who remind me of what it is like to give generously from the heart to those around us.
Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God
which He has given you. – Deuteronomy 16:17
Heart Reflections: Full of Weeds
The best part about having a garden is the produce! Whether you have a bountiful vegetable garden or a garden full of beautiful flowers we all know that weeds are eventually going to start poking through the surface! While the fresh veggies, fruit, and flowers provide many benefits they will only continue to thrive if they taken care of which includes pulling a few weeds.As I was weeding our vegetable garden earlier this week I started thinking about all the delicious food we get to enjoy because we have taken the time to pull weeds. If we were to allow the weeds to take over the garden the precious vegetable plants would eventually stop producing. Weeding the garden is not in my top 10 list of fun things to do with my time, however, for the delicious food it is worth the extra time it takes to weed and maintain it. I am grateful for a garden that we can enjoy and for the abundance that we can share with others!
Later that day while I was working on other tasks my mind drifted back to the time spent weeding in the garden.
- How often does my own life and heart get full of “weeds” (distractions, stuff, schedules, shopping, work, etc…)? It is important that I have some quiet time every day to evaluate my life and refocus on what’s truly important. The time spent “weeding” my heart is valuable and essential. When I don’t take the time to weed through the issues in my heart life tends to weigh me down and fruit becomes less visible, much like in our vegetable garden.
- Does my day go any better when I have a heart that is overgrown with weeds? No, usually I am more stressed because I am trying to do it on my own strength when in reality I have no control over anything. Just having my mind and heart focused on what really matters makes the days more enjoyable. A vegetable garden cannot go days without water during a drought or the plants will stop producing fruit. My heart is the same, if I don’t take time refresh my heart when the drought comes I won’t be able to withstand the heat and will wither under the pressures life throws my way.
- Is my attitude better with a weedy heart? When my heart is overwhelmed with clutter it is much harder to live a life full of joy. A heart that is weeded will receive a fresh wave of energy and will rejoice in every precious day we are given. A garden flourishes when it is weeded, watered, has good soil, and plenty of sun. When your heart is weeded the positive fruits are allowed to grow giving you more opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
The weeds (busy agendas, work, distractions) are waging a constant battle against your heart much like they are doing in the garden. Take time daily to be still and focus on what’s really important. What is in our hearts will eventually become known. Our actions on the weedy days are not as kind or considerate to the people around us. Do you have weeds that pop up in your garden and heart?
