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As Christmas approaches, may we ponder and reflect on the beautiful gift we have been given in Jesus, just as Mary did.

With Jesus coming into the world in such a humble way as a manger, I am also reminded about these “hidden” people in the Bible who followed Jesus…

This is my recent article published by ForEveryMom, “Open Your Hands, Mama”:

My son surprised me a few days ago.

My kids’ friends usually end up coming to our house to play. But, a few days ago, our kids really wanted to go to their new friend’s backyard to play.

I know as our kids get older, we need to begin opening our hands more and more.

So, I said they could, but to not go into their house, that they had to stick together, and that they had to come back in thirty minutes since we’re still getting to know them.

I also told them a new rule that I had learned from a mama with a middle schooler and high schooler.

My friend told her kids that if someone says to look at their phone, to look away and ask what they want to show them first because of how some kids try to show inappropriate content (like pornography and other harmful things).

So, before my kids went to their new friend’s backyard, I told them that if the older sister wants to show them something on her phone, to look away.

That might seem overbearing and strict, but I would much prefer to air on that side, than for them to view something harmful.

As they get older and learn who they can trust, that will adjust some, but right now our kids are looking to us to show them how to make wise choices, so I want to do my best to do that.

That doesn’t mean we’ll avoid all difficulty – part of parenthood is dealing with those tough things – but it does mean we can put rules and procedures in place that will help our kids.

After thirty minutes of playing, our kids came back to our yard with their friends and continued playing.

Later on, I asked them how it went. They said they had a great time. Then, my son said that the older sister said to him, “Hey, I want to show you a picture on my phone.” My son said , “Sorry, my mom told me not to look at other people’s phones.”

She said, “Man, your mom is strict.” And his reply melted my heart and will probably last me the year: “No she’s not. She’s the best mom in the world.”

I know our kids don’t always choose wisdom or the right thing to do, so when they do, we sure should enjoy it.

I wasn’t just proud of him for not caring what she thought and for speaking so lovingly about me, but for being trustworthy.

Even though the picture she wanted to show him was probably innocent, he chose wisdom. He chose listening to me. I told him how proud I was of him and how that moment built my trust in him.

Let’s do our best to emphasize open communication and the importance of trust with our kids. To tell them they can talk to us about anything and to always be honest with us.

It doesn’t mean they always will, but when they choose dishonesty, it’s our responsibility to give them natural consequences, and to redirect them. They’re kids – they’re meant to challenge us. But, our role as parents is to continue redirecting them to wisdom, to the Lord, to love – one moment at a time.

That’s our role as parents, isn’t it? To prepare them for the real world, to equip them to choose wisely, and then to open our hands, bit by bit, praying and trusting the Lord, one moment at a time.

Originally published by ForEveryMom. Link below:

Open Your Hands, Mama

Wherever you are in life and whatever season you’re in, as Christmas comes, I pray that the Lord Jesus would connect with your heart, encourage you, and fill you with HIs awesome love for you.

Merry Christmas!

Two nights ago, his two young kids had to go to the hospice unit to see him for the last time. His fight with cancer is coming to an end and he is preparing to see the Lord Jesus. 

My good friend has been sharing her friend’s journey over the last year, and that was one of her recent texts: they’re bringing the kids up to see him for the last time.

Isn’t it easy to wallow in self-pity, in self-centerdness, in “woe is me”?

To get caught up in what our kids are lacking, how they’re annoying us, and to just see the worst?

I’m all about acknowledging our heartache. I’m all about acknowledging difficulty, but once we have felt it, I’m also about letting it go and not sitting and wallowing in it.

Friends, life is too short to wallow. 

We have a certain number of days here, how do we want to spend them?

As I have heard about this husband and father who has spent his life serving our country and following Jesus, and about his recent days, I am quickly brought back to reality. 

To the shortness of this life, to the importance of spending our words and days wisely, to the worth of following Jesus with all we have & loving our families with all we have.

It’s completely normal to get caught up in the frustrations of the everyday. To feel like we’re just trying to keep our heads above water and to want to throw our hands up. To lose our cool with our children who have thrown the fifteenth tantrum. To be done with the monotony, the messes, the loudness.

But, life is too short to wallow. 

If we do, we miss it.

We miss the good things. The beauty that CAN be found in the monotony, the mess, the loud.

This is the thing – as parents, we set the course for our kids. That does not mean we have to be perfect. At all. 

But, to be real, acknowledge tough feelings when we’re having them, and then showing them how to move forward in being “joyful always, praying continually, and giving thanks at all times,” because that’s what Jesus calls us to.

Not to ignore our feelings, but to acknowledge them, and then move forward.

We can do this because our hope is not in this world.

Our hope is in Jesus.

When we look at our kids and immediately want to gripe and be annoyed, Lord, would you give us hearts that see you in our kids instead? Would you give us words of grace to speak to our kids with genuine kindness and love? Would you replace barking attitudes and quick anger with a gentle love that comes only from you by the power of the Holy Spirit?

When we mess up, Lord, thank you that we can show our kids what your beautiful forgiveness looks like by asking for forgiveness from you and our kids, accepting grace , and moving on. Lord, lead us to be the parents you want us to be so we can love you and our families with all our hearts, minds, souls and strength, and so we can bring glory to you. Help us to overflow with gratitude because of you. 

Lord, please be with this family and others who are walking the difficult path of hospice, and Oh Jesus, we pray that you would give them hope and show yourself to each of them, and that they would believe in you and enter into forever with you. 

Lord, help us to number our days that we would gain hearts of wisdom and live fully in your your presence, your peace, your joy. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

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