Tag: beautifulheartedparenting

New Year, New Mercies: A Mom’s Reflection

Linsey Driskill

As moms, it can be easy to blame ourselves when our kids mess up and make wrong choices. 

One of the things I love about the new year is the reminder of God’s new mercies and how He restores. So even when we experience those days of disappointment in parenthood, we can have hope that God makes all things new.  

In these tween and teen years, our kids are trying to become their own person, which can create some bumps along the way. So, instead of blaming every one of their wrong choices on ourselves, it can be helpful to remember that our kids are not robots and that they will make mistakes. Just like we do.

And it can help to think back to our own childhoods, which were woven with wonderful, but also difficult moments, when we might not have made the best choices. 

This is where God’s grace comes in. We need Him. Our kids need Him. 

One of the hardest things about being a mom is opening our hands and not being able to control our kids’ choices. 

But one of the best things about being a mom is opening our hands and not being able to control our kids’ choices. 

Letting them have wings to fly and become who God has intended them to be—not who we think they should be. 

Release the control, and open-handedly trust the Lord with your kids, as you depend on Him to lead you. 

If you are blaming yourself, trust the Lord with your life as a parent, as a daughter of the King—your mistakes, your decisions, your joys. Release them to the Lord.

As the new year brings a fresh view of what’s to come, 

every. single. day. also offers a fresh experience of God’s grace and newness. 

With your child, He can make all things new. 

He can turn around things where you don’t see hope. 

That’s what God does. 

Keep pouring into your daughter. Your son. Lift them to the Lord again and again. Share the refreshing Word of God with them. Spend time with them. Instead of correcting all the time, listen to them. 

And trust the Lord–that He will make all things work for the good of those who love Him.

As this new year begins, be reminded of the glorious hope we have with Jesus, who makes all things new. 

As my friend, Paige Pippin, so beautifully wrote in her Christmas card:

“If you’re reading this, we’re praying for you. (We are!) Now and in days to come, we celebrate the love of God, who sent His sinless Son to die the death we deserve. For those who trust in the risen King Jesus, there is peace and fellowship with God as we wait for Him to set all things right. In Jesus, the best is yet to come. 

Let the new year be a reminder that in Jesus, the best is yet to come. 

Let the new year, remind you of God’s endless mercies, endless grace, endless love.

And that the best if yet to come. 

Happy New Year!

Linsey

“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelations 21:5

“I will sacrifice with shouts of Joy.”🌻

Linsey Driskill

Hi! This is the platform I’ll be using for my content from now on (WordPress). As I said before, I know it’s been a while since I’ve written–I’m so happy to reconnect. I have taken a bit of a hiatus as I’ve taken on a job with For Girls Like You which is a nonprofit encouraging tween girls with Godly content and resources. I’m excited to share some of my content with you again and hope to inspire you and encourage you in your walk with Jesus! Please let me know what resonates in comments. I’d love to hear from you. 😀

As our kids grow, along with their emotions and the ups and downs, having joyful hearts can set the tone in our houses. It can be good medicine for our kids and rub off on them. Let’s go to the Lord and ask Him to lead us in joy. These verses will help us do that too!

I love that God answers from His heavenly sanctuary with His victorious power. We DO have the victory. Whether the victory comes in things here, or just because we have everlasting life with Jesus, Believers have the Victory. Because we have life forever with God through Jesus.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew they had victory even though they were thrown into the fire for the name of the Lord, and Daniel knew He had the victory even though He was thrown into the Lion’s Den. Even though all four were rescued, beforehand, they didn’t know what the outcome would be, but regardless of it, they knew they had the victory because they knew God. 

Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome about 66AD during the persecution under Emperor Nero. Even so, Peter and Paul experienced victory as well because their names were written in the Book of Life. They would experience life forever with Jesus. That is Victory.

So, whether we’re going through heart-wrenching circumstances, or celebrating a wonderful moment, let us “shout for joy over our victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God” because no matter what, we have the victory!

*Written by Linsey Driskill and previously published by For Girls Like You

This spoke to me a lot. I love how David says that during trouble and enemies surrounding Him, He will seek the Lord and sacrifice with shouts of joy. Sometimes choosing joy is a sacrifice. When we go through difficult times, it is a fight to choose joy. It’s a sacrifice. For the Lord. Here are David’s words:

Lord, would you help us sacrifice with shouts of joy when we are going through something difficult. You see our sacrifice and You will honor that. Let my head rise above difficulty by singing and making music to you, Lord, and by sacrificing with shouts of joy. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

“The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.” Isaiah 51:3

Here’s a wonderful song with words of life to hold onto this week by Matt Maher: Alive & Breathing.

“Joy still comes in the morning
Hope still walks with the hurting
If you’re still alive and breathing
Praise the Lord. 

Don’t stop dancing and dreaming
There’s still Good News worth repeating
So lift your head and keep singing
Praise the Lord.”

What we can hold onto most of all is that Jesus walks with us and we will see Him again…

“I will see you again and you will rejoice, 
and no one will take away your joy.” – Jesus (John 16:22)

FREE Phone Screensavers, Social Media & Easter

Linsey Driskill

While social media is the norm now, it doesn’t have to be for our kids. I remember a Christian Counselor, Sissy Goff, saying to wait as long as possible to start all that for our kids.

Our kids are forming their identities when they’re young. They’re so vulnerable to comparison and feeling like they need to fit in. Social media just intensifies that. In elementary school, middle school and early grades in high school, so much of a kid’s worth and who they are, hang on what other people think (and many times years beyond that- even as adults we grapple with that.) 

It can be detrimental for our kids to be on social media, playing the comparison game, always wondering what others think of them, or trying to present themselves in a certain way that they waste so much time and lose sight of who they are, not even having a chance to find out who they are because they get lost in others’ thoughts of them. 

I’m not saying what every family should do or at what age something should be allowed. That’s for each family to decide and every child is so different. But, I do think it’s really, REALLY important to look at the maturity level of our kids to determine that. 

A friend of mine let her kids decide junior or senior year in high school if they wanted to have social media. I know that might seem crazy to many, but she said that her kids were able to see the constant drama that surrounded social media and were so glad to not be a part of it. By the time they could be on it, they didn’t want to be.

A youth might decide to be on social media at some point when they’re mature, but in the meantime, let’s show our kids what it looks like to have real friendships, real conversations, by giving them opportunities to be with friends, IN PERSON. It’s so important to laugh and be silly and to be a kid and to enjoy the simple things. 

Our kids might feel like they’re missing out, but if you can tell them that really, the kids on social media are missing out because there are so many exciting things happening around us while others are tied to their screens. Let them know…Live your life! Don’t watch others’ lives on a screen. 

We. Do. Not. have to do what culture does.

Jesus never cared what culture thought. He cared what the right thing to do was. When he wasn’t supposed to heal on the sabbath, He did, because it was right. When everyone cared so much about being accepted, he told His followers to “shake the dust off their feet and leave that town” if someone didn’t welcome them. When the Pharisees called Jesus out for healing, He called them hypocrites. 

Jesus didn’t care what people thought. 

And we don’t need to care what culture thinks either.

We need to care most about our kids’ hearts and mental state.

That. Comes. First. 

What do your kids enjoy doing?

What makes them laugh?

What makes them smile and just be themselves?

Do more of that. 

And, if you can find other parents who think similarly and other kids who are of a similar mindset, that can be huge in your child not feeling like they are missing out or being left out. 

But again, you have to decide what’s best for your child.

Lord, we pray you would give us wisdom in this world of technology. Help us to navigate it and do what is best for our kids, regardless of what culture does. We pray for great opportunities for our kids to be kids, and to find joy in simple things. We pray for life-giving friendships for our kids, and that they would be lights for You and for what really matters. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

*If you’re looking for a way to be able to get in touch with your kids when they’re not with you, but don’t want social media on the device, The Gabb watch is great!

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I don’t know what it is you’re going through right now- that big thing, small thing, hard thing, exhausting thing, whatever it is. 

But, what I do know, is that Easter morning shows us that God is greater than all. That no matter what you’re going through, you can take heart that Great is our Lord and Mighty in Power. 

He walked through the darkest places and rose above them so he could be with you, connect with you, to heal your heart, to carry you, to strengthen you, to pull you through this, whatever it is.i

With Easter approaching, remember that,

God knows. God cares. God loves you. 

We praise you, Lord, for your great miracle on Easter. We praise you for raising Jesus from death to life so we could have full and forever life with you. We praise you for giving us hope in You and for meeting our needs today according to your glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 
In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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Enjoy these screensavers for your phone to encourage you! They’re from For Girls Like You 
and you can download them for FREE here: Phone Screensavers

As we approach Easter & a GREAT activity!

Linsey Driskill

As we are in the season of Lent and Easter is on the horizon, may we reflect on the sacrificial spirit of the Lord and how He is always led by love. Today, let’s sacrifice our pride and have a heart of forgiveness.

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This is a practical activity for our kids (and us!) to do from my Mother-Daughter Devotional to show how we are forgiven from ALL of our sins through Jesus! Thank you, Lord! Let us begin preparing our hearts for the greatest miracle on Easter that gives us hope today, and forever. 

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Leading up to Easter, I think about one of the the biggest losses of my life, while also one of the greatest gains. My dad going to be with the Lord on October 21, 2021 – I was definitely daddy’s little girl (and still am)… he lit up my life with his joy and humour and wisdom and love. Yet, I know He is now rejoicing with Jesus and that is the gain.

I’m sure you’ve experienced your own difficult things – joy laced with sorrow.

As our eyes are opened more and more to this world, don’t we see more and more of the pain here? And, also more and more of the joys here?

Life on earth means carrying both.

I am constantly reminded that even though we might feel like settlers here, we’re not. We’re not meant to stay here. We are meant to be with Jesus forever. Peace forever. That will come one day.

In the meantime, Lord, would you heal our hearts of the painful things that hurt. Would you open our eyes and hearts to love the sweet moments you pour into our laps? Show us how to carry both the pain and the joys. Thank you that you always have done that very thing. Carried the pain and the joy together. Especially through giving Your Son, Jesus, for us – the pain of You giving Your life for us, Jesus, & the joy of eternity that came the instant You were raised to Life. The forever forgiveness, and pure joy that came with that. Oh God, thank you! We are so grateful. As we meet the joys and sorrows of this world, Lord, would You be with us, lift us up and meet us here. We need You and love You. In Jesus’ Name, amen.❤️

Our Kids Asking Questions about Faith

Linsey Driskill

Thomas was unsure, and Jesus met him where he was. Martha asked questions, and Jesus welcomed them and told her truth. Jesus asked God a question when he cried out in prayer, and God met Him there. 

Sometimes we think spiritually feeding our kids only means to give more and more information. But, sometimes, I think it means to simply give an open space for our kids to ask questions or to release doubt. It can be scary to hear our kids share doubts with us and to seem unsure about things, but if we don’t hear them they will either share with someone else or lock them up deep inside. 

When Thomas doubted, Jesus listened, invited him to come and see, and told him truth. When Martha asked why Jesus let her brother, Lazarus, die, Jesus didn’t scold her, but instead shared truth with her. And, Jesus Himself, asked God, ‘Why have you forsaken me?” after he took the sin of the world upon Himself.

Questions are okay. 

Sharing things we’re uncertain of is okay. 

I would say it’s even a good thing. Because it’s being honest. And, God is truth and He loves truth. He knows our hearts and our thoughts, and He wants a true, honest relationship with us. 

Jesus constantly asked reflective questions – He asked about 80 questions just in the book of Luke. I wonder why? Maybe because when we think through things ourselves, it helps our faith to be our own and to grow even deeper. 

The next time your child asks you questions, don’t be afraid, but listen. Be there for them. Let them know it’s okay and that we all have questions sometimes, and then point them to truth…that Jesus loves them, and meets them right here in this and loves them more than they could ever imagine. 

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38

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Lord, be with us today. Fill us up today. Lead us today. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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You might have heard this verse many times: “We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him.” (Romans 8:28) I understood it in a new way after reading “The Hiding Place” by Corrie ten Boom.

She was a Christian evangelist who hid Jews during the Holocaust and was imprisoned because of it. When Corrie and her sister, Betsie, entered one of the filthy prisons infested with fleas, both starving, they cried out to the Lord.

As they lay side-by-side on a bunk with several other women, 1 Thessalonians 5 came to Betsie and she shared them with her sister: “Give thanks in all circumstances.”

Corrie asked what on earth they could give thanks for. Betsie said that they were actually able to be together in prison and that their Bible miraculously had not been confiscated.

Then, Betsie prayed, “And thank you, Lord, for the fleas.” Corrie said she could never give thanks for fleas, but Betsie insisted that it is God’s will to give thanks in all circumstances.

So, while lying on their flea- and lice-infested straw beds, they gave thanks for the fleas.

After some time, they noticed that the soldiers rarely came into the barracks where they slept. Betsie and Corrie did not know why, but it allowed them to share the light of Jesus to other women for hours during such a dark time.

One day, Betsie asked a supervisor to come to the barracks. Betsie said to Corrie, “'[The supervisor] wouldn’t step through the door and neither would the guards. You know why?’

Betsie could not keep the triumph from her voice: ‘Because of the fleas!’ That’s what she said, ‘That place is crawling with fleas!’”

Corrie wrote, “My mind rushed back to our first hour in this place. I remembered her thanks to God for creatures I could see no use for.”

Hours of ministering, changing lives, and offering hope in a dark time, all came because of the presence of fleas.

What is the hard thing in your life that God can use for good? To help someone. To bring comfort to someone. To point someone to the light of the Lord, and to finding hope in Him.

This daily shift of giving thanks always, can be hard and it takes discipline. But when we change our outlook, it moves our eyes and hearts upon things eternal and puts God’s purposes over ours.

Corrie writes,

“Side by side, in the sanctuary of God’s fleas, Betsie and I ministered the Word of God to all in the room. We sat by death beds that became doorways of heaven. We watched women who had lost everything grow rich in hope.”

Whatever is happening in your life, be encouraged by these words that relate to us even now:

“In everything God works for the good of those who love him.” Romans 8:28

Whether this season is a seamless or difficult one, let us keep giving thanks, knowing that the Lord is right there with us, walking with us, loving us always.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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You can find my Mother-Daughter devotional for moms and their 6-10 year old daughters at: Amazon,  Barnes & Noble,  ChristianBook.com,  Books-A-Million,  Target,  Mardel’s &  Focus on the Family. 

The devotional is a fun way to connect mothers & daughters with Jesus & one another! The 40 devotions include a prayer, story, Scripture, questions within the stories, action prompts, & creative fun activities!