Tag: beautifulheartedparenting

Sometimes people try to push us away from something that we know is the right next step.

I remember people cautioning me not to move to Guatemala when I was 26 for various reasons, one being that if I wanted to get married, that that would make it much harder.

But, the thing is, I knew God was pulling me there, so there was no other option for me. It was the right thing to do. And, it was one of the best experiences of my life.

I also met my now husband a year later.

When the experience was over after almost a year, I snapped this picture as I was making the decision of what to do next. After praying, I decided to move to Colorado- I knew it would help me process my time in Guatemala.

It was a long year, but I also grew a lot. Just because it was hard doesn’t mean it wasn’t the right thing. I grew, I healed, I changed, and I knew it was time to return to Atlanta.

I remember telling my boss there that I had to leave because I felt God pulling me to return to teach at Atlanta Youth Academy and that I just knew it was the right thing to do. My boss told me I shouldn’t leave and that it wasn’t a good choice.

I knew it was, so I made the decision to move back to Atlanta anyway. The teaching job became my dream job and a month later, I met my now husband.

I remember when I was pouring my heart and soul into my Mother-Daughter Devotional and someone told me that I shouldn’t waste my time. But, I knew it was the right thing to do so I kept on.

And, now my devotional will be published this October (!!!!!). Learn more about it here: https://linseydriskill.com/writing/

While some things that we feel are the right next steps pan out perfectly and others don’t, I have learned that the best and right thing to do is what God puts on our hearts.

It sure is wise to consider what people we respect are saying, but at the end of the day, if we feel a particular choice is the right thing to do, honors the Lord and our family, and we feel that God is leading us to that decision, then that’s just what we need to do.

We can’t be led by fear that others try to put into our hearts or by fears we create ourselves.

Instead, we need to be led by the Lord and by his greatest commands: to love God and love others, and then we’ll be right where we need to be.

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My daughter was frustrated about something at school and I wanted to solve it for her. But I stopped myself (yey mom!). I showed her empathy and told her that that is hard. Then I asked her one of the most powerful questions we can ask our kids:

“What are you going to do about it?”

This simple question communicates:

I believe in you.

You’re smart enough and capable enough to solve this.

You can think for yourself.

It doesn’t mean we can’t guide them and offer wisdom as that is one of our big roles as parents, but it does mean that as our kids get older, we should be encouraging them to do the thinking more and more for themselves and not solving every issue for them.

This will grow their confidence so much and help them think more for themselves when the crowd is trying to get them to do the wrong thing.

As our kids get older, we want them to be able to know how to solve problems and listen to their own voice. As the book, “Parenting with Love and Logic” says, if kids only listen to their parent’s voice as they grow up with solving problems and not their own, when they get older and the voice they listen to shifts from their parent’s to their friend’s, they will be more likely to listen to their friend’s voice.

But, if they are used to making decisions and thinking for themselves, when the crowd is running one way, they will be more likely to listen to their own voice, make their own decisions, and have the confidence to do what they think is right and best, with God guiding them along the way.

Jesus Himself asked about 80 questions just in the book of Luke alone. Let’s mimic His example and ask our kids questions now so they will learn to confidently make their own decisions as they grow up and not just follow the crowd.

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We all have “off” days sometimes. Where it’s just a tough day from the start.

When impatience grabs a hold of us. The dishes, the laundry, the messiness, the lateness, the traffic on the way to school, the raised voices.

For me, today was one of those days. Those days are frustrating. But, I have to remind myself that it’s a part of life. I have to give myself grace, apologize to my kids for lost patience, and grab a hold of the grace that we can start over.

We don’t have to wait until the next day.

We can start over right now. In this minute. In this very second.

We can grab a hold of God’s grace in the midst of our imperfections.

In the midst of our messiness.

With Jesus, there is always forgiveness.

There is always hope.

There is always a way to start over and restart the day.

So, if you have had one of those days or weeks, start over now.

It’s a new moment full of God’s grace for you and for me.

We are loved by the Lord, so loved, not because of reaching perfection, but because of who He is and who we are – His children.

Abide in his grace. Breathe it in. Let it refresh your soul. And as He renews your heart, mind, and soul with his awesome love, let that overflow to your children.

“Put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing loveand with Him is FULL Redemption.” Psalm 130:7

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The simple things in motherhood- they hold my heart.

My daughter reading, while my son picks music for us to listen to, while my other daughter braids my hair.

All together. In one room. Enjoying our sweet time with one another.

These simple moments. Enjoy them.

When we look back years from now, these are the moments that we will long for, remember, cherish, and wish we could have before us.

Everything in parenting doesn’t have to be extravagant. Enjoy the simple things in parenthood while these moments are right before us.

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Sibling arguments are inevitable. But, if there’s a way to limit them, I sure want to.

Yes, my kids still argue, but this verse has been a wonderful motivator to not repay insult with insult, but with blessing.

When one of my kids chooses the latter, I celebrate it big time. When our kiddos have these words in their minds and hearts, they are more likely to pause before paying back and to repay with blessing instead.

I love how the end of the verse explains why: “because to this you were called.”

I shared with them that as followers of Jesus he has called us to love one another deeply. With a love that doesn’t always make sense. When we repay evil for evil, it stirs up anger and hatred, but when we repay with blessing, it stirs up love, goodness, peace, and “the life that is truly life”.

When we walk in love like Jesus tells us to, we are a light for the Lord, experience more of his kingdom, his power, and him.

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Jesus (John 8:12)

Lord, help our kids and us to love one another like this. When we want to repay with anger, harsh words, and frustration, Jesus, help us to repay with peace, kindness, and love. Thank you for filling our minds and hearts today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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