Hey, Moms! It’s Christmas season and we are about to take our family of six on a wild trip east to visit family and attend my brother’s wedding. In the hub-bub of daily family life, I’m thinking some thoughts on encouragement and kids, what training looks like, etc.
I also want to let you know that there’s a new app for moms, called Daily Truthbytes for Moms. My friend, Stefani Stoltzfus, has recently founded it and asked me to join her and others to provide a devotional for mothers each day, accessible with a quick tap of your fingers, anywhere and everywhere. This is great because it’s hard to open a book every time, or carry one with you when you need a Source not your own! You can find her app on Google Play, Facebook, or Etsy.
Daily TruthBytes for Moms
Perhaps giving and receiving the riches of His grace looks a little more like encouragement to those around us rather than constant disapproval and condemnation.
The true definition of training up a child looks more like training an athlete for a marathon than scolding and disciplining like a dictator. Training for obedience, respect, hard work, and excellence in a positive style versus a scolding, condemning style can turn a home around.
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence. (Ephesians 1:7-8)
The grace of Christ is so rich toward me, and sometimes I don’t feel it when I’m condemning everyone around me. I get inward focused and hurt when I should be able to look with compassion on whoever has the need. Then, I crack down hard because I hate the hard tossed my way. I turn into a hard thing because of the hard things, and I don’t actually extend grace while I bark my way through the day demanding others to extend grace to me.
At the end of the day, let’s make sure we forgive our families for the rough day. Let’s release them, and wake them with positive vibes the next morning rather than give another scolding from yesterday’s mess. Let’s embrace them, hug them, and warm them with encouragement.
Perhaps go to the problem child with an expression of acceptance, something like, “I know you’re the perfect child for me, and God knew exactly who I needed in my life. God also knew you needed me for a mother.”
God knows, mama. He landed that child in your womb and on your lap, not so you could be destroyed, but so you could grow better.
Speak it out, life for you and him. Reach it out, that hand extended to him. Hold it out, your offer of walking side by side toward better things.
Women of Purpose 