My Mommy Minute: March 13

Hi Friend! I haven't forgotten about you.  I appreciate the few of you who have said you have missed these posts.  I have too! I am grateful that God uses these to encourage you.

No need for my extra words here.  There are some great reads below.  Be encouraged! Keep your focus above, because the evil one is there waiting for us to take our eyes off Him and take advantage of us as we get caught up in our circumstances.  In the mess, the noise, and the chaos, we must keep our eyes on the Perfector of our faith and on what He has done for us. Even in the ease, calm, and order we must be careful to give Him the praise and point our children as well as ourselves to Him.

"Calm has more to do with where my focus lies than what my circumstances look like."


Where There is No Grace by Carolyn Mahaney at GirlTalk
"There is no grace for our imagination. But there will be grace for our mothering future, the moment it arrives. There is not grace for our imagination. But there is grace for today’s mothering trials. Not tomorrow’s imaginary trouble or next year’s envisaged problems. Just for today.
That’s why Jesus tells us: “Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matt. 6:34)"

Leaning In by Rachel Jankovic at Femina
After reading this, I have found myself reminding myself to "lean in" during certain situations.  I found this read so encouraging!
"I do not want to be praying that God would make everything easy. I want to be praying that God will make me strong. I know that He has a plan. I know that He has the grace we need to finish the hard things in a way that honors Him."
 

A Letter to My Children by Natalie Falls at The Better Mom
This is one of those posts that I think she read my mind while she wrote it.  I can relate to this so much and I know I've shared before how much a blessing my children are to me not because of the fun things they say and ways they make me smile, but because of the way they drive me to my Savior in desperation. He is my strength and His power is made perfect in my weakness!
"I don’t want to be honored for the things I have done. I want to honor the one who hasn’t given up on me. When I slammed my fists and cursed his name, he held me close. When I yelled at you and my face turned red with sin, he forgave me. I want to honor God for the work he has done in my life. My beautiful children, you are a blessing because you bring me joy and you point me to the one who will never give up on me."

Mothering In the Internet Age by Betsy Childs at Gospel Coalition
 

My Mommy Minute: November 10

Hello!

Some light reads and some deeper.  I put my top reads first in the list.  I pray these encourage your heart and point you to Christ so that you can better know and love him and let that pour out on your children as you live out the gospel each day to them.

“Cheerfully embracing the mundane work in your life, diving into the challenges, working harder than you would think was possible at the little, at the trivial, at the boring–these are all ways to say, “Use me Lord; I am your servant.”

-Rachel Jankovic, "Fit To Burst"

"Mommy, Are You Happy?"  by Polly at Thriving Home

Funner, Part 4: Mess Investments by Rachel Jankovic at Femina

God of the Little Things by Jessalyn Hutto

When Your Child's Will Wears You Out by Daniele at The Better Mom

The Difficulty of Breathing  by Jessalyn Hutto

To the Momma at Chick-Fil-A by Becky Thompson at Sissortail Silk

Only Good Mommies... by Becky Thompson at Sissortail Silk

My Mommy Minute: October 25

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7

When You Feel Like a Failure by Carolyn Mahaney at GirlTalk
I have mentioned what she talks about here several times in the past.  It's hard to face reality and our sinful nature and the fact that we will mess up.  It's what we do when we are down that counts.
Contentment Does Not Come Naturally by Matt Smethurst at The Gospel Coalition
A short video discussion of contentment with Nancy Guthrie, Jen Wilkin, and Melissa Kruger

When I Feel Afraid by Leeann Stiles at The Gospel Coalition

Fear, anxiety, and worry is all too familiar for us.  Three things to remember in helping overcome it.

Giving Grace in the Moment as a Mom by Joy at The Better Mom
8 ways to give grace in the moments of frustration

Using God's Word to Correct in Your Family  by Kara Chupp at The Better MomGod's Word always trumps our words.  Let's use that instead.  Five ways we can.

Chipping Polish by Heather Tencza at Coffee + Crumbs
A sweet story from a new mom's perspective

My Mommy Minute: September 5

 Hi friends,

 

This is the second Mommy Minute coming to you this week because there are just so many good reads out there! Keeping the list short again.  All of these are good and worth the read. 

 

I hope you are encouraged and filled with joy.  Press on, mama.  Work out your salvation with fear and trembling and do not forget that Christ is our rock and our hiding place.  In Him and Him alone is our righteousness found.  Our lives are in His hand. From the smiles to the tears. God is always good.  All the time. To God be the glory. Have a great weekend!



 

 

"I'll referee another squabble and pick up disparate shoes and coats and happily clean food wrappers from under the seats of our suburban for the God who whispers 'I love it when you serve them and no one knows.'"

-Sara Hagerty

I Forgive You Mom by Natalie Falls at The Better Mom
Wow.  It is like she reads my journal. So true and so beautiful. If we fail to glorify God in our actions toward our children, we can glorify Him as we reconcile with them, repent, and ask for forgiveness. 

 

Is Being a Stay At Home Mom Enough? by Abbie at Unsteady Saint
We are enough when we are in Jesus.

Are You Tired of Waiting on the Lord? by Colleen Chao at True Woman

We are all waiting on something it seems.  If we aren't, then we probably know someone who is and could use encouragement.

5 Ways to Move from Overwhelmed to Overjoyed by Rachel Wojnarowski

I agree with these five points.  I also think it's helpful to step back and look at my schedule. Am I too busy? If I'm always carting my kids around then we don't have time to work on training them at home. It is much harder to train in public. Also recognizing what triggers me helps a lot.  Knowing my points of weakness has helped me grow in this area. Trying to get somewhere on time early in the morning is just one example:)  What about you? Do you have any to add?