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Being Confident Of This

Grace for the work-in-progress woman

True Stories from a Busy Mama

September 27, 2013 by stultsmamaof4 17 Comments

Sometimes I fail as a Mom; it’s true.  Like yesterday when I forgot to put in a load of laundry that happened to contain the soccer jersey my teenage son needed for his game last night.  Let’s just say it didn’t smell the best. 🙂

I felt so bad for him and so frustrated with myself for forgetting!

And then there are the times when I forget to sign my seven-year-old’s assignment book every night.  Or the times when field trip money is due.  How about the times when someone asks you to do something simple, and you agree, only to forget over and over again?!

The truth is that as a mama of four, my mind is occupied by so many different thoughts, needs, and schedules at one time that some things are bound to slip through the cracks.  It frustrates me because I used to be a very dependable person….before kids. 🙂

But then I remember something my aunt said on facebook a while back.  She told another relative dealing with mom-guilt that she was mothering well.  Why?  Because this mom teaches her children about the saving grace of Jesus.

Every mom fails once in a while, and every mom feels like she is just not enough.  Want to be a good mom? Here's one easy way!

 

And the truth is, that’s enough, isn’t it?!

If shoes go untied and beds go unmade and laundry goes unwashed or unfolded, but we remember to tell our children about Jesus, then we have done the most important thing of all!

Sharing truth, the most important truth in the universe, is the best way to be a “good” mom.

So, if like me you experience an epic fail in your motherhood this week, remember what’s true.

Superwoman is just a myth.

You teach your children about Jesus.

And that’s enough.

Jen 🙂

This Five Minute Friday’s challenge word from Lisa-Jo Baker is True.  She’s asking women all over the globe to share their true stories – the good, the bad, and the ugly. 🙂

Sharing with: Inspired Bloggers Network

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: busy mama, children, Faith, family, Five Minute Friday, good mom, Jesus, Mom-guilt, Mother, Motherhood, parenting, purposeful parenting, Religion and Spirituality

Fast-food Spirituality

September 1, 2013 by stultsmamaof4 20 Comments

If you had the choice and neither time nor money were factors, which would you choose:  fine dining or fast food?  A professionally cooked steak or a microwaved burger?  While I crave the occasional french fry or milkshake like any other person, given the choice between the two, I would rather eat a meal of real food than the more convenient alternative.

However, I can’t always say the same about my spiritual food.

Too often I let fast-food type nuggets of truth pass for quiet time with the Lord.

A quick prayer offered here and there.

A verse I saw on facebook.

Even a well-written, Christ-honoring blog post.

Don’t get me wrong, all of these convenient options are good; we should be continually praying and consistently abiding in Him.   I know that finding Mary moments in our Martha world is difficult, especially with little ones in the home! Those brief snacks help us to do just that.

But which of us mamas would feed our little blessings a steady diet of fast-food only?

We wouldn’t!  In fact, we often work hard to make sure they get what they need nutritionally.  We do things like sneak in veggies, plead with picky eaters, and sometimes even resort to the bribery of dessert because we know they need to eat those green beans! 🙂

In the same way, our heavenly Father does not wish to see us settle for a spiritual diet that lacks substance.

In the busyness of life, we often become content to "dine" on spiritual fast food - a quick prayer offered here and there, a verse of the day, an inspiring facebook meme. But such fast food alternatives fail to satisfy. What we really need is the spiritual food that comes from...  Fast Food Spirituality

“Come and dine,” the Master calleth, “Come and dine!”  He desires us to drink deeply of the Living Water,  not to live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.  He wants to see real growth so that we might experience that abundant life that He planned for us from the beginning.  He offers real spiritual food, the kind that satisfies.

And don’t we feel the difference, friends?

When I snack on spiritual fast food, I might feel okay for a little while.  I can check “quiet time” right off of my list.  I might even maintain a patient and loving demeanor for a time.  

But the truth is those little snacks are not enough to carry me through a long day and the next…and the next…and the next.  The temptation to substitute the quick, convenient alternative for a real meal eventually leaves me running on empty.  And if I carry that pattern out for a few days, that outward facade is sure to slip.  I become grouchy, impatient, unloving, and downright selfish. I’m dissatisfied with life.

Even my blessings become burdens.

On the other hand,  when I take the time to really dine with the Lord, I feel so alive, don’t you?  His presence provides me with a jolt of energy and grace that lasts a good while longer, and the benefits only multiply if I dine on His spiritual food consistently!

What would happen if we quit substituting spiritual snacks for the real deal?

Might we experience a deeper walk?

Would the fruits of the Spirit come more easily?  Would grace reign in our hearts and homes?

In the busyness of life, we often become content to "dine" on spiritual fast food - a quick prayer offered here and there, a verse of the day, an inspiring facebook meme. But such fast food alternatives fail to satisfy. What we really need is the spiritual food that comes from...  Fast Food Spirituality: what you need to feed your soul

My goal for the week is to choose the feast consistently, to be steadfast in my pursuit of real spiritual food.  I want to be satisfied in Him, not empty.

Will you join me, friends?

As a mama of four, I know what I’m asking is far from easy!  I’ve spent those long days unshowered and unfed.  I’ve trudged through those sleep-deprived trenches, just desperate to survive, never mind thriving.  And some days, yes, a fast-food option really is the best spiritual food we can manage.

But I also know the strength and endurance I need to be the wife and mother the Lord wants me to be cannot be gained from spiritual fast-food alone.

  “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you

the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!

Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant,

is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.

 But solid food is for the mature,

who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

Hebrews 5: 12-14

My brothers and sisters in Christ, let’s not be spiritual babes, content to feed on what is easy or convenient. Instead, let’s accept the challenge to dig deeper, to run to the banquet He prepares before us.  

Choose the best spiritual food, the Bread of Life.

Will you dine with the Father this week?

Jen 🙂

Filed Under: Christianity, Women of Faith Tagged With: Bible, Christ-centered living, Christian Women, Devotional Thought, devotions, Fast food, Lord, Religion and Spirituality, spiritual diet, spiritual disciplines, spiritual food

Five Minute Friday: Imagine

May 31, 2013 by stultsmamaof4 17 Comments

Imagine.

Imagine a home filled with three rowdy, laughing boys and one daughter with a giggle high and light.

IMG_2820

In that home you might hear such phrases as:

“Don’t lick your brother’s face” and

“You can’t beat up your sister’s special doll.”

IMG_2816

You might also find messes like this on your nine-foot ceilings,

evidence of a seven-year-old boy left too long in the bath. 🙂

IMG_3005

Now imagine a young, often tired mama, who tends to be on the serious side.

She dislikes messes,

and rowdiness,

and chaos.

She appreciates controlled fun, if there is such a thing.

I never imagined myself to be the mama of so many boys, but I certainly am thankful for God’s wisdom in placing them in my care.  By the grace of God, I’m learning to embrace

noise,

chaos,

wrestling, and even….

….fart jokes. 🙂

Imagine that tired, young mama opening her mind and heart to a world of fun and let’s pretend.  Those rowdy boys and silly daughter teach her to play. They teach her to take life less seriously.

Imagine life without my children?  Impossible!

Jen 🙂

What do your children teach you?  Share with us in the comments.

Filed Under: Christianity, Parenting, Uncategorized, Women of Faith Tagged With: children, Christian Parenting, Christianity, family, Family fun, Five Minute Friday, Humor, Imagination, Jokes, parenting, Religion and Spirituality

Hi, I'm Jen: a work in progress. I'm imperfect - a mom of four, pastor's wife, discipler, and sinner saved only by grace. I like to sing, read, write, teach, and smile. I have a heart for encouraging women everywhere to understand God's limitless love for them and what His grace means for everyday living. Welcome! :) Read More…

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