Yes, all my plants are dead. But it's for the children! How to turn your weaknesses into life lessons they won't forget.

I have always been a firm believer that my mess is my message. I have an uncanny ability to greatly threaten the life of any potted plant under my jurisdiction. You know those plants that are supposed to be drought resistant, hardy, able to survive all the elements, impossible to kill? Yeah, well under my care even they have to fight for survival! But even that can be used for good. :-) 

Both my children (each at the age of 3) have a memory of being by my side learning to prune plants, picking off the dead stuff. As we did so I took the opportunity to explain to them how God prunes us because He loves us. It's a long, difficult, sometimes painful process, but God pulls out the bad stuff in our lives so that we can grow more good stuff. It's an incredible object lesson that, were my plants not dried up, scraggly and fighting for their lives, my children would have never had the opportunity to participate in. :-)

Do you have messes in your life that you should just fess up to and allow God to use for His good? Don’t be ashamed of your struggles, your weaknesses. Instead, examine them, and see how you can use them as life lessons for your kiddos. Don't be afraid (or too proud) to bring your children alongside you, and let them help you clean up your messes. In doing so, you can take the opportunity to point them to the perfect, loving Father who continually prunes us and makes us bloom.

As you may have heard … the Light shines better through cracked pots!

"I am the true Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that continues to bear fruit, He [repeatedly] prunes, so that it will bear more fruit [even richer and finer fruit]." John 15:1-2 (AMP)

Click HERE for more thoughts on parenting.

Walk it Off!: Handling "mom-stress" and savoring the medicine of laughter.

So I have never hidden the fact that many many times, usually several times a day, I pretty much just go crazy! I try to hold it inside. I'm not a yeller or screamer. But I am a huffer. One deep exhale, and everybody knows … mom is about to lose it!


 I've spoken with enough other moms to know I am not alone. But knowing this still never seems to ease my frustration with myself. So many times I've heard and heeded the advice to go into another room, take a deep breath, and ask God for help. While I think this is excellent advice, I have found that for myself perhaps it is not enough to leave the room. I think for me I actually need to leave the house! I'm not necessarily saying you have to take off by yourself and leave everyone behind. However, there is so much to be said for getting away from the distractions of the gadgets, the noises, the walls (which in those crazy mommy moments can literally feel like they are closing in on me), and just getting out into God's world and really breathing Him in. Listen sister. Hormones are real! Rather than pretending we don't struggle with them, let's learn to manage them and face them head on. Trust me. You'll feel better, and your family with thank you!

I remember one day last winter when I felt this coming over me again, but I knew I just had to get out. Mikaela and I went out into the driveway and put on our roller-skates. We skated together in circles in the driveway then went for a loop around the neighborhood. We held hands. We laughed. We talked. Just breathing in the fresh air really rejuvenated my soul. And since its Florida, there was also the sunshine factor. After this, Mikaela and I went for an impromptu romp on the beach. The sand between our toes and the smiles on our faces were exactly what I needed.

So I encourage you, the next time you feel this "I'm going to lose it!" feeling coming over you, just get out and have some fun. Breathe in the fresh air. Do something that will cause your children to laugh. Yes, laughter is great medicine. And what I am learning now is the laughter does not always have to be my own to begin to work powerful healing in my soul.

 ^"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

See all the posts in my Holy Hormones! series HERE.

Jesus - The only man to ever understand women!

I have come to the end of a beautiful journey...one which I can most definitely see myself repeating. With dog-eared pages, plenty of highlights, worn edges, coffee stains and water damage (Yes, I live in Florida. Reading in the pool is one of the perks!), my well read copy of  Pierced & Embraced sits here reminding me of the power of our Lord to "gently woo and fiercely pursue our hearts." My time in this new book by Kelli Worrall has been a blessing. It is so beautifully poetic and so profoundly

insightful.

There's one thing (ok, one of many) which men simply cannot understand about women, and that is that often times we women cannot understand ourselves! While some sisters may not want to admit it, I’ve talked to enough to know I’m not alone. We can often be described as beautifully complex balls of emotions, hormones and analyzing thoughts that just won’t quit! But there is one Man who knows women. He sees us...not the frequent, outward craziness, but He sees deep into our souls. Sees us for who we long to be and the power and passion behind our beautiful mess. His name is Jesus.

Beautifully written with transparent glimpses into her own piercing journey, Kelli insightfully unwraps the wondrous way Christ had of relating to the women who crossed His path. He saw their pain and their struggles, but He saw beyond all that to the precious, complex creatures women are, the crowning jewel of all creation. In this book Kelli walks us through a close examination of Christ's encounters with seven different women in Scripture. Women had a special place in our Savior's heart. He cherished these women, drew them to Himself, and lavished them with the love and acceptance of heavenly grace. 

No matter where life finds you now, whether you’re cruising along or barely getting by, regardless of 

your current struggles, depths of pain, or feelings of shame, inadequacy or sheer confusion, I highly encourage you to join Kelli on this journey as she so masterfully uncovers the stories of  women forever changed by an encounter with the Lord. Be encouraged that you are not so far from His grasp that this same encounter cannot be yours if you'll just reach out for the hem of His garment, drink of His living water, break open the alabaster jar of your soul and be poured out before His lavish mercy and grace. Through this book you'll realize afresh, or perhaps for the first time, how He longs to pierce your soul and embrace your heart.

Read it with your Bible close at hand! Wherever you are on your journey, this book will open your eyes to where He is…right there with you, ready to wrap you in His warm embrace.

Go HERE to get your own copy of Pierced & Embraced today. 💥Enter promo code EMBRACED40 to receive 40% exclusively for my followers!!! (Thank you, Kelli!) 💥