A Peanut's Purpose

Theme for May: Inspiration!

Verse:

 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

Jeremiah 29:11

Mom's Musing:


" You were created for a purpose, on purpose." Julie Gorman told her audience at the FYI (For Your Inspiration) conference. Earlier that morning she handed a peanut encased in its shell to each participant. We dutifully held it, wondering why. At the beginning of her presentation she proclaimed,  "A peanut has 300 purposes." 

My husband, each one of my kids, and I have been created for a purpose, on purpose. Sounds a little nutty but it's true. When my kids struggle, those will  be the times God trains and strengthens them so they will be ready to fulfill their calling when the time comes. These times can be pretty rough.


One twenty-year-old woman said her parents had failed miserably in one area of parenting. (Side note: Young adults love to critique and evaluate their parents' kid raising skills. Some even keep a list of "What I will do differently when I have kids." Don't be offended if this conversation takes place in your home. It's pretty typical.) The young woman went on to say that her parents never taught her what to do when she fails.


Actually... good perspective. There are times even when we do things perfectly things don't work out. Our kids need to see how we face that challenge. Do we crumble, blame, feel resentful, give up? Or do we move forward, pray, seek God, and trust that He has a purpose for us and that purpose is good? Talk to your children about times  when God stretched you. Don't rescue your kids. Allow them to feel what a set back feels like and what a good response to that set back may be.


Parenting Tip: 
Your child is a little nut with many reasons for being. Help him discover God's design for  his life. The disappointments just may be God appointments for learning.

Born Free

Theme for May: Inspiration!

Verse: 

"He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, 

to proclaim freedom for the captives 

and release from darkness for the prisoners."

 Isaiah 61:1 c-e

Mom's Musing: 

To the little bunny, his predicament looked impossible. He was at the bottom of a 9 foot window well with no way out. He attempted to escape, relying  on his own strength. Jumping as high as he could to no avail. He needed help to be released from his metal prison so he could be free to do what rabbits do.

I climbed down the metal wrung with a shoe box in one hand. I visualized  the sign at the pet store, "Bunnies bite." I bravely forged ahead to rescue my furry friend. Okay, I even named him -Buddy the Bunny.

Success. Buddy didn't want to be momentarily boxed but once corralled he was a step closer to freedom. When the cardboard cover was lifted his little paws hit the ground and ran-not hopped- off at lightning speed.

Reflecting on being able to participate in the born free experience, I thought about how children are so like my bunny buddy-Buddy. They get into a tough spots,  need assistance but may not appreciate what that help looks like. But as soon as they are released they can fulfill their purpose.

At the FYI (For Your Inspiration) conference Sandra Aldrich spoke about having faith in difficult circumstances. She said, "When God has us pray, He often has us participate in the miracle." Like the bunny,our children may need to be reined in before they can be released. And..God will most likely use parents to do this. We may be a little fearful but we must move forward in faith. Because when we do, our children will be in a better place to fulfill God's purpose for their lives.

Just yesterday Buddy fell into the same problem. Silly Wabbit! He had grown so he was harder to capture. His teeth must be bigger too. Being used by God usually comes with some  risk but the rewards are great. So when your "Buddy" repeats the same mistake when he's older, don't be surprise.  Be brave and climb back into the hole and help lift him out.

Parenting Tips: Look at your child's challenges as God given opportunities to train and direct his path.

Time Out!

Theme for May: Inspiration!

Verse:

"My life is worth nothing to me 

unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus

—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God."

Acts 20:24 NLT 

Mom's Musing:


Dear Readers,

I hope you had a beautiful Mother's Day. I have some good , no...inspiring news to share with you! About one year ago I met a gifted young woman at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference in Estes Park. Her vision was to have a devotional for moms that took the names of God and applied them to real life experiences. Today I'm pleased to announce my friend, Heather Riggleman, has seen her dream come to fruition.

Her just released book, from Livingstone, gives no false hope or platitude. But it does rest on God's promises. Its contents are the stuff life is made of- struggles and successes. Heather, mother of three,  will move you to both tears and laughter while helping you put life into a heavenly perspective.

Each devotion is short and contains two pieces of scripture. It is designed especially for the busy mom. Take time out to be inspired read, Mama Needs a Time-Out. You can order the book through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Be Blessed and Congratulations Heather!
Lori

Parenting Thought:  "God allows us to have children for various reasons but I believe the main reason is to understand His heart and His love for us." -Heather Riggleman 

Stuck in the Muck

Theme for May: Inspiration!


Verse: 

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, 

who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt." 

James 1:5-6a

Mom's Musing:


Recently I attended an FYI (For Your Inspiration) Conference in Colorado Springs. Kendra Smiley, one of the seven speakers, talked about living a balanced life. She pointed out every person has "If onlys" and "What ifs". Regrets and worries for choices made in the past and what may be the future result.

In my parenting classes I've had many parents lament, "I've done it all wrong. If only I parented differently my kids wouldn't be  (fill in the blank)." STOP right there! From today on, alter your approach. Or as Kendra aptly puts it,"Make the next right choice." God is not limited by our mistakes or time!




Parenting Tip: Don't sit in the muck and mire of  remorse and anxiety. Get up, wash off, move forward. Trust God. He will help you. Ask Him for His wisdom and He will supply all you need. And that's a promise.