Loving her fully

This week as my daughter is gone, I have had much more time to spend with God. Not that I don't when she is here but when I am alone I can devote more time to think and meditate on Him. And what He has shown me this week is how to love her more fully when she is here.

We spend time doing school, sports, talking and having fun but how much time do I pour into her. Doing what she desires, even if I would rather run into the street screeming.

God has shown me what it means to love and I am not sure if I could ever fully understand.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.   1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Wow, is that convicting. I am not always so patient or kind. How many times do my words cut deep and yet I do not notice. Is what I am doing so important that I can't take ten minutes to look at the sunset or color a picture with her? When she puts forth effort on a task, do I pick apart her effort because I excpect perfect (like that can ever happen this side of heaven) or reward her for what she has done? It may not be us all but I know that my OCD tendencies get in the way too often.

Moms we are only entrusted with these precious souls for a short time, how are we investing in them? If we are so busy that we can not pour into them then maybe we are too busy with the wrong things.

Growing Pains

This week is a big week for my dd and me. This is her first week at camp. There has never been a time my dd has been away from me this long. Being a single mom who lives near our family she is with me always, except for maybe a sleepover.

How hard it is when it is time to let go a little more. As moms we face many times where we must let go a little more. We can hold on and refuse to let them spread their wings or we can trust. Trust that God has them in His hands. I was reminded yesterday of this by my daughter. We both had a hard time and were nervous but we prayed and then chose to trust Him.

There are times when we can not be there as their "guiding light" so what do we do. I know what some of us do, we don't let them go, we hold on just a little more...but is that what we should do? We should pray and then give them to the One who knows their hearts, fears, and passions. The one who made them in His image to live His will.

I know it is hard to watch them grow up in front of us. But we are not to control them, they are entrusted to us by Him who made them. We need to prepare them to go out into the world and live for Him.

Have you had to face a moment of letting go?














Counting blessings #416-#425

Hanging out with my dd before dropping her off for a week

New friends she will make

Times of growing

Watching her spread her wings

The county fair

The support of family

God's abundance

Bible study women lifting us up in prayer

A week to myself :)

God's promises to be with her

In my life this week…

We are prparing for county fair. She is almost done with all her projects :)

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

We are going to county fair next week. She will be meeting with the judges on Monday, and she is so nevous. Even though they do hand out ribbons I told her that she has done marvelously and should be proud no matter if she gets a ribbon or not.

My favorite thing this week was…

Seeing her at her first ever Fashion Revue. It is a mini fashion show for all the kids that are in some type of clothing project with 4H.

 

Things I’m working on…
Not needing everything to be perfect :) The perfectionist in me is driving my daughter and me nuts. LOL!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Beautiful Girlhood

The Oils of Life

In this chapter the author takes time to explain that oil helps machines, like a train, run more smoothly. Just so we also need "oils" in our lives. She goes on to tell us of some very helpful "oils" to have, such as kindness, politeness, kind thoughts, patience, thoughtfulness and consideration. She explains what each would look like in a young girls life. The author also explains to young readers that there is one place to get these oils, His word.

"Every girl who will seek may have of Him all the grace she needs to keep her life running sweet and smooth in her hoome and in her school, or whereever she may be. " Pg 110

Scripture:

Look at these verses and see what it says about the heart attitude behind politeness

Romans 12:10

Galatians 5:13

Ephesians 5:21

Philippians 2:3-4

1 Peter 5:5

Proverbs 11:17 - Who does a kind person benefit?

Proverbs 12:25 - How do kind words affect people?

Proverbs 14: 21, 31 - What happens when you are kind to thers in need?

This verse had to be the most convicting for both my daughter and I. We had a good talk of how her and I were lacking in some of these oils latley. Reading this has brought my daughter to such a place where I see her heart shapping into the young godly lady He wants her to be.

Is anyone one else reading this with their daughter? I would love to hear you insights.

It is official!

This year I have the absolute pleasure of being on the The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew. I am very excited to be able to be part of this.

The sneak peek I have had of just some of the vendors shows that this will be an exciting year.

My daughter is also excited, she loves to try new things! So stay tuned for the wonderful reviews coming your way :)