Monthly Archives: July 2020

A Mind Filled With Worry Is Not A Sound Mind; A Mother’s Job is Prayer not Worry

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A mind full of worry is not a sound mind. Who wants a sound mind, peace?? I sure do. It is possible if we turn our worries into prayers! Mamas let’s be prayer warriors not worriers!

“Worry weighs a person down.” Proverbs 12:25

“Give all your worries to God.” 1 Peter 5:7

“The Lord has not given us a spirit of fear [worry] but of power, love and a SOUND MIND.” 1 Timothy 1:7 (emphasis added)

“Do not worry about anything. Instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need. Thank Him for all He has done. Then the peace that passes all will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

These verses empowers us for hard, uncertain times like now. We can always be certain of God. Who He is and what His Word says. He is good!

Turn worries into prayers. When we worry what do we do?? PRAY. A mind full of worries is not a sound mind.

Want to worry less? Pray more.

Know God is in control and is good. Our life and our children’s lives are in His mighty, loving hands.

From worrier to prayer warriors! God can heal us of the disease of worry!!

Father- you long for your children to walk in freedom. Worry is not freedom. I pray you would help us trust in your mighty name and perfect plan in all things but especially with our children. Help us to not worry but if we do help us to stop and humbly ask you for help, hope and healing from worry. You are able! We trust You. May we know You and love you with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength. In Jesus name, amen.

For more on worry:

https://meetmeinthemornings.com/2014/04/03/on-worry/

https://meetmeinthemornings.com/2018/12/19/power-washing-worry-and-thjpl-video-blog/

To Daniel My Brother (1977-2006)

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Today is my brothers birthday! While he is in the most glorious place ever (Heaven) we celebrate him and miss him dearly. I’m so grateful for him and I admire my mom and dad so much as they have endured and carried on- of that he would have wanted them to.

I wish everyone had a chance to meet Daniel.

My Mom wrote this poem for Daniel on November 15, 1993. He was 16 at the time. We had many more years with him until the Lord took him Home in 2006.

Below are more blog posts to help you know him a little more!

Not much of a chance was he given when born.

His skull was fractured, his little body limp.

Oh! How I mourned!

But I could hold him, and love him.

He surprised us with a spirit so young,

Smiling and eyes full of mischief,

His world had just begun.

We helped him, and we loved him.

Through the croup, asthma, bladder and leg surgeries

He has taken it all in stride.

He is a winner, and a man.

In him we take so much pride.

You are almost grown now.

Sometimes it has been hard, and we are not done.

But we love you and admire you;

And we are proud to call you “Our son.”

Thank you for letting us hold you, and love you.

~Jan Sprott

In his own words: https://meetmeinthemornings.com/2015/10/19/meet-my-brother-in-his-own-words/

In my dad’s words: https://meetmeinthemornings.com/2015/10/15/memories-of-daniel-by-jim-Sprott/

In my words: https://meetmeinthemornings.com/2015/10/26/my-naniel/

https://meetmeinthemornings.com/2016/10/19/10-years-later/

Able to Endure ~ some honesty and FMF writing prompt link up

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So…yesterday our state announced they are pushing back the school start date to the week of Aug 24. We were to go back Aug 13.

I might have cried a little.

School was a light at the end of this Covid tunnel for me. A place where chaos can end and normalcy begin again. A time to “get it together” and for everyone to be on a schedule and routine.

One lie I believe, although there is some truth to it, is that I can’t get anything done with all 3 kids in the house (or anywhere near the house). A statement I read last week by a fellow mom blogger resonated so well with me, “Everything I do gets undone.” Yes. That is it in a nutshell.

I also get easily overwhelmed at all I am to be doing with my children– are they drinking enough water every day? (no) Are they eating a good balanced diet? (not always) Did they take their vitamins today? (maybe) Oops did I even feed them breakfast? (mostly) Did they clean their rooms? (nope) Brush their teeth? (there’s always tomorrow) Get off devices? (nope)

Also, maybe if they aren’t here all the time I won’t feel like I’m failing in so many ways.

AHHH.

It’s just all so much sometimes.  Somedays I feel the pressure more than others and want to find a dark corner in the house and hide. (anyone else!??)

I’ve learned of myself, I’m not as consistently self-disciplined or motivated as I want to be and crave the routine and structure the school year brings. But I’ve also learned that I am looking to something else- school- to help me “get it together” and feel normal and in some sort of control.

All these things I’m craving- calm, joy, peace, control, consistency, normal, etc…can be found only in the Lord and Him working in my heart. Nothing else.

He can and will help me create calm, normal and routine in my own home. He will help me endure when all I want to do is not. He will help me set boundaries that are different with each child and say NO instead of this famous “whatever” I’ve had going on for a few months. He will help me care when I don’t feel like I do. He will help me lower my expectations of myself, this time, this world, my kids and my husband.

He is the One. The Answer, the Help, the Hope I need to endure and persevere no matter when we go back to school.

Father God, forgive me of my many weaknesses but thank You for big spaces for You to move and work in my life and my home. May I look to You and nothing else for calm, consistency, routine…may your Holy Spirit equip me to do as You’ve called Your children to do– endure no matter what. May my yes be yes and my no be no. All things through Your Son, Jesus. In His name I pray, AMEN!

Forgiving is Hard

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When a local grocery store first began doing grocery pick up I was so excited. I thought, yes, sign me up for that!

So I tried it.

The ordering online was easy, getting to my spot was easy, calling them to tell them I had arrived was easy. What wasn’t easy was waiting for my groceries.

I waited. And waited. And waited.

Apparently there had been a mix up and I’m not sure of all the details, but in the end it took almost an hour to get my groceries.

The employees were very nice and I, although steam had begun to come out of my ears around 25 minutes into my wait, pasted a smile on my face and, through gritted teeth, thanked them. I drove off with not happiness in my heart, head or attitude.

I kept thinking of all the things they could’ve done to make the situation not so wrong. I noticed when I would drive by the store I would turn my nose up and get irritated all over again about that hour wasted waiting on groceries that defeated the purpose of the entire convenience experience. I even boycotted this place for a bit.

And then one day I realized I needed to forgive this grocery store.

So, with God’s help, I did. And now this store and I are not only back on great terms, but the best of friends (well, my checkbook is).

I let grace slide into all the areas I thought they could’ve, should’ve done better. I let mercy fall in the spaces of what they could’ve, should’ve done to make it better or to have avoided my inconvenience.

And healing took place. Since then, if there’s an error in my order, I give them grace.

I realize this story of forgiveness is small and seemingly insignificant, but I use it as an example. I know we have all been wronged by people and perhaps, some so wronged, it has left painful scars and wounds that are still bleeding.

It is hard to forgive.

But it can be done with the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. We don’t have to continue walking in unforgiveness, but with Christ as our Savior, we have the power to do as God has called us, His children, to do. We have the mighty power to forgive.

God always calls His people to forgive. It’s what sets us apart.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians‬ ‭4:32‬

Because we have been forgiven, we can forgive others.

Loving others = forgiving them. We have the power to do this through the Holy Spirit no matter how large or small the offense.

It’s through Him we do this…not ourselves.

We walk by the Spirit, not our flesh. The flesh erodes, rots, wounds and grows bitter. We become better with God and the power inside of us to forgive!

Who do we need to forgive today? Some major offense? Or perhaps a grocery store?? It frees US when we forgive wrongdoing. We don’t get sucked into a cycle of bitterness.

Ask the Lord to search our hearts for any unforgiveness lurking. Take the bitterness and unforgiveness to Him, pray continuously for Him to heal the hurt and then walk in the freedom of forgiveness.

In Jesus name, amen.

*This devotional was recently a part of my church women’s ministry’s devotional series, Mocha Monday ♥️