Attitude With Gratitude

"Simple gratitude helps us experience God at work in every moment of every day." Harriet Crosby

We have so much to be thankful for in our lives... most of us have very little that we 'want' for ... 
With an attitude of gratitude we can look on in faith and not allow the distractions in life to move us... We can remain grounded in Him and trust that each wave that wants to crash over the joy cannot move us because we stand on the Rock.  With the Lord carrying us through we can be thankful for not only the good days but be joy filled when trials come as well.

Today being a day that is set aside to give thanks, what do we think of? As I ponder on this I thought it would be enlightening to make a list...

I am thankful for...
My Lord and the salvation that He has provided for me through His shed blood on Calvary...
That salvation through grace was available to a wretch like me...
That no matter how many times I fail in my daily life, I can turn to Him with a repentant heart and know that He is there for me with open arms... 
That my God forgets...

I am thankful for my family...
For the smiles that greet me each morning...
For the cuddles and the hugs from the little ones...
For the 'thanks' and 'I love you too' from the older ones...
For the love and the laughter we share...
For shared dreams and desires... and the tears that are given me with shared inner fears...
For the "I prayed mom..." from those young tender hearts...

Oh that my life would be one that shows all those around me a thankful heart... A heart that is an out pouring of His perfect love in every situation... An example to my children that no matter what He is there for them...

"That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works." Psalm 26:7

Until next time,
Jean

Forgiveness is a beautiful thing...

"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12

Forgiveness is a beautiful thing... it is freeing and gives a peace within the heart and mind that no words can truly express. 

When our children, spouse or a friend ask for forgiveness for a wrong done, are we quick to cast it away, leave it behind and move on to pleasant pastures... or do we forgive in word only while deep within their is still a bit of that hurt being held onto...  As humans with a very Adamic nature it can be difficult to 'just let go'... but with Christ's love with in the heart it can be much easier. When we can focus on what He has done for us and have the faith to know and truly understand the depth of His great love, it should be easier.

I often watch our two littlest ones, Evan & Aaron and think how cute & funny they can be. Aaron has a few words yet Evan seems always to understand his jibber-jabber... This morning they were playing in the sandbox under their climber and Aaron was wanting something... Evan quick got it for him and then all was well again.  I told Evan that was very nice of him to make Aaron happy... big smiles from both.  Not too much later the shrills began... now it was a different story... Evan wanted something and Aaron did not want to 'give it up' shall we say.  A few words and all was well again... I am sorry, big hugs & mushy kisses and off they went.  I beleive this is what Jesus meant when he said as Christians we are to be as little children... They are easily entreated, quick to forgive and forget, they have an incredible amount of trust and faith... Children set good examples for us adults in some situations...

Let us forgive and love as Christ, for He gave through death on the cross the perfect example...
Until next time,
Jean

Expectations and Thankfulness...

Life is filled with expectations that don't always pan out...

When we experience tribulations and trials what do we do?  Do we turn to the Lord, but when He doesn't answer us as quickly as we think He should or not quite how we wanted to we turn to ourselves... the world around.... God says in Isaiah that His ways are not our ways, and our time is not His... can we trust in that?  

When a child is born it is a demanding creature... it needs to be... it is totally dependent upon the caregiver for food, warmth and all of it's basic human needs.  It has to be able to let us know when it needs changed and is hungry... Children as they grow older still can be demanding and they still  have expectations.  They expect that when they wake up in the morning they are going to have clean clothes to put on, toothpaste to brush their teeth, warm water and soap to take a shower and a nice fuzzy towel to dry off with... then they will expect to have a nice breakfast waiting for them and of course a cheery 'good morning!'  Their lives are filled with expectations that are more than likely fulfilled  by their parents.  Younger children have no concept of how any of these things get there, they simply trust that they will be.  As they grow older they start to understand that dad and/or mom 'work' for all this stuff and hopefully are learning to not so much expect, but more appreciate and be thankful that the stuff is always there....

The teaching of this thankfulness can be the real job at hand... teaching children to understand how things are acquired needs to be shown through both example as well as practice on the parents part. 

It is like that as well with our Heavenly Father... in the beginning of our christian walk things are a bit easier and things come a bit more quickly. As we mature and we are not such babes in Christ, the trials become a bit more... this is to help us grow in trust and faith...  growing pains can be difficult, but we must believe 'that He will never give us anymore than we can bear and He will always make a way of escape for us...' 

Trust builds faith, faith builds trust,
Until next time,
Jean
     

Complexities of Life

"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." Colossians 3:13 KJV

The tongue is an unruly evil that no man can tame... this is true because the Bible say's it is.  I believe it, because I live it!  My mouth is where I most often stumble and fall in my christian walk along with my bad temper.  It seems my temper is lit and then my mouth follows right quick behind.  It seems no matter how hard I try I just can't seem to conquer this unfavorable trait.  I wonder if this is what Paul means by the thorn in the flesh... or maybe it is a bit of pride...I don't know. 

I always tell the children to use kind words and be kind to one another and others... but more is caught than taught they say.  I want to set an example of this through my life for them, but boy is it difficult some days...  They also say that our children are a reflection of who we are... I want so much to have a reflection of Christ in my life that it will shine through onto them... Forgiveness is also a trait that I want to teach them... one I hope I set a better example in.  I know that I often need to go to them and ask for forgiveness... Children are so forgiving in nature when they are little... they are so quick to say, 'no problem mom!'  I am thankful for that.  Our children will learn to ask and give forgiveness much more quickly when they see it being practiced by us parents... just like kind words and slow to anger lessons... I have a lot of work to do in my life, but I am glad that He is always there to forgive and help me keep moving forward.

Forgiveness is a gift that none of us are truly worthy of...  
Until next time,
Jean

Want's & Needs...

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:19

Wants... well those are the things that we look at and think about how nice it would be to have. Or they can be things that we genuinely feel we need... maybe it is something we think will bring us joy... for the moment... 

Instant gratification kind of falls into this category.  I am all about instant gratification... yes, this is a confession.  I do also know and whole heartedly believe that, 'all good things come to those who wait...'   I always tell my friends that's why God made me to love gardening so much... there is no such thing as instant gratification in this department...  I am one of those gardener's that loves to trade plants with friends... every time they bloom you can smile with the thought of that person.  I also always look on the clearance racks in the plant department for the half dead plants that they are about to throw away, but just know that I can revive it.  I also have learned to be patient and wait till the end of the season when everything goes on sale!  Want's to some degree can be temporal and notwithstanding although they may make us feel good for the present moment.

Needs... on the other hand fall into most often a not so glamorous category... food, clothing and shelter. Relationships too are a need I believe...  I wonder if many people realize their need for Him... He will always provide to His own the needs in life... not always the wants but always the needs.  He provides His love and forgiveness for free to any and all who ask... all He asks in return is for your love and adoration, a commitment in your life to Him and daily relationship...

Wants and needs... it takes daily seeking and asking of wisdom to be able to distinguish between the two.

Until next time,
Jean
    

Winning Their Hearts...Having Their Love

"Mother is the heartbeat in the home; and without her, there seems to be no heart throb." Leroy Brownlow, from Flowers For Mother

Being a mother is one of the most fulfilling things in my life.  I love my children more than words could ever describe... more than they will ever understand until, Lord willing, they have a precious child of their own.  At times I don't feel worthy of the title, but I keep pressing on with that faith that someday it will all be worth it... line upon line... precept upon precept... so the saying goes.

Today Ethan and I planted two new climbing rose bushes.  The one is yellow and I told him that the color yellow is for friendship in the world of roses... I told him I want this to be his rose from me because he is my friend and I love him... he looked at me and said, 'thanks'.  That may not sound like much to you, but believe me that was a thousand words for Ethan.  You see he is my 'still water's run deep' child... not to mention his first choice of activities is not gardening!  He is so very sweet and loving... yes he can be a stinker just like any other child, but his soul is so deep.  I long to 'train him in the way he should go so when he is old he will not depart from it'...

Training is the hard part with children; consistency, loving discipline, tender words, occasional stern looks, gentle touch... oh for wisdom.  Most of you know we have six children and each one of them is so unique and different in their own ways.  There are obvious similarities among some of them in the way of looks and temperaments... but they each have their own likes and dis-likes, favorite foods, hobbies and the list goes on.  It can be a challenge to know how to deal with each one and their own special 'needs'...

As a mother, mom and mommy my days are filled with loving and caring for each of these blessings... I couldn't ask for more.

Until next time,
Jean

My Heart and Soul...

The Lord's day is so special to me... it allows me time to reflect on things... the everyday things of life... what's important and what's not... my family and the time we spend together... where things are going and stalling... to just be...
The other Sunday's sermon talked a bit on the ark... the minister was comparing the raven and the dove... it was quite enlightening to me... I had never really thought about some things that he pointed out.
First Noah sent the raven and it just roamed to and fro but never returned to the ark for safety... Then Noah sent out the dove... it flew and found 'no rest for it's soles...' and it returned to the ark of safety...  then it was released again and this time it brought back an olive branch... life... but it still returned to the ark... then the third time it didn't come back... it was able to survive in the new life found on the earth...

In the New Testament satan is said to roam to and fro across the earth looking for what he can devour... a raven is a 'devouring' bird... it hunts for carnage... dead things. A dove is often a symbol of Christianity, peace and gentleness... like Jesus... the dove went out and sought life.
There is only true life in in living for Jesus and His salvation...
A hymn we sang at church...

Holy Jesus, lovely Lamb,
Thine and only Thine I am;
Take my body, spirit, soul,
Only Thou possess the whole.

Thou my dearest object be,
Let me ever cleave to Thee;
Let me choose the better part,
Let me give Thee all my heart.

Whom have I on earth below?
Only Thee I wish to know;
Whom have I in heaven but Thee?
Thou art all in all to me.

All my treasure is above,
My best portion is Thy love;
Who the worth of love can tell?
Infinite unsearchable!

Nothing else may I require;
Let me Thee alone desire;
Pleased with what Thy love provides,
Weaned from all the world besides.

Until next time,
Jean

Wisdom in Faith...

"Within the oldest books of the Bible is the story of Job. This book is the account of a righteous man who is allowed to suffer enormous loss, grief, and difficulty. Job pleaded for God to reveal why he was suffering but God did not answer Job's questions. Instead, God pointed to His own creation, power, and knowledge. In this way Job was reminded to trust God and his purposes."
"As part of this dialogue, God asked Job if he had ever entered the springs of the sea. We now know there are such springs off the coasts of Greece, Italy, Israel, Syria, and Australia. In 1976, the U.S. Geological Survey also found fresh water in the Atlantic Ocean along the seacoast from New England to Georgia. How could the writer of the book of Job, which was written thousands of years before ocean exploration, have known there were fresh water springs in the sea?"   (Taken & Adapted from, 'A Study Course in Christian Evidences' Page 128) 

I got the above quoted literature in a daily devotion that I receive and thought how interesting this was.  You know we often just 'read' the Bible, yes I do believe that we get a blessing from reading it and looking into His word for direction, courage, revelation and encouragement... of course, but there is some really interesting historical and archeological facts as well. 

It just show's me once again how little I am in the whole scheme of things... how unimportant a lot of 'stuff' really is... how small the world is... and how big and great my God is.  There is wisdom in faith in God because He is creator of all...

Until next time,
Jean





   

Prayer...

"I ask You neither for health nor for sickness, for life nor for death; but that you may dispose of my health and my sickness, my life and my death, for Your glory....  You alone know what is expedient for me; You are the sovereign Master; do with me according to Your will.  Give to me, or take away from me, only conform my will to Yours.  I know but one thing, Lord, that it is good to follow You, and bad to offend You.  Apart from that, I know not what is good or bad in anything.  I know not which is most profitable to me, health or sickness, wealth or poverty, nor anything else in the world.  That discernment is beyond the power of men or angels, and is hidden among the secrets of Your Providence, which I adore, but do not seek to fathom."   - a prayer by Blaise Pascal

Such faith as this... what a challenge to try to live this out in our lives... a total self denial and sacrifice.  But is it?  As a Christian isn't this the truth of what our heart should be longing for?  To say that I believe the Father only wants the best for me is to totally live this prayer out. 

I found this prayer over ten years ago... I have either had it posted on my fridge or a bulletin board, always close by... I am trying so hard to live this... although I fail miserably more often than I care to admit... He knows my heart and as David of ole' He loves a broken and contrite heart.

Until next time,
Jean

     

Shut down...

Have you ever just stood in front of a piece of machinery or an electronic gadget and just have no idea where to begin?  Well this recently happened to me with my computer...  I didn't know what the problem was and everything I tried failed... but as you can see we got back on track...

Isn't that the way life can be too... we're traveling along, all is seemingly going well and then suddenly we hit a speed bump and go down.  These speed bumps can be a multitude of things... a personal sickness, financial pitfall a broken down vehicle... (or p.c.)... whatever it may be we suddenly find ourselves standing there, mouth hanging open and saying, "What happened?"  Some things are easily repaired while others are a long process to recovery... such is life!  But on to perspective once again, it is how we deal with these bumps in the road... positively or negatively... faith again must be had... we need to constantly look up to Him to lead and guild us on our life's path... I can't imagine how life would be without Him showing the way.  Even when life's way is foggy and I can't see far ahead, I know He is there and He is ever faithful!  With Him there is a peace that passeth all understanding...

"After the clouds, the sunshine; after the winter, the spring; after the shower, the rainbow- For life is a changeable thing.  After the night, the morning, bidding all darkness cease; after life's cares and sorrows, the comfort and sweetness of peace."  Helen Steiner Rice

Until next time...
Jean

Happiness Is A Choice

"Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect.  It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections."  Author Unknown

 As a human race much of our happiness is dependant upon what we have in the way of material things... what a person's income is ... whether or not they have children... being married or single... the neighborhood one lives in... what kind of car one drives... and the list could go on and on!  Life is filled with stuff and distractions, but not a lot of true happiness. 

When we look outside and see the big blue sky... listen to the birds singing... watch a butterfly flutter about... hear the trickle of a gentle brook... watch a sunrise or a sunset... listen to a child laugh... we can find a bit of happiness and peace.  There is happiness that comes from the world around of course, but it is fleeting...  

True happiness and inner peace can only be found with a personal walk with Him... daily looking to Him for everything in our lives... daily walking side by side with Him...

Until next time,
Jean

Live, Love, Laugh...

"But the greatest of these is love..." Photo by Jean Smith

This is one of my daughter Taylor's favorite sayings... I have thought about this common everyday phrase and did some deep soul searching with the words and how to apply them to my life from a Christian perspective.

Live...  my life for Christ and Christ alone...
Love... the sinner as Christ loved me...
Laugh... with a song on my heart...

Live... everyday to glorify God, in deed, thought and word...
Love... to show kindness in all Christian sincerity...
Laugh... because it feels so nice...

Live... for the well being of others and not myself...
Love... that person when they are most unlovable...
Laugh...to bring others joy...

Live... to bring happiness everyday to those in my life...
Love... in the deepest of turmoil and woe...
Laugh... when all you want to do is cry...

Live... to be a light set upon a hill...
Love... my enemies as myself...
Laugh... to bring a smile to a weary soul...

Live... in a way that will exemplify that I am a woman after God's own heart...
Love... God with all my mind, heart and soul...
Laugh... to show the joy of the Lord in my life...

Live... for my husbands best...
Love... with an unconditional spirit...
Laugh... because we are best friends...

Live... so my children can rise up and call me blessed...
Love... as to set an example of Christs love...
Laugh... with them...

just some reflections...
Until next time,
Jean







     

Quality vs. Quantity...

"Take a 'vacation' from television for a week and see what happens.  Set out some long-forgotten table games, craft materials, family photo albums and favorite story books where they'll be easily spotted."  Taken from "A Dad After God's Own Heart", by Paul Lewis

Quality family time is so important to the well being of our relationships within the family structure.

We use to have what our family called Friday Family Fun Night where we would play games, go to the lake for a picnic, play restaurant or whatever else one of us might want to do.  Sometimes we would let one of the children pick while other times Neil or I would choose an activity.  Now that we do farmers markets on Saturdays year round, we don't get to do this any longer.  Our older children still talk about those fun times.  Ethan happened to mention it last evening while getting ready for market which got me thinking... during the school year we try to do things on Sundays, but don't do it as faithfully as we did FFFN.  Summer time is much easier simply because there is no school in the morning. We will often do fun things like go to Greenfield Village and The Henry Ford Museum on Mondays, go to the zoo or go out to the lake... things aren't quite as busy on Monday as the weekends which makes it much nicer in my opinion.

Although it doesn't always have to be an event... Time spent together as a family doing the simplest activity like reading a family story... sitting by a campfire staring at the stars... playing "eye spy"... playing scrabble or chess,or even putting puzzles  together.  These things will create the memories that will last a life time. It will also help settle a positive habit for our children for their families, Lord willing they have one. 

This week go for walk or a bike ride as a family... take a drive up North... go get an ice cream cone and just talk... our children in this day and age of technology need us as parents to guild the way back to simpler times... enjoy each other.

Until next time,
Jean
    

Hidden Treasures

"The human heart has hidden treasures, in secret kept, in silence sealed."  Charlotte Bronte

In life we have many secrets... I don't mean bad things, I mean the good ones that we cherish and share with only the closest of loved ones.  Secrets shared by husband and wife, by sister's & brothers, by the very dearest friends... secrets of those we would never betray. We all have secret dreams and hopes for our children, our futures, our retirement years...  things we hope to accomplish, goals we strive to meet, places we wish to go and so on could go the list. 

When you were a child did you ever do the 'blood sister/brother' thing- the 'swearsies' to always keep that secret? I remember doing all those silly childish things... but when I was a child it was for real, it meant something.  Our children come to us now with their hearts secret hopes and fears, they come with laughter and tears, joys and sorrows... in secret they come to us.  We must always respect their hearts pouring out, their sharing, their trust in us... and we must always keep praying, praying and praying.

As the song goes, "prayer is the hearts sincere desire"... 

Until next time,
Jean