Christmas Cookies

I think it is clear if you have read my blog before, that I am a habitual snacker, especially of the cookie/candy/anything sweet variety. And at Christmas time at my in-laws, there is an abundance of the afore-mentioned snacks available! My mother-in-law reminded me multiple times about today being Tuesday, asking if I was still going to fast, and despite the many reminders, I still dipped my hand into the caramel popcorn (Johnson's, if you're wondering!), and almost ate one of my home-made buckeyes, without thinking. This was a reminder that a lot of my snacking, as well as a lot of other things I do are done without thinking. This verse came to mind, encouraging me to go through life with thoughtfulness, intention, and purpose.

The Word: (About the commands of God) "Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 11:19

I will be the first to admit that the mental aspects of parenthood have been more tiring than the physical. So it is daunting to hear this verse and challenge myself to meditate on God's word all the time, in addition to monitoring and planning for the kid's needs. But I remember what I 'preached' to my clients in rehab who told me they were too tired to take part in recreational activities- that when you do something you love, the effort you put out is returned to you doubly in satisfaction and joy. I will trust that the same is true for this command of God, that putting forth the mental effort will produce the fruits of the Spirit in me instead of draining me.

Prayer: For the children of God to take seriously the Lord's call to meditate on His Word, and that it would bring refreshment and renewal in our hearts.

Food Story: It seems weird to family why I do this and I have heard some of the following things, so I will think aloud and you can share in my heart's responses as I seek to have right motives and purposes.

                It's a holiday, can't you make an exception: God's wants me to draw nearer to Him every 
                opportunity I can, not take 'holidays' off- He is greater than my worldly schedule/plans

                I just love food, I couldn't see giving it up: God is my strength and provider. Everything I have is a
                gift, I am more thankful for it when I remember those who go without. A fruit of the Spirit is self-
                control, and if I can develop self control with food, maybe it will carry over to other areas of life

                Do you eat a bigger breakfast, can you have a little snack? I'm not worrying as much about
                logistics now, it's more about remembering my connection to the Creator, Savior, and my Father,
                to remember my call from Him to love and serve.

By Your Spirit

Yesterday, as soon as I got the kids settled for nap time, I crashed on my bed for my own nap time. I woke up in a grouchy mood, and it didn't get better throughout the morning, so I thought the answer was probably just more rest- I could wake up on the other side of the bed, so to speak. But before I drifted off to sleep, I began to pray and was convicted that it was silly to think that the answer to my bad mood and lack of energy was simply checking out of the conscious world for half an hour (yes, I power nap, because it seems more powerful :). This verse came to mind, and I prayed that even though I continued with my nap, it would be the Lord's spirit that would renew me- physically and emotionally.

The Word: " 'Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty." Zechariah 4:5-7

Today I was feeling the same fatigue right after nap time, and am happy to report that I learned from my experience yesterday and started praying before laying down. I was again refreshed and renewed and did not end up sleeping today, but I had another realization too. I could have used my renwed energy for a lot of things- my to-do list is never done, anyone identify? So I could have checked multiple things off this list, but instead I was feeling convicted that the priority of my renewed energy should be for extending love and
patience to my children when they woke up, and for seeking God (reading, journaling, praying more without worry of falling asleep). This is just one example of how God is teaching me that I cannot survive by my own strength and will.

My Prayer: That the many who are feeling the fatigue of life will be renewed, and use their renewed energy to seek the Lord.

Distractions on the Path

Last night at our life group we closed our discussion of a chapter in the book "Crazy Love", with a prayer suggestion from the leader's guide, asking God to search our hearts for anything that was hindering our devotion and service to Him. The thought that most popped into my mind, even today, was TV. When I started staying  home with my kids full time, I was disappointed at first how much they dominated what was on- though I limit their shows, I also limited my shows because of certain content or just not wanting the TV to be on all day. I thought that's what stay-at-home moms got to do- watch TV and eat bon bons all day! (Just kidding- my husband told me he would leave me if I started watching soap operas). But during nap times, I enjoy being able to watch what I want, and it is almost always just background noise while I do things around the house. Recently, however, I inadvertantly set some 'goals' for myself (getting caught up on episodes of a show online, finishing the Friends series, etc.). Silly, I know, I just felt like I was so close to completing these things, I had to keep going to check them off my list. So as I was praying yesterday and today, I felt pretty strongly that in addtion to fasting from lunch today, God could work in me more if I fasted from TV watching. Now I am not taking a big stand on TV watching here, committing to any certain bans at this time (though I see good fruit produced from people who do), I am just taking a day to re-prioritize. Like fasting has had a side effect of helping me draw strength in situations of strong food cravings, I pray that this will remind me to seek God first in situations of strong cravings for other things that will distract me from time in devotion and service to God. If you didn't notice, my posts the last few weeks have been posted either later in the night on Tuesdays, or even later in the week. Sometimes there is a good reason, and last week I even turned that reason into my prayer, but mostly, it is because I have waned a little in prioritizing it, following distractions. So even though I thought it sounded like a more relaxing, enjoyable afternoon to turn on some movie, e-mail and stuff diapers (I may still have to do that part), the verse below reminded me of all of God's promises that if I really want rest, joy, peace, fulfillment, and a straight path in life, it is only found in Him.

THE WORD:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight" Proverbs 3:5-6

PRAYER:
I pray that the way I spend my day and prioritize 'tasks', reflects my inward trust and desire for God to work in and through me.

Sending More Than Christmas Cards

Tuesday during the time where I normally pray and blog, I got started putting together and sending out our Christmas letters. Time just got away from me because I was enjoying it so much, and before I knew it, the kids were up from nap time, and I didn't make the time again until today. Earlier in the day as I was praying, listening for promptings about how to direct my prayers and fasting, I thought about these Christmas letters and how excited I was to share about all of the great things we have seen God do in our lives this past year, and how grateful we are. I have heard many people say, as I have in the past, how much stress there can be surrounding sending out Christmas cards, decorating, hosting/going to parties, seeing family. And though I apologize to God for not setting aside time for my regular prayer and expression (blog), I am thinking that maybe God wanted me to send out those letters on Tuesday, proclaiming with joy the coming celebration of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and how he is continually touching our lives. It didn't feel like a chore to do this year, and I pray that our joy, love, and gratitude will be felt in each letter as it arrives to our family and friends. This was a reminder again that...

"Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, givng thanks to God the Father through Him." Col. 3:17

Prayer: That we as Christians would take the time to proclaim in word and deed, that Jesus has come- to save, to give abundant life, to break us free from the many chains that bind us, even during this season of joy.