do you covet a different story?

When life becomes hard or intense, we engage in self-talk that ultimately worsens our situation--or at least our perception of it.  I label this, in my own head, the "it would better if..." self-talk.

Here are some examples (not necessarily from my own life):

- It would be better if I hadn't married so early.....so late.

- It would be better if I had more support.

- It would be better if I'd picked a different major in college.

- It would be better if I didn't have allergies.....migraines.......asthma.......OCD......ADHD......cancer.

- It would be better if I had a newer vehicle....dryer.....washer......mower.

- It would be better if I worked days.....nights.......or didn't have to work weekends.

- It would be better if I'd come from a Christian home.

- It would be better if I'd been saved as a child.

- It would be better if I weren't so shy......sensitive......solitary......demanding.........aggressive.

- It would be better if I lived out in the country......on a farm.......in the mountains......on the beach.

Do you see how these thoughts can have a snowball affect, making our circumstances seem far worse?

I've changed my self-talk over the years, as my faith in Christ has grown.  But when several difficulties arise at once, it's oh so tempting to revert back to these dead-end thoughts.

I have to make a full stop, and remember that my life, from beginning to end, is a story.  And it's not my story.


I don't write any of it.  Before I was born He knew me.


Jeremiah 1:5
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

Instead of wishing for a different story, I need to remember that my story has the happiest of endings. It ends with me in Paradise--with the Lord!  There's no better ending than that!


Instead of wishing for a different story, I need to understand that it's a privilege to be used by God.  It's an honor to be a character in one of His stories.

Instead of wishing for a different story, I need to rest in His promises, in His wisdom.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.


Instead of wishing for a different story, I need to concentrate on being obedient in this one.  On being submissive and teachable.

Backyard Birding - Guest Post

Yesterday Paul wrote about keeping kids focused using a simple graphic organizer.  Today, Peter teaches us how to begin a backyard birding hobby.

Backyard Birding

Hello. My name is Peter, age nine. I would like to tell you about backyard birding.

Paul and I brainstormed all the reasons you might want to have this as a hobby:

- The birds are very pretty.
- God made the birds and you will think of Him.
- You and your kids will learn about bird behaviors.
- You and your kids may learn about nesting and how birds care for their babies (if you get nesting birds).
- You will learn that God made each bird and bird egg different from the others.  There are many colors and sizes and designs.
- You will be able to relax from watch the birds.

To get started, you will need to gather some materials:

- Hummingbird feeder (fill with sugar water)

- Finch feeder for small birds like chickadees, house finch, purple finch, and goldfinch.

- Tube feeder if you have squirrels in your yard (it will say squirrel-proof on the package)

- Wild bird seed (With sunflower seeds in it.  We went to a feed store because it was cheaper.)

 - Suet block and a suet cage to put it in (just a few dollars) to attract woodpeckers.

Organizing Your Kids - Guest Post

 Hello.  I am Paul, age 7.  I would like to tell you about a way to keep your kids organized.  When Mommy made this chart, it helped me remember to do all my subjects.  She didn't like it when we ran around the house or wrestled too much. When she tells us to remember our chart, we stop wasting time.  I can do the things in any order I want.  There are no time limits.  I check the box after I do each thing.

You block out the days you don't want them to do something on the list.  

Like on Monday I don't do writing or science or dramatic arts.  

On Tuesday  I don't do spelling, social studies or art.  

On Wednesday I don't do science or dramatic arts.  

On Thursday I don't do spelling, social studies or art. 

On Friday I don't do science or dramatic arts.

On Saturday I just do reading and multiplication and Bible and chores and PE.

On Sunday I just do reading and art and PE and chores and Bible.

Some things I do everyday--like chores, reading, Bible and PE.

Some ideas from my Mom:

- If you have preschoolers you might include the following (maybe using pictures with or without words?):

- build with your blocks

- draw a picture with crayons

- paint with watercolors

- do a puzzle

- spell your name with magnet letters

- spell your name in shaving cream 

- do the hokey pokey

- do your finger rhymes

- sing five songs

- play "Ring Around the Rosey"

Preschoolers thrive with routine, but not with timed schedules.  You could give them a certain order to do these things, or have them choose the order, depending on the child.  You'll find they still have plenty of free time.  Even my first and third-grade boys have plenty of free time each day.

thankful kids - Guest Post

James 1:17 

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

(Picked out by Paul)

I am Mary.  I am thankful.....

- that I did things I should do.
- for the trees!
- for my baby sister.
- for my teddy bear.
- for my dishes.
- for the paper flowers.
- for my coat.
- that my new bike has a chain that will never come off.
- for my lemonade.
- for my potty seat.
- for my toothbrush.
- for my helmet.
- for how babies live and how we feed our babies.
- for my bus.

My name is Beth.  I am thankful....

- for trees.
- for my babies.
- for my teddy bears.
- for my horse.
- for water bottles.
- for my Barney.
- for my bus.
- for my coat.
- for blueberries and strawberries.

I am Peter.  I am thankful...

- for the beautiful blue bird I saw at the park.
- for a nice house.
- for seeing grackles at the ice cream stop.
- for Paul and Mommy making flowers for the table centerpiece.
- for being able to buy my nice bird book for $2.86 on Amazon.
- for nice chickadees.
- for going to the park.
- for a nice daddy and mommy.
- for good foods.
- for a nice kitchen.

I am Paul.  I am thankful...

- the Peter finally played boardgames with me.
- that I can hear fine now.
- that Mommy buys the foods I like.
- that I can look for new crafts online.
- for Popsicles.
- that I can do math and spelling on the computer for school.
- that Grandpa offered to record some basketball for me.
- that Grandma and Lorrie and Faith and Erma and Isaiah write e-mails to me.
- for a nice family.
- that I have a bike.
- that I have nice parents.
- that I love God.
- that I like sports.

Here is my flower project with fuller flowers.

on this Mother's Day

I really am taking a blog break this week, but I couldn't let Mother's Day go by without extending heartfelt wishes to you all, for a wonderful day!  You provide loving support to me always, and I'm grateful. Happy Mother's Day!

I have a Mother's Day message, of sorts, to offer.

Sometimes many things converge at once, making mothering especially grueling.  If you're without much support, the fatigue--both physical and emotional--can be great.  Lately I've felt that.

Nursing Beth to sleep tonight, I appealed to Him:

"How does anyone do this well, Lord?  Help me.  I'm drowning!"

What I heard back from Him was this:   Whatever measure you're willing to pour out, I'll give back to you manyfold.

How much then, am I willing to pour out?  Can I pour my whole self out, for these kids, for this husband?  Am I capable of selflessness?  Can I do it without going into rants and raves--even though my endless chore sweat is unappreciated?

How many times can I wipe the toilet after my sons.....reclean a floor minutes after mopping.....throw in another load of muddied shirts and jeans and jackets.....rehang clothes thoughtlessly rejected and thrown on the floor--after I've spent hours and hours, day and night, washing, drying, hanging and folding?  And all without a single thank you.

How can I remain cheerful when there's only more of the same to look forward to?

How can I call them back to fix their own mistakes--hang, wipe, fold--without condemnation?

Do I rant and rave and condemn because I don't want to repeat my hard work?  Or is that negative sentiment coming from a heart that longs to be appreciated?

His response changed me.  Instead of focusing on how hard and thankless it is, I can choose to focus on Him, and on the filling I've got coming.


 "Whatever measure you're willing to pour out, I'll give back to you manyfold."

No one can appreciate a mother, or love a mother, like the Lord can. We don't labor for our earthly families, really. 

We labor for Him, and through Him.

He doesn't give as the world gives.  There won't be a wrapped box of new pajamas, a box of chocolates, a dinner out.

He will daily refill our hearts will love, our bodies with endurance, our minds with parental wisdom.  He will give right now, for this day, and later too--showing us the fruits in our children, cultivated from our daily labor.

The right now may be an affirming voice:  "I saw how you labored on that floor, and I am pleased.  Thank you."

It may be a filling of the Spirit, bringing immediate joy and energy.

It may be a kind comment from a child or husband, borne from the Holy Spirit in their heart.

I encourage you today, on this Mother's Day, to be in tune with Him.  Recognize that when you're frustrated, it's because you want to be appreciated--not because you want a reduction in workload.

Don't look to those around you for appreciation.

Look to HIM.