Your Civic Mind Teaches By Example

Ways to teach children change can happen using love while being civic minded.

•  - Volunteer for your community and put others first 

What does this look like?

• coaching, making lunches for school children or seniors, a shift at the food bank, mentoring, making care packages, after school programs, donate to teachers/school needs, arts programs, read to them, hold a door, or smile.

Spending time complaining about change and hating anyone with a different viewpoint doesn't fill a child with anything but hate and intolerance.

Spending time being the change can meet their immediate needs- it's a safe place to go with friends, a sandwich, kind words, playing catch.

 What are you teaching with your words and actions?

Use Guns As Tools & Love to Overcome

I am saddened every time the gun issue comes up. I don't  usually push my opinion anyone one or say anything about theirs. When I woke up today I saw guns being blamed for being used for violence. Violence that takes lives and leaves a hole in the hearts of those left in grief.  Why?  To disrupt the freedom of others in the name of what? Hate, agenda, terrorism. I have never met a gun that did violence on it’s own. I have never heard of a time in history where tools weren’t also wielded as weapons. Today I am saddened that once again the gun is blamed for “terror”.

In my America, in my family, guns are a tool.  Our son and daughters have shot them for target practice. They are taught to respect them. They are taught to be thankful for the meat they help bring to the table. They are taught never to point one at someone. They are taught that action has accountability. As we were taught.

They are also loved, hugged, kissed, and trained up to be respectful of others. They are taught that different people live different ways.   I try to teach them people are people. We are not to judge. Today, I shake my head, hold my heart, hit my knees, and choose love. I will hug my children, continue to teach guns as a tool and use love as something that overcomes.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

Dear Children, School is Never Out

Dear Children,

I love you. I will push you harder than you push yourself at times. You don't have to like it. I will not apologize for making you do school things online before I let you play a video game or ride your bike. I may even bring home writing paper and make you do it in cursive. I may add keyboarding. If you keep asking why you will get a lecture about synapses.

Yes, again, I know school is out. I also know what it's like to move to a different school district to find what I thought I knew is remedial in comparison. No, we don't have current plans to move. Yes, I will fill the gaps I see in you education. My mother did it for me, she also didn't allow video games at all. #persevere

At least you get to do it on a computer. Your older sister used to have worksheets sitting on the table for her. Basic multiplication, division, grammar, social studies, science, and money will not be something you spend time thinking about. They will be reflex facts that are as quick to answer about as the color of sky and grass. You're welcome. You don't even have to thank me in twenty years when you realize how others find “basic” things difficult.

Sincerely,

Your Mom

Lay It Down

Some days listening to Christian radio starts journeys I never set out on.  The music, the advertisements for serving others and the messages of hope and love are unbelievable.  I keep something to write with scribble almost illegible notes to myself to review later. I've jotted down scripture, songs, organizations and inspiring words. I keep a small Bible in the car and sometimes I  have to read the verse I heard and those surrounding before I exit the car.  I am amazed by this time where just by being intentional and spending my drive time letting others share the word lights me on fire.

What's my fire right now?  A song by Sanctus Real called Lay It Down.  As I listened to the words it became the idea I need to study and share.  
Listen: Lay It Down by Sanctus Real
Lyrics link - KLove Radio

I'm reminded of a Bible Study Live event I participated in during an online Bible study through Proverbs 31 Ministry. They told us to draw a cross on a sheet of paper and write out what we need to ask forgiveness for or to  write “Leaving it at the foot of the cross.” Wondering what types of things to let go of or confess? Worldly things, things that separate us from accepting the love and grace Jesus gave to us. Things we are forgiven for but we refuse to quit carrying the burden of.

I remember this exercise. I don't remember what I wrote. I remember creating a hill of words of my brokenness at the bottom of the cross, praying and tearing it up.  I remember now that that visual, physical exercise led me to remember to lay it down regularly and accept the redemption offered. So, today I did it on a note card.

Life is busy, but there are so many different ways to take the time for prayer, praise, and worship. What happens when you exchange your burdens for peace? You find thanks in the mundane. You smile while your back hurts and your hands are dirty. You find something you can share, a testimony, a relationship so good you want to pour love onto others. 

Lay It Down:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” -1 John 1:9 NIV.

Share the Love:
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. -Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV).
Can you Lay It Down? Let me know how taking a few minutes with this song and the exercise helped you leave it at the cross. 

Coloring in the Lines of Life

Lately I’ve noticed the world is in love with coloring.. I am, it’s relaxing. More relaxing that starting with a blank piece of paper.  I can’t help but think of a coloring page and compare it to life. Rules and guidelines, like lines, are not there to inhibit you being you. Regulations are the grown up equivalent to lines in a coloring book. One can color, embellish, and alter to completeness, but be prepared for a disaster if the alterations turn out to be a hot mess. Also, be prepared for success.

While success seems simply an enjoyable state, those that have experienced it know what it’s made of. Planning, time, hard work, failure, restarts, and detours. Just as many don't put on blindfolds while creating a masterpiece, you should not blindfold or sugar coat the path between idea and success. Blindfolding can include looking for the easy way, ignoring what is right and hoping for success instead of working for it. You put on your blindfold and choose to leave it there. You skip the planning and hard work part. So, don’t blame others in your excuses for failure.

Rules and lines are also meant as safety mechanisms to guide your journey, creating boundaries that separate disaster and success.  Don’t be so strong headed and overexcited for a quick fix, that you fail in your unstructured creation. Study the success of others, use examples and structure as a check list. Color the way you want, but starting with a blank sheet of paper is for the bold and hard working. It is also for those that believe in themselves.

Trust: My 2016 Word

Tried digital Bible journaling today with my word for the year, which is trust. 2016 is a busy year of goals and plans: two semesters left of nursing school, graduate with a BSN, study and take the NCLEX to be licensed as a RN and hopefully find a job that serves Christ and community. Wow, keep me in your prayers! What do you have planned this year?