Catch it While It's Wet

The other day my toddler's mucky sticky lunch was somehow catapulted off the table and onto the wall and floor. It was a horrific sight and one I did not have time for. So, the mess sat there for a few hours until I could tackle it. By the time I got to it, the ick had become one with the surfaces and it was difficult to clean. I had to scrub and go over it multiple times before it was clean again.
Note to self: CATCH IT WHILE IT'S WET!

Isn't it true? The concept applies not only to walls and muck, but to pots, pans, paint, and especially RELATIONSHIPS. Can you relate to this scenario? You have an argument with your spouse over something that, deep down inside you know is your fault but your pride keeps you from admitting it. The longer you brood over it the more difficult it is to break that wall. Had you caught it right away and told the truth, it would have been over! Ridiculous! Exhausting and a waste of time.

Or, have you ever waited for someone to ask you for their forgiveness? It's misery. The longer time goes by, the crustier that muck becomes. Jesus has great advice that helps me, but admittedly is challenging at the same time. Matthew 5:25 says "settle matters quickly" because (to paraphrase) worse things will happen if you don't. Going back to the mess on the wall, had I waited longer I might have had to damage the paint or scratch up the floor to clean the mess. Well, damage can be done to relationships too. We've all heard stories of the chasms between people that never see resolve, and then one party dies. Or how about that 60-70% divorce rate here in America? Living in Israel for almost 2 years I was saddened daily by the hatred and lack of resolve between people that resulted in countless lives lost in the futility of it all. It was heartbreaking.

Another great scripture comes to mind as well, in Ephesians 5:26-27 it says "do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." Catch a stain right away, save a shirt. Give that stain a "foothold" and the shirt is ruined. It makes sense in the physical realm as well as the emotional and spiritual realms. Just as I loathe cleaning crusty icky spills, I am troubled by emotional ones as well. I want to take care of my relationships and catch any messes while they're still wet. It's one of the most difficult things for my prideful heart, but the payoff is emotional peace. "Blessed are the peacemakers," Jesus says (Matthew 5).

Are you a mommy?

Just for smiles...
You know you're a mommy if:

1. A trip to the grocery store alone gets you all pumped up.
2. Exciting day = cleaning the whole house.
3. You regularly wear one of the following at all times on your shirt: vomit, saliva, urine, "abc" food, boogers or poop - but don't mind.
4. Your spouse can sleep through a tornado but a cough can wake you up.
5. You refer to your spouse as "Daddy".
6. You delight in what you once took for granted: long walks alone, reading, SILENCE
7. Your new idea of "sexy" is wearing something other than sweats.
8. The "s" word is taboo but you seem to say "poopie" all the time.
9. You have to say things like, "Please take your elbow out of his ear." or "No, boogers are not food."
10. Spontaneous "I love you"s make your soar to the moon.
11. You have prepared one of the following in the past week: mac n' cheese, chicken nuggets or pb&j
12. You have a short little person who looks suspiciously like you running around with your heart wrapped around his finger.
13. You're disgusted by things like farts, burps or drooling but if he is under 3 feet tall it's adorable.
14. Hand holding is a safety measure, not a romantic gesture.
15. Never before a morning person, you now jump out of bed at 5A.M. to respond to a cry.

If one or 15 of these apply to you, CONGRATULATIONS! you just might be a mommy!

Hope it made you laugh at least! Have a great week, and hang in there!

Abstinence Rocks!

Ok, so you're probably thinking, "Wow, this is a really personal issue. TMI, TMI." Of course those thoughts crossed my mind before I decided to write this blog, but I can't help it. I feel so strongly about it and it blessed me so much before I met my husband.

Yes, I will put it out there, ABSTINENCE ROCKS! Ok, when you're single that is. In marriage, I believe God wants us to enjoy a rich intimacy. We live in a world that is moving further and further away from family values, treasuring marriage, honoring virtue and just general morality. If you are young and are trying to decide which way to turn, I am speaking to you.

Here's the truth. I was a 35-year-old virgin when I married. My husband is 9 years younger than me but amazingly had also kept himself for marriage. Our first kiss was at the altar on our wedding day. It was incredible, not to mention the absolute excitement of our wedding night. I won't go into details, but it sizzled. So, are we just a couple of frigid prudes who spurn pleasure and bang our Bibles? No! We simply became true Christians at a young age and waited on God until he revealed "the one". It took much prayer, great friends, deep conviction and courage to keep ourselves for our mate. It took character to say no, trusting God even when almost all of my best friends were already happily married and had children. I clung to the promises in Psalm 37 that God would give me the desires of my heart if I delighted in him. I took comfort in the love he had for me, the love of a husband in Hosea 2. His word helped me to persevere those long years while I waited. I knew God would bless my sacrifice, and boy did he and more! We have a blessed life together and enjoy each other immensely as God intended.

Here are some blessings I have received from this important decision:
-No worries of disease or unplanned pregnancy
-Weeded out the insincere men from my life - I know my hubby married me for love, not sex
-Clear conscience before God, no fear of his discipline due to my disobedience
-Ability to stay focused because I wasn't becoming attached to men to whom I wasn't going to marry
-No baggage to bring into my marriage, no comparisons to others haunting me
-No insecurity in intimacy since we have nothing to hide or compare
-Childlike freedom in the bedroom and a childlike love between us
-Ability to give a wonderful gift to your spouse
-Wonderful trust between you and your mate
-True intimacy, where two people can connect not only in body, but in soul - the most satisfying kind
-The way purity keeps your heart soft and open towards others

I could go on and on. Intimacy goes deep, to the very soul and you can never erase it once it's been done. Like it or not it does affect your relationships and it is the source of so much destruction, insecurity and spiritual death. God loves us and knows what is best for us. He knows that his way is the best way in life and in the bedroom. Doubt me? Doubt God? Just read Song of Songs and you'll see what kind of God we serve. Jesus himself taught that following him is "life to the full" in John 10. I stand here before you and I challenge you to put these things to the test. You'll soon experience the amazing blessings of living life God's way. It never fails!

How to Live Large on a Budget - Christian Edition

My hubby is amazing. He has provided me and my two young sons with such a rich life, and we only live on around $45,000 or so combined. Here are some of the highlights:

-We own a home.
-We own two vehicles (outright).
-We take vacations.
-We eat out regularly.
-We frequently embark on recreational activities.
-We are all clothed.
-We are all fed.
-We are generous with others.
-We give gifts and throw parties.
-We tithe to our church.
-We save.

Here are my top 10 tips on living large on a budget:

1. Faithfully tithe. LIVE LARGE PROMISE : GOD WILL BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY
God promises in Malachi 3 that he will throw open the floodgates of blessing if we simply give
to him first and do it faithfully. He is our first "bill" even when we don't know how we will
make it. We serve a faithful God who promises to take care of us if we seek him first
Matthew 6:33. I could go on and on about the miraculous ways God has provided large for us
because we put him first financially!

2. Be on a budget and regularly review your spending. LIVE LARGE PROMISE: STAY OUT
OF DEBT!
Boundaries are so good for me because I am a compulsive spender. Knowing my limits helps
me to make better decisions and to learn my "needs vs wants." It's easy to overspend
without even knowing it. My husband and I review what we spend each month so we know how we are doing on keeping to our budget. The accountability is great and it reminds me to be frugal and be a good steward of what God has given us.

3. Pay cash. LIVE LARGE PROMISE: GET WHAT YOU WANT WITHOUT THE GUILT
We don't have the latest cars or toys, but what we have we own (except our home, which we
are paying for). We would rather buy used and not have a payment, then be strapped to
credit payments. Paying for things outright means living withing your means.

4. Frequently stay organized. LIVE LARGE PROMISE: YOU HAVE MORE THAN YOU REALIZE
I am amazed at the things I find while organizing, doing laundry, putting things in their proper
place, etc. I know that large amounts of money can be wasted by buying things again that are
lost due to being cluttery or disorganized. Also, items can become destroyed or lost by not
taking care of them or putting them away.

5. Be generous. LIVE LARGE PROMISE: YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW!
2 Corinthians 9:11 says: You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on
every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. I love
that! If I have it in my heart to give to others or to the poor, I need not worry if I will have
enough for myself. God himself will provide. You can't outgive God. He finds ways to bless
us when we give to others.

6. Become a home cook (and learn to eat leftovers). LIVE LARGE PROMISE: MORE PLEASURE, GOOD HEALTH, GREAT FAMILY TIME
Most of our meals are eaten at home together and I am the chef of our restaurant (well...). I
try my best to use all the food we buy without letting it go to waste. We have a dining budget
for nights out, but mostly we eat here at home. It's been a fun challenge for me to learn to
cook good, healthy meals for the family, and my boys are growing up healthy and non-picky!

7. Learn a craft or creative skill. LIVE LARGE PROMISE: DEEP SATISFACTION, GROWING IN THOUGHTFULNESS, YOUR GIFT IS THE ONE THEY WON'T FORGET!
If you are a social person, then you probably are on the guest list of many weddings, showers
and birthday parties. Nothing is more budget friendly than a homemade gift or special piece
art. But it's not only budget friendly, it's timeless and unforgettable and it shows how much
time and thoughtfulness you put into your gifts. They are always appreciated if done well.

8. Don't be too good for Goodwill. LIVE LARGE PROMISE: HIDDEN TREASURES AWAIT FOR MERE PENNIES!
I could make a day out of going to thrift stores or yard sales. I am also a big fan of Craig's List.
We have literally saved thousands of dollars by utilizing these. Personally, I like an eclectic
look, but even if you love brand-new things, you'd be surprised at what you could find.

9. Be content with what you have. LIVE LARGE PROMISE: THERE'S A MANSION AWAITING ME IN HEAVEN! WHY WASTE TIME COMPLAINING?
The Bible teaches us to be content. It also teaches us to not covet (or desire) other people's
things. Those two principles help me to say "no" when I am lusting after a purchase that I
know I don't need. I have plenty. A week after I buy that thing I "must" have, I forget about
it anyway.

10. Be creative, or ask a creative friend. LIVE LARGE PROMISE: EVEN A DIAMOND STARTS OUT AS A LUMP OF COAL...
Paint, new hardware, new knobs, decorative touches, etc. can really make a difference.
Before you buy, "shop" your own home. Is there something at home you could make over?
Or, could you get by with a new lampshade? If you can't envision it, ask your artsy friend to
come help, we all have one!

There are so many ways to save, but these have been amazing for us! Thanks for reading and good luck! I would love to hear how you are doing it as well!

Snuggle With Jesus

I can't recall what prompted my (almost) 3 year-old to say this, but the other day as I was changing him he said, "Can I have my Bible? I want to snuggle with Jesus." My heart just about stopped. Not only was his statement incredibly sweet, but profound as well. It struck me.

In his little child's heart, to read the Bible or even just to hold it is to SNUGGLE WITH JESUS. He asks me all the time, "Is Jesus in my room right now?" and "Will Jesus hold me one day?" Or he'll just look up at the sky and say, "Hi Jesus, I love you." His connection with Jesus has nothing to do with religion or doctrine or anything man has taught him. No, he is just aware of his presence, feels safe and warm in his presence and loves his presence. He somehow knows that Jesus is someone so loving, so open, so unconditional, that the natural response is a snuggle. I love it! His sweet little statement really made me check my heart: Do I view time with God as a snuggle or an obligation? Am I comforted or stressed? Do I rest in Jesus and pour out my love or am I too preoccupied with myself?

I truly want to have my son's heart and so does Jesus. In Mark 10:15 Jesus himself says, "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Wow. So, my son is my best teacher as to what pleases God: humility, innocence, honesty, love, blind faith...I guess it's time to imitate my son for awhile. But hey, God's not asking me to be anything I don't already want to be!

The Security of No Security

With God, I have no place to hang my hat. I have nothing to believe in, nothing to depend on. I have nothing to take confidence in, nothing to rely on, EXCEPT HIM, that is. That might sound perilous, scary and unpredictable but it actually has the opposite effect. Knowing there is nothing in the world I can absolutely rely on helps me let go and cling more tightly to God.

I want to break this down so that it means a little more. I lost my father at 19, which taught me early on that every life ends. People die. I can't cling to a person for security. Jobs end, or sometimes we become disabled or aged and are disqualified for employment. Beauty fades, health is dependent on so many factors, disease is commonplace. Then there is the fact that we live among other beings who are making choices, good and bad, that affect us or even hurt us. Possessions can be stolen or broken or destroyed. Like I said, I have no place to hang my hat. I can't even be pleased when I compare myself to others, because there is always someone more beautiful, intelligent, capable, kind....

What an insecure place I'm in when I try to place my security in myself, my spouse or my achievements. This is what God says in Jeremiah 17:

⁵ This is what the LORD says:

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who draws strength from mere flesh
and whose heart turns away from the LORD.
⁶ That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;
they will not see prosperity when it comes.
They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
in a salt land where no one lives.

⁷ “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
⁸ They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”

I envision a strong, unbreakable, faithful woman in verses 7-8. But I see a needy, lonely, negative, weak woman in the preceding verses. The difference? The first one put her confidence in what she sees while the second put her confidence in what she does not see. It's a powerful, daily decision to put one's trust in God, one that requires dedication to studying and applying his awesome word.

I love this promise as well, in Isaiah 40:

²⁸ Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

These are not just nice, religious powerless words. No, these are incredible truths, words to live by. I dare you! Go ahead and put your full confidence in God and see the miracles that come. Not only will you be more confident than ever before, but you will be amazed at how he will change your life.

A Mother's Special Blessing

"Blessings, like dollars, are usually counted more when times are tough."

Isn't it true? I know I can become so involved in the day's events that I don't spend enough time truly counting my blessings, UNTIL I HAVE TO!! Isn't there something wrong with that picture?
So, here I am, on Mother's Day, with a few moments with which to steep in my blessings like a good cup of tea.

As a mother, I must admit, God has offered me some "special" blessings that I want to share on this amazing day.

1. I was given the opportunity to be pregnant, give birth and nurse two wonderful little boys. I GAVE THEM LIFE!
2. I get at least 10 hugs per day.
3. I am responsible to these little beings for everything - food, clothing, life lessons...it motivates me to be the best I can be (and watch what I do and say!).
4. Each day I spend at least an hour laughing.
5. Someone calls me "mommy".
6. My lap is the only lap in town that gives the best snuggles.
7. I am magical! A kiss from my lips can cure anything!
8. I have someone to sing with, skip with, tickle, be silly with and laugh with.
9. I have the best life teachers around, constantly reminding me to be like Jesus: apologize quickly, hug often, be gentle, share, help, give....
10.Right now, everything I do is super cool and amazing (I know that will change in a few years)!

I am actually tearing up as I write this because those are only the tangibles. There are countless others, such as watching them sleep so angelically, or the way they search my face so wide-eyed for the answers. The adorable way they respond to discipline, being so earnest to change, and their thousand questions per day because the world is so brand-new.

Yes, being a mother has its unique blessings. I praise God that he chose that path for me. I couldn't imagine my life without my sons. I also have come to understand my own parents and especially my Heavenly Father so much better. Thank you, Lord, for this indescribable gift!!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!