I am so thankful for spring time. With everything in bloom and mild temperatures it is so much fun to be outdoors. My son and I have been able to romp and play almost every afternoon. We picnic and even do some of our homeschooling lessons on a blanket in the yard.
Spring is a time for renewal. It gives me that clean slate- anything is possible feeling. The crisp air and sunshine make me smile on the inside. I feel like a kid again- good thing I have a little kid to be silly with! If you haven’t already, take the opportunity to go outside and PLAY. Enjoy nature. Have fun. Be silly.
I am so thankful for spring time. With everything in bloom and mild temperatures it is so much fun to be outdoors. My son and I have been able to romp and play almost every afternoon. We picnic and even do some of our homeschooling lessons on a blanket in the yard.
Spring is a time for renewal. It gives me that clean slate- anything is possible feeling. The crisp air and sunshine make me smile on the inside. I feel like a kid again- good thing I have a little kid to be silly with! If you haven’t already, take the opportunity to go outside and PLAY. Enjoy nature. Have fun. Be silly.
Someone (besides me) needs to hear this today: you are so beautiful and so very loved! Jesus gave so much just to spend eternity with YOU. The song below just touched my heart so deeply!
Someone (besides me) needs to hear this today: you are so beautiful and so very loved! Jesus gave so much just to spend eternity with YOU. The song below just touched my heart so deeply!
I am thankful to be able to home school my little boy. I’m so blessed to live in a country that allows me the freedom to educate my son at home. While it is hard work, it is the very BEST job I’ve ever had! It is so exciting to watch him learn. I enjoy spending time with him. We read, craft, play, and truly enjoy our lessons. I am eternally grateful to my pastor’s wife for providing such an awesome example and to my husband for supporting & encouraging the idea. I’m also thankful for the women I’ve met along the way and all I’ve learned from them. While this is the first year (preschool), I can see that we are laying the foundation for a lifetime of joyful learning.
Recently my son and I were singing the “Oh, be careful little eyes what you see…” song. I’ve been pondering that little song ever since. It’s a Sunday school classic- how many times have we heard it? Sang it? Do we live it?
Proverbs 4:23 admonishes us to diligently keep our heart because what goes in ultimately comes back out. It’s so easy to forget the importance of guarding our heart. We often get so caught up in the cares of this world that we neglect the truth of the Word (Mark 4:14-20). We keep (or tend) our heart by guarding the gates that open to it: our eyes, our ears, and our tongue. Much of what we see, hear, and speak negatively affect us probably more than we realize. The negativity often manifests in our attitude which affects our emotions, our relationships, and our health- every aspect of our being.
We are cautioned not to be conformed to the norms of this world (Rom 12:2). One of the biggest “norms” that is alarming to me is what we see in the media. All sorts of terrible, ungodly things are depicted quite graphically on mainstream tv and radio. I’m often horrified by what bombards our family on a daily basis- especially in so-called family friendly entertainment. Even commercials are getting more and more offensive… For example, “Mommy what does male enhancement mean?” or “Is Viagra a vitamin?” I mean really, between the news, crime shows, commercials, suggestive teen shows, and crude music lyrics the gates to our eyes and ears are being flooded by the very things God tells us to avoid (1 John 2:15-17).
How many times have you caught yourself humming a tune you heard earlier on the radio or worrying about something you saw on the news? Images can’t be un-seen. Sounds can’t be un-heard. They persist in your subconscious. Oh how important it is to guard what comes in! While we can’t bury our heads in the sand, we can drastically limit what comes in our homes with a simple flick of the off button.
Another “norm” seems to be worry and anxiety. Worry is such a dangerous habit that Jesus COMMANDED us not to do it (Matt 6:25-34 and Josh 1:9). We cannot stand in faith and be anxious at the same time. Fear and faith do not mix. Worry is so automatic that we have to re-train ourselves to trust in Him instead. To counteract negativity, God advises us to meditate on His Word (Josh 1:8) . He encourages us to think about positive and happy things (Philp 4:8).
Singing that song reminded me to take seriously the things my family and I expose ourselves to. I am encouraged to be more mindful of what we’re seeing and hearing–and subsequently meditating on.
Recently my son and I were singing the “Oh, be careful little eyes what you see…” song. I’ve been pondering that little song ever since. It’s a Sunday school classic- how many times have we heard it? Sang it? Do we live it?
Proverbs 4:23 admonishes us to diligently keep our heart because what goes in ultimately comes back out. It’s so easy to forget the importance of guarding our heart. We often get so caught up in the cares of this world that we neglect the truth of the Word (Mark 4:14-20). We keep (or tend) our heart by guarding the gates that open to it: our eyes, our ears, and our tongue. Much of what we see, hear, and speak negatively affect us probably more than we realize. The negativity often manifests in our attitude which affects our emotions, our relationships, and our health- every aspect of our being.
We are cautioned not to be conformed to the norms of this world (Rom 12:2). One of the biggest “norms” that is alarming to me is what we see in the media. All sorts of terrible, ungodly things are depicted quite graphically on mainstream tv and radio. I’m often horrified by what bombards our family on a daily basis- especially in so-called family friendly entertainment. Even commercials are getting more and more offensive… For example, “Mommy what does male enhancement mean?” or “Is Viagra a vitamin?” I mean really, between the news, crime shows, commercials, suggestive teen shows, and crude music lyrics the gates to our eyes and ears are being flooded by the very things God tells us to avoid (1 John 2:15-17).
How many times have you caught yourself humming a tune you heard earlier on the radio or worrying about something you saw on the news? Images can’t be un-seen. Sounds can’t be un-heard. They persist in your subconscious. Oh how important it is to guard what comes in! While we can’t bury our heads in the sand, we can drastically limit what comes in our homes with a simple flick of the off button.
Another “norm” seems to be worry and anxiety. Worry is such a dangerous habit that Jesus COMMANDED us not to do it (Matt 6:25-34 and Josh 1:9). We cannot stand in faith and be anxious at the same time. Fear and faith do not mix. Worry is so automatic that we have to re-train ourselves to trust in Him instead. To counteract negativity, God advises us to meditate on His Word (Josh 1:8) . He encourages us to think about positive and happy things (Philp 4:8).
Singing that song reminded me to take seriously the things my family and I expose ourselves to. I am encouraged to be more mindful of what we’re seeing and hearing–and subsequently meditating on.
I’m so excited to be participating in my first Thankful Thursday post!
I am thankful for a kind and supportive husband.
He has been wonderfully helpful by entertaining our busy three year old in the evenings to give me blogging time. Even though he really doesn’t “get it” when it comes to social media, he honors my need for a little time to myself. I appreciate and love him so much.
I’m so excited to be participating in my first Thankful Thursday post!
I am thankful for a kind and supportive husband.
He has been wonderfully helpful by entertaining our busy three year old in the evenings to give me blogging time. Even though he really doesn’t “get it” when it comes to social media, he honors my need for a little time to myself. I appreciate and love him so much.
You were expecting something more festive, right? I know, jingle bells and all…but tragedies don’t wait for convenient dates on the calender. Grief and coping with loss can be even more difficult when everyone else is celebrating. I write this post hoping to help if you or someone you know is experiencing a loss or crisis. It can be so hard but you can survive. I know because I did…and this is part of my story.
Last year between Christmas and New Year my unborn baby died. For several days our world stood still while we waited to see a heartbeat. We had seen it just two weeks before- blinking like a Christmas tree light. And then nothing, only silent stillness on a sonogram. The last thing I remember before surgery was trying so hard not to sob and wondering what in the world had caused that sweet little light to quit blinking. While everyone else was celebrating my husband and I were grieving. For weeks after, we waited on negative test results to rule out a rare form of cancer. I want to share what I learned through the healing process. Maybe it can give you a little hope. Or at least I want to let you know that you’re not alone. Someone knows and cares that your heart is breaking. I do and that’s why I’m offering what worked for me. Use what you can and dismiss the rest.
Allow yourself to grieve. Forget the stiff upper chin. You don’t get extra points for suffering in silence. It’s okay to show your hurt. Whether its death, divorce, or a pink slip: loss HURTS and pretending that it doesn’t helps no one. That being said, you can’t wallow in it forever either. We had a private memorial service at Church one week after my surgery. I let myself cry and mourn that week but had determined that once the service was over I WOULD BEGIN TO HEAL. It’s important to allow yourself tomove forward.
Hit the autopilot button. I had a hard time dealing with people’s (mostly stupid) statements so I just went into robot mode and mechanically replied “thank you for your prayers” to whatever comment was offered. I figure that most people don’t mean to be hurtful- they just truly don’t know what to say. Side note: if your loved one has a miscarriage DO NOT say things like “something was probably wrong with it anyway,” “at least you didn’t get to hold it,” or “did the doctor say what you did wrong?” Just say “I’m sorry for your loss. I’ll be praying for you.”
Quit asking “why.” Talk about it with a friend or a professional but don’t get stuck in the “why” stage. There may be a medical reason that can physically help you; however, there is no emotionally acceptable or comforting answer. Bad things happen. Very bad things happen and trying to make sense out of the senseless only tortures you and prolongs your pain. I remember crying out to God. I didn’t get a reason why but I did get reminded that He knew exactly how it felt to lose a child.
Resume your daily routines- whether you feel like it or not. Staying engaged is essential to keep short term grief from turning into long term depression. Shower, eat, work, exercise. Don’t give up on life just because you’re hurting. Don’t give up on God, either- even if your faith is wavering. Keep plugging along. Keep moving forward. Baby steps count! You’ll get a little bit stronger and better everyday. You will get better.
Realize that you won’t ever get over it but you will move past it. There is a difference. It is vitally important to remember that while the feelings of loss and sadness will remain, the intense pain will one day subside. Don’t feel guilty for beginning to get better, for enjoying others, and life again, or for growing beyond the grief. Life never stands still. Everything changes: the good, the bad- it all moves along.
Every one’s process and time is unique. Don’t push yourself too fast or too hard. Don’t beat yourself up- for feeling bad or for feeling good. Emotions vary- it’s normal. If you think you are not getting better or if you ever think about harming yourself or others, PLEASE GET HELP. Your pastor, doctor, or mental health care center can direct you to available resources.
Over the past two years my husband and I have experienced several losses. I still cry a little sometimes. I am still healing. I’m still growing. You will too.
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