Every morning, I read several things during my quiet time. One of my favorites is from my Bible app on my phone. It is a reading plan on parenting. Each day, I learn something from God's Word that truly imparts wisdom on the subject of parenting. Today's, however, hit me square between the eyes.

Here is the verse that went with the devotional.
"Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut." (Proverbs 10:19 NLT)

The gist of the devotional was choosing your words wisely as you speak to your children and as you discipline them. How many times have I asked Will to choose his words? LOTS! Have many times have I asked myself the same question? Not as many.

The writer was in no way implying that a parent not talk to their children during discipline, but rather being careful not to talk so much that you begin to sound like the unseen parent/teacher on episodes of Charlie Brown. Yeah...you know what I'm talking about!

I want to do better! I can get high on my parental soapbox waxing eloquently on the crimes my sweet child as committed, but is he getting it? Does he really understand what Mom is trying to say? Maybe...maybe not. I imagine many times he tunes me out and only hears "wha, wha, wha, wha..." (I guess that's how you spell it.)

Maybe I need to consider the psalmist when he said, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer" (Psalm 19:14 NLT). Yeah...I think that verse applies to everything...even when I am getting onto Will.

Is it going to be easy? I think not. Talking is much easier than truly applying consequences to his actions. It's over in just a minute...yep, and it's forgotten as quickly.

Lord, help me to be creative with disciplining Will. Help me to talk less and teach more through discipline that is applicable to the action. Help my words be acceptable to You all of the time.

"I Will Carry You" - Selah

The last 8 years

God is so good, and He has blessed Charlie and I more than enough...certainly more than we deserve.  We have a beautiful son, Will, who is the joy and delight of our days!  He is full of energy and life.  My 43 year old body has trouble keeping up with him at times.  He always knows just the right thing to say to make me laugh and smile.  Those of you who know the path God used to bring Will to our lives is a story for another day!  It is another example of how God blesses us more than enough!!

I would be remiss if I let February pass by without remembering and thanking God for our other son, Sidney, born February 25, 2004.  Even though he did not live to bring the same joy and energy Will brings, Sidney brought his own.  After years of desiring a pregnancy, God gave me a gift through Sidney.  What life and energy he brought to our home during my time of carrying him.

My heart aches for women who do not conceive or do not carry children to full term.  My heart empathizes with their emptiness.  I truly know how they hurt.

My very dear friend sent me a link today of a song that ministered to my heart years ago when it was first released.  (She also bought me the book the musical artist wrote.)  I share this song and lyrics with you.  I encourage you to pass it along and allow it to minister to other aching hearts.

I Will Carry You  -  Selah

There were photographs I wanted to take
Things I wanted to show you
Sing sweet lullabies wipe your teary eyes
Who could love you like this?
People say that I am brave but I'm not
Truth is I'm barely hanging on
But there's a greater story
Written long before me
Because He loves you like this

So I will carry you
While your heart beats here
Long beyond the empty cradle
Through the coming years
I will carry you
All my life
And I will praise the One who's chosen me
To carry you

Such a short time
Such a long road
All this madness
But I know
That the silence
Has brought me to His voice
And He says

I've shown her photographs of time beginning
Walked her through the parted seas
Angel lullabies no more teary eyes
Who could love her like this?

I will carry you
While your heart beats here
Long beyond the empty cradle
Through the coming years
I will carry you
All your life
And I will praise the one Who's chosen me
To carry you   

A new adventure

It's interesting.  I have never wanted to blog before. 

Until now.

God has been speaking to my heart to write about what is going on in my life.  It is certain He is doing a work in my heart, and why shouldn't I share that with others?  It's a work of cleansing, refocusing, and reprioritizing. 

As I write, I laugh and wonder if anyone will ever read this, but even if it is just me and the Lord, we will travel along this road together.

Until the next time....