Thankful Thursday

(Shelly) I've been doing a Bible study on the fruit of the Spirit. Today I'm very thankful for God's patience with me. He never gives up on me! I'm so thankful!


What are you thankful for this Thursday?

Thankful Thursday

(Sharon) I'm thankful that I am the one who gets to see my child's handwriting develop. Just like kids personalities are all different, their handwriting is different too. One of mine loves to embellish. One is a creative, sort of everywhere writer, and the other looks like it was printed in a book! I am thankful I get to notice how their handwriting grows and changes with them.

What are you thankful for this Thankful Thursday?

Thankful Thursday

(Shelly) Today I'm thankful for the Body of Christ, especially Christian girlfriends. There is just something about getting together with someone who is safe to visit with, laugh with, cry with and share my heart. I can count on them to encourage and support me when I need it. And it adds purpose to my life when I can be there for them as well. I hope that you have a group of girls like this at your home church or Moms group, maybe a MOPS group. If you don't, you could start one! Laurie and Sharon's books, Mom...and Loving It! and Hold You, Mommy, are great for small group studies and discussion starters. You can even make an appointment with them to call or skype with your group! Just an idea. You can contact me if you have any questions at Shelly(at)MomAndLovingIt(dot)org. Hope you have a blessed Thankful Thursday!

Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful that God values mothers. It is a very challenging job that many of the things we do go unnoticed and unapreciated, but He sees and He knows. He placed each one of us in this place at this time with these people for a purpose.


A few weeks ago we shared what is it about our children we are thankful for. Today let's look at moms. What is it about being a mom are you thankful for? If you would like to honor your mother, what are you thankful for about her?

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful that God never takes His eye off of us, that His timing is perfect, and that I can trust Him completely--if I only will! I feel like the man in Mark 9:24 that said, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" I truely believe God can do whatever He wants, but in the nitty gritty of the moment, I need His help to overcome my doubts.


Growing to believe Him more, Sharon

Thankful Thursday

It has been a while since we said we are thankful for our kids. But I want to get a little more specific today. There are times when they are on our last nerve that it is easy to see to see their faults, but we need to take the time to be thankful for their strengths. Today I'm thankful that my oldest son is outgoing and includes everyone. He is a great big brother. I'm thankful that my daughter is strong and determined. If we can train her in the right direction, she will make a positive difference in her world. My youngest son loves to laugh, and he gets me out of my serious mode. What is it about your kids that you are thankful for today? Posted by Shelly, Mom and Loving It Ministries Assistant

Thankful Thursday

This month of March we have been talking about adventures. Along the way do your kids ask you all kinds of questions? Mine do too. Many times the question is "Did God make that?" If it is something in nature, of course, I answer yes. But if it is man-made, I usually respond, "God gave someone the idea and a person made it." Today I'm thankful for vehicles that take us on adventures--whether it is bicycles, planes, trains, boats, or minivans--I'm thankful for God giving their inventors the idea to make it possible to explore His world. Side note: anyone else have a mini-midlife crisis when you got a minivan. We didn't even have any kids yet when we first got one! But that is another story. We have surely had our times of car trouble, but I'm thankful for what God has provided.


What are you thankful for today?


Posted by Shelly, Mom and Loving It Ministries Assistant

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful today for God's handiwork. A few weeks ago I shared with you that we had to stay close to home because we were paying off debt. Well, this year that hard work is paying off, and we took an adventure away from home! (I'm not saying that to brag, just as an encouragement that if you are in the middle of it, keep going! It is so worth it!) Anyway, this year we took our kids to see the Grand Canyon. What a great reminder of God's creativity, His majesty, His hugeness! I'm so thankful He created places on earth that point us to Him!

Do you have a favorite place where God's handiwork reminds you of Him? I have some close to home, like sunsets. Some are farther that I don't see often, like the ocean.

Posted by Shelly, Mom and Loving It Ministries Assistant

Thankful Thursday

Happy St. Patrick's Day! The real St. Patrick was a missionary to Ireland, and he used the three leaf clover to tell about the Trinity. Today as you see clovers around, pray for missionaries you know or for countries and the missionaries who work there. This Thursday, I'm thankful for missionaries in our country and around the world who leave their country and family as they share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who have not heard yet.

If you would like to leave a comment with the name of a missionary you know, we can pray for them too.

Thanks for Praying!

Laurie and Sharon and their families are leaving soon for a mini-tour in Southern California. They will be speaking at moms groups in Riverside, San Clemente, Santa Clarita, and Yorba Linda. Then they will have a Mom...and Loving It! Conference in Canyon Lake. If you are in the area and would like to come, contact us and we will give you the contact information.


Many of you won't be in Southern California next week, but you will be praying for us. Thank you so much! We really appreciate it! Hope you have an adventurous sping break, even if it is in your backyard!

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful for the purpose God has for each of our lives. He orchestrates events to fulfill His purpose globally and eternally. But He is also intimately personal and has a plan for each one of us today and this week. He has placed you and me in this place, at this time, with these people for a purpose. Placed...not forgotten and you wound up here by chance.


It is more than cleaning a house.
It is more than changing diapers.
It is more than refereeing between siblings.
It is more than laundry.
It is more than guiding a teenager through the mine field of growing up.


It is reaching the heart of a child.
It is walking with other women and encouraging one another.
It is knowing God, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom He sent. (John 17:3)


Here are some other Scriptures for encouragement today.

Jeremiah 29:11-14a

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity...."

Philippians 3:10 Amp
For my determined purpose is that I may know Him, that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly.

Thankful Thursday

(Shelly) This Thankful Thursday I am thankful for God's Word. Two years ago a popular Bible teacher challenged her blog readers to memorize 24 Scriptures in 12 months. I took that challenge not very confident that I would be able to finish it. I had not really memorized Scripture since I was little and proudly put a blue star by my name in Sunday School! After those 12 months I decided this was a habit, a discipline, that I not only needed, but wanted in my life. I can see how His Word has been alive and active in me, changing the way I think, and influencing how I interact with others. This woman-wife-mom-sister-daughter-friend needed that.


How has God's Word changed your life?


What are you thankful for this Thursday?

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful doctors, medical staff, and the wisdom God has given them. And I'm thankful that when we face scary days, we can have hope in the Great Physician!

Thankful Thursday

Today, I'm thankful for monkey hugs! Some families have butterfly kisses, but we have monkey hugs. (It is our version of a bear hug.) My youngest son loves to jump from his bed to my arms and wrap his arms and legs around me. He is a little monkey because I don't even have to hold on to him and he will stay on! And if my husband and other two kids are around, it might turn into a group hug! It will not be long and he will be to big for me to do that, so I'll enjoy it while I can! What are you thankful for this Thursday?


posted by Shelly, Mom and Loving It Ministry assistant

Thankful Thursday

The end of the year brings a time to reflect and a time to bounce into the new adventures of a new year. When you think over the last year, what are you thankful for? When you think of a new start, what are you thankful for? We would love to hear from you!

Thankful Thursday

Twas the night before, the night before Christmas, and all through the houses moms scurried about making everything just right...

Don't forget to take some time today to stop and be thankful for God's gift of Jesus. And did you know that we are the Heavenly Father's gift to Jesus? Listen to this part Jesus' prayer in John 17:6.

"I [Jesus] have revealed You to those who You gave me out of the world.
They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed Your Word."

One of my favorite pictures of Christmas, is when my kids open a gift and it is something they "wanted their whole life!" (Do your kids say that too? Yea, they have wanted it all three years--and the 5 seconds they have known about it!) God the Father, gave His Son a gift--YOU! Can you just see His face of delight to know that you are His! Today we can be thankful that no matter what shape, size, or situation we find ourselves in, we are valued, loved, treasured, and cared for. Thank You, Jesus!


Merry Christmas!


posted by Shelly, Mom and Loving It Ministry assistant

Thankful Thursday

I saw a quote on a friends' facebook status the other day that said,

"Christmas is a time when you get homesick -even when you're home." ~Carol
Nelson

Every family has different traditions and ways and places to celebrate Christmas. For my family, we were always at my grandparents' home and we alternated every year between my mom's family and my dad's. So for me traveling and being with a big group of family is Christmas. As we are looking forward to being with family next week, I'm thankful for grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I'm thankful that my kids still have five great-grandparents living that they know and spend time with.


What, or who, are you thankful for this Thursday?


posted by Shelly, Mom and Loving It Ministry assistant

Thankful Thursday

This fall we had a preacher come to our church for revival. He talked about the Christmas story and how we know all the who's, what's, when's, and where's about it. But what about why? Some why's we know. For instance, we know that Jesus came to provide a way for us to have a relationship with a Holy God. We know that it happened in Bethlehem to fulfill prophesy. But why a stable? In our day and time of delivering babies in clean hospitals, we can't imagine having a baby in a stable! Wasn't there a better place?! Why a stable? He said one word: ACCESS. If there had been room in the inn, there would have been people, lots of people, between Jesus and the shepherds when they came to worship. If they had been in the inn, there would have been an innkeeper, who had the authority, to keep the shepherds out. But in the stable, there was no one in the way and no one to keep them out. They had access to come and worship their Messiah.


It is still true today. No one stands in our way. We have complete access to Jesus--the Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Redeemer, King of Kings, Savior. We just have to accept His gift. We have access to Him beyond salvation. We have access to Him when we are afraid, when we are so excited, when we are tired, when we are hurting, when we just want to chat, when we are frustrated and when we want to worship. That is what I'm thankful for today...access to Jesus.


What are you thankful for today?


posted by Shelly, Mom and Loving It Ministry assistant

Thankful Thursday

In the hustle and bustle of the Christmas Season, we still need to work on being content and being thankful. I don't know about you, but this is a good reminder for me to look around and see what I'm thankful for.



This Thankful Thursday, I'm thankful for senses. God sure was creative when he designed us so that we can enjoy His handiwork! And the Christmas season is a feast for the senses! The next few days on facebook, we'll be sharing our favorite sights, smells, sounds, tastes, and feels of the season. Be sure to jump in the conversation! It is fun to see how this community of moms are different and alike. You can find us at Mom and Loving It!

Thankful Thursday--Praise

One night before we had a speaking engagement, I had a lot on my mind. I was in no shape to speak to women about loving their families, because at the moment I didn't think too much of mine. Mostly my husband. I was so mad at him! I felt like we (the kids and I) were an afterthought in his life.


I was fuming as I left our bus and headed for the church. Suddenly I saw the sunset. It was beautiful. I had almost missed it in my fury. I started walking slower and thanked God for the sunset. Then I saw the flag flying outside the church, and I thanked God for our country and the freedom to worship as we want.


It bagan a waterfall of thanks in my heart. I thanked Him for my family--for my children who were so precious and my husband, who was just having a bad day. I thanked God for loving me, for having the ability to stop me in my pious condemnation and turn my eyes to Him.


By the time I made my way to the door of the church, I didn't want to go in because my time of praise to the Lord was so sweet. My heart, which had just moments earlier been so heavy, was now full of love, forgiveness, and gratefulness. I was amazed at the instant change that praising the Lord had made in my heart and attitude.


When we praise the Lord, it isn't just a way for us to worship Him, although that is very important. "Praise releases the power of God into our lives. Praise is a powerful tool that the Lord has put in our hands to turn the difficult situations of our lives around."1


I realized that praise doesn't necessarily chage our circumstances, but it can change our perspective and attitude about out situations. It gives hope for the challenging times. As days passed, I began acknowledging the amazing things about God as I prayed, instead of only making requests and asking forgiveness for things I had done wrong.


Praise doesn't come naturally for me. Before I ask anything from the Lord, I speak some words of praise to Him. It's not always easy, but practicing helps.

"Let praise cascade off my lips; after all, you've taught me the truth about life! Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well" (Psalm 119:171, 175 The Message).

Lord, I praise You for giving us the ability to praise You. You are the king of all the earth. Nothing is above You. You are the beginning, the end, and everything in between. Thank You for Your creation. The trees, mountains, flowers, rivers, and especially people are all amazing gifts from You. I pray that You will let praise cascade off my lips, specific praises every day, all the time.


I ask that You help me learn to see the good things about my family, the blessings rather than the burdens. Would You remind me to daily praise You for them? Thank You. On my own, change is hopeless, but with You my whole heart can be renewed. My attitude can change from sour to sweet. Thank You for loving me enough to die for me. Thank You for never giving up on me. Thank You for enabling us to be thankful. Thank You that we aren't condemned to just be negative; there is hope for tomorrow. Let everything that is within me praise You, Lord, and through that praise fill me with Your strength and hope, letting that joy spill over into my family. I love You, Lord. I pray in Jesus' Name, amen.


What are you thankful for this Thursday?


(From Laurie and Sharon's book Hold You, Mommy)