Before You Burst!

(Laurie) Have you ever blown up a balloon bigger and bigger, thinking with every breath it was going to burst? Finally it does. Before it popped, you had two choices: to keep blowing until it popped, or to stop and let the air out. When we become angry, disgrunteled, or get in a funk for whatever reason, we have two choces: to let the anger rise until we burst with angry words, or admit we are struggling and end the pressure build up. That sounds so easy, but it's hard to do when you feel justified in your anger.


I've noticed that if I go on without telling my husband I'm struggling, I eventually blow up at him. But if I swallow my pride, and admit I'm wrong, and just tell him I'm strugglling, it "lets the air out," breaks down the wall I've been building, stops the vicious cycle, and as a result we can peacefully move on. My husband can be so understanding and loving when he knows I'm having a tough day. That's so much better than saying things that are hurtful to him, words I'll later regret.

Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Father, You have a better way. Please help me choose Your way instead of my selfish, prideful way. It really is easier that way. Teach me to love my husband and please help us grow into the couple You want us to be. In Jesus' Name amen.


from Sharon and Laurie's book Mom...And Loving It!

The Good Stuff - 14 Days of Love...

Today's idea:

Tell your kids what you LOVE about them. Think about it beforehand so you're really ready. Find a time...bedtime is always good...to share your thoughts with them. It might be that something you've learned from them. Rather than just physical attributes (i.e. you're pretty, you're strong) try to focus on character issues.

• "I love that you're honest. I really feel like I can trust you."
• "Because you're humble, you have a way of making people feel comfortable."
• "You're sister is growing so much because of the way you treat her. Thanks for doing your part to help her become all that God wants her to be."
  

Why is it much easier to see the negatives in our children instead of the positives? Make an effort today to watch for the "good stuff" then tell them about it. (It wouldn't hurt to look for "the good stuff" in your spouse, too!!)

Sharon

Wind-Blown Weeds or Deep-Rooted Trees

“He is like a tree planted by flowing streams; it yields its fruit at the proper time, and its leaves never fall off. He succeeds in everything he attempts. Not so with the wicked! Instead they are like wind-driven chaff.” Psalm 1:3-4 NET


My kids and I have been working behind our house clearing a new walking path in the woods. In the process, we’ve pulled, clipped and chopped our way through the itchy overgrowth. (Thought none of us were allergic to poison ivy, but I was wrong!) As we worked, I noticed two kinds of plants. We have lots of grasses. You can tell because when you pull, it comes right up. The other takes more than a pull. We have to get the clippers and cut them down leaving the roots in the ground. These baby trees are surprisingly strong.


With sweat dripping from our foreheads in the Texas heat (I love sweating with my kids!) I realized that we have two choices in life. I told my son, “I am praying that you and your sisters are like these trees, not like the grass. When somebody tries to convince you to do something out of line with God’s plan, I want you to have strong roots, holding you firm. You don’t want to be like the grass that can be pulled up with no effort. The grass lasts one season, but the trees grow stronger year, after year, after year.”


I wasn’t sure he understood what I meant. But, a couple of days later at breakfast, he brought it up and explained the whole thing to his sister. Whoo-Hoo! I think she got it, too. And the roots grew deeper…


PRAYER: Thank You, Lord for teaching us principles about life through your creation. I pray that the children of this generation will rise up and stand strong, not swayed by the deception of the world. Draw their hearts to You. In Jesus' name…Amen


Check out our website for another verse under Spiritual Apps...We're learning it as a family over the next several weeks.