A New Place to Dwell

As my sister-in-law was reading a book to my girls, she came across the line "Don't dwell on it." Crislynn stopped her and said, "What does 'dwell' mean?" Brittlea, my eight-year-old (at the time), piped up, "It's where you live." At first we thought her definition didn't fit the context of the sentence, but the more we considered it, we realized it fit perfectly.


Sometimes my kids will confess things they are thinking if they feel guilty for their thoughts. I tell them that just because they have a bad thought or idea doesn't mean they have sinned. Just as we don't intend to let a fly into our house, thoughts can loom at the door of our minds and enter without invitation. It's when we don't do anything to rid ourselves of the pesky thought that it becomes sin.


I believed my kids were the ones who needed to hear this advice as they struggled with thoughts that made them feel guilty. However, as Laurie and I talked one day, she said, "Sharon, we're doing the same thing. We're beating ourselves up for things we think. Maybe I am about to blow up inside, making me feel guilty, but when I don't blow up I'm exercising self-control--and that's something I can feel good about."


As moms, it's easy for us to be hard on ourselves, feeling guilty for things that were only thoughts. But we need to remember something: If we didn't stop there, unload, and hang pictures on the wall, we haven't done anything wrong. It's when we dwell there that we run into problems.


In 2 Corinthians 10:5 it says, "We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." That's how we fight the tendency to dwell on things that take our eyes off of the Lord. When the thoughts come, take them to the Lord and get rid of the ones that don't match His character.


If you are dwelling on something you said to your kids (maybe you jumped all over them for swinging and bruising the grocery bag full of fresh fruit), ask forgiveness from God and your kids--then move on. When you feel guilty for your harsh words again, don't start building a house around that thought; rather, shoo it out the door of your mind because you have been forgiven.


If you are having silent conversations with your husband because he left his clothes out again, take that thought captive, and tear down the walls that have started going up by praying for him as you put the lost clothes where they belong. If you're feeling guilty for the actions of your children (such as when they fuss about anything and everything), pray for them and discipline when you need to, but remember: We are all responsible for our own actions, not the actions of others (including our children).


Where have you been dwelling today? Where will you live for the rest of today! The good news is, you have a choice. When those thoughts sneak into your mind, take them captive. don't dwell there. No one wants to live in that neighborhood!


Lord, You know the thoughts that are common to my mind. Help me to not feel guilty for things I think that I immediately push out of my thoughts. And help me identify those things that I am dwelling on that have already begun to build walls--walls that need to be torn down. One day spent in Your house beats thousands spent elsewhere. I'd rather scrub floors in the house of my God than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin (Psalm 84:10). Open my eyes when I'm living somewhere other than with You. How lovely is Your dwelling place! Dwelling on You, in Jesus' Name, amen.


from Sharon and Laurie's book Hold You, Mommy.

Lighten Your Load...an Irresistable Offer

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28

I've loved this verse for years. It's comforted me when I was tired and exhausted. But, on Sunday, it hit me in a whole new way.

Who in this world wants you to come when you're worn out? Maybe your mom, but nobody else. Your family constantly has you on the go and needs your best. If you work outside the home, you need to be alert and looking good. Friends don't tolerate weariness for long. Even at church we often hide the fatigue and put our best foot forward.

But, God says, come when you're beat or overwhelmed and He will give us rest. He wants us when we feel unloved or unloveable. His arms are open when we feel like a failure. They are open when we don't feel like a failure, too, but He knows that at our wits end, we are honest and vulnerable. It's at that point that we realize we can't do it on our own so we're teachable and ready to accept His strength and help. Why wouldn't we come? We certainly won't find a better offer anywhere else.

He goes on to say, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." We aren't free from burdens and chores, but when the routines of life are run through His hands, they are lighter and easier because we face them with His strength.

I am humbled that my sweet saviour who has already done so much for me wants to do more. He wants me to drag my tired self to Him so He can show me His faithfulness, love and kindness. He wants to do the same for you!

Carrying a lighter load...

Sharon