Quote of the day

Here is an interesting thought:

I am a mom even when I don’t want to be.
I can delegate other things, but I
can’t delegate my role as a mom.

Fun Monday!

Need a smile this Monday morning? Here is a fun moment that Sharon shared last week...

Davis had a staring contest with Rowdy this morning. (Rowdy is a beanie baby.) Rowdy won!

Any funny moments happening at your house that you would like to share with us, we would love to hear them. Send Shelly an email at Shelly(at)MomAndLovingIt(dot)org. Hope you have a blessed week!

Thankful Thursday!

Remember we are practicing being content by being grateful! What are you thankful for this Thursday?

Three Photo Albums

As moms we are constantly taking pictures of ourselves and we choose to categorize these images in one of three albums.


In photo album #1 we find snapshots of a woman who is always comparing herself to others--her body, her habits, the financial status of her family, and her skills. She has the overwhelming feeling that she has nothing to offer the world. She is constantly striving to be something or someone she was not meant to be. She feels like she is not capable of doing enough as a mom or friend, and she always worries about what others are thinking of her.


Beneath the cover of photo album #2 we find a smiling woman. But if you look closely, it's not her smile, but one she cut out and pasted to her face (kind of like those hips on magazine covers). She is focused on other people, sort of. With her plastered smile she "listens" to her friend while organizing the rest of the day in her head. She musters her energy to prepare an extra-special meal for her husband, but is frustrated by the end of it because the cake didn't rise. She offers to help with the nursery, only to find herself wishing she hadn't. She goes to bed exhausted from the day, dreading the start of tomorrow. She is tired-out and burned-out. She wonders how she can keep up this pace.


Then last, inside photo album #3, we find another woman. She is the one the first woman longs to be like and the one the second lady works hard to match. She has a listening ear for a friend even when it means the plan for her day will change. She looks at other women with God's loving camera, being more concerned about how someone feels than how they dress. Because she is depending on God's strength, she is able to instruct and train rather than yell at her child. She spends time with God not out of duty but because she loves Him. She climbs into bed at night and thanks God for His goodness.


Does the lady in photo album #3 sound a little too perfect? Don't worry, she's not. It's just that by spending time with God she has learned to be more and more like Him. Her eyes have been focused on the Lord, and He has kept His promise: "Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame" (Psalm 34:5). It isn't something that happened to her overnight.


Actually, she has three photo albums just like you and me. She has been through those same stages. On occasion she still adds photos to those first two albums--comparing, then doing all she can to measure up. But gradually she began walking more in step with the Lord, dealing with spills and schedules more calmly, thinking the best of her family and friends. And as she did, her third photo album began to grow. Because of her focus on the Lord she is able to love God; therefore, she is able to love her neighbors (friends, co-workers, husband, children); and now she is even able to love herself. Wow--three for one! We're moms, and we know a good deal when we see one!


When we choose to see ourselves and others from God's viewpoint there will be joy, regardless of our circumstances. When He is the focus, it takes the pressure off of us.

"Fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you" (Romans 12:2 The Message).

So there are three focal points to choose from. The choice seems obvious, but there are days I still find myself in album #1, comparing myself to every woman I meet (usually this happens at one particular time of the month). More frequently I find myself putting photos in album #2, thinking I can handle everything on my own. But more and more I am opening album #3 as I learn to depend on Jesus, to love Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. It's great when I choose to zoom in on the love of the Lord and let Him fill me up so that I can share His love with those who mean so much to me.


Father, You know our tendency as women to be unhappy with who we are. Nudge me, Lord, when even a hint of comparison begins to come my way so that I can refocus my attention on You. Help me make time to get to know You. Show me how You created me uniquely to love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I want to handle things like You would a little more every day. I pray You'll encourage me by letting me see changes that You have made in my Life. Thank You, Lord, for Your forgiveness and for always being there to help me refocus. Bless others through me. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.


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


Here is where we can encourage one another in this matter. How do you refocus? What are some Scriptures that help you refocus?

Fun Monday

Mondays we can all use a smile to get us going. If you would like to share a fun moment you have had with your family, we would love to hear from you! Send them to Shelly(at)MomAndLovingIt(dot)org.


Today's Fun Monday post is from Mandy. Enjoy!

A thankful heart

A thankful heart is rarely a discontented heart. When life is hard and everything seems to be going wrong, it is easy to focus on the immediate circumstances. The negative, at times, can consume your thoughts and emotions. One day, when I was short on money, time and patience, I found myself overwhelmed, focusing on all that was going wrong in my life. All this accomplished was a feeling of hopelessness. In my state of depression I was reminded that God's Word says to "give thanks in all things." In my mind I scoffed, "Boy, like that will help anything. Live like Pollyanna . . . whatever." But I tried it. I found myself looking for things for which to be thankful. It wasn't long until my whole attitude was different. Instead of living defeated, I was living confident, not in my own abilities, but in God's promises. My circumstances had not changed, but my focus had. It made all the difference.
Now it is your turn! How has being thankful impacted you? What are you thankful for this Thursday?

If I Could Only Remember

Recently, I had the same conversation with two different ladies. They both told me that they hadn't been spending time with God, but when they do, they really are better wives and moms. One mom said, "After I spend time with Him, I get better. Then I forget God again."


I was right there with them, wondering why I too could spend time with the Lord, see the benefits, then forget to devote time to Him. I once heard Bible teacher Beth Moore say, "God delights when hearts, so prone to wander, choose Him."


It's a common thing for humans, especially moms, to try to handle everything on our own. Besides, there is so much to do that we think we don't have time for one more thing. The ironic thing is, though, when I stop and spend time with God, I accomplish so much more. It's like guaranteed help, and who of us doesn't need help?


Yet there are those times when I still forget to spend time with God. There are many things that can make our hearts wander, demands that consume our time. I found this entry in my journal and thought it might entice us all to turn our eyes back to Him. It can remind us of His faithfulness and help us remember the blessings that come when we give Him part of our hectic and chaotic days.

December 2004
About a week ago, I was low...very low. At a time that I felt I couldn't do anything right, I did do two things right: I started praying (those SOS prayers--"Please help fast, Lord!") and I began spending time with God, reading my Bible. I didn't feel better immediately, but I'm realizing the important thing is to know I will feel better. God has been so gracious to show me that over and over again. When I'm feeling down, if that low time draws me closer to Him--great! He is faithful to hold on to me and remind me of my purpose when I feel worthless. When I haven't been faithful in spending time with Him, He remains consistently loyal--always ready to take my hand and help me up. But I have to offer my hand and stop trying to get out of the quicksand of life and the mud of emotions on my own. He is my rescuer.

Are you trying to handle everything on your own? If you have never accepted Christ, asking Him to come into your life gives you someone to walk with each day, and it gives you hope when you're feeling down. No matter what you've done, He loves you. He really, really loves you!


If you are a believer, how long has it been since you made time for the Lord in your day? don't miss out on the blessings that await your willingness to turn your wandering, busy, sleep-deprived heart toward Him for even a few minutes today. Choose Him and then trust Him to rescue you when you find yourself downhearted. If it's been a while since you talked with Him, pray--even if you have to pray an SOS prayer. He loves hearing from you.


December 2004 (continued)
Thank You, Lord, for being so different from my "get what you deserve" mentality. It's hard for me to see past that thought to the truth of who You are: Love--simply love. Just because You want to love me, You love me. Thank You, thank You, thank You for calling me back to You again and again. I love You, too! Living and learning in Jesus' Name...Amen.


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