Journey Through Motherhood

Jul. 13, 2008

Encouraging Sunday #12

Breakfast under the Big Birch by Carl Larsson

Breakfast under the Big Birch

Life, love, and laughter
overflow from your heart,
and gladden your home
with joy in every part.

This reminds me of the saying: "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!"
What is in our hearts will come out of our mouth. "...the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart..."
We as moms can set the tone in our homes.
Yes, I will admit that I have had days that I have been bothered by something that has nothing to do with my kids, and yet I've found myself 'barking' at them. Only to hear them, later that same day, use the same tone of voice with their siblings.
God always uses that to bring me to a change of heart and bring whatever is bothering me to Him.
Redeem the day , Lord.
"may the words of my mouth...be pleasing"
May my home be a place of warmth, full of love, laughter and joy!

...continuing Psalm 145:14-21

"The Lord upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and loving toward all he has made.
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever."

Reed Warbler in Song, Spring UK

May these words bless your soul today!
Have a blessed Sunday!

Jul. 6, 2008

Encouraging Sunday #11

Florida Jetty

A mother's love looks beyond the horizon of today
and sees the possibilities of tomorrow.

Quite honestly, this is actually often hard to do. When you're up to your elbows in runny noses, diapers and trying to settle a sibling conflict, the last thing you're thinking of, is 'tomorrow's possibilities'!
(Unless you're possibly considering a vacation!)
However, it is really important to remember that what we as moms are doing today, will impact the future.
Whenever I encounter a problem in our homeschooling, I always remind myself to look at the big picture.
If they're not getting a concept right now, it's OK, as long as they get it by the time they're 20!

Be encouraged in your mothering today!

Psalm 145:8-13

"The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.

All you have made will praise you, O Lord;
your saints will extol you.
They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,
so that all men may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
The Lord is faithful to all his promises
and loving toward all he has made."

Rainbow Over Loch Linnhe Western Highlands with Red Deer, Scotland

Jun. 8, 2008

Encouraging Sunday #10

Mother is the sweetest word that one could ever say:
It speaks of love and tenderness,
and quiet beauty day by day.

I have had a good weekend, it was great to meet Canadagirl, but I will blog about it later this week as I'm still processing all the information that I've taken in over the last couple of days at the conference.

Have a lovely Sunday!

Jun. 1, 2008

Encouraging Sunday #9

Breezy Point

The crown of the house is godliness.
The beauty of the house is order.
The glory of the house is hospitality.
The blessing of the house is contentment.

I like this quote. I'm not sure who wrote it. I hope that all of these things are in my home, although honestly I'll admit that they are not always present.
However they give me a goal;
godliness in how we react to things,
order, well I think you would agree that a certain amount of organization helps things run smoothly,
hospitality, we're commanded to do that, and what a blessing when it happens,
and contentment hopefully would follow if the others are in place, happy contented children, fed and cared for, sharing in God's love.

May you be blessed today in your mothering and maybe one of these qualities will inspire you.

ps. I'd sure like to be sitting on that chair...a glass of cold lemonade nearby, a good book, watching my children play in the sand...maybe Hubby is grilling salmon on the BBQ...now I have a craving!

May. 11, 2008

Encouraging Sunday #8: Happy Mother's Day

Mother is the sweetest word
that one could ever say:
It speaks of love and tenderness,
and quiet beauty
day by day.

Art and Literature

"It is upon the mothers of the present
that the future of the world depends,
in even a greater degree than upon the fathers,
because it is the mothers
who have sole direction of the children's early,
most impressible years.
This is why we hear so frequently
of great men who have had good mothers
-that is, mothers who brought up their children themselves,
and did not make over their gravest duty to indifferent persons."
Charlotte Mason Home Education

Mothering is a 'high calling', valued and treasured by God. He sees the unseen sacrifice of devoting your life to your family.
I hope you're able to spend your day surrounded with those who appreciate and love you.
God Loves You Too!

"He will feed his flock like a shepherd.
He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart.
He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young"
Isaiah 40:11

Ewe and Twin Lambs on Sheep Farm, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand

Have a Blessed Mother's Day!

May. 4, 2008

Encouraging Sunday #7

Children of the heavenly King,
As we journey let us sing;
Sing our Savior's worthy praise,
Glorious in His works and ways.
John Cennick

Praise the Lord today, for something He has done in your life.
Have a wonderful Sunday!

Apr. 27, 2008

Encouraging Sunday #6

Maggie and Her Mother

Life is made up ,
not of great sacrifices or duties,
But of little things,
in which
Smiles and Kindness
and small obligations,
given habitually,
are what win and preserve
The Heart.
Sir Humphrey Day

Wishing you a blessed Sunday!

Apr. 20, 2008

Encouraging Sunday #5

Mother's Love

There is no higher height to which
humanity can attain
than that occupied by a devoted,
heaven-inspired,
praying mother.

Have a Blessed Sunday!

Feb. 4, 2008

Encouraging Sunday #4

Um...(I realize that you shouldn't start out with "Um")OK, I know I'm a day late, but I was just not around the computer yesterday. We spent the afternoon wandering (and dreaming) around an RV show. We've always been 'tent-ers', but with each kid, a little more of home's conveniences has become appealing. It's our dream to one day do a big road trip, when all of the kids are old enough to appreciate it.

Then I had to watch Miss Austen Regrets on Masterpiece Theater last night. It was really good. I felt so sad for her. I'm not sure how much of it was true, but I knew there was one romantic endeavor that didn't turn out. And her sister didn't burn all of Jane's letters, because what we do know of her comes form letters she'd written. Anyhow, the actress (Olivia 'something-or-other', who played "Jane Fairfax" in Emma) did a wonderful job.

So here is ~~yesterday's~~ today's quote:

Thou shalt everjoy at eventide

if you spend the day fruitfully.
Thomas a Kempis

So true! I know I always feel better about putting my feet up at the end of the day, when I've got something done. Although as a Mom, it's very easy to spend all day running around and yet not know what you did at the end of it!! Just remember that curling up to read a story to your little one is just as important, if not more so, than scrubbing your bathtub!! (That's my quote!)
Have a blessed day!