Then Sings My Soul Saturday - Forgiven by Sanctus Real

Today I discovered Then Sings My Soul Saturday via Casey's blog, and I knew I had to participate! Music has been a huge part of my Christian walk. The first time I was convinced that I needed Jesus was almost seven years ago I was in a youth service singing "I Will Overcome" by Charlie Hall. I remember breaking down under the weight of my pain and believing that Jesus could truly make me whole. From that point on, God has spoken to my heart through the gift of music.

Most recently, I have been ministered to by the song "Forgiven" by Sanctus Real. The bridge has been especially encouraging in relation to my recent struggles with self worth.

"When I don't fit in
And I don't feel like I belong anywhere
When I don't measure up to much in this life
Oh, I'm a treasure in the arms of Christ..."



See more Then Sings My Soul entries at Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

Desiring God's Praise and Glorifying Him with Our Lives

One year ago, I wrote a letter of resignation and quit my job so I could stay at home with my son. I had been on maternity leave for ten weeks and could not bear the thought of returning to work. We learned that I would be able to stay home just two weeks before I was supposed to start working again. The past thirteen months have been the most rewarding of my life, and I have never felt regret about deciding not to work. I realize how incredibly blessed I am to be able to be at home.

Lately, however, I have really struggled with the value of what I do. I have battled with the messages that this world feeds us about what equates worth. I have imagined that friends and family look down on me for the choices I have made. I have felt unimportant and unappreciated. Joy has eluded me as I let lies take root in my mind. I have questioned whether or not this will even matter to Eli when he is adult, if it matters at all.

The answer is yes, it does matter. More than I will ever know.

I recently joined a women's Bible study at church. We are going through the Gospel of John. I joined in the middle of the study, but I think the timing was divine. Last week we studied John 12. I read John 12:42-43 about leaders in the Jewish community who believed in Jesus but would not proclaim their belief because of the Pharisees. Verse 43, when read through the lens of my own life, hit me hard. It says, "...for they loved praise from men more than praise from God."

By whom do I desire to be praised?

My frustration is rooted in my own selfish desires to be praised by the world. I have let myself believe that if I am not being exalted by the standards of this world, then I am not doing anything of worth. That thinking is sadly deluded. As the wonderful women in my Bible study reminded me, the work we do as mothers is so much greater than the things of this world. Our work is eternal and it matters to God. His is the only praise we should desire.

As I have read and prayed further about this issue, I have come to realize something else. The only praise I should seek is that of God, but above that I should desire to bring Him glory through my life. I recently began the first non-fiction book from my book list, Don't Waste You Life by John Piper. I am only a few chapters into it, but I have already gleaned much wisdom from Piper's words. The following passages are some that I felt fit in perfectly with the passage from John that spoke to me so deeply:

"God created me - and you - to live with a single, all embracing, all transforming passion - namely a passion to glorify God by enjoying and displaying his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life." (p.31)

"God calls us to pray and think and dream and plan and work not to be made much of, but to make much of him in every part of our lives." (p.37)

My greatest desire should not be to be made much of (and certainly not be the world's standards) but to make much of my Creator in everything I do. My goal should be to glorify Him through my life. My joy is to be found in this single passion.

Mothers, if you find yourself feeling like what you do doesn't matter or that no one appreciates it, please take heart. Believe me when I say that it does matter. Better yet, don't worry about what I or any other person has to say, and believe God when He says how much it matters to Him. Work diligently and joyfully and passionately, desiring with your whole heart to glorify God in all that you do. The rewards are far more spectacular than anything the world could ever offer.

2010 Reading List

One of my "resolutions" (ugh...yuck to that word) for this year is to read more. I love reading and learning, and I want to start feeding my mind regularly. Over the past few weeks I have been compiling a list of novels, theological/spiritual works, natural living guides and books to encourage me as a wife and mother. This is what I hope to read in 2010:

Fiction

Redeeming Love - Francine Rivers (I am aware that I am probably the only Christian woman in the world that has never read this book).

The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger

The Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver

Dear John - Nicholas Sparks

Beverly Lewis books...I plan to finish her "Heritage of Lancaster County" series.

Non-fiction (covering many topics)

Don't Waste Your Life - John Piper

Total Church: A Radical Reshaping Around Gospel and Community - Tim Chester and Steve Timmis

Practical Theology for Women: How Knowing God Makes a Difference in Our Daily Lives - Wendy Horger Alsup

From Clutter to Clarity: Simplifying Life from the Inside Out - Nancy Twigg

Sacred Influence: How God Uses Wives to Shape the Souls of their Husbands - Gary L. Thomas

In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto - Michael Pollan

Shopping for Time: How to Do It All and NOT Be Overwhelmed - Carolyn Mahaney

Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother - Carolyn Mahaney

Passionate Housewives Desperate for God - Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald

Don't Make Me Count to Three: A Mom's Look at Heart Oriented Discipline - Ginger Plowman

Radical Womanhood: Feminine Faith in a Feminist World - Carolyn McCulley

The Ministry of Motherhood: Following Christ's Example in Reaching the Hearts of Our Children - Sally Clarkson

Heaven at Home: Establishing and Enjoying a Peaceful Home - Ginger Plowman

Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy - Nancy Leigh DeMoss

The Backyard Homestead - ed. Carleen Madigan

A Return to Modesty: Discovering the Lost Virtue - Wendy Shalit

What the Bible Says About Healthy Living: Three Biblical Principles that Will Change Your Diet and Improve Your Health - Rex Russell

The Great Physician's Rx for Health and Wellness - Jordan Rubin

Animal, Vegetable, Mineral - Barbara Kingsolver

All New Square Foot Gardening: Grow More in Less Space! - Mel Bartholemew

Shepherding a Child's Heart - Tedd Tripp

Get Out of That Pit: Straight Talk About God's Deliverance - Beth Moore

The Mission Minded Family: Releasing Your Family to God's Destiny - Ann Dunagan

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth - Ina May Gaskin (no, I am not pregnant ;)



Wow. Maybe I should call this my 2010-2012 reading list! I will do my best to read as many of these as possible. I hope that making this list will help keep me accountable. I am going to create a space on my sidebar to let you know what I am currently reading.

Oh, I should also point out that many of my non-fiction choices were ripped from the reading lists of other bloggers. What can I say? I want to read books that women I admire have also read.

Well, I suppose I should get to the library!

Learning the Art of Couponing

I've never been much of a coupon clipper or deal hunter. Instead, I just stress over constantly going over my grocery budget. Well, that just isn't going to work for me anymore! Thanks to the abundance of money saving blogs out there and testimonials from personal friends, I can no longer deny that couponing WORKS. It might take a little more effort, but if it means that I could save as much as 70% on my grocery bill I will take it!

Here is my plan:

1. Clip, clip, clip! I'm going to clip and file coupons like a mad woman.
2. Every Wednesday I will check the ads for local grocery stores.
3. After I check the ads, I will compare my coupons AND head over to Frugal Fritzie to see the deals she finds. I am SO glad I discovered this blog via The Frugal Map. She covers both of the grocery stores where I plan to shop (trying to give up Wal-Mart as much as possible). If you haven't already, check out The Frugal Map to locate a deal finder in your area.
4. Shop with CASH. We're getting a little bit Dave Ramsey around here, folks. Again, we've seen it work too often to deny it anymore.

So why I am doing this? Because I have dreams for my family. Big dreams. I also have debt that is preventing those dreams from becoming a reality, and if reducing my grocery bill will free up funds to reduce that debt then I am on board.

Tomorrow is my first deal-seeking Wednesday and Friday marks the beginning of a brand new budget. Here I go...wish me luck!

Consistent Blogging = Epic Fail

Sometime in the past two weeks I found myself very busy with several projects started and in the works. As someone who hasn't felt the adrenaline rush of busyness in over a year I felt a little overwhelmed by everything that was suddenly happening. As a result of my new found busyness, my lofty blogging plans have fallen by the wayside. However, in an effort to organize my life, I am making a commitment to blog 2-3 times a week. That is doable for me at this stage.

My sporadic blogging is not for lack of material. I joked with my friend Kelly that I have so many ideas floating around that I would probably have 6 months worth of blog posts in queue if I ever got the chance to just sit down and write.

Hopefully after this weekend I will have some things around my home in order and a schedule in mind so I can fully into the swing of blogging next week!

A Young Mother's Daybook - January 13th, 2010

I've seen these daybook posts on other blogs and have always enjoyed them. They are simple way to keep me in the blogging groove.

For Today - January 13th, 2010

Outside my window - Melting snow! Sunshine! The bitter cold winter wonderland of last week is saying goodbye (hopefully for a long time!)

I am thinking - of all the things I want to accomplish this year. I am planning a more detailed post on this subject, but among those things are creating a book list for the year, planning my first garden, and establishing a schedule and home organization system.

I am thankful for - the wisdom of my husband, who is able to talk me out of the pit I find myself falling into more often than I care to admit.

From the learning rooms - My sweet boy is actively exploring the world around him and figuring out how things work. It's fun to watch him mimic adults. This past year with him has been the start of an amazing journey.

From the kitchen - chocolaty brownie bites in the oven...mmm :)

I am wearing - jeans, fuzzy socks, pink tee and a gray sweater.

I am going - Nowhere today! (I think)

I am reading - I am about to start Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I think my goal for the year is going to be to read one fiction and one non fiction book a month.

I am hoping - Just hoping. Hope is something that I need to find rest and comfort in every day. Praise God for the hope we have in Jesus, no matter what is happening in our lives.

I am hearing - "Mighty is the Power of the Cross" by Chris Tomlin. I love Pandora!

Around the house - I'm trying to get it nice and clean for my in-laws' visit this weekend. I still need to vacuum and dust the living room today. I am also very proud to say that I made great progress in organizing our back room/my "office"/craft room/storage area this week (it's a room with many purposes!).

One of my favorite things - A clean kitchen!

A few plans for the rest of the week - Not much, which is nice sometimes. We have small group tomorrow night, then I will grocery shop on Friday, and Rob's parents will be here Friday evening.

A photo for today -
My little monkey figured out how to climb into our papasan.

You can find more daybooks at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Well hello!

Eli has decided that playing by himself in his room is better than playing with me, so I decided to take a few minutes and update.

First things first...it is COLD! I've lived in this little corner of Missouri for 5 years, and I don't remember it ever being this cold or having this much snow.

That cute little house across the street is for sale. Won't you be my neighbor?

A couple of days before Christmas we realized that the temperature in our house was dropping steadily. Thankfully it wasn't too cold then because it didn't get fixed until the next day. At first I was really upset about the situation, but then I was rejoicing because God showed His care and faithfulness yet again by providing the funds needed for the repair. I am praying for that care and provision once again, as we discovered this morning that a pipe had partially frozen over night. It is -1 outside right now, and we only have cold water. That's really only a minor inconvenience, and I am thankful that we have water at all and that the pipe didn't burst. It would just be nice if we didn't have to wait until it is above freezing on Monday to have everything in working order again.

I am planning to be back next week with a post about my goals for the new year, the first of which is "Stick to my goals for the new year." I am always so disappointed at the end of the year when I haven't accomplished the things I had hoped to in the previous months. I'm going to work on those goals this weekend, and I hope to share them early next week.

I hope you are staying warm!