Thanksgiving (Challenge and give away)

Sometimes it's hard to be thankful don't you think? Well I know I sometimes struggle to focus on the good and positive things in life. Sometimes even a really special event or time in life can be marred by negatives.

I remember pregnancy being a really hard time for me. I was so very happy to be pregnant but with all the horrible throwing up (every day for the entire pregnancies), and other complications it became hard to focus on the positive 'I'm having a baby' thoughts.

Going through the hard yards of life it can be hard to focus on all the good things in life. Sometimes the negative stuff seems bigger and more consuming.

Recently I was talking to someone who was trying to encourage their child to be more positive. The child was asked to name one thing at the end of each day that he was thankful for.

I've been trying to remember 'Thankful Thursday' every week just to make sure I'm spending time being more thankful but to name one thing everyday is a really good goal for me. It might even be helpful to start a 'thankfulness journal' to name my one thing for each day.

Anyone want to join me on my thankfulness challenge? I bought a beautiful journal and matching pen a few weeks ago that I haven't used yet and I'm prepared to give it away. If you are willing to join the challenge just leave a comment below. I'll pick the winner of my journal on Sunday 12th July at 7pm my time.

Colossians 3:17 (NIV)
"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Blessings and Love

Siblings!

It's school holidays here and my older son gets a little bored being home with little kids every day so my very kind mum has taken the day off work to take our boys out for the day. I'm still working today so I have children here at home but NOT mine! The idea is to give the boys a break from the day care scene and to give me a break from them :)

It has been really nice. You know what I've found the nicest....... no fighting!

Our boys are pretty good kids but they are kids and they fight, lots, about everything. They compete too, which again is normal but kinda annoying at times! 'I got the biggest, No I did'..... 'I was sitting there first'.......'That's my toy, give it back.....' I got here first'......"I won!"
Some days it just seems to go on and on, thankfully it's only minor/petty arguments and for now they just use words! They are only 3 and 7 so I'm sure this can get much worse?!

Siblings have been trying to out-do each other since Bible times. Can you think of any examples? Here's my list:

Cain/Able (Genesis 4)
Esau/Jacob (Genesis 25)
Joseph/his brothers (Genesis 37)
Moses/Aaron (Exodus)
Leah/Rebecca (Genesis 31)
Mary/Martha (Matthew)

You can probably think of others. There is rivalry between siblings in literature, on TV - how about the rivalry between Ray and Robert Barone (you'll know if you're an Everybody Loves Raymond fan!); in sporting circles (Venus and Serena Williams) and maybe even within your own family?

Unfortunately for us as parents, there are no solutions or quick fixes to sibling rivalry, it seems inevitable when, as Psalm 51:5 tells us, 'all men inherited a corrupt sinful nature'.

I know the rivalry in our home can be a test to my patience and some days I don't handle it as well as I should. Encouraging team work within the home, parenting as a team, giving equal attention to each child, not comparing your children and their achievements and avoiding favouritism may be some ways to improve the relationship between your children.

If sibling rivalry is causing lots of problems in your home, maybe check your local bookshop or library for some resources/fresh ideas.

Maybe you, yourself struggle to have a relationship with your siblings. Perhaps family get-togethers are difficult and to be avoided at all costs. Perhaps your parents show favouritism to a sibling (or yourself) creating jealousy. If this is the case you may find this helpful:

* Don't take it personally ( some people do get along better and are drawn to each other more, some family members may live closer or share similar interests etc and are naturally closer)

* Don't intentionally compete with your siblings (don't vie for attention from your parents; nurture what you have with siblings / parents - keep the relationship separate. Don't include your parents in the rivalry)

* Find support elsewhere in life ( yes we look to family for support but sometimes they can not give what we need; find friends or other sources of support so you don't rely on family)

* Accept the situation as it is (as hard as this is, because we all seek approval and acceptance from our parents, you can not make the 'heart changes' within people to recognise they are hurting you and for them to change. Be strong within yourself.)

* Invest in your own family. (if you have children, invest in them and do your best to treat them equally, not making the same mistakes you feel your parents have)

I hope this information can bring some peace to your home life if this area is a struggle.

Blessings and Love

Excuses, Excuses!

Our Mr 7 often lacks confidence and we hear, "I can't do it." Our first response to him always is, "Yes you can!" Hubby and I are always encouraging and talk him through the reasons why he thinks he can't and why we think he can. I must admit we are a little less sympathetic when we ask him to do a chore and he complains that he can't because.....

Some of you know I'm trying to lose weight. I have my good weeks and my bad. I can make up all the excuses under the sun why I 'can't' lose weight..... I'm too busy, I'm just not 'in that space', I don't have time to exercise..... They go on and on trust me!

What kinds of things do you make up excuses for?

I read somewhere just recently that when we make up excuses for why we CAN'T do or achieve something, that we are actually lying to ourselves. I think we do this for two reasons; firstly to justify our poor decisions and secondly because of deeper underlying issues.

As I said, I'm the queen of weight-loss excuses. I can make some of my excuses sound pretty darn good but at the end of the day I am justifying my laziness and poor choices. I CAN lose weight, there is no reason why I can't. I need to be true to my self, take responsibility for my actions and choices and make the necessary changes.

The second reason I mentioned was because of deeper underlying issues. I believe this relates to how we feel about ourselves - the lies we tell ourselves and the lies we listen to. Sometimes I have felt that I don't 'deserve' to lose weight. I know that sounds crazy but it's true..... I believed the thoughts that said I didn't deserve to take the time and make the effort to care for myself better.

Do any of these sound familiar?..... I can't lose weight, I can't stop drinking or smoking, I can't work at my marriage, I can't go back to work, I can't study, I can't handle the pressure of my family situation, I can't get along with my work collegues.......

So looking at the list of things you personally can't do and the reasons why; why not start at the top of the list and change them into CAN DO'S. There is always a way to make our can not's into can do's. It may not be easy, it may take time, it may be plain hard work at times, it may hurt along the way but it CAN be done. We need to find the motivation and will to ignore the lies that tell us we can't, there is always a way.

God has promised that He will make way for us. His ways are not always our ways, but He is there to help! I have to admit that I don't often pray that God will help me overcome my battle with food but I know if I asked, He would help me!

Be patient, keep praying, keep working towards your 'can do' achievement, keep believing that with God you can do anything and one day you will get there and be victorious!

Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."


Blessings and Love




(PS ~ The lovely Tania over at OUTBACK has given me an award for my blog. I have to confess that I was given this award a little while ago and wrote THIS post about it. Thanks heaps Tania, I appreciate your encouragement xox )

Forgiveness from our Children

If you read my blog regularly or have read my book, you'll know that I’m not the worlds most perfect mum, in fact some days I feel like the worst mum out there! Patience is a struggle for me and I tend to let my own frustrations cloud my mood. Some days, actually at least once or twice each day, I lose my cool and get grumpy with the boys, whether it is warranted or not.

I know this isn't the way to handle things and I’m working on it. I know I’m not the only one who is not perfect in this area.

I think though, that when we mess up with our children, we need to be quick to ask them for forgiveness.

If we get cross and yell or say things we shouldn't say, punish too harshly, make errors in judgement or just generally mess up; we need to go (maybe wait for things to cool off a bit first) and apologise to our children and ask for their forgiveness, even telling them that we struggle sometimes and will work harder to maintain our cool is an appropriate conversation to have (make it age appropriate though).

Chatting with friends this week, they shared that if their parents had apologised for past mistakes it would go a long way in healing their fractured relationship.

When we speak about forgiveness we always think about what God did for us and maybe even the need to ask for or grant people forgiveness, but we forget about the children in our lives.

Children need to know that we are not perfect and that we make mistakes like they do. They also need for us to show them how to make things right so they can do the same when they do the wrong thing.

Deuteronomy 4:9 (NIV)
“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”

If you mess up, tell your child and be sorry about it. In my experience, children are more gracious with their forgiving nature than most adults I know!

Blessings and love,

Thankful Thursday ~ Circle of Friends

God has worked in great ways over the past few months. He has brought me into contact with 3 fantastic women who love God and desire to serve Him. I have felt an immediate connection with these gals and I want to thank them and share a little of what they do for God.

Today I am so very thankful that God leads amazing people into my life.

JANET: You've heard me speak of Janet before as she runs the magazine, Footprints, that I've just discovered. Janet works, has a busy family life but makes sure there is time to plan/edit this magazine as she has a heart to encourage other women in their walk with God. Make sure you check out the link to re-read her story.

ROCHELLE: I contacted Rochelle as she owns a publishing company here in Australia and I wanted to see if she was interested in publishing a book by me! As we were talking she shared her passion for Australian Christians struggling to promote their products, talents and ministries, often overlooked because of so much, better known American material available. Rochelle has set up a publishing company and a party plan company at huge risk and expense to her family because of her passion to serve God in this area. I have signed up with Rochelle and have been inspired by her drive and faith in God.

PAULA: I met Paula through Janet and it was Paula who put me in touch with Rochelle - thus the circle of friends! Paula is a self published author from South Australia. She is an amazing talent! I just read my very first fiction novel by Paula and I couldn't put it down; I can't wait for the sequel which will also be in Rochelle's range of products. Paula shares her faith in God through her work. Her blog is inspiring and God focused too.

I am so thankful for my new circle of friends! I'm amazed again at how God works to bring people together. We've been able to encourage one another and spur one another on in our similar gifting and passions.

Thank you too ladies :)

Blessings and Love

What's on my Heart.....

I won't share anything from the Bible today, I want to share what I've been thinking about all week if that's ok?.......

I just want to encourage each of you that you are not alone. What you go through and the problems that come your way each day are nothing new; no matter what, someone out there has walked a similar pathway.

The problem is that most of us walk around appearing to have life 'all together', we put our best faces on while we are out in the world. We usually only update the positive, happy stuff up on our blogs or facebook or twitter and we keep the struggles silent and hidden from public view.

We guard the truth about our lives because we are scared about how people will react to us if we are honest. Sharing honestly and from the heart leaves us in a very vulnerable position and no-one likes the fear of being rejected.

What upsets me the most is that so many of us start to feel very alone in our struggles, like we are the only ones who ever get angry or feel sad or feel like we're failing our families or our God........

There are no easy answers here because I think to realise that we are not alone, we need to be more open ourselves to talk and share what life is really like.

Tuesday nights are Bible study night for me, some weeks we just talk and share but we do pray together too. It is hard to get out and go some weeks but I'm always so glad I made the effort once I'm with the girls! As I talk about my failings and struggles others do too and then we know how to pray for and support each other better AND I come away feeling NORMAL and no longer alone.

My encouragement is to for you to be more open to be brave enough to share a little more of yourself. But if you know you need to talk to someone but don't feel you can be vulnerable yet with a friend, I'm a big advocate for speaking to a professional counsellor.

You are not alone. You are never alone. And don't forget our Heavenly Father who is with us every step of the way.

Blessings and Love,

Loving when you want to YELL!

When someone does something to you that you don't like or when someone close to you stuffs up and makes things tougher for you, what is your initial reaction?

If you're like me you get frustrated, roll your eyes, maybe yell or cry and moan "it's not fair think about me!" and not want to talk to that person for a little while! Ok confess, what do you do?

As hard as it is and despite the enormity of some stuff ups, the better way to handle these times is to take a deep breath and to embrace the person, remind them that we all make mistakes and decide to love them and accept them with their failings.

I was reminded about this when I was chatting with a friend this afternoon. We were talking about how children just have a knack of forgiving and loving unconditionally.

Sometimes after I have growled at my children when they have deserved a kinder word, I am amazed that they still want to cuddle me and love me. When I stuff up, they seem to love me all the more.

I think being able to swallow our own hurts and pride and being able to embrace someone when they have messed up is what true love is all about. Of course some stuff ups are pretty monumental and take so much grace to move forward from. I always admire women who can forgive and take back their husbands who have cheated on them - I would be doing more yelling than loving I must admit.

But isn't God unconditional with His love and affection towards us? Doesn't He choose to love us when our stuff ups are monumental? Doesn't He forgive us again and again......

As hard as it is, sometimes we just need to take a breath and decide that we can love like God loves us. It may take time, but we can choose to move forward.

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. "

Blessings and Love