Psalm 127:3-5  Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

It has been said that the only constant in life is change. Nothing proves that truer than witnessing our children grow. As I observe my younger children mature and change,the most recent and noticeable transformation has been their ability to cooperate with each other. Once only able to parallel play, all three have recently participated together in creative play, role playing  and, dare I say, 3 player video games!

Between sickness and snow days, we have all been together more than usual in recent weeks. The cold weather has delayed or cancelled school on numerous occasions, and the weatherman says to expect more of the same next week. As a stay at home mom, snow days are sometimes a challenge. I don't think I am alone in this. The kids are used to the structure of the public school day. I am accustomed to doing my own thing, whenever and wherever. (Yes, that is a perk of this job!) I normally do not require the black and white striped shirt and whistle, but days off school and weekends often deem it necessary; until lately, that is.

These past several days of togetherness have been nothing short of pleasant. The children have abandoned the video games for legos, rubber band bracelets and playing in the snow. We even played a board game and did some crafting! My heart is singing a new song of peace. The chaos that once consumed any room where the 3 of them were present has been replaced with creativity and cooperation. I credit some of these new behaviors to maturity, but mostly to my prayers. I have been praying for God to change my heart; to give me a grateful heart. I have been praying more for my kids as well. God has blessed me with this delightful family, and my prayer has been to embrace, and not to complain; to love and cherish all the little moments. This season is so short. I pray for more days like these in weeks to come. I am grateful to God for answered prayer. And I pray that when we do have those chaotic days occasionally, that I remember to be grateful and to praise Him through it!

  This is an article I wrote for my MOPS, Mothers of Preschoolers, group at my church.While it is addressed to my fellow MOPS moms, the message is pertinent to anyone who allows society to dictate the meaning of success.

I’ve spent the better part of 25 years beating myself up. How on earth could I drop out of college? How could I have shattered the dreams that everyone had for me. Was I crazy for wanting to be just a mother?  “You mean you want to just stay home and be a mom?” “You will never be able to give your children what they need without a career!” Yes, the American dream crashed and burned. Once a shining star with such promise, I was suddenly a second class citizen. What was wrong with me? These statements and questions replayed in my head until they began to define me. These are the lies that held me back , that kept me from reaching into myself and discovering my God given treasures. The world and its voices paralyzed me for years.

                I’ve come to believe, through the God who made me, the Spirit who lives in me and the Savior who sought me, that I am so much more. I am successful and worthy in the only eyes that matter; the eyes of my Redeemer. My desire to be a great mom brought me here to MOPS and  my  love for the group kept me here. When the need for a leader presented itself, I searched myself for qualification.  I doubted that I was a good candidate. But the still small voice within me continued to remind me that I was already leading every day, in my household. God has provided me with skills in communication, cooperation, leading and loving so that I can raise my children to be good and faithful servants. His love has allowed me to heal from my mistakes over the years by his forgiveness of my sins. I have found a home in MOPS that I so desperately needed. I have found a family of amazing women who experience the same shortcomings and stresses, as well as the elation and excitement that is motherhood! MOPS has helped me to realize how important it is to use God’s Word to guide my way through the challenge of raising my kids. I only wish I had found a group 20 years ago, when I needed It even more!

To learn more about MOPS International and to find a group in your area, go to www.mops.org 

Each January, we see a recurring theme: New Beginnings. We vow to improve the areas in our lives where we fell short last year. As moms, we will work on being more patient and developing a more gentle approach with our children. We plan to be more dependable as friends, sisters, wives or spouses. Out with the old selfish demeanor, and in with a renewed disposition of servitude and love. We seek to break old habits and develop new, healthier ones. We reflect on mistakes we’ve made and promise to avoid them in the future. As we reflect on our blessings, we assure ourselves we will be more grateful in the New Year. A new beginning, a broad horizon, and a clean slate all await us.

As Christians, we have the promise of a new beginning every day. Certainly we have regrets and weaknesses, bad habits and bad attitudes. But the One who promises peace cleanses us each moment we reach out in repentance and humility. …but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 We need not wait for the New Year for in Christ, we are already a new creation. Let us allow him to revitalize and renew our body, mind, and spirit every day. Thanks be to God for this wonderful reality. May our words and actions exhibit our new birth in Christ every day, as we seek to glorify Him.

As I step out of my comfort zone and trade my pen and paper for a keyboard and screen, I am both nervous and liberated. What better day to embark on a new journey than my 48th birthday?! This date brings forth different emotions as the years pass. My feelings have evolved from celebrating landmarks like 18, 21 and 25, to proclaiming what I have yet to acquire and what successes are to come. Each year I become more aware of how short my time on this earth really is. As health issues become more numerous among my peers, I am reminded of my own mortality. I don't fear death. What I do fear is the failure to show my children the importance of dreaming, setting goals, taking leaps of faith and living every day to it's fullest. I have wasted far too many minutes, hours and days. I am on a mission to make up for lost time. Thank you for journeying with me as I share snapshots of my life and realize a dream.