5 Minute Friday: Present

It is that time again....to write for 5 minutes flat....no editing...writing from the heart and sharing with others.  It is part of Gypsy Momma blog.  Today's topic:  Present.  

Starting... Now....

Each day seems to pass quickly.  One right on top of each other.   After all, it is already July!  One trip into Hobby Lobby and you would think December is next month.  In the back of my mind, I know it will be here soon enough.  These months pass all too fast and quickly turn into years.

I look at my kids and realize that my time with them is limited.  Soon, I will be another mom with empty nest syndrome.  :(  But, right now, I have to make an effort to be present.  Not just in the same room, but to be involved and in-touch with my children.  So, that even when they venture out and leave, we will have a deep connection.  And wonderful memories to look back upon.

I need to lead by example how much God is present in every aspect of our lives.  How much I rely daily on His strength.  How God is always present and we must live our lives as if this is true.  God is not just a part of our lives on Sundays and Wednesday, but He is in our lives at all times.  The world would be a better place if we all lived like this. 

STOP

Mother's Prayer 

Lord, give me strength just for today
To lead my children in your way;
Oh, give me wisdom, Lord, and grace
To show to them your precious face!

And help me, Lord, to teach them, too,
The things of Christ so rich and true,
Just let them see in me, dear Lord,
Your holiness in life and word.

by  Unknown

Babies into Teens

Seasoned parents, remember those days when your children were small?  They would look up to you as if you knew everything.  Holding out their hands ready for you to hold.  Wet kisses with slobber left on your cheek.  Smiles that are meant for Mommy and Daddy only.  The giggles and laughter of toddlers filling up your home with love.

Those are wonderful memories.  It seems like so long ago.  Well, considering I have one going into high school... maybe it was so long ago!  Through the years, our relationships change with our children.  We are no longer the "all knowing" parents.  We some how become ancient and kinda dumb as our children transform into teenagers.  How many times has my son told us, "that's the way you did back then.  It's not that way now..."  ??

"Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him."   Proverbs 22:15

I do try to give my kids some space.  They are in a stage where even giving hugs or a kiss on the cheek is torture.  Not a fun stage when you are a hug-y kinda mom.  (very glad my daughter is not there yet!!)  Would I like a hug without them making a big deal or acting like I am taking them to the death chamber?  Of course!  I just don't see it happening now.  :(

Teenagers can drive you mad.  By now, they know which buttons to push.  They have their own sense of humor, which often enough, include parents now.  Yeah, they laugh at us now which depending on my own mood, is how that goes over! LOL  Some days they are luckily enough to have me laughing with them.  Some days they get the look because they better not push it too far.  Hey, just being honest here! :D

"Fathers, do not provoke your children 
to anger, but bring them up in the
discipline and instruction of the Lord." 
 Ephesians 6:4

 I grew up in a house with a lot of yelling.  Once my brother hit a teenager in high school, there was plenty of yelling.  About his clothes, his attitude, his friends, his room.  Even though the yelling was not directed at me, it was still there and affected everything.  I don't want my home to be like that.  You shouldn't want it either.  It is not the home life anyone should grow up in.  Yes, we are human and we all lose it once in a while.  It should not be part of daily life.

Teens are a cycle in life.  We all go through it.  What's worse is our beautiful little 6 lb. babies grow into these aliens for a few years. With God's help and guidance along the way, we will make it. Yes, we might have to bite our tongue daily.  Control our temper, after all they know how to push it.  They are worth it.  We are molding our children right now.  As they watch us and see how we handle conflicts, they are learning their own behaviors.  They are learning what is acceptable behaviors. 

Remember, even as our children may grow taller than us....little eyes are still looking up to us.

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old

 he will not depart from it."  Proverbs 22:6

Singing Praises!

"I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;  before the gods I sing

 your praise;   I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your

 name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness..."  Psalm 138:1-2

I have been feeling very thankful lately.  That is not a bad thing.  It is a great mindset that can improve your day instantly.  :)  I have been looking back over the past year and seeing how much God has blessed us and I am humbled.  God is SO good.  We just need to take a moment and acknowledge it.  Sing His praises because He is worthy!

I look at my kids and feel so much love and purpose.  Are they perfect?  uhh...no!  But, none of us are.  I feel so blessed that God has given me these children to care for and protect.  What an honor to be a Mother.  So many women long for that, and I have three. I don't take that for granted.  He protected me and my children through my difficult pregnancies.   With God's help every step of the way, I have two boys bigger than I and a daughter heading to middle school.


Last year, we were house looking.  Which after they year before of renting and moving a couple times, sounded wonderful!  A home.  But, the house looking part...not as much fun.  If you've done that recently, then you know how frustrating that can be.  We were looking for a foreclosure, trying to save some money.  We found a wonderful real estate agent and she took us to house after house.  We even bid on several.  Nothing ever came through.  The foreclosure market can drive you crazy.  

Then, we looked at this home in June.  The owner was in her 80's and was there while we looked at the house.  It was like walking back in time, welcome to the 70's show!  Nothing in the house was updated, but it felt like home.  We looked at it on a Friday, bid on it on Sunday, and she signed the papers on Monday.  We moved in August of last year.  Amazing how God works!  I know looking back, that God was making us wait for this home.  I don't take it for granted.  Yes, this old house needs some attention, but it is a work of love.  God blessed us with more than we expected!

The family and friends that have helped along the way.  My brother-in-law has spent a lot of hours here helping with the electrical.   My mom helped me go through all the rooms full of stuff and get the bedrooms painted while the kids were at camp.  Even my friend's dad, Joey, helped me with the tile in the kitchen.  We had some 5 gallon buckets of paint given to us from friends.  And even some ceiling fans given to us for bedrooms.  Recently, we had friends bring an auger to dig holes for a wood fence and another friend take a day off work to help us get them set.  What a blessing!  God has used so many people to bless us this year.  How could I not feel thankful?

There was a year or two where God was sharpening me, molding me, making me stronger.  I was stripped down to the basics of what is important:  God and my family.  Those times are necessary but not much fun to go through.  I feel so blessed.  Family.  Friends. Home. And now, a reliable car!  God is SO good!!