devotion

The Grace Challenge

by Karol Ladd

Key Scripture: Leviticus 19:16-18

“Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people.
“Do not try to get ahead at the cost of your neighbor’s life, for I am the Lord.
“Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives.
“Confront your neighbors directly so you will not be held guilty for their crimes.
“Never seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”

Mom’s Reflection

With thousands of Israelites trudging together through an unknown wilderness, a plan for civility was essential. The people had a long way to go, and they would never make it to the Promised Land if they turned on one another. So in the Book of Leviticus, God provided laws for dealing with both people and circumstances. As you can see from the brief passage we just quoted, those laws of civility and decency were not always easy ones to follow. Yet if we as mothers were to employ even a few of these laws in our relationships today, we would be so much better for it!

As Christians, of course, we are no longer under the rule of Levitical law; we are under grace, thanks to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for us. As recipients of God’s glorious grace, then, we ought to be showering grace on others in turn. And what does grace toward others look like? I think it looks a lot like today’s passage. Guarding our mouths from gossip, forgiving, not holding grudges—all of these are practical ways we can shed God’s grace on the people around us. Let’s teach our kids, through our words and our example, to reflect on the goodness of God’s wonderful grace and, in turn, to offer that grace to others.

My Prayer

“God of grace and mercy, thank You for pouring Your grace on me through the sacrifice of Your Son. I praise You that through faith in Jesus, I am forgiven. Help me now to forgive others. Guard my mouth from gossip and my heart from grudges. Teach me to be a conduit of Your grace, so that grace flows freely through me to my family members and all the other people in my life. Thank You for Your Word and the direction it gives for living and loving in grace. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”

My Choices

This week I will choose to focus on God’s great love and grace toward me.
This week I will choose to show grace toward others.
This week I will choose to ask God’s help in guarding my heart and mind.
This week I will choose to: ____________________
For Further Reading: Ephesians 4:28-32

Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin and live unto righteousness.
―Westminster Catechism

Lord, give us grace and strength to forbear and to persevere. Give us courage and gaiety and the quiet mind, spare to us our friends, soften to us our enemies.
―Robert Louis Stevenson


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Reprinted from The Power of a Positive Mom Devotional and Journal by Karol Ladd, Howard Publishing Co., Inc., ©2006.

craft letters for the girl's bedroom door

OK, here I am again

Had to post my latest crafty idea

two things to tell you all

I have two things to tell you quickly then I have to get to work.

Today Ezra turned NINE, yep, that's right - 9!!! My eldest just started his first day of being a single digit old. Sigh!!! He's a hoot, I don't know what I'd do without him!

As for my blog - I'm not able to blog so much. I'm really trying to be particular with how I spend my time. So - this will be a kinda farewell. However - I plan to update fun things every once in a while!

Until then, be blessed!

my boy, Isaac

Isaac does seem to have some type of rash still - most likely a mild form of chicken pox. The pediatrician said that he would be contagious until the marks clear up or scab & to keep him home for 7-10 days. He continues to be happy and busy as usual.

the big kids are really getting into the groove with school. Ezra is starting to have an interest in reading - he actually read tonight before bed - The Magic TreeHouse series that he borrowed from his class library. He also brought home a "flutophone" or recorder today. I've heard "Mary Had a Little Lamb" one hundred times today.

Grace has been bringing home many papers in cursive, I keep checking the grade level - she's in first grade!? and less than two weeks into it... I can't remember being introduced to cursive writing until 3rd grade! She is thrilled to be using her cursive skills. She also continue to enjoy piano. She makes up these beautiful melodies and plays them over and over. I believe she has a natural gift, just like her daddy.

Ellie had a developmental eval done last week. She failed the speech section - which I am not surprised. She begins speech therapy next Monday. 30 minutes per week. She is thrilled to go, and calls it "schwool"

That's it for now. Brian is calling me to snuggle and watch tv.

what do you know about chicken pox?

What do you know about the chicken pox vaccine? Isaac had his first booster for it on Thurs. Today he has a lovely rash covering various places - mostly his torso and face. The bumps are all raised - two look like blisters.

I'm wondering if he is contagious. I'm wondering if he has chicken pox. I'm waiting for the pediatrician's office to call me back. I'm keeping him home from church today - we have one child who has an immune issue and gets really sick if exposed to anything - so we are playing it safe. I'm not even sure how chicken pox is transferred, but I remember if being very contagious.

feelin better

HI

a quick update. We're all feeling better. Brian is taking antibiotics still. He also has allergies - so his eyes are itchy!

MOPs is this Sat. I'm excited!

my kids are enjoying school being back in! They seem to be adjusting well.

Life is busy! But GOOD!

Strep!

Brian and I have both been sick for about 5 days - today I went to the dr. I have strep and two ear infections ~ they were so kind to give Brian an antibiotic too.