To Build or To Tear?

“The wise woman builds her house,
But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.”
Proverbs 14:1

Today you and I have the choice to make efforts to build our homes or tear them down. I don’t know about you, but it is a scary thought that we have the ability to tear our house apart!

We can build up with words - gentle answers, kindness, listening before we speak. Or we can tear down with words - harsh answers, anger, impatience as we deal with situations.

We can build with our actions - praising good deeds, respecting projects and time, making efforts to do fun things together. Or we can tear down - ignoring good deeds to harp on the bad, demanding projects be cleaned because they’re inconvenient or cutting someone’s time short because you’re done, calling it quits at 3pm because you’re too tired for fun.

I could go on, but I’m confident you can recognize things in your own life and household. The Holy Spirit is wonderful at nudging us when we need Him to. Just this afternoon, my oldest asked if he could use my pillows, blankets, etc. to make a path in my room for quiet time. This happens nearly every day…and it is not something I love! But it’s not hurting anything, so I reluctantly said yes again. He can help clean it up in an hour and it’s a simple way to build him up rather than tearing him down by picking a silly fight.

Find ways to build your home today, and recognize the choices that could tear it down. If you mess up, apologize and seek the forgiveness of your kiddos and/or husband. Then move on, and keep growing!

God is faithful, and He will surely give you eyes to see what you need to. :)

Multipurpose Rooms || Friday Magnify

“Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.”
Psalm 34:3

I was looking through photos from one year, two years, and three years ago (phones are so handy) and amidst my trip down memory lane, I noticed how many looks our rooms have had. While I love to rearrange furniture for the fun of it, many times rooms have shifted due to needs that arise.

This room above has been a play room, a guest room, an office, a school room… and each adjustment has been so fun. The sun has shone through on the floors; it has hit across a bedspread; it has caused a glare on the computer screen.

Every other room in our home has looked different at one time or another, and I love the functionality. Sometimes we think we need a bigger house or more rooms in order to accomplish something, but oftentimes we have what we need already. God is so good to provide for us, even if it’s simply with more creativity.

This Friday, I’m thankful for the ebbs and flows our home has seen. I’m thankful for how the Lord has brought the seasons and changes, and the beauty in all of it!

A Quick Encouragement

Hey Mama -

In case you’re needing encouragement today:

Training up your littles (and bigs) is a worthwhile, good calling.

Taking the time to teach them, to play with them, to go places together - it’s worthwhile.

Your children have been put in your family on purpose, and God has given and will continue to give you and your husband everything needed to do the job of raising them.

It’s okay if your family structure doesn’t look like everyone else’s. It’s okay if your routines are different, or if you have to say no to outside things more often than you’d like.

Time often brings the gift of maturity. We have plans and routines that start one way and either morph or end. If your utmost focus is to shape your family life around what God teaches through Scripture, you’re doing well.

Keep on keeping on, doing the faithful work that the Lord has given you. It is good, and it is pleasing to Him!

Wonder in the Process || Friday Magnify

 “Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.”
Psalm 34:3

“Caleb, just take two and put them in your jar,” I hurried my littlest along.

“Noooo Mommy, I don’t want that color! I want THIS one!” he pushed his hand farther into the sea of pompoms.

I sighed. Why not just take two random ones? They were going to be dumped back into the master jar soon enough.

We have a reward system using pompoms, and once the kids earn a specific amount of them they can cash them in for a reward. Works great, and sometimes I’d like to make it a little more efficient. Yanno, like speed up the pompom gathering so it doesn’t take ten minutes.

But, it’s a funny little thing and something I can be thankful for. This whole experience is fun and special for my kids, and part of their joy is being able to pick favorite-colored pompoms.

So, instead of hurrying them along and wishing I had a jar of matching pompoms… I am learning to encourage the wonder. I’m learning to see the wonder in other parts of our day, whether through the eyes of my children or in the things only I will experience. The putting together of puzzles, watching as the picture comes together in their minds; the rising of sourdough starter, seeing all the air pockets form; even washing eggs from a neighbor, admiring the color variations as they are cleaned off. There is built-in wonder in everyday processes!

What are some things you marvel at? :)