Peace- How Perfect?

Have you mothers out there noticed that we frequently do not get enough sleep?  I seem to be doing “just one more thing” before I fall into bed every evening, although we retire to bed MUCH earlier than any of our friends.  But many nights, I do not get a good night’s sleep.  Last week, Kimba vomited in his bed, so I moved him into ours as I stripped the sheets and threw them into the washer, praying a word of thanks that I DID stay up 15 minutes longer to fold the clothes in the dryer, & throw the wet clothes in the dryer from the washer. And so my LORD provided an empty washing machine into which I could throw those foul smelling sheets.  Papa was out of town for training for his job, so I was on my own.  When I finished spraying Lysol on Kimba's bed, I scooted into our bedroom just in time to hear more gurgling and another round of upchucking in MY bed…YUK.  So I put Kimba  on the couch (with two thick towels under his upper body-flinally getting wise), and stripped my bed, threw the mess into the washer, poured in the Tide, flipped the switch, and hurried back to our bedroom to spray the bed, wipe it down, and put fresh sheets on it. 
 

Do I have to tell you that when I laid down beside my sick boy a few minutes later, I was praying for strength, patience, and peace?  I often ask the Father to grant me physical energy to get through the next day, and for HIM to somehow multiply my rest during the night.  And He always sustains me!   Even in the past, when I have had to work a 12 hour shift at night, and I didn't get a minute’s nap the day before, He gives me strength to make it through. 

Sometimes other factors drain my energy, such as the tribulations of daily living that the apostle John spoke of in John 16:33 (my devotional reading for today).   “These things I have spoken unto you, that IN ME you might have Peace.  In the world you will have Tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have Overcome the world.”   I love the Words of Jesus Christ.  They truly are alive and powerful today!  I often pray for perfect Peace, the kind that is inexplicable.  The kind that comes in the midst of vomiting and flat tires, burnt dinner and pre-cancerous skin patches.  Jesus gives us His Perfect peace.  No other kind of Peace is even worth pursuing.  Remember, He is the Prince of Peace!  We are Overcomers when we bring Jesus into our hearts and Lives.  All we have to do is Believe in HIM, and Trust HIM as our LORD and Savior!    My prayer today is that the Lord Jesus Christ will give me His Peace, and fill me with His all-sustaining rest!

The peaceful waters at Nimmo, Arkansas

All Abloom at Blue Willow

In the garden of Blue Willow Cottage lies a rich harvest of creativity.

Our gentle riot of flowers and herbs yield charming watercolor-like dishes and sumptuous potpourris for later in the year. 

Our Garden is the very center of the wheel of our summer life!.  We love mixing flowers, herbs, and vegetables together in the garden.  Some flowers are meant for fresh bouquets, others are destined to be dried for wreaths, gift embellishing, or for potpourri.

 

 

 I love to research ancient lore and symbolism behind each plant and herb we choose to plant.  

We have little pocket gardens along the rocky ledge in the alley at the side of our cottage home. 

Serving Colorful meals using things grown

in my own backyard

makes me happy.

We enjoy creating new omelets recipes, casseroles, and flavorful meals using our harvest from the garden.

Gentle Reminders

"We must become tenderheartedly merciful, kind, humble, gentle, and patient...

"We must allow for other's faults,  and forgive anyone who offends us

(whether they ask for it or not) as God has forgiven each of us..." 

 

"We must love for love binds us all together..."

 "We must let the peace that comes from Christ rule our Lives..."



"We must Remember that GOD is Forever, and
We must be Thankful!"

From the Bible

 

What a mighty God we Serve!

Gentle Reminders from Colossians 3:12-15

Boys, Boys, Boys & NO Videogame Weekend Challenge



Friday evening was easy, because we spent the evening
at the local Swimming pool, then cooked out and bedtime

 



Saturday Morning brought pleas for gaming,
which I dislike intensely.
I challenged them to find other activities

They put together puzzles, helped me bake a chocolate cake,
Set a beautiful Table for Dinner, Wrote encouraging notes to
some folks who needed to receive such, and
made Warm Fuzzy Jars for themselves.
 




The hours flew by and we had a marvelous time.
We listened to "Lamplighter Theatre" (Teddy's Button Story)
and cut flowers, making an arrangement. 
I know some of these activities were "girly"
but they really seemed to enjoy them,
 

When their parents arrived to take them home,

I thought we might hear some complaints,

but they exclaimed that they had a Blast!

Success!



Psalm 16:5

 "Oh Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup,
You maintain my lot."



Some big changes are coming in our future... Prayerfully petitioning God for strength and help for the Journey... More to come...

Debts Forgiven!

Did you know....

that in God's heavenly bank, there is a receipt with your name on it that says,

"Your debt has been paid in full?"

The signatory is Jesus Christ.

If this is interesting to you,

you will find what you are to do to accept your receipt

in the New Testament in Acts 2:37-38.

“A torn jacket is soon mended; but harsh words bruise the heart of a child.”–Longfellow

  Kimba & I were in the grocery store for our Weekly Trip.  I have been teaching him the value of double coupons, which was a stretch for him on this day, and a challenge for my patience muscles, as well!  One of my resolutions this past New Year’s was to use a calm, quiet voice no matter what was occurring (externally with him, &/or internally with me).  We were searching for a particular type of meat that I rarely buy, but wanted to buy today because it would cost me nearly nothing with the double coupon and the manufacturer’s coupon on top of that. 

      Suddenly, a whirlwind of a little boy swooshed by our cart.  Then we heard it… that shrill, loud sound of an angry woman, feet pounding toward us as she shouted  horrible words at the child.  I literally wanted to put my hands over Kimba's ears.  He was standing there with his mouth wide open, eyes staring at the woman as she quickly and angrily grasped the child’s arm and pulled him roughly toward the front of the store.  My boy's unbelieving eyes followed them all the way down the grocery aisle, and then he turned toward me with the most bewildered look on his little face.

 That’s when he said them... the words that broke my heart.

“That’s not his Mommy.  We should try to find her for him, he needs her.” 

 I had to turn my head, my eyes were misting.  I wished his words were true, but I was  pretty certain that she was his Mother.  I vowed to myself then and there to pray longer and more seriously about asking the LORD to help me with my own tongue, not only with the words I use, but with my tone of voice, and my facial expressions.  I made a mental note to search for and memorize a few more scriptures to mentally recite when I am at the end of my rope with exhaustion, frustration, and spent energy in mothering. 

 “Let no unwholesome word proceed out of your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.”  (Ephesians 4:29).

 “And there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather the giving of thanks.” (Ephesians 5:4)

My Prayer:

My LORD and GOD,

May every word I speak glorify YOU, and edify others.  Help me to say only things that are true, wholesome, kind, necessary, and honorable. And may someone reach the mother and little boy in the store for Christ.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen