Think On These Things

Think On These Things

by | Jun 28, 2021 | Anxiety, Coping with Stress, Depression, Devotional Moment, Family, Family Health, Lifestyle, Motherhood, Motivation, Parenting, Prayer, Self Care, Single Parenting

Something I have let slip by me in recent months has been my devotion times. Those moments, whether they be in the morning, afternoon, or late at night, when I can open my Bible or another book that is inspirational to me and bask in some positive thoughts and prayers.

I am happy to say that I have picked up the habit again, and it has been a glorious thing!

One, small scripture has been in my mind for weeks now and I just felt I needed to share with you all my thoughts on this one.

Whether you are a Christian or not… this is for you!

Philippians 4:8

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

In the past several months, I have seen and experienced many changes in life.

Ups and downs.

There were moments of great joys and moments of worry and stress. And sometimes, like many people do, I would lose myself in the lesser moments. The moments of worry, stress, pondering things of the past that are no longer relevant to my life or my family, and I would forget the things I SHOULD be thinking about.

And I have learned and known from experience, those things that we THINK about eventually become the things we SPEAK. Right?!

Which is why this verse is sooooo important!

I can vividly remember a time when my family was going through a struggle, when I was a teenager, and my mom would quote this verse at random, just walking around the house or even driving in the car. I didn’t memorize this verse for Bible drills as a child, or as a memory verse in Sunday School. No, I memorized this verse by hearing my mother quote it for a very, very long time. Almost daily.

When I had moments of frustration my mom would ask me if my thoughts were true, honest, pure, lovely, just, of good report, virtuous or praise-worthy, and I couldn’t tell you how many times I rolled my eyes so far, I’m shocked they never got stuck!

Fast forward to this past year…

I cannot tell you how many times I have caught myself, in moments of frustration with people, circumstances, and other things, thinking, “is this something that is TRUE? Is this HONEST? Is it PURE? Is this VIRTUOUS?… and if not, WHY am I letting it invade my thoughts rent-free?!”

Now let’s talk about my experiences with thought to word…

I went through some dark days several years ago, and they lasted quite some time. My thoughts were not positive. They were not happy. I was angry, bitter, hurt, lonely, and pretty much broken. I let the negative seep into my mind, and it eventually became how I spoke.

My words were not positive. My outlook on life was not positive. And with every negative thought that became words, it came full circle and made me even more miserable.

And then I found PEACE…

I cannot tell you when or where. I just know it happened. And it was a glorious thing!

With peace came the memories I had let myself forget. The times when I would hear my mother speak words of wisdom, peace, joy, love, kindness, and all things encouraging in times of struggle in her own life. How she was able to stand up and stay silent during times when crumbling and giving up during the battle was so tempting! I thought she was just being too nice, but she was building her heart and mind into something amazing!

And she was building it in me as well…

And so, here we are…

We have endured a Pandemic, lock-down, remote learning, remote working, NO working, wearing masks everywhere, not being able to gather as families and groups, and so much more!

People got sick.

People died.

People we know.

I have seen families fall apart.

I have seen people endure mental struggles they would have never otherwise experienced.

I have had to explain to my children why we couldn’t “go and do.”

We have endured struggles because of things beyond our control.

We have endured hardships.

I could go on and on about the things we have “suffered.”

But why???

Because it is so easy to fall victim of the one thing that captures our thoughts and words… the negative.

There’s another verse in the Bible that talks about our words. In Proverbs… “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…”

So, when we THINK the negative, we SPEAK the negative. And the negative kills.

I’m not talking about killing a person. I am talking about killing other things.

Negative kills joy.

It kills laughter.

It kills kindness.

It kills peace.

It kills love.

It kills our praise.

And it kills the spirit…

So let’s put a flip on it for a moment and see how it changes the outlook.

(We had a pandemic, and lock-down.)

I got to spend an entire year with my babies and experience every milestone!

(People got sick with Covid.)

Nobody in my family got ANY other virus all year!

(I didn’t have a job for a while.)

I got to spend all spring and summer in the garden with my grandmother who is 80 years old. We snapped beans, canned pickles, talked about tomatoes, peppers, flowers, and more!

(My children struggled with remote learning.)

My kids got to learn to drive tractors, hike, ride bikes and golf carts, fix broken things, install flooring, appliances, and bathroom things, and learned many family skills!

I got back to my roots!

I picked up books, my Bible, my journal, my notebooks, and my computer and I filled my heart and mind with the things that make me happy, stronger, more peaceful, and my spirit is happy.

Yes, I still have days and nights where I sit and wonder how I am going to do things on my own. I wonder when I will get enough sleep. I wonder how I will manage to spread myself a little thinner for all the things a single mother of five must do on the daily…

But gosh!

Give me something that YOU can relate…

Whatever is TRUE:

Whatever is Honest:

Whatever is Just:

Whatever is Pure:

Whatever is Lovely:

Whatever is of GOOD report:

Is it Virtuous? Is it Praiseworthy?

Fill your mind with these things…

Sweet dreams my friends. Much love to you ALL!!

~B~

When In Doubt, Write: a little personal sharing moment

When In Doubt, Write: a little personal sharing moment

by | Nov 28, 2020 | Coping with Stress, Depression, Family, Motherhood, Motivation, Prayer, Self Care

Sometimes I wonder what I am doing with myself when I open a new Word document to write another blog post.

Do I have anything to say that will help someone today?

Do I have any useful insight to this thing called life?

Am I really making a difference for anyone out there?

I certainly hope so.

Even when I just type a little about my day, or my week, I hope that I am giving a little inspiration to someone who needs it right now.

I don’t want to sugarcoat anything or give a false impression to the world that my life is easy, smooth, or even just a little bumpy.

And lately, things have been rocky.

Very rocky.

I have felt disconnected from friends, family, support, and people I would normally reach out to for advice, encouragement, and prayers.

So, what do I do when I feel this way?

Honestly…

First, I will admit I may sulk a little… Okay, more than a little.

Yep. I mope, sit and stare, go radio silent, give short responses to people who may reach out to me, avoid gatherings, stay home, hide, and just… sulk.

This part may last anywhere from minutes to a day or two.

Then, I get a grip.

I get out my phone or radio, turn on some positive music, sometimes open my computer and start typing, clean something, do laundry, or find someone to connect with just to have a little conversation to distract myself from the negative.

But most of all, I open my Bible.

I read Psalms, Proverbs, grab a random New Testament book, or sometimes my Bible app and surf the “verse of the day” and just… read.

Last night was one of those nights.

I didn’t do any sulking, but I could feel the down trying to come around.

I opened my Bible app on my phone, because I was at work at the time, and I just wanted to share with you all some of the verses of the day that I came across while reading…

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” –Psalms 107:1 NKJV

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” –3 John 1:2 NKJV

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.” –James 5:13 NKJV

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” –Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” –Hebrews 13:8 NKJV

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” –Philippians 4:13 NKJV

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” –Psalms 27:1 NKJV

“The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.” –Proverbs 11:25 NKJV

“What then shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” –Romans 8:31 NKJV

“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence if fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” –Psalms 16:11 NKJV

On top of the Bible verses that I look up, I also look for other, motivational quotes that uplift and build positive outlooks. I found quite a few good ones last night after I got home from work.

Here are a few of my favorites:

“It’s never too late – never too late to start over, never too late to be happy.” – Jane Fonda

“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”– Albert Einstein

“If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavor.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” – Will Rogers

“Nurture your mind with great thoughts. To believe in the heroic makes heroes.” – Benjamin Disraeli

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” – Lao Tzu

“The difference between a successful person and others is not lack of strength not a lack of knowledge but rather a lack of will.” – Vince Lombardi

I know I didn’t say much about my world, our day, or anything else in a great “story telling” manner.

But tonight, it was a night of sharing a little of what inspires me when I am feeling the drain.

I know this Holiday season is one that is a bit more stressful than most in our lives, and with the stress comes other things that drag us down.

I get it. 100%!

I do hope that this post brought a little positivity and encouragement to you, as the verses and quotes do for me when I read them.

And I strongly encourage you to find some that help YOU as well!

There is great comfort in opening a physical Bible or book, reading and finding things that speak to your heart and soul, and getting a little encouragement for yourself.

As a matter of fact, I would love to know what some of your favorite Bible verses and inspirational quotes are that lift you up! Feel free to share them with me! And maybe I will use them in future posts. 😊

Back To School-Pandemic Style: The Journey of Learning Continues

Back To School-Pandemic Style: The Journey of Learning Continues

by | Sep 12, 2020 | Anxiety, Autism, Back To School, Coping with Stress, Family, Family Health, Lifestyle, Motherhood, Motivation, Parenting

If there is one thing that I KNOW I’m not going through alone, it is the return to school for my children during a pandemic.

Oh. My. Word!

Social Distancing, wearing masks, only going to school for two days, half days at that, and the rest online learning. It’s all part of a phrase I have come to loathe, personally: “The New Normal.”

Just, no.

It isn’t normal, new or otherwise, but it is an adjustment that we all have to deal with, one way or another, whether we like it or not.

Many people have chosen to homeschool their children this year. Many have waited for the day their children would return to the schools again.

For myself and my family, thus far, we are doing the “blended learning” program that our district has offered.

Why?

Because I NEED some time to myself (well, with the twins too), to get some things done, daily “office” type things, and my online work selling my glorious Scentsy stuffs! (Yes Lawd!)

And because my boys NEED to spend some time out of the house!

Cabin Fever was a thing, and a very intense thing, for a while this spring/summer! I prefer not to repeat the stress that came with that before the older boys went to their dad’s place for a time.

It continued while they were gone, for all of us.

Yes, Micah and I kept busy doing the remodel of the bedrooms, moving things, dumping things, organizing, and cleaning things, but we didn’t leave the house.

Titus and Levi did the bare minimum while with their father, because of the restrictions, and they were confined to their spaces there as well.

When they returned home, we got ready for school to begin.

Boy… was that fun! NOT!

Emails from the schools, parent surveys about remote learning and blended learning programs, the options for social distancing and if parents would comply or prefer to keep their children at home. The list goes on!

Do we buy school supplies, or do we buy computers?

Do we prepare for school attendance with extra laundry detergent, bleach, Clorox wipes, sanitizers, etc., or do we buy a deep freezer and stock up on extra food because we are about to have ALL our kids home all day, every day?

And then there’s the masks…

If the kids went to school, they would wear masks… the entire time!

Stress!

I paced my house, daily, looking at my space. I wondered if I would need to move things around to make more space for small desks or tables, get chairs for said desks, or if I should be buying backpacks and supplies.

I filled out the parent surveys, sent them in, and waited…

Then we got the notice that blended learning was optional, and so was full remote learning.

Uhm…

Yeah, my kids are going to school!

So, what is the schedule of the blended learning program our district has put together?

I’m so glad you asked!

My boys are in “group B” and attend on Tuesday and Thursday every week, from 8am to 12:30pm. The remainder of the week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, they do online learning via the chromebook computers provided on loan by the district for the academic year.

We are currently in week four…

I still have my hair.

It is turning gray.

We have a wretched sleep schedule!

Online days are rough. Attendance days are not quite as rough.

I get some time to do bigger projects in the house while they are gone for a half day, and it feels good to have my time to dance with the broom, and sing into my kitchen utensils turned microphone while I clean them and put them away.

The twins enjoy my antics, and I am rewarded with many giggles, squeals, applause, and they are even starting to mimic my noises and behaviors. It’s gold!

Developing a functional routine in a blended learning environment has proven to be a challenge. It’s not at all the same, or as simple, as it is not consistent… yet.

It will be. It is just taking some time, adjustment, and more patience than I think I have at this time. Ha!

With all the computers, folders, papers, schedules, appointments, and that’s just the three older boys, I am a busy human!

I’m not sure when (or if) we will figure out a functional routine for this blended learning thing, but we are doing our best. Between me, three kids in school, two babies needing more and more active attention, and a house to keep up with, I’m a tired mama by the end of each day.

But! On the days when my checklist gets beyond the halfway point completed, I go to bed that night quite content! I make insane checklists for myself, and I keep thinking of more and more to add to them as the day goes on, so if I get through the parts that I created the night before I’m a happy camper!

But that’s a blog for another day. LOL!

Point is, we aren’t settled in a pattern yet. We may never be. And that’s okay. This is a year of crazy things, drastic changes, things beyond our control, and unexpected twists and turns all the way around. We haven’t been okay for months.!

It’s okay to not be okay.

That is something I cannot say enough.

I have been blessed with super resilient children. That is a blessing and a curse at the same time, because they learn to adapt to change, and some changes are not that great… but they adapt to them, and creating structure in the aftermath of such changes can be… difficult.

Because what is harder to kill than anything else?

Bad habits…

And THAT is also another blog for another day. LoL!

I would LOVE to hear your back to school stories. Your struggles, your victories, and the journey you are on with your children!

This is interactive! In so many ways!

I want to be there for you. I want to support you! And I would love your support and encouragement as well!

Until next time…

All the love!

Becca

Let’s Talk About Change…

Let’s Talk About Change…

by | Aug 28, 2020 | Anxiety, Coping with Stress, Depression, Lifestyle, Motivation, Prayer

Let’s talk about change for a minute…

I have come a long way in the past couple of years.

I have peace, joy, happiness, and a lot more patience than I have in a very long time!

Are my circumstances different? Not really… but I see them differently!

My life has purpose!

My trials are lessons, my sufferings are strengthening, and I am having so many growth moments! Every day there is a reason to smile, a lesson to learn, and so many chances to pray!

Now, are my experiences different? YES! I do NOT make the same mistakes I did in the past!

One of the amazing things about forgiveness of God is that I have been able to bury it all, just as He did! I am LIBERATED!

I used to use the “turn your stumbling blocks into steppingstones” phrase a lot in years past, but recently I adopted another one… “turn your stumbling blocks into tombstones.”

And this is where God stepped in!

I went to all my pain. All the hurts, the wrongs, the mistakes, the choices made, people I allowed to influence my mind and heart, words I said, the things done to me, said to me, and all the weapons I allowed to hurt me… and I buried them.

Every. Single. One.

And upon each of those graves, I erected a tombstone. There is nothing on that tombstone, just a smooth face, reflecting the light of God shining down on my life. They need no name. My mind will carry the memories of them well enough on its own, so I don’t need the extra reminder of what and who they were.

Only Grace.

“…But where sin abounded, Grace did much more abound.” – Romans 5:20(b)

It’s glorious!

I am changed! I am a walking testament of Romans 12:1-2 where Paul speaks to the church, beseeching them to present themselves as living sacrifices, acceptable to God… and that they be not conformed to this world, but TRANSFORMED by the renewing of the mind.

Y’all… let me tell you!

When you open your mind to Grace, you open your world up to a whole new level of Joy!

I spent so long being angry and bitter, my face froze that way! I remember people constantly asking me “You ok? Something wrong? Are you mad?” and I wasn’t! I was just minding my own business!

Today that face no longer exists! I smile, I laugh, I giggle, and I sing all over the place! In my house, my car, the yard, waking the kids up in the morning, playing with the babies, doing the laundry, or driving down the road!

Because God!

Not me!

I tried making it on my own!

I tried healing my own wounds. I tried getting over my own hurts, and backtracking from my own mistakes. I didn’t want anyone’s help, and I most definitely didn’t want to prove some people right and have to rely on a church family for anything! Why would I go back to my first hurt?!

But this is where God stepped in!

Listen…

I am a child of God. I am beloved of Him, and I am His!

Even when I walked away, He stayed with me. He walked with me through it all. And even though I felt like all was lost, broken, and gone, He held my doubting heart and carried it through the worst of it all!

One passage changed my world, sitting all by myself in my bed one day, reading and trying to find SOMETHING that would lift me up…

Isaiah 43:1-2 “But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.’”

After all this time! I never was alone, at all! YES!

And then… I knew I would have to face my greatest fear eventually: Going to church.

Why did I need this? Because we cannot survive on our own. Yes, God is enough! Yes, God has us! But God also instructs us to forsake NOT the assembling of ourselves… because this is necessary for so many reasons!

Why did I not want to go? Because it was the people there who hurt me first, and the place where my mind would convince me was the blame for my choices as I walked farther and farther away.

But go, I did. And I am happy to say I am quite alive after that experience. Ha!

No, really though. I am happy in the place where God has set me for now, and I am learning. I am growing. And I am excited that I have this freedom, this joy, and the genuine smile I thought I would never get back!

Change is good, my friends. And as more changes come, they will also be good! I do not fear the unknown as I used to. I look forward to it with excitement and anticipation!

*Happy Dance*

Tend The Soil: A poem and devotional moment

Tend The Soil: A poem and devotional moment

by | Jul 5, 2020 | Coping with Stress, Depression, Lifestyle, Motivation, Prayer, Self Care

We have entered a season of planting, of life and growth, and change.

But is the soil ready? Listen… tend the soil.

The seeds are ready to be placed in the ground, Everything from fruit and vegetables to trees and flowers!

But is the soil ready? Listen… tend the soil.

The sower went to sow his seeds, as Jesus told in his parable long ago.

And He is ready to sow again!

But is the soil ready? Listen… tend the soil.

And who are we? The sower? The seeds? No, we are the vessel, the place where things can grow!

But is the soil ready? Listen… tend the soil.

Is it easy to till the ground? No. There are rocks and thorns, and places high and low to be brought up and leveled down.

But before things can grow or even be planted, we must tend the soil.

The soil must be broken, tilled and plowed until it is fine like powder.

We will sweat in the sun, and toil in the rain, working the day and night hours.

For the harvest we see in the months and years to come

Will start with the soil before anything else. Is it ready? Listen… tend the soil.

And like the parable Jesus told see it from the ground. Does your soil have anything that could hinder growth of your fruit? Listen… tend the soil.

Even after planting, the crops need to grow.

The harvest comes from the fruit, the fruit from the stem, the stem from the stalk, and the stalk from the root. And where is the root? Listen… tend the soil.

If the soil is too dry the root will wither away. If too wet the plant will drown.

If there is too much in the way, thorns, rocks, sticks, and weeds, the plants will be smothered. Please hear me… tend the soil.

Time will go on, after the seeds are planted. It may be a while before the sprouts will show.

Now is not when we should take a break, or think our work is over. Now it is most important to tend that soil!

The first showing of our labor, crops raising all around! But along with the crops will come the weeds, here and there, in between and if left unattended will destroy the ground. Listen! Oh, hear me… tend the soil.

And when the fruit of the labor has finally come, and the harvest is upon us. The benefits will be shared with the world, from end to end, gifts and blessings… from the soil!

When the season has ended, and the harvest is complete. Even now is not the time to leave the ground unattended it must be ready for the new season and the new seeds. Tend the soil.

From the earth we are made, vessels of soil, where the Father wishes to grow, fruits to share with others everywhere More than we could even dare to know.

But one seed is not what we are made to hold, we go through seasons too. From tilling to planting and growing and harvest to clearing and planting again. Listen… tend the soil.

And how do we tend the soil, to keep it smooth and clear? With prayer, the Word, and fellowship with the vessel maker, who has seeds a plenty and is looking for vessels with soil ready, tend the soil…

This is so important, for without the soil the crop cannot grow. There can be no harvest, no fruit to share or show. We have a great vision with no limits in our sights! But we cannot get too hasty to plant if the soil isn’t right.

This season of trial and struggle we have had the past several weeks, has been a time of tilling and plowing I firmly believe. My soil has been broken, I have felt things be lifted, cracked, pulled, plowed, and over again, but I have reached in and with my own hands, touched soil that has been left for so long I couldn’t tend it, and had to commit it to His hands.

For soil left too long cannot be tended alone, the Farmer must come and break it up to help the fruit to grow.

And now the season of planting and sowing seed has come… but please, oh please, don’t forget the soil from now to harvest and beyond.

Listen… tend the soil.