Thursday, February 25, 2010

Holiness

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

I have been really convicted lately in the area of holiness in my life. I want to live a holy life that is pleasing to the Lord. Lately, when I watch TV I have been amazed at the filth that is broadcasted to homes all over the world. I have been really aware of it, and embarrassed of the trash that I have been letting come into my home. Many of these shows are really pushing the envelope and things and words that used to not be allowed anywhere near 7:00 pm are out there for all ears and eyes to see. I think it would be interesting to see statistics on how fast this has happened with the rules and guidelines. I think back to the shows I watched as a kid on Friday night (good ole TGIF) and they were clean shows, that now would probably be laughed right off the air.

I want to be holy and my life to reflect the holiness of God. I love this song, it has been around for awhile but a good one to remember.

Holiness, holiness is what I long for.
Holiness is what I need.
Holiness, holiness is what You
want from me.

Holiness, holiness is what I long for.
Holiness is what I need.
Holiness, holiness is what You
want from me.

So, take my heart and form it.
Take my mind and transform it.
Take my will and conform it.
To Yours, to Yours, oh, Lord.

Faithfulness, faithfulness is what I
long for.
Faithfulness is what I need.
Faithfulness, faithfulness is what.
You want from me.

Brokenness, brokenness is what I
long for.
Brokenness is what I need.
Brokenness, brokenness is what
You want from me.


Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Having it Together!

I was just emailing a dear friend, and I shared with her that I am still adjusting to adding another little one to the mix. I told her that just when I think I have it all together, something happens to make me realize that I don't. Then I had a light bulb moment! This is a good thing. God is not trying to smack me in the head with my failures and shortcomings; He wants me to lean on Jesus (not rely on myself) and He will take care of the rest. Short and simple. Isn't He good!

"You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness,
O God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas"

Psalm 65:5

Monday, February 22, 2010

Monday's Mothering Moment--The Strong-Willed Child

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

I am in a twelve week Sunday School class that is going through Dr. Dobson's Your Child: The Essentials of Discipline. Yesterday's topic was Compliance vs. Strong Willed. I found this chapter very interesting. Did you know that the ratio of strong willed children to compliant children is 3 to 1? Wow! My 2 1/2 year old is definitely strong willed. I'm not sure if my nine week old is or not, that is still to be determined. However, if his not wanting to sleep anywhere but my arms is any indication....he might be strong willed too!

We learned that it is important to determine if your child is strong-willed so that you can establish authority. It was also helpful to hear that we need to shape our children's will by disciplining without breaking their spirit. Another important thing to note is it is important to make the distinction between the strong-willed and compliant child in order to protect the rights of both and deal with them differently.

I also learned that 74% of strong-willed children rebel in their teen years while only 3% of compliant children do. This was not a comforting fact to me; however, I can be proactive and start getting on my knees and lifting this up to God now. It is never too early. It also showed me the importance of establishing authority now when my little guy is young so that maybe he won't rebel in his teen years.

What's the best news to parents raising a strong-willed child? There is a rapid decrease of rebelling in young adulthood, and 85% of strong-willed individuals will return to the values that their parents instilled in them. Whew, this is a relief! When I heard this in class it was comforting and not comforting at the same time. Yeah that compliance will come eventually, but in young adulthood!?!

It was a great week with good information. Here's what I would like to hear from you.

I would love to hear about your children. Did or do you have strong-willed children? For all of you mothers who have children that have left the nest, did you find it true that your strong-willed child settled down in their early 20's and returned to the values that you instilled in them? I'm very curious about this one! Also, any tips and suggestions of what has worked for you in regards to your strong-willed child.

And lastly...here's another resource that I am seriously considering reading very soon (The New Strong-Willed Child by Dr. James Dobson).

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

10 years from now?

Me and my newest baby, Cooper
I was reading a blog a few days ago and the subject really caught my attention. The woman was celebrating her 10 year anniversary and reminiscing how far she had come and was imagining what ten more years would bring. That got me thinking. What was I doing ten years ago? I ventured back in my mind and realized I was beginning my second semester of college. I could not even believe that was ten years ago, it doesn't feel ten years ago. The road I have traveled since then has been sprinkled with many experiences, accomplishments, joys, sorrows, and everything in between. Here are a few of the highlights...

-Changed my major 5 times (really, how can you know what you want to do for the rest of your life at age 19?)
-Learn to live with three different roommates (all different in their unique ways)
-Completed thousands of assignments, quizzes, tests, and finals
-Traveled through a 3.5 year relationship with someone who did not have the same beliefs as me
-Had my own apartment for a year
-Graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration
-Moved home not knowing what would come next
-Got a job offer in accounting, turned it down
-Went to work for my then church in assimilation
-Met the love of my life (I didn't know it then) on my first day of work
-Got engaged
-Planned a wedding
-Got married
-Adjusted to new family dynamics
-Bought a house
-Traveled to lands near and far to take the gospel to families with Kidz Blitz
-Started a business with two friends (painting, and Christmas decorating)
-Decided that business above wasn't for us
-Had a baby boy
-Learned how to be a mommy- (changed hundreds of diapers, stayed up into the wee hours of the night, watched milestones be reached, gave love and received much love from my babies, and many more things that mommy's experience).
-Traveled to more lands near and far with Kidz Blitz
-Started a business Kate Williams Designs (sewing hip items for moms and their children)
-Came off the road to share our lives with the wonderful people of Lenexa Baptist Church (Chris in role of Children's Pastor)
-Watched my business grow
-Led my first Bible Study
-Had another baby boy
-and still trusting in Jesus

There was a lot more in between all of these events. I realized that everything I have gone through and my experiences have shaped and molded me into the woman I am today. I have no idea what the future or the next ten years will look like. I would hope it would all be good, but I know that is not what life on this earth looks like. There is sin in this world and it is not perfect. But one thing I do know is if I hold fast, put my trust in Jesus no matter what the circumstances, that He will help me through anything I may encounter along the way. I would not want to know what life would be like without Him as my Savior. Thank you Lord for the last ten years of my life. Thank you for being my guide every step of the way. Lord, I pray that my life be honoring to you.

[Jesus comforts His disciples] "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me." John 14:1