It got me thinking about the “why” behind the blog. When this idea first started mulling around in my head, it was because I was a new mom for the 4th time and barely hanging on. I wanted something that reminded me of the blessings in motherhood and I wanted to encourage other mothers as well.

“Behold, children are a heritage and gift from the Lord, The fruit of the womb a reward.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭127:3 AMP

So much of life is driven by our subjective perspectives. Whatever you focus on is what seems biggest. So if you’re focused on the dirty diapers, the fits, the back-talking, the arguing, the never-ending messes, it’s going to feel more like you have energy sucking leeches than precious gifts.

See the blessings

One of my most basic ideas of seeing my children as the gifts they are is to make myself stop and watch them, soak in the blessing. Sometimes it’s the smile they give you. Or the sloppy wet kiss. Maybe it’s the way they treat their sibling. Or watching your spouse with them. Write it down if you need to. Say it out loud. Thank God for the gifts (children) he’s given you. Take the time to spend with your children. The dishes, dust, and dirt will always be there. But the years with our children at home won’t be. As a momma of children from 20-4 I can tell you, the days are long but the years are short.

4-year-old picking flowers for her wedding.

She can’t grow up fast enough and I can’t slow her down.

Embrace the crazies

No, I don’t mean your kids (but yes, embrace them 🙂). When you have this picture-perfect moment in mind, the perfect day at the park, the way your kids will sit down and play well together, a nice quiet meal, etc it generally doesn’t work that way. Embrace the season you’re in right now. Check your expectations.

He felt like he needed to work. I needed to pick some things up at a store. One of my kids wanted to go shopping with money that’s burning a hole in his pocket, so I asked him if he wanted to go on a date with me. I just wanted a quiet evening! But 3 other kids caught wind of this outing and decided they needed to go too. Dad decided the work could wait and went with us.

So we called it family date night. It wasn’t at all what I was wanting, but once I let go of that and embraced this time with 4 of my kids and my husband it was a fun evening!

Our Anniversary date with 5 kids.

Love on the gifts

A couple of months ago I had someone text me a list of things about me that were lovely. I have to admit I have pulled it back up more than a few times. There is also an idea floating around internet land about putting a sticky note on your kids’ door every day in February with something new you love about them.

You are probably better than me at loving those you love. I find the idea of telling people what I love and appreciate about them daunting. It’s a skill I need to develop. Maybe the person you love doesn’t need words of affirmation.

According to Dr. Gary Chapman, there are 5 love languages. He has a quiz you can take to find out what yours is, a quiz for teens, and a quiz you can take for your child. Use this quiz to guide you in loving your kiddos so they understand what you’re saying.

How do you keep hanging on when you’re only hanging on by fingernails? Have you gone from surviving to thriving? What helped you?

I am one blessed momma!

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.Philippians 4:8

What is “pure”?

Pure is a word that is thrown around a lot. Purebred animals, pure heart, sexual purity (this came up a lot as I was preparing this post, but I won’t be addressing it directly). Two things are at the forefront of my mind. “Pure as the driven snow” and the pure, blameless, free of blemish lamb required for a sin sacrifice.

pure: free of any contamination; clean; crisp; fresh; sinless; wholesome; morally good

Could there be a better month than December to focus on whatever is pure? As the world focuses on consumerism and/or the birth of Christ, let us focus on the purity of Christ, our messiah, and how He makes us pure. These are not exclusive concepts. You can buy gifts for people without being consumed by consumerism and the I want, I want, give me, give me attitude! Without the birth of Jesus, we wouldn’t have a pure savior who saves us from our sins. Without the purity of Christ and His sacrifice, His birth wouldn’t matter 2000-ish years later. 

purity of Christ and how he makes us pure

How can I be pure?

Only through Jesus Christ can we be pure. Romans 3:23 reminds us of this:

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (ESV)

No matter who you are, you fit in that “all” category.  John 3:16 offers us a solution for our predicament.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

We are called to a new life. It is through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and our death, burial, and resurrection through baptism that we can be made pure. 

Thank you Lord for this avenue you’ve given us to you. As we move closer to the day the world has decided to call Jesus’ birthday, please help us and our children to draw closer to you and have a better understanding of who Jesus is, why He came to earth as a man, and the roles belief, repentance, grace, forgiveness, and our own spiritual rebirth play in our physical lives as well as our eternal spiritual life.

I have made a list of 31 verses that speak to the truth of God, 1 verse per day in December. I hope it will serve to encourage and comfort you and bring you and your children closer to God. Download it below.

Teach the Children

1. Journal & Discuss

2. The effect sin has on our relationship with God

3. Erasing sin

1. Journal and discuss

My kids and I will be journaling and discussing these verses, at least Monday-Friday. I like for them to practice their reading and writing with scriptures. Alternatively, you could pick one verse per week and help your kids memorize that one scripture.

3. How can we remove our sin?

This is an activity I remember doing as a teen in youth group. However, I do strongly believe object lessons are a great way to share the truth with all ages of children, even adults 🙂

The site I found the instructions on has some information I don’t believe agrees with the Bible, so just as we should each be comparing anything anyone says to the Bible to make sure it’s the truth, I would encourage you to make sure the questions you ask your children and the direction you lead them agrees with the word of God.

All you need is some bleach, water, food coloring, and a captive audience. LetTheChildrenCome.com has great instructions on how to use these items to show the cleansing power of Christ.

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.

Isaiah 1:18 ESV

Click here to view an easy to share Bible-based plan of salvation.

As we read other people’s instructions we must remember people are not perfect, but God always is. One instruction missing from the above activities is the importance of baptism.

In Acts 2:37-38 when the people were confronted with their sin (crucifying Jesus),

[they] said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

As you work your way through scripture this month, may you be reminded of how blessed we are to have a pure savior who was willing to come to earth as a man and die a horrible death to cleanse us from our sins.

Have you been washed clean by the blood of the lamb? If you haven’t, I encourage you to read this page and reach out to someone (the three of us here at oneblessedmomma.com count 🙂 ) to find a church home and make sure that you have the true Biblical instruction you need to move forward with your life in Christ. May the God of peace bless you and direct your paths as you seek him.

Come back in January for “whatever is lovely”.

January - Lovely

February - Commendable

March - Excellence

April - Worthy of Praise