be still & know | Designing 31

compared to oxen {day 15}

This from the Proverb for yesterday.

Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. Proverbs 14:4I heard this verse preached several times while in Bible College. I had never actually understood it before that.

It has become a motto of mine since becoming a mother of 4. {lol}

While I strive, regularly, to put things in order and keep things clean and straightened, it is not a possibility at this season of my life for my home to be perfectly “kept” at all times each day.

And yes, I realize I am comparing my children to oxen. { 🙂 }

But while they are yet small and in-training… and until they leave, my home will have some measure of chaos.

2012

I realize there are those ladies who have several small children and their home never seems to look like it {I applaud them!}, but I am not one of them. And while I hate tripping on blocks and slipping on books, I cannot compare myself to them.

I must compare myself with what I am asked to do and how diligently I try to do it.

I do not have the ability to keep all the plates juggling {pick-up toys, clean laundry, wash dishes, fold laundry, vacuum, put laundry away, etc} at all times every day. And some days, all the plates simply crash and stay there. {oh yes, they do.}

And besides all the “house-keeping” responsibilities, I am also trying to teach my children how to keep a house… as well as to love God and obey His Words.

2014

While my example is paramount, I must take time to speak to them also. And we must have hands-on discussions at times… either in actual chores being done over and over or in discipline-both apply.

And I also have several responsibilities outside of ‘home-keeping’ that I do from my home.

But my point is, people are messy.

Life is messy.

But when I loose site of the goal: my children being grown, functioning, responsible Christian adults, the messy makes me feel like I am not accomplishing anything.

So I have to remind myself….

when my “oxen” are gone… my crib may be a bit neater…

2015

but I pray Christ’s work is stronger because my children are active in it!

established thoughts {day 16}

by tascha | 2 comments

Some days, I just feel kinda lost. I don’t know how to get a certain principle across to my children, or I am unsure how to respond to something unkind a supposed friend said.

And some days, I just feel like any good I try to do means nothing.

And then I read encouraging words from God’s Word:

Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. Proverbs 16:3

Each day I have the opportunity and privilege to intentionally commit my day and all its works unto the Lord– only then can it really have any meaning anyway.

And when I do this {you see, I don’t first thing every day… hence those lost thoughts that happen}, the Lord establishes my thoughts for me.

He directs my mind to think the way I need to.

He gives me wisdom to instruct my children with the proper attitude and the appropriate words.

He gives me the strength to be hurt and yet forgive without being asked for it.

He gives me the discretion to understand that, while my “good deeds” are filthy rags, when I ask Him to do the works through me… His goodness is mine. And I can rejoice in that!

I am not well today. I had to cancel plans with a dear lady… and that made me sad. But my thoughts can still be right and good when I commit the works I am able to accomplish today to Him.

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Let’s connect on FACEBOOK!

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I’m also on Instagram!
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and I’m on Twitter!

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a crown for old men {day 17}

by tascha | 2 comments

Today is my youngest daughter’s 4th birthday.

this picture is a couple months old — and now a couple of years!

She is HOOT… and a whirlwind.

She has the energy of my entire life in her pinky. [still!]

And today, while reading the Proverb, I came to this verse:

Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. Proverbs 17:6

And it made me stop and think {as it has before} that MY children… are my parent’s “children’s children.”

with my grandparents <3

And I want them to be a “crown” to their grandfathers, and to their great-grand-parents!
And of course, I was reminded of another Proverb: Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

And that reminded me of a post I read [link is broken] yesterday… about “the way.”

Jesus is “the way.”

So, while rules give boundaries that are necessary, and we should expect rules to be obeyed, our main focus should be on pleasing Jesus… making Him our life.

And that in-between relationship… I know my husband {and I do too!} desires to live such a life that his children would see his heritage/legacy as a thing of glory, as something to desire to pass on to their own children one day.

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Let’s connect on FACEBOOK!

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I’m also on Instagram!
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and I’m on Twitter!

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on being a friend {day 18}

by tascha | 2 comments

At the end of today’s Proverb is the verse [24]: A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

my girls

One part of what this blog is about my learning to be the right kind of friend – even to YOU, whom I may never know on this earth.

I strive to show myself friendly. I do not come by this naturally. I am not a “people-person.” I do not really enjoy crowds. But I do try to be pleasant when spoken to and not completely ignore the people around me. This takes a conscious effort.

I also make an effort to show how Jesus is the friend that sticketh closer than a brother in my own life.

And because He loves me unconditionally, I can love others – even those I have never met.

But what happens if I utterly ignore the fact that not every person I speak to {even through this blog} is a Christian or is possibly only a babe in Christ?

And what if I disregard the possibility not everyone who attends my church regularly is a born-again believer and that not everyone grows the same. Even some people in full-time ministry positions come out as older adults and admit to not really knowing they are saved.

Earlier in the chapter is a verse that often saddens me [19]: A brother [friend or relation] offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

Well, a brother [friend] can be offended… by what I’ve said, implied, worn, done, etc.

And the fact that he is harder to be won than a strong city seems to imply that I should try to win a friend back. If the friendship was broken over something offensive I did or said, etc., I should care when a friendship is broken or hindered.

Which leads me to also think that possibly, I should at least strive to not be offensive in the first place.

Of course, truth divides. There is no denying that.

But it should be the TRUTH that is dividing. Because getting a friend back is harder than storming a castle!

I often ask God to put a filter on my words so that I may not come across as offensive to those who may be weaker than I am.

I also ask for Him to help my heart accept rebuke when it is shown to me that I may have been offensive–to whomever.

And while I do not wish to ostracize the world from hearing what I have to say, I realize that some will not appreciate the words I speak or type.

But my prayer is that the truth pushes them away, not the manner in which I speak it.

So, today, I pray that you find a friend when you come here.

I pray that none of what I speak is offensive to those looking for encouragement in living Godly lives.

And I pray that those who know me, you know-in real life, could say that my life’s attitude matched the kindness I strive to show forth here.

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Let’s connect on FACEBOOK!

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I’m also on Instagram!
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and I’m on Twitter!

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predictions {day 19}

by tascha | 1 comment

I apologize for my absence yesterday. There is no explanation other than time got away from me, and I did not get this typed.

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As we here in America face elections in just over 2 weeks, many are downcast at the state of our country and the choices offered for President. And many, from all of the multiple “sides” of the issues, are conflicted with friends and family over which person should receive their vote.

As I was pondering how certain talking points {specifically politics} have been the basis of heated discussions throughout the entire course of our nation, I came across a list of truths that my pushed my thoughts back into perspective.

I pray it can be an encouragement to you also!

PREDICTIONS FOR THE COMING YEAR

[edited]

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still be the most powerful force on Earth.

3. The Holy Spirit will still move in hearts of God’s people.

4. There will still be room at the Cross.

5. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

Is it not a Blessed Hope to remember that:

we can look for the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ [Titus 2:13]

and that …the word of the Lord endureth for ever. [1 Peter 1:25]

and Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. [Hebrews 13:8] ???

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Let’s connect on FACEBOOK!

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I’m also on Instagram!
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and I’m on Twitter!

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