Don't take the pressure of your provision upon yourself.
It is not only wrong to worry, it is unbelief; worrying means we do not believe that God can look after the practical details of our lives, and it is never anything but those details that worry us.
-Oswald Chambers

A little peek into the happenings and thoughts of my average day…

I have a new nightgown. It's incredibly comfortable and very bright, and as you can see covered in fruit. My kids think it's the greatest thing ever. 

Again with more clothes… I pulled this dress out for my youngest to put on the other day. It's a size 4. I contemplated memories of this dress belonging to the oldest girl in the house, and looking completely gigantic up next to size 2's and newborn clothes. I thought it was cute then, but very grown up; the same thoughts I had about my girl that it belonged to. Now as it comes through the laundry with size 6's and 10's, it's the small, sweet little clothing in the house. It feels much more baby-like than grown up.  Just like my girl that it's been passed down to.

My blissfully peaceful summer reading. I was so excited to discover these at the library.

Early one morning last week… I was sitting in bed with my Bible and journal, reading and then pausing to write. My middle girl came in to say good morning, left quickly and was back. With her princess Bible and the journal she begged for at Christmas. She hopped in bed next to me, opened her Bible up to the middle, and started copying down verses into her journal.

And I was struck and a bit shaken by the proof that everything I spend my days doing really matters. Because I can say all that I want, but in the end it's what they see me doing that is really leaving an impression.

This past weekend I was able to spend the day at a “mini-retreat” for the ladies at our church.

There were several workshops to choose from. This is always a dilemma for me. I go back and forth between choosing based on the speaker I would like to hear, or the topic that I’m more interested in. Very holy reasoning, I know.

I ended up opting for one that I thought would be “good” for me. It was based on Proverbs 31:26…

She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

I don’t know about you, but I find that the majority of my words often lack both wisdom and kindness.

It ended up being a really good workshop, and I just thought I’d share with you a few things that really stood out to me.

One of the verses brought up was Proverbs 10:21…

The lips of the righteous feed many…

The woman leading the workshop emphasized the point that our words can bring nourishment to people. Or not.

This was a very helpful mental image for me. Do my words nourish and strengthen those whom I share them with? Or do I leave them starving, or with an “upset stomach”?

Something very powerful to consider.

Another verse, Proverbs 12:18…

…the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Do I bring healing to those I speak to? Or do I further wound them?

Something else she really emphasized was being slow to speak. Considering what you say before you say it. She referenced Proverbs 15:28 and 16:20. I’m not giving you those; you’ll have to look them up!

A couple of practical tips she shared:

*Your words should be something you wouldn’t be ashamed for anyone to know. You shouldn’t say anything that you wouldn’t want to be remembered for.

*Something to consider before you say something: Is it kind? Is it true? Is it necessary?

Another verse I really loved was Song of Solomon 2:14…

O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the crannies of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.

Her point with this verse:  a sweet voice and a lovely face go together.

This was another illustration that really stuck in my mind. She demonstrated the facial expressions most mothers tend to have when scolding their children, and pointed out that you can’t speak sweetly and make an awful face at the same time. I think this is going to really be a good reminder for me; check my voice, check my face.  Personally I would really love for my children to remember their mother having a sweet voice and a lovely face. Not real confident that’s the mark I’ve made thus far.

The workshop wrapped up with several verses reminding us of how we can have words of wisdom and kindness. They can only come from God. Seek the Lord and He will pour out His wisdom and kindness through you.

I’m so thankful to be surrounded by godly women who are faithful to share the wisdom they’ve been given over the years.

Dry Your Laundry Like Your in Italy ::: (you all know my obsession with my clothesline)

Teaching What I Love ::: stop stressing over the "shoulds" and the things we think are important just because school systems say they're important.

When God doesn't Make Sense ::: I want His plan, even if it's hard. Because in the end, it's better.

Maybe the Most Important Thing to do for Your Faith ::: What does a woman really need to have amassed by the end?