Girls To Grow

Nurturing moms in their walk with God

Saturday Salutes ~ Bible Study Methods and History Book Series for Kids

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Our annual Mother’s Day walk on the beach

Anna gives encouragement for When It Doesn’t Feel Like You’re Making Progress.

LeeAnn talks about Digging Deeper: 5 Effective Bible Study Methods.

Elise shares 8 Essential Traits of a Good Friend.

Emily lists 20 Book Series to Get Your Kids Hooked on History. Our girls read several of these series when they were younger.

Planning a garage sale any time soon? Crystal has 10 Tips for Having a Successful Garage Sale.

Headed to a graduation party for a friend’s son this afternoon, then taking my younger daughter shopping. Missing our oldest who’s on her Senior trip.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

12 Things I’m Glad I Did as a Mom

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With our oldest daughter graduating from high school this month, I’ve been a bit reflective. Going through hundreds of her childhood photos and choosing our favorite ones to display on her graduation table will do that to you!

I started reminiscing about what we’ve done as we parented our girls that I’m so glad – standing on this side and looking back – that we did. I came up with this list of twelve in hopes that they’ll be helpful and encouraging to anyone who might be parenting an 8-year-old instead of an 18-year-old.

The list of things I didn’t get right is much longer than twelve. I lost my temper, nagged, and talked when I should have listened much more often than I’d like to admit.

I don’t tend, however, to dwell on regrets, so there’s no post on “24 Things I Wish I’d Done in Parenting” in the works at this point! Today’s focus is on the positive.

1. Established family traditions.

Every Christmas Eve, we go to a restaurant downtown for dessert. On Mother’s Day, we walk on the beach after dinner. We have specific meals on certain holidays. I love the continuity of celebrating in the same way year after year.

And while I enjoy traditions as much as anyone, I’ve also realized that families outgrow traditions. When the girls were younger, we’d go to a baseball game on the 4th of July. The girls would get their faces painted, and we’d stay for the fireworks after the game was over. But a couple of years ago, we let that tradition go. No one was that interested anymore.

One of the things I look forward to about a change of life seasons is establishing new traditions around the times when we’re together!

2. Attended our daughters’ ball games, concerts, and recitals.

Okay, some of the piano recitals were looong, especially when our girls were young. The order of the program was typically from beginner students to the most advanced. That meant they were done in the first ten minutes, but there was still another hour and a half to sit through!

However, watching the girls participate in their chosen activities has given us so much to talk about with them. We have rehashed many a basketball game while sitting in our living room! They also learned some great life lessons about teamwork, sportsmanship, and fairness (or lack thereof).

3. Took them on trips.

The older our girls have gotten, the more we value experiences with them over physical gifts. Some of our best memories have been made as we visited other cities and parts of the country as a family.

4. Read aloud to them.

This one started when our girls were little. I read aloud at bedtime for many years. During the preschool years, we’d read aloud at naptime, and during our homeschooling years, I’d read aloud after lunch. Both of our girls continue to love reading, and now that they’re older, we sometimes read the same books. It’s fun to talk about the stories we enjoy, and to share book recommendations.

5. Made them take piano lessons.

I know there are people who would disagree with this one, and I’m not saying it’s for every family. However, there are very few activities we’ve insisted that our girls participate in, but this was one of them. Before they were even old enough to take lessons, my husband and I agreed that we would make this a priority.

It definitely wasn’t always easy!! There’s been plenty of moaning and groaning about having to practice. But not only do they both now play the piano well, it also allowed them to join the school handbell choir and learn to play the saxophone since they could already read music. Beyond that, they have a gift they can use in ministry for the rest of their lives.

6. Ate meals together as a family.

This one is rather cliche, but I do think it’s important. We have had some wonderful conversations over the years around the supper table. And the point comes – sooner than I thought it would – that you don’t have the opportunity to do this. Sports practices, ball games, and teens working a job mean the family meals don’t happen as often as they used to – which makes me appreciate it all the more now when they do!

7. Put fruit in their lunch every day.

So this one might sound silly, but I am not the best at serving vegetables to my family. Our girls’ tastes have matured a little bit over the years, but we’re still not a family of veggie lovers. However, from kindergarten on, I put some type of fruit in their lunch daily, most often apple slices. Now they actually choose fruit as a snack and at other meals besides lunch.

8. Was available when they got out of school.

For years, I drove them home from school, and would get to hear all the stories from the day. Now that they drive themselves home from school, I make it a point to be at the house to greet them.

I know it’s not feasible for everyone, but being available when our girls get out of school has been a blessing. They usually unload all the excitements and disappointments right after they walk in the door, and I’m thankful that I’m usually able to hear all those stories.

9. Taught them how to handle money.

We started them at a young age with the give, save, and spend envelopes to use when they got paid for chores around the house. After their freshman year of high school (about 15 1/2 years old), they got a student checking account with a debit card.

Each month, we deposit into their account the amount of money we’d be spending on them anyway (clothing, money for school/youth group activities, etc.) They’re responsible for budgeting that money. They also understand that if they want more money, they can get a job and work for it.

Hopefully (fingers crossed!) they’ll continue into adulthood with good money habits!

10. Prayed for wisdom.

The truth is that I didn’t do this as much as I should have. But when I did, I know that God answered that prayer. This is one of the things I’m glad I did that will continue to be so important as we transition into our girls’ young adult years.

11. Loved their dad.

Our marriage isn’t perfect, but our children have seen us enjoying each other and prioritizing our time together. And this is even more important now that the empty nest season is getting closer every year!

12. Encouraged them in their personal walk with God.

From regular church attendance to Awana clubs, praying together to reading Bible stories aloud, we’ve sought to teach our children about God and His Word. Some of our after dinner, around-the-table conversations became teachable moments for spiritual truths.

Both of our girls asked Jesus to be their Savior at an early age. It’s one of the greatest blessings as a parent to see your children growing in their faith and making it their own.

While I’ll continue to be a mom for as long as I live, the hands on, daily work of mothering will definitely be less than it used to be. I’m challenging myself to use the time I have left with them in our home to invest in these precious souls. Let’s be intentional in doing the things we’ll be glad we did another ten years from now!

Related posts:

Saturday Salutes ~ Scripture Prayers, Bible Apps, and Slow Cooker Chicken

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Happy early Mother’s Day to all the moms who read here!! I’m so thankful for my own mom, and for the two girls God gave us to parent.

There were several years when Mother’s Day was hard for me. I wanted to be a mom, but that hadn’t happened for me yet. If you’re in that place, I’ll be praying for you this weekend.

Here are some good posts I read this past week.

Alisa has 4 Things to Remember When You’re Stepping Out in Faith.

Lyli lists 10 Powerful Scriptures to Post on Your Prayer Room Wall.

Arabah Joy shares 12 Must-Have Bible Apps for Every Christian Woman. Many of these were new to me! I use the You Version Bible app for my daily audio Bible reading.

In honor of Mother’s Day, I thought we should revisit Kari’s 10 Truths Moms Should Know.

This Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Recipe sounds so easy, but delicious. I’ll be trying it soon!

And while Easter is behind us for this year, Sarah has a compilation of Best Easter Side Dishes that I think would be great for any family meal.

We had the last choir/band concert of the school year on Tuesday, and the school’s sports banquet on Friday. (Here’s a link to one of my favorite pieces from the concert by the handbell choir. Our girls are third and fourth from the left.)

All of the official school functions are over for us until high school graduation on the 31st. May is a full, fun month!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

5 Ways to Walk Like Jesus

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When it comes to finishing up the school year (which happens for us on May 31st), there tends to be a lot of testing going on. Whether it’s final exams or other end-of-the-school-year testing, it’s time to see how much our kids have learned over the past nine months.

Testing is basically just an evaluation of how you measure up to a certain standard. That must have been on my mind this week as I was reading in 1 John. I came to the verse below and realized that it gives us the basis for a spiritual test.

“He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.” ~1 John 2:6

If we claim to abide in Christ, we have a way to examine whether or not that’s true. How do we know if we pass that test? By asking ourselves, are we walking (i.e. living our life) like Jesus did?

That naturally leads us to ask ourselves, how did Jesus walk? What characterized His life that should also be a part of ours?

Here’s what came to my mind.

1. He had compassion.

“And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.” ~Matthew 14:14

“And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.” ~Luke 7:13

Jesus had compassion on the multitudes as well as individuals. His heart was easily moved to concern for the sufferings of others.

Then Jesus went beyond just the feeling of sympathy. He did what He could for them by His actions and His words. Obviously, we can’t heal someone’s physical illness. But we can take them a meal, run an errand, or do their laundry. We can pray for them and speak or write words of encouragement.

2. He sought to do the Father’s will.

“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” ~John 6:38

“Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” ~Luke 22:42

There are certain things we know to be God’s will. To give thanks in everything [1 Thessalonians 5:18], submit to authority [1 Peter 2:13-15], and keep our bodies pure [1 Thessalonians 4:3-6] are clearly presented in the Bible as being the will of God for us.

And as we read His Word, He will reveal to us how He would have us to live. Through prayer and the leading and power of the Holy Spirit, we can also seek to do God’s will like Jesus did.

3. He interacted with people that others avoided.

“Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.” ~Luke 15:1-2

“And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more…So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.” ~Matthew 20:30-34

Jesus didn’t run from the sinners, the outcasts, the diseased, or the disgraced. He ministered to them. So God calls us to have grace and offer help to anyone He puts in our path.

4. He was humble and served others.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” ~Philippians 2:5-8

“After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.” ~John 13:5

The ultimate act of humility was Jesus leaving heaven to come to earth, live as a man, then submit Himself to death on the cross to accomplish our salvation.

In the passage above, Paul instructs us to have a humble mind like Christ did. That will then lead us to serve others through our actions. Jesus, son of God and Creator of all, took on the lowly task of washing the disciples’ feet, setting an example for us to follow.

5. He prayed often.

“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” ~Mark 1:35

“And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.” ~Matthew 14:23

Y’all, prayer is hard work. It takes a focused mind. I honestly find it easier to read my Bible and do my journaling than to pray. I have the desire to pray, but not always the self-discipline. But if I’m going to walk as He walked, I must make prayer a priority in my life.

We are not perfect like Jesus was. That means we won’t follow through on these things one hundred percent of the time. But with the Holy Spirit’s help, our lives can be characterized by them. We can continually grow in walking as Jesus did.

Can you think of other ways in which we can walk as He walked?

Related posts:

Saturday Salutes ~ Kids’ Screen Time, Farmhouse Decor, and April Reading

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I’m in the process of sending out graduation party invitations for our oldest daughter. This is the picture we chose for the front of the invitations. A very talented and sweet friend took some great photos for us!

Phylicia shares marriage advice in Helping Your Gentle Man: Three Tips for Wives of Quiet Husbands.

BJ gives some tips on screen time in Mommy, Can I Watch a Show?

Corilynn shows us 30 Affordable Farmhouse Pieces from Walmart.

Kay discusses How to Build an Appropriate Wardrobe.

Eric writes about Boundaries with the Opposite Sex in Marriage from a Husband’s View.

This quote I found on the iMom website is so accurate!

“iMOM director, Susan Merrill, says having teenagers is like riding a fast, furious fun rollercoaster every day. You’re either thrilled or throwing up.”

I finished three books in April.

Both of the fiction books I read were excellent!! Castle on the Rise by Kristy Cambron was the sequel to The Lost Castle. Then I read Courting Mr. Emerson by Melody Carlson. It was such a sweet story!

My non-fiction book was a biography about John and Abigail Adams titled Abigail and John: Portrait of a Marriage by Edith Belle Gelles. It had been awhile since I read a biography, and this one reminded me how much I enjoy them!

My younger daughter has her first paying piano gig today (!) (she’s playing for a ladies’ tea – basically live background music), but otherwise our weekend is fairly open. Hope yours is a good one!!

Will You Notice Someone Today?

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Back in the day when I had to drive my daughters to and from school (yay for a teenager with a driver’s license!), I got the chance to learn a very important lesson from a little boy I didn’t know.

While sitting in the car, waiting for my girls to be dismissed from school, a class of four-year-olds walked by headed to the playground.  They got to the designated posts where they could hang up their lunch boxes and book bags. Ready to release some pent-up energy, they all hung up their things as quickly as they could and took off.

One little boy caught my attention. He tried several times to hoist the handle of his lunch box over the top of the post.  He finally succeeded, then slipped the book bag off his back, and began to maneuver it into place. 

With his first attempt, he knocked his lunch box off the post and it fell to the ground.  To his credit, he didn’t show any frustration. He just started the whole process over again.

Just down from him another boy, who’d already hung up his own stuff, noticed his classmate’s trouble.  While the other children dashed off to the playground, this boy moved in, took the lunch box and quickly put it back in place.  He then took the book bag, slid it over the post, and, without a word, both boys turned and continued down the sidewalk.

There wasn’t a lot of fanfare. In fact, I don’t think anyone other than myself saw what happened. But one little guy sweetly helping another little guy really touched my heart.

I have to ask, which character would you and I be in this story?  Would we be one of those other kids, wrapped up in the excitement of the moment, unaware that someone needed help? 

The other kids weren’t doing anything wrong. I’m sure their hearts were likely just as kind, and most of them would have helped out, too. If, that is, they’d noticed.

But they just didn’t notice. They were involved in their own pursuits, and didn’t take the time to look at what was happening around them.

That four-year-old didn’t know it, but he reminded me of the good Samaritan. [Luke 10:25-37] He saw a need and stopped to help, not expecting thanks or repayment, but just doing what he could in the situation. It was only a small thing, but I’m sure it meant a lot to the boy who needed help.

So let’s ask ourselves what small thing we can do today to let someone know they’re noticed. Let’s live out Colossians 3:12.

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;”

As Christians, we want to be the ones offering kindness and mercy, putting others ahead of ourselves.

And when we help someone out, we don’t want to do it expecting something in return. That little helper wasn’t looking to get a reward from his teacher or a big pat on the back from the rest of the class. Yet we can rest assured that God sees and knows our heart.

May the example set by this tender-hearted preschooler cause us to notice those in our path who could use a simple act of kindness.

Related posts:

Is God Doing a New Thing in Your Life?

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As I started writing this post yesterday, I was sitting at my desk, looking out the window. It was a beautiful sunny spring day. Our roses and some of the other plants in our backyard are blooming. Spring has sprung, as they say.

Appreciating the spring view outside got me thinking about new beginnings. Things that were inactive all winter are coming back to life. There’s a sense of renewal, a freshness in the air.

With all this change around us in nature, I thought it would be good to consider what might be changing in our own lives. Because changes, big or small, come along fairly often.

Changes can make us nervous, sad, or excited. But typically it means that God has something new planned for us.

My own big change is coming up when my daughter goes off to college in several months. I’m thinking it will be weird at first to go everywhere as a family of three!

Your change may not be that drastic. But we all have new things to face. Some of them are just part of life, expected in a sense, while others come as a surprise.

Here’s my favorite Bible passage about new things.

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” ~Isaiah 43:18-19

God orchestrates new things. In this case, He’s making a way for His people in the wilderness and meeting their needs by providing water in the desert.

God offers reassurance here because sometimes new beginnings can be scary. They might involve waiting – often a struggle for us! – or uncertainty. We can begin to doubt ourselves, and maybe we even doubt God.

We wonder, “Can this be right? Is this how it’s supposed to go ’cause I’m not real comfortable here! I was comfortable back there in the old way.”

Then we go back to how that chapter of Isaiah begins.

“But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” ~Isaiah 43:1,2

We are his. Wherever we go, He is with us. We may feel overwhelmed by what this new stage of life is bringing, but the Promise Keeper says those waters won’t overflow us and that fire is not going to burn us up.

This way, this change is new to you. You haven’t been this way before, but He has. He sees the end from the beginning.

“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:” ~Isaiah 46:9, 10

We don’t dwell on the old, or look longingly back to what used to be. But when the doubts and uncertainties come, remember what God’s done in the past. He’s guided us through change, through new, before. He is faithful.

I have a sweet friend whose mom passed away this week. That dear lady experienced the greatest new beginning of all. As a Christian, she now has fully partaken of the hope of heaven. She’s received her incorruptible, undefiled, unfaded, reserved-for-her inheritance. [1 Peter 1:3,4]

Spring is a beautiful season. Just as we’re seeing new growth in nature, the blooming of flowers and trees, so I hope that God is doing some new things in our lives. May the change that’s happening grow our spiritual lives and help us be closer to Him.

Related posts:

Saturday Salutes ~ Boundaries for Kids and Gifts They’ll Remember

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We have some beautiful roses growing in our backyard this spring.

Ayanna shares Why Your Kids Need Boundaries.

I loved Joshua Becker’s list of 35 Gifts Your Children Will Never Forget.

A post from iMom gives 6 Ways to Respond When Your Husband Annoys You.

If you’re struggling with an ongoing issue (like organization), read through Tracy’s post Do You Wish to Get…Organized. She gives tips on making changes in a particular area of life (and uses organization as an example).

These Carrot Cake Blondies sound intriguing, but I’m trying this Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle for our Easter dinner dessert.

I trust that your weekend will be full of worship and praise as we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ!!

7 Truths To Meditate On as We Prepare Our Hearts for Easter

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I’m not sure if it’s because Easter is in late April this year or if it’s just my general frame of mind, but I don’t feel like my heart is properly prepared for this season.

In case you’re in the same boat, I came up with a plan. I’m challenging myself to think about all that Jesus’ death accomplished. There’s not enough room to cover every aspect of that here, so I’m focusing specifically on what Jesus’ blood did for us.

None of these truths are likely new to us, but hopefully as we meditate on them, we’ll realize anew the redemptive work that was finished at the cross.

1. No matter how wicked we’ve been or how many times we’ve sinned, Jesus’ blood cleanses us.

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” ~Isaiah 1:18

2. The blood of Jesus is the only thing that could redeem us. It is pure and precious.

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” ~1 Peter 1:18-19

3. Jesus loved us so much that He willingly shed His own blood for us.

“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,” ~Revelation 1:5

4. It’s the richness of God’s grace that allows us to be redeemed and forgiven.

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” ~Ephesians 1:7

5. Our redemption is eternal. His blood bought us a life with Him that will never end.

“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” ~Hebrews 9:12

6. Because of Jesus’ blood, we can have fellowship with God.

“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” ~Ephesians 2:13

7. Because of Jesus’ blood, we can have fellowship with other believers.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” ~1 John 1:7

And just for a bonus truth, I thought I’d throw in an appropriate hymn to remind us that Jesus paid for ALL of our sins. Don’t let Satan throw guilt your way! Jesus’ blood covers every sin. And because He paid it all, how much we should want to love and serve Him.

I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”

Chorus:

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

For nothing good have I
Where-by Thy grace to claim;
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.

And when, before the throne,
I stand in Him complete,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
My lips shall still repeat.

Jesus Paid It All by Elvina Hall

May you be blessed and encouraged as you think about Christ’s death and resurrection over these next few days!

Related posts:

Saturday Salutes ~ Fighting Fearful Thoughts and Sharing Jesus with Your Kids

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After a week off from sharing any personal pictures, I’m back with a photo of our oldest daughter before her Junior~Senior Banquet last Friday.

Then this past week we were in Greenville, SC, for a national fine arts competition with their school. Their band won first place!! This is the second piece they played – Avalanche by Jonathan McBride – and is probably my favorite song they’ve ever performed.

Our girls play saxophones, so they’re hidden in the second row.

I’m telling you, literally every week brings some “last” moment or event for our graduating senior…but I’ll not go down that emotionally-charged road today!

Here are some good posts I read this week.

Anna shares ideas on How to Ease Tension in Your Home.

Jenn gives us 5 Everyday Ways to Share Jesus with Your Kids.

Michelle tells us How to Fight Fearful Thoughts and Win.

Sarah Joy’s Cottage Style Kids Bedroom is just adorable!!

There’s a bunch of helpful resources in Michelle’s and Annie’s list of Simple Steps to Get Ridiculously Organized for a Stress-Free Summer.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!