My husband and I recently made plans for our summer vacation, which makes me so excited!! I love having events to look forward to! Whether it’s a family vacation, a date night with my husband, or buying an item I’ve been saving up money for, I enjoy anticipating what’s ahead.

But what I don’t want to do is wait for a future event to make me happy.

I talked with my daughters about this when they were younger.  There were many things they could hold up as benchmarks for happiness – when I can drive, when I have a boyfriend, when I’m a senior, when I have enough money to buy those shoes I want.  I simply encouraged them to look around and be grateful for all they have to enjoy this day, in this moment, to grasp “now.”

Grasp means “to seize and hold firmly.”  Every day, we’re given opportunities to seize. Most of them can seem insignificant at the time, but they are the building blocks of our lives. Rather than let the small moments slip past us, let’s hold onto them firmly just for this moment that they have been given. 

I had one of these moments on Saturday night. I was working in the kitchen, my husband was in the garage cleaning my car, and our daughter was practicing a song on the piano. Nothing extraordinary was happening. It was just a typical part of our day. But I stopped to thank God for that moment with the three of us here, all healthy, safe, and loved.

I like this quote from Sarah Ben Breathnach.

“Learning to live in the present moment is part of the path of joy.“

Here’s a list of ten things we can do to grasp the now that is today.

1. Give thanks for the small things.

Write down three things you’re thankful for right now. Bonus points if you put it on a sticky note and reflect on those things for the entire day.

2. Take five minutes and sit still.

Literally, five minutes. Set a timer on your phone and be still. Meditate on a Bible verse, sing through a song in your head, pray, picture your favorite place in your mind. Just don’t think about your to-do list.

3. Smile on purpose.

It can be at your family, at the cashier in the grocery store, at a perfect stranger behind you in line. It takes no extra time or money to smile.

4. Hug your family.

As in a real hug, body to body, not a quick pat on the shoulder as they head out the door.

5. Take a picture of something that’s beautiful to you.

It could be the flower blooming in your front yard, the plate of cookies you baked, your child’s smile. Use it as your home screen on your phone to remind you of the beauty around you.

6. Enjoy eating and drinking mindfully.

I eat way too fast, though I blame it on my kids. I like my food hot, and when they were little, if I wanted to get it down hot, I had to do it quickly before one of them needed something.

We gulp down most of our meals. Today let’s make it a process. Be grateful you have an appetite. Savor what you put in your mouth that nourishes your body.

7. Go outside.

Whatever the weather, try to spend at least a few minutes in nature.

8. Say a heartfelt thank you to someone who serves you today.

The bagger at the grocery store, the barista, the fast-food worker who hands you your chicken sandwich, or the teacher at your child’s school would likely all be encouraged by your expression of appreciation.

9. Meditate on a Bible verse that encourages you.

Here are a few to get you started.

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.” ~Isaiah 12:2

“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” ~Psalm 73:26

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” ~Matthew 11:28

10. Find a little time just to do something you enjoy.

Read a chapter in a book, listen to a podcast or playlist, work on a puzzle, bake cookies, or do some sort of craft. It doesn’t have to take a long time, but set aside a few minutes to do something that brings you pleasure.

We have been given today as a gift from God. May we use the day for His glory by living it to its fullest.

Related posts:

• In the Midst of Change, Here’s Who God Is to Me Today
• 5 Unexpected “gods” We Might Be Worshipping Today
• 3 Truths About God from Psalm 91 to Encourage Us Today

Do you like to talk? I tend to think of myself as a fairly quiet person, but my husband may feel otherwise! 🙂

Regardless, most of us use a bunch of words every day. Those who are closest to us often get the benefit (or detriment!) of many of them.

This came to mind on Monday as I was reading Proverbs 10. I’ve read it often, but this time I noticed how many verses in this one chapter deal with our speech. I figured this topic must be important if it got this much attention!

Whether it’s in marriage, parenting, or friendships, our words have power. I found a few principles in the verses below that can be helpful to us. I’ve not mastered these guidelines that I’m sharing, but I definitely want to do a better job at them!

1. Make sure that our words are refreshing and lifegiving.

Verse 11: The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

We want people to feel better – not worse – after talking to us! I’m reminded of Proverbs 18:21 which tells us that death and life are in the power of the tongue. The words we speak should energize and invigorate people. If someone comes to us down and discouraged, what we say can give them new energy and strength.

The opposite of this could be criticism or using words that wound. Sometimes if we’ve been offended, it’s natural to try to hurt the other person with our words. Or maybe we get frustrated with their behavior and are critical of our husband or one of our children. If we want to be that righteous man, we must choose to either keep quiet or speak kindly.

After a discouraging day at work, our husbands need us to use our words to build them back up. When our teenager’s missed out on an opportunity she really wanted to pursue or had a friendship breakup, she needs our words of support. She may not always act that way – and may even use her words to drive us away – but she needs us to continue to pursue and encourage her.

2. Speak words of wisdom.

Verse 13: In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.

Speech that is discreet and prudent shows that we are wise. Here we need the Holy Spirit’s help so we can discern what to say at times. We want to be careful not to purposely offend with our speech, but to be tactful and considerate.

Verse 31 also fits in here. The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.

Just like the fruit tree brings forth fruit, so we can produce wise words as we learn to be “just” and walk with Christ. I’m also reminded of the Proverbs 31 woman who is described as opening her mouth with wisdom and having the law of kindness in her tongue. I would love to be described that way!!

3. Don’t talk negatively about other people.

Verse 18: He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

At times I struggle with all of these, but this one may be the most difficult to abide by. When we find someone else who shares our less-than-favorable opinion about another person, it’s easy to just dissolve into tearing that person down. Maybe it’s all true…but it takes us back to that old saying, “Is it kind? Is it true? Is it necessary?”

Even more seriously, we don’t want to be guilty of passing on rumors or sharing false, damaging information about others. Let’s stop the gossip train before it gets started!

4. Recognize the value of silence.

Verse 19: In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

I was talking to another mom recently about a situation involving our kids that we were frustrated with. I think both of us felt like we should march up to the authority involved and address them about it. But then my friend saved the situation by saying, “I’ve never regretted what I didn’t say in these moments.” She was absolutely right. That advice can keep me from speaking hastily or harshly and later being sorry that I reacted that way.

Let’s listen more than we talk. Remember Proverbs 17:18? Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps quiet.

5. Choose words that are appropriate and applicable to the current situation.

Verse 20: The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.

We’ve likely all been in situations where someone said just the right thing at just the right time and was a blessing to us. We may have also encountered people who ramble on and on (maybe about themselves) and what they said was of no benefit to anyone.

Verse 32 touches on this as well. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

It’s important, too, to leave the past in the past when dealing with our families. Don’t bring up that old argument with your husband or remind your child about how they failed the last time. Let’s stick to the present and speak in a way that helps us all move forward together.

Our words can be truth-centered, grace-filled, and honoring to the Lord as we seek His help to follow these principles.

Related posts:

• Don’t Be a Fool: Five Things to Avoid if You Want to Be Wise
• 10 Traits of a Wise Woman
• What Abigail Teaches Me About Discretion

My dad passed away on Monday, January 6, 2020.

It obviously wasn’t the way any of us planned to start the year, but it was all in God’s timing. My father was saved as a young adult, and we are fully confident that he went straight from here into the presence of God. Never is heaven more real than when someone we love dearly now resides there!

Our family was overwhelmed by the love and support shown by the many who knew and loved him. As the pastor of a church for 46 years, he certainly influenced a large number of people. But even more deeply than that, it was the impact he had as a person. He treated everyone he interacted with as though they were the most important person in the world.

Not only in life but now in his passing, my dad was a testimony and a motivation to me to live this one life well. There are many ways in which I want to be like him, but here are three that came to mind. Hopefully, they can be a reminder to all of us to use the time we’ve been given with purpose and intention.

1. Continually seek wisdom.

I loved the verse my brother used at the funeral service.

“And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.” ~1 Kings 4:29

Dad was wise because he spent substantial amounts of time in God’s Word. He was a humble man who knew he needed God’s help if he was going to be successful as a husband, father, and pastor.

I and many others benefited from that wisdom. Especially when it came to parenting issues, I was quick to ask how he might handle a certain situation. And the same wisdom that was available to him is there for us as we seek it in the Bible and pray for God’s guidance.

2. Be compassionate.

In the verse above, it says Solomon had “largeness of heart.” That would definitely describe my dad! He was always concerned about others and what they might be going through and wanted to help if he could.

My tendency is to be focused on myself. I need eyes to notice the needs of people around me and then respond quickly. The Holy Spirit can help me to “Bear…one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” [Galatians 6:2]

3. Live for eternity.

I have no doubt that my dad heard “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!” He cared more about pleasing God than anyone else.

This week I was convicted as I read Mark 8:33 which talks about savoring the things of men more than the things of God. Perhaps we all have a tendency to focus on the here and now rather than viewing our thoughts, words, and actions from an eternal perspective. We’ll never regret time we spend in prayer, God’s Word, and reaching out to others.

There were hundreds of people at the visitation and funeral service last week to honor his memory. But they came because of what he did – which was care about people in order to introduce them to his Jesus whom he loved so much.

Related posts:

• 7 Steps to Becoming a Wise Woman: Live for Eternity
• 3 Truths About God from Psalm 91 to Encourage Us Today
• 8 Ways to Know if We Have Godly Wisdom

We’re just about to mid-December, and it’s an exciting time of year!

There are lots of words we could use to describe these weeks leading up to Christmas.

Frantic. Joyful. Crazy. Cheerful. Busy. Sparkly. Commercialized.

We can all likely relate to most of those. But the word I’ve been focusing on during this season is anticipation.

It’s that feeling you had as a child in the days leading up to Christmas. There was total excitement about what was coming on December 25th. You were filled with hope that one particular box under the tree held exactly what you’d asked for.

Perhaps we still experience some of that Christmas anticipation today. Let’s face it, though – it’s more likely to be the excitement we hope to see on our children’s faces when they open that special gift than it is about what we ourselves are receiving.

But as we move beyond the giving and receiving of gifts, I hope we take a few minutes to really anticipate the celebration of Jesus’ birth.

Anticipation is the act of looking forward. It’s expecting something good to happen. It includes an eagerness and an expectancy about what’s going to take place.

It reminds me of what can happen when we as women are in a serious dating relationship. At some point, you begin to anticipate that this special guy is going to ask you to marry him. You don’t know exactly when or where or how, but you know you’ve reached that point in the relationship.

This example reminds us that anticipation also involves an element of preparation. Because you believe something is going to happen, you do something to get ready. In this case, maybe you dress up and do your hair every time you get together. After all, you want to look nice since you never know when he might pop the question – and there are likely to be pictures involved!!

I think about the Jewish people who for so many years looked forward to the birth of the Messiah. They believed God’s promise to them and spent a long time anticipating His arrival.

One of those people we know about specifically is Simeon. We read about him in Luke 2:25-32.

“And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”

What an exciting day for Simeon when what he had been anticipating came to pass! Not only did God fulfill all those Old Testament prophecies for the entire nation of Israel, but He kept His promise to this one individual.

We have a lot to anticipate in these next couple of weeks. Enjoy the Christmas parties, the gifts, the family gatherings, and some yummy foods.

But let’s make time to anticipate the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Let’s do some preparing of our hearts spiritually.

Maybe that looks like doing an Advent reading or devotional every day. (I use Ann Voskamp’s The Greatest Gift.) It could just mean dedicating a few minutes each day to getting still and being quiet long enough to ponder what Christ’s coming really meant for our world and for you as an individual.

Look forward. Be ready. For unto us a Savior is born.

P.S. After writing this post, I looked up previous Christmas posts I’d written to link up below. And do you know what I posted about around this time last year? The word anticipation. Guess I still need to work on my Christmas focus!

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links, which means that if you click on a product link and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small percentage from any sales.  This does not affect your price in any way. Thank you for supporting Girls to Grow through your purchases!

Related posts:

• Don’t Let the Kids Be the Only Ones Anticipating Christmas
• 7 Ways to Prepare Your Heart for Christmas
• Unwrap the Gift of Peace This Christmas

I have a countdown app on my phone. It tells me how many days till our oldest daughter comes home from college for Thanksgiving (12) and Christmas break (27). I don’t have a countdown to Christmas day, but I’ve seen lots of people on social media already doing their Christmas decorating, so I know it will be here before we know it!

Our 16-year-old has started playing Christmas music in the car, though we won’t do any decorating here until the day after Thanksgiving. We still get a live Christmas tree every year, so our older daughter wants us to do that together while she’s home.

I used to be great about getting most of my Christmas shopping done early. That changed when my girls became teenagers. For one thing, they’re likely to change their minds on what they want fairly frequently. They’re also at the point where they usually choose exactly what they want and I just buy it and wrap it!

However, if you’re shopping for teenage girls this Christmas, I thought I’d share this list of things we either already own or that are on my girls’ list for this year – at least the initial version of it!

We recently re-did our 16-year-old’s bedroom, and she’d like to add this set of Photo Clip String Lights to her room

We bought this Lighted Vanity Mirror for my daughter when she went to college. She can put makeup on while sitting on her bed or at the desk in her dorm room if there’s limited space at the bathroom mirror.

Speaking of makeup, she bought herself this Makeup Brush Set and really likes it.

Our younger daughter is definitely into larger earrings, and leather ones are nice and light! (The Leather Earrings she currently owns I found on Etsy.)

One of our girls has requested a bar necklace that can be personalized with her name or initials.

I considered getting my daughter this Reversible Tote Bag when she left for college. I didn’t make the purchase then, but I’m thinking it might make it under the Christmas tree!

We have a small collection of hair tools already, but I’ve heard good things about this Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer Hot Air Brush.

Since their dad’s a Georgia Bulldogs fan, this NCAA Women’s Hoodie would be a popular choice for either one of our daughters. (Lots of other teams are available as well.)

This Cable Knit Pom Pom Throw looks so cozy!

Our 18-year-old’s college roommate has a gravity/weighted blanket, and now she wants to try one! Let me know if you have any experience with these.

Another item for the college girl – rain boots!!

The Fujifilm Instax Mini Camera is a pricier item that’s at the top of our younger daughter’s list at the moment.

Both of our girls like to write, so this cute Llama Journal would be a nice gift.

Our older daughter already owns a version of this Journaling Bible and now our other daughter wants one.

Our younger daughter went through this 3-Minute Devotions for Teen Girls: 180 Encouraging Readings awhile ago and really enjoyed it.

I hope you will find some of these ideas helpful as you shop for the teen girls on your Christmas list!

This post contains Amazon affiliate links, which means that if you click on a product link and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small percentage from any sales.  This does not affect your price in any way. Thank you for supporting Girls to Grow through your purchases!