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How to Make the Journey from Fear to Faith

November 10, 2021 by Tracey 4 Comments

Hello and welcome to Girls to Grow! It’s a beautiful fall afternoon here. And while I’m not a fan of how early in the evening it gets dark now, I do love that we’re back to it being light earlier in the mornings.

I’ve almost finished Priscilla Shirer’s Bible study on Elijah. This week we’ve looked at how Elijah ran from Jezebel and her death threat in 1 Kings 19. That led to a deeper look at other Bible characters who found themselves in a place of fear but were able to journey through it to faith.

Let’s look at three examples.

Three examples of people in the Bible who moved from fear to faith and how we can do the same.

Jacob.

He was running from his brother Esau who was plotting to kill him. [Genesis 27:41] His mother’s plan was to send him to visit her family until Esau’s anger passed. Jacob was off on a journey to an unknown land to stay with unfamiliar people. On the way, he encountered God.

“And behold, the Lord…said, ‘…I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.‘” ~Genesis 28:13-15

Moses.

He used to be a prince living in a palace. Now he’s a shepherd out in the middle of nowhere. Moses once thought he could help his people break free from their bondage, but his way hadn’t worked. Until he encountered God, in the midst of a burning bush.

“Come now, therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.” ~Exodus 3:10

Gideon.

The Israelites are in bondage to the Midianites. Gideon and his father are threshing wheat in hiding so that the enemy won’t come and take it away. [Judges 6:11] Then Gideon encountered God.

“And the Lord looked upon him, and said, “Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?…Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites…’” ~Judges 6:14, 16

How did these men get victory on the other side? How did they go from a place of fear or uncertainty to living out God’s plan for them?

They trusted God. They believed what He told them and acted on it.

Let’s revisit each of them.

Jacob.

“…If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go…then shall the Lord be my God.” ~Genesis 28:20, 21

What does Jacob come back and say later on in his life? “…O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac…I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant…” ~Genesis 32:9, 10

Moses.

Did it take Moses a minute or two to work through what God wanted him to do? Oh yes. But in Exodus 4:20, he returns to Egypt with the rod of God in his hand. And what does Moses say on the banks of the Red Sea with the Egyptian army breathing down his neck?

“And Moses said unto the people, ‘Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more for ever.‘” ~Exodus 14;13

Gideon.

He has gathered an army, seen it shrink, then overheard a man telling about his dream that Gideon would defeat the Midianites.

“And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream…that he worshipped, and returned unto the host of Israel, and said, ‘Arise: for the Lord hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.‘” ~Judges 7:15

Each of them believed what God said. They had faith that God would keep His Word, that He was faithful to His promise.

What’s your struggle today? Are you running from a certain situation? Are you afraid of following through on something God’s asked you to do?

God has a promise for you in His Word. Could one of these be what you need today?

Do you have a need for God to meet? “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 4:19

Do you feel left alone by God? “…for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” ~Hebrews 13:5

Do you want wisdom? “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” ~James 1:5

How about strength? “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

Desire victory over fear? “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” ~Isaiah 41:10

I’ll end with an example from Paul’s life in 2 Corinthians 1:8-10.

“For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;”

They trusted in God. He delivered. And they continued to trust that He would deliver them in the future.

Claim a promise from God’s Word and trust Him to be faithful to keep it. May God help us as Christian women in 2021 to rely on His promises and trust Him for every need today and for those that are ahead.

Related posts:

  • 11 Common Fears and the Bible Verses We Can Use to Fight Them
  • How to Keep on Going When Your Faith Is Weak
  • 3 Convicting Reasons Why We Don’t Trust God

Filed Under: Worship

2021 Christmas Gift Guide for the Women in Your Life

November 1, 2021 by Tracey 3 Comments

Well, we turned around, and November arrived!! I’ve gotten into shopping mode around here because not only is Christmas on the horizon, but both of our daughters have early December birthdays. While they usually give me some ideas for presents, I still like to find a few things that will surprise them.

As I’ve been online shopping, I came up with twenty-five things that might make good gifts for the women on your Christmas list. There’s a wide variety of categories and most items should be under $50.

Some of the links in this post are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra charge to you. Thank you for supporting Girls to Grow through your purchases!

25+ Christmas gift ideas for the women  - young and old! - in your life

1. Sugar Belle Candles.

I found these candles while shopping with my mom last year. I bought the Bartlett Pear Mason Jar Candle and liked it so much that I went to their website to order more. My most recent purchase was the Apple Cider Donut and it’s a wonderful fall scent!

2. Soma pajamas.

Just last week I mentioned these as a favorite thing in my newsletter, but they also earned a spot on this list! Watch for sales; you can also sign up to receive coupons.

3. Long Brass Locket Necklace.

This long necklace is simple but pretty and would be a great accessory for so many outfits.

4. Joy Creative Shop Personalized Stationery.

What makes these cute cards, notepads, and other paper goods even better is that they can be personalized.

5. The Pioneer Woman 2-Piece Baker Set.

You might find yourself looking forward to cooking when you can serve your food in these dishes! They come in four patterns. I like the spring bouquet.

6. Cable Knit Scarf, Beanie Hat, and Gloves Set.

This set comes in several colors and would be perfect for braving some winter weather in style.

7. Personalized Bible.

Order a Bible and have her name imprinted on the front.

8. Bliss Plush Throw.

You’ll find lots of positive reviews for this blanket! It comes in a number of color choices.

9. Fab Fit Fun Box.

You can give this as a one-time gift or a yearly subscription. Choose from home goods, beauty and wellness products, as well as fashion items.

10. The Next Right Thing Guided Journal.

If you know someone who likes to journal, this is a wonderful gift. I bought it for myself in January and write in it every Sunday afternoon. The prompts are great and I already enjoy looking back over the last ten months at all that I’ve recorded.

11. Five Crowns Card Game.

Our older daughter and her boyfriend introduced us to this game and it’s so much fun to play! It’s similar to Phase 10, but takes less time to play.

12. Cable Knit Cardigan Sweater.

I first saw this in sage, but it’s available in a number of colors.

13. 4 Things Personalized Tote Bag.

I really like personalized gifts. You can choose four of the recipient’s favorite things and have them printed on the front of the canvas tote bag. What would mine say? Maybe Books. Family. Mexican Food. Travel. Or I could go with Chocolate. Podcasts. Mountains. Georgia Bulldogs. 🙂

14. Faux Succulents in Pots, set of 4.

My girls have live succulents in their dorm rooms. I think they’ve had to replace a couple, so I see this faux version as saving money in the long run!

15. Beauty Box Jetsetter Edition in Rose Gold.

If you know someone who enjoys playing around with makeup (definitely my younger daughter!), this would make a great gift.

16. Gift Box from Nana’s Gourmet Goodies.

If you’re buying for someone who won’t be visiting for the holidays you can ship them one of these gift boxes. I’ve sent them to my older daughter in college several times. They offer all sorts of baked goods including cookies, brownies, scones, cakes, popcorn treats, and more! The ones I’ve ordered have always been delivered promptly.

17. Lands End Supima Cotton Towel Set.

These are my new favorite bath towels. The set is a splurge at full price, so definitely watch for a sale. When I last ordered, most colors were 50% off.

18. Suede Moccasin Slippers.

I had a pair very similar to these that I wore for several years. I’m in the market for a new pair now and plan to check these out this week.

19. Marble State Coasters.

These are so pretty and you can choose your state or other patterns. These Slate Coasters are also a good option.

20. Lauren Conrad Simulated Pearl and Floral Teardrop Nickel Free Earrings.

So dainty, yet they still make a statement. For something simpler, check out these Twisted Open Teardrop Earrings or these Nine West Wavy Flat Hoops.

21. Welcome Home: A Cozy Minimalist Guide to Decorating and Hosting All Year Round by Myquillyn Smith.

Have a friend or relative who enjoys decorating and hosting people in her home? I feel sure she would enjoy this book. I’m not much of a home decorator myself, but I loved this book! Myquillyn has a great philosophy for seasonal decorating and includes many practical tips.

22. Reversible Faux Leather Tote and Wristlet.

A number of fashion bloggers I follow have shared good things about this tote. It also has lots of positive reviews!

23. Teak Wooden Spoon Set for Cooking.

Here’s another pretty kitchen item to inspire your cooking.

24. Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Socks.

As someone whose feet are always cold, these sound like an amazing gift!

25. Leather Crossbody Purse.

How cute is this purse? It looks like a perfect size if you’ve streamlined what you want to carry. I also like this Striped Canvas Crossbody/Shoulder Bag if you need something a bit larger.

Whether you’ve already finished your shopping or don’t plan to start until the week before Christmas, I hope you enjoy checking out a few of these items. Maybe you’d even like to do a little shopping for yourself 🙂

If you have any gifts that you enjoy giving, please share them in the comments below. They might be just what I need to finish off my list!

Filed Under: Live

5 Important Rules for Living with Your Teenage Daughter

October 27, 2021 by Tracey 5 Comments

Happy Wednesday! I’m loving the weather we’re having here lately. I was writing this post yesterday sitting on our back patio in the shade. There was a light breeze and the temperature was just about perfect!

Last weekend I was in Florida with our two daughters who are in college. I hadn’t seen them since we dropped them off at the end of August, and it was so good to spend time with them. On Saturday we went to a corn maze with a couple of their friends, so that put me in the fall spirit, too!

Our oldest daughter will soon be 21. (Okay, how is that even possible??) Over the weekend, I was reflecting on how grateful I am for the wonderful young lady she’s become.

I learned a lot about being a mom during her teen years. I for sure didn’t get it all right! However, I did learn a few things in the process. Maybe you’ll find these rules helpful if you’re parenting a teenage daughter.

Parenting teen girls can be a learning time for both mothers and daughters!  Here are five rules to help us navigate this unique season.

1. Make trust a foundational part of your relationship with her.

Parenting during the teenage years is so much harder when we have to wonder if our daughter’s lying to us. We want to believe that she’s actually where she says she’s going to be or that the story she told us about what happened at school is actually true.

Hopefully, we’ve established trust with her during the early years. But don’t be afraid to talk about this often. Grant more privileges and freedoms as she continues to prove that she’s trustworthy. Be willing to implement and stick to consequences if trust is broken.

Trust goes both ways. Make sure she can trust you to do what you say you’re going to do. Don’t share things she tells you in confidence with other people.

2. Never let her doubt your love for her.

Tell her often that you love her, even when she doesn’t give much of a response. Show her by giving little gifts or by doing something kind like taking over a chore for her when she’s having a hard week.

It’s even more important to communicate love when she messes up or disappoints you. Reassure her that she doesn’t earn your love by her behavior. Our daughters need to know that we love them no matter what.

3. Pray for her.

It sounds so simple, in a way, but I was driven to pray during our daughters’ teenage years like I’d never been before. It’s such a pivotal time in their lives. And we’re not always there with them like we were in the early years. They’re beginning to make their own decisions, their own friends, and forming their own values.

When it seems like we can’t reach them, God can. He is always with them. His Spirit can convict them in a way that we can’t when they’re making poor choices.

4. Always be willing to listen.

Whatever she’s trying to communicate, listen. Don’t put down her ideas. Listening doesn’t mean we’ll agree with everything she says, but we want to be a safe place for her to talk things out.

Now the trick might be getting her to talk! Sometimes you just have to be in the vicinity. Drive her places when you can. Hang out in the kitchen when she’s getting an after-school snack. And know that lots of teenagers have the most to say very late at night!

5. Remember that you’re parenting for the future.

A friend and I were talking recently about how we’re parenting for 25. Our teenagers may not like the boundaries we’re setting. It may seem like any advice we’re offering goes in one ear and out the other. But our goal is for them to become a Godly, responsible adult. And that can mean dealing with some discomfort in the moment so that we can see that desired result in the future.

Do you have any other rules for living with teenage girls? I could come up with a few others – like don’t ride the drama roller coaster with them! – but I’d love to hear any that you’d like to share in the comments below.

Related posts:

  • 4 Bible Verses to Hold on to as We Parent Teenagers
  • 7 Ways to Show Love to Your Teenage Daughter
  • 10 Prayers to Pray for Your Daughter

Filed Under: Parent

3 Convicting Reasons Why We Don’t Trust God

October 20, 2021 by Tracey 4 Comments

Some delightful fall weather has arrived here in coastal South Carolina! Our mornings are actually quite chilly, but it warms up nicely during the day. I celebrated with a cup of hot apple cider on Sunday night and chili is on the menu for tonight!

Each morning as part of my devotions I like to read a small portion of a spiritual book. I’m currently on my second time through A.W. Tozer’s The Knowledge of the Holy. My husband actually recommended this book and it’s so good.

Today I wanted to share three short sections from the chapter on the wisdom of God. I’ve really been thinking about these statements this week.

“To believe actively that our Heavenly Father constantly spreads around us providential circumstances that work for our present good and our everlasting well-being brings to the soul a veritable benediction. Most of us go through life praying a little, planning a little, jockeying for position, hoping but never being quite certain of anything, and always secretly afraid that we will miss the way. This is a tragic waste of truth and never gives rest to the heart.“

Sadly I saw myself in that description! But I don’t want to be that way. I want true rest in my soul. To have that, I need to trust that God in His wisdom is always working for my good, even when I don’t see or understand it.

The next paragraph continues with a similar theme.

“Our insistence upon seeing ahead is natural enough, but it is a real hindrance to our spiritual progress. God has charged himself with full responsibility for our eternal happiness and stands ready to take over the management of our lives the moment we turn in faith to Him.“

God wants us to trust Him with our lives, to wait on Him, to resist the urge to forge ahead in our own wisdom.

We’re likely all familiar with Hebrews 11:6.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him [God]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

We must have faith if we’re going to please God. It begins with the faith we demonstrate when we trust Jesus as our Savior. Yet we should continue to grow in our faith as we walk with Him daily. Can’t the God who has saved our soul for all eternity guide us through our life down here by His wisdom and for our best?

The chapter ends with this question.

“With the goodness of God to desire our highest welfare, the wisdom of God to plan it, and the power of God to achieve it, what do we lack?“

The obvious answer to that question is nothing. We lack nothing when we trust God to guide our lives according to His plan.

So with all that being said, why do we fail to trust God? Here are three reasons, though there could certainly be more.

Even though our God is all-wise, we sometimes fail to trust that His way is best.  Here are three possible reasons why.

1. We don’t fully believe that He is good.

Of course, I’m going to say with my mouth and in my head that I believe God is good. But do I know it in my heart? Is it evidenced by the way I give over every situation to Him with confidence and willingly accept whatever the outcome?

2. We think we know better than God how our lives should go.

Whether it’s deciding which direction we should take or being impatient with God’s timing, we’re often tempted to take matters into our own hands. As we chase our own ambitions or fail to wait on God, we show our lack of trust.

3. We question whether or not God can really live up to His promises.

Again, we wouldn’t verbalize this doubt, but we show it by the way we act. While we know God is faithful and we read promises in His Word, we make our own backup plans or escape routes just in case He doesn’t come through for us.

It convicts me to read these and consider in what areas of my life I’m not trusting God. I need His Holy Spirit living in me to grow my faith. I need to say with the father who brought his demon-possessed child to Jesus, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” [Mark 9:23]

Related posts:

  • Trusting His Grace When I Can’t See His Face
  • What Ruth Teaches Me About Trusting God
  • On Trusting God’s Purpose When I Just Want an Easier Life

Filed Under: Worship

11 Common Fears and the Bible Verses We Can Use to Fight Them

October 6, 2021 by Tracey 6 Comments

Welcome to Girls to Grow! We’re moving right through this first week of October with a bit of gloomy weather here. However, I’m certainly enjoying the slightly cooler morning temperatures when I head out for my walk.

I have a question for you today.

What are you afraid of?

Our world is full of all kinds of fears. There are general fears – Covid, political unrest, violence in some communities – and there are fears that are specific to you and your situation.

We know that God doesn’t want us to live in fear (2 Timothy 1:7). But sometimes the problems of life and uncertainties about the future try to steal the peace that God wants us to have.

Dwelling on Scripture is one way we can overcome our fears.  Below I’ve listed some fears that we likely all face from time to time along with Bible verses that offer comfort in these areas.

When a specific fear threatens your peace, use one of these Bible verses to find comfort.

1.  Not parenting well. 

“Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.”  ~Proverbs 29:17 

We all want to be good parents. But we also all fail at times. What a gift that God’s grace is enough for all our mistakes!

If we show our children we love them and consistently correct and train them according to Biblical principles, we can look forward to a time when they will, as the verse says, bring delight to our souls.

2.  Getting old.  

“And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.”  ~ Isaiah 46:4

Once we hit a certain age, there’s a natural tendency to think about what will happen to us in our later years. Will we lose our health? At what point will our spouse or other close family members face health challenges or pass away?

The same God that brings us to old age will walk with us in those years, too. I love that the word “carry” is used twice in this verse. It’s comforting to think of God carrying us through our later years especially since our natural strength will likely be diminished. In our weakness and frailty, He will carry us.

3.  Having unmet needs.  

“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”  ~Psalm 37:25

God knows our needs. Matthew 6:33 tells us that as we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, He will meet our physical needs. Yet He also meets our spiritual and emotional needs. He sees us where we are and will never forsake us.

4.  Prolonged illness. 

“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”  ~Isaiah 40:29

Losing our health is something we can be afraid of. Whether it’s a sickness that lasts for weeks or a disability that lasts for years, we don’t like the thought of not being able to control our bodies like we want to.

Yet God can give us the strength to live with the health difficulties that come into our life. His grace is sufficient for every struggle we face.

5.  Financial difficulties. 

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  ~Philippians 4:19

Few people have so much money that they are immune to financial struggles. When we do have some savings or wealth built up, it can lead us to trust in ourselves and our own abilities instead of God.

This verse reminds us that God will supply our needs. He has all of the available resources to do so.

6.  Inadequacy.  

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”   ~II Corinthians 12:9

We can feel inadequate as a spouse, a parent, a supervisor, an employee, a friend… the list goes on. But as we rely on God, He can give us the strength and ability to do whatever we’re called to do in any area of life. We are not adequate or sufficient in ourselves, but He is. We are completely adequate to do the job as He works through us.

7.  Being physically unsafe. 

“The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.”  ~Proverbs 21:31

Also, “The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.” ~Psalm 121:7-8

Thankfully I haven’t been in many situations where I feared for my physical safety, but I know it’s a fear for some. We should take precautions to protect ourselves, but this verse tells us that the Lord is the one Who keeps us safe. His eye is always on us.

8.  Failure. 

“If God be for us, who can be against us?”  ~Romans 8:31 

Also, “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”  ~I Thessalonians 4:24 

I’m sure we’ve all failed at something in our lives…and likely more than one “something!” Yet through failure we learn more about ourselves. It’s often through the lessons learned from a failure that we find success. And we can trust that when God calls us to a certain task, He will help us complete it.

9.  Being alone. 

“….for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”  ~Hebrews 13:5

Yes, we may go through seasons where, in a human sense, we’re alone. Or even in the midst of people, we can still feel like we’re alone. But God, who is faithful always, has said that He will never leave us.

10.  Uncertain future.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”  ~Jeremiah 29:11

At different times in our lives we will face an uncertain future. Maybe we’ve lost a job and don’t know what’s next. Perhaps we’re waiting on a medical diagnosis or to see how a relationship goes. We don’t have to be afraid because God knows our next step. We can trust Him to unfold His plan in a way that is best for us.

11.  Death. 

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me….”  ~Psalm 23:4

Even in death, the ultimate transition, we don’t need to be afraid. God is with us. When our time here on earth is done and God calls us to Heaven, He will give us grace in that moment.

No matter what your fear is, God can overcome it.  “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”  ~Psalm 34:4.

What Bible verse do you turn to when you’re afraid? Let us know in the comments below.

Related posts:

  • 6 Steps for How to Pray When We’re Anxious or Afraid
  • 10 Things We Can Know About God’s Goodness
  • Is Your Faith Little or Great?

Filed Under: Worship

12 Best Parenting Books for Moms

September 30, 2021 by Tracey 11 Comments

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra charge to you. Thank you for supporting Girls to Grow through your purchases!

I tend to collect parenting books.

Rearing Godly children is something I’m passionate about, so it’s hard for me to pass up a book that might present a principle in a unique way or encourage me in my role as a mother.

Here I’m sharing twelve of my favorite parenting books from the many that I’ve read over the years.

[My own little disclaimer: There are few books outside of the Bible that I would agree with 100%. And while I definitely recommend the books on this list, that doesn’t mean that I endorse every single word that the author’s written.]

Check out this list of 12 books that can help moms learn and grow as they parent their children

1. On Becoming Babywise by Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam, MD

I’ve heard lots of different opinions on the scheduling and sleep training ideas presented in this book. All I can speak to is my own experience. I followed many of the authors’ suggestions with both of our girls and they were sleeping through the night at an early age. Having a simple schedule to follow gave me a lot of confidence as a new mom.

2.  Raising a Happy, Unspoiled Child by Burton L. White

I enjoyed the basic parenting principles in this classic book. It’s broken down into chapters that cover the first three years of a child’s life and talks about how children develop at each stage.

3.  Making Home Work in a Broken Society by Paul Chappell

It’s hard to raise Godly children in a culture that leans away from God. This book reminds us that by following Biblical principles in our homes we can still have families that love and serve Jesus.

4.  John Rosemond’s Six Point Plan for Raising Happy, Healthy Children

John Rosemond is one of my favorite parenting authors. His advice is so practical and his writing style is down-to-earth.

5.  Different Children, Different Needs by Dr. Charles F. Boyd with Robert A. Rohm, PHD

This book helps you evaluate your own personality style as well as that of your child. Then it gives you pointers on how to effectively parent based on those individual personalities.

6.  On Becoming Childwise by Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam, M.D.

This book generally covers ages three through seven of your child’s life. That’s one of my favorite segments of parenting! Included are 15 principles to help you parent well through this season.

7.  Making Children Mind without Losing Yours by Dr. Kevin Leman

First of all, what a great book title! Dr. Leman uses humor to help us see the lighter side of parenting, yet includes reasonable solutions to many of our parenting dilemmas.

8.  Passionate Parenting by Cary Schmidt

If you’re parenting teenagers, this book is for you. It’s full of helpful advice and also showed me that many of the parenting struggles I faced during my girls’ teen years were shared by others!

9.  The Pursuit of Godly Seed by Danny Kenaston

Here’s an in-depth parenting book that covers all the basics in regards to having a solid Christian home. It’s not a light read, but worth investing your time in.

10.  The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian

Nothing has inspired me to pray like having children! This book is a great reminder of the impact we can have on our children as we cover every area of their life in prayer.

11.  Middle School:  The Inside Story by Cynthia Tobias and Sue Acuna

If you have a middle schooler, I’d encourage you to read this book. The authors are experts in dealing with children in this age group and offer plenty of practical advice and encouragement.

12.  Boundaries with Kids by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

Just like the other books in the Boundaries series, this one helps you set reasonable limits where needed so that your child can develop personal responsibility.

A book that almost made the list: Making the “Terrible” Two’s Terrific by John Rosemond. Another very practical book on dealing with some of the issues that make parenting this age group a little scary 🙂

As I reviewed these titles, I noticed that I’m drawn to books that help parents teach their children personal responsibility. How about you? Have you read any of these books? What other parenting books would you recommend? Let me know in the comments below!

Originally posted September 2010. Updated September 2021.

Filed Under: Parent, Read

How to Plan Ahead for a Busy Life Season

September 29, 2021 by Tracey 4 Comments

Welcome, friends! I hope you’re doing well and enjoying some beautiful weather like we are here in coastal South Carolina.

Are you even ready to acknowledge that October arrives on Friday? It’s one of my favorite months of the year, probably because it feels the most “fall-ish” to me. The temperatures are fairly moderate and while we don’t get much fall color on the trees around here, whatever we do get hits this month.

We also know we’re heading into one of the busiest times of the year. It seems like I blink and we go from October 1st to January 2nd. It’s crazy, but a good crazy!

How do you handle a busy season in life? Yes, this can mean the holidays. But there are plenty of other occasions that send us into overdrive. How about moving? Planning a wedding? Having a baby? All of these fill our days with tasks and events that are outside of our normal routine.

Most of the time (but not always), we get a little bit of notice that a busy season is coming. That’s great because it gives us an opportunity to think ahead about how we want things to look. We can at least lay out a plan for how we hope those days will go. It’s easier to be intentional and strategize when we’re not quite in the thick of it yet!

Today let’s look at ten tips that can help us plan ahead when we see one of those busy life seasons on the horizon.

Ten tips for tackling the busy season you're facing, from the holidays to a move to planning a wedding!

1. Determine how you’re going to keep God at the center of it all.

Don’t let the busyness crowd out your daily time with Him. Whether it’s part of your morning or evening routine, guard that time. Be faithful in attending church. Listen to good Chrisitan music and podcasts while you’re running all those errands, wrapping gifts, or packing boxes.

2. Align your expectations with reality.

Simplify. If it’s the holidays we’re talking about, that could include the gift-giving, the shopping, the baking, the decorating, all of it. Whatever the situation, figure out what you can actually accomplish in a certain time period and be good with that.

3. Plan now for three specific things you want to happen.

Buy the tickets for the Christmas concert. Put the date on your calendar when you need to order the parts of the Thanksgiving meal you don’t want to make. Plan the pre-wedding mother/daughter shopping trip. Choose the three most meaningful things for this season and schedule them now.

4. Take into consideration what those around you will want or need.

Is it a busy time at work for your husband? Do you have family members that need accommodations? Take time beforehand to think through how the other people who are part of this season will be involved.

5. Tell others what you need.

Ask someone to bake the Christmas cookies. If a friend volunteers to help with your move, give them a specific task to do. Often your family is willing to help if you’ll just let them know what to do. Communicate clearly what you’re going to need during this hectic time.

6. Embrace spontaneity.

This isn’t me. I’m good with the planning and then all I want to do is stay on task. But if our girls come in while I’m in the middle of a project and want to run to Crumbl, I hope I’ll jump in the car and go.

7. Go to bed.

In other words, get sleep. The more rested you can be before and during the busy season, the better you’ll be able to move through it.

8. Set small goals.

I love to-do lists. But I tend to make them much longer than I can realistically accomplish in one day! Set a few daily or weekly goals of tasks that need to be done and enjoy that feeling of accomplishment when you cross them off your list!

9. Let the little stuff go.

When life is busy, focus on the most important things. If the laundry piles up or it’s cereal for supper, it’s okay. This is temporary.

10. Pray.

The list of what we can’t control in any season is long…the weather, the mail (recent personal experience), someone getting sick, etc. But God IS in control. Ask for His wisdom and guidance for your plans and for the strength to accomplish what needs to be done in the moment.

I’m sure that some of you have survived more busy life seasons than I have! Let us know in the comments below any tips that have helped you during those times.

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Filed Under: Live

5 Characteristics of a Foolish Woman

September 22, 2021 by Tracey 7 Comments

Hello, friends, and welcome to autumn! The weather is definitely supposed to feel more fall-like here over the next few days, and I’m looking forward to that. I’m not ready for coats and boots yet, but a little sweater weather would be nice 🙂

Recently I was trying out a new recipe. The instructions said to put a certain group of ingredients in the food processor. However, I didn’t want to drag that heavy thing out from under the counter and then have to clean it when I was done. The blender was much easier to access in the pantry and I could easily throw it in the dishwasher afterward.

That all sounded like a great plan until I got the ingredients into the blender. And then I realized that there was almost no liquid in there…meaning the ingredients probably weren’t going to come together like they were supposed to. At that point, I wasn’t about to dump it all into the food processor and start over. I *may* have gone off script and added a little liquid to make it work.

It came out okay in the end, but in retrospect, I can see how the food processor would have worked better. Full disclosure: I feel like a lot of my cooking and baking adventures go this way. I do something wrong the first time and learn from that what not to do the next time!

There are times when we can learn the right way to do something by studying what not to do. I think we’d all agree that we want to be wise women. So today I thought we’d look at what characterizes a foolish woman to see how we don’t want to act.

Based on different Bible verses, here are five characteristics of a foolish woman.

Are you a wise or foolish woman? Check out these five characteristics of a foolish woman and see if you recognize any of them in your own life.

1. She won’t listen to instruction.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” ~Proverbs 1:7

A foolish woman isn’t teachable. She wants her own way. She doesn’t seek wisdom from God’s Word or from Godly people in her life.

I think we can throw stubbornness in here, too. Proverbs 7:11 describes the strange woman as stubborn. If you want to be a foolish woman, refuse to change your mind even when there are good reasons to do so. Don’t yield to anyone else’s direction, regardless of the circumstances.

2. She tears down her house.

“Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” ~Proverbs 14:1

I’ve done some digging to try to discover what that phrase means – the foolish woman plucks her house down with her hands. Obviously, it’s not talking about her physical house, but her home. It would be actions that damage her family’s wellbeing.

Things that come to mind are living above her means, spending money that they don’t have. Maybe she fails to manage the household well; she neglects her children and doesn’t provide the things that would make them feel safe. And there’s certainly the spiritual side of it as well. If she doesn’t prioritize living out and teaching God’s Word, she is failing to build the spiritual foundation they need for life.

3. She doesn’t accept everything as from God’s hand.

“Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.” ~Job 2:9-10

Wow, Job had it so right here. His wife’s perspective was, “How can you still believe in a God that would allow all these terrible things to happen to you?”

Is that how we want to be, doubting God’s love and goodness when a trial comes along? That’s the way of the foolish woman.

4. She has no control over her tongue.

“The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.” ~Proverbs 15:2

Like water pouring out of a pitcher, a foolish woman just lets words spill out of her mouth. We could say that she doesn’t have a filter or that she speaks before she thinks.

Honestly, this can be an easy trap to fall into. Usually, the more we talk, the more opportunities we have to say something we shouldn’t. And thoughtlessly spoken words can hurt others.

5. She gets angry easily.

 “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” ~Ecclesiastes 7:9

Just like the foolish woman doesn’t control her tongue, neither does she control her emotions. She blows up over little things. Maybe her family tiptoes around her until they’ve assessed what her mood is that day.

Nothing good comes from having a short fuse. A sign of a foolish woman is one who has a quick temper and is easily offended.

As we see these five qualities of a foolish woman, let’s ask God to point out any that have taken root in our own lives. With His help, we can become wise women who bless our families and honor Him.

Can you think of other traits that a foolish woman might have? Let me know in the comments below!

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Filed Under: Worship

11 Different Ways to Study the Bible

September 14, 2021 by Tracey 5 Comments

It’s a new week here at Girls to Grow! Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Last week we did a brief series on five basic disciplines in our Christian lives. We began by talking about reading our Bible daily. It’s one of the first things we start to do as new followers of Jesus.

As we grow, however, we’re going to want to dig a little deeper. The best way to get to know more about God is not just to read, but also to begin studying His Word. Maybe sometimes we think we need to be real scholars with a seminary degree to study our Bibles. And if that’s you, great! But if not, all of us can still learn great truths for ourselves as we study God’s Word.

Before we get into the ways we can study Scripture, let’s talk about a few basic tools you’ll want to have on hand. Obviously, you’ll need a Bible. For my personal Bible study, I use a Bible that my parents gave me when I was in high school! I love seeing all the notes I’ve written in it over the years. And I’m so familiar with its layout that I can picture exactly where many familiar passages are on its pages!

Secondly, you’ll want a pen and something to write on. It could be a nice journal or just a basic notebook, which is what I use.

And then you’ll want a way to do some research. You could certainly have physical books like a concordance and a Bible dictionary on hand. I actually like having all of that available digitally. I use my laptop to do things like look up the meanings of words or search for verses on a particular topic. My cell phone works just as well but I’m more likely to get distracted and look at other things on my phone than I am on my laptop.

Finally, I want to remind us that what we need more than any other tool is the help of the Holy Spirit. He’s the one who can take the words on the page and make them come alive for us. You’ve probably had the experience where you’re reading a very familiar passage and all of a sudden you grasp a truth that you’ve never noticed before. In our lifetime we can never get to the bottom of all that the Bible has to teach us.

So whichever way you choose to study the Bible, it’s always good to start by praying and asking for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to you.

Now let’s look at eleven different ways we can study the Bible.

We know it's important to study God's Word.  Here are eleven different ways we can read and learn from our Bibles.

1. Study a specific Bible character.

You could choose a well-known character who has many verses or even several chapters written about him – like Moses or Joseph or Paul. Or dig into someone who’s a lesser-known character like Abigail or Mordecai.

2. Study a topic in the Bible.

Fear, prayer, temptation, wisdom – the list of topics you can study is quite long! Use a concordance or a topical Bible to find all the verses that deal with your chosen topic.

3. Study one of the epistles.

You’ll find these letters that the apostles wrote, most of them to different churches, in the New Testament.

See if you can discover the theme of a particular epistle. If people’s names are mentioned, try to find out more about them. Search other epistles or the book of Acts to see if their names appear there.

4. Study the Psalms.

You could spend a good long time in Psalm 119! It’s a great study about God’s Word. Look for new lessons in popular Psalms like 23 and 100.

Or you could do a study of Psalms that focus on praising and worshipping God. There are lots of them! Look for similarities and differences.

5. Study Who God is in a story.

Choose any story – the Israelites at the Red Sea, David and Goliath, Esther, Daniel in the lions’ den, Paul and Silas in jail. Note how God interacts with the people in the story. What action does He take, if any? What characteristics of God stand out the most in that story?

6. Use a published Bible study.

I tend to rotate between doing my own study and using a published one. Some of my favorites have been Priscilla Shirer’s The Armor of God, Jen Wilkin’s God of Creation, and Betty Henderson’s A Woman of Prayer.

7. Read through the gospels.

I got this idea from Annie F. Downs. She read through all four gospels every month for a year as a way to get to know Jesus better. I’ve read the four gospels through in a month, though not for twelve months in a row!

8. Do a word study.

This is similar to studying a topic, which we mentioned above. But instead of a topic, choose a particular word and find all the times it’s used in Scripture.

If you want to go deeper, maybe choose a Hebrew word in the Old Testament or a Greek word in the New Testament to research. We’ve probably all heard the different words for love, like agape. Find all the mentions of agape in the Bible and see what you can learn from it.

9. Study the names of God.

Jehovah, Adonai, Alpha and Omega – these are just a few of the names of God used in the Bible. Read them in context in various passages and realize all that God is to you.

10. Study the promises of God.

This one is exciting to me! Find promises God made in the Bible. Start with the one He made to Noah that the whole earth would never be destroyed by a flood again. Then find more of His promises, to Abraham, to the Israelites, to believers in the New Testament.

11. Study the commands of Jesus.

This idea came to me when I was reading John 14. In verse 15, it says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” I decided that I wanted to know exactly what those commandments are. I went through the gospels and found commands that Jesus gave to His followers.

These are just 11 ideas for ways we can study the Bible. There are certainly many others! I hope you’ll let me know if you have another one that we could add to the list.

May we take the wonderful gift God has given us in His Word and use it to learn more about Him.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra charge to you. Thank you for supporting Girls to Grow through your purchases!

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Filed Under: Worship

Why Should I Meditate on Scripture?

September 10, 2021 by Tracey 2 Comments

Happy Friday! I hope you have something fun or relaxing planned for this weekend – or maybe just something you want to get accomplished! My husband and I are headed out on a date tonight, and tomorrow we hope to make progress on staining a dresser that we’re refinishing.

We’ve come to the final day of our series asking ourselves, “Why Should I…?” We’ve talked about reading our Bible, praying, being thankful, and serving others. The last question we’ll address is “Why should I meditate on Scripture?”

Meditating on God's Word brings many benefits.  Here are five of them.

1. To renew our minds.

As we go through the day, our minds are overrun with conflicting thoughts and ideas. Many of them are not helpful or uplifting. Meditating on God’s Word can keep us thinking on those things that honor God (Philippians 4:8).

2. Because it brings success.

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” ~Joshua 1:8

I think this promise is just as applicable to us as it was to Joshua. Meditating on God’s Word and applying it in our lives will prosper us in many ways.

3. To get victory over sin.

“Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” ~Psalm 119:11

Memorizing and meditating on specific Bible verses can give us victory over the sin we struggle with. There is power in God’s Word.

4. To gain wisdom.

Scripture is full of truth that will help us deal with the situations we face. The Holy Spirit can take the verses that we meditate on and give us direction and discernment.

5. To help us praise and worship God.

“My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.” ~Psalm 119:48

It’s such a blessing to be able to praise God with His own words! When we’ve memorized a praise passage, say from the Psalms, we can think about it as we go through our day. At any point, we can have our own private worship time as we use those verses to praise Him.

Thanks so much for following along with the series this week! I hope something we’ve discussed has encouraged you to cultivate habits that will help you grow in your walk with the Lord.

Related posts:

  • 5 Helpful Ways God’s Word Can Light Our Path
  • Using Bible Verses to Fight My Fears
  • 10 Simple Verses from Psalms to Inspire Your Praise Life

Filed Under: Worship

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Welcome! I'm Tracey, wife and mom to two teenage girls. I seek to help Christian moms raise children who know, love, and serve God by sharing Biblical wisdom, helpful tips, and practical advice. Read More…

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