1 Timothy 1:2

May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.

Lord I am asking for you to give me grace, mercy and peace.  I have so far to come but with your help I have hope!

I am encouraged this morning.  Some things God is opening my eyes WIDE to:

• Perfect love casts out all fear.
• I am not God.  I need to take a step back (min by min) and let God do His job.
• Pain is found where there is growth.
• Psalm 103 God does not deal with us according to our sins.  Do I parent in this way?  Wow!
• Can not lead until I first learn to follow.
• Humility is the foundation for authority.
• 99-100% of the time when I am having an issue with a person there is something I need to change in myself.
• Do not put responsibility before relationship. Ouch.
• What better place to make mistakes = at home. 
• Mercy, love and grace NEVER FAIL!
• Get out of my children's face, too close = provoking.
• So much better to hear the beating of my heart than the beating of commands/voice.
• God is responsible to reach our children's hearts.
• Holy Spirit fills in the holes we have left.
• Forcing the right rules, devotional, curriculum will NOT make children spiritual.
• Accept children (& spouse) as they are.

Today is a different kind of day.  I gave my children permission to sleep in (they often sleep in till 9:00 but not without me telling them they overslept and are behind :)).  They awoke and questioned if I was REALLY allowing them to sleep in as late as they wanted.  They thought I was joking and gave me the oddest look!  When they were fully awake they quietly read in their bed.  I brought them each hot tea, snacks and told them to enjoy more reading.  They looked at me as if I was perhaps an alien.  They thanked me and again questioned if it was really ok to rest more before getting ready.  It was sweet to serve my children.

It is now 11:20 and they are just getting out of their warm beds.  My children don't know what to think of today!  Perhaps I have gone mad.

It is such a blessing to stay home with my children each day.  I thank God for the privilege of being Mom!