the faith of a child

To me there is nothing more precious than the faith of a child.
And we had a wonderful experience here recently.

Last Sunday we were headed out someone where. So my husband went to start the van.
But it would not crank even after a few minutes of trying. We previously had no problems at all with it , so we were all surprised that it would not start and wondering what might be worng with it.
Then Sam asks, " Daddy would you like me to pray?"
Daddy told him that he could is he could like too.

So Sam comes running into the house where I was still, and begins to pray.
I was just heading into the bathroom at the moment and was going to tell him when I got out, that even though God always answers our prayers, He doesn't always answer our prayers that way we would like, but answers what is best for us. ( because I didn't want him to be discouraged)
Well before I could get out, I heard the van crank right up!
Sam goes running back out side, but then hears that the van is running quite rough.
So he comes running back in and says that he has to pray again.
So he quickly prays again. ( I did not bother to tell him anything before his second prayer. :) )
Runs back out and then van is running smooth as ever!!
As we head out our drive way he says, "Aren't you glad I prayed?"
We said we sure were!!
And I was thinking, wow, the faith of a child!!


Sam believed that if he prayed that the van would start. And it did!
Would we have prayed?
Probably not. And why not?
Would it be because of a lack of faith on our part, or because we think we shouldn't pray for something like that?
Good question.
I know that I would definitely prayed for it to start if we were stranded out in the middle of no where, and that was are only hope. But would that be right?
Should pray be our last resort?
Or should it be the first thing we always turn to?
I am feeling more and more that I need to be like Sam .
This has not been the first time he has prayed for something pacific like that and his prayers always emediently answered. His faith has really been growing and getting stronger because of it.
And my mom heart just swells with joy!

If only we could all have the faith of a child!

In Him,
Mae

I am reminded of this verses.
"....Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:4
" Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein." Luke 18:17

having faith as we should

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."
Hebrews 11:6

Faith. A topic that has been on mind a lot lately.
I feel it is something that God is really trying to speak to me about here recently. I guess He feels I am lacking in that area. Because about every time I turn around something about faith comes up.

When I am reading in the Bible I come across verses about faith.
When I read to the children in the evenings we read about missionaries that had great faith in God in various situations.
In the kids school something comes up about faith.
Talking to a friend and we talk about having more faith in God.
And time and time again I am hit with the topic of faith.

Just recently in my son's grade one Bible work I read him the story of Peter walking on the water to Jesus. I absolutely love that story and I felt God was really speaking to me through it.

Read Matthew 14: 22- 32.

Jesus disciples were in the the ship, and the waves were strong and tossing the ship. At this point they see Jesus walking on the sea to them. Thinking it was a spirit they were very afraid, then Jesus spoke to them saying, "Be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid."
Peter then asked Jesus to call him to come , so Jesus told him,"Come."
Peter gets out of the ship and starts to walk to Jesus. He does fine for awhile.
But he soon looks around him and sees all the hard wind and waves. And he losses faith.
And became afraid.
Then he begins to sink.
So Jesus stretched forth His hand, and said on to him, "O ye of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"

We can conclude that if Peter had not let the wind and waves around him get the best of him, that he would have been able to successfully walk on the sea out to Jesus.
But he took his eyes off Jesus and looked around him and thought, " There is no way I can do this, there is strong wind and waves, this is not possible for me walk on the sea."
And when he let that lie fill his head and lost his faith, he at once began to sink.

And that is what fascinates me. The wind did not get no stronger. Peter just simply believed that he could not to do it any longer, therefore he could not. He lacked the faith.

Faith. That is the key.
By faith Peter walked on water.
By faith Peter could have continued to have walked on the water.
By faith many great people of the Bible accomplished a mighty great feat. ( Hebrews 11 speaks of them)


Who changed since Bible times, God or man?
We know God is the same yesterday, today and forever, so that means man is the one that changed. Somehow and somewhere along the line we lost faith in God's ability.
God's power and ability has not changed, but we have changed.

We have believed Satan's lies.

Satan has told us God no longer works like that as He did in Bible times.
Satan has told us that God can't protect us anymore from our enemies, and that we must protect our selves by our own earthly strength.
Satan has told us God does not have control of the womb, and that we must control that area of our lives our selves,
and ect., ect......
We have looked around us; we have believed the lies of Satan, and began doubting, and lost our faith.

It is time to get our faith back. It is time we believe that God not only can, but that He will!


So how do we get our faith back. I believe the answer lies in this verse.
"So then faith coming by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
Romans 10:17

Reading and believing God's word. That is the key.
Not listening to man's reasonings and doughtings, but listen to God only.
And when man tells you that somthing is impossible, remmber that with God all things are possible.

So my dear fellow moms in Christ, do not losse your faith. But keep clinging to our Heavely Father, and keep believing that He that was able in the Bible times, is still able today!!
God has not change and He never will!!!

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.
In Him,
Mae

Motherhood --- the greatest career

Here is a sweet encouraging poems for moms.

Mother
Mother! If you think you're just a housewife
And your life is dull and drear
Because you don't bring home the pay
And you don't have a career.

'Cause you don't get out amongst the crowd,
To find out all that's new,
Just listen a moment
For I have news for you.

There's not a more important work
Throughout all the land,
Because you have the power
To change the world; within your hand.

So bring up your children
In the best way that that you know.
For the way they are brought up
Is the way the world will go.

They'll be leaders or followers
In twenty years or so
And their leadership will hinge
On everything they know.

So bring them up in the ways of God
So they may understand
If He's the ruler of their life
Then He will rule the land.

This is the only hope we have
For peace and joy, we know.
So mother, you must do your best.
It's the only way to go.

So mother, don't you feel left out
You're indispensable, my dear,
For the way the world will go
Depends on your career.

~ Harry Kruse

Motherhood is the highest calling and the greatest career any woman can have!!!
So embrace it and give it your all!!
Your children deserve it and you will be blessed for it!
In Him,
Mae

be a watchwoman of your home

I would like to share an article here written by Nancy Campbell from the Above Rubies Ministries. ( shared here with from permission from Nancy )


It is so good, and is the very things that have been heavy on my mind and heart for my family.






SCARE THE DEVIL

The ark kept Noah and his family safe from flood. But, although they were safe, they had to go through the storm. We will never be able to avoid the storms and tempests of this life. Consequently, we have to learn how to navigate them. God shows the way through the example of Noah who built a strong home, a home that could withstand the biggest tempest that ever hit this earth.





...Each one of has faced our different storms. We may face bigger storms ahead. The most important thing we can do is to continue strengthening our marriage and our home. Ask God to show you any leaks where the destroying enemy can enter in. Our homes constantly need repair. I am glad I married a “Mr. Fix It” as I call my husband. But more than physical wear and tear is spiritual wear and tear.





Constantly check what is going on in your home, what is being watched and read in your home, and what is coming into your home. The enemy hates godly homes and he looks for openings in the walls where he can enter in. He looks for broken down walls. Close up all holes. Take authority over compromise, worldliness and all evil. Plead for God’s protection and cover your home with the power of the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Become such a diligent watchwoman that you scare the devil!


Love from Nancy

So well put, and must for us all to do. May we all be ever so watchful of our homes not allowing any evil to enter therein.
( If you would like to learn more about the Above Rubies ministries please visit www.aboverubies.org )

In Him,
Mae

the TV song

I just recently came across this little song in one of the children's piano books.
After reading it I was like, "really!? Is this what it's like in some homes?"
Here is the song.

TV
Every night I watch TV till time to go to bed.
Every night I watch TV till I'm a sleepy head.
Mother turns out every light, Then we watch TV.
Pictures, stories, every night for our family.
Every night I watch TV till time to go to bed.
Every night I watch TV till I'm a sleepy head.

That sounds so very sad to me, if that is really true in some homes.
I am thinking what about...
~ reading good books
~ playing family games
~ family devotions
~ writing letters
~ sewing, knitting, or crocheting
~ doing crafts or coloring or puzzles
~ talking with each other about the day
~ or just time to think, and going to bed at decent hour?

I am thinking there is much more exciting things to life than watching TV every night.

So glad that song isn't true for our home.
In my opinion life is far too short to spend it that way, I have way to many great things to accomplish and do in life!!
I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Just leave me a comment.

In Him,
Mae

sewing denim skirts from jeans

Just recently a fellow homeschooling mom told me about sewing denim skirts from jeans. Then another mom gave me a web link to some very good step-by-step instructions for sewing the skirts.
So I decided to sew both my little girls a jean skirt. And here is pictures of the completed project, along with the step-by-step instructions to go with it!!!

Now I have two very happy girls proudly showing off their jean skirts!!

Instructions:

Things you will need

~ Jeans

~sewing machine with sturdy needle for thick fabric

~tan denim strength tread

~straight pins

1) Cut off jeans at the desired length and turn them inside out.

2) Using a seam cutter, rip out the inside seams of the legs ( up to the zipper in the front and to the yoke in the back).

3) Starting at the top ( what used to be the crotch area, right under the zipper), pin together the front panels leaving 3/4 - inch for a seam. If the top area seems to bulky, take this small flap area and fold it over the to be sewn flat against the front of the skirt.

4) Using a heavy duty needle ( for thick fabric), sew the flap flat against the skirt; then sew the seam down to the hem area, leaving about 1 1/2 in. for the hem. *

5) Turn the skirt around and repeat the above process, pinning and stitching the seam down to just above the hem area.

6) After the front and back have been stitched, but before hem it, try it on to see if it is to tight. If the skirt needs a little wiggle room, cut a 2 or 3 inch slit up the back, or side of the skirt. Fold the cut the material of the slit inside ans stitch it down to the hem. Stitch across the top of the slit to keep it from fraying.**

7) With the skirt turned inside out, fold up the hem about 1 inch and secure all the way around with straight pins. Stitch the hem, directly under the pins; then remove the pins after hem is finished. ***

Tips

~ personalize your new denim skirt with studs , embroidered designs, rhinestones,or other craft decos. If you prefer the hem to gradually fray , then omit stitching the hem; just be sure it has been cut evenly around. ( for theses skirts I did not add any thing for decore, these jeans were already decorated like this)

* In step 5 I did not sew back the flap as instructed, but simply cut that all off (leaving about a 1/2 inch from the seam), after sewing up each seam. It seemed to be just fine, at least on the girls skirts.

** In step 6 I did not cut a slit in the girls skirts for they seemed to be just right. I can see though in a longer skirt that a slit may be needed to be roomy enough.

*** In step 7 I did not pin the hem but just simply tucked the material under while I was sewing the hem. Less hassle that way. It worked fine for me, but I was not to concerned with having an absolutely even hem. But as you can see in the pictures it does looks alright. I made a very narrow hem.

Well enjoy sewing!!

My next project will be to sew me one. That may be a greater challenge than doing little girl skirts! But I look forward to seeing how it turns out.

Wishing you a most wonderful day!!

In Him, Mae

Come unto me, all ye that labour.....

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke up on you , and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30

I love those beautiful the words of Jesus!!

How often and how easy it is for us to take things in our own hands, and try to handle everything on our own.
Or let the things and cares of this world get the best of us. Or worry about this and that.
And when we do our load is soon way too heavy for us.

That's not what God wants for His children though.

He wants us to come to Him with all our problems.
He wants to lead and direct our lives.
He wants us to come to Him with anything and everything!!
Nothing is to big or small for Him!

We all know how wild and hectic some days can be as moms; with homeschooling, tending our sweet little ones, plus house work and laundry and cooking to no end. What a heavy load it can be!!

But God knows all of that dear moms. And he cares about all those little details, our struggles, our concerns, our worries , our little ones sickness, and so on.

We can unload all our troubles and burdens at His feet.

So if you have had a hard day, and your weary and tired in spirit, just bring it all before the our Heavenly Farther in prayer.
Pour out your heart to Him. Tell Him all about your rough day, and the things that are heavy on your mind and heart, or concerns you may have.
And He will refresh and renew you, and give you rest unto your souls.

For His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

( I felt compelled to share this verse too)
"It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so He giveth His beloved sleep." Psalm 127:2

In Him,
Mae