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Faithful in the Little Things

Have you ever had one of those days? Those ones when you wonder about the significance of little faithfulness? Maybe…
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Pregnancy and Marriage: Interview with Bethany Beal
Infertility and Hope: Interview with Kristen Clark
Faithful in the Little Things
Pregnancy and Community: Interview with Erin Davis
Pregnancy and Fear: Interview with Kristen Wetherell

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Investment. I’m not sure how many times I’ve u

Investment. I’m not sure how many times I’ve used that word in regard to raising my children, or how many times I’ve heard it said by others.
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But for as many times as I’ve used and heard that word, I’ve forgotten all-too-often to have that mindset. Investing implies pouring into something (whether with resources, time, or energy), not expecting a return right away, but hoping for a large return down the road. In fact, some investments won’t pay off for years, and may cause us more short-term struggle. But in child-rearing, I far-too-often want results *now.* I want to teach them one time to make their bed, and never have to tell them again. I want to discipline them for screaming once, and have quietness for the rest of my days. I want to instruct them not to fight, and have immediate results. Then, when it doesn’t go that way, I get impatient or frustrated or discouraged. Because I forget: an investment takes time and patience for there to be a return.
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I am so much more content and patient with the growth process in my children when I remember that it takes day after day of investment. And, that it’s not just about today, but also for years down the road. I’m also much more long-suffering with my kiddos when I remember how patient others have been with me (thanks, Mom and Dad 😉). And then, the Lord surprises me with glimpses at just the right times of what this investment is producing by His grace; I see evidence of growth, both in them and in me that put wind in my sails in this moment-by-moment commission of raising these little people for the glory of God.
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For all you mamas in the same boat, don’t lose heart. Remember with me that even if you don’t see results today, your investment matters. Let’s commit these daily acts of training to the Lord, entrusting Him with the outcome.
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#motherhood #Christcenteredmotherhood #lookingtoJesus #investment #children #childrenareagift #risenmotherhood

My own little reminder today. And I thought I’d

My own little reminder today. And I thought I’d put it out there just in case someone else needs it, too.
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God gives grace to the humble, friends.
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#quotes #humility #jonathanedwards #givemeJesus

Does anyone else find it calming and rewarding to

Does anyone else find it calming and rewarding to care for plants?
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I was thinking as I watered a lot of little succulents yesterday: we were designed to nurture life. We were made to pour out our time, attention, and energy into people and things other than ourselves. And this brings life to us, too.
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We’re totally inundated with the “me first” mentality in our culture. We’re told that thinking of and caring for ourselves is what is most important, and that that is what will bring us life. We’re told we can’t possibly love and serve others if we don’t first love and serve ourselves. But it’s not true.
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“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” - Philippians 2:3
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“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” - Proverbs 11:25
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“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” - Galatians 5:13
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“...But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Mark 10:43-45
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We are commissioned to follow the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave His very life so we might live. And we’re not called to do this in our own strength, but in His!
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Yes, we should steward our bodies well. But, we should steward them well for the sake of honoring God, not for selfishness’ sake. And there will be times when we are called to sacrifice for the sake of serving others, but Christ’s strength will be sufficient even then. When we look to Him for our strength, He gives it in abundance.
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His example can be trusted, His pattern can be trusted, and His enabling grace can be trusted. Let’s not be afraid to pour out our time, energy, and attention in Jesus’s matchless Name.
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#lookingtoJesus #biblicalwomanhood #bettertogivethanreceive #service #Christcenteredwomanhood

Not long ago I was asked to do something that a fe

Not long ago I was asked to do something that a few years (and kids) ago I could say yes to fairly easily. But with the coming of more little ones, homeschooling, and all the other tasks on my plate as a wife and mama, it was just too much.
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I was expressing to Judah how guilty I felt for needing to say no. Technically I could probably have figured out how to fit it in, but I knew it would be a detriment to my priorities. Judah said, “You shouldn’t feel guilty for saying no to something that hinders you from your job. Mothering is your full-time job, and it’s ok to treat it that way. You couldn’t commit to [this other thing] if you were working somewhere else, right? It’s ok to say no so that you are doing your job well.”
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Do you know how freeing those words were for me? They reminded me of the value and dignity of my work as a mama and homemaker. It reminded me that God doesn’t see this is “just motherhood.” It’s a good and important roll, and I can and should treat it as such.
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Does this mean motherhood is the only thing I ever do? No. Does this mean my value is tied up in motherhood? Also no. There are times when I can say yes to outside opportunities without it causing unnecessary disruption to our family. But there is joy and freedom in embracing this full-time job of mothering and letting other things go for now that don’t fit with that. I’m quite sure (from what I’ve heard) I’ll never regret it.
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(I had just drafted this post when I saw one written by @abigail__dodds that was from a mama’s perspective 10 years down the road from where I am now. You should go read it).
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#motherhood #Christcenteredmotherhood #setapartmotherhood

What toxic does *not* mean according to Scripture:

What toxic does *not* mean according to Scripture: Part 2 from my blog post a few days ago. Read the full article over at @wellwateredwomen 💕
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Repost from @wellwateredwomen - "Scripture is clear that believers are not going to be loved by the world (Luke 6:11). We may be labeled harmful and hateful--even toxic.⁠⠀
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Followers of Christ must remember that we were once dead in our toxic sin before God made us alive in Jesus. Our battle against the flesh and the devil is ongoing. This should make us cautious to hastily label fellow Christians as “toxic” since we have experienced the same grace and are fighting the same enemy. We always need to go to Scripture to discern toxicity.⁠⠀
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Here are three traits commonly mislabeled as toxic that are actually not toxic according to Scripture:⁠⠀
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1. Someone who speaks hard truth: Proverbs 27:6⁠⠀
2. Someone who disagrees with you: Proverbs 27:17⁠⠀
3. Someone who rebukes or confronts you: Ecclesiastes 7:5⁠⠀
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God gives us the wisdom and discernment we need to tell who is detrimental to our spiritual lives, and who is going to point us back to Christ. He will sanctify our own toxic tendencies as we submit ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit. He will also give us grace to be willing to be called toxic by the world in order to shine the light of Jesus Christ to those who are in such desperate need of it." -Heather Cofer⁠⠀
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Read more about discerning toxic people from @heathercofer in part 2 on the #wwwblog today. ⁠#wellwateredwomen #shereadstruth⁠⠀
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Two of our kiddos had their first horse-riding exp

Two of our kiddos had their first horse-riding experience today at our neighbor’s house. I can’t get over Javan’s expression succession 😂. He adores horses, so this was his two-year-old dream come true.
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On another note: guys, I’m so thankful for amazing neighbors who are also incredible brothers and sisters in Christ. Christian community is so vitally important. Don’t stop pursuing it.
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#community #family #bethechurch #horses #fourlittlecofers

Had the honor of sharing on Well-Watered Women tod

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