A Love That Multiplies

Since reading the book A Love That Multiplies I've been convicted on so many levels.  Whether it's about children, cleaning, cooking, my relationship with God, my husband.  The list goes on and on.  In fact, I read it so fast that now I'm gonna have to go back through a study it a bit more. 

I was thinking that since today is not a homeschooling day I should take the opportunity to really clean the house.  The K12 computer I received got a virus and was wiped completely clean.  Thankfully they are sending a repair disk since the computer was supposed to be protected from viruses.  In the meantime, we have been working on only one computer and that can be tough with 4 kids that have to share it.  Because I've had so little time for cleaning the house is beginning to look like Hurricane Messy Kids came through. We do our chores daily but somehow it just got more and more backed up.

Kyle turned 8!

I had a friend correct me about something and she was totally right.  She helped me to see that I can't speak death into my life.  To be careful with my words. I realized my perspective about our finances were completely wrong.  Now I'm seeing these tough times from a different view. God has constantly provided in hard times.  I don't have to have all the best and newest things, I got over that long ago.  I've learned some major lessons about not being wasteful these last couple of years.  I treated money as if there would always be more tomorrow.  Never having a plan or just going out and dropping $50 on one shirt for me without a second thought.  I was a mall shopper and genuinely loved going there to buy clothes without looking at the price tag.  Well now that would make me fall over.  Now we do what the Duggars do and what my mom has always understood, buy used and save the difference.  No matter what it is, we will always look for it used before we'll head off to a regular store. Even if we do go to a new store, we take about an hour searching online for coupons we can print out or finding discount days.  Wow!  I'm so happy for that lesson.  

My dad with Kyle and Caleb

Another area I've been really trying to work on is learning to praise God in the good time AND the hard times. There have been days these last couple of weeks where I felt like I wanted to throw my hands up, go to my room, and just hide under my blankets. Just when I felt like it was too much I realized I needed to find a reason to thank God and tell him why.  I remember standing in the garage and being overwhelmed by the laundry and rather than complain I chose to thank Him that He has continually provided for us.  That my kids are healthy (Amazing!  That changed when we pulled them out of school).  Thanking Him that my husband has a job being that there are still people stuck without one.  These are not easy times for many families.

"Offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually" (Hebrews 13:15)

I am in the process of learning that it's easy to praise God when everything is going our way.  Not so easy when we are overwhelmed, disappointed, or frustrated about a situation.  It's amazing how a quick prayer thanking God right in an overwhelming moment can change the attitude in my heart and mind.

Here is something I printed out this week and pinned on my wall at home to read.  I think you will like it too! :D

Love

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place,

but have not love- I am a housekeeper\, not a homemaker.

If i have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements,

but have not love-my children learn of cleanliness, not godliness.

Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh.

Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.

Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.

Love picks up the child before it wipes up the spilled milk.

Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.

Love is present through trials.

Love reprimands, reproves, and is responsive.

As a mother there is much I must teach my child,

but the greatest of all is....LOVE.