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Tag: Waiting Season

Waiting well isn't easy, especially when we can't see the end. Are you in a waiting season? 6 ways to to wait well when the season runs long. | Thisgratefulmama.com #thisgratefulmama #waiting #waitingwell #change #faith #spritualgrowth #christianwomen

Waiting Well When The Season Runs Long

Faith

Waiting well isn’t easy, especially when we can’t see the end. Are you in a waiting season? 6 ways to to wait well when the season runs long.

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March 8, 2019

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thisgratefulmama

Encouraging women with the truth of God’s uncommon grace.
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Jesus first. Wife. Mom of 3. Coffee-Lover. Popcorn Addict. Allergy Mom. Blogger. Introvert

I registered our youngest for her last year of pre

I registered our youngest for her last year of preschool. I’ve been a stay at home mom for 6 years and am looking at the last days with a child at home.
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I’m thankful kindergarten is still a year and a half away so I can get used to the idea.
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Change is inevitable. Whether it’s sending children to kindergarten or college, changing jobs, moving, or adjusting to life without a loved one, change is the constant for many of us.
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Good change. Hard change. Change that causes us to grow. Change we want. Change we don’t want but can’t avoid. Change that brings us new friends. Change that leaves us rejoicing or gasping for air. Change is coming.
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What a great comfort it is to know that while change is certain, our anchor is faith in Jesus. Immutable. Unchanging. Steady. Trustworthy. Through Him, we are reconciled to God for eternity.
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He loves us. Died for us. Lives to intercede for us. And He isn’t going anywhere.
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“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”
Numbers 23:19
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“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8
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What change are you facing?
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#faith #faithinfluencers #change #changes #changeiscoming #changeisinevitable #immutable #godneverchanges #hope #hopeisananchor #thisgratefulmama #slowdownbabygirl #youregrowingtoofast #stayathomemom #momlife #motherhood #fixyoureyesonjesus #seasonschange #atimeforeverything #atimeforeverypurpose

It’s that time again! . Let’s build those book

It’s that time again!
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Let’s build those book lists. Share what you just finished, what you’re reading now, or what you’re excited to read next.
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I’m getting ready to begin reading ‘Glory in the Ordinary: Why your work in the Home matters to God’ but Courtney Reissig.
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I received ‘Beholding and Becoming: The Art of Everyday Worship’ by Ruth Chou Simons from a friend for Christmas. I’m working my way through it slowly and am loving the reminder that where we place our hearts and eyes affects our whole day - this is helping me start the day with eyes on Christ.
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What’s on your list?
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#booklist #bookstagram #whatareyoureading #reading #read #book #books #homemakers #christianhomemaker #christianbooks #faith #bookstoread #readersofinstagram #readme #bibliophile #theeverymom #theeverygirl #christianwomen #encouragingbook #whattoreadnext #thisgratefulmama

Kindness. . How often do we rush past chances to b

Kindness.
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How often do we rush past chances to be kind, or to pause to connect with others in a meaningful way?
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What needs do we see that we could meet if we held our schedules, task lists, and desires loosely?
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Lord, you are perfectly kind. Even though we can do nothing to earn your kindness, you are so kind to imperfect people like us! Open our eyes to the opportunities you put in this day to be kind and make a meaningful impact on others. Help us point people to you with encouragement, help and care. May the lavish love you freely give to us flow through us to the people you lead us to today. Slow us down and help us respond and not rush past the chance to love others well. Teach us to speak words of truth and that convey the worth of each person as your beloved.
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#prayer #goodmorning #kindness #bekind #sprinklekindness #sprinklekindnesslikeconfetti #encourage #encouragement #christianblogger #hope #faith #theeverygirl #quotes #wordstoliveby #emerson #emersonquotes #wisewords #slowdown #wordsofwisdom #wordsofencouragement #wordsoflove #bethelight #lightinthedarkness #saltandlight #youarethelightoftheworld

Instagram post 2212005320137899006_5668515015

Instagram post 2212005320137899006_5668515015

2019. . When I chose the word ABIDE for 2019, I ha

2019.
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When I chose the word ABIDE for 2019, I had no idea how desperately I would need it or how much it would come to mean to me.
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It started with leaning into Gods Word and holding hard things about myself up to the light and allowing Gods truth to shine in. And allowing a group of treasured women to speak truth, even truth I might not have wanted, into my life.
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I had no idea that God was using the first half of 2019 to draw me near and prepare me for what was coming. When my cousin died unexpectedly, God comforted me, even as I shook my angry, grieving fist in His face. He quieted me with His loving arms and carried me through hard days. He still is. He saw me as I wept more than I have in years. In private. In public. All in His presence.
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God knew I needed to learn to abide to face this year. When loved ones struggled and faced terrible challenges and hardship. When I had to face health related questions I didn’t want to address or even know the answers to at all. When watching my children grow up and experience their own hurts and emotions. When continuing to build unity in our marriage and continuing to wait for things we are hoping for but can’t control.
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God knew abiding in Him was the only way for me to show up even when broken myself. Even when it just felt like things kept happening and the pace of the challenges didn’t slow.
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I didn’t learn to abide by following some self help plan or any checklist. It’s the Holy Spirit, in me, that guides me back to God in all seasons. He used His Word. He sent SO MANY of His faithful people to walk alongside us. As we faced other challenges, they brought meals, hugs, prayers, encouragement and deep friendship.
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Woven into it all were treasured moments. A wedding. A baby. Vacations and memories made. Victories over strongholds in our lives. Friendships forged in life’s furnace. Prayers answered even as others are still fervently offered. There has been laughter. Joy. Pain. Sorrow. Hope. Peace. And gratitude. So much.
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In 2019, God proved Himself faithful. Trustworthy. Present. Able. Worthy. Just. Provider. Hope. Comforter. Near.
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What was your word for 2019?
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#thankful #2019 #abide #thisgratefulmama

“Bells are ringing, children singing, Christmas

“Bells are ringing, children singing, Christmas is here! Christmas is here!
Happy birthday Jesus, happy birthday Jesus, we love you. We love you.”
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Each of our children has learned this song for their preschool Christmas program. It’s simple tune and truth make it stick.
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As we celebrate today, let’s remember WHO we celebrate. It’s not Santa (or Ho Ho as my youngest calls him). It’s not family and family memories. It’s not ourselves. Or our gifts.
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It’s Jesus, and the Father who sent His Son to earth to save us all.
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If you’re feeling lonely, lost or lukewarm, I’d like to leave you with this. Your worth is found in Jesus. God gave His Son for you. Not because He had to, but because He loves you. You are worth the life of the perfect Son of God.
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#happybirthdayjesus #bellsareringing #christmas #christmasishere #faith #merrychristmas #asoulfindsitsworth #oholynight #faithinfluencers #joytotheworld #thelordhascome #bestgiftever #jesuslovesyou #hope #encouragement #hopeforthehurting #thisgratefulmama

Do you ever find yourself wrapped up in the bustli

Do you ever find yourself wrapped up in the bustling holiday schedule, and even though you keep Christ as the center of the events, you find yourself missing the feeling of WONDER?
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When was the last time you felt the magic, the feeling of joy and mystery, and gratitude that seems to come so easily to children?
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Head to the blog for some ideas to reclaim your sense of awe and wonder by reflecting on what is said, and not said, in the Christmas story.
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Tell me, what amazes you from the Christmas story?
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#Christmas #wonder #awe #christmaswonder #details #gratitude #thisgratefulmama #practicegratitude #thankful #grateful #scripture #livingandactive #faith #christianblog #ontheblog #linkinbio #sunday #sundayfunday #family #reclaimthewonder

Sometimes our kids face challenges we don’t want

Sometimes our kids face challenges we don’t want them to. Or experience things that leave us speechless and broken.
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This little one had an anaphylactic allergic reaction to an antibiotic on Wednesday. It was terrifying.
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We thank God that she received excellent care and has had no complications from the reaction. But the past few days, we have been grieving. She is very sensitive. Intense. Emotionally pretty raw.
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It breaks my heart that my daughter experienced what she did. I can’t imagine how scared and confused she must have felt as her body betrayed her. Then went to a strange place where we stripped off her clothes, hooked her up to machines with stickers that HURT to remove, and injected her with epinephrine while holding her down.
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I don’t always agree with Gods plans. In fact, sometimes I get angry about those plans, especially when they don’t FEEL good. But I also know that life isn’t guaranteed to be easy for us or our kids.
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But God does promise to go with them, wherever they go, whatever they face. We certainly felt His presence, protection and peace on Wed. And we feel His comfort, kindness and care today. We see His hand, guiding, helping, and working out the timing so things lined up as they did.
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I don’t know how God will use this experience for her or me. But I do expect Him to use it for our good and His glory. He won’t waste it.
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If your loved ones are facing hard things today, I want to tell you that it’s ok to bring your anger, sadness and confusion to God. He won’t turn you away. He can take it. He will show up every single time. And He will not waste this suffering.
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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”
Matthew 11:28
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#thisgratefulmama #momlife #mommylife #motherhood #encouragement #godsplan #godisgood #godisstillgood #faith #faithinfluencers #hope #hopeforthehurting #parenting #parenthood #peace #emmanuel #allergies #allergicreaction #anaphylaxis #anaphylaxissucks #allergymama #allergymoms #allergymum

The baking is in full swing over here, although we

The baking is in full swing over here, although we bake only a few things.
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We make homemade Chex mix, hugs-pretzel cookies and shortbread thumbprints. Over break we will do some kind of cut-out cookies so the kids can decorate them.
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What is your favorite Christmas cookie?
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#thisgratefulmama #christmastradition #christmasfavorites #christmas #jesusisthereasonfortheseason #christmasbaking #christmascookies #allaboutyou #bakinglove #yummyyummyyummyigotloveinmytummy #thankful #makingseasonsbright #familytime #familymemories #family #theeverygirl #theeverymom #likegrandmausedtomake

Can I be honest? I love Christmas break but every

Can I be honest? I love Christmas break but every single year, I end up overwhelmed and overstimulated.
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It crushes me that all the long awaited and celebrated togetherness leaves me feeling depleted and grumpy.
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I’ve been prayerfully asking God to show me how to enjoy the break and here’s what I’m learning.
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1. FOMO. I have fear of missing out. And it causes me to skip or shorten much needed quiet time and alone time with God. We can’t pour out what we haven’t received.
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2. We don’t have to do all the things. It’s tempting to fill the days with fun and our schedule already looks very full. We need to FIRST pencil in days for rest and staying home.
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3. It’s ok to say no. To kids. To friends. To family.
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4. I need to communicate what I need to my husband. He is more than willing to help me carve out time to refill my introverted soul.
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5. Laundry and daily chores still exist on break. Keeping up with them WITH the help of my family will help avoid the end of break overwhelm.
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6. Jesus is the reason. Abiding in His Word, presence and peace is more important than gifts, parties, or chores. He has everything I need to serve and enjoy the break!
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How do you handle the togetherness?
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#together #togetherness #family #familyfun #familytime #overwhelmedmom #overwhelm #overwhelmedintrovert #introvertproblems #break #christmasbreak #truthbetold #reallife #confession #thisgratefulmama #momguilt #mommyguilt #jesusisthereason #faith #faithinfluencers

Is there anything better than little people dresse

Is there anything better than little people dressed up and singing Christmas songs with friends?

This week we saw an answer to a big prayer we’ve

This week we saw an answer to a big prayer we’ve prayed for a very LONG time. Years.
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It’s amazing. The long wait wasn’t our preference, but the answer is sweeter and holds more meaning because of the wait.
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In our instant gratification culture, when we get a quick answer it’s easy to just move on to the next thing. We miss the miracle. We forget or skip over deep gratitude and joy because we didn’t have to wait.
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A persistent, long-awaited prayer changes our hearts. It reminds us of our need for God and our lack of control.
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This answer resonates deeply in our souls, reminding us God hears us and of how His sovereign plan is perfect.
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We celebrate this answer even as we continue to pray other long awaited things. This answer reminds us of Gods faithfulness and goodness. It gives us renewed hope and joy.
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I share this today to encourage you in your wait. God has not forgotten you, and He hasn’t stopped listening. He’s working on your behalf, aligning hearts and circumstances to deliver your answer at the perfect time. He is gracious and compassionate and loves you like crazy. Keep praying those big, impossible things, and watch for Him to answer in the best way-the way you couldn’t possibly imagine and with timing that makes you step back and see how Gods plan was perfect all along. He’s never late.
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What are you waiting for?
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#thisgratefulmama #thisgratefullife #hope #hopeforthewait #waiting #prayer #pray #prayerfullywaiting #encouragement #wordsofencouragement #wordsofhope #faith #faithinfluencers #answeredprayers #thankful #grateful #givethanks #christianblogger #christianwomen #womenoffaith #godissogood #godisgood #longwaitedfor

White Christmas, Home Alone, Elf, The Grinch, A Ch

White Christmas, Home Alone, Elf, The Grinch, A Christmas Story...and so many more!
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I’m looking for some good Christmas movies to watch. Share your favorite!
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#thisgratefulmama #favorites #theseaereafewofmyfavoritethings #christmastraditions #christmasmovies #allaboutyou #thankful #jesusisthereason #fun #friday #goodmorning #fridaymotivation

This little sweetie has had a tough fall. Back to

This little sweetie has had a tough fall. Back to back illnesses and 4 ear infections so far have left her tired and often in need of extra snuggles - day and night.
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We’ve been spending a whole lot of time together. She, and my other kids have a first row seat to peer into my heart. Sometimes what they see isn’t pretty! But I pray they do see growth, humility, reliance on Jesus and a mom who knows she needs a Savior, just like them.
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It’s taken a lot of years for God to give me joy in serving my kids when they are sick. It’s not that I don’t want to serve them-it’s just that it’s exhausting emotionally and physically and I haven’t (and still often don’t) handle it well. It’s hard to be flexible with my schedule. And sleep. And personal space.
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She’s my youngest, our last child and I’m thankful God is giving me joy in the extra snuggles, extra time together and extra sweetness of her ‘thanks mom’. My older kids were well cared for in their sicknesses, but sometimes from a mom with complaining in her heart. God has showed me a new way and my prayer is that they see my growth and praise God for it (more, I hope my complaining heart wasn’t visible to them as I cared for them).
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They’re only little for a short time. So, sickness or health, I’m soaking up the time I’ve got (at least I am today).
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What lesson has God been teaching you lately? How does that lesson show up in your attitudes, thoughts and actions?
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#evidence #transformation #heartchange #complaining #grumbling #sanctification #thankful #grateful #godisgood #godispatient #faith #faithinfluencers #christianblogger #parenting #motherhood #momlife #mommylife #christiammoms #gospelliving #gospelcenteredparent #reallife #realmomlife #encouragement #encouragemoms #thetruth #weallneedjesus #hope #notperfect #notperfectbutreal

Truth. My schedule is too busy. . I was reminded b

Truth. My schedule is too busy.
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I was reminded by a friend today of an important truth: there is no reward for being busy.
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In fact, busyness often leads to burnout and being spread too thin. I definitely feel that way today.
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There are things I cannot skip. Things I don’t want to skip. But there are things I am realizing I must skip.
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How is your schedule? Do you find this time of year to be hard to manage in the busyness department?
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How do you prioritize your schedule when it seems like every single day is being used up and there is little or no time to rest?
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#schedule #holidays #holidayschedule #toomuch #busy #norewardforbusy #slowdown #prioritize #priorities #fun #parties #christmasseason #peopleoverperfect #connection #needrest #thisgratefulmama

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