Jesus Shoes and walking out patience

So I am trying to be a good girl and living on a budget and NOT taking money out of savings to make purchases but rather exercising patience and waiting for the money to come in.

 So there I was on a Wednesday night... doing my Target shopping and knowing that my pay check would be deposited shortly... and I came across these lovely little red patent leather wedges! They were just gorgeous and the Dorothy in me just had to have them. THANK GOD that a pair of new shoes were already in the budget!! They had one size 6 left... that was definitely a sign from heaven!!

So I finished my shopping and by 9 PM, my check (which is always in by 8PM) was still not in. Immediately I was frustrated... what the heck was going on?!?! There I was with a shopping cart full of groceries and my beautiful red shoes. Shaun, who is the most patient man on the planet, told me to just wait... what?? Wait?? But I have things to do and it's getting late!!!

15 minutes later I ended up in the car (alone) listening to Blessings by Laura Story and just praying... At 10, I gave it up... "Ok God, I understand... those shoes were just not meant to be". We went home and for whatever reason, my check didn't get deposited until the next morning.

After work, Shaun suggested that we go back to Target to get the shoes. I have to admit I was certain they were going to be gone because it was the last pair and they were just so pretty!! I suggested we try a different Target first on the way home, when we got there, they were sold out and the sales clerk said they sold super fast. I wanted to go home but Shaun was determined so back to our Target we went... and you know something? Not only were my pretty red shoes in my size still there... but they had been marked down from $24.99 to $7.49!! I was able to get them in black and tan also for the less than the price that I had budgeted for just a single pair!!

 How many times to we do this to ourselves?? Just assume that God doesn't want to bless us when life doesn't go exactly as we planned or settle for the "good" when the great is right around the corner??? James 1:2-8 says: Count it all joy, my brothers (and sister shoe shoppers), when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

For me? Me and my 3 pairs of new shoes like the sound of that!!! :)

What the heck am I thinking??

So recently we had a neighbor change in our area and I was quite a bit concerned about the new tenants. One of those reasons being the 19 yr old young lady that has a rather, shall we say "wild" lifestyle. So of course, she zones in on my very handsome (Yes I am biased but he is adorable) 17 year old son... and I?

Well initially I panicked. My first gut reaction was to restrict him to the house to reduce any possible negative influence she might have, but let's face it, you can't keep an almost grown man shut up in the house indefinitely so that was out. My second was to talk to her and let her know that my son was a minor and that she should NOT be seeking him out, but then try inviting someone to church after THAT conversation. But finally, my senses kicked in and I did what I should have done in the first place, I prayed and opened my Bible. And what a weird experience to be hit with conviction and peace at the same time, but that's exactly what happened.

The conviction was for not reaching for my word & prayer first and for doubting in the first place, but beautiful blessed peace because I know how we have raised our son, and that he WILL make the right choices.

Proverbs 22:6 clearly tells us to:

6 "Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it".

Glory Hallelujah! Is it really that simple? Yes it is. This does not mean that we are foolish or turning a blind eye but rather we are allowing our son to use his wisdom to make decisions for his life. We are also making sure that we are more interactive with our community, spending time outside, connecting with those around us and being in the area.

Raising a teenager can be hard at times, but there is so much joy and satisfaction in it and I promise you... it is WORTH it!!!! :)

God Bless!!

Chi

Your Precious Gift...

Your Precious Gift...
To create a Bible based environment in our home life that allows are children to thrive in constant P.R.A.I.S.E.

Prayer
Righteousness
Abundance
Innocence
Servanthood
Excellence

Romans 12: 2

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good, pleasing and perfect.

Everyone knows that being a teenager is one of the hardest seasons of life, they have peer pressure, academic pressure, life decision making, Family, Relationship, TEMPTATION all while building and maintaining their relationship with God. It’s that defining moment when right in the middle of enjoying being a teenager; maturity slithers in and demands their attention. It’s finding that delicate balance between enjoying their “lack of responsibility” yet at the same time longing for respect and acknowledgement that they are “becoming” adults.
It is our JOB privilege as parents to make sure this process is as smooth as possible with discipleship through relationship. It is so easy to complain about this season of life that we forget to stop and enjoy it. Eighteen years is a precious short time to have our children in our lives and we let that time slip away so fast.
Important Things You’ll Need

*Prayer
*Patience
*Dedication
*Love
*The Word

*DON'T GIVE UP Teenagers struggle with their identity and less than one out of three will find the help and encouragement they need.. It is during the periods of time when teenagers do not feel supported that they can act out. Especially when it’s hard or difficult and your teenager may be communicating a lack of interest in a mentor/discipleship relationship, it is essential to always remain available and persistent.

*SET BOUNDARIES for expectations and communication. Your teenager will act out less if they know the rules in advance and what you expect from them. It also allows better control of situations before they get out of control. Do not let your communication get out of control. Teenagers are great at trying to deflect issues by becoming argumentative or verbally abusive. Two key words allow you to take control of any situation. Regardless and Nevertheless are key tools in letting your teenager know that you have heard their complaint and frustration and allow you at the same time to return to the actual issue.

*COMMUNICATE While it's not necessarily useful to push the teenager to communicate with you about personal issues they have in their life, it is essential that you ask about them. As children grow they begin to develop their own very distinct personalities and even if they aren't able to share with you, it is a great message to hear that you care. This also does not mean that you allow your teenager to run over the top of you, but that you are available to discuss these things with them

*GIVE YOUR ALL It is important for a teenager to get the benefit of having your undivided attention from time to time. Make dates with your teenager and allow him/her to choose the location or activity. Maybe it's as simple as grabbing a soda or taking a walk. Maybe you have a monthly activity or go to a sports event... just the two of you. This behavior reinforces their sense of importance, self esteem, and continues to make available an open and personal line of communication with the teen.

*KEEP YOUR PROMISES It is incredibly important for you to take your role as a parent seriously and to never back out on your teenager. If you tell them you are going to do something… FOLLOW THROUGH. The messages you send when you back out of an obligation quality time can drastically detract from the relationship.

*SPEAK IN POSITIVES Learn to phrase your advice in the affirmative voice rather than the negative voice. Instead of saying "Don't forget to..." say "Remember to..."

*EXPLAIN WHY This is one of the most important parts of communicating with teens. If you don't explain why you are giving the advice that you are giving, it seems like a simple directive and there is no emotional attachment to following your instruction. If you explain WHY you believe that safe sex, abstinence, etc. is a good idea... it will make more sense to a teen.

*TELL THE TRUTH It is important not to deceive your teenager with the intent to try and affect their behavior. Lying to them about why something is dangerous, or what the benefits or liabilities are of a decision is not very fair; nor will they trust you in the future should they catch you in a lie. Instead, teach your teenager responsible decision-making by being honest about all the options and lovingly guiding them.

*DISCIPLINE WITH LOVE News Flash!! Teenagers are not perfect. But let’s be honest… none of us are. By showing disappointment while not simultaneously showing love and understanding can cause your teenager to develop a complex that they can’t ever do anything right. Also it can cause you to jeopardize your relationship. Explain to the teenager what the repercussions of their decisions are. Remember to tell them that you still love them even if they've messed up.

*TELL THEM YOU LOVE THEM As often as possible. When they least expect it. And don't just do it with your words. Following some of these aforementioned steps will SHOW them that you love them. It is crucial your teenager know that you love and care about them. Never miss an opportunity to show them how much you love them.

God Bless

Chi