By HIS Grace

It's a bitter cold morning,but the sun is shining and I am excited for what the week will bring.  Yesterday our family was home together due to Martin Luther King Jr. birthday.  It's not often that we are all home on holidays or when school is out; so we do our best to make the most of it.  Normally I would plan for us to do something or go somewhere to make the most of our time with dad.  My husband works 6 days a week (a very physical job, outside), so a day off with him is truly a blessing.  This time, I didn't make plans. We just chose to have a day at home. After our late breakfast, I decided I was going to go to the store. I asked my husband if he wanted to go. After going through his normal survey with me; what store? to buy what? how long are you going to be there? etc . He gave me a slow "yes." But, by the time I got upstairs to get ready, he was like; "how long are you going to be there? and what are you going for again?" That's code f...

Happy Monday! The week is off to a great start.  My family and I had a great day yesterday with our church family and friends.  I am thankful for the friendships that I have in my life now.  The women that I have become close friends with are women who have also taken the journey of surrendering to the Lord. I can recall many of my friendships in the past; from childhood through high school and even during my time as an adult.  Whew! Today, I understand better, know how to have and maintain HEALTHY friendships.  When you are younger, you learn by experiencing. You won't know what makes a person mad or upset, until you do it.  You find out that, what you can handle, others can't.  But, I also learned that, if you don't correct certain behaviors of your own; you just take them with you throughout life.  Within my circle of friends; I was always the one that gave the advice, motivate others, made them laugh, and encouraged them. Many times, it was ...

The weekend has arrived!!! It has been a great week. As a mother, I continue to learn how important balance is and making the time to be watchful over my kids.  My oldest son encountered a situation yesterday among his friends.  It involved your typical arguing among each other and misunderstanding. However, it was how my son handled the situation that alarmed me and my husband.  All three of our children our different, unique and special in their own way; just as I am sure your children are to you.  The situation that our son was in, didn't harm him, but, it did make him feel like he didn't have a voice and he felt alone. Now, you could look at the situation from different angles; kids will be kids, maybe he was just having a bad day, maybe he needed a nap, etc.  But again, because you know your children, you know when certain things or behaviors are out of the norm. As his parents, we have to be watchful and take a MOMENT and say, "this is unusual, what is ...

Happy Friday! I pray your week has been a successful one; flowing through God's grace. I recently received a daily devotion book as a gift.  At the time that it was given to me; I was in the process of needing a new one and trying to decide on one. So when this was given to me, it was right on time!  The format of the devotion is very easy and user friendly.  I have come across devotions in the past and some of them can be very intimidating, it's almost like you are taking a Bible class and needing to know all of this theology.  And when your life is full with family, work, and other activities; you just want something that allows you to take a moment to enter into God's presence and meditate on HIS word.  This devotion definitely allows you to do that. I am encouraged by this particular devotion, because I believe it just fits for the season of my life that I am in.  It presses me to continue to be weak and vulnerable before the Lord; having to trust and...