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May 17, 2010

A Life-Changing Sermon

Filed under: Christian living,Confidence,Encouragement,Hard Times,Life as God's Girl,Others' expectations,Trusting God,Waiting on God,Walking with God,Writing/authors,confident living,discouragement,parenting,persistence — Brenda @ 5:05 pm

For the past few months, really the past year, I have been seeking, striving, and desperate for God to answer for me one thing. Why, after much work, prayer, and opportunities, do I not have more to show for it all? What in the world am I doing wrong? If I do all I am supposed to do, won’t the result be as I expect when I expect it?
For those of you who faithfully read my blog you have heard me pose this question in various forms over the months. Sunday I received my answer directly from God.
Our pastor at Imago Dei Church was off this week and Pastor Eric Potter filled in for him. Eric’s words from God spoke directly to this question for which I am always seeking an answer. Eric taught on the parable of Jesus in Matthew 20—the workers in the vineyard. His whole sermon was powerful and I urge you to listen to it at www.imagodeichurch.org. But the part that spoke to me was near the end.
Eric made the point that the workers in this parable were day workers. They were the lowest class because they were not employed or even slaves with a master to care for and protect them. These men were grateful for any work they could get. These men thought it a privilege to work in the vineyard. They were grateful for the invitation to work in the vineyard. Interpreting the vineyard to be the kingdom of God and the owner of the vineyard to be God, I am the day worker. Wow. It hit me that I am not always especially thankful for the work God has given me to do for the kingdom. Ugh. A straight hit to my heart.
Then Eric gave us several questions to answer. One question—“What is my attitude about working in the vineyard?” further convicted me that my attitude has not always be one of gratitude. Oh, God, please forgive me. You have blessed me with work for the kingdom that I love. How can I be anything other than grateful?
His next question—“Am I working for reward or in response to the invitation?”–was the answer I had been searching for. I had been working for the reward. But the invitation was a privilege and that should have been my only motivation. This morning in my time with God, He took me to John 15 to further clarify His point. In John 15 Jesus is teaching on abiding in Him and when we do we bear fruit. But never does Jesus tell us to bear fruit or to concern ourselves with bearing fruit. He tells us to abide in Him. That’s our job. His job is to work through us to produce fruit. (John 15:4-5) As I abide in Christ—know Him better, trust Him, obey Him—I will bear fruit. It’s the result of my live lived in Christ.
Wow. I am so relieved! I’ve done all I know to do. Now I rest in God for Him to use my work as He sees fit. I started today with fresh perspective and renewed energy and excitement to do what God put in me to do and no worries over the results!
Thank you, Pastor Eric. Thank You, God, for patiently teaching this difficult child of yours and using her along the way.
I would love to hear where you have struggled to see results in your life—parenting, on the job, in your ministry. How does this truth change the way you will view your efforts for God?

May 12, 2010

A P.S. to Mothers’ Day

Filed under: Christian living,Confidence,Encouragement,Failure,Fear in parenting,Kids,Trusting God,confident living,moms,parenting,persistence,strong-willed kids — Brenda @ 1:43 pm

What keeps you from being the confident Queen Mom? What keeps you from being confident enough to teach and train your kids to respect you? I believe there are many answers—laziness, lack of know-how on your part (see Queen Mom!), or peer pressure (you don’t see any other moms doing this). But I think the most common reason is fear. We are fearful of so many things in our parenting. We fear:
• We will make an irreversible mistake with our kids.
• Because we don’t have a clue how to handle the current phase our kid is going through, and we didn’t have a good role model.
• Our child will say, “Make me!” and we won’t know what to do next.
• Because no other parent seems to parent the way we do, so we doubt our parenting philosophy.
Let’s consider a few truths to drive out our parenting fears.
1. Fear stops us from walking in faith. Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” The NASB says, “that He is.” In order to have a relationship with God we must first believe all He says about Himself is true. Fear convinces us that some of what God says about Himself is not true.
The enemy introduced this doubt into the very first mom, Eve. Genesis 3:1, “Did God really say. . .?”
• He will give you wisdom and discernment to parent this kid?
• He will give you strength and perseverance when you want to run away?
• Did God really say He cares more about your kids than you do?

2. Fight Fear with the Word of God. Eve had a good start against the serpent. When tempted, she quoted God’s Words to the serpent. He was shot down! (even for a moment) God’s Word in our minds is our best weapon against Satan’s attacks of fear.
One way to get it in our minds is to write the verses that speak right to us on index cards and review them throughout the day. Our minds are filled with so much garbage in a day. What a positive difference truth will make.
3. Don’t consider the lies and fears from the enemy. Consider only the Word of God. Don’t give the enemy a chance to get you down or fearful. He does not deserve your attention. You are God’s girl and the Queen Mom! Read Genesis 3:4-5. Notice that after Eve speaks God’s Word the enemy must try even harder to deceive. He causes Eve to pause and consider his lies. She then becomes fearful God is holding out on her and she sins. When we consider the lies of the enemy we become fearful and we back away from our role of Queen Mom.
4. You are the Queen Mom and God has a good plan for your family.
James MacDonald said, “Emotions make a great caboose, but not a great engine.” We must parent by God’s truth and not our emotions. Where our child is today emotionally and spiritually is not where she will stay. Today is not the last chapter. Through Eli’s story (1 Samuel 2:11-36) we saw the tragic results of a lifetime of weak parenting. God is on our side. His desire is for us to be strong, loving parents. Today is Day One to be the confident Queen Mom.*

I would love for you to share your fears in parenting. When we share them we see how powerless they are and when others read about your experience we are united in sisterhood in Christ and we are energized.

Answers to questions in #1:
• Proverbs 2:3-6; James 1:5-8.
• Isaiah 40:10-11; Joshua 1:5; Deuteronomy 31:8; “Complete weakness and dependence will always be the occasion for the Spirit of God to manifest His power.” Oswald Chambers
• The Cross and Blood of Christ.

*Go to the Resource Page and download the “Disrespect is Not an Option” resource to get you on your way to being the confident Queen Mom.

May 4, 2010

Bible Study Tuesday–Really the Last One

Filed under: Bible Study,Christian living,Comparison,Confidence,Encouragement,Life as God's Girl,Princess Unaware,Relationship with God,Walking with God,celebrate life,confident living,next step in life,persistence,priorities — Brenda @ 11:55 pm

This week was my answers to your questions. In the notes below I answer two questions. However, a third question came in at the last minute and I discussed it without notes. Let me know if you would like the information we discussed on difficult relationships and I will work it up for next week.

The Journey

Both of the questions I received this week can be answered in a discussion on “The Journey.” That’s what you are about to begin. You have finished Princess Unaware and hopefully you have lots to think about and put into practice in your years to come—in your journey. So I want to discuss a few things to encourage you and help you persevere on your journey.
First, I’m not sure if we discussed what I mean by “your calling.” Your calling is the fabulous life God planned for you. It is the family you have, your spiritual gifts, your talents, maybe a career, your ministry—anything God brings to into your life for you to do. He also gives us a passion. Is there something or a group of someone’s that you want to help? A cause or ministry that you are dying to contribute to? The answer to those questions is your passion.
One question I received asked if our callings could change. Depending on how you define calling I would say yes. God can do whatever He likes in our lives. I do believe our gifts are pretty much ours for life. I have been very much who I am today all my life. It has taken many years for me to acknowledge and embrace that though. My passion is for women to know God’s truth and for them to live fabulous lives as a result of living in that truth. Sometimes I am passionate about moms of little ones, or moms of teens, or women in general.
Now we can discuss our journey. The details will look different for everyone, but it will be much the same for everyone.
I began my journey when I married Gene. I didn’t know it then, but the man he is and the life we have lived together has perfectly prepared and launched me in the journey God planned for me. As I shared before, many years ago, before Kerry was born God put in me a desire to speak God’s truth to women. It started small and I didn’t know what I was feeling at first. Over the months it grew and because it seemed to impossible and not at all “my style” I ignored it like a package delivered to the wrong address but with no return address. What do I do with it? It’s here and it’s not going anywhere.
The desire grew and finally I had the nerve to share it with Gene. After more months of frustration because I had this thing in me and I didn’t know what to do with it or how to quiet it, Gene urged me to do the only thing we knew to do—I had a friend whose sister-in-law was a writer. So I talked with her then with the sister-in-law. Nothing happened from those conversations, but that was then God started moving events along.
God: Solution
Let’s look briefly at another hero of mine—Caleb. Joshua 14. Caleb has a great story about his journey. Back Story in Numbers 14. Start reading Joshua 14:6.
Verse 7—Caleb was 40 when he was given his big mission. 40. Caleb spent those 40 years becoming the man we see in Numbers 14. You girls are so young. You are in the years of laying your foundation and of taking your roots deep in the Lord. Do it well. You are going to need all the strength and wisdom of the Lord to raise your families.
Verse 8—Read it. Which of these will we be—will we cause others’ faith to fail or will we “follow the LORD my God wholeheartedly.” The NASB reads, “I followed the LORD my God fully.”
Verse 9 goes on to quote Moses commending Caleb and promising him the land he spied out because “you have followed the LORD my God fully.”
Verse 10—Caleb “followed the LORD fully” for 45 more years. That’s a lifetime of dedication and focus on living for God.
Verse11—I believe because of this Caleb states, “I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so my strength is now, for war and for going out and coming in.”
Verse 12—He asks for the hill country with the giants and fortified cities. He believes God for big things as God promised.
Verse 14—Hebron became Caleb’s, but he had to fight for it. And he did because “he followed the LORD fully.”
You: Application
What can we learn about our journey from Caleb and his amazing journey?
• Follow God fully all our days.
• This is a lifelong assignment. Discuss the hazards of today’s society to make an idol out of everyone making it seem they are the norm.
• Keep your blinders on. Don’t compare. Everyone’s assignment is different.
• God is not in a hurry. Caleb was 85 years old before he took his promised territory! Why are we in such a hurry? We have all the life God has given us and He doesn’t intend on wasting a minute of it.
• Stay strong physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. And get your house in order—literally. The organizing you do today will make your ability to move when God says move possible and immediate because you won’t be looking for the car keys, unpacking the suitcases from last summer’s vacation, or trying to pay the overdue bills.
• Believe and live the truth—As long as you are alive, God has a plan and mission for you. Nowhere in the Bible does God promise retirement.

Congratulations, you are the strong confident princesses. Live it well!

March 9, 2010

Bible Study Tuesday–Life as a Believer 101

Filed under: Christian living,Encouragement,Life as God's Girl,Relationship with God,Trusting God,adventure,life changes,next step in life,persistence,priorities — Brenda @ 7:00 pm

Story from book of being in Target with girls. I know the impression I give doesn’t always say follower of Christ.

What about you when you’re out and about?
• Do you drive crazy even with the fish symbol on your car?
• Are you kind and thoughtful in public? (story of Jill’s experience at bookstore)
• Do you smile at others?
• Do you merge politely or drive bumper-to-bumper so no one can get in front of you?
• Do you include others or let them stay on the sidelines lonely and uncomfortable?

How we live our lives both in public and private are part of our testimony—what we are saying about Jesus to others.

God feels pretty strongly about our testimonies—about how we live our daily lives.
“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Philippians 1:27.
Wow. Think about it. “Worthy of the gospel of Christ.” There is no way we will ever live in a way that is worthy of the gospel of Christ. But it is our goal, our call, our job description.
Let’s see if we can begin to get our minds around this call.
First what is the gospel of Christ?
• We are all sinners. Romans 3:23. No one is perfect. Even the slightest imperfection/sin disqualifies us.
• The penalty for sin is death. Romans 6:23. The consequences of our sin is death—spiritual death—not ceasing to exist, but eternity separated from God in hell.
• Jesus, God’s perfect, holy Son—equally God, equally man—came to earth, lived the perfect life and then gave Himself totally (all God and all man) to pay the penalty for our sins. We are made right and perfect to God and we enjoy relationship with Him as a precious child of His. Romans 5:6-11, 21.

That’s it. That’s the Gospel of Christ—totally awesome Son of God gives His life for totally unworthy slugs (and sinners) so we can have a totally awesome life here and forever with God and Jesus.

So how do we live a life worthy of the Gospel of Christ? What does God want from us? Let’s take a look at a verse I like to call “Life as a Believer 101.” I like things boiled down. Let’s get to the heart of the issue. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Don’t assume I can or will understand your innuendoes. I will most likely miss it altogether.
The text for our “Life as a Believer 101” class is Micah 6:8.
“He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

Require—to seek or ask, specifically to worship. The three “requirements” of God are part of our worship of Him. Our purpose on earth is to glorify God and have relationship with Him–worship. So living out this verse is an extension of our worship and to be woven into every area of our lives. “Living as a Believer 101.” Things we are to do every day, all day.

~Act justly—a verdict; formal decree.
The first “requirement” in our life of worship is to be fair and just to everyone. No preference. This totally throws out treating some people with more respect than others. Everyone deserves our smile and kindness.

~To Love Mercy—
• Love—affection
• Mercy—kindness, favor, good deed.
The next way we worship God is to have an affection for others and to be kind, showing favor to others (not over others, but ourselves). Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Do you let the other person go ahead of you, even if you were there a split second first? Treat your kids as patiently as you treat your husband, your best friend, the pastor.
~Thoughtfulness.
~Words of encouragement/compliments.
~Be the first to speak to others.

~Walk Humbly with your God.
• Walk means walk. Literally walk with God. Keep in step with Him. Go where He goes at the speed He goes. No lagging behind or rabbit trails.
• Humbly—lowly. It’s an attitude that says “I know You are God and I am not, therefore, I will trust you with my life and not think I know better than You.”

The third requirement is to keep in step with God in humility. Example of Riley on leash pulling me her direction, her speed, stopping to sniff all road kill, barking at other loser dogs who are in an electric fence. She does not walk with me and she definitely is not humble in any way. She is out of the house and she is going to do her best to have her fun her way.

But when I put the harness on her, her attitude changes. She is unable to pull me or zigzag or jump. She must walk humbly with me. We have a great walk then. We stay on the road. We stay in step and both of us benefit from a good workout—no waste of time chasing rabbit trails (literally). She doesn’t get her nose filthy with roadkill germs.

When we walk humbly with God we are going where He says when He says. We benefit by accomplishing God’s plan for us. We have great fellowship with Him. We avoid the feelings of defeat or uselessness that comes with doing our own thing.

There are so many distractions in life and we have only so much time. We cannot stretch the hours in our day. We must make the most of what God has given us and the way we do that is by staying in step with God.

Again, I will pick on Facebook. Facebook is for this generation what the soap opera was to my mom’s generation—a huge waste of time wrapped in the packaging that read “harmless diversion.” It’s not all bad, but we must be careful.

What is keeping you from walking humbly with your God? Where have you thought you knew better than God? Over-extended budget? Going against your husband’s word? Time on Facebook with an old male friend?
As we have said before—walking humbly with God is one seemingly small yes at a time.

Now What?

How do we live this out? Pay attention to the little (there are no little things) in your life.

~First, are you a believer, a follower of Christ? If not think about the gospel of Christ. Do you believe you are a sinner—you have done/thought anything not pleasing to God—gone against God? Hey, we are all sinners. Don’t let your pride keep you from God. Like I’ve said before—we’re all in this boat together—no one better, no one worse.
If you’re not a follower, you can pray along with me silently in our three minutes of quiet time. (if you’re reading this you don’t need me. talk to you right where you are.)

~If you are a follower of Christ, do you get the gospel? I mean do you really get what God has done for you and does that drive you to sit at His feet, to know Him better, to let go of everything you think you must have in order to pursue everything He wants for you?

~If you are crazy in love with Christ and you are pursuing what He has for you, are you doing it in a way that makes the world notice? Not because you are advertising, but because you are so radical that your light shines in their darkness? Do you—
• Share a smile and kindness with everyone?
• Send a card of encouragement or bake a chocolate cake for someone struggling?
• Ask God what is important to Him today and then walk with Him? It may be cleaning the house or building a fort. It may be taking the whole gang on a walk and cleaning the house tomorrow (wrap the kids is old towel, spray them with Pledge and let them go nuts!). Lay down your agenda.

Inspiration
I dream of the day when I walk into the grocery store and every Christian woman is smiling back at me, when I hear the clerks whisper to each other “What are they on? I want some!” I dream of the day when a car with a fish on it does not speed around me to get to the church parking lot first and almost run over an elderly person trying to get the last parking spot. I dream of the day when we all will
• Act justly
• Love mercy
• Walk humbly with our God.

It’s Life as a Believer 101.

January 8, 2010

No Resolutions. But Intentionality.

Filed under: Christian living,Christmas--making the most,Confidence,Failure,Not perfect,confident living,new year,next step in life,persistence,priorities — Brenda @ 6:30 pm

I don’t know about you, but I do not want to start this year by making it an extension of last year. I finished the last month or so of 2009 like a marathon runner finishing the race–one foot in front of the other, pushing toward the big finish. I left a trail of unattended to details and work. I just got through.

The load of guilt and regret was heavy and haunting by January 1. I don’t want to live like that any longer. I won’t live like that any longer. It steals the joy of life that God desires for me. I am not the blessing to my family and friends like I could be. My life could be full of vibrant color, but instead it is muddied with shades of gray.

How will I change? All of our lives are so full, even for those of us who live by our priorities. Being alive in the twenty-first comes with stress and pressures and deadlines and to-do lists that doesn’t compare to anything any culture before us has experienced. Since I have my priorities established I will look to how I am loading myself down and robbing my life of joy.

  • No more defeatist thinking. “I have so much to do.” ”I’ll never get it done.” “I hate doing paperwork.” “I won’t be ready or good enough.” The Bible teaches, “For as he thinks within himself, so he is” (Proverbs 23:7, NASB). My negative thoughts reveal that I am not trusting God in my life.
  • Change defeatist thinking to faith-filled thinking. Focusing (meditating) on God’s Word is a sure way to renew my mind and transform myself (Romans 12:2).
  • No more comparing me or any part of my life to others.  When I compare I either come out better or worse than someone else. That is definitely how God wants me to think about the rest of His precious children. (1 Peter 1:22)
  • Do tasks right the first time. Take time to file the paper, put away the clean dishes and load the dishwasher, return the email or phone call promptly. That way the list of to-do’s does not get heavy.
  • No complaining or grumbling. It also grays the bright colors of my personality. Paul really gets to the heart of this in Philippians 2:14-15. “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world.” I want to shine for God.  The negative thing does not need to be said. Just keep my mouth shut until I can think of something better to share. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Philippians 4:29).
  • No dreading anything. I know life is full of hard things. When I start to dread an upcoming event, meeting, conversation, etc. I will take it to God, ask for Him to meet my need in the situation, and confidently leave it with Him. It’s called walking by faith. “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (I Corinthians 16:13, NASB).

This should keep me busy for a while. What about you? Where do you need to apply intentionality? Did any of my suggestions inspire or challenge you? Do you have any of your own? I would love to hear your story.

December 23, 2009

The Rest of the Story and a Few Survival Tips for the Last Few Days of the Christmas Season

Filed under: Christmas--making the most,adventure,celebrate life,confident living,persistence,priorities,relatiionships at Christmas,saying no — Brenda @ 2:03 am

First, the rest of the story.

As you may remember, last week Kerry tried out for her high school’s musical. Wednesday evening the results were to be posted on the school’s website. Kerry went to the youth group’s Christmas party that evening so Gene and I nervously checked the website every few minutes from 7 to 8. Finally, at 7:55 the results were posted. Kerry made it—but not the role she wanted. She got a secondary role. We call it “the chorus”—no speaking lines and singing with the chorus, thus it’s called “the chorus.”

Oooo. Now what? Is this reason for celebration or consolation? We didn’t have to wonder for long. Kerry texted us from the bus (the group went roller skating). Kerry’s friend used her Blackberry to check the website. Kerry was thrilled as was evident by the all capital letters and multiple exclamation points she used in the text. Yea! We celebrated with her when she got home.

Later Kerry shared with me why she was so thrilled with her small part even though she worked hard (and is quite capable to have a larger role). “Mom, all the main roles were given to upperclassmen. I’m with my friends [also in “the chorus] and I know I have to work my way up.”

How wise. And to think I wanted to have a talk with the directors (still do).  

Part II—A Few Survival Tips for the Last Few Days of the Christmas Season

I hate wording the title this way, but the more I talk with people about their Christmas plans, the more I realize that many of us will not spend Christmas in a Norman Rockwell setting. No family is perfect and for some surviving without raising their blood pressure several points is their only goal. Here are a few brief survival tips:

  • Less is more. Talk less. You know how Cousin Ernie feels about (fill in a controversial topic) so don’t engage when he starts his rant. You will not convince him otherwise, so listen for a bit, then excuse yourself to walk your parents’ neighbors’ dog.
  • Plead the Fifth. You don’t have to answer every question asked of you or give every detail of your personal/professional life. My grandpa had a great line that may come in handy for you. Consider it my gift to you. When asked a question that was nobody’s business he advised me to say, “I’ll forgive you for asking, if you forgive me for not answering.” Or if that’s too much to remember, Grandpa also used, “Now why would you want to know a thing like that?” Smile and then head for the eggnog.
  • More Mary, less Martha. Now is the time to switch paradigms from Martha (busy, busy, busy, everything-to-everybody) to Mary (focus on what’s important—Jesus and people). How much hassle is a last-minute gift for the mailman worth or how much stress is it worth to send one last card to your best friend from the 8th grade? Christmas is not meaningful (and memorable) because of the infinite tasks we assign to ourselves or we take on from others. Christmas is meaningful and memorable when we worship Jesus and spend time with loved ones.
  • Live in the moment. I’m not good at this, but this year I am learning to do it well. Kelsey is home from college for only 2 ½ weeks. Katie and Kerry are off school, too. So the weeks before and after Christmas are precious. We are enjoying each other’s company as we shop, bake, skate, stitch (the last few gifts), and wrap. Thinking about work and school is not allowed.

 

I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas.

Brenda

October 9, 2009

What Moms Don’t See

Filed under: Confidence,confident living,discouragement,moms,parenting,persistence,strong-willed kids — Brenda @ 2:15 pm

Recently a precious young mom shared with me, “I have a strong-willed five year-old son.” (Deep sigh) 

“He doesn’t want to do his homework. He watches TV before bed. His room is a mess.” She was exasperated. I know I’ve been there and still visit there on occasion.

“So how do you respond?”  I needed all the facts, before I offered any shred of wisdom I might find in my database.

“I don’t let him watch TV till the homework is done. I’m trying to help him organize his room, but he doesn’t get it or want to get it.”

Now I’m getting it. This mom is doing a great job. She is doing exactly what I would have told her–use a discipline that makes him care if his home is done and help him learn to organize his space. Her exasperation is because she is not seeing results so she believes she is not being effective as a mom and she needs new methods.

Oh, the angst of parenting–sometimes it takes a long time to see results. Sometimes it takes years to see results. And the results that are right under our noses are happening so subltly that we don’t see them.

I keep a prayer register of sorts. Prayer requests/concerns on the left side of the page and the answers/responses from God on the right side of the page. It is a great way to not only grow my faith but to see how God is faithful in maturing my daughters.  Looking back into this register I see that for a couple of years I have been praying for a sweet spirit for one of the girls. Anyone that knows her today would never guess that she had a spell of negativity. She is a kind, encouraging, fun young woman. Subtle changes.

One daughter struggled with procrastination. It was becoming a bad habit. I prayed and coached her. Today her room is neat, her homework is organized, and the piles of stuff that lined the walls of her room are gone. When did all this happen? I do not know. Slowly and subltly from December, 2007, to October, 2009, she became an organized, on-the-ball girl.

I prayed and prayed for good friends for one of our daughters. Friends that would encourage her and bless her. Friends that aren’t into drama or popularity contests. It has been over a year since I recorded that request and my daughter is slowly and steadily finding great young women with whom she is developing quality sisters-in-Christ friendships.

Being the mom is hard. It takes lots of work and persistence, but the results are so worth it. Don’t get discouraged because you don’t think you see results. They’re there. They might be hidden under piles of dirty laundry, or a messy desk, or in an attitude that says, “Make me!” But, Mom, everything you do and say matters. Persistence and faith that God is working in your kids’ lives are key to confidently living your calling of Queen Mom!