Just a Mother learning to be a Lover

Micah Hudson - a loved one!

I love watching my children grown and develop, I love watching them 'perform'; dance, sing, be silly in front of Dave and I.  I love watching their fearless efforts to entertain us, their bursting, confident rendition of a song they've heard or just their freedom to jump on our lap, throw their arms around us at any given time.

My children know they are loved, we're not perfect parents, we give apologies for our failings daily but our children know they are loved. I'm often distracted, my mind is on other things.  At times I shout or act out of a pressured or stressed situation but my children know they are loved.

My children are secure, they are free, they are confident - because they know they are loved.

"If its true that the value of something is measured by what someone will pay for it, then we need to rethink our worth." (Bill Johnson)

Mothers, YOU are loved; you were perfectly planned out and formed together (Psalm 139), you have a destiny, a purpose and God has a plan for your life (Jer 29:11).  You are cared for (1 Peter 5:7), prayed for (Rom 8:34) and sung over daily (Zeph 3:17); Your Father even knows how many hairs are on your head (Luke 12:7).  You're the apple of His eye (Psalm 17:8), you're His greatest work (Eph 2:10).

So why are we downcast?
Why do we act so insecure and locked up?
Why do we question ourselves?
Why do we doubt our worth and significance?

Mother, do you know you're loved?

It's time to learn to be loved, it's time to surrender to God's overwhelming, all consuming, consistent, stable, strong, unconditional love for YOU.

It's time to lift up your head
It's time to walk in freedom and security
It's time to know WHO you are in His love
It's time to run with purpose, direction, liberty and peace because of your Fathers love

"Lord, thank you for lavishing your love upon me, thank you that I am complete in you and there is no lack, thank you that I am strong, free and full of joy when I walk in the light of your love.  Thank you that you are all I need and whatever challenges or tests may come my way I can run into your arms and be held in your love.  Lord help me today walk in a revelation of your love, help me be secure and act out of that love and security.  Help me be your loved one and inspire my family and those around me to live in the same way - Amen"

Praying it with you today!


Knowing we are loved by God; It's not just a 'good day' it's our standard.

Be abundantly blessed in all you do today.
Leah

Protection and Healing

Our praying daughter - Nyah

Just popping on quietly as I'm preparing dinner for guests tonight, beef 'n' ale stew bubbling away!  We've had a lovely Friday afternoon with some of the precious ladies from our church in our home; we shared coffee, cake and conversation; wonderful times!

Today I'm thankful; I'm thankful for our God, Jehovah Nissi; our banner of love and protection.  Yesterday my parents were involved in a serious car accident in rush hour traffic near their home in Yorkshire.  They were hit by a large lorry and were sent spinning across the three lanes of the motorway.  The car stopped as it hit the central reservation and my parents were totally unharmed!  As they got out of the car after their horrific ordeal a guy from their church happened to be on that road that day which is unusual for him and was able to stop and help them.  The emergency services were soon at the scene and were amazing at reassuring my parents and getting them off the road and back home.

They are shaken up, we've all been affected emotionally but they are well and praising Jesus for |His angelic protection and incredible hand of love.

Your love never fails, never gives up, never runs out on me

This morning I woke up with a terrible headache, I thought I could shake it off with a good coffee and a some pain relief but it wasn't budging, I was so sick - I just needed to crawl back into bed with an ice pack on my head but I had a house to pull together, children to feed, a baby to nurse and most importantly a fabulous Pistachio and Orange cake to make!  I did crawl back into bed but my precious Nyah offered to pray for me, she laid her 9 year old hands on my head, asked Jesus to heal me, take away my pain and help me get on with my day.  She took Sienna-Raine for a while and I rested for a short time, I must have napped but woke up suddenly and felt absolutely fine, no headache and no sickness!! I was well, I was healed and ready to take on the day!  Hallelujah!

Jesus you're all I need

Thankful...again!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Blessings
Leah

I love days like these - Nature Study

A ride on Mama's back whilst carrying her own stick - Sienna gets a great view of God's creation

“Here is a duty that lies upon us all; for we all enter on the inheritance of the heavens and the earth, the flowers of the field and the birds of the air. These are things to which we have right, no one can take them from us; but, until we get as much as a nodding and naming acquaintance with the things of Nature, they are a cause rather of irritation and depression than of joy” (Vol. 4, Book 2, p. 97). 

“From the flower in the crannied wall to the glorious firmament on high, all the things of Nature proclaim without ceasing, ‘Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty’ ”

(Vol. 4, Book 2, p. 100).

Bird Watching

“A love of Nature, implanted so early that it will seem to them hereafter to have been born in them, will enrich their lives with pure interests, absorbing pursuits, health, and good humour” (Vol. 1, p. 71).

“Consider, too, what an unequalled mental training the child-naturalist is getting for any study or calling under the sun — the powers of attention, of discrimination, of patient pursuit, growing with his growth, what will they not fit him for?” (Vol. 1, p. 61).

Nature study cultivates a love of investigation

A beautiful winter scene at our local nature reserve

I love the light on the water

“Let him know, with friendly intimacy, the out-of-door objects that come in his way — the redstart, the rosechaffer, the ways of the caddis-worm, forest trees, field flowers — all natural objects, common and curious, near his home. No other knowledge is so delightful as this common acquaintance with natural objects” (Vol. 2, p. 77).

Hope you've had a wonderful day too!

Many blessings

Leah

Signs of Spring in the Winter

I didn't quite make my usual early wake up call this morning; after an eventful (very) late night with my 3-year-old son (tummy ache) and my 11 month old daughter (was woken up by son with tummy ache and wanted to party!), it was probably around 3am before I crawled into bed with Micah snuggled up next to me to be then ripped back out of my bed an hour later to our little Sienna-Raine who fancied a mama snack!

But I'm here (amazing grace how sweet the sound), I'm ready for the day, the children are still asleep and the morning sun is yet to rear her head.

As I was stood sleepily in my kitchen waiting for the kettle to boil I could hear a bird chirping away happily outside, so instead of quietly putting on some worship music, which is my usual morning ritual, I carefully opened our kitchen window to hear that forgotten sound of spring; I made a pot of tea, I ironed my hardworking husbands work clothes, I smiled.

My heart is yearning for spring.


A few days ago Dave and I were stood clearing away things in our back yard after the building work had been completed, he scanned our happy homestead and asked "are you going to dig up those dead trees and throw them away"!  Ok so he's not quite Alan Titchmash but I thought his fingers might have a slight tinge of green on them, but evidently not so!  I laughed and shrieked at the same time declaring (rather dramatically and in defence of the trees):

"Dave, they're not dead, they're sleeping, God does some of His best, unseen work in the winter, the trees are preparing for new growth, they might look brown and shrivelled but we can't give up on them now!"

I walked over to my willow tree and pointed out the tiny green buds just peeping  out enough to convince us not to rip him up from the ground and I smiled.

My heart is yearning for spring


After the children and I had tidied up after our day yesterday I gazed up at the clock and it read 4 o'clock, I looked out of the window and it was still light - I yelled "kids, it's 4 o'clock and it's still light", they smiled.

My heart is yearning for spring


Are you feeling dry, unnoticed, insignificant and 'done'? 


It's time precious mother, daughter of God, to look for signs of spring in your life!  God is ALWAYS at work; He does some of His finest, unseen work in the dark of winter - He's preparing you for growth, He's preparing you for a season of fruitfulness, a time to be displayed for His glory, a time to flourish in His garden.

Search for the 'buds', listen out for the bird song - spring is in the air!

"Yes, I am the vine, you are the branches.  Those who remain in me, and I in them will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."

John 15:5

Remain in Him and look for signs of Spring  

Blessings

Leah

Linking up with the UK fellowship Friday here - pop over and have a read!

Book list 2012

This months book of choice

My daily 5.30am wake up call is softened by the fact I get to read a chapter of 'Kisses from Katie'; I jump (ahem) out of bed, grab my Kindle, get onto my exercise bike and cycle as fast as I can for the duration of one chapter (about 15 minutes). I don't often get another chance in the day to read for 'pleasure' so I've decided to multitask on this and I actually look forward to it!


I'm about half way through this book and have devoured every electronic inked page (!), her story of courage, faith and transformation in Uganda at such a young age is incredible, her reflections and revelation bring challenge to my heart every day.  What started out as a 'mission' trip quickly turned into a journey of motherhood as she courageously adopts 14 little girls and transforms their lives, who in turn God uses to transform hers.


This book was on the top of my (still in progress) book list for 2012. By the end of January I would like a concise list of 10 books (+2 for standby in case I get through them) that I'd like to complete and review on my blog.


I generally read Christian books; books that will challenge me in my faith, encourage and guide me in my marriage and quest of motherhood, books about leadership, books on home schooling; especially around a Charlotte Mason pedagogy...very rarely do I read fiction!


So I'm open to suggestions - what do you think I should delve into this year? I'm open to a challenge, throw a bit of fiction in there, try me!


I'm aiming to form my final list of 12 (a realistic number for this busy mother of 4!) over the weekend, throw some titles at me; leave a comment or tweet me (hgbabies) and lets see which ones make it!


Looking forward to your suggestions,


Many blessings
Leah

Lessons from Lego

I have two boys; so generally Lego or some kind of building forms part of our day and part of our bonding.


Today, in the cabin, Micah built a perfectly proud structure made of multi-coloured duplo, he added a few wooden bricks for his usual 3 year old mixed media effect and with a tug of my jeans interrupted my listening to Joel's reading to show and tell.  As I was doing my Oscar award winning 'oohs' and 'ahhh's at my sons creation our sweet little cruiser Sienna-Raine saw her goal and crawled speedily across the cabin floor, with one (or two) foul swoops she had taken down the Micah masterpiece!


Micah collapsed into a sobbing floor piece and declared he could not build it again!  We set up a higher, Sienna-proof table for him, we picked up his bricks, we consoled him but he was adamant that he 'could not' build it again!


We cuddled and listened to Joel finish the chapter of his book.
I whispered to Micah that he COULD build it again if I helped him, I told him that he was a super hero and super hero's always try again...


...he began to build.


This time it was bigger and better - and stronger!


Often in our plight of motherhood we feel discouraged and dragged down.
Proverbs tells us that a wise woman builds her home and a foolish woman tears it apart with her own hands.  But doesn't it often feel like others are tearing it down for us with judgement and discouragement?  We're desperately trying to build, but is it in vain?


We build, we're pretty proud of our accomplishments but with one swoop of discouragement we're floored again to that sobbing mess.


You declare 'I CAN'T DO THIS ANY MORE'!

Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. (Psalm 127:1)

Take it to Jesus

We sit on our Fathers lap, He whispers words of love and encouragement in our ear, in our heart. He tells us we CAN do it with His help; we can build, we can sow, we can speak, we can walk, we can dream.

He lays a new foundation, a solid place to build - on HIM.

And slowly, with your hand in His you start to build again - but this time it is better, bigger and stronger.

This home belongs to Him.

Be encouraged today Mothers - you CAN build again.

Many blessings 

Leah

Come to me