A Mother's Heart

Mentoring Moms

I was introduced today to a wonderful program in my community.  It's basically a program that aids young (16-21 years old) parents in any way possible.  They provide connections to local programs, counseling, and mentors, along with many other services.  Unfortunately, our county has an unusually high rate of teen pregnancy. 

So, I decided that I would sign up to be a mentor mom.  The decision was very easy.  What a wonderful way for a mother of young children to help others!  I can't volunteer in any other way, so this is a perfect fit!  I don't pretend to be a perfect mother, but that's not what these girls need.  Hopefully I'll be able to make a difference in someone's life, just by being a friend.  I've got lots of time!

Our church has been talking about living fully for Christ, "jumping out of the boat"  and I think this is one little step I can take. 

Lord, guide my words and actions.

Leslie

Keith Green

Another wonderful man and artist, with a true heart for the Lord.  His honesty is refreshing, and his passion for the Lord and the lost is evident.  You can't listen to his songs casually.  They pierce your heart, they stir and move you, and convict like no other songs I've ever heard.

Here is my favorite:

Make my life a prayer to you

I want to do what you want me to

No empty words and no white lies

No token prayers, no compromise

I want to shine the light you gave

through your Son you sent to save us

from ourselves and our despair

It comforts me to know you're really there

I want to thank you now for being patient with me

It's so hard to see when my eyes are on me

I guess I'll have to trust and just believe what you say

That you're coming again, coming to take me away

I want to die and let you give

Your life to me so I might live

and share the hope you gave to me

The love that set me free.

I want to tell the world out there

You're not some fable or fairytale

that I've made up inside my head

You're God, the Son, and you've risen from the dead

Truth

I was thinking about truth today, as I was talking with a friend.  Do you ever feel frustrated that you never REALLY know the truth about things?  What REALLY goes on in people's minds?  HOW does what we eat truly affect us, our fertility, our health? On and on, and the latest thought I've had, what REALLY goes on in the White House??

And it struck me that the only things you can ever know the truth about are yourself and Christ.  It's all written down, and it's all true.  How comforting!  How wonderful that we get to live our lives according the the TRUTH!

If I ever have a question about what to do, I can look it up in the greatest how-to book ever - the Bible!

Leslie

My One Thing

Integrity and Influence

Many things recently have been turning my mind to the issue of integrity.  I feel great conviction in this area.  Sometimes in my life, I feel like I am doing well, focusing on what the Lord would have me do and say.  Then, I'll see some glaring area of my life that is sadly lacking. 

My precious children act as such great motivatiors and inspirations in this area.  They hold us so accountable, don't they?  What behavior do we want to model for them?  Do they see Christ in us?  Their little eyes are on me all hours of the day.  Am I practicing patience?  Discipline?  What am I watching, saying, doing?

As a stay at home mom, my interaction with others seems limited, but there are so many times during the day when I let my feelings dictate, instead of Christ. 

Also, what am I allowing to influence my life?  Everything I say and do, all my views on the world need to be filtered through the screen of the Word.  As Christians, we need to influence the world, not be influence.  Am I doing that?