Matthew 6:34

So don't worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Yesterday's post remarked on "a glad heart makes a happy face" Proverbs 15:13.  Well, wouldn't you know, this morning I picked up one of my all time favorite reads Homeschooling With a Meek and Quiet Spirit by Teri Maxwell, www.Titus2.com,  and the page I turned to said "A Smile."  It is so amazing how God speaks to us and nudges us in the direction of His will.  He knows us inside and out.  Today I will be working on my smile, but I want to leave you with the thought provoking words of Teri Maxwell as we journey on our day as mothers, wives, homeschoolers and Gods children.

Taken From Homeschooling With a Meek and Quiet Spirit:

"Have you ever stared at yourself in the mirror thinking "Wow, I am looking pretty ragged!" Then you smile into that mirror and see an amazing transformation.  Try it!"

" I am a serious person by nature. While smiling at others in public comes easily, when I am about my daily tasks, it doesn't. Quite often, though, I am holding the keys to the atmosphere in our home.  When I make a concerted effort to smile, everyone in the family seems to put on a smile as well."

"A smile conveys love, acceptance, warmth, and understanding.  It is almost always appropriate within a family. It might be good for us to have little mirrors on our children's foreheads so that we coudl see how we look as we are teaching them, disciplining them, playing with th em, or just talking with them. Is our countenance pleasant or harsh? Is it interested or bored? Would we see joy or dissapointment?"

My challenge is to put on that smile even when I don't feel like it!  Even when I'm so tired I feel like I can't read one more book, I'll put on that smile and my children will be left with feeling love, acceptance and the warm cuddles from their mommy.  My husband will feel loved and content in a happy, peaceful home.  Teri goes on to say that a "smile characterizes the words that describe a meek and quiet spirit: mild of temper, soft, gentle, not easily provoked or irritated, peaceable, not turbulent, not giving offense, mild and contented."

As homeschooling moms, we all know too well how that spirit can be challenged by imaginitive, active, thoughtful, intelligent children!  May we realize God's blessing in our lives and live to love Him and embrace our children, husbands, and home and grace it all with a SMILE!

Blessings!

On a more practical note, we are off to the store.  I will be challenged with 4 of my six children with me to have that meek and quiet spirit!  I will be trying to do grocery shopping for 2 weeks.  I want to lead up to monthly shopping to not only save gas $$, but also give me time in my week.  It seems like one day each week is taken over by shopping when I could be doing so many other things!  If ya'll have any experience with this let me know!  I'm not really sure how to organize myself for monthly shopping for 7 :)

Blessing in Christ!