Tag: inspiration

Reflection-homeschool life

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I am sitting here at the end of my day and looking at my house.  All is quiet and peaceful.  I look around me and see birthday balloons still floating above the dining room table, a kitchen that is not quite as clean as I would like it and toys scattered throughout my downstairs living area.  This is usually a point of frustration in my day where I reflect on how I didn’t get enough done in my day.  A clean house is a peaceful house in my book.  There is some truth to that, but I also was sitting here and reflecting on how this mess that I am staring at is also a representation of blessings.  The imperfect kitchen, the toys that don’t seem to ever be put away, even the balloons that are still floating above the kitchen represent life.  I am blessed with a 5 year old that just celebrated his birthday.  I am blessed by a house full of children that are learning and experiencing their own journey of growing up.  I get a front row seat to see what God plans to do with their lives.  The Speech and Debate world captured our attention tonight and led me to having an imperfect kitchen. It’s a delight to see our kiddos work on their communication and critical thinking skills and enjoy doing it!

Now don’t get me wrong, the kitchen and the toys will get picked up and my downstairs will eventually be clean but I am realizing that I need to quit dwelling on the things I didn’t get done and embrace the blessings and things that did get done.  I am in a unique season in my life where my kids are young and my main investment of time is with them.  I need to stop stressing about the little things that don’t always get done and embrace the moments that God is giving me everyday.  I am blessed!

Word of Encouragement to Parents-

Embrace the journey you are on with your kiddos.  Enjoy your front row seat in watching them grow into the young men and women that God has called them to be.  You are amazing and need to realize that everyday.  God has given you the children you have for a specific purpose and reason.  He has mighty plans for them and is choosing to use you to help them grow.

 

10 Books of Inspiration for Tweens/Teens

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I love using books to inspire my kids in their walk with God.  I think if they see other kids being used by God to change the world, it  will encourage them to believe that they can too.  Here is a list of some of my favorite inspirational books for Tweens and Teens.

  1. You were made to make a Difference by Max Lucado and Jenna Lucado
  2. Be the Change by Zac Hunter
  3. City on our Knees by Toby Mac
  4. Do Hard Things by Alex Harris
  5. Live Like a Jesus Freak by DC Talk
  6. Take your Best Shot: Do Something Bigger Than Yourself by Austin Gutwein
  7. Qualities of a Spiritual Warrior (The Way of the Warrior) Book 1 by Graham Cooke
  8. Children and the Supernatural by Jennifer Toledo
  9. The Supernatural Ways of Royalty by Kris Vallotton
  10. The Risk Factor by Kevin Dedmon and Chad Dedmon

Some of these books were actually written by teens.  Teenagers and kids do not have a “Little Jesus” inside their hearts.  The same size Jesus that lives in you and I lives in them.  I have seen and heard of kids and teens around the world changing history and I sometimes feel like they do even more powerful things because of their faith and belief in the impossible.

In the near future, I will be blogging about each of these books in more detail so you can have a better picture of what they are about.  I have already done posts about the first 2 books on the list.  I am sure there are many more that are not on this list.  What inspirational books for tweens/teens would be on your top 10 list?