Eyes to See and Ears to Hear

Just a few days ago, I opened my mouth and found words flowing out that were indeed NOT useful for building one another up or encouraging another person (Ephesians 4:29).  Now I wasn't yelling, or even angry in any sense of the word.  I was offering unsolicited advice, and it did nothing to help the poor friend at the other end of my 'river' of words.  Almost immediately I regretted my loose lips.  My relationship with my friend had been shaken, and I tangibly felt the tension between us rise.  But this post (thankfully!!) is not about the marring effects of sin.  It is about the renewing effects of GRACE!

God is gracious and merciful.  But like many others, I am prone to completely forget the good works God does in my life to sustain and uplift me in His grace.  It is my hope that this post will help us all to not only see His good works, but to remember that He is indeed, faithful to save - even save us from ourselves.

Peacemaking

Dear Friends,

Just before our super fun trip to Alaska (see pictures here!), I found that our oldest two children were almost constantly in battle.  The words of their lips, the actions of their hands (and feet) were almost always against each other.  My last quiet time before the trip had me reading Proverbs 20.  Not surprisingly, I found that God had some wise words waiting for me: a Mom in need of advice.

Verse 3 - Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling
Verse 22 - Don't say, "I will get even for this wrong."  Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.
and Chapter 21:23 - Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.

So, I pose the question to you: What do you do in your house to help maintain the peace?  How would you take these verses and put them into action in your living rooms and back yards? 

Looking forward to hearing from you!
Tracey

The Swing

The Swing by Robert Lewis Stevenson

How do you like to go up in a swing

Up in the air so blue?

Oh I do think it the pleasantest thing 

Ever a child can do.

Up in the air and over the wall

Till I can see so high

Rivers and trees and cattle and all over the countryside

Till I look down on the garden green,

Down on the roof so brown

Up in the air I go flying again

Up in the air and down!