Finding Your Purpose in Christ

Some people think that the purpose of life is solely to find happiness. But, if you are simply living life to find happiness, you won’t find it. Why not? Because it is fleeting. It’s here today, gone tomorrow like the carefree days of summer. If you ask people what the purpose of life is, they might say to be happy. When in fact, true happiness and purpose can only come from our creator. Instead of focusing on finding happiness, try finding your purpose in Jesus Christ. When you find your purpose and realize how to serve Him, that gives your …

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It’s Okay to Talk About the Kids on Date Night

Last weekend, my husband and I enjoyed a long-overdue date. We went out for pizza, ordered one dessert with two forks, then steered our minivan toward the mall to burn an hour before bedtime. The kids’ bedtime, that is. On date night, my husband and I have a strategy: stay away until the children are snoozing. This is our time. So what did we do? Shopped for the kids. I wandered through the Target aisles carrying two pairs of size 6X pants over my forearm. Halfway between cosmetics and the dollar specials I spotted a familiar face. “Hey, friend!” I …

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When You Discover Your Place in This World Is to Change It

What if? It’s a question each of us has to ask ourselves. What if I’m here for more than what I’m doing? More than what I think? What if I’m here for a purpose beyond  my wildest dreams?  What if I’m missing the point of my existence? What if God wants to use me to affect change? A serious look at Scripture reveals that God calls us to MORE than just status quo Christianity… He calls us to change the world! God calls us to MORE than just status quo Christianity… He calls us to change the world! @themominitiativ Click …

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Mothering Post-Divorce or Post-Trauma

Have you experienced a divorce, break-up, or relational trauma during motherhood? If so, you may be experiencing emotions and pain that are barriers to healthy mothering. I can tell you this: You are not alone! Oh, dear mom, I know you may be feeling such grief, such overwhelming emotions, that you feel so desperately alone. You may be feeling guilt, shame, exhaustion, or a period of confusion. Your friends and family may not be understanding or may even be a source of your feeling of shame. If so, take a minute to visualize me reaching my arm around your shoulders, …

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Perfectionism is Overrated!

Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? Hi, my name is Sandy, and I’m a closet perfectionist. And I know that perfectionism is overrated! No one would know my secret if they looked at my house, my hair, or my clothes, but somewhere down deep there is a desire for perfection. My heart races and my nerves shake when things are not in order. I used to tell my children I could not make …

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When My Imperfect Parenting Meets God’s Perfect Love

Don’t you love how God teaches us through our experiences? Recently, I had the honor of meeting and working with another mother for a few hours. This woman was about 20 years my senior, and we had a wonderful time talking about our children. As she talked, she began to cry about the choices one of her children was making. I was moved by this, encouraged her as best I could, and prayed with her. Later, as I was reflecting on our conversation, I began to think about a lie that I have believed for most of my parenting years. It …

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Happy Mother’s Day from the Throne

“What do you really want for Mother’s Day?”my ten-year-old daughter, Lizzy, asked as I stashed the breakfast dishes in the dishwasher and scrubbed drizzles of spilled milk off the kitchen counter.  I glanced up at the clock, down at my ratty pajamas, and over my shoulder at the toddler who had just waddled into the room with a saggy diaper. Church would begin in ninety minutes, and chances were strong that we’d be late. Again. My husband was already at work, and two of my kids were out in the yard getting their church clothes dirty as I chased down …

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Feasting on God’s Word

“I don’t like food; I LOVE it. If I don’t love it, I don’t swallow!”  -Anton Ego Ratatouille I am not as fastidious as Anton Ego and his love for good food. But I have noticed something about my appetite. The more I eat healthy food and drink water, the more I want healthy food and the less allure junk food holds. However, the more I eat junk the more I crave junk. And it isn’t only true in my physical appetites. It is true in how I treat the Word of God. When I get by on a steady diet …

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Keep Telling Family Stories

“Grammie, who are the people in that picture frame?” my ten year-old granddaughter, Katelyn, asked as she and her seven year-old sister climbed into sleeping bags to spend the night in the loft at our house. Katelyn was pointing to black and white pictures of my grandparents and my parents, all who died before she and her sister were born. As I tucked the girls in and explained who each person was in the picture, Katelyn whispered in my ear, “Wasn’t your dad murdered?” Katelyn’s mother, my daughter, never knew her grandfather—my dad. My father was a California highway patrolman …

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