The Importance of Gentleness

I'm reading through the Psalms and this morning I'm in chapter 6.  I've read these verses so many times, yet today God used them to speak to me about how I deal with my children when they've done something wrong.  Verses 1 & 2 say, "O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.  Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am weak..." 
I shouldn't "rebuke" my children in anger or "chasten them in hot displeasure" because they are weak- mentally, emotionally and physically.  Angry words wound deeply and how often I've been the cause of those wounds.  I don't want that to continue!  "A soft answer turneth away wrath..." 
 I am seeing more and more just how important GENTLENESS is.  Psalms 18:35 says, "...and thy gentleness hath made me great."  Gentleness speaks to the heart.  It draws one to a peaceable place and opens the ears of the heart.  God has been working in me concerning anger and He is patiently bringing me to a new place in my life where anger doesn't reign supreme!  How thankful I am for the Lord's love and grace!!  I want to be controlled by His gentlenss and His mercy.  I don't want to overlook wrong, but to deal with it in the right way.  I want my children's view of God to be a loving view.  I want them to see the Lord's control of me and my emotions. 

The other night I couldn't sleep so I went out to read a book called "Creative Correction".  In this book the author has sections she calls the "Toolbox".  They are verses or stories that one can use to help in the various situations that arise in a day.  I was reading about anger. The verse to read was Proverbs 10:12, "Hatred stirreth up strife: but love covereth all sins."  I wondered what "covereth" meant in the Strong's concordance.  There were various words mentioned but "overwhelm" stuck out at me.   It made me think that if you respond in gentleness, that gentleness could overwhelm the anger that may have occured instead.  I can make my children obey, but if they aren't obeying from the heart they're really not obeying.  I want to be gentle and merciful and pray that by God's grace and control my children will obey from the heart and that's how I want to respond to the Lord as well.
I also, as well as my children, need to learn to hear God's voice in the authority's voice.  If there is someone over me-I need to remember that the Lord wants me to obey and so it is HIS voice I need to listen to and obey not the person speaking to me.  This is hard to do, but when simply obeying the Lord becomes more and more a habit, I believe it will be easier to do. 

These thought from the Lord have been a blessing to me and a huge help too.  God is so good.  I'm so thankful that He loves me in spite of who I am.  I'm thankful He gave me my children.  I love them so much.  I want to love them better-they deserve it!!  What a great, loving and gentle heavenly Father we have.  "Thank You, Dear Lord for being God."

Went to Panera Bread tonight with Ahren and Jaden and Anna!  We had a nice evening together and of course a yummy supper :-)  How can you go wrong with Panera, right?!!  Well, I tried the Bacon Turkey Bravo-pretty good, but not as good as the Chipotle Chicken Sandwich-my favorite!  I also really like the Orchard Harvest Salad.  I love the dried cherries and fresh pear pieces in it-Mmmmm.  Well, I hope that you get a chance to go.  Tell me what your favorite is  :-) 

Good first week of school!  The kids love it and they like they're DVD teachers too!  Ethan said it's his best school ever! and Megan wanted to do school Sat.!  She couldn't though-bummer right!  Well, I'm thankful and pray it continues and we have a good, profitable and enjoyable year.

School Days Have Begun

Well, school has begun!  The kids are enjoying it very much, for which I am VERY thankful!  They're using the ABEKA DVD's and really enjoy their teachers!  I hope that it frees me up to get more accomplished around the house and maybe even some project time!  or nap time?  :-)   Jaden hasn't been sleeping really well that past few nights  :-(   Anyway, I'm thankful, very thankful that we can teach the kids at home!  My little ones are growing up so fast.  If you think of me, please pray that God will help me so that I'm less impatient and irritable and more kind, loving, friendly and happy!  I want the kids to see these good things in my life.  Thanks!
Well, happy school year to all you parents and kiddos!  Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks will be here before we know it!  Yikes!  :-)    Have a GREAT day!

THESE ARE SO GOOD.  I FORGOT THE SUGAR, SO YOU MAY WANT TO SPRINKLE A BIT ON AFTER YOUR BUTTER!  BUT WE ATE OURs WITH APPLE BUTTER---yUM!!  OH, AND I ADDED 1/2 C. OF SWEETENED DRIED CRANBERRIES TO THE MIX.  WE TRULY ENJOYED THEM AND hOPE YOU DO TOO!!  ~lOKEN   Morning Glory Muffins I

Rated: Submitted By: JACLYN Photo By: dabblingdiva Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 20 Minutes Ready In: 35 Minutes Servings: 18

"This muffin has a little bit of everything - carrots, raisins, apple butter, wheat germ, nuts. A perfect start for your day!"

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup whole wheat flour 1 1/4 cups white sugar 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 cups grated carrots 1 apple - peeled, cored, and chopped

1 cup raisins 1 egg 2 egg whites 1/2 cup apple butter 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts 2 tablespoons toasted wheat germ

Directions:

1.	Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly oil 18 muffin cups, or coat with nonstick cooking spray.
2.	In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, egg whites, apple butter, oil and vanilla.
3.	In a large bowl, stir together flours, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir in carrots, apples and raisins. Stir in apple butter mixture until just moistened. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling them about 3/4 full.
4.	In a small bowl, combine walnuts and wheat germ; sprinkle over the muffin tops.
5.	Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden and spring back when lightly pressed.

Nutrition Information Servings Per Recipe: 18 Calories: 194

Amount Per Serving Total Fat: 4.2g Cholesterol: 12mg Sodium: 175mg

Amount Per Serving Total Carbs: 37.3g Dietary Fiber: 2g Protein: 3.1g

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2012 Allrecipes.com

Printed from Allrecipes.com 9/6/2012

Fun with my little sister...
Today was a crazy day because I was in such a crazy mood!  I'm telling you I was down right weird, but Anna and I sure had some great laughs!  I needed it and I think she needed to see that I can still be crazy every now and then! and that we can still laugh together.  That I'm not an old worn out shoe  :-)  even though somedays I feel like one!  :-)  Hahaha.  On a more serious note...Anna, I did enjoy the day with you!  and I can still see you sitting on a brownie!  HAHAHAHAHA...
Folks, she really didn't sit on a brownie and my reference to it, I will in no way be able to explain!  :-)

36 years!

Well, I can't believe that I'm 36 this year.  4 more years til I'm 40!!  Yikes!  Well, my consolation is that I don't feel one bit old!  I plan on aging gracefully! no matter what age I'm saddled with  :-) 
I have so much to be thankful for!!  God has blessed me so much that sometimes I tell Him that I feel like I'm one of His special children-that He shows me special favor.  I know that's not true of course, but it is true that the Lord has blessed me abundantly.  He's given me the love of a good man, 3 children that I love with all my heart, a little house, a cool car, good health, family, friends, etc.  I don't deserve His goodness, but I'm grateful from the bottom of my heart for it!