Mom Monday: The Golden Rule

Applying the "Golden Rule" to my own parenting has proven to be most helpful (most of the time.......I would LOVE to be engaged in chatting about my thoughts/feelings,  but for some reason my boys don't seem to love that as much as I do ().     'So in EVERYTHING, do to others what you would have them do to you." Matthew 7:12   As we parent today, or interact with anyone today, may we follow this teaching of the One who KNOWS ALL.    May we speak to others the way we desire others to speak to us (with love, gentleness, kindness, and patience) May we be mindful of our body language and facial expressions giving to our children what we desire others to give to us (eye contact, smiles, expression, interest, fully present, etc)   May we give to our chidren the love  and expressions of it that we soo desire in the depths of our souls ( physical touch, time, acts of service, gifts, words that build up and bless)   May we give them the forgiveness, grace and mercy that we sooo desperately hunger for and are in need of ourselves.  How do you want someone to treat you when you ACCIDENTALLY spill milk all over the floor??? Or when you FORGET/MISPLACE  your keys or phone somewhere??     May we treat our children the same way that we want to be treated. Blessings from Bombadil..........Kristy LINK   "I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." Phillipians 1:25 & 26

crown and a gown

It doesn't take long when sitting around a table with 4-6yrs. old GIRLS  for the conversation to turn to chatting about Princesses. I experienced that again, yesterday, as I sat with 6 little girls for a little "tea party."   After the conversation began with the youngest at the table bringing the topic up, I decided to engage and ask the girls,   "What do you think makes a true princess??"   With much conviction, Lydia, the 4 year old who was hosting this little shindig, stated as FACT,   "A CROWN and a GOWN!! A Princess HAS TO HAVE a beautiful dress!!"   When the slightly older girls at the table decided to speak their minds about what makes a girl a princess and mentioned that God has something to do with it, this little bundle of expression said,   "No!!!! That's NOT TRUE! A true princess has to have a gown/a pretty dress and a crown."   Little did she know they were both right.   Being a TRUE PRINCESS has EVERYTHING to do with our relationship with the King(God) AND having a GOWN and a CROWN   A princess is a princess because her Father is a King--any daughter of a King is a princess.   " God, the blessed and only Ruler, the KING OF KINGS and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light..." 1 Timothy 6:15   "Yet to all WHO RECEIVED HIM, to those who BELIEVED IN HIS NAME(JESUS), he gave the right to become CHILDREN (DAUGHTER'S ) OF GOD." John 1:12     Lydia was also correct. A TRUE PRINCESS HAS TO HAVE A GOWN & A CROWN!!   " For HE HAS CLOTHED ME WITH GARMENTS of salvation and arrayed me in a ROBE OF RIGHTEOUNESS."  Isaiah 61:10   "Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him. "Take off his filthy clothes.' Then he said to Joshua, "See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put RICH GARMENTS on you." Zechariah 3:3 & 4   "Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ" Romans 13:14   JESUS IS OUR GOWN.     A true Princess has a CROWN:   " The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news............to bestow on them  a CROWN OF BEAUTY instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."  Isaiah 61:1 & 3   "Praise the Lord , O my soul; all my inmost being praise his name....who redeems your life from the pit and CROWNS YOU WITH LOVE AND COMPASSION." Psalms 103:1 & 4     "At that time, Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Fathe, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to LITTLE CHILDREN. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure." Luke 10:21   May we learn from 4 year old little Lydia that a TRUE PRINCESS HAS TO HAVE A GOWN AND A CROWN!!!! We must be clothed with Jesus and crowned with his love and compassion. May we learn from the 6 or 7 year old little children that it is ONLY GOD who can make us TRUE PRINCESSES. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy LInk                   "I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." Phillipians 1:25 & 26

A special visitor

We've had some excitement around the Link household the last two evenings.  We've had a very special visitor knock on our door; not just once, but twice. The Kalamazoo Police have been receiving a call from a particular neighbor of ours because our cars are parked on our grass while we are waiting for our newly poured driveway to harden. The Police came not only on Monday in response to a complaint, but they were called AGAIN last night and came to speak with us one more time.               I'm not sure what causes a person to call the police on a neighbor about an issue like this, but thankfully I know the One who does.   "For the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts." 1 Chronicles 28:9     He knows the deeper issue of this precious neighbor's heart. He understands the motive behind the thoughts of this neighbor for whom Christ died.   He has given me his wonderful truth to fight this tiny little battle with:   "Be VERY CAREFUL, then, HOW YOU LIVE- NOT as UNWISE but as WISE, MAKING THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY, because the days are evil. Therefore DO NOT BE FOOLISH, BUT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE LORD'S WILL IS.................Submit to one another OUT OF REVERENCE FOR CHRIST." Ephesians 5:15-21   * I need to be "very careful," because living rightly requires great care   *He wants me to be wise, but the option to be unwise is out there ...and often much easier   *I have an opportunity here and He wants me to make the MOST of it.   *If I don't understand what HIS WILL is, I will be foolish & make unwise choices/reactions   *I need to search Scripture to find out what I KNOW is HIS WILL ( Love & truth are always involved)   *It is out of my "REVERENCE FOR CHRIST," that I die to my sinful, earthly nature to get mad, get even, hold a grudge, care more about myself than my neighbor etc.......   Whatever this day brings you, may you engage it with God's words. May you/we be "very careful,", "wise," and may we "make the MOST of EVERY opportunity."  Blessings from Bombadil.......home where some cars are parked in the grass for one more day with the blessing of the Police, but apparently not the blessing of a PRECIOUS neighbor.  Kristy Link       "I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." Phillipians 1:25 & 26

"walk in wisdom.."

Happy Mom Monday...........             There are soo many opportunities throughout a day to "Show our annoyance" as a mom (or any other role we are in). Listen to the word of God:   " A FOOL SHOWS HIS ANNOYANCE AT ONCE, but a prudent woman overlooks an insult." Proverbs 12:16   As tempting as it might be to show our annoyance, it actually makes US look like a fool. Isn't it more beautiful and attractive to see a mom who is patient and able to overlook some things or be gentle in dealing with those annoyances rather than easily irritable.   " Love is patient, it is not rude, it is not easily angered (irritated)......"1 Corinthians 13:4     As we go about our day mothering our children, may we do it with much WISDOM.   "She who walks in WISDOM is kept safe." Proverbs 28:26   We have the opportunity THIS DAY to not only bless our children with our walking in wisdom, but to reveal the GLORY OF GOD. All of HiS ways are soooo attractive and a blessing to Him and the souls around us. Who knows who we might draw to the Lord through our "momming" today????   My prayer for us today:            Oh Father, You have given us the greatest joy and responsibility to love, nurture, teach and train these precious creatures of yours. You don't promise us another day of this great honor. May we be moms who walk in wisdom for the sake of YOUR NAME. All of your commands lead to life, peace, more beauty, more joy, and more love. They are not burdensome ("And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world." 1 John 5:3). May we die to our annoyances that our children and others might live. LOVE THE WORLD THROUGH US, GOD!!! Amen. "I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." Phillipians 1:25 & 26