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Do you have a favorite tool you use? If you were to ask my youngest, I’m pretty sure he would say tape. He uses tape for all his creations. I will buy tape for myself, and when I go to use it, it's gone. I think we can all figure out where that tape went. I really should start hiding it better. Haha.  Tools are very important to the tasks that we are trying to complete. However, having the right tool doesn’t do us any good if we don’t know how to use it.  A chef knows which flavors complement each other and when to add them. Bakers know which ingredients to use to make their goods nice and fluffy. A cake decorator knows what tips will create the design they are trying to achieve. A mechanic knows when to install a new alternator or battery. A carpenter knows whether to use a nail or a screw. An artist knows which brushes and colors will create the full picture. These people know their tools because they've been trained in their craft. I love having a rolling pin for pie crust and pizza dough. In Isaiah 28:24-29, we are told about the methods a farmer uses to care for his crops. The thing is, he didn’t just know how to take care of them, God instructed him and taught him over time the right way to care for his farm. God, the creator of ALL things, teaches how to use tools to help us in our lives. He knows his craft like the back of his hand. We are His creation! Sometimes in our faith, we might question the methods that God is using in our life and that is often because we don’t understand what He is doing. We can be left feeling that He is doing nothing or worse, doing it wrong. We think we need something different, something better. We think we know the best way. The problem is, we don’t know what the future holds. We don’t have all the information, but God does.  Sometimes my kids don’t understand that there is a certain order in doing certain chores. They question why some things have to be done before others. Kids don’t initially understand that they have to sweep the floor before it's mopped. If you’ve ever mopped a dirty floor, you know it doesn’t clean the floor but rather makes wet, clumped streaks of dirt throughout the house. The method is all wrong for this type of cleaning. Like our kids, we might think that our way is faster or easier. However, faster and easier doesn't always give us the best results. God knows what tools we need to get us to where we are going. We don’t need to question the methods God uses to shape us or advance His kingdom.. We just need to know that He knows what the right tool is, when to use it, and how to use it. Wolf said, “ God has perfect timing and wisdom. He knows how to work in our lives.” God needs us to trust, listen, and be obedient. Take a moment and think about what is going on in your life. What tools could God be giving you, right now, in this season? There are always tools we can take with us from one season to help us with another. Thankfully, God knows the exact ones we will need and provides them. Let's trust in His wisdom today. “All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent.” Isaiah 28:29

I hope you have your tea or coffee today! I love to have my tea first thing in the morning, during the summer, before my kids get up for the day. How about you? Do you drink your tea or coffee before your kids get up or after? Either way it is still delicious and probably needed. haha. I love a good chai tea! Being a parent comes with many challenges. I don’t think that can ever be stated too much. There are so many decisions to make and it can feel overwhelming. As parents, we want to make the right choice for our kids. We want to help them become successful and the best version of themselves. We want them to become the person God created them to be. But, what if the path they take to become that person isn’t the path you wanted, or even thought about. What if that path is a little scary to you? Our oldest is going into middle school soon and we’ve started to consider the options of where to send him to school. Do we send him to the school he's zoned for, a magnet school, a private school, or do we homeschool him? I have considered all of these options at some point during this process. I keep praying over this decision because, to be honest, I’ve heard horror stories of middle school and it terrifies me. Of course what makes the decision so challenging is that I don’t want him to hurt or struggle.  I've been praying over this decision for some time now. One day, as I was praying, I felt the Holy Spirit ask, “Would you send him to school knowing that he might struggle and face challenging moments, but in doing so he will be sent on the path that I have for him?” I honestly haven’t thought about it this way. I reflect on my own life and how different seasons got me to where I am today. We’ve all had struggles in life and faced challenges that we didn’t want to face. It is those moments that made us part of who we are today. I started thinking about some different scenarios that could affect him in a positive way. Maybe he goes to school, and a teacher influences him in a way that helps him choose his future career path. What if he is able to take courses that will interest him and lead him to the path God has for him. There could be another student that doesn’t know Jesus that he shares this gospel with and puts him on a path of sharing the gospel with more. Maybe he struggles in a specific subject area, and it helps him to see that it is okay to not be perfect. This struggle could help him learn to persevere when faced with adversity and just be the skills he needs for the life God has for him. The struggle could also help him find a different area that he is interested in that he hadn’t considered before. The possibilities really are endless.  I don't want him to struggle. I don't think any of us want our kids to struggle. It makes me nervous and uncomfortable to know this is not just a possibility, but a reality. I know this is the enemy because it comes from fear. I want my sons to become the men of God that I know God has created them to be. That journey will most definitely look different from the way I think it should, but God knows what is best for my sons. They are His children. He has just trusted me with them here on earth. If He has trusted me with them then shouldn’t I trust that he knows what is right for them even when it makes me uncomfortable? The Bible tell me I can trust him. Psalms 3:5-6 tell us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. " Sometimes I forget that He loves them even more than I do and He has greater plans for them than I could ever imagine. Jeremiah 29:11 says, " For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. " God has a plan for all of us and those plans look different from person to person. If he had the same plan for each of us, the gospel wouldn’t reach the ends of the earth. There has to be light in every avenue of this world. He needs us to be the hands and feet of Jesus everywhere, not just where we’re comfortable.  Have you ever faced similar decisions as a parent? How did you trust God through the process? If you haven't followed through with the decision yet, are you willing to send your kids to a place knowing that they could face some challenges, but ultimately come out being the person God created them to be? Let’s trust Him together to lead our children.

As moms, it feels like interruptions are woven into the fabric of our daily lives. Whether we’re making dinner, folding laundry, or even sneaking a moment to ourselves, interruptions seem inevitable. I’ll admit, interruptions used to drive me crazy—and, if I’m honest, they still do sometimes. Whether it’s my kids needing something or my husband wanting to chat, I’d feel my patience slipping away. Part of my frustration stems from my ADHD. When my focus is broken, it’s like a bookmark falling out of a book; I have to flip through the pages to figure out where I left off. Dinner time was always the hardest. Just as I was juggling bubbling sauce, dirty dishes, and brother wrestling matches, my husband would decide it was the perfect moment for a deep conversation. I’d feel torn between the stove and the seriousness of his words. Honestly, my reactions during these times haven’t always been the best. When I have too many spinning plates, I get overwhelmed. It’s hard for me to cook dinner and have a meaningful conversation at the same time. Instead of lovingly asking if we could table the conversation, I’d see the interruptions as obstacles keeping me from completing the task at hand. A Wake Up Call One day, I came across a quote by Henry J.M. Nouwen, shared by the amazing author Hannah Brencher: "I have always been complaining that my work was constantly interrupted; then I realized that the interruptions are my work." That quote stopped me in my tracks. It was a wake-up call, a gentle nudge to see interruptions in a completely new light. Seeing Interruptions as God's Work The interruptions of my husband talking to me are my work as a wife. The boys interrupting my phone call or my writing are my work as a mom. My friend calling in the morning asking for a ride is my work as a friend. Interruptions can show up in many ways throughout our day. If we are honest, some may be welcome interruptions and others not so much. Maybe its the person in the store asks for our opinion or asks for help reaching an item on the top shelf. (Okay, let's be real- I'm usually the one asking for help with the top shelf items!) Or perhaps a friend of ours or our child's friend stops by unexpectedly just as we're in the middle of tackling a task. Someone may call for our help on the way to work or ask for money to help during a difficult time. These moments, though unplanned, are opportunities that will help others see Christ through our responses—if we handle them with care. A Reminder to Be Interruptible The quote from Nouwen, reminded me of a message I once heard from Pastor Steven Gibbs of Stonecreek Church in Georgia. He encouraged us to be interruptible. In those moments, God is working. We can’t always see what He’s doing, but there is always a reason. We are often so focused on our tasks that we miss the opportunity God gives us to be a light in someone else’s life. I had forgotten about that message until I saw Nouwen's quote. Apparently, this is a trend with me; I tend to forget the lessons God teaches me. I’m so thankful that He is merciful and willing to teach me over and over again. Embracing Interruptions Today, take a moment to pause and reflect: Have you ever seen interruptions in your life as opportunities for God’s work? I’d love to hear your stories!

A Friend for Everything Do you have one of those friends that is your go-to for everything? I do, and she's one of my best friends. Parenting advice? I go to her. Spiritual advice? She's my first call. Health advice? You guessed it; her again. You get the point. She probably gets tired of all my questions, but I keep going back to her because she's Spirit-led. She is also going to be honest with me whether I like what she has to say or not. A Funny Start to a Meaningful Conversation A few days ago, I had a conversation with this friend. This particular day, the conversation was actually started not by a question, but by a butt dial. Yes, those still happen. What’s even funnier is that I butt-dialed her the day before. Instead of hanging up the phone this time, we took the opportunity to talk. What followed was a meaningful conversation that left me reflecting for days. Part of our conversation covered some current struggles in my life. I told her I wasn’t worried about it because I know that God will lead me through it. She reminded me that just because God has it, doesn’t mean we sit back and don't take part. She gently reminded me that there is a role that we all play in our lives. God wants us to be a part of what He is doing. In these moments, He is shaping us and fine tuning us. God's Role and Our Actions I wonder how many opportunities we’ve missed because we were waiting for God to move, but He was actually waiting on us to move with Him. Maybe we didn’t get that new job because we didn’t fill out the application, or maybe we haven’t made new friends because we haven’t actually put ourselves out there to make new friends. It’s hard to make new friends when you stay at home. Maybe we are still experiencing pain and health problems because we haven’t actually had the bloodwork done or seen the doctor that was recommended. I can't even count the number of times I've missed out on an opportunity because I was waiting on God to do the work. Honestly, I don't know the exact number, but I'm sure it's a lot. One example that comes to mind is from my time serving in a women's ministry at my church. We recently were discussing women that would be great for a particular role, but, we weren't sure if they would be interested. Then it hit me; what if they are waiting on someone to ask them. That realization struck a chord because it's been true for me so many times in ministry. Instead of stepping up and asking to serve more, many times I would just wait for someone to approach me. Looking back, I wonder how many opportunities I missed simply because I didn't take the initiative. Here's the thing; we shouldn't dwell on missed opportunities or beat ourselves up over them. God surely isn't doing that. He 's not keeping a tally of our missed chances; instead He's cheering us on every time we take a step forward. Rather than focusing on the past, we can choose to look ahead. We can pray and ask God to help us to be more aware of these moments the next time they come around and be ready to act when they do. God is in control. He's so powerful that He could drop a friend on our doorstep. I mean, He did make manna fall from the sky to feed the Israelites. God can do anything, but that doesn't mean He'll do all the work for us. A lot of what happens in our lives is us actually taking the opportunities the Lord has given us and utilizing them. He opens the doors; but we must take the first step and walk through them. Self-Reflection and Growth Even if we feel we are working with God and taking action, it's important to pause and reflect. Are we truly walking through the doors He's opened for us? Sometimes, we think, “Oh, I am doing that. I’m good.” But as I was reflecting on this conversation and began writing this entry, the Holy Spirit said, “Yes, you're taking that initiative in this area, but not in that one.” Wow! I get it, Lord. Haha. As believers, we're constantly growing. God is always working in us and through us; if we let Him. The key is to stay open to His guidance and be willing to take action. There will be times when God calls us to wait. He doesn't always ask us to take action right away, so it is important to spend time in prayer, seeking His guidance and wisdom that way we understand what He wants for us in that moment. What About You? What doors has God opened for you recently? Are you ready to walk through them? Take a moment today and reflect. Write them down, pray about them, and take one small step forward. Let's trust God and move forward together.

Recently I’ve been studying the book of Isaiah. I find the more I read the Bible the more I want to read and know. I want to understand the time period and what was happening so I have been digging into different commentaries. I just love to learn new things, and it seems the more I read the Bible, the more I discover. The most recent chapter I read was Isaiah 17. While reading the commentary on this chapter, verse 10 stood out to me. Isaiah 17:10 says, “ You have forgotten God, your Savior.” Now this chapter is in regards to a prophecy for Damascus. A question that entered my mind was; How did they forget God? If I ask how they forgot God then I have to be honest and ask the same question of myself? How do I forget God? The commentator shared that our enemy doesn’t need lavish plans to have us sin and turn our backs on God. He just needs to make us forget God.  How does the enemy get us to forget God? One way the enemy distracts our focus from God to the things going on around us. It can be our health, finances, children, schedules, success, prized possessions.  The enemy studies us, learns what we care about, what we desire, what tempts us, and then uses those things to take our focus off what is truly important: God.  If you know me, you know I get easily distracted. Completing one task before starting another is a challenge for me, which is probably why I can’t keep up with my phone. I would definitely lose my keys all the time if I didn’t have a system in place. That is why I always keep them in my purse. If I don't, then I will forget about them and likely lock myself out of my house and car. Being intentional with where I put my keys, helps me to know where they are at all times. How can we remember God? Just like my system with my car keys, we need a purposeful way to remember God. The Bible tells us how to do this. Psalm 16:8 says, " I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Keeping our eyes on God helps us to remember Him. Here are some ways I keep my eyes on God: Pay attention  to how I am spending my time and what I am thinking about. Are these things uplifting and godly? Read His word each day to spend time with Him, learning more about Him and the truth. This can be a verse, a chapter or more. Just be in the word. Worship . One of the pastors at my church said it is really hard for the enemy to attack you when you are worshipping. It is hard to distract you when your focus is on the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Practice reflection and gratitude. Think about all the ways God has moved in my life. When our hearts are grateful each day for where God has placed us, we are focused on Him in our lives.  Pray. I used to think that when I got distracted in worship or prayer by things surrounding me that I wasn’t focused on God. During those times, I started praying for the things that came to my mind. One of our pastors recently mentioned that these thoughts are what we need to be bringing to God because that is what's on our hearts. So if you are distracted in a moment or at a time, take it to God in prayer. It is on your heart, so why not let it go and give it to God.  Where do you find the enemy pulls your attention away from God?  One of the things that distracts me the most is probably one of the most insignificant things. It is the mundane of the day to day. I can get so caught up in my to-do list that I forget that time with God. To help with this, I set up a routine. I wake up and pray before I start my day. I read my Bible each morning, even if it is just a verse. I go for prayer/worship walks regularly. I take those quiet moments to see God’s creation and appreciate it.   Being intentional  with my time helps me focus on God. Scheduling it sounds boring, but it works for me and it also helps me to see Him more throughout the day. What are some ways that help you to remember God? I'd love to hear them!

A few weeks ago, I met a friend for breakfast. She had just had a baby, and I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to bless her and help her get out of the house. When I arrived, she was unloading everything from the car. We walked into the restaurant and quickly settled at our table. Her baby slept peacefully in the stroller beside us while others chatted and enjoyed their breakfast. As soon as we got our menus, my friend surprised me by saying she wanted to pay for our meal. At first, I hesitated and insisted on paying. After all, I was there for her—I wanted to help her through the challenging newborn stage. But she explained that she wanted to pay as a way of saying thank you for the food I had brought her while she was recovering from delivery. Reluctantly, I agreed, though I still felt unsure about letting her pay. She then shared something someone had told her: when we don’t allow others to bless us, we might be robbing them of the opportunity to be obedient to a calling God has placed on their hearts. That struck me, because I had told my husband the same thing just a few months earlier. I shared this story with my friend, and it led us into a deeper conversation. A few months earlier, a storm had caused a tree to fall on our roof. Thankfully, the damage was only external, but we didn’t have the resources to remove the tree ourselves. The next morning, my husband called a tree removal company we’d used before. They came out quickly and quoted us a hefty—but fair—price to get the tree off our roof. As soon as the man left, our neighbor came over and offered to help us remove the tree. My husband struggled with whether or not to accept our neighbor’s help. We had only recently gotten to know them, having been to their home for dinner a few weeks earlier. He didn’t want to inconvenience them, especially since they had their own storm damage to deal with. He was willing to pay the high cost just to avoid putting our neighbors out. I reminded him that we could be robbing our neighbors of the blessing of helping others in need. Somehow, in just a few short months, I had forgotten that conversation—clearly, God wanted to remind me and used my friend to do it. Reflecting on these experiences, my friend and I began discussing the possible negative effects of not letting someone bless us. When we say no to someone’s kindness, we take away their opportunity to be obedient and to be a blessing . It is important to consider how the giver might feel when their generosity is refused , and how that disappointment could discourage them from blessing others in the future. On the other hand, allowing someone to bless us can create a domino effect, inspiring them to help others and spreading kindness even further. When people feel seen and cared for, they’re often moved to do the same for others. When we allow people to bless us, we are allowing God to move in our lives. When we receive blessings from others, it is a way for us to see that God cares. He cares so much that he sent one of his own to help us. As our conversation shifted, my friend encouraged me to pursue one of my passions—something I’ve been afraid to chase. She reminded me that God had placed this desire on my heart and urged me to go after it. By the end of breakfast, I realized that I had received two blessings from this amazing friend. The person I came to bless was actually blessing me with the exact encouragement I needed. This made me reflect: How differently might the rest of the meal have gone if I had let my own pride keep me from receiving her blessing? Would my friend have been as encouraging? Would our conversation have felt stilted? Would she have wanted to continue spending time together? Have there been times in your life when you didn’t accept a blessing from someone, or when someone didn’t accept a blessing from you? How did it make you feel? As we go about our days—whether we’re planning to bless someone or someone is trying to bless us—let’s remember that God is always at work for our good. He may be working in us, in someone else, or in both. The only way to truly receive is to keep our hearts open to receive the gifts He has for us.

Our kids are capable of so much more than we sometimes realize. My children constantly surprise me with what they can do and what they know. I'm sure your kids have astonished you a time or two. I am part of a moms’ ministry at my church, which is very dear to my heart. This community of women is a powerful place to watch God move. Recently, someone in our group asked how we can help our kids be more confident in who they are and who God created them to be. This question resonates with me because my oldest son lives with OCD. Over the past few years, we’ve worked hard to build his confidence so he can trust himself and his body because God created them to do amazing things.. We are not experts in this area, but we are always learning new ways to help our children grow in confidence. Here are a few things we’ve learned: 1. Tell Them One way to instill confidence is to tell your children the qualities you see in them—or the qualities you hope to see. I’m not always the best at expressing things verbally, but I love writing notes for their lunchboxes. Sometimes I include Bible verses that remind them who God says they are. Other times, I write “You are” statements, like: “You are so brave! You showed courage when you played onstage for everyone.” “You are generous.” (Sharing can be a struggle in our house, so that note appears often!) I also try to notice and affirm their unique personalities. For example, my youngest loves to build things out of what I call “trash,” but he sees it as something new and amazing. For him, I might write: “You are resourceful.” “You are a builder.” If you aren't sure where to start, you can search Bible verses of who God say I am. There will be plenty. It's a wonderful to search for yourself as well. 2. Give Them Opportunities to Be Who God Says They Are Another way we build confidence is by letting our kids do things they are physically and emotionally capable of—even if they struggle at first. If they can do it, we try to let them. As moms, we love taking care of our families, and sometimes it’s hard to let go. But it’s important to let our kids complete tasks for themselves, even if it isn’t perfect. In fact, especially if it isn’t perfect! They need to know they can do it. In our family, this looks like: Making their own water bottles for school Carrying their own bags (backpacks and sports bags) Cleaning their rooms and doing chores around the house Tying their own shoes Picking out their own clothes (even when they don't match) Making their own snacks and lunches ( We have a chart with food options to help my oldest avoid feeling overwhelmed.) Order their own food at restaurants My oldest is a natural conversationalist. Sometimes I want to ask him to stop talking to strangers, but I remind myself and him that this is a gift from God—one that can help bring others to know Jesus. So, I let him carry on conversations, even when it makes this introverted mom uncomfortable. Let your kids be creative. Encourage them to try messy activities or things that make them (or you) a little nervous. My youngest loves to climb trees, which makes me anxious, but it’s part of how God created him—adventurous, curious, and brave. By letting him explore in a safe environment, he gets to be who God made him to be. He’s also a budding entrepreneur and wants to start his own little business. We’re helping him with his new venture. Could he fail? Yes. But he could also learn so much more about who God created him to be in the process. Letting our kids take risks can help them more than it might hurt them. Through therapy, we learned to ask ourselves if an action will benefit them in the long run. If the benefits are greater than the risks, we let them go ahead knowing this will help them build confidence in who God created them to be. 3. Tell Them You Trust Them We can help our kids build confidence by showing them we trust them with age-appropriate tasks. When they complete a task, I make sure to say, “I’m so glad I trusted you with that.” We do this more with our oldest, who is sometimes apprehensive and lets fear hold him back. We encourage him to try things that make him a little nervous. They may seem risky to him, but we know they’re safe. By facing these challenges, he learns that he is brave, strong, and courageous. For example, he wanted to make hot chocolate a few months ago. He was nervous about burning himself, but I gave him instructions and waited nearby in case he needed help. He did it, and I made sure he knew how proud I was and I was so glad I trusted him to complete the task. My youngest recently asked why I always ask him to turn off the water hose to the pool. I told him, “I know I can trust you to do it right away.” Honestly, I trust him more than myself in this area—I’ve been known to forget and let the pool overflow! Oops! How Does This Build Their Confidence? By telling our kids who God created them to be, giving them opportunities to live that out, and showing them we trust them, we help build their confidence. They begin to see that they possess the characteristics that have been spoken over them. As I write this, I’m thinking of even more ways to let my kids be independent and build their confidence. Maybe you are, too. Remember, it doesn’t have to be big things. Small tasks can lead to major strides in confidence. What are some ways you build confidence in your kids?

Lately, I have been hearing the phrase, “This wasn’t serving me." It comes up in conversations about relationships, jobs, lifestyles--- almost anything. There are many things that aren't serving us in life. Asking ourselves, “Is this serving me?” can help us to reflect on our lives. Reflecting from the right perspective can help us change our lives for the better. But what if we took it a step further? What would it look like if, instead, we asked ourselves, “Is this serving God?” Have you ever wondered if your situation is about more than just you? Maybe God has placed you there for a reason you can't see yet. What if you are still at the same job you don't enjoy because one of your coworkers needs to see what it looks like to walk with Jesus. What if God keeps asking you to invest in that friendship because your friend is going through something hard, and she needs to see that God still cares and is bringing people to her during the journey? Sometimes, it isn’t about us. There will be times in our lives when we do something for someone else, and it has nothing to do with our own situation. Instead, it has everything to do with what God is doing. We can be in a situations where it seems like it is not serving us. If we stop and look at things from a Godly perspective, we might just see that God is working for us and working for others. Now, don’t get me wrong, not every scenario is one where God wants us to stay where we are. Sometimes, we will be in a circumstance that God no longer wants us to be in. There will also be times when life feels good as it is, and God can call us to give something "good" up. Your job may be taking time away from your family. Your lifestyle might be holding you back from God's calling on your life, or your hobbies could be leading you astray. So how do we know if these things in our life are serving us or God? We PRAY and ask God to give us wisdom and discernment to know what truly serves His kingdom. We CHECK to see if it aligns with God’s word. We ASK: Does it bring me closer to God or farther away? Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all yours ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Many things in our life seem good, and sometimes they might seem not so good. That doesn't mean that they aren't part of God's plan. Trust that He knows what's best, even when it is hard to see. I challenge you this week to look about the situation that you feel isn't serving you and ask God if it is serving Him instead.

Perfect was something I strived to be when I was little. I truly believed that the more perfect I was, the more loved I would be. This mentality of perfection actually led me to struggle in relationships with others. I believed that I had to get everything right in the things that I said and did for those around me to love me. It wasn't until a few years ago that I realized how flawed this thinking was. There are two major problems with this mindset. 1. I will never be perfect and 2. My focus was on being perfect for those around me 2. My focus was on being perfect for those around me, a.k.a. people-pleasing, not focused on God’s love for me and what He says about me. aka people pleasing, not focused on God’s love for me and what he says about me. Many of us still live with the belief that have to be perfect to be loved, successful, important. But we need to ask ourselves: who are we trying to be perfect for - God or people? If it is for people then we are going to exhaust ourselves and sacrifice the quality of our lives and our family’s lives. We will chase the perfect life that we see on someone’s highlight reel or compare ourselves to the family across the street, our coworker, or even fellow believers. II have to admit, my expectations of perfection weren't rooted in God's expectations for me. My perfectionism was rooted in my desire to be loved by others. It took me years to realize this. Through conversations with others, I came to understand that my adult perfectionism stemmed from expectations I had set for myself, not anyone else. I had to confront the fact that the expectations that I believed in for so long were not the same as God's expectations for me. If we are trying to be perfect for God then we will never be successful. We have to realize we can never reach perfection. It is unattainable for us. The good news is that I don't need to be perfect. As a believer, I know that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. When he died, we were gifted with righteousness. This means when we believe in Jesus, God already sees us as righteous. We don’t have to push ourselves to our breaking point to achieve perfection. Jesus already achieved perfection for us. There is such a reward and peace in knowing that God loves us even though we aren’t perfect. He sees us as He sees his own son, Jesus, who was perfect. As a recovering perfectionist, I want to focus more on the quality of my relationships with God, my family, and my friends. I want my kids to know that they are loved, especially when they don't get everything right. Whenever you feel like you have to be perfect and it's weighing on you, remember this; God sees you striving to be the best person you can be, God knows your heart and He loves you. You don't have to keep being perfect because the perfect sacrifice was already made for YOU!

I want you to close your eyes and think about the last time you felt peace. Where were you? What were you doing? What about that moment made you feel at peace? I started thinking about this one day when I was standing outside, walking my dog. I listened to the birds sing and watched them fly from tree to tree. My dog chased a grasshopper as the sun was shining through the trees. That moment felt incredibly peaceful. As I stood there, I started to think about my daily habits and priorities. I realized that I didn't have the peace I was longing for because I didn’t actively pursue it. My day are filled with all the daily responsibilities of being a mother, wife, friend, volunteer and I forget to stop and find that moment of tranquility. I can also get distracted by messages, emails, and social media.  I've unintentionally prioritized these things over my connection time with God. As good as some of these things in my life are, they can actually take away my time to connect with God and, ultimately, some of my peace. So, where do I feel the most peace? I realized that my most peaceful moments are when I am outside connecting with nature, when I am in God's word, out for a walk, or just observing His creation. It is in these places that I am in awe of who God is. Why? This is where I see God’s creativity in the world around me. Sometimes, it feels as though He creates a special painting in the sky each day to share with me. My heart longs for more of it. Beauty in Nature I believe we can all find peace if we intentionally seek it. Maybe you find that peace when you are washing the dishes as you look out your kitchen window where golden sunlight filtered through the trees. Perhaps it is in the car sitting by yourself before moving onto the next thing. It could be during your tea (or coffee) time with God. Or maybe it is just lying in the grass with your eyes closed. Wherever you feel that peace, seek it more. That peace comes from God, connecting us with Him. We honestly need more of it in this world. I find that when I create that space to connect with God, I don't just create peace for myself, but I am in a better place to handle the moments of everyday life. I am more patient and kind which brings more peace to my home. My whole family dynamic can change just by bringing more of God into my day. Take a moment today to seek peace. Step outside, breathe deeply, and connect with God. It is truly worth it! "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives." -John 14:27

Look Up Last year I went to a wedding in Georgia. I was solo on this trip and so I decided to take a hike at a nearby mountain. Being out in nature is one of the places I can connect with God. It feels as though all the distractions of the world fade away. As I was walking, I was praying and asking God for guidance in my life. As much as I love taking walks, I am a little clumsy and can trip pretty easily. While walking on the trail, I started to get to some of the rockier areas where you really need to watch your step. I started looking down at my feet as they navigated the rocks and dirt beneath them. I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Look up.” I looked up and when I did, I realized the long path was right ahead of me. If I just looked straight ahead. I could see what was coming. I didn't need to look down. I continued walking, focusing on the path ahead, I heard a slight noise to my right. Suddenly, beautiful deer began crossing in front of me. It was an amazing sight! The deer were unaware of my presence and continued their journey. I could’ve easily missed the deer because I was so focused on not stumbling on the rocks and falling.   I would like to say that I looked up the rest of my hike, but that's just not true. Shortly after this area, I came to another rocky area and I was focusing on the rocks right in front of my feet. I ended up falling and cutting my hand on one of the jagged rocks. Yeah, I would share the picture, but I'll spare you. At that moment, I heard that subtle reminder to, “look up.” That’s when I was like okay God, I get it. I am going to lift my eyes. So many times we miss what God has for us because our attention is focused on the wrong thing. In this case my eyes were focused on the rocks, not the path ahead. This theme of look up has been replaying in my life over the past year. I will hear the Holy Spirit whisper, “look up” at different moments in my life. I might be looking down at my phone, reading a book, or some other task that has my attention. Do you know what I miss by lifting my eyes? I don’t miss out on anything that had my attention a moment ago. I actually gain the opportunity to see something that God wants to show me. When I lift my eyes, I see my kids playing together nicely. I see the birds that have come to say hello in my yard. I see my husband playing with our boys. I see my friend bringing flowers to celebrate another friend's birthday. I see the man returning my cart for me at the store, I see the mom who is crying and overwhelmed. When I look up, I get to see what God has chosen to share with me in that moment and on that day. He has gone before us and set our day.  Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” When we focus too much on the distractions, we miss the beautiful moments God has created for us. This isn’t just the little moments. If we aren’t careful, we can miss the evidence of God working in our lives in BIG ways too. Like when people come to help us during a difficult season or when that job opportunity comes at just the right time. We might miss the blessing that God has orchestrated these events in our life to be a blessing to us during that exact time.  When we are distracted, we can also miss the moments God has created for us to be the vessel to work in others' lives. When we are distracted, we might miss the person who was just a little short on cash to pay the grocery bill, or the lady whose battery died and needs help jumping off her battery. Looking up creates the space for God to use us for His glory. Honestly, I miss way more of these opportunities than I would like. Maybe you are like me and have missed some of these opportunities too. The good news is God is gracious and He never gives up on us. Each day is full of new ways to see God. I want to encourage you as you go throughout your day, look up and see what God has to show you.

Why Three 4 Tea? Welcome to Three 4 Tea! If you are wondering why Three 4 Tea, let me explain. Well, something you probably already guessed about me is that I am a tea drinker. Yes, I am one of the few people, or at least it seems that way, that does not drink coffee. Did I grow up in England? Nope, I grew up in the South where the tea is sweeter than your grandma's chocolate cake. As much as I love the smell of coffee, my taste buds do not agree. So, my friends, tea it is for me. But don't worry, I don't mind if you love coffee. I won't even mind if you are drinking a cup while reading this right now. I make my tea and sit down for my daily Bible reading time. I love imagining Jesus sitting right beside me drinking a hot cup of tea we we go through the Word of God together. In fact, I like to imagine Him with me throughout whatever I am doing; whether it be sitting in carline, making meals, or even helping me referee the constant wrestling matches between my boys and dogs. So, it seems fitting that he would be here for this writing as well. While Jesus is here for tea (or coffee) with me, so are you, sweet reader. Together, we make three for tea. Here, I will share my experiences with parenting, my faith, and other thoughts that come to mind. So next time, get your cup of tea, coffee, or whatever your favorite beverage is and join me.