Let’s be honest — young people don’t always cherish and agree with the authority of their mom and dad. There’s probably dozens of times you thought they had no clue what they were talking about. While parents generally are smarter than their little offspring running around half their age, they still are human and sinners…just like you.
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A Hard Lesson
I think one of the hardest things that a single woman struggles with is the whole issue of security. It is a many-faceted problem, and one that we often think would be solved by getting married. “If only I had a husband, then I would have someone to take care of me, someone to share my burdens. If only I was married, I would have financial security, a place to live, someone to love me unconditionally, and someone else to just be in charge and make the decisions for me!”
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Lessons from Newborn Days
A few months ago, the Lord blessed our family with a healthy baby girl! Our little Emma has been a delightful addition to our home. Her newness hasn’t worn off yet, the big kids just love her to pieces! And as with each new addition, the Lord has taught me a few lessons, and reminded me of some old ones, too.
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A Word Fitly Spoken
Dear Sisters, we all have the wonderful opportunity to be pictures of silver and our friends can shine like those golden apples. But it all starts with being that friend that is fitly spoken. Can I encourage you to set a goal to pray that God will bring someone into your life that you can make shine like apples of gold? Ladies, God has made us so special and given us many different and amazing talents. Let’s go forward and use them for God’s glory.
Tangled
In vain she tried to remove the matted knot from her beautiful locks only to finally heed to her mother’s wisdom. Cutting out the tangled hair seemed at the time quite devastating, but once done, it wasn’t so bad. In fact, her hair looked and felt much better.
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Overwhelmed and Overanalyzing
How often have I been lovingly encouraged not to over analyze. How often I have tried to fix my problems by thinking, and thinking and thinking them out. Have you ever wondered why we think overanalyzing is going to help a situation? I have found myself having to make a phone call and pondering what exactly I’m going to say and what the other person might reply. As women we really do tend to over think way too much!
That Little 3-Letter Word
I’m sure you’re wondering which three-letter word to which I’m referring. It’s a word that perhaps strikes a little embarrassment, as well as allot of curiosity, in your mind. Yet it’s something you’re familiar with—thanks to that box located in the middle of your family room. It’s most likely a verbal taboo amongst some of your friends and especially your parents! Yep, that three-lettered word I’m talking about it sex. (Wipe that smile off your face young lady ;o)
Life – Curveballs, Confusion and Chaos?
In praying for what topic I should write this month’s article on, I kept drawing a blank. But then while I was reading in Deuteronomy I came across the verse that begins with this statement: “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee…” After reading through the chapter, I couldn’t let go of a question that had begun to rise up in my heart. “As a woman what is required of me?” In my job, in my family life, in my daily routines there are many things that are required of me. But what does the Lord require of me?
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Finishing With Joy
As you already know, the final push to the deadline of anything is often the most daunting time period, too. Not only are we in the last days of this pregnancy, but we are in the last few weeks of our school year, trying to patiently wait out these lingering weeks of cold, winter-like weather, and striving to keep the kids focused on finishing the school year well and not going stir-crazy in the process!
Loyalty
Have you ever been in a conversation with another girl when she began talking about how much she didn’t like some decision her parents had made? Or how unhappy she was with something that her teacher did? Or maybe you have been tempted to discuss these ideas with friends or brothers and sisters? Those are great opportunities for you to demonstrate the character trait of loyalty.
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The Skinny on Models
If you consider yourself a normal teenage girl, I would venture to say you have someone in your life you like to model. You adapt their way of thinking, acting, dressing, etc. I always laugh when I see a small group of high school girls walking in the mall dressed exactly alike! What’s with that? Usually it’s because one girl in the group is the model for their fashion dos and don’ts…not a whole lot of individuality going on there.
One Day at a Time
Sometimes in life, we come to stages of time where we have never been before. And it is in these times where we might not be exactly sure where to go from here. The image of the Israelites walking in thousands across the wilderness comes to mind. They had no way of knowing where the next water supply would be. All they knew was that there was a Pillar of Cloud in the day and a Pillar of Fire in the night that they were to follow. When we come to these stages of life, we all need to slow down and take one day at a time.
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A Simple Reminder
And once again the Lord used one of my children to remind me of a lesson that I need to remember often: Pray. Pray often. Pray much. Pray about everything.
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Determination
Have you ever found yourself staring at your messy bedroom and thinking, “I am NEVER going to get this place cleaned up!” Or have you faced a math problem that frustrated you so badly that you began to think, “This is IMPOSSIBLE to figure out!” Well then here is a character quality that you might need to learn. It’s called Determination and it’s very important to Christians!
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Let it Show, Let it Show, Let it Show!
It’s December and you know what that means – Christmas! It’s a time of food, gifts, fun music, snow days (hopefully) and time with family.
If you’re like me, seasons and holidays cause reflection and even a bit of goal-setting. Like Thanksgiving… “From now on, I’m going to be thankful everyday!” Good thought, it’s just hard to do. Although we’re human and prone to not keep our own commitments, that doesn’t mean it’s pointless to take these situations and learn more about ourselves – and even challenge ourselves.
Do You Want Salt with Your Lemons?
A few weeks ago, I was reflecting on situations I have been facing. And in truth, I was upset that things weren’t going as I had planned. I continued to have my selfish attitude as I drove to work. My selfish attitude blamed God for not doing things the way I wanted. Oh, how my gentle Savior works to sweetly yet firmly rebuke me for my folly. The Holy Spirit began to stir up this verse in my heart. Matthew 5:13-14 “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”
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The Anti-Gimme Edition
Awhile back, someone asked me to write about how to avoid greediness and cultivate a giving spirit in our children at Christmas time. While I by no means think we have mastered this topic in our household, I thought I would share a few tips we have learned from others along the way and hope they are a blessing to you.
About Jennifer Byerly
Jennifer Byerly was one of our authors for many years, and we very sorrowfully gave her up in 2010 as she married the love of her life and moved to …