Entries by Renee

Breaking & building habits – Word before the worLd

January 22, 2019 in , /by

I listened to a sermon series by Craig Groeschel titled Habits. He shared that by Valentine’s Day, 92% of people have quit their New Year’s goals and resolutions.

I believe it. I’m one of the 92% on any given year to be sure.

Apparently, I live and write in themes. You know that about me by now I think. I guess it’s the only way God gets through my stubborn head. Just pounds it in until I finally wake up.

I took a close look at a “good” habit of mine gone bad. On the surface you wouldn’t see anything. But I knew. And God knew.

Join me on the blog for the full post. Maybe you need a little kick in the pants prior to Valentine’s Day to stay the course with keeping your habits and goals and the path you desire.

When she dove in a dumpster for me

January 12, 2019 in , /by

Sometimes someone does something so extraordinary for us we will never forget it. We wonder would we do the same for someone we don’t know. I believe we have angel encounters that point us back to the unconditional love of a God who goes to extreme lengths for us.

My son had a prized possession he lost. He couldn’t rest until he was reunited with his special treasure.

As I reflect back on this story, I’m struck by the knowledge that we have a God who loves us in a way I can’t understand.

6 steps to creating fail proof goals & habits

January 5, 2019 in , , /by

At the start of something new we are focused and determined. When the excitement of new wears off and the challenge of the task sets in, we become discouraged and frustrated.

The start of a new year can be the perfect set up for another year of failed resolutions and goals. But it doesn’t have to be. It simply takes a little tweaking to how we have faced our goals and habits in the past.

When Andrew was younger, he overheard me telling his brothers I planned to fast on that particular day.

“Mom, I’ll fast with you today!”

A couple hours later, I found him in the kitchen enjoying a snack.

“Andrew, I thought you were fasting with me today?”

“Oh, I decided to fast until I got hungry.” He turned his attention back to his fast turned feast without skipping a beat.

I can relate to Andrew. Without the proper mindset before moving down that path, at the first bump, I’m ready to jump off the wagon.

Join me to today’s post where I share 6 steps to a fail proof goal or habit plan.

Is Your Memory As Good As You Think It Is?

December 23, 2018 in , , /by

I’ve spent my life as a mom building traditions into our family. Even wrote a Christmas devotion to help families do the same.

So you can imagine why it shocked me to my core when I heard one of my children answer the question, “What Christmas traditions does your family have?” with “We don’t really have any traditions.”

Seriously?

We have so many traditions I actually have a notebook dedicated to all things Christmas. It holds Christmas traditions, recipes, menus, etc.

I slept on that comment and woke with it still front and center. It was bothering me because I’ve worked so hard to create in our family memories, experiences, and traditions.

As casually as I could muster, I asked my son why he answered that way. He didn’t remember giving the answer he gave. I tried jarring his memory.

“Remember, they said this. You said that.”

It made me think. Sometimes we remember well, and sometimes we don’t.

Join me for today’s full post

If I release this to God, will I ever get it back?

December 19, 2018 in , /by

Clinging to what I treasure When Andrew was a baby, his “boppy” held the position of his most prized possession. A satin trimmed polyester blanket passed down from Jacob. Boppy went everywhere with Andrew, especially into his mouth as he sucked his thumb to fall asleep. Persuading Andrew to release his grip on boppy in […]

The Christmas Collection

December 10, 2018 in , /by

I sat to write a post today when I realized I’ve written little this Christmas season. Some years go that way. But I realized, I have many words stored up I needed to remind myself of. It’s a good practice to reflect and remember. I’m hoping you will reflect with me today as we look back at some favorite Christmas posts from the past.

In this best of post, you will find the following themes:

Ideas for serving others during the Christmas season.
A sweet tradition of writing a letter to your child each Christmas, tucking it in the tree for Christmas morning.
How to overcome Christmas anxiety.
When the season doesn’t line up to your expectations.
Lists of non-toy, non-material, non-clutter gift ideas. Experiences and memories. Gifts that keep giving, don’t break the bank or clutter your home and life.
Letting go of Christmas comparison.
Why it’s ok to have an incomplete Christmas.
How we can hold onto that Christmas cheer all year.

How to control screens in your home so they don’t control your family

November 29, 2018 in , , , /by

The interest in topics of screen use and screen addiction hasn’t died down from when I first started writing about it in 2014. More and more parents are asking for help. In this post I share 2 things to consider as well as ideas your family can implement beginning today. If your kids are still young, perfect! But if you are far down the path, it’s never too late to make adjustments in order to create the family connections you desire most. Join me for today’s full post.