Kelly Girl Thinks

You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” Haggai 1:6

As I was sitting out back eating my lunch and looking at the beautiful scenery of the woods, I admired all the wonderful sights and sounds. The crows are cawing, the songbirds are singing, the bees are buzzing, and the butterflies are fluttering. The noises are incredible today!

I was listening to the loud rustling of the leaves. It ended up being a big, adventurous gray squirrel. It decided to climb the tree and see how high it could go. Looks to me like it might be reaching its bravery goal. How great is this?

I didn’t think it could get any better, yet I caught a glimpse of something new. The old tree just inside the woods that died and never got cut down was put into use today. I watched a beautiful Pileated Woodpecker fly right to it and get to work. Its red crest was going back and forth as it chopped holes into that tree. How does that little thing have so much power? The bark was flying in order for that woodpecker to get its lunch.

The Pileated Woodpecker showed how much destruction can be done in such a short time. Here’s the thing…those holes it drilled will actually benefit some other creature by the shelter it created. What I saw though, was how quickly a well placed jab can create destruction. When one keeps jabbing at the intensity that woodpecker was (I saw the speed in which the bark was coming off), the damage can be tremendous.

I really think children and nature are quite often better than textbooks in learning. God shows us little nuggets of wisdom He wants us to have through them.

When we’re hammering away at someone (nagging), it doesn’t remove the problem we’re yammering about, it just creates holes in the relationship. Is what we’re bothered by even that important?

My dead tree that could’ve irritated me because it hadn’t been dealt with, had a much more important job in the long run. It allowed the Pileated Woodpecker to live around my home, which gave shelter to other creatures I enjoy too.

Today, make gentle requests if necessary, but don’t drill holes into your relationships. They really are too important for that kind of destruction. If you get your way today, but lose in the long run, is it really worth it? Work on saying less and keeping more.

 

for as he thinks within himself, so he is… Proverbs 23:7 (International Standard Version)

For a long time now, I’ve listened to my oldest talk about how he has no flexibility. After learning so much about our words and thoughts, I couldn’t allow it anymore. This is the same boy who couldn’t even pass a simple swim test one year, but within two years was in the very small percentage at camp that could swim one mile.

When he started talking about his lack of flexibility again this year, I had to put a stop to it. There would be no more of that defeated talk in this house! It took me back to when I was younger dealing with the exact same issue. I wasn’t flexible and everyone agreed with me, confirming it. I refused to confirm it for him.

You see, it wasn’t that I had no flexibility when I was young, it was that I didn’t nurture it. When I was much older, I learned that flexibility isn’t something you are necessarily born with. I had the physical ability inside me all along, I just had to obtain it through stretching exercises.

My problem was that I had a mental thought blocking my progress. That mental thought was adamant and spoke louder than my physical body. My body just agreed with what I was telling it until I got some gumption to stand up to my defeated thinking.

I strongly believed that it shouldn’t take my son as many years as it took me to realize the importance of our thinking. I gave him the necessary information and encouraged him to change instead of complaining. This started about a month ago, and I’m pleased to say that he is able to stretch farther than he ever thought possible with a few daily changes. He’s been doing a weekly sit-and-reach test, which he records. He’s seeing a dramatic difference!

Just like my son, we must stretch ourselves in order to improve and grow. We can’t let our own doubts make us permanently stand still. Also, don’t ever allow any other person to get inside your head and create doubts in your own ability. In order to reach what we’re aiming for, it might take work…hard work.  That’s true, but the feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment at the end is awesome.  Plus, it gives us the confidence to try something else we didn’t think we could achieve.

Don’t quit when it looks like you “can’t” do something. It’s usually information and gumption that is needed at this point. Go searching and just start moving forward. You’ll see the positive results before long! Think it within yourself with sincerity. I know you’ll be able to do whatever is good and right that you put your mind to. You’ve got God backing you, so I challenge you to stretch!

 

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

My hubby has an old, rickety ladder that belonged to my grandpa. It’s wooden and not very steady. Frankly, it looks like it could fall apart at any moment. I don’t blame him for being none too thrilled when he has to climb to the roof!

There’ve been times when I’ve suggested we get a good ladder, but he shuts that idea down pretty quickly. I don’t know if it’s because it was Grandpa’s or he just doesn’t want to spend money on something we use only a few times a year.

It’s bizarre! I picture him being on the top while holding onto the sides as the steps fall out. Listen, they aren’t even steps, I think they’re dowel rods. He’d be trying to walk on stilts! The little foot rests just happen to be there in my imagination. I’ve learned just to stay away when he’s using it. Nobody else seems bothered by this.

Yes, we all have to climb a type of ladder too in order to reach the next level, but we better make sure it’s standing firm so we don’t move back down in a very rapid way! There are too many times when we start climbing before our ladder is on steady ground. The higher up we go, the more we feel the sway. We won’t last too long at the top that way. All the hard work will be for nothing.

Make sure that your ladder is upright and strong where nothing can move it before you begin your climb. That way, you’ll be able to stay firm and steady while recognizing that your steps are blessed. You’ll be reaching the top before you know it!  Not only that, you’ll have a much better chance of staying there.

 

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3

I’ll never forget the surprise we got one summer day. There was a table umbrella outside that needed brought in. I hauled it into the house, but just sat it inside the door. I needed to get busy on supper and didn’t bother taking it downstairs. As I was mixing something on the stove, the house erupted into chaos. What in the world was going on?

One of the guys was being helpful and decided to move the umbrella downstairs for me when something went flying past my head and started circling the inside of the house. It was a fast little thing! It wasn’t stopping either.

I don’t think the guys were impressed that it didn’t faze me too much. Needless to say they were a bit perturbed at having a bat in the house. It wasn’t its fault! All it was doing was taking a little nap in a cozy umbrella and minding its own business. Maybe it was in a deep sleep and didn’t even notice the little ride it went on earlier.

I just kept stirring and told them to open the door. I’m sure it wanted out of the crazy home we live in just as much as the guys wanted it out of there! The great outdoors was exactly where it headed the first chance it got.

Have you ever felt like that bat probably did? You weren’t paying close enough attention and got carried into a situation you really didn’t want to be in. Maybe you were baffled on how it even happened.

When we aren’t alert and aware of what’s going on, we can be led astray. We can be deceived quickly and easily.

Today, weigh what you’re being told and make sure that you don’t get off course. Pay attention so you don’t get moved into an area you shouldn’t be…whether physically, mentally, or spiritually.

 

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3

There are certain times that it can be beneficial to not run to the grocery store as soon as the food starts to get a little low. One of those times is when the refrigerator needs scrubbed out. It’s much easier to accomplish when it isn’t completely filled with food.

Please let me make it clear that by no means did my children go without food. They were blessed with three meals a day! There was still quite a bit in the freezer and plenty of canned goods. Yes, the snacks were quite low, which I didn’t realize was a crime until recently. I do agree that even I missed the fresh fruit; however, we didn’t have to go without fruit altogether. We had frozen fruit in the freezer!

I finally have a sparkling clean fridge! Now, I also have a long list of items to buy. I was reading through that list, when one item in particular caught my attention – “Everything.” Ha, ha, my oldest is sooo funny. You just never know what I’m going to find!  I still say that it wasn’t that bad!

After receiving my first clue from the list that they wanted me to go shopping, the second one appeared.  My youngest got up and put on jeans. He moans and complains each and every time I tell him to throw on a pair of jeans because he tells me that they’re uncomfortable. Why would he put them on today for no reason? At lunchtime I figured it out. He was subconsciously trying to tell me we needed to go out to get groceries. He confirmed my hunch was correct and told me he was even willing to go with me!  How thoughtful.

My oldest gave his request of “everything” and my youngest waited expectantly. I guess when they tag-team like that, it’s pretty powerful. How many times do we lay our requests before God, but we forget the second part? Are we waiting and watching expectantly? As a parent, I don’t want to disappoint my children in an area that would be beneficial for them. It lines up with my will for them (to have food), so we are heading to the grocery store.

I challenge you to look forward in expectation for a response to your requests today! Don’t just ask, then forget about. Believe…that’s faith!

 

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7

When I ask the pup to come to me, he’ll do it. When he starts coming, if I encourage him with some praise, he picks up his pace. He doesn’t like being corrected nearly as much as he soaks up the encouragement I give him when he’s doing the right thing.

I try to be pretty free with my words of love to my boys, but occasionally they need reassured at a specific time that I don’t recognize. When that happens, they simply ask for it! It could be that they need reminded how much their loved, that they’re doing a good job, or even that they’re strong with manly muscles. They grin ear-to-ear and tell me thanks. I’m so glad they recognize what they need, but I’m even happier that they communicate it!

Tonight I was feeling a little blue, and after wallowing in a pathetic state for a bit, it dawned on me to ask for a little encouragement from God. It should’ve occurred to me right away, but nope, I was too busy indulging in some discouraging thoughts. On the bright side, I did eventually recognize what I needed! Within a short period of time, I had someone contacting me with a “knock it off” and a wonderful gift of hope to pull me out of the dumps.

What I’ve noticed is that everyone is in need of encouragement once or twice (or a million times) in their life! Our unruly emotions will try to stir us up occasionally. As you get ready for your party, your pity party, I’d suggest asking for that little bit of reassurance that you need instead of just moping around. You aren’t likely to make yourself feel better that way anyhow.

Remember that God really isn’t hiding from you, but sometimes I think He just wants us to ask for what we need, seek Him out, and knock so He can answer the door. This way we realize where our encouragement really comes from. Just make sure that you keep alert for His answer. He might place you on someone’s heart, He might make you remember something that He’s already done for you, or give you that peace that passes all understanding.

“No matter how smooth or how rough this day, God is with you every step of the way.”  -Unknown

 

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22

It’s that time of year again! We’re finishing up this school year and looking into curriculum for the next one. Some will stay the same, but every year we find ourselves in uncharted territory. As the boys get older, things tend to change. With so many choices it can take some sorting through to figure out what will be the best option for our family.

We have some curriculum that we’ve been using for years that’s the perfect fit for us…the keepers! Other subjects we evaluate on a year by year basis. When my head starts spinning and my eyes begin to glaze over, my homeschool hero comes charging in to save the day! He’s able to take his years of experience and set me on the right path. He helps me wade through all the options until we’ve got the perfect plan!

It’s amazing how God has brought the best advisers from all over the world to help us. Yes, the world! I have my handful of people who I trust to give me the best advice in all different circumstances. I truly don’t know what I’d do without each and every one of them. Actually, I was able to see God’s provision when that exact thing happened. When I lost two of those closest advisers, God already had more put into place to keep us on His path. After being able to see past the pain, there they were!

We see success or failure through the advice we take. We can’t ever take advantage of having good, Godly people guiding us. God introduces us to them for a reason! He sure takes care of us.

I challenge you to start praying for God to bring people in your life that will lift you up and hold you accountable if they aren’t already there. People you can truly trust. Those wonderful people who become family and make you strive to be your best. Pray that when you find them, you are able to offer those same things to them! If you already have those people, remember to express your appreciation to God for connecting you to them and let them know how much you value their counsel.

 

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– John 1:12

Our little niece’s birthday is coming up, so for part of her gift, she got books to practice writing her numbers, letters, and shapes. They came with paintbrushes that get filled with water. When she traces the main pictures, invisible items become visible. It will be quite the surprise the first time she does it! When it dries, the hidden pictures disappear again.

She’s a bit shy around people she doesn’t know very well. We live in different states, so we don’t get to see her too often. It’s understandable that she would have some hesitation around us. She’s so precious when she hides her face because one of us is looking at her! I wonder if she believes that if she can’t see us, we aren’t really there. She innocently hopes we all become invisible!

That same little girl wanted a piggyback ride the other day from me, and when she wrapped those little arms around my neck, she told me how much she loved me. I was visible again! All was right in my world when I heard those sweet, wonderful words from her.

What’s cute for a three-year-old to do isn’t so cute for adults (or even older children) to do. Have you ever been in the middle of a sentence when someone just walked away from you? You look down just to make sure you didn’t turn invisible!

Just feeling you aren’t being heard can make you feel inferior, but that’s a lie that the devil wants us to believe. We aren’t less than any other person because of what someone else insinuated. We have a choice at this point; we can feel insulted or find humor in the situation.

I found something on the computer that I challenge you to try with me. When you’re feeling a bit invisible, say, “So, I’m invisible to you now? That’s cool, I’ve always wanted a superpower.”  I’m guessing things will probably go better for you if you do this in your mind rather than out loud.

Laugh at the devil’s schemes to put us down. Don’t allow him to use others in order to make you feel inferior. We’re children of God…how inferior can we really be?

On the flip side, we need to take a look at how we interact with others. Are we the ones making others feel invisible even if we aren’t meaning to? Wouldn’t it be great to build up and encourage every chance we get? Let others know we think they’re important by the way we treat them. It can make everything seem right in someone’s world. Whatever we wish would happen to us, we should give that gift to others!

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. Romans 10:17

A great way to get from point A to point B is to walk. I love to walk! Walk…not ride a bike, not jog…walk. I can walk with the best of them. The guys think I go into some turbo-charged mode at times because they can’t keep up. I can’t help it they prefer a leisurely stroll most of the time!

I never rode a bike a whole lot, but a couple of years ago my oldest decided I needed to prove I could ride one. I never said I couldn’t ride a bike, I said I don’t ride bikes. I don’t have as much control on those two wheels as I have with my two feet on the ground.

I was able to make it around the house just fine, although I did have to yell for everyone to get out of my way because I wasn’t sure I could stop. Maybe that’s why I ran into a shed when I was younger. The stopping might have been an issue even back then.

The youngest is in the midst of a personal fitness challenge for scouts. I don’t know how many times I’d tell them to keep up when we were walking the pup. It’s a little different now because he’s keeping track of his time. When it’s written down, all of a sudden we’re competing with the time from the day before. When we first started I would say, “You’re slowing down, do you want to slow down?” He’d pick up the pace again.

He’s really taking this seriously, and I’m so proud of him! One problem…he feels he needs to beat that time by quite a bit each day. What does that mean? Well we can’t go any faster walking, so now we’re jogging. When he started it would be for a few short bursts. No big deal! Now the few short bursts are the times we slow down. In order for me to stick with him due to safety, I’m jogging. I. Don’t. Jog. Apparently I should say that I didn’t jog. Even though I’m gasping for breath my feet are telling me I’m jogging.

I’ve been in desperate need of some faith on these “walks” we’re supposed to be on. As I’m chugging along, I’m telling myself how I don’t fear anything because there’s nothing to fear. I’m strong! (Isaiah 41:10) I’m basically telling myself how I don’t have to fear my legs are going to turn to jelly and stop supporting me because I have faith! I don’t have to fear that someone will stop to say hello, but I’ll be too out of breath to respond. I tell myself how I can run and not grow weary. (Isaiah 40:31) I picture myself soaring like an eagle…their legs aren’t having to pump like mine are!

Today, if you want to increase your faith drastically, go jogging with a pre-teen. You’ll find that time to communicate with God as your begging for His help and listening to His messages coming from your lips! Oh, I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me! (Philippians 4:13)

 

They brought the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before God. 1 Chronicles 16:1

My boys were excited to search for Easter baskets this year. My oldest didn’t take long to find his, but for the youngest, it was more difficult. It was hidden really well! They pulled them out, but only saw the grass and eggs that were in there from before. It surprised me that they weren’t disappointed not seeing any treats! It didn’t even seem to phase them because they were so happy to have been on the hunt.

Think back to the joy of watching a little one receiving a present in a gift bag. He’d pull all the tissue paper out and find the gift. After that, he’d turn it upside down and give it a good shake just to make sure he wasn’t missing anything!

As we saw with the boys, when we start getting older, we begin to control our responses and urges to tear into a present because we don’t want to seem rude or just maybe, we don’t want to be disappointed of what might not be there. We learn this is the “appropriate” response. Just think for a moment though…have we ever missed out on something because we’re only looking on the surface? We could’ve been missing the real gift!

I suggested the boys dig a little into the baskets to make sure they weren’t missing anything. Their eyes were huge when under the grass they found some special surprises! They nearly passed by some blessings that were waiting for them to find.

Upon getting older, we tend to stop digging to find what’s on the inside. Our expectations are way too low! Can you imagine being in Bible times and just walking past a tent because, well, it was a tent. What was inside? The ark of God! Oh wow!

Have big expectations and be careful not to just look at the outward appearance of a situation or a person. Do a little digging! If not, you might be missing out on something really special.