by Kimberly | Oct 5, 2017 | 31days, lavish hospitality
Tonight at bedtime, doing it solo since my husband was out of town for the day, one kid was screaming in pain because of his tummy the other was pretending he was shooting me and saying he was scared of the dark because he wanted a story in a book read to him.
Not my finest hour – but all ended well. And now, I’m waiting for my mister to make the trek back from ATL.
Parenting is not for the faint of heart – or yes, maybe it is – and that makes us lean on Christ all the more. Practicing this type of hospitality at all times of the day is hard – but so necessary.
When we fail though, we can come to our kids and seek their forgiveness and point them to the Father’s unconditional love.
Quote from Sally Clarkson’s book The Mission of Motherhood. Photograph: kcreatives
by Kimberly | Oct 4, 2017 | 31days, lavish hospitality
When we are in relationship with other people, the main way we communicate lavish hospitality is by the words we speak.
I’ve learned in marriage that it is more often the little things I say (and how they are said) that cause the most damage.
As a Mom, usually when I am tired and not feeling like I’m in charge, is when the anger comes out and I lash out at my children.
Usually with friendships and relationships, I’m more in control of when and how these things happen and I can back out of the situation to regroup, but I’ve learned so much over the years about how my words (and other’s words) can affect our ability to love well.
I can think of three specific relationships, as an adult, that were totally broken by words. One was letting a misunderstanding get in the way and cause years of silence. One was silence instead of fighting for a friendship. One was condemning and has just been healed to the point of being able to talk every now and then.
War of Words is such a helpful book by Paul Tripp, about using our words to communicate the Gospel. As we invest in those around us, take stock of our relationships, and use our mouths to be instruments of grace, let us first look to our role as reconcilers – not those who destroy.
by Kimberly | Oct 3, 2017 | Books
There is such a danger in the life of a believer in focusing too much on themselves. My husband reminded me of this by sharing with me the other day that if a person is depressed, if he genuinely focuses on others, then that will help with the depression.
Sharon Miller, in her book Free of Me, gets more to the heart of the Christian Life and some dangers we, especially as women, face. In today’s society, we like to think about ourselves, boast in our social media, make the Christian life completely about ourselves.
The truth is that it isn’t. It is about a bigger God then ourselves. He is the Creator and over all things – we are not in charge. And when we learn this, life will be more about the glory of Christ.
Sharon tells her own story of self-preoccupation and then goes on to share truth about areas in our lives that we tend to focus too much on ourselves and how focusing on the truth of the Bible and God we can free ourselves of this damaging trend.
God isn’t about you.
Family isn’t about you.
Appearances aren’t about you.
Possessions aren’t about you.
Friendships aren’t about you.
Your “calling” isn’t about you.
Church isn’t about you.
Love how Sharon shares from her experience, the Scriptures, and a well-rounded theology and ministry depth, knowing God and knowing herself, and knowing other women – that life is more fulfilling when you focus on others more than yourself. Your dreams aren’t big enough. Sacrifice looks different when you get outside of yourself.
This is both a needed book for us as women, our families, our ministries, and churches. And it is a convicting one for our hearts as well. Thank you Sharon.
by Kimberly | Oct 3, 2017 | 31days, Uncategorized
“I gradually began to understand more fully that he was not a problem to be addressed, not the sum of his behavioral performance. His worth to God was not about his ability to fulfill other people’s expectations or act according to accepted norms. Instead he was a beloved child of the Father with a specific role to play in God’s ongoing story of redemption.”
Sally Clarkson – Different
The Fall is a special time for our family. We celebrate two birthdays and a wedding anniversary within 3 weeks time.
To say that I thrive in parenting would be far from the truth. I have to tell myself everyday who I am in God’s sight, how He has equipped me to parent the exact boys I’ve been wonderfully given, and how I’m not like all the other moms out there.
When we compare our momselves to other moms – we are not lavishing hospitality – welcoming, grace – on ourselves or our children. When we play the comparison game, get caught in its trap, we do such a disservice to our hearts. And that in turn, doesn’t allow us to love our children well either.
To show lavish hospitality to our children is welcoming them just as they are. Not only when they are obedient, or loving, or going to bed on time. But, I’ve found for me, when I’m stressed about not being a good mom (because I’ve listened to other things besides the Word of God), I take out my unworthiness on my kids.
Let’s show lavish hospitality to ourselves and our children by staying out of the comparison trap!
by Kimberly | Oct 2, 2017 | kcreatives photography, mothering, photo shoot
I’ve been a little busy in the last few months, moving, etc, that I’ve not been able to blog about this little maternity session yet. And yes, the little sweet boy is over a month old now – but I still wanted to share these photos with you. I’m so thankful for the friendship of this mama, and all of her creative help and encouragement over the last few years.
Thanks to the beautiful Mommy model, Celina D, and Kandi Daniel Studios for coming along too! We shot at Turnipseed Farm south of metro ATL. Such a fun day.
