It’s Sunday! And not just any Sunday. Resurrection Sunday! The day we hinge our entire faith on.
Had the story ended on Saturday, it would have been just another story. The disciples were discouraged and afraid. The man they had come to follow and love was dead and everything they thought they knew was crumbling.
Thank the good Lord the story wasn’t over.
We don’t have a faith and a hope because of what we do, because of how good we are, or even because Jesus walked the earth and died on a cross. We have a faith and a hope because Jesus lives!
He lives. As our pastor said this morning, we have a living hope because he lives.
Some years it’s just another Resurrection Sunday and it doesn’t sink in. But this year, it’s really impacted my heart. There is no greater joy than knowing we have a God who loves us so much he sacrificed his Son for us.
A lot of life feels like that Saturday did for those disciples. We can’t see the end, we don’t know what the outcome will be. We feel discouraged and depressed because it feels hopeless. But thank God we don’t have a Saturday kind of hope!
We have a Sunday kind of hope. The kind of hope that is impenetrable and unwavering. The kind of hope that outlasts any circumstance. The kind of hope only a living God can give.
Jesus overcame death for you. For me. For whatever you’re facing. He is Risen! He is Risen indeed!
If you don’t know Jesus as your living hope, today is as good a day as any to ask him to be your savior. He loves you so much he endured unimaginable torture and death. Just so you could have a place in heaven. And if you think you’re unworthy, you’re right. We all are. Good thing that doesn’t matter to Jesus. He still wants you as part of his family!
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
When you’re struggling with something hard in life, where do you go for help?
Your spouse, a good friend, a counselor, a recommended book or website?
At first glance, these may seem great. You think, yeah that friend can be trusted. That book was written by someone with a big education. Surely a counselor knows what they are talking about.
None of these are evil or necessarily wrong. But they aren’t right either!
James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God…”
The Bible is very clear about who we are supposed to go to first. And it comes with a really great promise!
“…who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
Not only will God pour out wisdom generously on you when you ask, but he’ll do it without reproach. Meaning, he won’t belittle or berate you for not knowing. He’ll gladly give you all the wisdom you need!
He may direct you to a godly friend who has been through something similar or a godly book. He may point you towards someone who has the wisdom to impart to you. But, he asks that we go to Him first.
And here’s the most important part…we need to listen. How often have I asked the Lord for wisdom and then forgotten to pause and listen for His answer? Too often to count!
I’ve discovered He often speaks to me in threes. I’ll pray for something and then three times from different sources I’ll get my answer. Maybe a friend will mention something, I’ll read something in my Bible, and then my pastor will say almost the same thing. Or a verse will be brought to mind at different times or a week or so. But I have to have my eyes and ears open and be ready for His answer!
Are you struggling with something hard with a child? Is there a relationship that’s been difficult? Do you not know what to do for school next year? Is there a dream tugging at your heart that you don’t know how to navigate?
Ask the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change (James 1:17) Remember, He desires to give you good and perfect gifts. He wants to lavish His wisdom on you! He’s not stingy and His gift won’t run out!
Every few years it seems we have to do a great bedroom changeover! We’ve been at it again this month and it has taken all month.
First our 19 year, as he jokingly put it, was being kicked out to the tool shed. He isn’t ready to move out and we didn’t want him to, so this is a perfect solution. It’s a bit of his own space but still with family and good food nearby.
He really made it his own space and we just love it. Not too bad for a tool shed, I’d say!
In the house we had five kids in one bedroom and while it is a large room, the girls and boys needed to be separated. There was way too much of mom waking up to fighting and screaming. So Elliot’s old room got a makeover and the girls have a pretty sweet little spot now.
I repainted and Andrew put trim up that’s been missing since the tornado four years ago. Then I repainted all the trim. Dottie and Eloise got to paint a letter and butterfly to hang on their walls and I just love their own sweet touch to the room. I still have to choose some things to hang on the other wall but at least they have their own room now!
Last but not least the boys’ room needed an update. It hadn’t been painted in years, the trim had never been painted since we moved in and there was still no trim around the window. Their room was a bit more challenging because they were in it so their beds were pushed to the center while I painted.
It’s still missing a piece of trim and we need to hang some things on the wall but again, at least they have a nice, organized place to sleep and play.
My goal was to finish by the end of February and I just eked it out! Guess I still have to go to Hobby Lobby for some cute wall decor…aw shucks!
I’m thankful for the blessing this house is to our family. I try to never take it for granted that we have this desired haven.
When we think of idol worship we often think of the golden calf. Moses was on the mountain and the people grew restless and impatient waiting for him so they formed a calf out of gold and began to worship it.
It’s an obvious form of idol worship. But what we often don’t realize, is while we may not have an actual golden calf, we still have idols.
I’m not talking about celebrities or musicians who get the spotlight for a time. We use the term idol a bit too facetiously I think.
An idol is anything we give more importance to or preeminence to over God. Plain and simple, if it consumes our time, our schedule, our mind more than our worship and service of God, it’s become an idol.
And most of us are blind to the fact that we have an idol. And we certainly don’t want to hear that we have one. But let’s be honest and search our hearts.
Lake Superior shore ice
Is there something in your life that everything else has to revolve around? Maybe you schedule everything else in your week or month around that one thing? I know many people’s schedules revolve around sports. Church, small group, youth group are missed because of games or tournaments or even just practices.
Is there something that consumes your mental energy far beyond other things? You think about it when you aren’t doing it and find ways to make that thing work over anything else. Now, it’s not wrong to think of something over God or Scripture. But when it becomes all consuming, you need to be willing to prune it back.
Can you get up and out the door early for your favorite activity or event but can’t get up and put the door for church? Do you have time to practice or research or travel to attend your favorite thing but can’t seem to find time to sit with your Bible and God?
Is your spiritual life frozen because of an idol in the way?
I’m not trying to be harsh or judgmental. I’m speaking to my own heart too. We can so easily allow an idol in without realizing it and we need each other to cause us to pause and think. Our pastor talked this last weekend about the mercy seat on the ark of the covenant and how God met his people there. Today, our hearts are that mercy seat and the Holy Spirit is here, waiting to commune with us.
But if something else is in the way, we won’t hear Him, we won’t recognize the tug to meet with Him and hear His loving voice. Let’s not let things of this world get in the way of heavenly things. Those are eternal and so much better anyway!
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 ESV For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Recently someone asked me, “how do you do it all?” I think frequently people think I do it all. I don’t. I have lots of systems in place in my house to actually get things done. And those systems all involve my kids.
Here’s a couple things that help a lot in our house:
Every kid at the age of nine starts to learn to do their own laundry. They wash, dry, fold (or not) and put away. I had to let go of my kids drawers being neat because some don’t care if their clothes are folded or just shoved in. It still makes me cringe when I see them shove but, hey, I didn’t have to do more laundry!
Adding to that, I’d never go without Speed Queen again. We got this set used and I’m telling you, nothing compares. I’ve gone through a lot of washers in my life and I’ll never go back to any other brand. These things are amazing. They wash fast, hard, and efficiently. We always know when our washer is spinning because everything in the kitchen shakes. And no, the washer isn’t in the kitchen!
My kids also have zones on the main floor. I have it divided into six areas and older kids are paired with younger. When I tell them to “do zones” they know their area for the month. They have to tidy everything in the room, regardless of if it was their mess or not. Then no one can say “I didn’t put it there”. And in 10 minutes, my main floor is picked up!
Last summer we purchased a Skylight Calendar. Let me tell you, this thing is amazing! Every kid has their own profile and I can set chores and tasks daily, weekly, every other day, or whatever I need. They earn stars for the completed tasks and can then redeem stars to stay up late, extra video games, or going out for a treat with mom. It has motivated my kids in many ways to get things done! And I never have to remember when which kid should shower or do laundry or take care of animals. They just check each morning and know what to do. I also have our meals on here so they can just look at the menu to know what’s for dinner and who has to help cook. It has taken such a huge burden off my brain!
Lastly, we added a gym in the basement over Christmas. Dad really wanted this for his Christmas gift but it has been a blessing to all of us. The kids run and play and practice Taekwondo down there and Andrew and I can workout everyday. The young adults in our house have all started working out too. It’s a great way to get some energy out when it’s below zero in Minnesota!
There are lots of other ways I try to keep our life moving smoothly, but these are a few big ones!
A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping rain. House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. Proverbs 19:13-14
Today is my mom’s birthday. She would have turned 68 today, which doesn’t seem all that old. And yet, she’s already been gone 24 years. How that much time has passed, I have no idea.
I’ve been reading one chapter of Proverbs each day of January and these verses made me think of my mom. She lived daily with an alcoholic who failed at being a good husband and father in so many ways. She could have nagged and picked quarrels with him every day. Most people probably would have thought her justified.
Yet, she was prudent. I remember her talking to him about it, calling him out on it, and standing her ground on some things that were extremely important. But she didn’t nag or cause quarrels. And that’s not an easy thing when someone close to you is in sin!
It made me think about how I want my home life to be. I want my husband to want to come home to me. I want my kids to feel peace in our home.
That doesn’t mean we don’t address hard things. We need to! But the way we do that matters. We can address conflict, sin, and behavior issues with calmness and grace without backing down on what we believe in.
This isn’t easy for me at all. I tend towards anger and can jump the gun on conversations because I get heated. My hubby is so good at this and I’m learning from him. And my mom was so good at it too. I remember feeling like I could go to her with anything and trust she’d listen and talk it through without just getting angry with me.
I hope and pray I can emulate her! And as I read through Proverbs I hope and pray it sinks in and changes my heart to reflect Christ more and more in my roles as wife and mother.
There’s this very common belief in our society that when someone turns 18, they are suddenly and magically an adult. It’s prevalent in every area, including our churches.
But is it accurate? If you haven’t figured it out yet, I question just about everything. I want to know the reasons behind societal norms because often they aren’t rooted in Scripture or don’t have beneficial consequences.
The idea that someone becomes an adult at 18 stemmed from the Industrial Revolution and child labor laws. It actually started to protect children.
Unfortunately, it’s gone much further than that. It became a very prosperous idea for lending institutions. Get kids out of parents’ houses at 18 so they need a mortgage, a car loan, college loans, etcetera. Suddenly it became a motivation to get people out on their own and it was pushed more strenuously.
We’ve taken a different view. While I don’t want my 24 year olds living in my basement unproductive and too comfortable, there is something to be said for not pushing every 18 year old out the door. Now I’m not saying it’s wrong for a young adult at 18 to leave home and go to college or get their own place. Some need that and are ready for it.
But I do think we need to be mindful of what our kids need at that age. And it might just be living at home for a little longer.
Our oldest two stayed with us until they were just shy of 21. They did college while living at home and walked away with zero debt. On top of that, they were able to purchase vehicles without loans. When they left, one for married life and one for Marine life, they were ready. We knew they would thrive and make wise decisions and be successful.
Our son Elliot is 19 now. When he graduated high school he knew he didn’t want to pursue college for a while so we encouraged him to find a full time job and stay home and save. He found a job he loves and was already able to purchase a really nice pick up for himself, completely debt free. Is he capable of college or life on his own?
Absolutely, but he’s also such an amazing asset to our home. He’s an awesome playmate for his three active younger brothers who all look up to him and emulate him. He brings laughter and joy to our home everyday and we’d all miss out on the relationships we have with him if he moved out.
By no means are we keeping our kids at home against their will. We also don’t discourage college or further education. But we do try to have honest and clear conversations about it all and not just go with the flow of society.
As parents our job is to guide and direct our kids to paths of righteousness. That includes when they turn 18! Let’s be wise and help our young adults find wisdom so that they can start their adult lives off on the right path. Each of them are individually created with different goals, interests, and talents and it’s a blessing and privilege to come alongside them and help them discover what God has for them.
On the last day of the year I was driving with my seven year old. I mentioned it was the last day and the new year started the next day.
“Was 2025 a good year?” He asked.
“Well, there were good things and hard things in it. We had some losses and we had some good things too.”
“So it was a normal year?” He asked.
I think all too often we have this unrealistic expectation that we “deserve” a good year or we shouldn’t have any hardships. We want comfort and ease and never ask for difficulties.
But that isn’t real life.
Last year we lost a close friend, a dog, a baby, a lamb, cars. Some were harder losses than others.
But we had good things too. Andrew got a new job that has blessed our whole family in many ways. Projects were accomplished. We had an amazing family trip to our cabin and everyone grew in so many ways.
Charles Swindoll said, “When I ask people when they really grew spiritually, they never describe an easy time. Never.”
We’re all going to face hardships our entire lives. Our mindset in it is what matters. Do you whine and complain and feel envious of those who seem to have it easy? Or do you ask God what He’s trying to teach you in it? Do you find the blessings in the midst of the difficulty or do you just focus on the negative?
Did you know that research has shown that how we think about a situation actually rewires our brain? It’s called neuroplasticity and I don’t think we truly understand the power of this. When we focus on the negative, we will continue to see the negative.
When we look for the good and positive, we start to see it more and more. We actually rewire our brain to see the good. It’s really cool! And it’s really real.
In the past two weeks we’ve had a lot. Truly, a lot.
Our son and his girlfriend came to visit for Christmas. It was our first time meeting her and then we all got sick with influenza. We had numerous Christmas events and in the midst of it all, our cat got really sick. Then we had to say goodbye to Isaiah and his girlfriend, whom we had fallen in love with. I rang in the New Year with a child on the couch suffering from croup. Then we had to make the hard decision to put our cat down. It still sounds like a symphony of coughing in my house.
I could choose to look at all the negative. But I choose to see the good in it all. We got to see Isaiah and Karli and welcome her into our family. We went sledding and enjoyed good food. In the middle of the night with the croupy child, we stood on the porch letting her breathe in the cold air. She looked at me and said so sweetly, “I’ve never been outside at this time before. It’s nice.” (It was 3:30am)
Then yesterday, two of my girls got in an accident. It could have been so terrible but praise Jesus he protected them. They hit a snow drift and spun, sideswiping an oncoming car. Had he not swerved when he did, it would have been a head on collision. Again, I can focus on the terrible fact that they had an accident. Or I can thank God they are safe.
So, how are you wiring your brain? Are you going into this new year thinking it’s going to be “your year” and it’s going to be amazing and perfect? Or are you ready to look for the good and blessings in the midst of real life? Are you ready to thank God for the good and for the way He carries you and refines you in the hard?
I don’t look at all the hard in the last two weeks as a premonition of what’s to come this year. I don’t see all those things and think, oh great 2026 is going to be terrible. They are all just part of life. And God is so faithful. Every single time there’s something difficult, I see Him. I see His love for us and His goodness to us.
As you enter this new year, remember we aren’t promised all ease and comfort. But we are promised that He will never leave or forsake us.
It may all seem like small things but you are a blessing to your family. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that your job isn’t important. Don’t ever say “I’m just a stay at home mom”. You are changing the world while you stay at home.
I was talking to a friend who spent a few days in the hospital recently. When she got home she was supposed to be resting. But there are always endless needs when you’re a mama. And let’s face it, our hubby and kids just can’t do it like we do. Their standards for meals and a clean home aren’t the same as ours. Her struggle between rest and needing to fulfill her role is one we all struggle with!
I experienced this when I was miscarrying. My family did great but when I walked downstairs for the first time after days being in bed, I had to take a deep breath.
I realized we can choose in that moment to get frustrated. Or we can see how much we truly impact our families everyday. Every time we do a load of laundry or make a healthy home cooked meal or give kids baths, we’re ministering to our families. We’re showing them Christ’s love as we lay down our lives for them and help keep their lives running smoothly.
It’s been proven time and again that clutter and messiness disrupt peace and the ability to think clearly. Guess what moms do? They are constantly removing the clutter and mess. We walk around all day picking up, tidying, purging, and wiping things down.
And we all too often think it’s just a mundane and invisible and maybe even useless task. But it’s not. Not at all.
The blessing mamas bring to their families when they take good care of the home, the body, and the heart is immeasurable. There isn’t a price we can put on how important it is for mama to be there serving in the perfect way only she can.
Mamas, every time you fold clothes and tuck them away you are blessing your children. Every time you scrub the dishes and counters, you are showing them you care for their well-being. Every time you put away toys and clutter and sweep the floor you are being the hands and feet of Jesus to those most precious gifts he’s given you.
One thing I love about homeschooling is having flexibility to do something different every once in awhile. Yes, the bookwork matters, but life skills are so important.
Today school looked differently. We went shopping together to fill Operation Christmas Child boxes and to get a birthday gift for a friend. The kids had to work together to pick gifts out and also control themselves in asking for things for themselves. They did great!
I told them as we were going into the store that we were shopping for others, not ourselves and they nailed it. They were all discussing what other kids would like and enjoy playing with. It was so sweet to see them think of others before themselves.
Speaking of thinking of others first, can we as mamas all just make a pact now that we aren’t going to turn into Karens? Please.
We encountered two today, both in parking lots. The first yelled at me because she thought she couldn’t get into her car because I had parked next to her. It didn’t matter that she was the one who had parked on the line. I had to move.
The other laid on her horn as I pulled into a spot. It was angled parking and I pulled into a free spot with no one to the right of me. She was facing the empty spot next to us and laid on her horn and yelled through her windshield at me. Obviously I couldn’t hear her but from her gestures I gathered she wanted to pull through and was angry I pulled into a spot. Again, it didn’t matter that you aren’t supposed to pull through angled parking or that I wasn’t even in the spot directly across from her. Even one of my kids said, “boy, was she irritated with you!”
It was honestly sad to see how some people just live their lives angry and irritated at everyone. Remember it shows a lot more about what’s in their heart than about you.
So, today, I’m just asking all my mama friends to not be those angry women in public (or at home for that matter)! Let’s model to our families and those around us how to put others first.
Philippians 2:3 ESV Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
The sunrise this morning!
And if you struggle with anger, as I do, let’s all agree to bring it to the cross over and over and over until the old has truly died!
Desired Haven Farm 