Mid-Week Motivation
Starting Your Day out Right
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt … you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’
and it will be done.”
Matthew 21:21
With summer around the corner, are any of you starting to feel a tad uncomfortable about swimsuit season? I know I am. Unfortunately, I’ve discovered that following the advice for writers to keep our rears glued to the chair can make us prolific in our word counts, but also prolific in the weight department. Ugh.
Because my toddlers still need me to swim with them, I can’t sip sodas and read novels from a pool-side lounge chair. I HAVE to be in the water, far out of my comfort zone of hiding under a beach towel. This reality has forced me back to the gym the past two weeks, where I’ve been meeting with a personal trainer who answered my plea for HELP. No pain, no gain, I tell myself, as I hobble home from our workouts.
It’s much easier to stay in hiding, but God wants to call us out of our comfort zones in our spiritual lives as well. What areas do you feel a need to do some toning up? Whatever your goals are, the most important act you can do is pray — that God would give you the faith to move mountains.
Is Your House in Order?
Cleaning, parenting, marriage, organization tips, etc.
You see it all over the news: obesity is an epidemic with today’s kids. There are a variety of reasons, mainly related to the ease of fast-food meals and sedentary lifestyles. If we want our kids to be healthy, we’ve got to be role models for them. Yet if they see us always sitting in front of the computer screen working, what’s to stop them from plopping down and doing the same in front of the TV?
I try to multi-task and walk the dog, baby, and older kids all at once. It’s not the same kind of workout I get at the gym (remember that PAIN I mentioned earlier?) but walking down to the creek in our backyard gives everyone some brisk exercise. I also have to put my book away and bounce the basketball, scoop sand in the sandbox, and coordinate clubhouse tea parties. Believe it or not, I have to pray for God to give me the desire to do these things as well. If you’re a workaholic like me, you know what I mean. Let’s encourage each other to play actively with our kids! 🙂
Afternoon Pick-Me-Up
Writing Inspiration
Some of you are homeschool parents, so you’re used to challenging your kids to write. Here’s something that can be fun, as well as good for their writing skills. The next time your kids read a book they have a strong opinion about, get them to write a quick book review on Amazon.com. They can write anonymously under “A Kid’s Review,” but they’ll enjoy seeing their words published in a public format.
Not only will this encourage your kids as writers, it will also give the book author and publisher feedback on how well the book connected with its intended audience. If you’ve written a children’s book that’s available on Amazon, have you asked any kids to review it for you? Show them how by sending them the link to your book.
What’s For Dinner?
Kelly’s Chicken Roll-Ups
(recipe from p. 196, The Great American Supper Swap, by Trish Berg.)
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 16 oz. Velveeta cheese
- 2 tubes refrigerator crescent rolls
- 1 10-oz. can cream of chicken soup
- 1 c. milk
- 1/2 tsp. paprika, optional
1. Cook chicken breasts and cut into 16 strips.
2. Cut cheese into 16 strips.
3. Roll up 1 strip of chicken and 1 strip of cheese into each crescent roll.
4. Place rolls into greased, 9×13-inch baking dish.
5. In separate bowl, mix soup and milk together; pour over rolls.
6. Sprinkle with paprika, if desired.
7. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.
Serve with corn on the cob, steamed vegetables, and sliced fruit.
A Restful Night’s Sleep
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory … forever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20
Did you take any small steps today to move toward your goals? In Valorie Burton’s inspirational book, Why Not You?, she writes about how we can have authentic confidence in Christ.
Burton says, “You’ve got gifts, talents, experiences, and passion that God has placed in you for a purpose. Don’t minimize those things or ‘play small.’ It’s time for a bigger game — time for you to step up to the plate at a higher level” (p. 225).
This is my prayer for you, that you would step up to bat in a new game, a more challenging and rewarding one. Get out of your comfort zone, and get moving. There’s no better time than NOW.
