Falling Forward

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

I stood at the top of a beautiful mountain listening to my son, Joshua, beg me to ski down. Come on mom, it's not that bad. Watch me. Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries. I finally went down and skied pretty well…until I had to stop! I hit a snowdrift, my skis flew up in the air, my neck jerked back, and my legs twisted like pretzels.

I laid there in the snow trying to breathe, I thought: That’s it! No more skiing. I’m not risking another fall. It’s not worth it!But then I sensed God whisper to my heart, "Renee, you’ll never experience all I have for you if you’re not willing to get up and try again." He was right. That day held so many family memories on the slopes that I would not have wanted to miss.

Isn’t it easy to give up when we get hurt? Imagine what we might be missing because we’re not willing to fall forward and trust God again. For more encouragement visit Proverbs31.org.

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LOVE

Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. But there are some words that are worth a thousand pictures. Hi, I’m Lysa Terkeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries. Love is a powerful word. One that makes you feel good. One that can open you up to a world of hurt. Love can mean acceptance. But can also leave you in the pit of rejection. It can be flippantly spoken. I love chocolate. It can cause feelings of fondness. I love pictures drawn by my kids. It can be an invitation that changes your life. Will you marry me? It can be the essence of life. Jesus. And when we begin a lifesaving relationship with the only One who’s truly worthy to be called love, we find out that perfect love chases fear away. Perfect love died for us. Perfect love always stays with us. For more about the love God has for you, log on to proverbs31.org.

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What’s Wrong with Me?

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

What's wrong with ME? Do you ever ask yourself that question? Hi I’m Renee Swope with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Recently it dawned on me that every time I ask, "What's wrong with me?" I’m actually telling myself that something IS wrong with me. Then I try to figure out what my illusive fault is so I can fix it. But honestly, what I need to fix is the question I'm asking and the statement I'm making with those four powerful words.Why? Because every time I ask, "What's wrong with me?" I tell myself that something is wrong with me.

And if you’re doing it, too, let's make a pact to stop.

God doesn’t want us telling ourselves that something’s wrong with us. He created us. He wants us to focus our time and thoughts doing what we do best, instead of criticizing our flaws. None of us are perfect, but WE ARE "fearfully and wonderfully made" - just the way God planned. For more encouragement, log on to Proverbs 31.org.

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A Little More Fight

Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

I’ve discovered something about teenagers. They seem to want to fight for something. Hi I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs31 Ministries.

We recently staged a debate with our kids. We gave them the Biblical answer to a life question and then we fought for the world’s answer. It was amazing to see how passionately they defended their faith.

I don't want them just to have a memorized list of do's and don'ts. Principles are important but passion and personal convictions are crucial.I want them to have a deep love for Jesus. I want them to pursue holiness not out of habit but out of desire. I want them to take a stand against the junk this world throws at them not because Mom and Dad guilt them into but because personal convictions have carved a path through their heart and truly affect their decision making.

For more everyday life ideas, log on to Proverbs 31.org.

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What If?

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

What if today when I spend time with God instead of focusing on all of my concerns, I decided to focus only on Him? Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Sometimes I feel like I hold a magnifying glass over my concerns and they get bigger and bigger, but what if I took the magnifying glass off my worries and struggles, and instead I completely focused on God's love, God's power, God's provision, God's strength and God's goodness. Imagine what life would be like if God became bigger than anything else. Instead of focusing on what I may think is wrong with me, I'd be consumed by all that is right with Him.

The Bible tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus – the author and perfecter of our faith. So today, let’s do it. Let’s stop thinking about us and start thinking more about HIM! I’ll bet our outlook will be completely transformed and our problems will shrink in comparison. For more encouragement, visit Proverbs31.org and sign up for our free email devotions.

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Linger a Little Longer

Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Sometimes I have to remind myself that every day, even a really tough one, is a gift. Hi I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs31 Ministries. So, how can we truly embrace each day – even the hard ones?

Well, we can grab someone we love and let our embrace linger just a moment longer. We can take mental pictures of a baby’s toothless grin, the tousled hair of a toddler, the crooked smile of a teenager. We can hold hands with our spouse. We can look past all those dirty dishes in the sink, the laundry piled high, and the stuff the kids left out and see the beauty entangled in all this evidence of life. We can realize that we aren’t perfect and neither is anyone in our home. We can try to do life God’s way, even when it’s been another one of “those” days. And, finally, we can thank God for it all.

If you’d like to receive more daily encouragement, log on to Proverbs 31.org.

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To Complete or Compete?

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

Have you ever wondered why you’re the way you are, or why you do things the way you do? Hi I’m Renee Swope with Proverbs 31 Ministries. From the time I was in Jr. High, I didn't really like who I was. I compared myself to girls around me and tried to figure out who people liked most, so I could be like them. It was exhausting!Comparison is our worst enemy because it leaves us confused and discontent. My friend Genia summed it well one day while we were talking about comparison. She said, “When I compare myself with someone else, I can never measure up because I’m comparing my insides with their outsides.”

Comparison becomes a competition but no one wins! God never intended for women to compete with each other; He wants us to complete each other. We need to encourage each other’s strengths and be who God created us to be. For more encouragement on completing, not competing as women log on to Proverbs31.org and click on Everyday Life.

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Celebrating Motherhood

Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Today is a big day. Hi I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs31 Ministries. I am officially celebrating 14 years of motherhood which technically means that it’s my oldest daughter's birthday. But secretly, I’m having a little party for myself too. You see 14 years ago, I didn’t think I’d actually survive this motherhood thing.

If I could go back and talk to myself 14 years ago here’s what I’d say:

You'll go through a season where you think she'll never get the potty thing. Trust me; she won’t go to kindergarten wearing a diaper.

And, savor every time she says, "hold me mommy" in the sweetest toddler voice ever. She’ll eventually stop saying it but she’ll never stop wanting it.

Love her through the tangles, the frizzies, and the tearful cries of, "I hate my hair." Eventually she’ll appreciate her natural curls.

For more motherhood encouragement, visit Proverbs31.org.

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Green Pastures

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Susanne Scheppmann

I just love these words from the Bible: “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries. On days when I’m stressed, I think of this and imagine a peaceful green meadow beside a winding creek where there are no worries. Some friends were recently studying this verse when someone asked: “What is your green pasture?”

A woman who serves in ministry said, “Bubble baths and reading for hours!” Then another one who teaches high school said, “Crawling into bed at night – just knowing the day is over.”

I believe our green pastures vary with each season of life we’re in. But I love knowing God wants us to have times and places that restore our souls from the wear and tear of life.
So today, let’s look at the landscape of our lives for our own green pasture, then rush to the side of our Shepherd to find rest there. For more encouragement, visit Proverbs31.org.

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More Than Just a Clean Car

Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

I try to keep my car clean, honestly… I do. Hi I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries. I keep the area where I sit very clean and tidy. It would never occur to me to use it as a trashcan. My kids on the other hand have issues.

Yesterday I informed the kids that I was tired of pulling through the car pool line at school and watching things fly about when they got out. After school my kids went to work cleaning. But when I inspected there was still trash everywhere.

They said, "Ohhhhh, we didn't know you meant the trash too. We just got our stuff out."When they came inside I talked to them about the importance of doing things right the first time. I also explained that doing little things out of obedience is how God prepares us for the bigger things in life. I’m happy to report, my car is clean! At least for today that is.

For more Everyday Life Encouragement, visit Proverbs 31 Ministries and log on to Proverbs31.org.

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Staying On Track

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Jill Tracey

Recently a friend of mine got an email from a teenager who’s wiser than his years! Hi, I’m Renee Swope from Proverbs 31 Ministries. My friend works for a radio station and she got an email from a young guy who’s struggling in his relationship with Jesus. He said he hadn’t been reading his Bible, praying, or going to church and he really missed the closeness with God he felt when he was doing these things. Then he said, “It’s a lot harder to get back on track than it is to fall away.”

Isn’t that true? In a few words, he summed up a life truth that many adults struggle with. I’ve found that when things in my life require routines, it’s a lot harder to re-establish them once I’m off track. Good habits like reading the Bible, praying, and going to Church can easily fade away into the background of life. This teen challenged me to work harder to stay on track since it’s so much easier than getting back on! For more encouragement, visit Proverbs31.org.

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Understanding the Bible

Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Jill Tracy

Sometimes I think it’d be easier to learn Chinese than to completely understand the Bible! Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries. I’ve been reading the Bible in two translations- one that’s more traditional and one that’s written in more of an everyday language. But, no matter how simple the language, there are still some things that happened and some concepts that I struggle to understand. A friend told me that even though she had formal training in the Bible it’s hard for her too. So, when it comes to reading AND understanding the Bible, what do we do? There are books and commentaries that can help. But, I’ve found that asking God’s Spirit to help me understand what I’m reading is crucial! The Bible itself says if we lack wisdom, or understanding, we should ask God for help. So, I’m doing a LOT of asking and starting to gain a little more understanding! For more encouragement log on to proverbs31.org.

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Letting Kids be Kids

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Jill Tracey

Isn’t it easy to get embarrassed when our kids act like…kids?! Hi, I’m Renee Swope with Proverbs 31 Ministries. A friend of mine went out to eat recently with her two-year-old daughter and some friends who also had a two-year-old. The little ones really enjoyed sitting next to each other, so much so that at one point they were squealing with laughter and almost screaming with delight.

My friend enjoyed the kids’ interaction. But as they got louder, she wanted to shush them. Then she remembered it was a family restaurant. They’d expect families to be here and kids to be a little noisy? And, by the looks on everyone’s faces they were enjoying the kids.

It’s hard to know when to let our kids be kids. There’s a fine line between having fun and disrupting others. That day my friend decided to err on the side of fun as often as she can. For more parenting encouragement, visit proverbs31.org.

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No More Silent Treatments

Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Recently my husband hurt my feelings so I resorted to the ever so mature silent treatment. Hi I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries. Can you relate? Well, I was so upset that I called a friend who I was sure would understand and say something to make me feel better. But what she said actually pierced my heart and helped to change my perspective. She asked me, “Lysa, if you knew something might happen to Art today and he’d never come home again, would this situation really matter?” Suddenly, my hurt was put into perspective and my outlook was completely different. Instead of the silent treatment I called my husband and gently told him why his statement had hurt my feelings. The anger and hurt had dissipated and, thanks to my wise friend, I was free to live the rest of that day with no regrets.

For more marriage tips, visit Proverbs 31 Ministries and click on Everyday Life at Proverbs31.org.

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Marriage Secret Revealed

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Paula Friedrichsen with Renee Swope

I wonder if there’s a secret to having a happy marriage. Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries. If there were such a secret, I bet it would be overlooking our spouse’s faults, you know, those annoying personality quirks that were humorous when we first met.
Marriage can be challenging at times - but it can also be fulfilling, comforting, and fun. I’ve discovered that if I really want to enjoy my marriage, I have to keep my sense of humor and stay focused on my husband’s good qualities.

In her book, The Man You’ve Always Wanted, Paula Friedrichsen says that, “Overlooking our husband’s faults means to “look over the top” of them to see the person we love standing on the other side.”

So, whether my husband leaves his shirts and socks on the floor or keeps me awake with his snoring… I want to overlook his faults. And, hopefully he’ll do the same for me!

For more marriage encouragement, click on Everyday Life at Proverbs31.org.

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Clean as You Go

Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

The other day I came home from a fun outing with my kids and realized how messy the house was! Hi I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Quickly my mood went from happy, happy to mad and demanding. My husband pulled me aside after watching me rant and rave for a few minutes and asked a very simple question: “Why did you let everyone go on a fun outing without first having them clean up? If you’d told them before you left what needed to be done the thrill of going out would have motivated everyone and you could have come home relaxed.”

He was right.

I’ve taken his advice on several occasions and it’s amazing how it has reduced my stress. And what if the kids don’t cooperate with the clean before we go plan? Well, then we cancel the outing and I get to take a bubble bath. Now that’s a beautiful plan!

For more encouragement as a mom, log on to Proverbs31.org.

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Losing Stuff

Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Recently my husband and I returned home from vacation only to discover that our camera was missing. Hi I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries. And I have to admit I cried. Not so much over the lost camera as over the lost pictures. I know it sounds silly but I was so sad I prayed that God would either help us find the camera or give me a peace about this loss. Later that day, I wrote down what I felt I needed to remember:
First, keep it in perspective.

And, secondly, don’t let this loss take the joy out of the memories of our trip.

Ultimately, the camera and the photos are just stuff. Many people are dealing with situations today that are far beyond this. So, I’m thankful for the memories, hopeful for the return of the camera, but OK if we never get it back.
For more daily life perspectives, log on to Proverbs 31 Ministries and click on Everyday Life at Proverbs31.org.

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Take Out the Trash

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Paula Friedrichsen

Sometimes unforgiveness can be a lot like smelly trash! Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

When an overripe cantaloupe sits around rotting in the bottom of the kitchen trashcan, it starts to stink. Add yesterday’s leftovers and it gets even worse! We wonder, “Won’t someone PLEASE take out the trash?”

You know, unforgiveness in our hearts is a lot like smelly garbage and it can stink up our marriage. Sometimes I keep a running tally of each and every offense, which makes make my heart quickly wreak of unforgiveness.

I’ve found the only way to “take out the trash” in my marriage is to bring my frustrations to God, ask for His perspective of my husband, and “choose” to search for the good in him.

We’ve all found it difficult to forgive in the past—but here’s the good news; today can be a brand new beginning! For more marriage encouragement click on everyday life at proverbs31.org.

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All for God

Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

What if I chose today to live in a way that’s completely pleasing to God? Hi I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

You know, God’s never asked me to do great things. All He’s ever asked of me is to allow His greatness to enter me, change things around in me, and be seen through me. So, today I’m making the choice to not settle for “good enough” I won’t let the influences of pride, what’s easiest for me, and what I want overshadow my desire to live for God. Today, I will choose to put others ahead of myself, to resist the temptation to gossip or displease God in any way, and to give everything in my heart to Him.

There are no great people who serve God. Just simple people who every now and then make great choices.

For more encouragement in your relationship with God log on to proverbs31.org.

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Lean on Me

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

My family was snow skiing when we ended up on a slope that was way bigger than we expected. Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

My son Andrew kept falling and getting hurt. So, I decided to "ski" him down. He stood in front of me with his skis in between mine and wrapped his arms around my elbows. It was crazy, I know! And believe me, we almost died a few times. Seriously, I was screaming, "JESUS help us". And, HE did!

We made it to the bottom, I told Andrew I was proud of him for staying focused and keeping his skis straight so we could make it down. Then he said, "Mom, you did all the work. I just had to lean on you."

It made me think about how God does all the work if we'll stay centered in Him, lean on His strength and let Him guide us along life's path. For more encouragement, visit Proverbs31.org.

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Does Jesus work?

Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Can a regular person like me answer the profound question the world is asking? Hi I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries. Today’s society is asking…Does Jesus work?

Well, I’m just a country girl with a husband and 5 kids. I’m not a theologian and I don’t have a PhD. I’m just a woman who dared to utter one little word that shifted my heart and set my soul on the adventure I was designed to live. I simply said “Yes” to Jesus. All I have to show the world that Jesus works is my one little "yes" and a story of what happened when an ordinary woman dared to utter it. And it has been enough.

It’s enough for all of us. The only thing we need in order to share Jesus with others is the reality of what He’s done in our lives. The more we learn to live like Him, the more the world will see Him and know that Jesus ABSOLUTELY works!

For more encouragement log on to Proverbs31.org.

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