365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 113

At work yesterday, I found myself contemplating the actions of some of my co-workers. Again, they talked negatively about another co-worker in the other part of our office. I had to admit that I have been guilty of this in the past but hearing it come from others on a regular basis has made me realize that this is a sin that I am to work on but also that I have to shine the light of the truth on this to those at my work who are doing it. I thought of something my mom had always said which probably many moms out there have said, If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” The sinful part of us will put down others. I remember as a teenager doing some people watching with friends at the mall and just giggling with our judgmental negative comments about the people we saw. Who are we do judge anything? I would like to say it is a young thing and people grow out of it but it is not going to go away because you age. It will only be conquered when you have shined the light of the truth of God upon it and keep shinning that light upon it. So, I need to let go of fear of what others will think if I say something and stand up for not talking bad about people. Fear of rejection is a weakness within my temperament that I have to overcome. All things are possible with God.

Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 12

I got a great book about our love languages called God Speaks Your Love Language. I had heard about the love languages but had never read a book about them. What an education that was! I wish I had known what I learned from that book years and years ago. It really helped me to understand the people I loved and how the best way to love them and about me and what love language really speaks to me. I very highly recommend reading any of the love language books so you too can get in on this valuable information. After reading the book, I went through and tried to figure out the dominant love language for those close around me. My daughter was easy to figure out. She is 'Quality Time'. If I balance life well and give her some of my time her love tank is always full. My son was easy too! He is 'Physical Touch'. He loves to hug and be hugged so now into his teenage years I have found other ways to give him a loving touch without the embarrassment issue that teens can have.

My husband was a little more challenging to figure out. I think he is 'Service' which means he is always up doing and helping with any and everything but he read a summary of the love languages and thinks he is 'Physical Touch' so I have to try to give him love in both those ways to try to keep his love tank filled. I bring this all up only because hubbie has been a rock these days with helping me on things, he even becomes the 50's wife stereotype at times like last night and has dinner on a plate for me and has me come in and sit down and serves me dinner. So, today I want to praise my hubbie for all his service-oriented love for me. Although, it is not my dominant love language, having read the book, I am aware of how he shows his love. My husband loves me and I am thanking God for that and him.

Ephesians 5:33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 7

When we were picking Tristan up from Sunday School which is in another building from our church, Faith ran up to our almost 15 year old son with friends and mentors around him. It was such a joyful moment to see my two children displaying such unfetterd love for each other. Okay, so it was probably more on Faith's end since the saracastic comment on the way out by my son just told me that was not the time or place for such a display of sisterly affection. Despite my teenager's lack of appreciation, I was very grateful to see so much joy in the bond between my two children. They have always gotten along very well despite there 6 year age difference so I am praising God today for the joy that the love of children can bring to your life.

Habakkuk 3:18 I'm singing joyful praise to God. I'm turing cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.