Well Of Grace

Grace….. Something I don’t deserve but God bestows upon me despite myself.  New Year, new opportunities, new beginnings, and new grace.

I want my life to be a Well of Grace. I want grace to pour out of me.  I want to bestow grace unto my children, my husband, my friends, family, church family, and strangers.  I want to be so full of God’s grace that I pour it out to everyone, including myself.

Oh mommas how are we to give grace to others if we ourselves don’t allow God’s grace upon our own lives?  How are we to be gracious to others if we are not gracious to ourselves?  How are we to let the grace of God rule in our hearts and not let ourselves receive any of that grace?   I know we are hardest on ourselves.  We do not give ourselves grace at all.  Well I know that I have a hard time giving myself grace.  Then in return I find myself being less and less gracious to others.  We have to accept His grace so we can fill up on His grace.

You might ask,” Well how do I show myself grace?” How about not being so hard on yourself next time you don’t get that “To DO” list completely done.  How about you take a little time to read a chapter of a book and sip on a cup of hot coffee or tea without feeling totally guilty about it.  How about not being so hard on yourself when your homeschool day didn’t go completely as planned.  How about when you getting ready for bed and your house is a little messy you just let it go and give yourself some grace……

You will find when you allow yourself to let God’s grace rule in your heart you will have enough grace for yourself and everyone around you.  You will be a Well of Grace, you will be pouring over with grace.  Oh His grace is sufficient for you and me….  God wants us to live a full and victorious life but we can not do that apart from His mercy and grace.  So allow yourself to partake of His grace today.  Allow yourself to grow in His grace.

“Grace, grace, God’s grace. Grace that is greater than all our sin.”

– Pamela Henry

5 Minute Pickup

What is a five minute pickup?  Good question…..

Well five minute pickup is just that. Pickup as much as you can in a five minute time period.

1. Your start by setting a timer.
2. Get 2 to 3 baskets and a trash bag, you can use as many baskets as you need
3. Get your children involved
4. Pick an area you need cleaned up
5. Give each child a Walmart bag

Once you picked your area. Get your baskets set up: one for clothes, one for toys, and you can put anything else in the third basket.  Have your trash can by the baskets. We like to use our extra trash bag for recycling.  The children can use their Walmart bags as a trash or recycling bag too.  Get your children excited about helping. You can give a prize or have a special treat. I like to make it a race to see who can pick up the most stuff, me or the children. Set that timer and then get to work.

You will be amazed how quickly your children will move to pick up stuff off of the floor just so the kiddos can beat you. This method isn’t about getting your room spotless, it is about cleaning up. I like to do this throughout the day so we can keep a handle on the messes.  Because my house can get messy and dirty throughout the day. This helps me keep my sanity, because I am a bit of a neat freak.

I will post some more this week on a few of my cleaning tips.  Not that I am a expert but I do have to clean a lot…..

-Pamela Henry