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Wednesday, November 12, 2008

A Short Welcome Today


Hi to everyone who stops by today after reading today's devotion! I appreciate your visit and hope you will make a habit of visiting my little corner of the internet! I have a sick little one, so I am tied to HOME all day. (If you didn't read the devotion, you won't get that reference!)

Since I don't have time to write a lot today, I will just share this wonderful quote with you all, as it pertains to the theme of my devotion:

"At the beginning of each day look at the items in your schedule for that day and consider how those events will offer you the opportunity to praise and serve God."
St Ignatius of Loyola

Wow-- what a cool shift in perspective! Instead of sighing over all we have to do, we could see abundant opportunities for ministry. I would love it if you all would share something that is on your "to do" list that is giving you the opportunity to praise and serve God today. Whatever you find yourself doing on this ordinary Wednesday, I pray you find God's unexpected blessings in unlikely places!
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19 comments:

Missy said...

thank you for this mornings devotion. i currently went back to work full time. until now i've been home with my four children. for financial reasons it was needed for me to find a job. this devotion reminds me to work even harder to establish my
H.O.M.E

have a blessed day!

JottinMama said...

I hope your little one feels better soon :)

Today, I will be cleaning out our bedroom closet. And I will be attempting to do it with joy. Afterall, cleaning out the "clutter" in our lives results in more room for the goodness of God to dwell!

I am reminded of a quote by Oswald Chambers:
"Always be in a state of expectancy and see that you leave room for God to come in as He likes."

Thanks for the devotional! Just what I needed! Have a nice day :)

Blessings,
Kate :)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your devotion. I have written it on an index card to put on my refrigerator to remind me all day as I feed my family (which is a ministry), to do it with joy. Also with joy, painting 2 rooms. Something about painting a room leaves me feeling free and clean of clutter. I rearrange furniture and take out things that aren't being used any more to be enjoyed by someone that needs it. Thank you for encouraging me to make our HOME one that glorifies God!
Karan

Anonymous said...

I am a recent divorced parent of 3 teens; 2 boys and a 13 year daughter. I have been in massive panic as I have realized that my former husband is allowing his home to become a "frat" house ---allowing my boys to participate in underage drinking with him most likely handing the stuff to them. At some point my daughter will see more of this behavior, and when she is with him, her activites are out of my control. I have spent the weekend in prayer and asking others to pray for my children. God spoke to me clearly today through your devotion, as the timing of it arrival on my email was no coincidence. A favorite verse of mine is TRAIN A CHILD IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GO, AND WHEN HE IS OLD, HE WILL NOT PART FROM IT. It is my job as a mother to set an example of how to live. At some point, my children will learn the difference of right and wrong. It is my job to make MY house a HOME and what an incredible devotion did you send. If you pray for people you don't know, please add my children to your prayer list (and maybe even to soften their father's heart). Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your devotion! It is so helpful!

Wednesday evenings from 5-8 we spend at church with confirmation class, bell choir and choir for my children. I have to say I looked at the calendar this morning and sighed, I kind of wanted an evening at home. How silly of me...what a great opportunity this evening will be to praise and serve God, especially my children!

Jill said...

Thank you for your awesome devotional today. I blogged about it so hopefully more will head to your side of the net.

Hope your little one is feeling better soon.

Vern ~ Inspired said...

This was great!
The message of the qoute is what I have been really working on. I think God is following me everywhere with these reminders! (ha, ha!)

Wednesdays can be pretty busy for us. I pray I do not miss those opportunities today to be used by Him and to worship Him in all I do!

Hugs to you and Ashley!

Anonymous said...

I have been convicted about keeping up my house more. I seem to get really tired feeling and feel like I am inadequate to get it all done. I know The LORD can motivate and help me! I have a 5 year old girl and 10 week old girl. Sometimes it is hard to get a lot done! For the lady that blogged about being a divorced mom of three, I will be praying for you. Yes, that verse you wrote is a powerful one and one I refer to. I think about my girls growing up in this world and it can be scary sometimes. But I know Who ultimately in in control!! Thanks for the blog and the reminder about how to do better at HOME!! Hope your little one feels better. Will be praying for you and Proverbs 31 ministries!! GOD Bless!! Julie

Anonymous said...

Hi MaryBeth,

Thanks for this morning's devotion & I pray your little one feels better soon.

I am a new wife (almost 3 months!) & I admire you & your family of 1 husband & SIX KIDS! I am learning that the 1 husband is enough!! At least for now!

I am still getting used to the routine of cooking & cleaning & more cooking & more cleaning! But, I appreciate the devotion this morning. I want to look at everything I do for my husband & home not as something I HAVE to do but as something I GET to do! I have the privilege of being a preacher's wife. So, my job here at home helps my husband which, in turn, will help all those whom he ministers to!

Thanks for helping me with my perspective.

God Bless!
Jennifer S.
Nassau, Bahamas

Anonymous said...

I am a new mother of a wonderful baby boy. My husband and I have been home since his birth, and today I am trying to clean out our bedroom that has become the collection center of all things baby. It's on my "to do" list because I want my husband to feel comfortable and relaxed when he comes into our "sanctuary".

Anonymous said...

I loved the devotional on HOME! I live in a blended family that is not so blended and have struggled for my home to be all of the things you mentioned. While I can't control what my step daughters do or say, I can make a difference and commitment to make our home as it should be. I have a friend who makes those "words" you put on your wall- I think I'll ask him to make me one for HOME to remind everyone in our family what our home stands for. Nanci

Lisa @ Life with 4! said...

wonderful devotion this morning, Marybeth. My favorite part about this is the "E" part. Establish walls of truth. How beautiful that sounds!. I believe this is where teaching our children about Jesus Christ, reading the Bible out loud, praying together, all comes together.
I will be working on my H.O.M.E today!

Christy said...

Just what I needed. I'm printing out the acronym and putting it somewhere to remind me of the importance of my job. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

thanks for the great reminder with your devotional. i love the acronym and like others said will post it somewhere in my house to remind me and my family of what is really important. it sounds from these comments that God has really used your words to inspire and encourage. thanks so much!
God bless, Laura

Janelle said...

It's great to read everyone's comments and your blog. I'm a mother of 2 children under 3. My hubby and I both work full time and he is attending college in the evenings. H.O.M.E. falls onto my shoulders and I have been drowning miserably in the housework. It's nice to read I'm not alone in this world of busyness.

Laurie Ann said...

Great devotion! I love the acronym. Can't wait to share it with friends...

Kathy said...

Just discovered your blog after you left a comment on mine. I'm thrilled to be able to dig around here and get some fresh ideas. Thanks for all you offer!
Kathy @ www.restorationplace.typepad.com

Lutiemom said...

Each morning, I get up before the rest of the family to have a few moments of reflection before my day begins. Your blog has become a refreshing part of that time. I really enjoyed your devotional this morning and the quote on your blog site. Thanks so much for sharing; you are an inspiration to me as a Christian wife, mother, and as a professional that works with children on a daily basis.

Stacey said...

I just want to thank you your devotion on Wednesday. Two weeks ago yesterday (Wednesday) we became displaced from our home due to a severe black mold issue. We had just moved into the home at the end of August. I knew I kept smelling mold, but had no idea. In fact,the homeowner (my mother-in-law) had no idea either. She has had several plumbers out, but wasn't able to find the leak until the first week of October. It had been in the walls under the cabinets and leaking for years. After waiting weeks for the insurance company to do something, they asked us to have the cabinets and flooring removed so they could see how bad the floors/walls were. None of us had any idea how bad it was going to be. The contractor put down his tools, took his helper outside and said they could not do any more work because what is in there is deadly black mold. We had to leave with just a few clothes. Beause we are renters, the homeowner's insurance company is not covering our loss of furniture nor for us to stay somewhere. My renter's insurance is not paying because there is not direct fire or water damage done to the furniture. The black mold and spores are a result of the water damage. The five of us, myself, husband and three children have been crammed in two rooms at my mom's. We put plastic up and opened up the house as much as we could as we had to leave our pets. A friend of ours just recently heard of our situation. He and his wife have offered their pop up tent to us to use at no charge until we know what is going to happen. I can't wait to be close to my pets and to have some normallicy (is that a word?) to our lives. Until then, we are waiting to hear what happens with the house. We should know something by Tuesday. I'm printing off the devotional and taping it on the pop up camper door as a remembrance tool for when the close quarters become an issue. Thanks again, the timing was perfect.