Leslie's Little Devotional

Ecclesiastes assures us there is a season for everything. For those of us with children, it is “back to school” season. For some of us school happens around the dining room table and for others it takes place at a local school. Some of you will be doing a “happy dance” when the bus pulls away. Others will tear through a box of tissues and count the hours until that bus brings them home. Maybe this is your first time at the rodeo and you’re sending your baby off to their first day of school ever.   Whatever scenario is playing out at your home today, it is the beginning of a new season.   To me, the beginning of the school year feels like a clean slate; ready to be filled with amazing things.   Today brings to mind, freshly sharpened pencils and new lunchboxes. It is a time to begin anew. It makes me think of Paul’s words: Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what ...

This summer my daughter, Ashley, had an early morning appointment to take her test for her driver’s license. The location was about 30 minutes away. Being unfamiliar with the route we had to take, I planned to leave an hour early, just in case. My day began well.   Despite not being much of a morning person, I managed to get up and was ready with time to spare. While I was waiting for Ashley, I spent some time reading my Bible. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. I smiled while reading the familiar verse that had so often brought comfort.   When Ashley came down the stairs I could tell she was very nervous.   Silently I prayed that Ashley would trust the Lord with all her heart and that He would direct her path as she took her road test. Feeling confident, I grabbed my map and we headed out the door.   As we were backing down the driveway our brakes m...

(Fall 2011) I know the title of this devotion sounds more like a title for a country song but it’s really more of a theme for the start of my day.   As a mother of five children (ages 22, 18, 13, 11 and 9) my days are full.   I’ve learned to make use of my time, especially time alone, of which there is precious little. I homeschool our three youngest children while our first born is off to her final year of college and our second-born is off to her senior year of high school.   My days begin at 6:30 when my husband of twenty-five years wakes me up after brewing a pot of coffee prepared with freshly ground coffee beans.   I offer up a brief and barely coherent prayer before I get out of bed. Some mornings it is simply, “Lord, please give me the energy to get up and get busy”.   I am not a morning person and I never have been.   However, since days typically begin in the morning, I try to adapt. After the covers are off and my feet hit the fl...

It’s back to school time. Clothing racks at malls everywhere are filled with all the “must have” items for fashion savvy kids. Mothers are running from store to store with children in tow looking for the best deal. Even as a homeschooling mom, I still get caught up in it. Just because school happens at home and online doesn’t mean we wear our pajamas. Every Sunday I educate myself by checking the ads to compare styles and prices. After doing a little shopping today after church I decided a little quiet time with my Bible was in order.   As I was reading, I came to a portion of scripture I had underlined some time ago.   Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12) What a timely reminder for me! Sometimes it is so easy to get distracted. This verse served as a great reminder to use great care dressing the inside too. Not just for my children, but for myself...

“Please be still!” I said with exasperation as I tried to apply sunscreen to my nine year son as he squirmed away from me.   When he was sufficiently slathered in UV protection and playing in the pool, I relaxed on the patio and opened to Psalm 46. As I read through the Psalm I arrived at verse ten. “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Be still. Those are words any parent is very familiar with. Whether you’re trying to brush a toddler’s hair, keep a wiggle worm still in church, or trying to rock a fretful baby to sleep, you’ve surely said those words.   Over the years I have learned that there are number of reasons it’s difficult for children to keep still. It could be that they are bored and frustrated.   Maybe they are crabby. Perhaps they aren’t feeling well. Sometimes they just lack self-discipline. Whatever the reason, being still and patient doesn’t come naturally. Truth be told, being still ...

There I was, all “frumped out” at the grocery store. It had been a long day and I was in dire need of a shower and a coat of makeup. I was also in need of a few ingredients for dinner.   Against my better judgment, I had run out the door offering a prayer (yes, I know it was a shallow moment) that I wouldn’t bump into anyone I knew.   With my bad hair day head down I quickly navigated the aisles throwing what I needed into the cart. “So far so good,” I thought to myself. Then it happened. Bam! I found myself face to face with someone I hadn’t seen in years. Of course she looked amazing. Her outfit was adorable and she had that “just stepped out of the hairstylists chair” hair going on. As we hugged I noticed that even her perfume was wonderful.   I sent up another quick prayer, “Lord, please don’t let my deodorant fail me now”.   Even smelling like Windex would be better than being stinky. My friend was as kind and didn’t act as if she noticed the mess I was. We...

If motherhood had a uniform I think it could be a referee shirt.   Mediator, arbitrator, umpire, and peacemaker are all listed under duties I perform in this career I’ve chosen. Don’t get me wrong, we are a loving family. However, when seven people live under one roof, there are bound to be disputes. I do my best to work to maintain the peace in my little corner of the world. I have vast experience in peace negotiations of all types.   I have stepped in to settle personal property clashes which have resulted in a tug of war over a stuffed animal. Another one of my specialties is resolution of land disputes stemming from two children sharing a bedroom. Resolution of instances of character defamation due to name calling is also within my skill set. Sometimes I have even resorted to drastic measures to achieve peace, including issuing restraining orders to keep the party of the first part from looking at the party of the second part. My ultimate goal isn’t just to “make the ...