Encouragement from a protein

HT to my husband at Growing Vertical for this one. I had tears running down my face as I watched.



This is crazy. The audio is playing in background while I'm working and it's making me cry all over again.

Want to see the inside of a cell? Go see Brian.

Pruning

"A grape's life cycle starts right after harvest. As temperatures drop, leaves fall off the vine. Vineyard workers prune throughout winter to prepare the vine for the spring growth to come. The pruning helps determine the number of shoots that will bear fruit, thus affecting the next season's yield." - from "The Life of a Grape," an article in Publix's Grape magazine

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit." - John 15:1-2, ESV

Picture courtesy of Download-Free-Pictures.com

Help when running on empty

Mary at Owlhaven asked, "what do you do to rejuvenate when you are drained and feel like you have nothing more to give?" She was soliciting the best mood-lifters. Now Mary has had the flu; that's a really real reason to feel drained on a completely different level. I tend to just be mentally drained, or more often irritated to the breaking point. Like when I've planned a great outing and suddenly Brian is no longer feeling well enough to join us and the children are not obeying, and my snipping is starting to turn into exploding... A lot of times I get it wrong, but sometimes, by God's grace I get it right. This is the message I left Mary, and I'm sharing it with you too. Maybe you're having "one of those days." And maybe it will help me to remember. I'm glad that she asked.

When I'm drained and have nothing more to give I tend to start taking it out on my perceived drainers (read "kids"). I won't pretend that I've gotten smart enough to always do this, but when I have, it has been like a miracle. I take my children by the hands and gather them to me. I tell them that I can't do all of this by myself, that I'm sorry that I've been grouchy, and let's pray together for Jesus to help us. And we pray for the children to obey Mommy, and for Mommy to be kind. Often we were headed out somewhere before the breaking point approached, and what seemed impossible to pull off becomes possible again. And it does make a huge difference. It changes our hearts. And that, after all, is what really needs revived.

Never in January

If you've ever struggled with a Bible reading plan, go read this article by Noel Piper.

Calling all Mommies in need of encouragement

Travel over to The Sacred Everyday, and read Ann Voskamp's (one of my favorite writers)ponderings, "Peace isn't a Place." May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13). Love to you all!