Sally Clarkson's Blog, page 34

You Are Chosen to Reflect Faith in Difficult Times

his very season we live in could, from God’s perspective on history, be one of the finest hours for Christians to stay true, to be faithful, to endure hardship, to rejoice in His reality, and to live by faith, “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1)
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From #HelpImDrowning

Help, I'm Drowning: Weathering the Storms of Life with Grace and Hope By Clarkson, Sally Buy on Amazon

Hope That Keeps Us Moving Forward

(Eggs with Soldiers, pumpkin spice tea)

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We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” — Martin Luther King Jr

This weekend, I scanned my phone. I saw that there is a full-fledged war in the Middle East, 50 people were killed in an attack on Ukraine while at a funeral; another terrible earthquake; the government is in danger of shutting down... It is a lot to take in and figure out how to deal with the fearful news headlines every day.

As adults, we find the constant barrage of “bad news” difficult to bear. Yet, as believers, we must learn to focus on the goodness of God, His infinite ability to engage and bring His light into the darkness of this world. We focus our hope that lies in eternity where all wrongs will be righted, where there will be no sin and darkness. This is a constant battle for us as we seek to exercise faith in this fallen world. We lean on hope that keeps us moving forward.

But young children are not able to bear such burdens. More children are suffering from anxiety. They are being medicated at an earlier age. To grow strong and healthy, they need to be protected from a life of constant fear, turmoil, grief, and destruction. They need to feel safe, protected, and hopeful so that they can grow up to exercise that faith as an adult.

Once when a terrible catastrophe hit the news, people in our coop were reacting and wanted to turn on a live news program. One of my littles got close to my face, looked up at me in terror and said, “Mama, how do we feel about this? I look to you to know if we should worry or not. If you don’t worry, we won’t worry.” The way I responded determined their level of anxiety.

Adults were made to carry the burdens of life, not little children. They long for peace, happiness, love, protection, and safety. Our walk with God, our hope in His reality, His companionship, His presence every day gives our children a way forward to know how to engage with the realities of a dark, broken world. The way we narrate life to them becomes their instructor for how to narrate life for themselves.

God says, “Fear not, for I am with you.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Lots more on Tea Time Tuesday: My favorite new tea, stories to share, music, a book review, and more.

Cultivating Joy Through Challenging Circumstances

Choosing to cultivate joy through challenging circumstances requires us to look for God’s fingerprints along the way. 

Experiencing joy, though, is a long-term process and it takes a lifetime to slowly move from stress mode to living into the peace God wants us to know through all the moments of life—a journey toward maturity as we begin to be aware of those thoughts and worries that would steal our joy.

The more we practice taking all of our troubled thoughts captive, the more easily we will recognize them before they take hold in our heart. Practice and discipline provide strength training for our mental muscles and heart responses. So walking in the reality of joy is a road we truly find only as we mature and become stronger. The more consistently we follow that path—believing in God's goodness and turning away from Satan's taunts—the more the habit to submit to the Lord and trust him becomes second nature.

We can make a commitment to take every situation, every feeling, every fear to God as it happens. We don't have to remain in a state of emotional separation from the Lord every time we get out of step. We simply have to practice walking each step with him and allow his presence to bring us the joy that comes from resting in the arms of our capable dance partner through each measure of life's song.

Read more about this in my book, Dancing With My Heavenly Father.

Persevering & Thriving Through Motherhood

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The king road of motherhood is a sort of marathon. It is long, requires endurance and resilience. 

We all go through struggles and dark seasons as women and mothers. Whether it is an out-of-the-box child, the exhaustion from sleepless nights, difficulties in marriage, aging parents, health challenges, teen hormones, or exhaustion.

The battles are real and can seem overwhelming. Along the way, I have had a few people who have met me at my point of need, my point of depression, my hunger, for wisdom and instruction.

Some of the best counselors and support systems I had came from the women who worked shoulder-to-shoulder with me and ministry. We grew together, we helped one another, we loved one another.

Today you will hear my friends, and I talking about how we were able to keep going, what took us through dark times, what helped us to refine our ideals for each different season. 

I have found that having a foundation in God's Word has also helped me to stand firm in the many battles of my life. This month in my membership, Life with Sally, I share about building foundations of faith and how to develop convictions that hold you in my monthly Bible Study. I hope you will join me there and be encouraged.

What are the most challenging issues for you in this important race? How can we address some of these issues in the days ahead so that we might come alongside you and support you in your need.

Enjoy our podcast. 

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Tea Time Tuesday: Delighting in Autumn: Recipes, Traditions, Music, & Fun

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Tea Time Tuesday

The air was chill, and a breeze gently ruffled the aspen leaves to a full shimmer. Suddenly in a seeming moment’s time, fall was upon us. Living in the mountains where snow can be sudden and abrasive to cool and sunny days warned us to enjoy this golden day while we had it. Clay and I both decided that even though it was a full day and we were a little worn out, we needed to take the opportunity one more time to take an early evening walk on our mountain trail. After all, Darcy Dog was practically begging us to go.

Autumn is a time for savoring, for choosing to make a memory. We intentionally take the opportunity to look into the eyes of our beloveds, to make one more sweet memory with a full knowledge that seasons change and that the moment might pass. And so Clay and I drove across the highway and took one more walk in the majestic shadowy sunlight of dusk. The clouds and mountains flourished in a light dance as the sun slipped down the horizon. We were glad we made the choice to savor these moments.

I love autumn and it slips by too quickly for me.

On Tea Time Tuesday today, it is all about autumn: apple cake, pumpkin streusel muffins, homemade bread, an inspiring book that lingers in your heart, charming music, and an invitation to cultivate the heart of home through feasting and community of friends. I would love to hear about some of your favorite fall memories, traditions, and recipes. Breathe in these magical moments that are right in your midst. Happy Tuesday.

My Fabulous Friend S.D. Smith & the Green Ember Series

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Now I care not to walk the earth unless a friend walk by my side.

-Walt Whitman

Traveling through my adult life as a writer, speaker, person in ministry has blessed me with wonderful friends who have deeply enriched my life. As I even think back over the past year, conversations had, memories made, stories shared has made me so very grateful for so many of you who have enlightened my understanding, brought wisdom and given generous affection in relationships.

One of our dear family friends who is always a blessing is SD Smith, the beloved author of The Green Ember series. He always encourages, is a whole lot of fun and always brings a smile, and has the deepest of integrity and godly character. We became friends years ago and try to connect as often as possible. I hadn’t had a conversation with Sam for quite a while, so we met for a chat to catch up and I knew many of you would enjoy listening in.

Families all over the world have been touched and enjoyed the series and children have been imprinted on their hearts by the beautiful, noble stories. My son, Joel, who is the reader for Green Ember also hears from people all over the world who have loved the narrated versions.

You can find all things Sam, his books, his blog and more @ https://sdsmith.com

Have you or your children read them? So much fun to hear all of your stories.

Hope you enjoy today’s special podcast.

What Are You Filling Your Mind With?

During a quiet time one morning, my eyes lighted upon one of my little wooden treasure chests, a beautiful carved wooden box from my missionary days in Poland. The Holy Spirit impressed me to look at the hearts of my children as treasure chests.

Filling their hearts with truth, beauty, love, great thoughts, books, ideas, adventures, memories, traditions, wisdom, music, art, lessons, and all the good things I could imagine became a purposeful goal.

I wanted to fill them with such an abundance of relics of eternal value that they would draw beauty, strength, guidance, assurance, courage, and love from those deposits for the rest of their lives. God was clearly calling me to disciple my children.

I realized, though, that I could not give to them what I did not myself possess. If I wanted the souls of my children to be rich, then my soul needed to be rich because it was my soul they would draw from.

And so the idea of intentionality began to engage the imagination of my heart. Whatever I filled my mind with, whatever I learned and embraced, flowed into the well of knowledge and refreshment I would draw from and pass on to them daily as I lived my moments in their presence.

For example, investing time every morning with the Lord was of utmost importance because what I learned in those moments shaped the passion I passed to my family each morning over breakfast.

Today, what is one thing you can do to fill your own soul with truth, beauty, and goodness to be able to pass along to your own family? What kind of treasures do you want to fill your children’s treasure box with?

Lighting a Fire of Vision That Lasts for a Lifetime

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"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire!"

William Butler Yeats

When my children were quite young, we would snuggle up on the couch, the wide-eyed children squishing around me. I would gently, passionately say, “Jesus has a special mission for each of you—Sarah, Joel, Nathan, Joy—to accomplish in the world. He has designed you to be light bearers, love-givers, wisdom tellers. You will meet people who will need only you to be the hands, the words, the message of God's love. I can't wait to see how He uses you in your world!”

They would wiggle, touch toes, or push a little for more room, but each one heard their name associated with God's love and their story to tell, and they would shake their little heads in affirmation when I would ask, “Isn’t it exciting to see how normal fisherman did miracles and helped people—just like you will do!”

Today, so many youth and college students regularly leave their faith behind, as they confront the world and its messages. Why, when so many good families have taken the time to build the messages and love faithfully?

We were designed by God to have deeply meaningful, purposeful lives—our children long for it. We were made for love and belonging. Jesus offers both.

We reflect on the life of Jesus…

Dusty, rutted Roman roads were filled with clatter of wagons of market goods for sale, donkeys carrying burdens of farm vegetables, caged fowl squawking, and horses mounted by menacing Roman soldiers, mulling around in the noisy marketplace of Jerusalem. And yet, it was here, in this oppressed, unknown, seemingly insignificant hamlet that a worldwide revolution would begin that would rock the world forever.

An obscure teacher, rabbi over common fishermen,  tax collectors, and mere women, would spark a fire in the hearts of those hungry souls that would turn the world upside down.

Those caught in the fray of mundane life longed for something more, to be a part of a life that held meaning besides grasping day-to-day for enough to eat, a way to pay bills.

And so, the secret, underground movement was ripe for the times in which it was birthed.

“Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”

Always, Jesus' message was about casting a vision that would capture the hearts and imaginations of men and women, their hearts were stirred, and their fellowship around what gave them meaning together.

Always, always the message of Christ was missional—Go! Influence! Bring light! Redeem! Become a part of a movement of the Spirit of God blowing through the lives of people all over the world. Take over the darkness with your light—become redeemers! Still, today, amidst the mundane, hearts long to be ignited with the passion, purpose, and influence that will continue to transform this world of darkness into a place of light and hope—and all of us have a part to play.

Jesus’ words were sending ones, purpose-driven and fitting for warriors:

"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves." (John 17:15)

"I do not ask that you take them, (my disciples)  out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one." (John 17: 15)

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:13-16)

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9: 36-37)

Will we pray for him to send our children, us, into the harvest field? Are we willing to go anywhere? Do anything? Are we arming our children with values for living for eternity and not just living for the temporal, this world, the material, that is corrupting as we live each day?

All children and all adults were made for a life of meaning and purpose. We were created to be message makers, healers, redeemers. There is a kingdom of darkness but we are people of the light and the light will overcome all that is evil, dark, meaningless, and harsh. We are people of the kingdom and we are bringing that kingdom to bear every day in every act, every expression of our faith, every moment of our worship—because we have been adopted by the king!

The Mosaic Of Soul Development

When the home life of children is rich with excellent, classic literature and great stories, passionate Biblical devotions, rousing dinner-table discussions around sumptuous, tasty meals, lots of love and affection given and household chores attended to, a child will become committed to all that is good and excellent and develop a moral and compassionate soul for all the divinely important values.

Is it a messy process? Of course. No home is perfect or parent perfect and it is a journey of constant flux. It is the personal touch of a mother’s heart that creates grand civility, deep affection, care, and commitment to the foundations of a family. When the invisible strings of a mother’s heart are tied to the heart of her children through loving sacrifice and nurture, the stability and foundations of a nation become secure and stable.

A mother, living well in her God-ordained role, is of great beauty and inestimable value to the future history of any generation. Her impact is irreplaceable and necessary to the spiritual formation of children who will be the future adults of the next generation.

From Mom Heart Moments book.

Tea Time Tuesday: A Spot Of Tea Is Just What I Needed

A Spot of Tea!

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“A Joy Worth Repeating, Again and again,
Warm conversation, tea and a friend!”

-Miss Madeleine

Just imagine the scene: a cozy sitting room, filled with soft lighting and comfortable chairs. The fragrant aroma of freshly brewed tea wafts through the air, immediately putting you at ease. And there, sitting across from you, is your dear friend, or daughter, her sparkling eyes and welcoming smile inviting you into a world of heartfelt connection.

As the tea is poured, the conversation begins, and time seems to slow down. The cares and worries of the day fade away, replaced by the gentle rhythm of shared stories, laughter, and heartfelt empathy. Your friend has a way of making you feel seen and heard, as if your thoughts and feelings truly matter.

With each passing minute, the bond between you grows stronger, nurtured by the warmth of the tea and the genuine connection that exists between kindred spirits. This allows you both to savor the treasure of companionship.

Each time you gather with your loved one for warm conversation over a cup of tea, it feels like coming home. You find solace in the familiarity of her presence and the comfort of her wisdom. Repeating this ritual builds a deeper connection over years.

In a world that often feels rushed and disconnected, the simple act of sharing a cup of tea with a friend is a treasure to be cherished. It is a reminder that life’s greatest joys are found not in extravagant experiences, but in the bonds we form with those who truly matter.

Let us embrace the joy worth repeating, again and again, and seek out those warm conversations that nourish our spirits and remind us of the beauty of connection. And may we never underestimate the power of tea and a friend to bring peace, comfort, and a touch of magic to our lives.

More on today’s Tea Time Tuesday podcast:

*Wonderful, gentle music for fall evenings. The story of Monica and Augustine, a treasure of a book

*Comfort food, and so much more.

Won’t you take time with a friend or loved one this week? Enjoy!

Get your copy of Teatime Discipleship for Mothers and Daughters today!

Teatime Discipleship for Mothers and Daughters: Pouring Faith, Love, and Beauty into Your Girl’s Heart By Clarkson, Sally