Sally Clarkson's Blog, page 42

Gentleness Opens Hearts

Click here to play today’s new podcast episode.

“Always to be gentle toward everyone.” Titus 3:2

Perhaps before I became a wife, or parent, I assumed, I would be able to be mature, healthy, loving, and successful at these relationships. Conflict in my own heart and life, the stress of living with so many needs and so many constant demands showed me my selfishness.

I longed for mercy, but especially for gentleness. I wanted to be understood--that I had a heart to be good at  these relationships but sometimes I just couldn't—my own selfishness got in the way. I meant to be patient, giving, loving, but I had my limits. As an idealist and “feeler” heart, I wanted compassion and sympathy, but especially a gentle response—not anger and condemnation.

And so did my children and husband—and all were different, all pushed my buttons in different ways. It was through my different children, the demands of everyday life, that I learned the need for gentleness, that I craved another chance—again. 

Where does a woman find the ability to be gentle, to show mercy, understanding, compassion?

When she understands that her heart is selfish, prone to making bad choices, limited in patience, and just beginning to understand what love requires. She understands that she herself is fragile; she will extend the grace she wishes to receive to others she loves, because they, too, are fragile and want gentleness and mercy.

If a woman understands that others, like her, are going to make mistakes, have accidents, show the dark heart of sin, she will not condemn them harshly for being so.

Instead, from a heart that knows she does not deserve the grace and love of Jesus, but receives it nonetheless, she will extend her patience, mercy and gentleness to others to show them the real heart of Jesus.

She will still teach, train, correct as Jesus did, knowing that gentleness and compassion come from a humbled heart.

Showing gentleness and mercy comes from a heart that recognizes the need for gentleness and mercy for herself.

In a study about gentleness recently, I found no less than 8 Biblical writers that place gentleness at the core of their call to righteousness. Today's podcast is about these leaders and what they wrote. God grant us gentleness.

Tea Time Tuesday: Love in Action

Click here to play today’s new podcast episode.

Warm Ginger Cake with vanilla caramel frosting and Ice Cream!

"Make space for relationships by setting apart time with a loved one."

Finances were always interesting in our family. There was always more need for money. Things came up like braces, a "kid's" car so they didn't always have mine, special occasions, lessons, and so much more. So, I started making my own hidden treasure box. Whenever I would get a check from someone for Christmas or my birthday--or other little ways, I would cash the check and put it in my own treasure box, so that it didn't go into the general checking account and when I needed some money for a splurge--there it was. This habit has served me well.

Recently, when Nathan and Keelia were visiting in Oxford, I snuck some money out of my treasure box and took them to a lovely private hotel. It used to be a parsonage right in the middle of Oxford. It has many interesting stories. But it is near where I live, they have a wonderful dining area with oil paintings of interesting people all around the walls and it is quiet and charming. We do not get the expensive high tea, but a cup of tea or coffee, a cake or specialty sweet, and just for that hour we feel special, share what is on our hearts and enjoy the quiet and beauty. You see in the photo, I ordered a classic ginger cake. It was wonderful. 

Lots of fun on Tea Time Tuesday today, but I am at the airport and have run out of time.

Do you find travel easy and fun or challenging and draining?

Everything has a cost, doesnt’t it? Hope your week is a good one. I love all of your comments and notes. Makes my day. Thanks so much.

Graceful Endurance: Remaining Under the Weight

Click here to play today’s new podcast episode.

Today finds me airborne over the ocean toward England. I will once more be walking the cobblestone streets of Oxford instead of hiking the trails of Colorado. What a wonderful holiday season I have had. Nathan and Keelia have been home with Clay and me. The rhythms of life have gone soul deep—Keelia, my daughter-in-law has made us her own special egg sandwiches for us each morning, followed by strong steaming coffee, with hours of rousing discussions about every subject in the world. Daily calls to the rest of our sweet ones have added flavor to the moments of our days.

Through so many years, the days were repetitive, me, with all of my heart, teaching truths, reading and discussing great ideas, thousands of meals and dirty dishes to be dealt with, attitudes to be corrected, a little math and science thrown in along the way. Days were exhausting and sometimes I wondered if all of my effort and energy were making even an iota of an impact or if my work mattered.

Yet, Clay and I would speak of biblical endurance—which in the original language means to “remain under the weight.” It was the grace of endurance, to remain under, that caused us, eventually to see the beautiful work God was doing in all of our lives. One day, one step at a time, and a legacy emerged of love, faith, fully flourishing adult children—all by grace.

As I look back, I am sometimes amazed at the ways God has led, lessons learned, souls were shaped, faith grew. It all started when I made a quiet commitment to Him. I was by myself in a very small hotel room, reading my Bible on a getaway. It was as though the Lord whispered, “Will you be mine? Serve me? Follow me anywhere?” I wanted to be His, I wanted to serve Him with all my heart. I said, “Yes, if you will help me.”

And as I look back, many seasons were challenging, amidst lots of joy mingled with love. But I see that He blessed me, stretched me, helped me, deepened me through walking with Him day by day. Now the story continues in a different continent, but He is still leading.

Friends, your love, serving, faith matters so much today.

Awaking Wonder: Inspiration for a New Season

Click here to play today’s new podcast episode.

“A Mentor: A Trusted Guide or Counselor who maximizes the human potential of those who are the subject of influence and encouragement.” - Awaking Wonder

Several years ago, when I first launched my book, Awaking Wonder, I hired a videographer to record 12 sessions, accompanying each chapter of my book. I wanted the messages to embody the wisdom I had learned from 38 years of being a mama and from learning how to maximize the potential of my own children.

The older I get, the more I love the capacity God gave to women. My deep desire is to help draw out, inspire, encourage, teach people in my wake that God has given them great potential and possibility of accessing amazing potential in their lifetimes. We are called to reach out to others, to show them the light of Christ, to embody wisdom, love, integrity and faith in our worlds so that they might see the reality of God in and through us.

As I was praying about what I could do this month to come alongside the wonderful friends in my community, to give them some refreshment, some inspiration, I wanted to make these videos available again, for free. Normally they live in my membership, LIfe With Sally. But for 10 days, you can access them, watch them over and over, use them as you wish as a gift from me, all of our ministry team to you.

I hope they will encourage you and fill you up with lots of new ideas. Whether you are single, married, working outside your home, or a stay-at-home mom, you are called by the heart of Jesus to give of yourself to others. So, though much of this is geared to education at home, much of it is just basic material about how to mentor and teach others.

Click here to fill out the form to get all 12 conference videos sent to your email.

Tens of thousands enjoyed these videos the last time we released them. Let me know what you think! I hope you are encouraged. I share them with lots of love and hope that you enjoy hearing from my own story of life with all the Clarksons over the years.

Be sure to get a copy of Awaking Wonder if you do not have one.

Awaking Wonder: Opening Your Child's Heart to the Beauty of Learning By Clarkson, Sally

Creating Beauty Mirrors the Reality of God in Our World

When we take the time to order our place in a beautiful expression of our own making, to reflect design and color on a table, or through feasting, or giving deliciousness to life, we are mirroring the reality of God in our world. One of the marks of a godly woman is that she takes responsibility for her soul's need for joy and delight and to craft such places where she might find rest and be inspired. To express such beauty is an expression of worship.

Another way of looking at it is that a woman is a conductor, who leads the orchestra of her surroundings in the songs and music of her life. God is a God of creativity and dimension, and so He is pleased when we we co-create beauty in our own realm, through the power of His Spirit.

It was a profound realization when I understood that I could become an artist with my very life in many faceted dimensions of my own world.

-From The Lifegiving Home by Sally Clarkson

Tea Time Tuesday: Keep Up Your Courage, Friends

Click here to play today’s new podcast episode.

I have had to take some deep breaths and several long cups of coffee (Tea Time Tuesday includes coffee!) to center myself, to get perspective and to ready my heart to face what is here now and what stress surely lies ahead.

Tea Time Tuesdays and tea time in general is a recognition that it takes time to center oneself, to gather courage to face life with faith, to find the love deep in our hearts to be able to keep loving the unlovable one who is taxing us during each season. To keep our thoughts and feelings in perspective by centering ourselves and having time to put them in the file drawer of heaven takes intentionality and time. Tea times will get us through the years of constant storms. Take time so that you may take courage for your life this week.

Have you noticed? All people are a little quirky and you are, too.

All families are crazy and challenging in their own ways. Don’t think it is just you or your family that is hard, or your child who feels impossible and gives pushback from time to time. Or your husband is uniquely difficult. You are in good company. All of us in a fallen world deal with these things from time to time—and there is no magical formula you could have followed to keep your children from ever arguing or questioning you. It is all a normal part of life.

In. your lifetime, no matter how hard you try, what goodness you have invested in others in your lifetime, you will be criticized, challenged, hurt—by the very ones you have served.

After almost 60 years of subduing the life God has given me, I have walked through my fair share of adventures, joys, relationship heartbreak and disasters of all sorts. One of the worst things the enemy can do is to truly convince us that our situation is unique, that we are completely alone, and that we will never be able to make it out to see the silver lining. While it's easy to believe that we are unique in these times of darkness and difficulty, scripture is filled with stories of disaster and destruction.e

Today, I review the disastrous storm in which Paul found himself and other passengers who were scared. He teaches us about how to rally others to courage and faith.

Food includes: Chile Con Queso, Sticky Toffee Pudding

Singer-songwriters I love.

A Book to inspire

My life the past weeks and more. Join me and tell your friends.

We read about Paul’s storm in Acts 27:10:

"Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also."

Paul was in the midst of a disastrous situation, and he made sure to warn his crew about the storm that he believed would cause absolute destruction. This would be a very different story if Paul left things off right there with warnings, worry, and hopelessness. However, an angel spoke to Paul and he went on to tell his crew in verse 25:

"Keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me."

Paul's words of hope and faith restored the crew and gave them courage.

Jesus himself encountered many disastrous situations. However, even in the midst of raging seas, He spoke peace and calm over the chaos. How would you react if a crazy, angry, hateful crowd came up to you and attempted to throw you off a cliff? When that happened to Jesus, He simply passed through those people and went to the next town. Even when the devil plotted hate and harm against Him, Jesus never allowed anything to stand in the way of His purpose.

Because of the coming of Jesus, He took away any power the enemy could have to hurt us. However, we still have to choose faith, choose courage, and choose to keep walking through the disasters until we find joy. Perhaps you are in the midst of a battle right now, a war that is raging in your heart and soul. I challenge you to walk with courage and faith through this season, no matter how disastrous the voyage may appear to be. Just like the apostle Paul, your words of hope and faith will give you the strength and courage to keep going.F

The Lifegiving Home Plan: 2023

Click here to play today’s new podcast episode.

I love the feel of January, though, because there's sense of something new and refreshing. The feel of a new beginning and fresh goals.

So many have written me about helping them to set up goals for to cultivate a “Lifegiving Home” I thought I would give you some planning sheets to help along the way. I have included some rituals to strengthen or include into your own rhythms. Everything from devotional routines and meal time routines to cleaning routines to the reading-hour routine. We probably all do these in some capacity. But what can you do to strengthen them? What can you do to make them unique to your family? Special particularly for them?

There is no one right way to live life in a home. No one size of routine or rules or order fits all. Homes with young children will be quite different from a single-adult home. Elderly adults will order their lives by different life rituals than will single adults, young marrieds, or university students. But the more carefully we plan our days, the better our homes will provide us with freedom and enjoyment as well as purpose and accomplishment.

Familiar rhythms and routines give structure that provides leadership and personal care to all who live there. When children and guests know what to expect, they also know how to ask for their personal needs to be met and understand what part they play in the life of the home. -Sally Clarkson

Hope this helps you enter 2023 with grace. I have included 4 pages of goals on Insta and for download on SallyClarkson.com

Books Referenced in this Podcast: Join Life with Sally! FOR MORE

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.

Leave an iTunes Review These are so important as they help our podcast reach more women with messages of encouragement.

Follow on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates.

Share with others. My prayer is that this podcast brings encouragement to women and families, and I would be honored for you to tell others about it.

Join my friends and me in membership at Life with Sally, a place for me to share more teaching from the Bible and messages on education, motherhood, discipleship, and more

Decluttering Your Heart and Soul for 2023

Click here to play today’s new podcast episode.

Many years ago, I began the habit of taking time at the beginning of the new year to declutter my heart and soul. Sometimes we store up emotional burdens, rehearsed destructive messages we have received from others (sometimes loved ones, sometimes others). There are burdens of shame or guilt for how we have failed or ways we think we have fallen short. There is unforgiveness, or even just a distant “feeling” from the God we love.

Many people have come to depend on this yearly message that I give. Yet, this year, I have been convicted by the Lord to scrutinize some areas more deeply. I am calling this “The Year of Heart,” in my pursuit of God, and in the ways of examining my soul. (I will talk more about this in-depth at lifewithsally.com this month—I would love for you to join me there.) As in any relationship, what I cherish in my heart about someone is how I truly behave toward them, value them. And so I am adding a component to my decluttering.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart,” Matt. 22:37

“Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.”Proverbs 4:23

Where is my heart—is it devoted to Him in every aspect of life?

Do I make sure to throw out poisonous or discontent thoughts that tempt me to pull away from a secure belief in His love?

Do I allow what He values to grow deeply in my heart (people, family, children, friends, poor, needy, hurting people—learning to extend kindness, love, hospitality, serving others cheerfully and with all my heart or do I focus my heart more on material things, temporal values and pleasures?

Am I grateful and therefore content for the life He has provided for me or am I resentful for unanswered prayers or the difficulties that are in my life every day.

Do I love my neighbor with all my heart as He desires? Or do I resent having to serve, care for, give time and attention to those who are within the realm of “my responsibility?”

Shining the light of God’s word and spending time to clear out the rubbish of these heart attitudes have helped me start the new year with new biblical, God-pleasing resolutions. These commitments are not works that I have to accomplish perfectly. Instead, they represent for me a direction I want to move toward—to be more like Christ, deepening in compassion, loving Him a little more every day, growing in love and patience in my heart.

Now, for the rest of the post—some of the things we must declutter.

“In quietness and rest shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15 You need to come to me and give me all those things that are weighing on your heart. Resolve to seek rest and peace.

“Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29

I listed all of my issues this morning in my journal (and there seem to be multitudes of clutter piles in my soul--worries, attitudes, bitterness, weariness, fear, sin and a few more!) These are issues that will suck me dry and my energy dry if I do not notice them in order to clean out my soul!

The Lord prompted, "List all of your issues, give them over to me, don’t hold on to them. I am capable of taking them from you and being responsible so that you will not be weary or carry what you are not capable of carrying.

"Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him. “ Psalm 37:7

Focus on resting in Me—sit in My lap, so to speak, rest in My arms. Let Me carry you. I love you.. Wait for My timing. Don’t force things or beg Me to hurry up. I am in control.

“Be still (cease striving) and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 “Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me.” Psalm 131:2

Give Me your attention and get control of your spirit. Be quiet. Be still. Recognize My sovereignty and transcendence. Remember what Jesus said, “Our Father who art in heaven, holy is your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Jesus modeled his understanding that My will is what you need to rest in. I am in heaven and I see all things—the future, the past, your children, your relationships, --all your clutter. Give them to Me. Quiet your soul and rest in My strength and power.

“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one little child like this receives me.” Matthew 18:3-5

Come to Me as a child—even as your children, in their innocence and sweetness of heart, know that you will care for them and meet their needs because you are a loving parent who cares for them, so I am your Father who will take care of you. Leave the burdens to your Father and take your rightful place as a child. Humble yourself and trust Me. Enjoy me. Delight in the beautiful moments of this day. Notice the little miracles. Live as an unfettered child. Accept your little and big children and receive them as a gift from Me, and your will indeed receive Me into your midst.

“ ... a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.” I Peter 3:4

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about so many things. But really one is needed and Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10 41-42

Don’t worry and fret and stew and stir up unnecessary dust. Choose simplicity—just one thing I require—that you give it all to me and love Me. I will take over. Even as I gave and provided a Sabbath in which all of My children should have rest from their work, so I want you to live in My Sabbath rest for your soul. Rest from your striving and labor. Take time for naps, for pleasure, for joy. This day you have to receive as a gift--I can't promise what tomorrow will hold. But today you can love, give peace, speak kind and wise words, dance in your soul with my secret pleasure that comes from knowing that I love you. Simplify your life, don’t make choices that will complicate or add unnecessary pressure or cause you to sin or grumble. “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life,” as Paul said.

So, as I yielded my lists into God’s hands and de-cluttered my troubled soul, I left feeling that even as my house has been coming to order, after we cleaned and straightened it yesterday, now my soul is moving in the direction of order.

FOR MORE

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.

Leave an iTunes Review These are so important as they help our podcast reach more women with messages of encouragement.

Follow on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates.

Share with others. My prayer is that this podcast brings encouragement to women and families, and I would be honored for you to tell others about it.

Join my friends and me in membership at Life with Sally, a place for me to share more teaching from the Bible and messages on education, motherhood, discipleship, and more

Tea Time Tuesday: Pondering Mary this Christmas

Click here to play today’s new podcast episode.

“When you have found someone with whom you can enjoy taking tea, you have found a friend for life.”

-Earlene Grey

Today, my friends, take a load off. Grab a cuppa something wonderful, marvel at this worthy moment, and enter the story. 

In my home, at 3:30, you put away your work, play, movie, and computer and expectantly meet in the kitchen to grab a cup of brew. Stockings are hung, tea is poured, and candles are lit. Clarksons can be found every afternoon basking in the comfort and pleasure of shared friendship, and deep conversations. Pecan sandies and butterscotch cookies are the sweets of this day. It is true, we are friends for life from hundreds of such times together. It happens every single day, whoever is here, we soak up the deliciousness of the bond we share, and the belonging we feel.

To create a sense of place where we belong to one another, to always know we have a forever community has been the underlying goal for me as I created this rhythm of teatime friendship. I am especially attentive to this now as I know the gift of the presence of my children is temporary. I will not be able to see their sparkling eyes, hear their bold convictions, belly-laughing stories, secrets whispered, fears shared in January, as we will all have gone to the other ends of the world. Cherishing the moments is a gift that comes through practice.

I hope you have many tea time moments with your people this Christmas season.

Podcast: Pondering Mary, one of my favorite role models, I speak today of what was in her heart when God says, "Greetings, you who are highly favored. The Lord is with you."

What was there about Mary that prompted God to find favor in her? What words I would love to hear: "The Lord is with you." What comfort. 

*Join me as I explore her deep significance in this story to redeem the world. 

*Find a recipe online for sugar cookies that includes almond extract. Learn my secret recipe for delicious, ten minute sauteed chicken for salad, rice, noodles or potatoes.

And please share with me some of your quick and favorite winter, Christmas meals, cookie recipes, and Christmas books. What is filling your days?

FOR MORE

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.

Leave an iTunes Review These are so important as they help our podcast reach more women with messages of encouragement.

Follow on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates.

Share with others. My prayer is that this podcast brings encouragement to women and families, and I would be honored for you to tell others about it.

Join my friends and me in membership at Life with Sally, a place for me to share more teaching from the Bible and messages on education, motherhood, discipleship, and more

Pondering Mary this Christmas

Click here to play today’s new podcast episode.

“When you have found someone with whom you can enjoy taking tea, you have found a friend for life.”

-Earlene Grey

Today, my friends, take a load off. Grab a cuppa something wonderful, marvel at this worthy moment, and enter the story. 

In my home, at 3:30, you put away your work, play, movie, and computer and expectantly meet in the kitchen to grab a cup of brew. Stockings are hung, tea is poured, and candles are lit. Clarksons can be found every afternoon basking in the comfort and pleasure of shared friendship, and deep conversations. Pecan sandies and butterscotch cookies are the sweets of this day. It is true, we are friends for life from hundreds of such times together. It happens every single day, whoever is here, we soak up the deliciousness of the bond we share, and the belonging we feel.

To create a sense of place where we belong to one another, to always know we have a forever community has been the underlying goal for me as I created this rhythm of teatime friendship. I am especially attentive to this now as I know the gift of the presence of my children is temporary. I will not be able to see their sparkling eyes, hear their bold convictions, belly-laughing stories, secrets whispered, fears shared in January, as we will all have gone to the other ends of the world. Cherishing the moments is a gift that comes through practice.

I hope you have many tea time moments with your people this Christmas season.

Podcast: Pondering Mary, one of my favorite role models, I speak today of what was in her heart when God says, "Greetings, you who are highly favored. The Lord is with you."

What was there about Mary that prompted God to find favor in her? What words I would love to hear: "The Lord is with you." What comfort. 

*Join me as I explore her deep significance in this story to redeem the world. 

*Find a recipe online for sugar cookies that includes almond extract. Learn my secret recipe for delicious, ten minute sauteed chicken for salad, rice, noodles or potatoes.

And please share with me some of your quick and favorite winter, Christmas meals, cookie recipes, and Christmas books. What is filling your days?

FOR MORE

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.

Leave an iTunes Review These are so important as they help our podcast reach more women with messages of encouragement.

Follow on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates.

Share with others. My prayer is that this podcast brings encouragement to women and families, and I would be honored for you to tell others about it.

Join my friends and me in membership at Life with Sally, a place for me to share more teaching from the Bible and messages on education, motherhood, discipleship, and more