Catherine Bird's Blog, page 2

A Redesigned Life

“The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry” (Of Mice and Men). Truer words, right? If you had asked me 15 years ago where I would be today, my answer would certainly not reflect the season where I am and the path God has led me down to get here. The Designer of my heart knows me to my very core, but how often have I wondered about his plan and his purpose?

But the One who crafted time itself and weaved each and every living thing into a beautiful tapestry of creation does have a plan. He always has a plan. If we’re being honest, his plan very seldom resembles the intricate organized designs we make for ourselves, and thank goodness for that.

Nearly six years ago, I stepped into a small restaurant in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to meet a new online friend who had endorsed my first Bible study. Even though it was very un-introvert of me, I couldn’t deny the pull I felt toward this new friend. God gave me such a heart for her, and I learned this funny, outgoing, gem of a soul was mourning her mama who had celebrated her heavenly coronation after battling breast cancer for more than a decade.

Tracy and I could not have been more different. We even lived in different states. Yet, God drew us together time and time again, and we delved deeper into a sisterhood neither one of us saw coming.

We clocked hours of phone conversations and in-person visits when we could manage them. Four years later, it was my mom who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. In the tattered mess of my life, God gifted me with a sweet voice that knew my pain, a tender friend who had experienced the heart-wrenching sorrow that threatened to swallow me.

Our good, good Father had a plan. It resembled nothing of the perfect dream I’d imagined for myself, but I trusted him. I leaned deeply into the trust my friend, Tracy, had been talking about since I first met her. We both embraced the bold truth that our God wastes nothing. Every tear, every giggle, every blessing, every experience that brings us to our knees…God uses them all for the life he has lovingly and purposefully designed for each and every one of us.

Those who know me also are very aware of how much I love to craft and decorate. With the prevalence of the DIY movement and my very favorite social media platform, Pinterest, I feel confident there are plenty of others who love great design ideas, too. Mmmmm—fabric samples, paint chips and a weekend in Round Top, Texas, looking for old treasures to reimagine—yes, please.

Tracy and I found this was another love we shared, although truth be told, it’s usually me asking advice from my interior designer friend. Just like me, Tracy has been working on her own perfect life plan. She’s crazy talented, driven, and her capacity to love so big never fails to blow me away. Yet, Tracy is not immune to the process of laying her dreams at God’s feet and trusting him to remain true to his plan and purpose, accomplishing them both in and through every season of her life.

Part of her life’s design she never imagined was the birth of A Redesigned Life: Uncovering God’s Purpose When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned. In my friend’s new book, Tracy draws from time-honored design principles such as movement, contrast, and pattern, and blends these concepts with beautiful life examples of the assurance that God is our ever-present, caring Designer.

With her trademark mix of wit and wisdom, Tracy has given us a book that is chock full of Biblical wisdom and personal testimony that will tickle the inner designer within you while leaving your spirit feeling full and encouraged. It feels deeply personal as though Tracy wrote this message just for me, and I feel confident you’ll feel that same connection to my friend and her new book baby. Especially as kids begin school once again and our calendars are one again filled to the brim, we all know life happens. Tracy’s book is timely and such sweet encouragement no matter what season you may be in.

Tracy is such an encourager to her family and friends, which includes the lady who sat next to her on the plane last week.

Ready to Get to Work – and a Special Introduction

Friends,

My goodness. It’s been awhile, hasn’t it? So much as happened since I last wrote to you. As many of you know, my mom won her battle against cancer on June 21, 2017.

Yet, as she stepped into the arms of Jesus, those of us left behind on earth were shattered.

My mom’s death wrecked me.

God is so faithful, though. I am a firm believer that our God wastes nothing. Every experience, good or bad, every tear, whether shed in joy or in sorrow…our God uses them all. The first year after my mom’s heavenly coronation was so tough. I used to talk with her every day, often more than once. In all the ways I’ve missed her, not hearing her voice has been the worst.

But God was so faithful. Out of my grief came The Art of Amen: A Creative Prayer Experience. I’ll share more in the coming weeks, as it took a village for this project to see fruition. I can’t wait to highlight each person who fervently prayed and supported the writing of this book. It’s so special to me, and it was born from a deep place within my soul.

Please let me share it with you along with the first person I’d love to thank for her belief in this message and the contribution she made to The Art of Amen.

Friends, meet Katie Reid.

Writer, Singer, Speaker, Mom, Friend.

She encompasses all of these roles and does so gracefully. Katie is the author of Made Like Martha: Good News for the Woman Who Gets Things Done, a super encouraging book about finding grace and freedom from all of our Martha-like tendencies.

“Doers need to be affirmed in their innate design to do rather than sit, yet also be reminded that they don’t have to overdo it in order to be worthy.”

This message resonated with me so deeply, and I actually talk a little about this in the The Art of Amen.

If you’re like Katie and me, you can relate to the Martha we meet in the Gospels of Luke and John. Her sister Mary and brother Lazarus (whom Jesus raised from the dead in John 11:1–44) are also present in Scripture. Jesus was quite familiar with the family, and John 11:5 tells us he loved them dearly. However, it’s the story of Martha in the Gospel of Luke that makes me want to rethink my color-coded calendars.

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her”  (Luke 10:38–42 NLT).

Even though Martha knew Jesus well, he was still a guest in her home. The passage in Luke 10 oozes with Martha’s anxiety. There’s dinner to be made. Do we have everything we need, and will there be enough? The house is a wreck. Seriously, stuff is strewn everywhere. Does no one else bother to pick up his or her things? Who will help her clean? And because Martha is the one worried about dinner and cleaning, we can imagine she probably didn’t have time to change into clean clothes and fix her face and hair. She was vibrating with feelings of, “Why isn’t anyone else helping?”

Then there’s her sister, Mary, just sitting calmly and peacefully at the feet of Jesus. While Martha stands sweating from her efforts, there is sweet Mary, sitting without a care in the world. Can Mary not see the dirt on the floor and that the table still needs to be set? Martha is ready to jerk her sister up by her hair. We can tell Martha has had more than she can stand when she implores Jesus to make Mary get up and help her. Haven’t you ever felt that deep frustration when you feel like all that needs to be done rests firmly upon your shoulders alone?

But what does Jesus say?

He says, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her” (Luke 10:41–42 MSG).

Jesus talking to Martha, his love for her beyond anything she could humanly comprehend. His love and calmness was likely evident in his tender tone as he spoke to Martha.

Can you imagine?

“It’s okay, dear Martha. You are okay. So many things weigh down your heart, and these details feel oh so important. Yet they are not. Only one thing is needed, and coming to me is the perfect thing to do.

“You came to me asking for help, and I want to lighten your load. I can carry the burden when you set those worries and concerns at my feet. You are released from preparing the perfect dinner, from having the perfectly cleaned home that is decorated just so, from being the perfect hostess, from having the perfectly coiffed hair. All of those things are fleeting, but my love for you is not. The things of this world are nothing compared to the life I have prepared for you.”

When it became clear that God was going to heal my mom his way, not the way we had prayed, it took me to my knees. Just like I imagined he once spoke to Martha in the way she needed to hear him, I heard Jesus whispering words of comfort and love to me.

“It’s okay, dear Catherine. You are okay. So many things weigh on your heart, and these details feel oh so important. Yet they are not. Only one thing is needed, and coming to me is the perfect thing to do.

“You came to me asking for help, and I want to lighten your load. I can carry the burden when you set those worries and concerns at my feet. You are released from worrying over your mom, for she is mine as are you, from keeping the perfectly paced life in the midst of this painful storm, from being strong for all those around you. That is for me to do. Earthly pain and suffering is fleeting, but my love for you is not. The things of this world are nothing compared to the life I have prepared for you. Trust me, daughter.”

And I do. I do trust him. Because out of this dark, dark place came encouragement that I want to share with each of you. I seem to transition from busy season to busy season, some more joyful than others…but through them all, I’ve struggled to find a quiet time each day to pray. It wasn’t until after my mom’s death that I realized there are so many creative prayer offerings we can share with our Creator.

Instead of feeling defeated when my daily plan was shot to you-know-what, I learned to embrace a more relational prayer life with God.

It set me free from the rigid, perfect plan I always imagined for myself.

Katie recently invited me to share encouragement for our fellow Marthas on her blog. I invite you to the discussion as we encourage other mamas who struggle with an imperfect prayer life. We pick up the discussion from today’s blog post there…

 

Katie also has some great resources on her website. Take a minute and check them out. You’ll be so glad you did!

Thank you for the grace, friends. I needed space to grieve, to sit quietly in God’s lap seeking comfort and the reassuring love of my Heavenly Father. He held me, rocked me, and reminded me how much he loves me. With the writing of The Art of Amen, it’s like God gave me a squeeze, gently pushed me off his lap, and said, “Okay, love. It’s time to get back to work.”

So here I am.

Ready to encourage, ready to serve, and ready to do the work I know God has called me to do.

Thank you for waiting for me. Imagine me putting my arm around you right now. I’m suited up and ready to head back into the mission field, and I’m so happy you are here.

Two are better than one,

because they have a good return for their labor:

If either of them falls down,

one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls

and has no one to help them up.

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.

But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,

two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV)

The post Ready to Get to Work – and a Special Introduction appeared first on Catherine Bird.

2018 Word of the Year

Applying my #wordoftheyear to all areas of my life.

2017 was tough for so many reasons, the most important reason being the passing of my mom…a person whose voice I heard every single day, sometimes often more than once. Her illness consumed the lives of my family, and her death left a permanent scar on our hearts. I was there when she exhaled for the last time and stepped from her hospice bed into the arms of Jesus. What a beautiful gift. Yet, her chair remains noticeably empty. As I reflected on a word for 2018, my mom’s last exhale kept coming to mind.

Definition of EHXALE

ex·hale

eksˈhāl,ˈeksˌhāl/

verb

• breathe out in a deliberate manner.

Exhale. To breathe out.

Breathing out means also breathing in. Breathing in the precious gift of life. Breathing in God’s Word. Breathing in my family and friends. Breathing in each moment that no one is promised and living each day to its fullest. Then breathing out. Breathing out stress. Breathing out doubt for God’s plan. Breathing out during yoga class as I prioritize my spiritual and physical wellness.

So in 2018, I intend to focus on #exhaling. Where will you set your intention for the upcoming year? What word did God place on your heart? 

Friend, it is always my privilege to pray for you. Please let me know how I can be covering you with prayer. I pray blessings for you and yours in this New Year.

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Looking for a unique stocking stuffer?

Looking for a thoughtful stocking stuffer for a special tween girl? Check out the Girls of Grace Bible study set! Amazon is offering Building Circles of Grace on sale for $11.07!

The post Looking for a unique stocking stuffer? appeared first on Catherine Bird.

{GIVEAWAY} with Lynn Cowell & Teri Lynne Underwood

Hi, friends!

I am so excited to announce a joint {GIVEAWAY} with my friends, Lynn Cowell and Teri Lynne Underwood. We are gifting THREE COMPLETE SETS of what we think is the ultimate mom and tween girl study set. Eek! We are so stoked!

Just take a peek at what’s included!

Lynn, Teri Lynne and I are each giving away a complete set of these books to a winner on our Facebook author pages. Click here for details on how to enter! Three winners will be announced on Monday, 9/18.

Be blessed, mamas!

About the authors:

Catherine Bird is an author, speaker, and Bible teacher who is passionate about moms and daughters and loves to encourage each—small and tall—in their own journey of faith. She is the author of Becoming a Girl of Grace: A Bible Study for Tween Girls & their Moms, Building Circles of Grace, A Girl of Grace Study, and Preparing a Way: An Advent Devotional for Tween Girls and their Moms. Connect with Catherine on her blog, Facebook, and Instagram.

Lynn Cowell is a national conference speaker who is passionate about helping women of all ages understand the importance of Christ confidence. She is the author of several books including her newest for women Make Your Move: Finding Unshakable Confidence Despite Your Fears and Failures, and Brave Beauty: Finding the Fearless You just for girls ages 8 – 12.  Connect with Lynn on her blog, Facebook, and Instagram.

Teri Lynne is a pastor’s wife, ministry speaker, and Bible teacher. As the founder of www.PrayersforGirls.com, Teri Lynne is a cheerleader for girl moms and the author of Praying for Girls: Asking God for the Things They Need Most. Connect with Teri Lynne on her blog, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Walking into the Arena

It’s tough for me to believe my grandmother has been gone four years.  Grandparents are such special people.  My grandmother, or Mama Gal as she was to me, was truly one of the most remarkable people I’ve ever known.

I grew up knowing she adored her family, had a heart for serving others and exuded more grace than I thought was humanly possible.  I never heard her utter an ugly word about anyone, and it was my grandmother who instilled in me the importance of showing grace and giving others the benefit of the doubt or forgiveness when we were wounded by broken trust–no matter what the situation.  She was such a beautiful person.

What I miss most is her bright smile and her laugh. I loved how happy she always was to see me, and I was just as happy to see her. Her face would light up, and she would say, “Hi, honey!”

My favorite memories of Mama Gal are from family Christmas celebrations at her house and many a weekend spent at Mama Gal and Papa Jack’s lake house.  When we were at the lake, those two would rise in the morning waaaay before anyone else–with Papa Jack raising the flag on the dock to let early fishermen and boaters know they were welcome to stop for coffee and breakfast.  Southern hospitality at its finest…

(view of the lake from the dock)

I learned how to fish at Mama Gal and Papa Jack’s lake house, and I can remember playing “Dukes of Hazard” with my brothers and cousins. Wow…keeping the 80’s cool, friends. Homemade ice cream, cookouts and swinging on the back deck with Mama Gal…many, many wonderful memories were made in the little house on Lake Claiborne.  Family was important to her, and she never left room for doubt about that.

(Five generations of Crain ladies–yes, that little sugar bear is me!)

Then, there were the quiet moments with Mama Gal on her back porch in Shreveport. I can remember sitting with her countless times on that patio. We sat and rocked as she patiently explained all the types of flowers in her garden. We didn’t just talk about flowers, though. I was always full of questions like, “What were you like when you were my age, Mama Gal?” And she always answered with a smile as she rocked in her chair.

My favorite stories often involved my grandmother and Aunt Ann (Mama Gal’s aunt who was near her own age). I think ALL the kids loved going with Mama Gal to visit Aunt Ann! The stories they shared were hysterical, and it was fun to see Mama Gal still had that mischievous gleam in her eye! I utterly adored her.

As a kiddo, I knew my grandmother was an amazing cook, a gentile Southern lady and one of my most favorite people in the world. As I grew older, though, she showed me another side of her – equally amazing and wonderful. She was a phenomenal writer and prayer warrior, too. I’m so thankful that I was able to appreciate a deeper side to her as I became an adult. I love that our conversations transitioned over time. She always listened intently as I talked. Then, she’d smile, rock in her chair and respond with something like, “Honey, let me tell you what…”

It did not dawn on me until after my sweet grandmother was gone from earth just how profound of an impact she had on the person I strive to be.  She was not about lip service, but rather my grandmother was about lifting others up through encouragement and service…something my own mom modeled beautifully as well.

My mom has been gone for almost three months, and I MISS HER SO MUCH. Gosh, I miss both of these ladies more than I could ever adequately convey with words. Their absence has left such a hole in my heart, but the lessons they taught about life, love and faith are still profoundly felt.

Neither of their  lives were all rainbows and daisies, but my mom nor my Mama Gal ever ceased in opening their hearts to others.  To showing vulnerability, compassion and kindness.  They knew they weren’t perfect, but that didn’t stop either lady from celebrating the gifts God gave them and using those abilities to help others.

“When we spend our lives waiting until we’re perfect or bulletproof before we walk into the arena, we ultimately sacrifice relationships and opportunities that may not be recoverable, we squander precious time, and we turn our backs on our gifts, those unique contributions that only we can make” (Daring Greatly,  Brene’ Brown).

My grandmother nor my mom ever hesitated to wrap me in their arms and just hug on me. I never wondered how much they loved me. We said all we needed to say every time we were together, and I LOVE that they taught me that valuable life lesson. My heart still aches from the loss of them on earth, and I miss both of these Southern gals so much. But I know they are both happy, whole and free. And I know my mom and Mama Gal will be two of the first to welcome me to heaven one day with a, “Hi, honey!”

“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”  ( Proverbs 31:29)

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Announcing #girlmom September Giveaway

Calling all #girlmoms!

GIVEAWAY ALERT: The August giveaway for Building Circles of Grace was so fun that I want to do it again! Introducing September’s fun mom and daughter giveaway!

This month’s goodies includes:

1 Becoming a Girl of Grace book for mamas and tween girls
1 Building Circles of Grace book
1 complete set of BRAND NEW printed scripture cards that compliment each Bible study
A $50 Visa gift card to put toward a mom and daughter date night.

For details on how to enter, click here!

Giveaway ends Saturday, September 30, at midnight. The winner will be notified via email.

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The Power of Service & Community

Hi friends, Ash here!

I want to talk with you briefly about the power of service and community. With the damage Hurricane Harvey has left behind, it has been amazing to see not only the people in my local community, but also people all around the world come together to support the victims of this historic storm. It is truly incredible. In times like these, this is where we really see God’s beauty in mankind.

I heard on the news last week that Hurricane Harvey dumped a year’s worth of rain in one week on the Southeast Texas community. Think about that. It’s hard to even imagine. Recovery efforts are going to take years, maybe even decades. And the truth is many people whose lives have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey will never be the same.

This past weekend, I was given the opportunity to serve at my church to help with hurricane relief efforts by making flood buckets. I don’t know what I expected, but I did not expect to see the parking lot as full as if it were a busy Sunday morning. My mom, sister and I walked into our Family Life Center, and the room was literally busting at the seams with people. We listened to instructions and then took our turn down the assembly line where we added cleaning supplies, toiletries and other house necessities.

My heart felt so full being apart of something so meaningful. So many people were there to volunteer and help that we were only able to fill one bucket per person. What an awesome problem to have!

One thing that I would encourage you girls to do is to find ways you can serve your community, and don’t let a lack of pennies keep you from making a positive difference. Of course, I recommend discussing with your moms to find the perfect way for you to volunteer. I also encourage you to serve together. There is no better way to build memories with your family than while you are also building community.

Plenty of places offer youth volunteer opportunities. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

American Red Cross (click the link, then scroll down for opportunities for young people)
Austin Humane Society (must be 14 years old, and this requires a $20 orientation fee)
Central Texas Food Bank
Salvation Army (search by your zip code, then youth service opportunities)
SPCA of Texas (minimum age for volunteer is 10 with a parent; requires $50 for a parent/child team)
Check with your church or another local house of worship (they often coordinate community volunteer opportunities)
Mission trips (Look for mission trips from your area to areas impacted by Hurricane Harvey)

Hurricane Harvey has shown me how important community is.

I’m going to be real here. Sometimes when it comes to volunteering, I don’t always feel like I do enough work or really make a difference. That is a lie that Satan tries to convince us is truth. However, the real truth is that any effort or time you put into these projects has meaning and impact.

My mom reminds my sister and me often that God created us for community. We weren’t created to make it alone, which is why in light of so many disheartening things we see and read in the news, that generosity and kindness we are seeing in response to Hurricane Harvey should give us hope.

Because there is hope.

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#prayersforTexas and Ways YOU Can Help

Devastation. Epic flooding. Lives irrevocably changed. Waters still rising. Images too horrific for words splattered all over our televisions and news feeds.  My daddy is in Houston, friends. So many of us, our family, and our friends have been affected by Hurricane Harvey.

I can’t stop watching the news and the Weather Channel.  If you’re like me, you want to help but feel helpless as where to start.  That’s where there is good news in the midst of so much sadness and loss.

HOPE.

Images of neighbors who have never met coming to the aid of a friend in need.

Good samaritans loading up boats and supplies from other Texas areas and other states who have headed to Houston to assist with the high-water rescue efforts.

COMMUNITIES COMING TOGETHER.

We are witnessing a bright spot of humanity as people, organizations and communities literally from all over the country who have come together to lend assistance to our neighbors in need.

Below is a list of organizations and WAYS YOU CAN HELP while flood waters continue to rise in part of Southeast Texas.  This is by no means an exhaustive list, but these are just a few ways we can help our family members, friends and neighbors affected by Hurricane Harvey.

American Red Cross — which provides emergency assistance and disaster relief.  Most of us are familiar with the awesome work our Red Cross staff and volunteers provide.  HOW TO DONATE: Click here.
Central Texas Food Bank — which provides food for disaster victims.  HOW TO DONATE: Click here.
First United Methodist Church – Round Rock — is raising donations to purchase supplies for Flood Buckets and Health Kits. Volunteer opportunities to help assemble the buckets and kits are also available. HOW TO DONATE: Click here.
H.E. Butt Grocery Co.  (fondly known to Texans as our local H-E-B) — offering customers an opportunity to support victims through donations of $1, $3, or $5, which can be added to their total grocery bill.  H-E-B is providing hot meals to evacuees, supplies for our displaced neighbors and recently committed $100,000 toward the #hurricaneharvey relief effort.  HOW TO DONATE: Visit local H-E-B and make your donation at the register.
The Houston Coalition for the Homeless — which is coordinating shelter for homeless neighbors in Houston, including offering timely information about which shelters currently have space, who’s the best fit for each one, and how to get there safely.   HOW TO DONATE: Click here.
Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation — which provides disaster relief for our four-legged friends displaced by Hurricane Harvey.  Financial support to this organization directly benefits injured and displaced animals along with the veterinarians who are working so hard to care for them.  HOW TO DONATE: Click here.
Williamson County Deputies Association — is collecting supplies such as socks, underwear and toiletries for men, women and children.  Toothpaste, mouthwash, and razors are items specifically needed as well. HOW TO DONATE: There is a collection box at the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, 508 S. Rock Street, Georgetown, TX. They are accepting donations through September 1.

There are simply no words to adequately convey the despair felt in Texas since Hurricane Harvey made landfall on Friday, August 25.  In my grief over the loss of my mom in June and the worry over my daddy in Houston during this last week, I honestly admit there have been times when I sat quietly and couldn’t think of how to begin praying for and over all those who are hurting so badly.

That’s when God reminded me that I don’t have to have the words.

“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will” (Romans 8:26-27).  

I pray we all continue to lift our eyes to Jesus, continue to lean deeply into the community for which we were created to crave and need, and draw effortlessly from God’s strength and unwavering promise that He is present, listening and working on our behalf.

Much love to you, friends.

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Mom & Daughter Heart Check – Episode 2

The next episode of the Mom & Daughter Heart Check series is available!  Join us as we dig deeper into Building Circles of Grace , the latest Bible study for moms and tween girls in the Girls of Grace Bible study series, and the reality of tough social hurdles we sometimes encounter as we build community with others.

A special group of moms and tween girls have opened their hearts to us, and they are BRAVE and VULNERABLE in their transparency.

For the next several weeks, we’ll continue to hear from mom and daughter teams about a particular topic they feel led to speak about. All of these topics are included within the pages of Building Circles of Grace , which is chock full of conversation starters and engaging activities to keep moms and daughters connecting deeply through God’s Word.  If you’re just joining us, we welcome you!  Click here to view the first episode of Mom & Daughter Heart Check.

 

WE ARE CURRENTLY DELVING INTO THE TOPIC OF BULLYING.  

It’s important to note two very important correlations between our first and second video.  Both of our young friends in each video initially attempted to handle a really tough situation on their own, but they bravely discuss why that didn’t help resolve the challenge with their bullies.  What did make a difference was talking with their mom and asking for help.

BOTH MOM AND DAUGHTER TEAMS ALSO SHARE THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER.

If your child is being physically assaulted, trust your mama gut.  I’m not suggesting prayer is the only solution. However, prayer should most certainly be part of it.

It’s also important to distinguish the difference between a disagreement with your friend and bullying behavior. The difference between an argument with a friend and the assault from a bully is in the intention behind the conflict and the repetition of incidents. Bullies exhibit behaviors such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose. How many of us have been on the receiving end of this kind of behavior?

JESUS HIMSELF WAS THE TARGET OF BULLIES IN HIS DAY.

After his arrest, Jesus was beaten, ridiculed, and even spit upon. Yet, how did he respond? He responded with kindness and love. He forgave them. He prayed for them. Because of our human brokenness, we cannot respond perfectly like Jesus. However, we can try to be more like him. After all, we are his image bearers.
 

JESUS CHALLENGES US TO RISE ABOVE OUR FEELINGS OF HURT AND HATE TO LOVE THOSE WHO PERSECUTE US.

 


God created each and every one of us out of love and with a loving purpose. When we feel oppressed by the hurtful actions of others, it can be tough to think of positive reasons that they are in our lives. However, I firmly believe God does not waste any experience—good or bad. He can be using your faith and courage to plant a seed in the heart of another—perhaps with the very person who has bullied you.

If you are dealing with your own mean girl, take heart.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

This is a season you will weather as the girl of grace you are. Keep the conversation going, confide in your “safe” people, and never cease praying. Even if you can’t see God’s hand at work, it doesn’t mean He isn’t fighting for you. Be encouraged, friends!

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