Philippians 4 & Gratitude Journal Freebie

These have been some weird days around here lately. Our home and the rhythms aren’t too much different since I’ve been homeschooling a few for the last year and a half, but the difference is the unknowns that are more evident and in our faces. With these changes, and with any changes in our daily rhythms can come feelings of anxiety, feelings I am familiar with if you’ve been around here for any amount of time.

I am waking in worship, God’s Word, prayer, and jumping into what is known. Dwelling on what is true, not the what-ifs. As I try to talk to my kids about combating lies and using those feelings as tools to get through the unknown, we talked about Philippians 4. This book of the Bible is full of encouragement. So often people read a verse or two and stop.

If you’re at home like I am, you have the time.

Sit in Philippians 4.

Do you see it?

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Let your gentleness, reasonableness be seen by all! It’s not always easy when we are feeling overwhelmed and out of control. Tempers are short and we are sitting on the edge if we aren’t careful.

What else does it say? To pray and give it to God. I can tell you that I daily lay down my thoughts and fears to the One that can handle them. He doesn’t turn me away. He’s not shocked. He’s my Healer, He’s my Shepherd, He’s my Savior. & He gives me His peace, His wholeness, and guards my ever-changing emotions and thoughts in Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

These verses are a great reminder and encouragement. God created us, He knows where we often let our thoughts take over and loop. Do you see what it says? Verse 8 tells us what to think about, what to loop in our brains, the TRUE, the HONORABLE, the JUST, the PURE, the LOVELY, the COMMENDABLE, the EXCELLENT, the PRAISEWORTHY.

It’s easy to fall into the “WHAT-IFS”, but we are called to think about WHAT IS true, honorable, just, pure,…

I made some sheets to help our family focus on these things and practice them.

We are trying to think about the lovely and all we are grateful for. Since I made these for our crew, I thought I'd share them with you! Each “listing” has multiple pages and choices so you can choose. If you know my kids personally, I bet you could guess which ones they chose.

They are in the shop to separate you from any newsletter list. By putting them in the shop you will not be signed up for anything. It does ask for your address, just make one up and click to check out. It will be sent to your email!

Quick View

Free THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS download

$0.00

5 different sheets to choose from with written reminders on what to focus on. Fill this out daily, weekly, or monthly! Based on Philippians 4.

Add To Cart

sale

Quick View

Weekly Gratitude Journal Download for Kids

Sale Price:$0.00 Original Price:$2.00

Print this out and write down daily what you are grateful for, the true, the lovely, the honorable.

Download multiple versions of the gratitude journal, both with and without verses.

Add To Cart

sale

Quick View

Weekly Gratitude Journal Sheet Download Adults

Sale Price:$0.00 Original Price:$2.00

Print this out and write down daily what you are grateful for, the true, the lovely, the honorable.

Download multiple versions of the gratitude journal, both with and without verses.

Add To Cart

Badges of Story, Not Shame

My body is created, knit together, strong, wonderful, just as it says in the Bible. Yet some days I catch my reflection and don’t recognize my hips. I scrutinize my wrinkles and sun spots, rather than wear them as reminders of laughter and days at the beach. 

For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:13 ESV

When I sit far too long on the floor with my kids on the floor, I groan, stretch, and wobble up our stairs, instantly fighting back shame and embarrassment. This body that aches is the same one that was paralyzed 5 years ago, the same body that carried my children, and still comforts loved ones. The cellulite and stretch marks that I notice on my stomach could tell the story of carrying children, running and biking long distances, and activity.

As the reflection displays bumps across my hairline that should be covered with a hat or bangs, I push back the feelings of vanity and wear the badge proudly of a woman who survived a brain tumor. 

On the inside we have wounds, scars, aches. They look and feel differently, and are not noticeable to the eye. Words that we were hurt by can be redeemed by God, lies spoken over us uncovered and healed by our Healer. Doubts crushed by faith.

Let us wear our badges with God’s grace and through His eyes. My body is God’s workmanship. Your body is God’s workmanship, FOR A PURPOSE.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 ESV

Now, let us embrace our stories, throw off the shame, and walk in those works…one step at a time.

A Kind Letter is More Difficult Than You Think

We’ve all thought back about what we’d tell ourselves decades before. I know I’d tell myself not to wear those hand me down 80s clothes in the 90s, skip the ratted bangs, baggy Skidz pants, and the oversized Polo shirt.

Jump ahead 10 years from now and I wonder what I would want to tell 40-year-old Virginia. I have always been critical of myself.

I AM WRITING THIS FOLLOWING LETTER SAYING THINGS I NEED TO HEAR RIGHT NOW.

So as I write this, know that I hardly need a reminder that I am saved from my poor choice by grace, and that I daily lay down my tendencies toward people pleasing or anxiety. I am learning to ask Jesus how He sees me and to walk in freedom, and am sharing because I know I am not alone in this.

A kind letter to myself is more difficult than you think.

Dear V,

Beautiful woman of God, you are free. You are forgiven. Stop and let this soak in. Sit in this truth, and don’t just throw a checkmark to the left of it on your to-do list. Stop and celebrate.

Ok, now let’s move on to something big, just because you stepped out of one position doesn’t mean you’re not seeking God or His ways. You are not a failure. You are far from that. You are created in God’s image, His bride. You are another voice to proclaim His love in a world that so desperately needs to not only hear but see His love lived out. God’s ways are higher, and you don’t see all that He is preparing you for. Those moments that flew by in your 30s and now have kingdom impact, only because you don’t stop.

Stay rooted in God’s Word, and live with open hands, eyes open to the faithfulness of God. Girl, (yes, you’re still a little girl), in the midst of the heartache and confusion you may face, don’t forget how God is present. He walks with you. He loves and cares. The moments you feel seen, loved, held “together” and free, that’s just the beginning.

The lies you began to believe in your youth and still creep back in, they are brought down with Truth…don’t stop the fight. The battle is won with our Savior and in His power.

The unknown of homeschooling and frustrations and fears of the entire prospect seem but a passing breeze to the powerful storms of renewal and growth. Don’t freeze in fear, march on.

Don’t become numb to the world’s sadness. Let the tears for the hurting spur you on to action, not send you crying in the corner. Keep going.

The exercise, keep up the exercise. You’ll be glad you did. Those stretches and that healthy food help you jump out of bed much faster every day. Who cares if your pant size doesn’t display the health of your bones and spirit. The worries you have about the dimples and stretch marks is wasted time. You are God’s creation, don’t see yourself as less. You can walk and move (remember when you were paralyzed or had that brain tumor?) Yes, so throw away the scale, wear clothing confidently, and teach your kids what real health looks and feels like.

The time you spent in prayer for each of your children, family member, and friends, that’s what lasts.

Hormones, oh goodness, the hormones and changes in your life, eh, it’s new. Read the books, pray, and just name it and take it on. You’re not going crazy. It’s normal-ish.

Keep spending time with your husband, those energetic kids, your family, and friends. The busy times only slow down when you choose.

Friends, don’t assume they are “too busy”, be a good friend, pursue, encourage, walk with them.

Continue practicing saying no, and don’t fear when it's time to say yes to the bold opportunities God opens up for you. Confidently move forward.

Continue to put down the phone and look those precious ones in the eyes and wrap your arms around them as much as you can. They grow quickly. Those conversations at night and stories retold will be precious memories. This parenting gig is a difficult privilege. Don’t hold back.

God is faithful. You are here for a purpose, march on.

~V

What do you need to remind yourself of right now? Don’t wait 10 years and feel regret. Face it, line it up with God’s Truth and move forward.

Worship on Repeat: I Am Listening

Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; Psalm 61:1

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
    From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;
    he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
    the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;
    he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
    your going out and your coming in
    from this time forth and forevermore.

Psalm 121

Worship on Repeat: I Am No Victim

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

Good Friday, It Is Finished

Tetelestai

It is finished.

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30, ESV

Our salvation was accomplished on the cross so many years ago. The power of the cross for the past, present, and continuing forever for our freedom.

Thank you Jesus.