No More Nos

The other day, I asked my kids to empty the dishwasher.

This came on the heels of them tidying their rooms, putting away laundry, emptying the trash, and cleaning the bathrooms. So I was little concerned that I’d get some pushback with this next request.

You see, this year we’ve increased their allowance… and so we’ve increased their list of chores.

Momma likey!

To my delight, both kids answered… YES… and they came into the kitchen with smiles and completed their task.

No pushback.

No frustration.

No excuses.

They just said… yes.

When God asks you to do something, how do you respond?

So often, we find reasons why the timing is bad… or our calendars are too full… or we are the wrong person for the job.

Rather than tell God YES, we respond with a NO.

We tell our Creator… NO.

At CWAHM, I’m unpacking the concept of rejecting God’s plan.

I’m discussing why saying YES can be hard.

And I’m sharing a time when He asked me to say YES… and what happened when I did.

Maybe you have a story to share, too?

To read my post or leave a comment, you can find me by clicking here.  Hope you’ll stop by!

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REALITY CHECK:  You’ve been given a talent that the world needs now.  Will you share it?

©2012 careyscotttalks.com

Let’s Connect!  Follow me on Twitter, Book Me to speak at your event, Like my Facebook Fan Page, Visit me each Wednesday at Moms Together.

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Hard Lessons

It’s hard to watch your kids struggle.

Sometimes you have to jump in and fix it for them… but sometimes you have to stand back and watch them figure it out.

Ugh.

We are dealing with one of those “stand back” times right now, and it’s not fun.

But as parents trying to raise Godly kids…

• We have to allow them to mess up. 
• We must bite our tongue as we watch them make decisions that could backfire.
• We need to give them the freedom to try and fail.

If we don’t… how will they learn?

I’m sharing the details of our struggle at CWAHM today.

I wonder if you’ve dealt with something like this, too.  Why not come visit me and share your experience.

©2011 careyscotttalks.com

Let’s Connect!  Follow me on Twitter, Book Me to speak at your event, Like my Facebook Fan Page, Visit me each Wednesday at “Moms Together,” Learn about LeadHer’s mission to equip women to make an impact for Christ.

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Making It Your Own

Gift-giving.  Decorating.  Advent calendars.  Santa.

There are so many different camps you can land in when it comes to celebrating Christmas.  Just with gift-giving…

• Some set an equal budget for each child.
• Others give gifts generously.
• Several give just three gifts because that’s what the wise men did.
• A few give no gifts at all.
• Others stick to the four-gift rule: Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read.
• Still some give one gift to charity for every gift they buy their kids.

It makes me wonder if there is a wrong way and a right way to approach giving gifts to your kids.  Are you spoiling your kids if they get too many… or is it a form of child-abuse if you don’t give enough?

How do you know?

With so many different ways to celebrate, do you ever feel like you have to “explain” your rationale as to which camp you subscribe?  Is there guilt attached to your decision?  What about pride?

Can you keep Jesus at the center and still give generously or hang lights?  Are you wrecking your kids if you don’t find time to serve in a soup kitchen?

Are you missing the boat if you don’t do an advent calendar?  Is one better than another?

Are you able to acknowledge Santa without criticism?  Or do others judge you because you choose to be honest about the man in the red suit?

Ugh.  All the talk of rights and wrongs drives me nuts.

Well for what it’s worth, I think…

Wanna read the rest? 

Come visit me at CWAHM today where I give my simple response to it all.  And I’d love to hear your thoughts, too.

Hope to see you!

©2011 careyscotttalks.com

Let’s Connect!  Follow me on Twitter, Book Me to speak at your event, Like my Facebook Fan Page, Visit me each Wednesday at “Moms Together,” Learn about LeadHer’s mission to equip women to make an impact for Christ.

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Triple Play Tuesday!

Woah… I am all over the place today!

Lace up your walking shoes and come take a tour with me…

FIRST STOP, Christian Work At Home Moms (aka CWAHM)

I’m discussing how we need to be intentional in pouring God’s Truths into our kids by finding creative ways to bring Him into focus.  When we do, we are taking back the ground that the world (the Enemy) has stolen from our kids.

• We can’t let our guard down because our kids are in a Christian school. 
• We cannot rely on Sunday church to keep them in line.
• We shouldn’t assume that just because we are Christians, our kids will follow suit.

Not a chance.

As parents raising Godly kids, we need to be on point with this struggle at all times.  Come see me… I have ideas to share!

SECOND STOP is at my sweet friend, Heatherly’s blog – A Pinkdaisy Life.

She asked the question: What moves me into the Christmas spirit?

And I bet you won’t be surprised by my answer.

When this certain thing happens, I’m quick to tears because it speaks to a deeper place in my spirit and I sit in awe of the humbling events surrounding the birth of Jesus.

I wonder… what moves you into the Christmas mood?

LAST STOP is at my dear friend Shannon’s blog, Jesus and My Orange Juice.

In this post, I am writing from the perspective of the Prophetess, Anna. Do you remember the part she played in the story of baby Jesus?

Among other things, she reminds us to be patient for God’s promises because He will fulfill.  Heck, she was 84 before she saw hers come to pass.

And I love her excitement when she looked upon the Messiah.  What an honor that must have been!

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Whew… I need more coffee.

Why not grab some of your own and come visit me?  Hope to see you soon!

©2011 careyscotttalks.com

Let’s Connect!  Follow me on Twitter, Book Me to speak at your event, Like my Facebook Fan Page, Visit me each Wednesday at “Moms Together,” Learn about LeadHer’s mission to equip women to make an impact for Christ.

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He Really Is

This time of year is unmatched for me.

I love it all… and so do my kids.

But the real challenge comes in trying to keep Jesus at the center of our celebration.  It’s easy to subscribe to the world’s idea of Christmas.

Because to be honest, it’s not all that bad.

It’s fun to decorate the tree.  We love the holiday music and movies.  There’s ample family (and friend) time.

The smells…

The sights…

The sales…

But… they don’t always point to Jesus.

So as parents, we need to be intentional in reminding our children that this holiday celebration is a remembrance of the first Christmas.

We need to make sure Jesus really is the reason.

At CWAHM today, I’m sharing some ways to do just that.  Whether you are looking for ideas yourself or have some to share, I’d love to hear from you!

©2011 careyscotttalks.com

Let’s Connect!  Follow me on Twitter, Book Me to speak at your event, Like my Facebook Fan Page, Visit me each Wednesday at “Moms Together,” Learn about LeadHer’s mission to equip women to make an impact for Christ.

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What Does “THANKFUL” Look Like?

Later this week, we are going to sit down and share a Thanksgiving meal.

Some will eat ham, others turkey.  Potatoes might be mashed with gravy or missing from the table all together.  There are families who will spend hours making each dish perfect and others that will buy it already made from their favorite restaurant or store.

Many of us are excited to spend time with our families.  Some are dreading it.  For others, this could be a time of pain as you find yourself missing a loved one.

It can look different for everyone.

Regardless, there is one common thread.  

It’s the time of year where we are more intentional in counting our blessings.

It’s the time when we adopt (or borrow) an attitude of gratitude.

It’s a time of putting aside our differences and assuming a posture of… thanks.

And it would do us good to remember that little eyes and ears are watching.  They always do.

So I wonder…

How are you teaching your kids the art of… thanks-giving?

So often, we get wrapped up in the details of the meal or the Black Friday shopping plan.  We allow ourselves to get stressed about the food or fellowship.

Our attitudes become bitter and resentful and we allow our joy to turn into anger.

And it seeps onto our kids.

Ugh.

That isn’t something I want to pass on. 

I don’t want to leave that kind of legacy for my kids.

I bet you feel the same way.

So… as parents trying to raise Godly kids, we need to be intentional to set our children up to be thankful people.

Wanna know how?

At CWAHM today, I’m sharing an acrostic I created for the word “THANKSGIVING” designed to help you instill a thankful heart in your kids.

Who knows… It may help your heart, too.

Sisters, if you don’t teach them to be grateful… who will?

©2011 careyscotttalks.com

Let’s Connect!  Follow me on Twitter, Book Me to speak at your event, Like my Facebook Fan Page, Visit me each Wednesday at “Moms Together,” Learn about LeadHer’s mission to equip women to make an impact for Christ.

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Is It Sinkin’ In… Yet?

As parents trying to raise Godly kids, we need to do whatever we can to expose our children to the Truth.

You see, part of our job is to direct our kids to Jesus.  We need to point them… to Him.  Our children need to know:

• Who He is.
• Why they need Him.
• How to connect with Him.
• What a relationship with Jesus looks like.
• Where they can find Him in their circumstances.

And there are lots of ways we can encourage our children to develop an affinity for their Creator.

How are you doing it?

Well if you are looking for inspiration, then you’ve got to hear the story I am sharing at CWAHM today.  It’s about the moment it occurred to me that my kids are “getting” it.

And it brought me to tears…

©2011 careyscotttalks.com

Let’s Connect!  Follow me on Twitter, Book Me to speak at your event, Like my Facebook Fan Page, Visit me each Wednesday at “Moms Together,” Learn about LeadHer’s mission to equip women to make an impact for Christ.

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Choosing Our Words Wisely

At CWAHM today, I’m talking about the importance if choosing our words wisely.

It’s no secret that words carry great power.

They carry an assignment.

They can give us an over-inflated, incorrect view of self.

Words can make us believe we are something… or nothing.

They can encourage us to work through an issue or stop us in our tracks.

They can completely destroy our self-esteem.

OR…

Our words can encourage, affirm, heal, direct, grow and challenge others by breathing life into them.

The power of the tongue is undeniable.

James 3:7-10 in the Message says, “This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue—it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth!”

As parents, we have to be so careful with the words we use with our children and very intentional about how we use them.

Because without even being aware of it, our words can destroy the heart of our kids and send them into adulthood thinking they aren’t good enough.

Can you relate to this story?

Friends… while we cannot be perfect parents, we can be ones who purpose to speak words of life into our children.

©2011 careyscotttalks.com

Let’s Connect!  Follow me on Twitter, Book Me to speak at your event, Like my Facebook Fan Page, Visit me each Wednesday at “Moms Together,” Learn about LeadHer’s mission to equip women to make an impact for Christ.

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It’s A Phase…

I remember that phone call like it was yesterday.

“Carey, we’ve had a bad morning with Sam.  When I asked him to pay attention in class, Sam got angry saying he wished he could blow up the world… so I couldn’t live in it.”

Gulp.

And he was in preschool at the time.

Yes, funny and quite clever now… but not so funny at the time.

Actually, not at all. 

We have had some really rough seasons with Sam.  Seasons where we wanted to give him away to a good home… for free.  And then other times where he was a dream.

The same is true for Sara.

She went through a “creative” time where she drew on walls and etched her artwork in our furniture.

We still get to view her artwork… years later.

When I’d find myself frustrated and overwhelmed with the actions and attitudes of my children, my mom gave me some great advice.

Wanna know her wise advice? 

Come visit me at CWAHM by clicking here!

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©2011 careyscotttalks.com

Let’s Connect!  Follow me on Twitter, Book Me to speak at your event, Like my Facebook Fan Page, Visit me each Wednesday at “Moms Together,” Learn about LeadHer’s mission to equip women to make an impact for Christ.

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I’m Multi-Tasking Today…

Happy Tuesday to you!

Oh I’m loving the crispness in the air and the colors in Colorado are breath-taking.  This is my favorite time of year and I’m taking it all in.  I hope you are getting to celebrate fall wherever you are, too!

Do you have time to visit me at two different blogs?

Of course, I am at CWAHM today talking about the need to respect our kids.  And there is one way we can do this that helps set them up for a better future.

It will also help grow their confidence and self-esteem.

Curious?  You can check it out here.

Also today, I’m over at Keeping It Personal talking about God’s pace in our circumstances.

Personally, my desired timing and God’s actual timing rarely align and sometimes it’s so frustrating.  But when I look back, I see that His pace in responding to my situation is always perfect.

You can find that post here.

Have I told you lately how much I appreciate you taking the time to read the words God has laid on my heart?  It means so much to know you are out there.

My hope is that God meets you through my words… and soothes you, encourages you, heals you or smacks you upside the head.

Be blessed, friends!

©2011 careyscotttalks.com

Let’s Connect!  Follow me on Twitter, Book Me to speak at your event, Like my Facebook Fan Page, Visit me each Wednesday at “Moms Together,” Learn about LeadHer’s mission to equip women to make an impact for Christ.

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