Reasons I Love My Daughters-in-Law

Submitted by Debbie on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 12:12

Our sons and daughter chose well. I am so grateful for my daughters-in-love and our son-in-love, but not every parent is so blessed. Isaac and Rebekah were not so fortunate. Genesis 26:35 says that Esau’s wives made life bitter for them. One day in frustration, Rebekah said to Isaac, I LOATHE my life because of the Hittite women. The Hittite women were Esau’s wives. 
 
Here are some of my favorite things about my in-laws and maybe we can strive to be better daughters-in-law.
 
  1. They love God. Each of our in-laws has a vibrant relationship with God. Many times our family conversations will drift to spiritual matters. We will find ourselves discussing doctrinal items, or exploring current affairs through a scriptural context.
  2. They love my kids. They are devoted to the well being of my children. They are not just married to them as some legalized way to have sex or for their money (not that they have anything to brag about), they are committed to what is best for my kids. They have laid down their lives to elevate my kids. They are committed to having a healthy marriage for a lifetime.
  3. They are family minded. We live hectic lives and everyone has a full schedule but they make family time a priority. If we go more than a week, one of our kids will initiate a family night. In our impromptu manner, we often will have dinner with whoever can make it. The Morris policy is that we pay for the meal so that might encourage attendance. If we eat at home, everyone will pitch in to help in some way. I love the buzz of activity.
  4. They all want to be godly parents. I can’t imagine the pain of any grandparent when they don’t have that assurance.  Josh and Hannah have amazed me with their tender and careful stewardship of our grandkids. The moment that James and Bridgette found out they were expecting they started researching everything from strollers to discipline.
  5. They are fun. I love that we are emotionally healthy enough to lovingly play with each other. We can tease one another. We can play games together and be highly competitive and not leave mad. When we are on vacation together, many times the kids want to structure the day so that we can play games in the evening. I love that we can laugh together.

Grateful

Submitted by Debbie on Mon, 11/21/2011 - 13:34
I love Thanksgiving for so many reasons. I have fond memories of driving to my grandmother’s house for the feast. My grandmother was a great cook who served us corn meal dressing, dumplings, turkey, yummy rolls and an assortment of veggies that I never ate. The meal was crowned with homemade chocolate, coconut and pineapple cream pies, peanut brittle, Italian Cream Cake and pound cake. Yes it was CARB heaven!
 
Years later, our thanksgiving meals still resemble the meals my grandmother spent hours preparing. 
 
Now that I am officially a grown up (I became one a year ago.), I realize that I love, more than the belly expanding celebration, the time with family. I love the grandkid’s sounds, the mess of people relaxing (as long as it gets cleaned up), and football fanatics for the day. I love being thankful.
 
Thankfulness is a God gift. When we are thankful we acknowledge that we don’t deserve the bountiful blessings. Thankfulness is an expression of that knowledge. 
 
I am thankful for so many things in my world. I am thankful for the grace that found me in my own pit and set my feet on a solid rock. I am thankful for a husband that demonstrates God’s love for me. I am thankful for the gift of my kids and their kids. Did you hear we have another boy on the way? I am thankful to be apart of a body of believers who want to hear and obey God. I am thankful for my godly heritage. My parents were the best. My mom is amazing. I am thankful for friends.
 
And I am thankful for my bed and pillow (when you travel a lot, you really start to miss those two things).
 
What makes you thankful? Big or small it doesn’t matter. The point is being grateful that we are blessed. 
 
I pray you have a blessed Thanksgiving Day. 

 

 

Grace

Submitted by Debbie on Mon, 11/14/2011 - 16:34

Psalms 25:16 “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.”

Ever noticed that the people who need our grace are the people that are the most messed up.  Perfect people don’t need grace.  The more wounded the more grace is required.

Ways to extend grace.

  1. Put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself would you be so hard on them? Lonely and afflicted people are wounded people.  Wounded most likely by someone.   Seeing through their eyes will allow you to extend more grace than you might otherwise.
  2. Don’t become offended.  Give a kind response. 
  3. Show kindness.  Go beyond what would be considered necessary to do the rememberable.  Simple kindness lingers.
  4. Consider yourself.  Remember that God picked you out of a pit and set you on a solid rock. 

The other day, our grandson Grady was in a store with his mom.  He accidently broke something.  So they went to a cashier to explain and pay for it.  As they neared the cashier, it became evident that she was having a really bad day.  Hannah was a little nervous and so was Grady that she might be ugly to him.  Grady told her what happen and offered to pay for it.  The cashier was nice to Grady and wouldn’t allow them to pay for the item.  They went to finish their shopping and Grady asked his mom if they could buy her a piece of candy.  As Hannah thought about it, she thought that was a good idea and she allowed Grady to pick out a piece of candy.  The same cashier checked them out and Grady gave her the piece of candy.  Hannah said that Grady’s gesture changed that woman’s countenance. 

Thinking

Submitted by Debbie on Mon, 10/24/2011 - 14:15

If you follow Think Pink, you might think I have not been thinking.  Well, I have had the occasional thought or two, but I never took the time to write.  I am sorry if you have been checking back constantly in hopes that I had a thought. 

Here are some of my thoughts…

I have been thinking, “Wow, God loves me!”  Sometimes it is just good to remind ourselves about how sweet it is that our God loves us so much.

I have been thinking a great deal about Pink Impact.  Our team has already had countless meetings preparing for next year.  If you are thinking about waiting to register, I wouldn’t.  We are already over halfway sold out , which is way ahead of previous years.  Because of our agreement with Beth Moore we can’t offer more campuses and I have been thinking that you should come.

I have been thinking that Frisco Pink is ready for explosive growth.  Adana Wilson is leading Pink efforts in Frisco, which include groups and Pink nights.  The energy of our Pink sisters in Frisco is intoxicating. Go Pink Frisco!

I have been thinking a great deal about a book that I am writing. It will be released at Pink Impact.  Please pray.  I am excited to introduce my Biblical mentors.  I have learned lessons from many women in the Bible and now I want to share the nuggets that God taught me.

See I have been thinking. What are you thinking about? 

Top Ten Favorite Moments from Pink Impact 2011

Submitted by Debbie on Mon, 04/25/2011 - 17:08
  1. Experiencing worship with 3,400 Pink women.
  2. Worshipping with choir robes and Rebecca Pfortmiller.
  3. Blynda Lane modeling a swimsuit. If you missed it—you just missed it.
  4. The hip hop dancing before the Bishop spoke.  Apparently it set the atmosphere because we preached the stars down. 
  5. Singing Happy Birthday to Kari Jobe. She turned 30!
  6. Meeting Charlotte Gambill and having our friends Chris Caine and Priscilla Shirer in the house. These ladies delivered amazing timely messages that somehow related even though we didn’t plan that part.  God is good! (Huge understatement) 
  7. Hearing how Miss Tilly simply demonstrates the gospel.
  8. Elaine Fisher giving a word!  Way to go baby girl! I am so proud!
  9. When I had finished speaking! The nervous rash that I developed the week before is gone.  I wonder if that would count as my note from home to God in the future. 
  10. Did I mention seeing my friends?  Not only did I get to see Gateway girls that I love but also I got to see friends from all over.

I am sure you have a favorite moment.  What was your favorite thing or things?