Moved to WordPress...

Well, I can't believe it, but I finally got it to work! Been trying to move to WordPress for almost a year now, and being technologically challenged, I needed a techno savvy and really awesome friend to help me get it all set up! Thanks, Lisa!

Anyway, it's the same domain name, just a new place to land:
http://lauraleeshaw.com.

Come see me there and subscribe anew!!!! I'll be working on getting it set up for awhile, but no biggie. ;)

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Not A "Do It Myself" Kind of Mother

Being a mom has been the greatest challenge of my life. Truly. I love my kids so much, yet I fail to provide them with my very best on a regular basis.

While this would be a great time to beat myself up, I refuse to do so. The Lord doesn't condemn me, and He doesn't want me on a frowny-faced guilt trip either, so I press on. I pray. I read His Word and other books written by people I respect. And I ditch the crinkly forehead and frown wrinkles, even if I have to pop a tylenol and eat a square of dark chocolate. I digress.

One of the books that I'm reading right now is Your Girl by Vicki Courtney. When I'm finished, I'm going to read Your Boy by the same author. I think one of the reasons I like her books so much is because she "speaks" like my brain thinks. If I could afford it, I would buy one of these books for every single mom I know. That's how good it is.

Anyway, this morning I was reminded of a story she told about how her daughter got to the "I Do It Myself" stage. She said she would've preferred "I love you, mommy" over those words any day, but nonetheless, her daughter's independence was proclaimed on a regular basis. Then she turns the statement back around to us as moms.

Why do we sometimes pull the "I do it myself" routine with the One who could help us do it better? Vicki writes,

"Those of us who have 'I do it myself' attitudes often have a hard time asking God for help. When it comes to mothering, it is impossible to 'do it ourselves.' The best mothers are those who admit that the job is far too big to handle alone. They lay their inadequacies at the foot of the cross and rush to His throne for advice. When their children stray from the path, as they often will, faithful mothers cry out to the Lord in groanings too deep for words. They trust God to draw their children's wayward hearts back to His paths. He is, after all, their Creator."

I've never ever EVER told God "I do it myself." I know better. But each time I manipulate my children, lose my temper, or shove my head in the sand to avoid the issues, my actions are proclaiming my independence and stubbornness with Him loud and clear.

I need my Papa's counsel to raise my kids. He'll give it to me when I ask. And no matter the results, whether things go the way I hope they will or not, I'll trust that He's working, that He loves my children more than I ever could. He is the only One who can honestly say, "I do it Myself." So I pray I'll be the kind of mother, and daughter, who gets out of the way and lets Him do it.

"I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD."
1 Samuel 1:27-28

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Need some devos to do with your kids this summer?

Over the past few months, I've received a handful of emails over some kids devotions the Lord inspired me to write several years ago. Many have asked to use these with their kids' groups at church, and a few asked permission to print the whole series...one precious gramma wanted me to know she was doing the devos with her grandchildren. Another asked if I were going to put them in a book. Believe it or not, there are very few books out there for kids, ages 6-10, about friendship (at least co-ed). This project is unique, in that it's designed for parents to read with their children...ask questions, get 'em talkin'. It's tough for young'uns to figure out the friend thing these days, what with all the zingers, sarcasm and ruthlessness the media and society have to offer them. That's why they benefit when we as parents stay involved, help 'em through it.

So here's the deal. No, I don't plan to pitch them to a publisher. I might put them in an ebook someday just for fun. But I want anyone who wants to use them for ministry purposes to feel free to use them as wanted or needed. They're free. Spread them around. I enjoyed going through them with my own children, and I hope you'll do the same with yours.

My only requests are that you don't alter them or try to sell them yourself, which I know you would never do,  (had to mention it anyway), AND that you drop me a line if you feel led about what you or your kids/grandkids/students learned while doing them. That would bless my flip-flops off. ;)

You can find them right here. May the Lord use them for His glory!

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WFW...The Spirit Gives Life

It's Word-Filled Wednesday, hosted by the Internet Cafe! Go by there to see the links to other blogs which are not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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Guest Post at "Becoming a Christian Womens' Speaker"

I'm over at Sheila Wray Gregoire's speaker training blog today with a vulnerable guest post about my speaking experiences so far. Keepin' it real, even when it's humbling:

Here it is: My Nagging Question at "Becoming a Christian Womens' Speaker"

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