Beauty Regardless

Hey y'all -

Some of you may check your email and look weekly at mops.org. Or perhaps you make it a habit to check their blog periodically… I find I forget often. But, I did read an excellent article there this week about choosing beauty regardless of circumstance. It's amazing. I'm going to let it speak for itself & be our inspiration today. Please check it out!

http://www.mops.org/how-to-be-beautiful-no-matter-the-day

Bethany

The Best Way to Prepare for the Coming of our Savior: Thanksgiving

We were sitting on my bed picking away at the matted snarls in her long, thick hair. It’s been a tedious process for one who has never liked me to brush her hair or scrub her small, tender head. So I’ve procrastinated–post­poned that battle, I’ll admit.

However, since she was recently complimented on her dreads, I decided it was time to bite the bullet!

“Why does my hair tangle so easily?” She’d often ask, frustrated. “It’s not fair!”

She has had the burden of snarls since her hair first grew past her shoulders and countless times we have sat together for this painful regimen of combing them out. At seven now, she sat there reflective, while trying to brave the process.

“Mom, it’s like my snarls are my sin and my straight hair is God and we’re getting all of the sin out.”

How clever of God to use that difficult moment to show her what sin can look like in our lives.

All of that matted hair close to her scalp caused her scalp to be more tender than usual with snarls pulling and tugging into one mess from every direction.

Like a weed that strangles the good plant when it does not get pulled out, all of that beautiful brown hair was disguised by that matted, twisted hair.

You see, although her hair has been difficult to maintain, she has hair that most people would trade their own for–rich, full flowing hair.

Burdens never come separate from beauty.

We worked on those snarls until we could do no more, then I took her to her Aunt, a hairdresser, the next day for assistance. She worked at it another hour, then washed her hair clean and gave her a fresh haircut.

My brave child walked away flipping her hair, feeling like a brand new girl.

The weight was gone, just like our sin when we allow Jesus to take it and we're made a new creation in Him.

We all need Jesus. We all need a Savior. And we'll all realize it sooner or later–maybe sooner because we've known scarcity and He's all we've ever really had or later because we've had much, yet come to realize He's all we've ever really needed.

We are rich. We have much. And the best way I can think to prepare for the coming of our Savior this Christmas season is through Thanksgiving.

Because when we see our life as a gift rather than seeing the burdens of this life, we will be more grateful. Even for the burdens that come with the fullness of our life in Christ. Because they, too, are gifts that remind us of our need for Him.

I can't think of a better way to prepare for the coming of our Lord's birth this Christmas than to prepare with thankful hearts in this season of Thanksgiving and Advent, which follows.

Consider Ann VosKamp's newest book, The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the full Love Story of Christmas, to richen your Advent and Christmas season.

May your holiday season be filled with the richness of God's love.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

- Theresa Miller, MOPS Mom

Theresa is a wife and mother of four children (3, 5, 7, and 9), who are embarking on their first year of homeschooling. Theresa has been involved in Sheridan MOPS for the last 9 ½ years, serving in multiple leadership positions, including Day MOPS Coordinator in 2007-2008. She took one year off, then started the Sheridan Evening MOPS group in September 2009. Theresa has published an article with MOPS International MOMSnext Ezine, in addition to other on-line publications. You can find Theresa encouraging mothers on her blog, Heavenly Glimpses.

Tuesday's Treasure

       1 Peter 3:3-4 (The Voice)

Don’t focus on decorating your exterior by doing your hair or putting on fancy jewelry or wearing fashionable clothes; let your adornment be what’s inside—the real you, the lasting beauty of a gracious and quiet spirit, in which God delights.

P.S. Remember - our first meeting is TOMORROW. Don't miss out & please invite your friends. Let's have a full house!!!

Daring Dress Up

So here's another conversation spin-off from the good ol' MOPS International website...

Here's the original article: http://www.mops.org/the-princess-fairy-unicorn.

This blog post talks about parents who allow their kiddos to wear costumes outside their homes. You know, to the grocery store, in restaurants, to church. Do y'all allow that?

Here's my take. My kids do get to wear costumes out and about. Because, like Gabby - the MOPS blogger mom, I realize my kiddos are only going to be preschoolers for a little while. They will only want to wear costumes for a tiny little bit longer. Soon will come peer pressure and the desire to look and act like everyone else in order to fit in. I'll take this little bit of joy while I get it.

Personally, I love the fact that my kids are excited about their imaginary worlds. I smile with wonder every time my son tells us a goofy story straight from his newly emergent creative brain. I'm happy they are so proud of the flimsy paper crowns we've just made that they want to wear them all day long. I giggle with glee as the "dinosaur" in my shopping cart "roars" out greetings to everyone we meet.

So, have you ever taken your kids to Walmart wearing a crown? Or dressed as a dinosaur? Or wielding an axe while wearing a fire helmet? Seriously. Do it! And then, watch all the reactions they get. It will be the most entertaining grocery trip you've ever experienced. There is something about children's creativity and joy that opens people - it brings them out of their shells and helps us all interact. And once interaction starts, community emerges. This simple stuff - it brings us together. Plus, there is something about wheeling a princess and a race car driver down the aisles that keeps me from taking my life too seriously. And I need every reminder of that little truth I can possibly get!

Bethany Tippin - Publicity Coordinator

• Do you let your kids dress themselves before going into public?
• Do you allow costumes outside your home?
• Do your kids want to dress up?
• Once you do take a "character" into a public space, what kind of reactions do you get?
• Any other thoughts on how to keep our kiddos from being self-conscious for as long as possible?
• Any other creativity-boosting, imagination-strengthening activities your family allows that might be a bit outside-the-box?