Inward Beauty Giveaway
Published March 29, 2010Congrats to the Easter giveaway winner. Jenny. Timestamp: March 26 at 11:25 am Send me your mailing address at karen@proverbs31.org asap so I can get you gift out to you
__________________________________________________________________________________
I know many of you are joining us after clicking over from the devotion I have running at Proverbs 31 and on Crosswalk.com. If you haven’t read the devotion, click here so the rest of the post makes sense! 
Be sure to come back to finish reading this and enter the giveaway!
__________________________________________________________________________________
Have you ever encountered the backwards ways we measure success in our society?
- School teachers who pour their lives into students or nurses who care for the sick earn modest wages.
- However, those who can shoot an orange ball through a hoop or smack a tiny white one down a fairway make millions.
- People who pour their lives into working with the poor or homeless go virtually unnoticed.
- Others who write vulgar lyrics set to rap music are adored by scores of fans worldwide.
Or how about the time and money we spend? Anything backwards there?
- Couples drop thousands of dollars in order to put on an elaborate wedding, but think a hundred bucks is too much to spend on a biblically-based marriage conference.
- Those same love birds will spend countless hours planning the ceremony, reception and every last detail of the day right down to registering for the type of dish towels they simply must have.
- Yep– lots of time planning the wedding. Little time preparing for the actual marriage relationship.
Why is it that we expend great amounts of energy on the outward and often ignore the things of our inner selves? Have we never heard God weigh in on all of this? Read these verses from the devotion again:
“But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.’” I Samuel 16:7 (ESV)
Peter 3:3-4, “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” (ESV)
The Lord sees more than the external. He sees straight to our hearts. While he is not against us working on our outward appearance, it certainly is not priority number one for Him.
To boil it all down, He isn’t against pearls, He’s just more concerned with personality.
He doesn’t forbid getting your hair spruced up. He just rather you spend as much effort on your heart as your hair.
Maybe even more.
For those of you who are parents, this topic can be a challenging one. While we certainly want to encourage our kids to excel academically, musically or in athletics, we must be even more concerned with their character.
I’ll say it again as in the devotion. Who we are inside is really who we are.
So applaud those efforts as much as the A on the math test or the starting position on the ball team.
In fact, make a big deal about it. I mean why not take a kid our for a treat when he is diligent to study every night for a week for his big exam? Reward his diligence. Yes, don’t just wait until you find out what grade he or she gets on their Friday exam. Take them out on Thursday night to say “way to go!” for studying faithfully Monday-Thursday. Reward faithfulness, not just an A.
Or catch them modeling Christ.
Did they hold the door open for an elderly woman at the grocery store without prompting from you?
Swing by a favorite soda shop and treat them to a “mom-never-lets-us-buy-this” goodie.
Did they do something wrong (which angered you greatly) but then later admitted their fault (which made you pleased)?
Time for a date with you to do something they love (even if it is something you can’t stand)
{Ahem…..later today I am trekking off to the Detroit Zoo for an impromptu trip with my youngest and a friend from his homeschool academy to reward him for a huge behaviour change. Hello? I am no animal lover. I’d rather have a root canal than go to the zoo but he and his friend ADORE animals, so off we go. Don’t think of me as martyr mom. They’ll be a Starbucks in this trip somewhere for me. I have a gift card from my birthday to use up }
But I digress.
Today I want to offer a giveaway that will enable you to reward your kiddos for their inner qualities.
It is called the Family Enrichment Tool kit and it was developed by my friend Michelle Weber a Proverbs 31 She Speaks graduate. Here is what is said about this on our P31 website store:
We are thrilled to have discovered a unique gift idea for any family. The Family Enrichment Toolkit was developed, practically in our own backyard, by a She Speaks graduate. Michelle Weber’s toolkit provides parents with a fun way to instill positive virtues and character in their children, while building stronger family relationships. The kit includes a 12″ lead-free ceramic plate, plate stand, a set of 250 Table Thyme Activity cards with discussion topics and questions, and a 28 minutes CD that will walk you through the incredibly simple steps to making the toolkit an invaluable part of your family.
Michelle developed this because she had one child who was a star gymnast with lots of pats on the back and public praise while her other child has special needs. She wanted to be able to provide an “atta girl” to her as well for efforts she made. Thus, this wonderful idea was born!
We have one of these plates that we use in our own family. And we even use it with extended family.
The gist is this: You decorate the plate with your own family name. Then it becomes the “Smith Family Honor Plate” (The finished product is durable and washable and it is easy to do) Then, catch your kids (or spouse) exhibiting any fruit of the spirit– love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self-control. When they do, serve them their dinner on the family honor plate and reward them for this inner quality. There is also a cd that explains this concept more fully and great discussion starter cards for family dinner time. Click here for more info.
Okay…leave a comment today to be entered in the drawing for on of two Family Enrichment Toolkits. It can be a comment about any aspect of this topic, or if time is tight, simply say “I’m in!” Winners will be announced on Wednesday.
Backwards Blessings,
146 Responses to Inward Beauty Giveaway
Leave a Reply
Subscribe
My Family
Dear Karen,
I just finished reading your devo for today at Crosswalk. And I have to share this with you.
Just about 3 minutes before reading it I had been praying and asking God to give me wisdom as a mom and I asked him to speak to me and to show me how to cultivate in my daughter’s life what he wants and not what I might think is the best (like talents and abilities, for example). So reading your devotional for today I felt I had the answer I had asked for. Thank you for letting him use you for His glory and the growth of other moms!
Blessings,
Wendy
I’m in.
Karen,
I have been praying about how to instill the right things into my two sons. The devotional on Proverbs 31.com came at the perfect time. Thank you for following the leading of the Lord.
Jennifer
Karen
As always your words are truly inspiring and clearly inspired by God. He wrote this one just for me today. Thank you for allowing him to continue to use you.
What a great devo and blog today. It really reinforces a conversation I had with a girlfriend yesterday. I want to see the positive things in my boys and not see the things I feel are bad. She told me to focus on the good qualities and the inner beauty and reminded me that we are ALL His children. You just put the icing on the top. Thanks!
Wow, I feel like both your P31 devotional and this blog extension were written just for me. As a homeschool mom, it is really easy to get bogged down in the “need to knows” I get so stressed out wanting to make sure we have covered everything we need to cover and that we aren’t falling behind. Yet, the original reason for doing this, the spiritual health and upbringing of our children, often gets left behind or forgotten as I obsess over academics.
I can see areas of great need in my children for being “bragged on” for heart issues. Thanks for some great ideas!
Blessings!
Thanks Karen for your P31 devo today and sharing of those scriptures. There is no handbook to being a parent, but of course as a Christian, we look to the Bible for guidance. I love the idea you mentioned about rewarding our children BEFORE or while they are doing something, not just the end result! That was truly eye-opening. God bless you and thanks again for the great ideas and tips as we work our way through life and this parenting thing
. Blessings & Peace!
I’m double in!!!!
What a great Idea! We need all the tools we can get that are positive for our children to learn and us too! I love your devotional words today.
Wow God is so good he knew I needed to hear what you were discussing on Proverbs 31
Thanks so much!!
Deena
I’m in.
Thanks for the devotion today!
Karen,
Hi There! I came over from Proverbs 31. Thanks so much for todays message. I have a VERY strong willed 4 year old. It is so easy for me to focus on her wild behavior most of the time (especially in public situations….like eating with friends). She has a tender heart toward Jesus, singing about Him, and just has pure innocence when it come to those things! I need to embrace those things more and not worry too much about what others think of her seldom wild behavior! I’m saving your blog and look forward to reading more!
Have a blessed day!
Ashley
Thanks for sharing this today. This year, we’ve been trying to address the deeper character issues more as we also focus on improving academics as we homeschool our five. I can feel God calling us to better balance our lives as He challenges us to live for him, and not just live as the world does. Also, 1 Peter 3:4 was a verse that was connected with my name when I was young, and I’ve been trying to live this again in my daily life lately. God really knows how to touch us where we are! Praise Him.
Karen,
I often make it to your website after reading my daily Proverbs 31 woman devotional….which I must admit…I don’t always get to as I’m at work when it comes. However, I always believe that God ordains quietness in our lives for special moments and today was one of them. Even if I don’t win the daily give-a-way, I can say that your words today inspired and blessed me. I was always an over achiever growing up and place way more emphasis on external things. I am now a parent and am trying to raise my girls in a godly way so that they truly know what’s important. I am currently enrolled in a class called “Growing Kids God’s Way” and this totally fits in line with what we’ve been learning. I plan to share your words with my class this Thursday in an effort to bless them as much as this teaching has blessed me. Thank you again for your obedience to your calling.
Tamara Hunter
Great topic. Love the idea for the plate. Thanks so much for the teaching.
Thanks for another encouraging blog post, Karen!
This was a wonderful devotional. I needed this reminder to look at the heart of my daughter. She excels at academics, but as you say, the heart is the main thing. I see progress, but since she will be 13 in May, there is a long way to go!
I have two young daughters and I think this would be a great way to recognize and celebrate those qualities that I often overlook. Thanks for the great devotional!
Karen – Thank you for again allowing God to speak to us as mothers through your words of encouragement. Just what I needed to hear. I am very much the over-achiever parent trying to give my kids the right opportunities and make sure they reach their full potential. You helped me re-focus on what really matters – their heart for Jesus. Nothing else in this word is more important!
I am in! Thank you for just what i needed today.
sue
Sounds great! I’m in!
Sherry
Karen,
I enjoyed reading the Proverbs 31 devotion today and the “extras” on your blog. It’s so easy to get caught up in rewarding the external, but thanks for the reminder to reward the positive “heart” qualities we see forming in our children. Thanks for the opportunity to win the toolkit to help in this process.
Blessings,
Pam
Karen! You cracked me up about the zoo & starbucks. Coffee makes anything bearable, roar!
I do hope you are surprised & end up having a good time at the stinky zoo. 
Our 9 yr old twins would benefit from this fabulous idea!! Their newborn sister has been getting most of the (positive) attention, while they’ve been getting corrected over and over. I need to focus on how to acknowledge their loving hearts, creativity, etc. Thank you for this opportunity.
I just finished reading your devotion and blog and though my kids are grown, I do have grandchildren from 13 to 6 and I can see where I need to think about this also from my grandchildren. I have been praying diligently for my grandchildren and I want to be an example of Christ living in and through me. I need lots of work but I continue to pray also that God will help me become a better wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, friend to all. Thank you so much for this devotion.
I’m in!! What a wonderful way to build character in our kids!! Thank you for this post.
Thank you for your words in the Proverbs 31 post today. With two little girls that are completely different, I find myself reflectively often and praying to choose my words correctly. To not place TOO much emphasis on outward achievements for one and when I see the other with a sensitive heart towards making the right choices. Equally compelling achievements, one is just not quite as visible to the untrained eye.
Hi Karen,
I’ve enjoyed listening to you for years at Hearts-at-Home, and now with the Proverbs 31 daily devotion in my e-mail box. Today’s devotion helped me think about my 2nd dd and how to emphasize the good things without dwelling so much on the negatives. She is a strong-willed child. Thank you for reminding and encouraging me to give praise to the little, but oh-so-important things.
Karen B
fellow Michigander and moniker
Karen,
I really enjoyed today’s devotional (that bumper sticker idea is hilarious). I would love to win the giveaway. Then I would give it away to my oldest son and his family. I think they would have a great time with it. Thanks again, God Bless.
Love in Christ,
Dana
I’m in! What a wonderful idea. Thanks!
Hi Karen, I enjoyed reading your devotional through Proverbs 31 today. Excellent thoughts! Helping our kids learn how to change at a heart level is a huge challenge, especially when so many of the child training materials and methods we see today are based on behavior modification. Learning how to reach our kids’ hearts is so important! I wanted to recommend a book on that topic: Parenting is Heart Work by Joanne Miller and Scott Turansky. I think you and your blog readers might be encouraged by the practical and biblical ideas found there.
Blessings,
Carrie
Ah…Karen,
Boy is this so true in our society today. Reward the brightness, prettiest, most athletic. I am trying to teach my daughter’s the concept of doing for others. My 5 year old is awesome, I see her do many acts of kindness everyday. So the pure innocence of her coming to me and saying ” I love you mama”, is awesome in itself. It is tough being a mother in this society now. My 5 year old says she would like to be a teacher when she grows up and I encourage her every step of the way. She has a beautiful and tender heart. My 3 year old is that, a 3 year old. She does attend a christian preschool and I have been trying my hardest just to get her to say please, thank you and excuse me. Boy what a chore. However, the tenderness of her words of “mama I love you”, is the best.
Thank you for today’s devotion. Our lives are so busy that often times we don’t take the time to give our children the praise when they do the little things that make them the wonderful kids they are. My son will be starting Tball this week. He is very worried about playing well. I keep explaining to him that it is more about having fun and playing well with others. I love the family enrichment toolkit. I would love to win it. I know it would help encourage my kids to focus more on the inner beauty God desires.
Dear Karen,
I have two teenagers (14 & 13) and one is such a handful. Reading your blog made me think of how we are always hounding on his negative behaviour. I am hoping that at this age it is not too late to change the way we do things. I love this idea and will let my family know, who have younger children about this. Thank you so much! May you be blessed for giving of your time to your child to spend at the zoo!
So many good points, Karen. I needed this reminder to focus more on my son’s hearts instead of outward stuff. Thank you!
I thank God for Proverbs 31′s Encouragement for today Ministry and for your devotion today. Too often God uses yours and the other ladies wisdom to penetrate right where He needs to. Our lives as Christians are backwards from the world, and sometimes I quickly forget the virtues I would like to instill and the legacy I want to leave to my son. Thank you for your courage to speak His truth and wake some of us up.
Thank you so much for the excellent devotion and reminder of focusing on the heart condition. I work hard at doing this with my two boys, but in today’s society, it’s easy to lose focus.
What a great idea! I’m in!
Thank you Karen for jolting me back to reality on this issue. Your devotion convicted me that in some areas I was pushing my boys more for outward accomplishments. I realized that I had fallen for satan’s lie that life will be easier for them if they accomplish wordly success! How wrong I have been! and Thank you for waking me up!
As I was running late for work I just HAD to click on Prove 31–I knew there was a message for me! And yes, just as promised I have a son who at 13 got a bunch of B’s and mostly C’s–not quite what I had hoped for or what I think he is capable of…BUT next to that he recieved an E (EXCELLENT) in every single class with postive remarks from his teachers! Thank you! I almost let this go!
I’m IN!!!!!
What an AWESOME devotion!!! Truly inspiring and motivating.
Thanks
Thanks for this. I have 2 girls – 10 & 7 my older one is pretty low maintenance – good grades, manners, easy bedtime no problems at school. etc. My younger one is the COMPLETE opposite! She tries my patience. I have been having issues with her and her behavior at school – with pushing innocent kids! Now she has the reputation as a troublemaker. It made me stop to realize that I have to take a step back and look at her insides not her behavior outside. God is telling me to spend a little more time praiseing her goodness and not focus so much on the other stuff! Thanks Karen!
After some quiet time with the Lord this morning and a 9 year old son who bravely admitted he had lied to me yesterday, your devotional and blog were “meant for me” today. Oh how I want the hearts of my children to be tender toward the Lord, yet I find myself and our culture emphasizing the externals. Thank you for your post and the reminder that God sees the heart!
I would love to enter this giveaway, thank you Karen!
This was a complete eye opener for me. I have only one child and some will say that she is spoiled, but I say that she is loved. We often put so much interest on the outcome of the things she does rather than the processes or steps she takes to get to that final outcome. We praise her many talents and awesome grades, but I am so guilty of not giving her due praise when she does hold the door open for someone, or help someone who is struggling, or show unconditional love to her much younger cousins by trying to guide them in the right direction. She is only 12 and I vow to start today to recognize and acknowledge those little things she does that comes from the inward her (her heart).
Thanks you Karen for those words of truth and enlightenment.
Wow. I’m in:)
I’m totally in – especially with three children ages almost 13, 10 and 7. It’s so hard to find the correct praise for all of them. Thanks for the opportunity!!!
I’m in! Thanks for the reminder to get my focus in the right place.
Wow Karen, You always have posts that make me think. It is a struggle between what “society” says is good and what I, as a Christian Mom, think is good. (I say what I think is good, but ultimately I am not the judge only the teacher).
I’m in.
I’ve been recently frustrated with my daughter’s lack of enthusiasm for anything. Sharing with friends, I just want her to find something she is passionate about. God revealed to me, that what I was looking for was a passion for somehting measurable…piano, sports, drama etc. I finally started wondering…what does a passion for orphans look like in a 12 year old? What does a passion for helping other look like in a young person? What if relationships are something she is passionate about and gifted at?
Your devo is timely. A perfect reminder (a sacred echo) that the heart is what He is after, not the measurable earthly skills or talents.
I just love how God’s timing is so spot-on! I just took my two kids in for their annual check-up and the dr. pointed out how my oldest is so confident and good at just about everything. My youngest…not so much, lol. She recommended I work with my youngest to find something he can excel at. But reading this post reminded me that character development is just as important as skill development. So, I’ll still find something for him to do, but I’ll also spend lots of time working on heart issues with both of them. Thanks!!!
I am in.
WOW! and I’ll say again WOW, God is just so amazing!
Yesterday morning after our service I went to pray with an elder. One of my favorite elders came over to pray with me and I spoke about how my attitude with my husband and children hasn’t been where it should be and was not pleasing to God. I spoke about how I wanted to submit to my husband but because of our personalities this has been a struggle in our relationship (him taking leadership, and me submitting). I spoke about being a good example to my children and guiding them in God’s word and ways.
Last night my oldest son, 11, told me that he felt he learned more when we skipped the workbooks and just spent time reading the bible and growing his relationship with God.
After my husband got home he had an encounter with a family member that left him very sad and feeling worthless, God gave me the words that calmed him, encouraged him, and showed God’s love and my love to my husband.
I woke up this morning feeling more peaceful that I have in weeks and like I can accomplish anything.
Reading your blog and your post on Proverbs 31 has encouraged me and more importantly confirmed to me through God’s word that I am on the right track and that He has wonderful plans for my entire family and that it begins with my heart condition.
Thank you for this. I needed to be reminded of what really matters.
Monica
Thank you for the reminder of what is really important in our lives, the eternal not the earthly successes. God bless you, your families and your Godly ministry. In His name,
Shannon
With the birth of our last child, the Lord has taught me these lessons well. If I had testing when I was pregnant, many would have encouraged me to have an abortion. I am so thankful that was not an option. Today, he is 18 and the nicest person you will ever meet ( I know, I’m his Mom ). Because of his disability, he will never accomplish many things that the world would say make him a success or even a worthy person. But, he always wins awards for his character i.e. most polite, most kind, most apologetic, most helpful etc. He has taught me so much about true success!! I am so thankful that the Lord looks at his sweet heart and not on his accomplishments that would receive the praise of men. I hope to see him get his rewards from His Heavenly Father some day!!!!
Thank you for putting things in perspective for me. I needed that today! I have been feeling sorry for my son (and me) because he didn’t get to play very much in his last basketball game of the season! He handled it much better than I did. My other son, who is 8, lacks interest in school, which is very frustrating to me. I want him to do well but he could care less! So I need to start focusing on their inner selves and rejoicing in the fact that they are two wonderful kids with very unique personalities! And I pray that one day they will trust in the Lord with all their heart!
This was so relevent for my prayers of late. I have been focusing on how to parent my children in their specific “way”. Each day God has revealed an aspect of doing so. I praise Him for that!. My son is not always obedient, but I do see him developing a heart for the Lord. He does have a heart for people. I just really appreciate the focus on the heart and not so much the behavior. Thank you so much.
I so wish I’d done more affirming of my daughter’s inward beauty. Some of my family background influenced me more than I’d like to admit. My daughter is married now and I wonder if I did enough to affirm her. She’s a beautiful girl inside and out. Thank you for reminding me. My prayer is that I begin from this moment on…affirming her in the beautiful person God has made her to be now as a wife and someday as a mother.
I love this idea. Our strong-willed six-year-old could certainly benefit from this. Count me in!
I loved the devotion. We all need to be reminded of that. One of my kids is so tender toward God but the other one needs help is this area. They seem to care more about what their friends think. I’m trying to get across to her that being Godly is so much more important. We need all the help we can get with that in the world we live in. Thanks for sharing.
Great Post!!!
Where were you when I needed this great idea for my children when they were growing up? I am now a grandmother and want to provide to my 2 children with children of their own the tools it takes to raise their children to learn appropriate behavior.
I was entering church just last night and this sweet young mother and her children were entering at the same time. Her youngest an almost 4 year old boy was instructed by his mom to make sure he opened the doors for us. She also had an older daughter with her, who was being like most young children in a rush and doing it herself. She had to be reminded to allow her younger brother to open the doors for the ladies. I was so impressed with the mom. If I were to receive one of the two sets I would send it to my daughter who is a mother of a 5 and 15 year old and she is “bringing them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Eph 6:4, as a single mom I might add!
Thank you,
Kay
What a great topic! Often it is forgotten to give praise for inner Godly characteristics growing in children while praise for the outward and wordly important things get the cheers. Thanks for the reminder! My goal for the week is to applaud each of my 4 children as they show their inner beauty.
Thank you for allowing God to use you in such a might way. This is exactly what I’ve been trying to figure out, I just didn’t know it.
I first read the devotion on my Proverbs 31 email, then read the “continuation” here on your blog. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you for the devotion and the giveaway. This gives me a lot to think about as I am trying to raise my two young boys.
I am always in for creative ways to encourage my kids! I honestly feel there is just entirely too much pressure on them these days. We expect so much out of them!!!
Thank you for the devotion today! My husband and I have been talking about the same thing! Making sure were are focused on Godly Character. This is my first time on your blog! I’ll be back to check it out again! Hope we win the drawing!
I LOVED the Scripture you used… I Samuel 16:7…We should ALL learn from this truth…thanking you for sharing…Gods Peace
As we prepare to pull our 8 year old daughter out of public school in order to homeschool, I keep getting caught up in the “curriculum.” That is important, but I have to keep reminding myself that a big part of the reason for this decision is so that we can work with her on character development, and teach her what God has to say through Scripture.
Thanks for the reminder that a child’s (or adult’s) heart attitude of obedience is more important than “behavior.”
Thank you for this… in reading this, I found your Weight Loss Wednesdays, which goes hand in hand with this topic for me. I appreciate your heart. It’s so hard to obey God when he tells me I don’t need to eat something. Yet 1 John 2:3-5 says his commands are not burdensome, and to show him love is to obey his commands. Sigh.
I’m in!
Please count me in.
There are days when I wish the Lord would give me answers in 12 inch letters. Instead, he gives me Proverbs 31 devotionals. I don’t know how many times the message has been exactly what is weighing heavy in my heart. Thank you to all who write and to those who comment……..guidance come in all kinds of packages.
The backword bumper sticker is something that came to my mind a long time ago. I have three average students. All over town I would see the bumper sticker “Proud parent of an honor student” I actually thought about having a bumper sticker made that said “Proud Parent of an average, hardworking student” but I wouldn’t want to expose my child in this way. It seemed somehow wrong to me that only the most gifted get recognized, when our IQ and our physical abilities is something we have little control over. Many children, and adults, work extremely hard and only make it to a B or a C, but never receive any award or recognition for it. I know that my kids were doing their very best and working their hardest but would never get the honor student recognition, or earn a college scholarship. I can only pray that it will develop deeper character in them for what God has planned for their future. I have also worked hard to find ways to acknowledge their efforts and reward them for doing their best.
PS – I do not want to be included for the drawing. My kids are all grown now!
Hi Karen!
)Thanks for your faithfulness to bring us a fresh word of encouragement straight from a woman’s Godly heart!
I hope you don’t mind…but I’m forwarding your devotion today to my entire Sunday School class. We are doing a study on Rob Bell’s book “SexGod” and just finished a lengthy discourse on the topic of real beauty and being “sexy on the inside”…God’s kind of beauty…and how to instill God’s truth that “we are fearfully and wonderfully made” into our own hearts and our daughter’s hearts. Pray for a renewal of Truth into the hearts of this precious group of women who are on the path to placing spiritual discipline above bodily discipline!
love & blessings!
Jennifer
Thank you for this post — I really needed it — What a great idea this plate set is PTL!!!
Thanks again
Thanks for the timely blog post — this is something we often have discussions about. While some seem to worry about making sure their kids have the latest & greatest in clothing, toys, etc. — we like to think we’re working on our kids’ character. BUT … it is very easy to get sucked right back into the “stuff” vortex and “how we all look” scene … prayers are definitely needed! God Bless!
What a wonderful devotion and toolkit for the family! Thank you!
This is such an important part of parenting… encouragement. I am definitely going to pay more attention to and make a bigger deal out of the “fruit” when I see it. Thanks for the devotion… I am encouraged! : )
Thanks for this post today. I so needed to be reminded where our priorities need to be. As a home school mom of 4, I get caught up in the academics to be done (esp w/one looking into colleges) that I neglect the heart issues, which is the main reason we wanted them home to begin with. We always felt character was more important than academics, yet lately I’ve fallen right back into the rat race. I don’t want my children to be yessing me on the outside while hiding sin in their hearts. Catching them doing the right thing is something I used to do and need to go back to. I read the devotion to my husband before he left for work this morning and he also agreed. Thanks again for this timely reminder.
Please enter me in the giveaway
I’m In!
I love how God uses Proverbs 31 devotionals to speak to me, and at the exact time I need it. I am sooo thankful for this ministry : )
Thanks so much for the reminder to look for true success. I’m in.
So timely… Truth for parenting our children and for being women who want to model that our inner hearts are so much more important than the society’s lies of outward beauty… which none of us can achieve. Now, off to work on that inward beauty by spending time with the One who loves me.
What a timely reminder to constantly be catching our loved ones doing good. Our words are so powerful and reflect what is truly on the inside of our hearts. I want our son’s heart to be God-confident and God-seeking and honoring. The “temperature” in our home is so reflected by our inner beauty which is magnified by God the more time we spend with Him. Thank you for your wonderful reminder that our true beauty comes from within moved by drawing closer to Him.
Thanks for the words of wisdom today…… My kids are very different and the older often “out shines” the younger.
I would love to win the give away kit.
Thank you for your devotional today. I loved the “Proud parent of a kid who nearly flunked math, but whose heart is tender toward the Lord” bumper sticker suggestion!
I just finished reading your book “A Life That Says Welcome” last night and it really spoke to my heart about hospitality toward others. I have recently come to the conclusion that God places ALL people in my life for His reasons. Your book is another lesson learned going forward in my life.
I would love to be entered into the Family Enrichment Toolkit Giveaway. Although my children are 22 (college grad) and 20 (home for the summers) they still live at home and I’m thinking that it’s never too late to bring more family enrichment into our lives.
Thank you for your words of wisdom and your sense of humor!
I’m in. Thanks
Would absolutely love to be blessed with this kit! I am mom to two wonderful kids, Ellie 11 and Brennan 8. I would love to have a way to celebrate the things that REALLY matter – their character!!
Blessings!
Jennifer
Thank you so much for the reminder of our self worth to God. I just had this conversation with my youngest daughter this morning. Thank you again.
Count me IN!
Thank you so much for your encouraging words everyday…I always make sure to pass those along that speak to me!
I am IN!
Loved your devotion ~ great reminder on a number of levels.
Giveaway would be a perfect complement to our family having memorized and studied Galatians 5:22,23 this term
Thanks for your generosity!
Blessings to you and your family as you celebrate Easter.
I enjoyed this devotion, as I do all of your devotions. However, today’s really spoke to my heart! I have a 15 yr. old that is awesome in school. Things just come easy to him and then I have a 10 yr. old that is totally the opposite. And she is forever, comparing herself to her brother. I think this devotion has given me a new way to look at things for her. And the giveaway would be the icing on the cake for it! thanks so much!
Julie
I’m in!
I have two children completely opposite in temperment. One excels in measureable activities and the other in not-so-measurable activities. This is a wonderful idea for a way to recognize the achievements of each! I’m in!!!
I too struggle with measuring my children’s “success” which by worldly terms is defined by grades, sports, musical abilty etc. Thank you for reminding me that the true measure of success for my children is their heart for God and the way their lives mirror his unending love to others.
Thank you for the reminder to put first things first!
This devotion is helping me with your talk from “Marriage Made in Oz”. I sat here reading your post thinking how I praise my husband for the “above and beyond” things and not for the everyday things that he does. Just a simple thank you can go a long way even for the everyday things.
Looking back, i can remeber growing up that my parents were in the same setting that my husband and I are in now. I can safely say that i learned from example. I dont want this setting or situation to repeat itself again for my children.
This devotion reenforced that choice. If I start now with my husband and continue with my son (when he gets a lil older) I can break the cycle! Thank you again Ms. Karen!
I’m In! I really liked what I read I plan on sharing this with my sister who has a 10yr. daughter of course like you say we can and should do this with all members of our family. God Bless and Have A Great Day!