Archives for January 2017

What Does Your “Brave” Look Like?

January 18, 2017 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

For me, being brave in this season looks like staying put.

In the middle of the day-to-day routine of working outside the home, parenting, loving my husband, managing my home, serving others, navigating financial pressures and more, the anxiety feels crushing some days.

Sometimes in the midst of the whirlwind, in the quiet moments of my daily commute, my mind wanders. I dream of all the possibilities for pursuing my passions, those things that stir my heart and make me come alive with excitement and purpose. But then I remember the weight of my current responsibilities and the discouragement creeps in.

I heard someone say recently that during the times we feel buried, maybe instead we’re actually being planted.

What if during the times we feel buried, maybe instead we’re actually being planted?

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There it is, the change in perspective.

What if I stopped viewing my current situation as limiting and started casting off that feeling of being buried under all the responsibilities.

What if instead, I recognized this season as one of being brave as I stay put. God is planting me and growing me in faith so I can begin to grasp the depth and breadth of His love for me!

Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV) 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

This post is shared as Day 12 in my friend Mary Geisen’s newly released book Brave Faith: A 31 Day Devotional Journey. If you’re interested in diving more deeply into what it looks like to live a life of brave faith, I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy of her book and spend a month working through these challenging but important topics! You can find out more about Mary at her website, Passage Through Grace.

Many blessings,

Happy Birthday Baby & Blog {…and a giveaway to celebrate!}

January 7, 2017 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

Today my youngest turns 2 and my little corner of the internet celebrates 4 years online. It’s been a wild ride with both of them!

In the midst of my go-go-go life with three little ones 7 and under, sometimes I forget to slow down and celebrate both the big milestones and the little moments worth savoring.

Psalm 16:11 reminds me though…

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

So today, in light of gratefulness for the joy God has filled me with these past few years, I’m taking a moment on this snowy North Carolina Saturday to savor and celebrate both the life of my sweet daughter Haven and the life of this little blog.

Haven means “a place of safety or refuge” and my prayer is that she will grow to be that kind of light and hope in people’s lives around her.

I hope The Mosaic Life blog has also been a place of safety and refuge for your heart, as we realize together that it’s refocusing our perspective daily to see ourselves as God sees us that makes the biggest difference in how we live out our daily lives in service to Him and others around us.

In case you’ve just recently found this corner of the internet, here are some of the most loved posts in the past 4 years:

Parenting With Purpose: Creating a God-Centered Home

100 Creative Ways to Say Thank You to Your Husband

10 Ways to Teach Kids About Easter

Best Podcasts for Christian Moms

3 Things God Didn’t Promise

I hope you find something that’s encouraging to you or something you can share with a friend to uplift them today.

Now…on to the fun part of birthdays…the gifts!

One of my favorite things I’ve discovered this past year is home delivery services. It’s hard to put a price tag on how much more peaceful my life is without trying to wrangle three tired and hungry kiddos at the store to pick up some last minute item I’ve forgotten for dinner or for the house.

In addition to investing in Amazon Prime for all.the.things including the all-important delivery of diapers, wipes, and the random household organizational item I’m needing, I also have been using Grove Collaborative for delivery of natural toiletry and cleaning products and Home Chef for delivery of fresh, ready-to-cook meals.

In celebration of my favorite things…I’m giving away a $40 gift card to Home Chef for one lucky reader to try them out and find out if home delivery of groceries for yummy meals helps you as much as it has helped me! (for newbies only…those of you who already know and love Home Chef will have to try for the next giveaway coming soon!)

Just enter below using the Rafflecopter giveaway widget or send me a quick reply to this email letting me know you’d like to win and I’ll enter you as well.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And to all of you in the path of this snowstorm…here’s a virtual snowball headed your way, compliments of my kids’ favorite froggy friend, Kermit! 🙂

Remember to savor and celebrate the moments, both big and small, with those you love!

Blessings,

Parenting with Purpose: New Year’s Reflections for Kids (and Adults)

January 1, 2017 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

The clock just hit midnight and it’s officially the new year. For me, the change of the calendar offers a built-in reminder to reflect on the year that just passed and to think through the coming twelve months.

This year I’m going to try out this New Year’s Resolutions and Reflections for Kids printable with my kids.

I have thoughts on their accomplishments from 2016 and ideas for things I’d love for them to learn and areas of growth for 2017, but there is certainly also something to be said for gaining your child’s perspective on these as well.

My plan is to use this to help guide their thoughts on challenges they faced, things they learned, and opportunities for growth. We’ll think through a variety of areas, including personal, educational, and spiritual growth.

What makes it even more impactful for our kids though is to see us working through the same things in our own lives. If we’re committed to ongoing growth, our kids will likely follow along and begin to understand the importance of evaluating the past and setting goals for the future.

If we’re committed to reflection and growth in the new year, our kids will be too! httpss://leeanngtaylor.com/parenting-with-purpose-new-years-reflections-for-kids-and-adults

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One of my favorite resources for this process each year is this list of 20 Questions for New Year’s Eve from Tsh at The Art of Simple. This year she’s also added a version for kids and a more in-depth planning guide for the new year.

I can’t wait to check it out and dive into the different areas — Inward Health, Physical Health, Financial Health, Family Health, Relational Health, and Your Children’s Health.

Maybe I’ll start off the year a bit more organized instead of all of the plans and goals I have just swimming around in my head…as they sometimes do…(it’s not just me, is it?!).

Do you have a favorite tool you use to reflect on the prior year and plan for the coming year with your kids or for yourself? I’d love to know about it!