Becoming Mom Strong Review

Becoming MomStrong is a must have book for any mom. Speaker, author, homeschool mom, Heidi St. John gives wise advice to moms on how to parent our children and equip them with today's culture coming against us and what we stand for at every turn. 
Throughout the book, she offers great stories, practical tips, wisdom, and the truth from God's word. What I love about Becoming MomStrong is that Heidi shares honest heart and real life experiences. She writes with passion, wisdom, and with such a pure spirit. 
Heidi has a vision for a Momstrong movement rising up and moms becoming strong in the Lord. In reading this book, you will definitely rise up. You will be challenged, you will be stretched, but the Lord will speak to your heart. You are raising a precious generation. I also believe that you will be inspired and encouraged as you read this book as I was. It's a must read.

Sunshiny Thoughts Podcast - Episode 1 Self Care

Hi everyone!! I am so excited to share with you the launch of the Sunshiny Thoughts podcast. Each show is designed to encourage, uplift, and inspire you in your journey of motherhood and your walk with the Lord.
Today's show features a wonderful guest co host who is a lifecoach, wife, mom, and loves cats. Laura is known on Youtube for her channel Delusion Dispeller where she talks about the pitfalls of toxic relationships and reminds you how to be yourself again after escaping them.
I asked her to join me to talk about the importance of self care and taking care of ourselves as moms.
We have great tips for finding time to get alone with the Lord.

As a FREE gift for subscribing to this podcast, I have a free Self Care Journaling Worksheet for you. Simply email me at sunshinythought@gmail.com once you have listened to the podcast. Then I will send you the link to the file.

Every week I will bring you a new topic to encourage you and remind you that through the storms of life God is faithful and that all we need to do is hold to Him.

Thanks for joining me and be sure to check out the show notes.

Blessings,
Shawnee

4 Steps for Contentment in the Middle of a Storm

Every day we are bombarded with messages by social media and every day we see how other people have things better than we do.  How many of you have felt this way? You wake up and open your social media app. You glance through your newsfeed, twitter feed, etc and you are hit with images of picture perfect life styles. People post photos of the perfect dinner, date night, perfect kids, and an overall perfect life.

But truth is things aren't always perfect. In fact, they are far from it. Real life isn't full of the perfect pictures of a dinner that turned out fabulous, a perfect wedding, or even perfect children. What you don't see in between are the moments that aren't so picture perfect.
Social media doesn't show us the temper tantrum moments, the burned dinners, the heartache. Social media doesn't show us the moments where people are struggling because we don't like to post those. Those are the heartache moments of life.
If you were to look at my social media you'd see happy times but you'd see struggles as well. Now you won't see screaming children or messy kitchens, but you will see more than a perfect lifestyle. This is because I was taught to be authentic in who I am. 

Contentment isn't easy when you are sitting with a bunch of debt, when you are in the middle of a messy marriage, when you are fighting a custody battle that is an uphill battle, or when you get a diagnosis that you didn't think you'd ever receive. Contentment is hard. 

But in the Bible Paul talks about contentment in Philippians 4:11, "Not that I was ever in need, for  I have learned how to be content with what I have." Paul then says how he has learned the secret to living in every situation whether he has a full stomach or an empty one. 

Ouch those are some pretty powerful words that Paul speaks, he then goes on to say, "For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength."Paul says later promises in Philippians 4:19, "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." 

Now it doesn't mean you'll get that brand new Chevy van, that you'll have the most luxurious home. It means that the Lord will take care of your needs. 

I had this talk with my children a while back. What is a want and what is a need? The fact that you want to upgrade your Iphone to the latest version isn't a need, it's a want. The fact that you need to pay for food for the week. That is a need. I have seen miracles happen in my life as I have been faithful to the Lord with my finances. I often don't have enough to tithe but I will give just what I have to the Lord. He takes it, uses it, and always blesses my family. I encourage you today to stop trying to keep up with the Jones and TRUST the Lord. 

Your heavenly Father has your BEST interests at heart. He wants to BLESS YOU!! He wants you to be content in your journey. True Contentment comes from knowing and following Jesus. This too shall pass is what a friend once told me one day you will laugh about this. You will have a story to tell, you'll be able to bless someone else who is going through what you are. You will see the other side.
It's really not easy and I won't say that it is. You can sit and have what my best friend calls a pity party for yourself. I've had plenty. But after you've had your pity party. 

These are the steps to take:

1. Pray - Give the Lord your situation. He knows your needs and loves you.

2. Make a plan. Sit with a piece of paper. Write out your blessings. Write out your gifts. Write out what the Lord has given you. As you see it unfold on paper, you will see the goodness of the Lord. Right before your very eyes. 

3. Give thanks. 

4. Bless someone else. Maybe you can't bless them financially but you have a service you can do for them. If they need help cleaning their home, you can do that. You can offer an encouraging word, you can offer to babysit their kids so they can have a date night. 

You can be thankful  for the people who are seeing prosperity and know the Lord has his Best for you. Just keep trusting in Him!! 

I hope this has encouraged you today. Know that God loves you!!
I'd love to hear your comments and thoughts on contentment or even share what the Lord is doing in your life. 

Blessings,

Shawnee 

Thankful Tuesday on a Thursday

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord. When you give thanks and have an attitude of gratitude it changes your perspective. In today's world where you hear a lot of bad news every time you turn on the television and the world is spiraling. It's important to remember you have a lot to be thankful for.

I am thankful for my friends and family. I have the best friends and the greatest family. I am going through a storm right now. But the Lord has surrounded me with support and encouragement every step of the way.

Giving Thanks in the middle of your storm will give you a whole new perspective. When you take the time to daily remember that although you are hurting, although things aren't perfect (they never will be), and everything isn't coming up roses. God is still good.  Your focus changes. Your thinking changes.

I am currently finishing up my first book. I'm so proud of this project. It's full of Sunshiny Thoughts teaching you to give thanks and look on the sunshiny side of life. If you'd like more information on my upcoming book check out my Facebook page.

I hope you will take time today to count your blessings.


Blessings,
Shawnee