Pearls of Encouragement for CWMs
November 2009 Edition
Welcome/Thanks
Blog/Online Bible Study
CWM Coaching Tips
Article – Thankfulness and Trusting
Final Thoughts

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Welcome/Thanks

Would you believe we have almost 1300 CWM sisters in Christ in our CWM community? Wow!! Who knows how many visit the website as well. You are not alone. One of my main goals at www.christianworkingmom.com is to encourage CWMs and let them know other sisters are right there with them. Thanks for all your help with the CWM interviews. We have a few more ready for the next few months. I can always use more. If you want to be interviewed as a CWM, send an email to Kimberly@kimberlychastain.com with interview in the subject heading and I will send you the information.

Blog/Online Bible Study

Come answer this month’s question at the CWM Blog, http://christianworkingmoms.blogspot.com. How do you teach your children to be thankful is this month’s question. You can visit the online Bible study at http://cwmbiblestudy.blogspot.com. I apologize for not uploading any new Bible studies. You will see why in my article for this month.

CWM Coaching Tips

Take time for you and rest in God’s Word. Have a Bible verse and encouragement emailed to you daily. To find out more go to: www.christianworkingmom.com/cwmtips.htm.

Article – Thankfulness and Trusting

True confession time! The past few weeks my children have had many activities scheduled and often at the same time in two different places. I have felt like I’m barely keeping my head above water. My teen daughter loves to tell me to “chillax”. (Is that even a word and did I spell it right?) Chillaxing is easier said than done. Recently, in a family devotion time at our house I found the most comforting verse: “But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.” Psalm 131:2. A weaned child totally trusts his/her mother implicitly. When we have held our children after feeding them and rock them to sleep there is a precious sense of contentment and peace. They are peaceful and we are as well.

I realized this week I needed time with the Lord to quiet my soul and rest in Him. Trust that He is control of my crazy schedule and He will never let me down. I needed Him and I needed to be in His presence. So, am I a perfectly calm Mom now? Not totally, but I’m working on it. I’m also seeing the importance of resting and trusting my Heavenly Father.

In a closely related theme we are told to be thankful to our God. Did you know the theme of thankfulness is mentioned over 110 times in the Bible? That must mean it is important. I want us to look at a verse that is quoted many times in the Bible, here is one location: “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for his love endures forever.” Psalm 118:1.

Do we give thanks to the Lord? I am convinced that being thankful is a learned habit and does not always come naturally. I think complaining is much more natural. Yet, if we truly spend time thinking of all the things God has done for us we would have a never ending list of things to be thankful for. So, can I encourage you today to get in the habit of thanking God daily for the many blessings in your life. When you get your mind on Him instead of yourself you will be uplifted and encouraged.

The second part of that verse is for He is good. Do you really believe that God is good? Depending on your situation right now you may have your doubts. I love the chorus, “God is good all the time. All the time God is good.” Yes, that is true. When we look at the Bible God’s people went through some horrific experiences and some were killed for their faith. Yet, they were still able to testify that God is good. So, when we are having our stressful days we can trust that God is good and He only desires what is best for us and what will bring us closer to Him.

The last part of the verse is His love endures forever!! Wow! Forever is a long time. Can we be honest right now? Has anyone loved you forever? No. My father who loved me is now home in heaven. He loved me, but that love stopped when He went home to be with God. Ladies, you cannot do anything more or anything less to change God’s love for you. Please drink that in and remember it. God loves you period and His love for you will not end.

Sister CWMs take time today to be thankful, rest in God’s goodness, and His love for you. Take time to sit in His presence and feel the same comfort and peace that a little child has. Trust Him for all things in your life.

Final Thoughts

Be purposeful in teaching your children to be thankful to God and to others in your life. Your children will stand out from the rest for this one characteristic. We live in a world that is not thankful.

Till next time,

Kimberly M. Chastain

Kimberly M. Chastain, MS, LMFT is the Christian Working Mom Coach and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She is the author of The Voices of Christian Working Moms, 2 ebooks and an online Bible study. To find out how to receive coaching tips by email daily, go to http://www.kimberlychastain.com/cwmtips.htm. To find out more about her books go to www.christianworkingmom.com. For a free, initial coaching session send an email to free@kimberlychastain.com.