Heart Issues

We’re in the midst of the first substantial snowfall of the year here in Minnesota, and this is the current view from my window. It’s the perfect afternoon to grab a hot cup of coffee and cozy up to have a chat. Even if you don’t have a beautiful dusting of white stuff, I’d love it if you grabbed your own cup and joined me for a little heart to heart.

I think I’ve mentioned before that I go to a bible study every Tuesday morning, and it’s a major highlight in my week. I’m so thankful to have other women with biblical perspectives investing in me and challenging me to pursue the Lord so I can be a better mom.

This morning we started a new study which follows the book, “Shepherding A Child’s Heart.” It focuses on how important it is to work on heart issues with our kids because when their heart is in the right place with the Lord, everything else including proper behavior will follow. I’d heard about this book a while back, and after our first lesson today it made me so excited and motivated to be intentionally prayerful about how to come alongside Baylen, Emersyn, and Mckinley and steer them in the direction of godliness.

It also got me thinking about how important it is that I am constantly filling myself up with truth. I’ll be honest and tell you that life can get so crazy while I’m hopping from one thing to the next and it can be easy to forget to spend as much time working on my own heart as I need to. Proverbs 4:23 says that the heart is the well-spring of life! More than anything I want to be a life-giving example for my children, so I need to make sure my heart’s in a healthy spot to do so. God entrusted me with three of his kids, and my lifelong goal is for them to have Jesus in their hearts and glorify the Lord with their lives.

As moms, we have amazing opportunities on a daily, moment by moment basis to make a difference and raise up the next generation so they can go on to change the world and win over hearts for Christ. WE get to help them do that! Wow, what an honor it is to be a mom.

I’d like to challenge myself and anyone else who wants to join me to spend some time this week and pour back into ourselves. My guess is that many of you are running on empty, and in desperate need of a retreat. Maybe you aren’t able to take a long vacation, but I think we’ll all be amazed at how much God can do with even just a few minutes of our time. So much that we’ll crave more and keep running back to Him to fill us up. When our hearts are in the right place, it will overflow out our mouths and be infectious to everyone around us (including our kids)!

I’d also challenge you to find a bible study of your own to join! I randomly joined mine at a church where I knew no one. Having other real godly women in my corner is one of the biggest blessings. Plus, most churches offer great childcare for your little ones where they get to learn about God while mommy does! AND you get a break! 🙂

Don’t underestimate your value as a mom. YOUR heart is precious, and you need to protect it!

Question: How do you take care of your heart? Do you have any tips for other moms as to what helps you to make it a priority?

Love,

Amber

P.S. For more reflections on parenthood and life, follow us on Facebook (Hun Let’s Run) and on Instagram: @ambermariekuiper and @jakekuiper! We’d also love for you to subscribe to our Hun, Let’s Run Podcast! For more info about joining our fitness community as a customer or coach, please email us at amber@mommysmetime.com!