Forgiving Ourselves When We Make Mistakes

I'm a Christian, but that doesn't make me immune to sin. I make mistakes just like everyone else. As Jesus says, we all fall short every day. 

Still, when I make a mistake, it weighs heavily on me. Even after I ask for forgiveness, I feel weighted down. I know that The Bible says in Micah 7:19 "Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean."  

I know that when I ask for forgiveness, God immediately forgives me.  He hears my repentant heart and wipes away the stain because I am washed in The blood of Jesus.

So why can I let it go? Why do I keep chewing on it in my mind as a way of making myself "pay" for it? 

I think it's because it's so hard for me to wrap my head around that sort of instant forgiveness. People don't love like that, not without God working in us. 

I think it's also because I'm afraid I'll sin again.  I will. In fact, as the scripture says, I'll sin every day. I'm human so I sin. In fact, the only thing keeping me from making the same sinful mistakes again and again is Jesus in me, the Holy Spirit.

Lord, 

I pray today that I will be able to forgive myself as you had forgiven me when I make mistakes.  I pray that I will trust completly in your love and mercy.  

I pray that I won't let my mistakes stop me from accomplishing the tasks you have set for me or receiving the blessings you have in store. 

Amen 

I hope that you'll pray that prayer with me and for me. Mistakes are inevitable, but they shouldn't cause us to give up or doubt that we are capable of accomplishing our goals. I hope you won't let your setbacks define your life.

-Crazy Earth Mama

Top 10 Reasons We Use Cloth Diapers

Earlier this week, I talked about 5 great reasons we chose to use cloth diapers at Mom's Timeout.  

Let's face it, there are so many more reasons and I could never get tired of talking about fluff, so here are 5 more reasons we chose cloth / reasons you should consider using cloth with your little ones:

• Environmental: Less chemical laden diapers in land fills for all eternity.

• Fluffy Butts: Is there anything cuter? Also, it's added protection when they start learning to walk (read: falling a lot).

• Never Run Out: I don't have to run to Target at 9:00 pm because I'm out of Huggies. I just put some cloth in the wash.

• Potty Training:  Many believe that potty training is easier with cloth diapers and happens faster. The jury is still out on that one for us, but I'm up for anything that means less time in diapers (any diapers).

• Comfort:  What would you rather wear? Spend a day in depends and then tell me if you like those or your regular cotton underwear better? Babies are more comfortable in cloth.

I'll be glad to answer any questions about using cloth in the comments. 

-Crazy Earth Mama

Homeschooling Week #6

This week we are studying If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff. 

We have lots of cute things planned to go with this book.

Literature: 

We will be reading Laura Numeroff's book and talking about cause and effect. Noah is just beginning to understand concepts like this, so it should be a great discussion starter!

Science & Handicrafts:

We will be making cookies!

Noah will get to practice measuring and mixing. He will also get to watch the cookies bake. This should be a lot of fun. Lessons in the kitchen are great because you're learning when you don't think you are.

Math:

We will be playing a cookie number match game from Busy Little Bugs, pictured to the right.

It's a printable and I think Noah will really enjoy it. He's getting so good at counting!

Bible:

This week we are talking about Jonah! Jonah is another story of cause and effect, because Jonah learns the effects of not listening to God when he refuses to go to Ninevah.

Jonah's story will also serve as extra practice for Noah's current CM habit: obedience.  

We're going to read the bible story and watch the Veggie Tales "Jonah" movie.

Art & Music:

We will be learning the song "Second Chances" from the Jonah movie. Noah is doing a great job with memorizing lyrics! I love hearing his little voice in song.

We're also going to make our own whale!  I found this cute craft at 

Crafty Morning.  We will be using our milk jug whale to scoop up little people in the bath tub (or maybe the baby pool if it's warm enough!). It will be fun hands on practice of exactly what happened to Jonah. For added fun, maybe we will scoop up our Veggie Tales figures too! 

-Crazy Earth Mama