Texting the Truth - Real Moms, Real Grace
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • BlogLovin
  • Email
Menu
Skip to content
  • Home
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Treasured Products
  • Contact Us

Tag Archives: mother’s day

Leaving a Legacy

5 / 9 / 215 / 9 / 21

As I reflect on motherhood, I can’t help but remember my own childhood. It was rather idyllic and mostly happy. My parents did their best to give my sister and I the opportunity to “turn out right.” And today is my dad’s birthday. He would’ve been 64. He probably would have gray hair and wrinkles. Only he’s frozen in my mind at 49, dark hair and laughing eyes. The way he looked when he went to heaven almost 15 years ago. 

He profoundly influenced my life, the way I think and the way I look at the world around me. It got me thinking– what kind of legacy am I going to leave for my children when I am gone? My dad’s legacy was a good one. A godly one. One I am thankful for as I raise my own kids. He wasn’t perfect. No legacy is perfect. I remember my dad apologizing to our family when he lost his temper or was impatient from time to time. But in that, he showed us how to own our mistakes and ask for forgiveness. Even in failure, he was teaching us good things. 

But how do I leave behind sweet memories and a good heritage? A legacy is built one moment, one word, one adventure at a time. And like it or not, a legacy is inevitable. I’ll either leave a good one or a bad one. 

I think the legacy my dad left (and the same one I want to leave for my kids) comes down to two things– loving God and loving people. If I can do those two things, I’ve nailed it. Of course, no one can love God and love people perfectly, but I have to start somewhere.

The Bible goes so far as to tell me to love God with my whole heart, soul and mind. Is that even possible? Yes, I think so. Otherwise God wouldn’t have told us to do it. When my kids exclaim, “I can’t…” I always remind them that I will never ask them to do something they cannot do. I think God is the same way. He doesn’t ask me to do something that He won’t give me the strength to accomplish. 

I’m also called to love others as I love myself. But sometimes I can’t even figure out how to go a week without losing my cool with one of my own kids!! How am I supposed to love the whole world?! 

What if I begin to love my husband and my children with a supernatural love? Forgiving them, showing them grace, extending patience, giving them the gift of my time and attention. That’s a pretty good place to start. One good thing at a time. And sometimes, I’ll mess up. But that’s ok. God’s grace is bigger than my mistakes. His love can cover a whole lot of my mess- ups. And someday, my kids will hopefully be handed the legacy of a mom who loved God and loved people to the best of her ability, one moment at a time. 

?Janelle

Scripture to encourage you:

  • “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (II Corinthians‬ ‭12:9‬) ‭
  • “Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:37-39)

Music to inspire you:

  • “How They Remember You” by Rascal Flatts
  • “Only Jesus” by Casting Crowns 
Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

5 / 7 / 185 / 7 / 18

Need some last minute gift ideas for the mothers in your life?

We compiled a list of our favorite things to help you out!

***

  • Fun Gift Ideas:

Personalized Tumbler with Straw: Cute and practical all wrapped up in one.

The Greatest Showman DVD: When folding laundry and need a pick-me-up!

Beautiful Photo Clip Frame: To remind your mom how much you love her.

Q and A a Day for Moms: When you don’t have time to journal but want to remember these full years.

Mom Keychain: A little bling and love on her keys.

***

  • Pampering Gift ideas:

Hard Candy Lip Gloss: When you need a little something extra and don’t have time for make-up!

Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Cream: This is 1/2 price if you buy it in the store, but it’s a great hand cream to keep in your purse/diaper bag

Moroccanoil Moisture Shampoo: I love this shampoo especially if you need to add more moisture to your hair.

EO French Lavender Body Oil:  My favorite oil that I think heals all.

Serenity Oil: Because mom needs a little serenity between temper tantrums!

***

  • Sentimental Gift ideas:

Alex and Ani Bracelet: I have an Alex and Ani bracelet for each of my boy’s initials, and they have always been one of my favorite gifts. I wear them whenever I’m away and feel like I have them with me.

***

  • Encouraging Gift Ideas:

The Magic of Motherhood: An encouraging book about motherhood that makes you feel less alone in the hard stuff.

Everybody Always: Bob Goff ‘s storytelling finds a way to make it all applicable to the reader in a way that sticks with you.
Hosanna Revival Painted Bible: You can’t help but pick up and read this beauty.
Cultivate Journals: When you’re short on time but want to reflect on life.
***
  • Food-Related Gift ideas:

Instant Pot: When you’re short on time to cook but know you need to get something on the table.

Cafe Escape Variety Keurig K Cups:  For those mornings you want to feel like you’re at a coffee house.

Magnolia Table: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering:  If your mom loves Joanna Gaines as much as we do, this cookbook will be a winner.

***

  • Wearable Gift Ideas:

Sueded Leopard-Print Moccasins: These shoes are cute and go with pretty much anything.

Fashion Backpack:The backpack purse is my new favorite thing! Keeps your hands free and looks cute.

Flowy Wrap Cardigan: When you need to throw something on but want to look a little trendy at the same time!

***

  • Gardening Gift Ideas:

Gardening Gloves: Cute and practical at the same time for the garden lover.

Gardening Gloves for Kids: Although not for moms, they still are if you want your kids to not have dirt under their nails for two weeks after the gardening day!

***

  • Splurge Gift Ideas:

Birkenstock Sandals: These comfy sandals are on my wish list.

IRobot Roomba: A pricier gift option but a huge lifesaver for moms with constantly messy floors.

***

  • Technology Gift Ideas:

Echo Dot:  The echo dot is pretty awesome. I ask Alexa for everything – weather, news, music, recipes, etc. She also sets our alarm before we leave the house.

Rechargeable Wireless Headphones:  For when Mommy needs a moment of silence and your child wants to play a game, read an e-book, or watch a favorite show.

***

What would you add to this list?

For more Gift Ideas, check out our Treasured Products page!

Also, just so you’re aware – many of these links above are affiliate links and we receive a small compensation for you clicking on them. 🙂 For more information, click here.

Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email

Posts navigation

1 2 Next Page

About Us!

We don’t claim to have motherhood figured out. Actually quite the opposite. We’re a group of women who first and foremost love the Lord and want to honor Him with our lives and talents. And we decided that what better way for us to sort out this beautiful and messy thing called motherhood but to process it together in text messages? Our prayer is that as we share our real-life stories and honest experiences, every mom who visits our blog will receive tangible truth and experience real grace.

Connect with Us!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • BlogLovin
  • Email

Stay Connected

Enter your email address below to receive notifications of text messages by email!

Categories

  • #atasteoftextingthetruth
  • #autumn2019
  • #beautifulinHistime
  • #bemomstrong
  • #christmas2019
  • #Coronavirus2020
  • #newbeginnings2020
  • #simplechristmas
  • #smallshifts
  • #Spring2020
  • #summer2019
  • #summer2020
  • #thetruthaboutgrowingup
  • #thetruthaboutsummer
  • #warmthinthewinter
  • Anxiety
  • Being Honest
  • Brave Mom
  • Communication
  • Expectations
  • Friendship
  • Holidays
  • Let's Chat
  • Marriage
  • Me Too Moment
  • Mental Health
  • Mom Fails
  • Mom Fears
  • Mom Guilt
  • Mom Identity
  • Mom Life
  • Mom Memories
  • Mom Pride
  • Mom Time
  • Mom Win
  • Moms in Progress
  • Relationships
  • School
  • Special Needs
  • Tired Mom
  • Uncategorized
  • Working Mom

Search this Site



Tags

anger Anna Brink Anxiety balance Christmas comparison coronavirus discipline Easter faith Fear Forgiveness friendship God grace grief Humility husband identity Janelle Gibbs Jen Moore Jesus Jo Perkins juggling Katie Duh Laura Freytag marriage memories Michelle Warner Mistakes Mom Fail mom guilt Moms in Progress mom win Mom Win Wednesday perfectionism perspective prayer resentment rest Social Media summer surrender trust Virginia Forste

Recent Posts

  • “Mom-sters” Hungry for Peace and Laughter
  • Dream Big, Hope for More, and Don’t Settle
  • Leaving a Legacy
  • Thieves of Joy
  • Reflections on a Blog’s 4th Birthday

Share the Love ♥

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • BlogLovin
  • Email

About

Submissions

Contact Us

Disclosure

Advertising

We Believe

Site made with ♥ by Kristen McCall
Angie Makes Feminine WordPress Themes