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Renee Swope

Encouraging and equipping moms to parent with God's grace and confidence.

Read An Excerpt: Chapter 1 & 2

God’s Treasures of Truth

Welcome to my “Month of Encouragement for Moms” sponsored by D6 and Proverbs 31 Ministries. If you found your way here from my P31 devotion, I’m so glad you stopped by. And if you’re one my regular blog readers, thanks for being here each day. Your comments encourage me when I don’t know what to write; your thoughts and thanks let me know it’s making a difference. I am loving this journey with you as we find practical ways to connect spiritual truths with everyday life experiences – for us and our families.

In last Wednesday’s post, I talked about God giving me hope as a mom by giving me a new perspective of parenting. He challenged me to stop focusing on my kids’ habits and invest in their hearts by looking for ways to notice and nurture their character. From that day forward I looked for ways to learn and live God’s truths in everyday life lessons. Today’s devotion came after that commitment. One day I was reading about Davids passion for treasuring God’s Word in His heart, and thinking about my kids passion for a treasure hunt. I decided to combine the two and encourage my boys to approach reading the Bible like looking for a treasure in a field, and find ways to share that treasure with others. One night around the dinner table, we talked about the character trait of KINDNESS. Here’s a little family devotion I wrote as a result:

Todays’ Treasure of Truth:1 Thessalonians 5:15, “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.”

Kindness means being nice to others with your actions and your words.

The Map of God’s Word:Read John 1:43-49. While Jesus was walking down the road with his disciples, Philip saw his friend Nathanael. He was so excited to tell Nathanael that they had met Jesus. Nathanael’s first response was sarcastic and unkind. As soon as he heard where Jesus was from, Nathanael said, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

Instead of returning Nathanael’s comment with an insult, Jesus responded with kindness. When He saw Nathanael coming toward him he told the others that Nathanael was a person of character, true on the inside and out. Nathanael was surprised by Jesus’ kindness. He wondered how Jesus knew about him. When Nathanael saw the kindness in Jesus’ heart that formed the words on His lips, his sarcasm turned into faith. He returned Jesus’ thoughtfulness with kind words of his own.

A Nugget of Wisdom:Kindness is easy when others are being nice to us, but Jesus wants us to be kind no matter what.

Making Character Count:Developing God’s character isn’t just about doing good things; it’s about being Christ-like in our attitudes and actions. Talk as a family about the importance of having a heart like Jesus, remembering that before we can offer others what God has given us, we need to take time to acknowledge and thank him for His kindness towards me and

Prayer: Jesus, thank you that your love is patient and kind. Please help us to be kind to each other and those outside of our family. Help us to think of ways we can show kindness each day. And please remind us of how kind you were with your words and actions to those who were not kind to you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Ways to live and give the treasure ofKindness:

  • Say thanks when someone does something kind or gives something to you.
  • Say please when asking for something.
  • Offer to help a friend or sibling with homework.
  • Tell someone else what you like about them.
  • Let someone in line before you.
  • Be friendly by saying hello and smiling at people.
  • Give a thoughtful gift to someone for no reason.

Copyright 2009, Renee Swope – All rights reserved.

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Today’s Mom Give-Aways

Today we are choosing winners from the comments and giving away two D6 mom resources – a copy of my “Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child Chart and George Barna’s “Revolutionary Parenting”. Please include your email so we can reach you if you win.

We’ll be giving away gifts every weekday, so be sure to come back for more mom encouragement and resources from D6 and Proverbs 31 Ministries!

Comments

  1. Thank you for encouraging moms to teach their children God’s Word. It truly is a treasure. I mentor mommies of preschoolers and am always looking for material to help them get into God’s Word with their children. I am interested in your Mining the Heart of the Child materials, but I would like to see a sample before I can recommend it to the mommies. Do you have a sample I could see? Thank you. Keep searching for those nuggets!!

  2. Thank you for your blog today. I have 4 children and my husband has been having us work through the Fruit of the Spirit and we are working on kindness…I read parts of your blog to them today as we have no school because it is a snow day.
    [email protected]

  3. Thanks for the devotions. I am using them with my children. I so enjoyed hearing you speak in Houston! Thank you for giving away those tickets!!

  4. Oh – REvolutionary parenting is on my to buy list…..one of the few that I don’t have. 🙂

  5. Thank you I needed the devotion for my children. My kids range from a 5-6 year difference and they have a tendency to not be as kind to each other as I would like. The oldest one Snaps at the middle child who inturns snaps at the youngest child as well as acts out in school. So thank you for the devotion i can share with my childen on kindness

  6. Hi Renee, I just stumbled upon your blog through Proverbs 31 devotions. I went back and read some of your archived posts. You have such an uplifting spirit. I have three children, ages nine, six, and four months. I have been praying that God will show me the areas in which I need improvement as a mother and wife. God has used your words to speak directly to my heart. Thank you!

  8. Thank you so much for the blessing that your blog is to me. I recently found it & have been so encouraged.As a homeschool mom & being pregnant right now I am struggling, so your site is exactly what I need! Thanks=)

  9. Renee, I love your blog….I am now a daily reader and love the words of wisdom I receive from you each day. I am the mom of two lovely daughters, 10 & 2. My 10 y.o. is doing Upward Basketball so we are going to tie in her bible verses and lessons from that program into our family dinner discussions. I love your ideas and the ideas I get from the comments left by your other readers. God Bless You!
    [email protected]

  10. Thank you for sharing Renee about kindness, these are things I can teach my six grandkids as I spend time with them!

  11. I just found your blog on Proverbs 31. I am a mother of 4–2 bio 2 adopted from Guatemala. We just started a class at church called Intentional parenting and my commitment has been renewed to look for ways to teach and inspire my children. Thanks for all you do to help moms and dads accomplish this goal!

  12. Renee
    I started a bible verse journal yesterday, and was happy to add your verse today. (1Thess.5:15) along with the example from John 1:43-49. I have older children, and I felt writing verses down and meomorizing them will help me to apply them to everyday situations. Thank you for your great ministry.
    Shirley

  15. Thank you for your insight. I am a mom of two young boys 3yr and 1 yr. I am always looking for great resources and godly wisdom to help me as I care for these two great gifts. Thanks.
    Alicia

  17. Renee,
    I loved the P31 devotion this morning. It was great. I can so see your boys getting excited about a treasure hunt. My kids would love that, too.

    “Kindness is easy when others are being nice to us, but Jesus wants us to be kind no matter what.” What a simple but strong statement. We read it and nod our heads saying “yep” but when it comes down to it we have to ask ourselves if we are living it. Thank you for such great insight this morning.
    Carol

  18. I am very thankful God has led me to your blog. I find it totally amazing how God has used the Proverbs 31 devotions to be so on point in my life. It never fails when I ask God for something or there’s something He’s trying to teach me that the devotions enforce the message. God is so awesome! Just the other morning I asked for wisdom, and the devotion came through with “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.” James 1:5a. We’re presently faced with our 14 year old son’s issues of the heart, and again the devotions and your blog have been so on point. Thank you for allowing God to speak through you to so many!!

  19. Renee,
    Thanks again for the inspiration to be a D6 mom! I know you write your devotions for your family but you should seriously consider publishing a Family Devotion Book (if you haven’t already, and if you have please let me know!) I had a hard time finding a suitable family devotional that would work for my family. I have a 5,4,2,and 10 months, so unfortunately my brain is not in a place where I have the thoughts or creativity to come up with a devotion such as yours. Really, you should publish those! The best book I could find at the bookstore was Step Into The Bible by Ruth Graham. Since being introduced to D6 parenting through your blog, my husband and I have committed to doing family devotions with our children. It’s going well so far! I would welcome suggestions for other family devotionals that we might use when we finish Step Into The Bible. Or maybe you could hurry really fast and publish a new one for us 🙂

    [email protected]
    Plain City, OH

  20. I loved the P31 devo and your post today 🙂 Your writings always give me awesome ideas to share God’s love in my own house!

    Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! 🙂 I really appreciate it!

    Enjoy the rest of your day!

    Blessings,
    Kate 🙂

  21. My name is Regina and I live in North Carolina. I have 3 children…Alecia 21, Joe 18 and Devin 10. Devin was born with 6 heart defects and has undergone 4 open heart surgeries. I am struggling right now with a marriage that I feel is putting me and keeping me in bondage. I am just not happy. Sometimes I think I am but something always happens to show that I made the wrong decision. I need prayer for strenght, and guidance. My whole body is wreaking havoc…I feel sick in every inch that I have. I love reading the daily encouragements..thanks for all you do

  22. I'm the proud mother of a 2 year old & I'm constantly trying to make sure that my son is stands on a firm Christian foundation. Although my husband supports whatever I do, he's not an "active participant" in the process. I really appreciate the suggestions you have listed – my son may be too young but it never hurts to try! Thank you!!!! Mary
    [email protected]

  23. I found your blog today while reading my daily morning devotional through email.

    It is great to find a parent who shares their walk with God in everyday life.

    I am a mom of 4 boys, and I love todays Todays’ Treasure of Truth: 1 Thessalonians 5:15, “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.”

    It seems that these days, even with my kids, we forget to have compassion for one another. This is a verse I will use often.

    Thank you.

  24. I have just discovered your blog and must say it’s a wonderful find. I worry and pray for daily about my children and how they will be when they grow up. Their daddy is a minister and I’ve seen first hand how some pks can turn out, my cousins were pks and now they reject God’s truth, and that scares me. I want nothing more for my daughters than for them to truly have given their lives to God when they are older. My oldest daughter (who is 15) does not “treasure” her relationship with God, when I suggest reading the Bible she looks at it as an inconvenience.
    So I want to thank you for this blog ministry.
    Thanks

  25. Last Wednesday’s devotion that you wrote was God’s answer to my prayer. So often I look at our children’s short falls. The devotion made me try to see and point out the good that my children do.

    I appreciate the encouragement you give through your blog. May God continue to use you for his work.

    Julie

    [email protected]

  26. Thank you for sharing such wonderful tools to help us all become better mothers. I have four young children and am always in need of ways to help them grow in their faith.

    Your blog is a joy to read!

  27. Such a good devotional for today. I always try to teach my son kindness but as hard as I try (and he tries) it never seems to come out right. He is very good at saying “excuse me” if he needs to get by or someone is in his way but it’s his tone that kills him everytime. He just can’t seem to understand that saying excuse me as if someone is a bother to you still isn’t being kind…even though he said excuse me. We’ll keep working on it though and he will get it!

  29. Thank you for all your wisdom that you share. I am currently going through some medical struggles and remembering to be kind is also a daily struggle when you don’t feel well. But, I have to say that Jesus finds little reminders throughout those tough days that He is in control and I give it all to the Greatest Doctor of ALL. He is the only true Healer and I pray that He guides my doctors and helps give the wisdom. I have met so many people on this medical journey that are so unhappy. Though I have tough days, I still have Jesus who encourages me to be kind to those who may not know Him and who are unhappy all the time. My children 13,11,7 struggle with being kind to each other especially during all these snow days we have had, but He is always in control and your devotions help encourage me of new ways to encourage my children. Thank you!

  30. Wow, what a great way to look at hiding God’s word in your heart. Today I am not working, and so I think I will get into our toys here and pick a couple things out that Eli hasn’t played with in a while and use them for a treasure hunt… He always loves to go looking for things. Thanks for the idea! Oh, and about last weeks devo from you… it hit me hard! Renee, for the past 3 or 4 weeks my life has been a whirlwind… having Lilly and Zach only a year apart… now Zach is walking and heading into his “terrible/terrific” two’s it has made it doubly hard. Lilly is aldread there and a strong willed child in that stage. I have been beating myself up, I have been so impatient… I have been raising my voice towards my two little children, I have been pulling back from the world. just two days ago I was on my face before the Lord… admitting as you have… “I can’t do this… I can’t do this… please take over”. What a release after that time of reflection and openness with the Lord. it was the Lord’s hand leading me to open the e-devo that day… I didn’t want to and for the past couple months I haven’t been opening them… but I did last week and HE SPOKE through your words. Thank you for sharing your struggles, because it is through those that I am able to hear the Lord clearly sometimes… when I’m a bit foggy and overwhelmed and ready to give up.

    Have a great day… See you sunday, if you’re in town!
    Christy

  31. I just found your blog and I have been SO encouraged as I have explored past posts. I have been needing a ‘pick-me’up’ and Go dhas used your ministry to help me see me TRUE role as a Christian Mom- I am not just a SAHM- I am in Full Time Childern’s Ministry! 🙂

  33. I just found your blog from the P31 devotional. I have 2 boys and love the thought of searching scriptures like we search for a treasure chest. Great idea!

  34. What a wonderful devotional! I love the way your devotional is set up. I can easily do it with my 3 year old. He is such a kind soul, but I definitely need to work on my responses when he is just being a boy. Thanks for the encouragement. I read your devotionals every morning with my cup of coffee.

    [email protected]

  35. I just have to say how lucky women are today to have websites to go to for support, love, and encouragement. We never did when I was raising my children. It saddens me when I think back, how I treated them somedays. I want my grandchildren to grow up with all this knowledge. I love your comments about searching for “gold” in them all.

  36. Thank you for taking the time to share with us each day. I so look forward to checking out what you have to say each day. You are a blessing to me (and obviously many others). Thank you for using your gift and for living out God’s purpose for you each day. He is reaching many through you!!!!
    Judy
    [email protected]

  37. Thank you for the message of “kindness” today. I know that this truth needs to be more evident in my own life before it will be manifested fully in my children’s lives. It is so easy to respond impatiently or reactively to words that hurt. “A gentle answer turns away wrath”–would be a great verse for me to remember when I’m tempted to defend myself.

    [email protected]

  38. Thank you! Thank You! We are having a snow day up here in Pa! Thank God because my 15 yr old has refused to stay home and rest battling a cold, it’s b-ball season for her. Anyways…yesterday I left work discouraged and feeling sad because I personally see everyday the importance of effective and proactive parenting in the lives of a children through working in a public elementary school. Our area is economically stressed and just by reading your blog today I saw where I can make a difference. Our small town is building a volunteer library…I have numerous books of inspiration to share, some on parenting. My goal for this year is to collect more and pass them on. Thanks for bringing a ray of hope to me this morning…I was down but now uplifted!
    hhhhh…More ways to help our community library and make a difference has popped into my head.
    God Bless!!!! Even as adults we need prompts to move us past an obsticle!

  39. Renee … your blog has been such a blessing to me! As a mom who struggles with chronic pain, patience is something I have very little of some days. I am struggling to find the nuggets of kindness that I know are in my heart to share with my little one. She is very fragile and so completely moldable. Thank you for your transparency and your honesty.

  40. Hello, My name is Debraand I so much needed to put my troubled mind in the hands of Jesus and let him do the work. I have a 26 year old son that is now facing life in prison or worse and I have struggled for the pssed year dealing with this outcome. Satan snatched him up in his young age of 9 and held him, making him believe in all his dececful ways but Thank the Lord that Tdoay he is now learning the power of Pray and Believing in the word of God. We tryed along with him to beat the devil and change his beliefs that were being pumped into him eachand every day from satan but than it went too far. We tryed to get him the help and detox that he needed and justcounldn’t break the bridge for him to cross over, that he would be forgiven, the system of our laws that are written before us are more Satans than our lord Jesus christ and than came the day when he finally got the grip on him, along with 2 other young men, of cource the others that were there that day ran but my son, being under the consumtion of drugs was theonly one that got caught up into to this murder somehow, for noone ryr witnesses, but for ome reason i believe that Jesus said that Nathan, this is your lat chance to be saved and learn the word. It has been almost a year now, he is still sitting in Jail awaiting trial for first degree murder,willful kill and robbery with a firearm, which is not all the truth but my son now has the Power of the word of God running thru his veins instead of the drugs and he has been forgiven by the Lord Jesus and the Power of prayer and as we sit and wait to go to trial he is devoted his life to reading and believing the word and my youngest son, who is so disarayed by all this , to become strong and listen and learn the ower of the word and pray of Jesus in his name. God I do pary today for all the young and old to pick up on this word of mine today for I feel this is what Jesus wanted me today to send this message out , even iof it just helps one person today, he is making a statement for them to hopfully be heard.
    for the other boys involved that have not turned thm selves in nor have the officials even tried to find, put a wisper in there ear to finding out all the truth in this testimony for all to hear. I do hope it helps someone, somewhere in the world today and each and every day grow on to more lost souls to give themselves to Jesus and to believe and pray and ask for ofrgivness, for Satan is a very powerful Demon but if you start believing from this day forward and give yourself to Jesus and ask to put this all in his hands, your prayers will be ansered in some ways maybe not even seing the change at first but one day you will see the light and the reason for everything that happens to us and it is the Power and the Word of God is the Only way to be truely forgiven and to carry out his word. God Bless
    Debra

  41. It’s amazing how you keep hitting the nail on the head for me, old friend. :o) I have always tried to teach them to be kind to others, especially on those play space things/playgrounds. When someone hurts you, respond with kindness back… What I need to focus more on is how to get them to think about being kind to each other! To be initiative in it! Maybe I should draw out the “secret” card – have them do their acts of kindness in secret for each other…

    Julie W.
    [email protected]
    EA, 12
    EB, 10
    {MR 1999}
    EA, 8
    IA, 22 months

  43. Love the devotional you wrote on kindness. I want to share it with my family. I also want to keep your attitude of always looking for a way to make adventures, activities or anything in life relate to the Bible. I’m going to pray that the Lord will help me to do that. Thank you for your e-devotional! 🙂

  44. I just recently started reading your blog and am so glad to have found it through Proverbs 31. It seems like you always know exactly what to say and its always directed at something that is going on in my life! Thank you!!!!!
    Irene
    [email protected]

  45. I found your blog through the P31 devotional. Thank you for giving encouragement without making me feel guilty!

  46. Just want to say that Joshua and Andrew have one terrific Mom! A Mom who IS living and giving God’s treasures of truth to so many to encourage us in our daily walk.

    Love, prayers and hugs,
    Joy

  47. Renee, this is so great! Our church has just started D6 and we love it. Our motto at home is J.O.Y. (Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last) so your message hits close to home. :o) Thank you for sharing your heart. As my 8 children and I enjoy our ‘snow day’ today, I will searching for ‘nuggets’. ;o) Thanks again!

  48. Renee,
    Thanks again for the inspiration to be a D6 mom! I know you write your devotions for your family but you should seriously consider publishing a Family Devotion Book (if you haven’t already, and if you have please let me know!) I had a hard time finding a suitable family devotional that would work for my family. I have a 5,4,2,and 10 months, so unfortunately my brain is not in a place where I have the thoughts or creativity to come up with a devotion such as yours. Really, you should publish those! The best book I could find at the bookstore was Step Into The Bible by Ruth Graham. Since being introduced to D6 parenting through your blog, my husband and I have committed to doing family devotions with our children. It’s going well so far! I would welcome suggestions for other family devotionals that we might use when we finish Step Into The Bible. Or maybe you could hurry really fast and publish a new one for us 🙂

    [email protected]
    Plain City, OH

  49. I just recently started reading your blog and am so glad to have found it through Proverbs 31. It seems like you always know exactly what to say and its always directed at something that is going on in my life! Thank you!!!!!
    Irene
    [email protected]

  50. Renee, this is so great! Our church has just started D6 and we love it. Our motto at home is J.O.Y. (Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last) so your message hits close to home. :o) Thank you for sharing your heart. As my 8 children and I enjoy our ‘snow day’ today, I will searching for ‘nuggets’. ;o) Thanks again!