• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Shop My Home
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

June 12, 2011

“A Lamp Unto My Feet”…Simply Sunday

Lately in our home we have been having lots of discussions about things like

Choices.
Taking responsibility for our actions.
Trust in God.
Trust in each other.
Trust that must be earned back after it has been lost.
Any of these conversations going on in your home?
They are happening more and more frequently as our oldest enters this next stage of life.
The other day my dear friend and her infant son were visiting us. And as I asked her how she was dealing with the challenges of being a new mommy, we began talking all about the sleep deprivation and the feedings and the diaper rashes and the changes that have taken place in her life and her marriage as a result of being first time parents.
And as she shared, my mind was racing with these thoughts.
“Oh girl, this is the EASY part! You may be tired but this precious baby isn’t talking back. He isn’t getting caught in a lie. He isn’t starting to face peer pressure. He doesn’t have an attitude!”
Of course, I didn’t actually say ANY of that. Because, well, she’ll learn soon enough.
And, I know that those of you who have older kids are thinking the same thing as you read this.
I will learn soon enough too, won’t I?
I don’t have a teenager yet, or even a pre-teen.
I can hear the collective, “oh, just wait!”
But, for now, this is my reality. And I have come to realize that teaching my (almost) 4 year old to share her toys is a lot easier than this season of navigating our 8 yr. old son through the
 new life challenges he is facing.
So, along with these discussions about choices, responsibility and trust, we have also decided that we need to create some fun ways to illustrate the lessons we are trying to instill.
This is an activity we did this week. It took all of 1/2 hour.
But I think/pray/hope the take-away message will last a lot longer than that!
We began by heading out to the back yard after dinner.
I had asked Ian to grab his Adventure Bible and bring it out with us.
We all piled onto the hammock (which fortunately held us all without breaking!) and we asked Ian to read from Psalm 119:105
“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

We then had him stand up and we blindfolded him with my lovely long sparkly scarf.
I know we have a bandana somewhere but I just couldn’t find it!

Then we told him to start walking.
And we were very quiet.
And he walked….slowly…inching along the grass.
And we were quiet.
And he started to get nervous.
So we offered some direction.
“Go 5 steps forward buddy.”
“Now, turn to the left just slightly.”
“Trust us that we won’t let you run into something.”
“Keep going straight…turn to the right and keep going.”

“You made it across the entire yard!”
Of course he wanted to try giving mom and dad directions so we got our turns being blindfolded too! 
Which, of course turned into a game of, “let’s see how dumb we can make our parents look and lead them in circles all over the yard while we laugh hysterically.”
 But, after that, we talked for a little while.
About choices, responsibility and trust.
And how in this world, things can get very murky or foggy or even just pitch black dark!
These are the times when we could use a light to guide us.
And we just happen to have one!
When everything else seems confusing and out of control.
When people will entice you to step on over to THEIR path…which of course has lots more people on it!
When the right choice is the hardest choice.
When others take any and every opportunity to point the finger…shift the blame…shirk responsibility.
That is when His Word becomes “a lamp to our feet and a light to our path”.
Guiding
Directing
Never leading us in the wrong direction
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gage and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14
Thank you for meeting me here today at the Fence,
Sharing this at

Imparting Grace



13 Comments Filed Under: Devotionals, Simply Sundays

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Inspiration Friday Party No. 19
Next Post: DIY Bookcase Turned Desk »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lori Alexander says

    June 12, 2011 at 2:14 PM

    LOVED this!!!

    Reply
  2. Pattie says

    June 12, 2011 at 3:08 PM

    What a good read on a Sunday morning.. Thanks for sharing

    Pattie

    Reply
  3. Doreen grace says

    June 12, 2011 at 3:26 PM

    My, that hits the spot this week as I’m dealing with 15 year old! Thanks for the encouraging words. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Katie says

    June 12, 2011 at 6:58 PM

    Wow, what a great post. As I prepare to mentally handle a newborn, I can’t help but think of how we’ll manage to lead him in the right direction. Sharing this with my hubby!

    Reply
  5. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    June 12, 2011 at 9:00 PM

    A great lesson and a wonderful post!

    Reply
  6. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    June 12, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    Great post Vanessa!

    Reply
  7. Judy says

    June 12, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    I can so relate. Great post. Perfect Sunday night read.

    Reply
  8. Lakeshore Cottage Living says

    June 13, 2011 at 1:51 AM

    This was a great lesson for your son…I am going to have to bookmark this and do this with my two oldest. Thank you very much for sharing!

    Reply
  9. Traci says

    June 13, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    Awww, you’re such a good mama! What a wonderful way to get your point across.

    Reply
  10. Debbie, Artist of Uniquely Pampered says

    June 13, 2011 at 6:11 PM

    Very nice activity! I can visualize your kids laughing hysterically as they have you walking around in circles. Those sorts of activities really help develop a sense of trust, love and connection between kids and their parents. (you may not see it now, but its true). Have a great day!

    Reply
  11. Nellie's Cozy place says

    August 8, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    Hi Vanessa,
    what a great post, it is so refreshing to see young parents who are trying to navigate their children in the right direction. Good for you, cause you are right on about the narrow gate, so if we don’t lead them, who will………I tell you who will, the enemy of our soul!!! Those object lessons stay with them a lot longer than just our words, altho they stick too…………..so good for you that you are employing some fun teaching along with the truth of God’s word.

    Blessings to and on your family,
    Nellie

    Reply
  12. Susan Gay says

    August 8, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    How awesome! I love life lessons with kids because I always learn something as well. Enjoyed your blog so much! Thanks.

    Reply
  13. Richella says

    August 8, 2011 at 9:09 PM

    This is lovely, Vanessa! What a great way to make the point on a level that he can understand.

    Here’s another application for you: when you have a trusted friend over sometime, use the blindfold again. This time, both you and the friend can give directions. Then let another voice speak–maybe the friend disguising his voice, or a recording, or something. That other voice should direct them in the opposite way of where they should go. Your kids can learn that they should listen to voices they know and trust, just as they will come to know the voice of the Good Shepherd, and they can trust Him! (“My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me” [John 10:27]).

    Thanks so much for linking up to Grace Imparted and for helping me spread the word!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Lakeshore Cottage Living Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

  • A New Look for the Family Room

    A New Look for the Family Room
  • Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

    Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze
  • The Slow Exit

    The Slow Exit
  • Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

    Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

Sign Up and Never Miss A Post!

Must Reads

Latest Recipes

Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

Apple Bread Pudding

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze April 19, 2023
  • Console Table Refresh March 24, 2023
  • Laundry Room Makeover February 23, 2023
  • Winter Decorating Ideas January 27, 2023
  • Nostalgic Christmas Home Tour December 10, 2022

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

“No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom “No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.”
General Douglas MacArthur

Grateful today and every day for those who were vigilant to the point of death in the preservation of our freedom and the principles upon which our country was founded. May we honor their sacrifice by being vigilant too. #memorialday
I’ve been on the lookout for small side tables t I’ve been on the lookout for small side tables to pit next to our outdoor couch and when I spotted these plant stands at @walmart from their @betterhomesandgardens line I knew they would be perfect…and they are!! 👏🏻 This is not a sponsored post. I’m just happily sharing this great find and why we should always be open to thinking outside of the box when it comes finding solutions for our decorating dilemmas.

Now we’re ready to head into this beautiful weekend! ☀️
What do you do when you want to use a bunch of boo What do you do when you want to use a bunch of books in your decorating but it can cost $50 or more for just ONE brand new book? Head to the secondhand bookstore of course! I’m so excited about this new look in my family room and this easy, inexpensive decorating tip I’m bringing to you for this #tiptuesday
Today feels like one of those days that is worthy Today feels like one of those days that is worthy of a chef’s kiss. Blue sky with nary a cloud in sight, perfect mid-70’s temps, a gentle breeze blowing through my hair as I walk around my yard to see the status of my flowering plants.

This morning I was running errands and the weight of hard things that are happening in the world, the culture, my own community and even in our circle of friends just felt so heavy.

But, as I was exiting a store, I passed a couple who were in their late 60’s/early 70’s and holding hands as they walked through the parking lot. I happened to glance over just as the husband lifted his wife’s hand up and planted a kiss right on it. It was a moment that reflected such love and tenderness and it was made sweeter by the fact that they weren’t spring chickens. I felt honored that I had been the one to observe and appreciate that moment.

What an incredible thing it is that as humans we are able to hold so many emotions in our souls all at once. To feel sorrow for the pain a friend is enduring, grieve the decline of a culture drifting further from the Lord, ponder how to navigate a challenging school situation, marvel at and enjoy the beauty of creation right outside my door and feel joy at getting to see a tangible example of lasting love while walking through a parking lot.

I truly believe that as we mature in our lives and in our faith, we learn to embrace the tension that comes with the collision of different emotions and recognize that they can all coexist at the same time without one taking something away from another. Simple joys make the hard stuff a bit easier and hard stuff makes us appreciate those simple joys even more.

What’s a simple joy that you are thankful for today?
Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here are some highlights…

*Friday night I joined some wonderful ladies at church for a time of fellowship and yummy desserts. I made a strawberry lemon coffee cake and it was amazing if I do say so myself. ☺️ We are new-ish to this church and have just felt so warmly welcomed and folded in which has been very healing.

*Saturday was filled with getting our outdoor spaces spiffed up and my guys got our new table put together!

*Sitting outside for lunch with a yummy salad and iced tea felt like a little slice of heaven.

*Sunday we went to the iris gardens with my in-laws and then came home for naps and the most mouth watering ribs that my sweet husband had on the smoker all day.

*This glorious weekend ended with some ferocious rounds of UNO-corn (a hilarious version of UNO) and brownies my sweet daughter made for our dessert.

How was your weekend sweet friends? 🌸
I am absolutely and completely a better version of I am absolutely and completely a better version of myself when the sun is shining! Raise your hand if this is true for you too.

And, not only do I feel myself seeming to physically rise up from a slumbered state to greet the sunshine we've been longing for, I find that it seems like my house is rising up too. Every room, every nook and cranny (even though I now see dust bunnies that I missed during my cleaning on the dreary days), every leaf and flower outside...it's all coming to life and breathing fresh hope into my spirit. What a gift it is to be able to enjoy this home in all of the seasons of the year and of our lives. Now, I'm going to head outside and clean our deck and maybe there will be some time leftover for those dust bunnies!
I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispenser I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispensers! They come with pre-made labels for SO many different options and would make a great Mother’s Day gift! I love how they add a bit of pizzazz to my kitchen. And they go perfectly with some of my antique accessories like the little dish my mother in law gave me for salt and pepper and the tiny toothpick holder which belonged to my great grandmother. 

If you’d like the link to order them, just leave a comment with the word ‘bottles’ and I’ll send it your way. They’re even on sale right now! 🙌🏻
The lilacs are coming! The lilacs are coming! This The lilacs are coming! The lilacs are coming! This is what I’m thinking (and sometimes saying out loud) every time I pass my dining room window and see my lilac tree bursting forth. I should probably just go full Paul Revere and ring a bell while I shout the news for all to hear. I’m sure my family would love that!

Lilac season is so bittersweet because it’s over way too soon but, fortunately, I’ve figured out how to capture the deliciousness of the fragrance by making my own lilac scented room spray. It’s SO simple!

Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka.

Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

This sweet little project was first featured in my book Life in Season and is definitely one of my favorites.

Have the lilacs started blooming where you live?
The cherry blossoms on the tree in our backyard ar The cherry blossoms on the tree in our backyard are at their peak and I’m here for it!
It’s time for another #tiptuesday! One of the gr It’s time for another #tiptuesday! One of the greatest joys of this stage in my parenting journey is getting to see the results of the years spent pouring into my children. The worry, the sleepless nights, praying, questioning our decisions and learning to trust in the Lord Who loves them even more than we do. We definitely didn’t do everything right, but what an an amazing experience it is to watch them become these incredible teens/young adults. My tip this week might seem simple, but I believe it can make a major difference in the lives of our children, in our homes and maybe, just maybe, in the culture too. 🌸
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 At The Picket Fence