Well, I must admit that I am thrilled that someone besides my mom is reading my book and visiting my blog. It is so rewarding to hear how the Lord has used The Official Soccer Mom Devotional to encourage others! The winner of this year’s fifty dollar Starbucks card is…R.L., and her favorite devo is #21 Know it All (otherwise called Spit a Bug). Thanks to everyone who participated in the contest. RL your card is in the mail.

Meanwhile, I’m in the process of filling in my Spring speaking schedule. If your group or church would like to invite me to speak at your women’s, mother’s or writer’s event please visit the site at SoccerMomBook.com and fill out the form on the Speaking/Events page.

Blessings,

Lynne

There is only one more day to get your name and favorite devotional from The Official Soccer Mom Devotional in to be eligible for the Fifty Dollar Starbucks card. Winner will be announced tomorrow!  Send to Lynne@LynneThompson.net

Blessings,Lynne

My friend and I were enjoying a quick cup of coffee therapy and discussing a phenomenon that appears to be quite common among teenage boys. When it comes to homework the boys “do” the work but they never “turn in” the work. Then when we question them, they produce the crumpled evidence from the bottom of their backpack. They have absolutely no explanation as to why it remains in there instead of on the teacher’s desk.

My friend and I attempted to unravel the mystery. Why, if you did the work, would you not go the extra step of turning it in? Is it forgetfulness? Apathy? Brain damage due to testosterone poisoning? We decided it was one of those things that don’t get solved, like the Bermuda Triangle, or empty toilet paper rolls.

But later that night, as I finished my personal devotional Bible study, I thought about my homework. Each day I study God’s word so that I can know why I believe what I believe. But how often do I actually turn my homework in by “doing” the word of God? When do I do that “Love your neighbor” part or the “forgive as God has forgiven me” part? Am I guilty of keeping my relationship with God in my backpack?

In Matthew 5:16 we read, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

If I keep the word of God only to myself, then God doesn’t get the credit he deserves. And at the end of the day, He definitely deserves A+ work.

Blessings,

Lynne

PS: Only 13 more days to enter (see previous blog)

As promised here is my new Soccer Mom Contest. First, let me explain my motive. As an author you wonder if anyone out there is actually reading (or dare to dream benefiting) from your book. One of my magazine editors once called to prepare me that someone had written a letter to the editor about one of my articles and she wasn’t very kind. To my editor’s surprise I shouted with joy, “At least now I know that someone besides my mom is reading my articles!” The same is true with my book. So here is the contest:

Please submit to me by email at:  Lynne@SoccerMomBook.com the title of your favorite devotional from my book, The Official Soccer Mom Devotional, by yours truly, and more importantly “why” it is your favorite. I will take all of the submissions and put them in a bowl and then have my teenage son, who doesn’t care about this contest (or how many dirty socks pile up in his room) pick one of the names. That person will win a $50 Starbucks card.

(Note: You don’t have to be a soccer mom, you might be a dad, student, or someone else who has read my book).

Now that said, I reserve the right to publish your submission about why the devo you picked is your favorite, but will not put your name on it, just your first and last initial. Fair?

So, just send in something and you have a chance at the $50. Please send in one submission only, after all it’s your favorite, not favorites.

If you haven’t yet purchased my book just click here and get reading!

All submissions must be sent in by

January 31, 2012. The winner will be contacted by email and announced on this blog (initials only) and the Soccer Mom FB.

Let me extend a heartfelt THANKS to all who have supported my book. Some of you are my dear friends, others I’ve had the privilege of meeting at speaking engagements, book signings, and writer’s conferences.

So God Bless and let the contest begin!!

(And Mom, you’re the best, but you can’t participate in this contest LOL

Blessings,

Lynne

I got the phone call offering me an upgrade in my cable TV package. It was only $5 more a month to receive a cable box, a remote control, and a few extra channels. Since our kids were beginning to balk at playing the part of human remote I figured why not?

The cable guy came and left. I clicked on the TV to find out what “extra channels” they were referring to. What I discovered instead, were my previous channels missing altogether. I phoned the company and found out that the man “fixed” the cable ouside, as we were receiving an entire viewing package by accident. I recapped my situation with the voice on the phone, “Let me get this straight, I am paying $5 more each month to remotely control less channels than I had before?” The voice tried to justify the reality, “If you think about it, you were getting something for several months that you didn’t pay for, so what you have now is what you deserve.”

I hung up the phone and looked into my bathroom mirror to make sure the sign “sucker” wasn’t tattooed on my forehead. Somehow I didn’t see that one coming. But then the God-voice kicked in, I was losing something I didn’t deserve anyway. It reminded me of one of the candid talks Jesus had with his disciples.

In Matthew 13, the disciples were asking Jesus why he spoke in parables. He answered simply, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.”

In other words, you have been given an exclusive bonus package, whereas they are stuck with Basic. Then Jesus added something that I could now relate to: “For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.”

I didn’t have a decent TV situation, but now I had a pathetic TV situation. I was worse off than before, which when it comes to entertainment is no big deal. But life…well that’s another story.

People today, just like in the Bible days, have been granted the opportunity to know the mysteries of heaven, to daily walk with the Creator of the Universe. If we invite God to direct our human experience, then there is even more life coming. However, if we toss away this great gift, the little life pleasures we try to hang onto will be taken away.

As I reviewed my TV package again, I did notice one additional feature called Video on Demand. I can call up a movie anytime I want, I can even walk away and then return to pick up where I left off. Yeah, that’s what I’m going to do, go back and try to pick up where I left off, before I lose everything.

Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. ~Matthew 13:13

Blessings,

Lynne

PS: Stay tuned tomorrow for my next Soccer Mom Contest!

I’m back. Yes I took a break from the SoccerMom ministry for a bit, but now I’m back in full force, and maybe not moment too soon. I just read a disappointing article published by the Journal of Family Psychology titled “Working Moms are Healthier.” The piece reports that a new study finds that Moms who work at least part time are healthier and happier than those who decide to stay home with their babies, a new study suggests. It even stated that, “For whatever reason, part-time employment during children’s early years appears to be a positive factor in mothers’ individual well-being,” the researchers found.

Unfortunately something ( or should I say someone) was overlooked in this study….the children. Oh yeah them. Excuse me for asking the obvious but what are the long-term effects of young children being raised by someone other than their mother? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against Moms working a few hours a week outside the home. And I understand if moms have to work outside for financial reasons, but let’s be honest, when we leave our children and return to work there is a cost…to them.

You see, when I decided to become a mom I realized that this is not about me. I wanted the best for my children. I was, and am, committed to being there for my children, to encourage their well-being, to give them everything I have.

The main problem with this article is that it validates the selfishness of the flesh. We do not need someone telling the next generation of moms to ditch their children and they’d be much happier. They need someone to tell them that their children will be happier and healthier when mom chooses them first. And on a side note, if concentrating on your own happiness is your focus, then taking on motherhood may not be the best occupation for you.

Blessings and it is good to be back,

Lynne

My dog Sophie is afraid to go out to the back of the yard to do her duty ie. poop. One of us always has to walk her out and stand there, otherwise she stays right next to the house and goes on our nice green lawn. I sometimes wonder if there will ever come a day when she will have the courage to go out there alone.

Then the other day, I was on my hands and knees doing some gardening in the back area while Sophie played. But when looked back to check on her, she wasn’t playing at all, but standing guard while I planted my geraniums. She believed that I wasn’t paying attention to anything but my pretty flowers, so in her mind, I was vulnerable to attack.

But I wasn’t vulnerable. You see there is someone besides Sophie that always has my back. In Psalm 121:7 we read- “The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;”

I’ve asked myself, do I really believe that God is watching over my life? Am I willing to go out into the world and take risks, knowing that God has gone before me, paving the way with life experiences that are for my good? It isn’t easy to take risks, to be vulnerable, or even transparent in this world. People can be harsh. Sometimes they put you down, it hurts.

But I’m not a dog. I’m a child of God. My Father has said he will watch over my life, and I believe Him.

Now, all I need is the courage to go out. Because if I don’t,

I’ll never fully bloom.

Blessings,

Lynne

The other day a reporter contacted me for an interview. Kind of funny since I’ve spent the past 16 years interviewing people for articles. He was interested in me due to my “Soccer Mom” status as it related to fuel efficiency and mini vans. His take was that Moms should be driving smaller, more fuel friendly vehicles.

“Why are soccer moms stuck with their minivans? I mean, a soccer ball is pretty small. And a Prius can tote three kids around just fine! Now if we were talking hockey moms, I would understand! (Seriously, are parents really in need of minivans or do they just think they need them?)” he asked.

Here is my response.

Just a soccer ball, be serious. Here’s the real list:

• 4 Soccer balls
• 1 or 2 nets with goal posts
• 10 gallon drink cooler
• 1 ice chest with snacks/fruit
• 7-8 junior high to high school boys
• 7-8 backpacks that go with the boys
• two or more folding chairs for parents to sit on
• safety kit (in large Tupperware tub)

So, yeah we need the van, or a very large Humvee but we are trying to conserve gas right? So the mini van it is.

Last year I was featured in wired.com regarding the minivan craze. Really, it’s the family craze.

Thanks to the economy we are seeing a return to the simple life. One that isn’t based upon home, clothing, or bank accounts. No, it’s about packing a cooler full of sandwiches and soda, dusting off that old fishing pole, and rocking the baby to sleep at night.  Sure, our vehicles are big, but we want to transport as many kids and family members as possible to join in the memory making while we can. Family, now that’s something we never have too much of.

Blessings,

Lynne

Mother’s Day is for…

the Mom who was up until 3am, listening to her baby breathe and making sure the temperature went down.

the Mom who is laughing when her child draws the family portrait with everyone in it, including the family pet.

the Mom who sings silly songs and makes goofy faces with her children.

the Mom who tries to remember Algebra, again.

the Mom who puts more miles on her car than some taxi drivers.

the Mom who learned how to keep score for a game she’s never played.

the Mom who looks for that perfect prom dress with her daughter.

the Mom who prays for her son’s future wife, that she will be godly.

the Mom who misses her own mother and wishes she were here to see this.

the Mom who is determined to love that rebellious teenager no matter what, no matter what.

the Mom who is happy to be Grandma, and pours out her love to the next generation.

the Mom who prays, loves, forgives and finds great joy in her high calling.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Lynne

I’ve run into many moms who struggle with the idea of how to celebrate the religious aspects of Easter with their children, in light of secular traditions.  Some families have chosen to abandon the whole chocolate egg thing altogether (which is hard for me since I’m so addicted to chocolate. Others find a nice balance and try to incorporate both. I think the bottom line is this- Have we, “taken every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” as Paul writes in  2 Corinthians 2:5? In other words, Do we use this celebration to bring the message back to the truth about what God is saying?

Personally I don’t have a problem with egg hunts and candy laden baskets. In our family we wanted to give the message “Today is a special day, it’s not like any other.” Then after opening our basket treats we put on our Sunday clothes and went to church to celebrate the reason for the fun. There is an empty tomb, our sins are forgiven, life with God is fun and exciting. We’d be silly not to celebrate, with as much pomp and circumstance as possible, the best news on the planet…He is Risen!

Happy Easter!