Just in time for Christmas shopping, my book, The Official Soccer Mom Devotional, is on sale right now on the CBD website for $4.99 plus shipping. This is a chance to get a busy mom a devotional to carry her through those crazy days. Hey at that price, it might be a great stocking stuffer for you too!

Blessings and an early Happy Holiday to all.

Click here to order

My husband was raised without a mom since the age of four. And although he’s done quite well as a parent (usually better than me) there are holes in his life that only a mommy could have filled. You don’t really find out for sure how much a mom does, until you see the places she wasn’t. In time, God has helped my husband with those missing places, but it could have been so much easier with a mommy by his side.

I’ve made a list of “mom” influences in hopes that you moms out there will realize what a valuable role you play in the life of your children.

• Moms, for the most part, help a child learn language.
• Reading is fun, especially when you sit on mommy’s lap and turn the pages.
• Color coordination and modesty are essential. “You are not wearing that!”
• Confidence in self is important. “I know you can do it.”
• We show our children how to achieve goals in the midst of chaos
• That loving people is risky, but highly worth it.
• Proper humor
• Little things like phone calls, cards, and kind words make a person feel special
• Good hygiene is important.
• A sick person gets better faster when you rub his or her back and sing.
• A skinned knee will heal faster if you apply medicine, a bandage, and prayer
• Money is nice, but friends are of more value.
• Flowers and color brighten up a home.
• The house doesn’t matter, family matters.
• Cars can be fixed and accidents happen
• Giggling is great medicine.
• God has a plan, even when it doesn’t look like he does.
• Beauty fades, but faith endures.
• Mommy will always, always, always, love you.

Some of my favorite sounds. What are yours?

• a congregation singing praise to God
• an ocean tide coming in with seagulls crying overhead
• laughter
• coffee making
• a train off in the distance
• my children sometimes calling me “mommy” even though they are teens
• my husband telling me he’s on his way home

While on vacation, not too far from where I stood, archeologists were digging up the remains of an early colonial settlement in Jamestown, Virginia. They were searching for buried relics; I was looking for my lost notebook. The pink covered pad, filled with important notes and phone numbers was as allusive as the lost civilization beneath my feet. My daughter agreed to assist with my search, so off we went retracing my steps. I began ranting about how stupid and irresponsible I felt for being so careless. Then my daughter chimed in, Thats how I feel, Mom, when I lose things and you tell me I need to be more careful.

She was right. My daughter hadnt once reprimanded me for losing my notebook; I on the other hand, had countless times chastised her for misplaced items.

You need to be more responsible,

Youd lose your head if it wasnt attached.

Not very helpful statements, and definitely not what you need to hear when youre already feeling low. Why is it that condemning others comes so easy to me? Its certainly not like my Lords character.

In Psalms 103 we read, The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us nor remain angry forever. I decided that I had been way too harsh in the past. At trying times like this, my daughter needed praise not rebuking.

Surprisingly, I found my notebook that day. Someone had turned it into the Visitor Center. We all celebrated the find, but there was a greater treasure dug up that day, more precious than any old relic. It was grace. Ive decided to display it in a prominent place in my life.

I remember one year I sprained my ankle in the church parking lot while going to pick up a vanload of teenagers. The ankle was iced and wrapped, but I still needed to take the kids home. When the kids got out of church I told the them about my mishap. And you know what? No one commented about my ankle, instead they wondered if Nick and Mandie, the latest ‘couple’ at church, were going to break up.

I moaned a bit and told them I was sore. Still, no sympathy, but a discussion ensued about whether or not Ben needed a fashion consultant. I then lamented, “If I pass out you’ll need to pull the van over to the curb and phone 911.” The van went silent. At last, I thought, finally they’ll focus on my needs. Instead, my brood of unlicensed teens began fighting amongst themselves as to who would be the better driver when I passed out.

I sighed. Is our culture so busy that we’ve lost our ability to demonstrate compassion upon others? Jesus had compassion. In Mathew 14:14 we read, “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Jesus had a purpose in coming to earth, he was busy, yet never too busy to stop and care for those who needed his gentle touch

I began wondering if sometimes I get so caught up with my “things to do list” that I forget to help the people God places in my life. People with sprained hearts and broken dreams calling out for someone to notice…and care.

Since that day I’ve packed a first aide kit in my van. I’ve made sure to keep a healthy dose of kindness on hand, after all emergencies occur when you least expect them.

Blessings,

Lynne

Sac & Co host Melissa and me

Me and my props

Sac & Co producer, Lily, and me in the control room

Weather woman, Monica Woods, and me

Had a blast with Melissa and Jodie on the Sacramento & Company Television show. If you missed it on TV, just click on the television slider on my home page and scroll down in order to view the show. It is so interesting to see the “behind the scenes” makings of television. The cameras are all automated so there are fewer people in the actual studio. The news is going on right next to the Sac & Co set with Dan Elliott and Monica Woods. By the way I had a chance to visit with Monica and she is such a sweet gal and a committed soccer mom. Fun. Another inside tidbit about my props, the tortilla had only a couple of slices of meat and lettuce in it (no mayo or mustard or it would have gotten soggy), and the smoothie…let’s just say that one wasn’t drinkable. I hope your school days are off to a good start. Give yourself some time to adjust, schedules are tough stuff.

Blessings, Lynne

My children started back to school last week. I’m challenged with switching gears and once again adhering to a schedule. I’ve found a few things over the years that have eased my “back to school mayhem”. See if these help you too!

• Buy your child an alarm clock. The sooner you stop playing morning Drill Sargent the better. If he/she is late for school then meet with the teacher and work together. Maybe Miss Smith needs to assign more homework for tardy students. (Smile)

• Give your child a lunch budget. Provide enough food in the frig for packed lunches, and maybe a few dollars for those school pizza days.

• Decide on what your child will wear to school the night before. Avoid morning drama as much as possible.

• Make sure and provide talk time after school each day between you and your child. Ask, “What was your favorite part of the day?” “What was the worst thing that happened?” If you ask the dreaded what did you do today you’ll get the required mantra…nothing.

• Make sure a healthy snack awaits your child when he/she gets home. Then post a to do list on the fridge, for example: snack, homework, clean pet’s cage, then TV.

• If you work and your child walks or bikes home alone, make sure your child texts you when he/she leaves the school and again after arriving safely at home.

• Send a happy note of encouragement to your child’s teacher with a phone number to call you for any help or questions regarding your child.  You might even offer to send snacks when party celebrations arrive. This goes a long way.

• Be sure and help your child with perspective. Let your child know that some kids are mean because they have sad hearts and it may have nothing to do with your child. Also, encourage your child to try his/her best, but realize school is practice for real life. If you already knew everything you wouldn’t need school! (You might want to forgo this talk with teens…just kidding).

• Be sure and take time this school year for you and your spiritual nourishment. Grab a devotional and your Bible. Take a walk in the mornings before the day starts. Pray for your children each morning.

Happy School Year!

Lynne

Hey Friends,

This week I’ll be appearing on the television show, “People Like You” on KTLN in San Francisco, with my daughter, Cassie.  If you are not in the area, I’ll be posting the entire interview on my website (TV channel) on Monday, August 17. If you are in the area, here is the station schedule: Wednesday 5:30a.m. Thursday 6:00a.m. & 8:30p.m. Friday 3:00p.m. Saturday 11:00a.m. Sunday 4:00p.m.

Cassie and me on the set of KTLN in San Francisco

Cassie getting her makeup for the show

Cassie, me, and show host of KTLN

Please feel free to check out my article of the month on the homepage, The Miracle in Mommy, teaching the menstrual cycle to your children, as well as my new speaking page. I would also appreciate your prayers as I prepare to appear again on the Sacramento & Co television show.

I hope your summer is going great. Grab those memory making moments before the school year begins. Maybe a Back to School party for the kids?

Blessings,

Lynne

If you’re needing a break from the typical summer romance novel have I got the book for you.  Chuck Holton’s book, Meltdown, published by Multnomah, packs a punch from start to finish.  In the spirit of full disclosure I need to share that I flew down to West Virgina to help my pal brainstorm and plot this military adventure. I learned so much working with Chuck. First, he is a gifted writer. Second, he and I work well together since we share a twisted sense of humor and out of the box imagination. Third, never listen to Chuck when he prods you to torture your agent. All kidding aside, I’m sure you’ll love this book. Linked here is the audio and PDF download of the first chapter. You can pick up the book at Amazon.com or any Christian bookstore.

Enjoy!

-Lynne

One afternoon I decided that leaving my two teenagers at home alone together for a mere 30 minutes while I went to the store was a good decision, until I answered my cell phone.

“Mom, David and I got into a fight so I went to your friend’s house.”

“What?”

Now, I have to admit to you that my first response wasn’t to find out the details of who started what, or how everyone was doing. Nope. I was totally humiliated. Here I was respected soccer mom, author, and most recently guest speaker for the church whose women’s ministry director was now harboring my fleeing child. What are people to think? I told her to get back home, then phoned my son and informed him that he was also “toast”.

After calming both of my children down, and handing out the appropriate consequences I turned to God to face mine. I knew I’d handled this situation incorrectly, at least on a spiritual level. I was so worried about what others thought, and wondered why I gave other people that much power in my life. It all came down to pride. The premise of, “Look, I serve Jesus, my life is perfect,” is oh so wrong. I’m not perfect. I don’t have all the answers. That’s why I came to God in the first place. Only He has all the answers. As far as my embarrassment goes? God has offered me a remedy.

In Psalms 62:7 it reads, “My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.” What a relief. I don’t have to put on any airs with him; He sees the whole picture and bestows upon me his honor, no matter what glass house I live in. And you know what? His opinion of me is really the only one that counts.

Blessings,

Lynne