This weekend I attended the Georgia Romance Writers’ Moonlight and Magnolias Conference where I sat in great workshops by Allison Brennan, Michael Hauge, and Kelly L. Stone.  If that wasn’t enough excitement, on Saturday night, Kathryn Lye of Harlequin awarded me a first place Maggie Medallion in Series Contemporary and I received a 3rd place award in the Inspirational Category judged by David Long of Bethany House.  Needless to say, it’s been a really great several days that have left me a little dazed.

Today is just as big a day for me.  It’s the release day for Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Mothers: 101 Daily Devotions to Comfort, Encourage, and Inspire Mothers, and I am blessed to have two devotional stories included in this wonderful book!  This is the second devotional volume edited by Susan M. Heim and Karen C. Talcott, this one also featuring Lisa Whelchel, former child star on The Facts of Life

Since release day coincides with Petit Fours’ October Treasure Hunt, I thought instead of a short story I’d use a devotional of mine that was Chicken Soup published in their first devotional book, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Women: 101 Daily Devotions to Comfort, Encourage, and Inspire Women.

You can buy this new devotional volume here:

Or, you can follow the instructions at the bottom of the blog and leave a comment to be entered to win a signed copy!

LIKE A CHILD

And he said: I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3)

The start of a new school year always brings a return to routine at my house.  It’s the same routine practiced all across the country: Roust the children out of bed, make sure everyone has eaten, check to see that the five-year-old has her shoes on, see that hair and teeth are brushed, distribute lunches or lunch money, grab the book bags, and race for the door.  Little thought is required for routine.  As a mom, I just get in the zone and get it all done.  The mental clock is usually ticking the whole time.

     One recent morning proved an exception.  “The trees are dancing!” exclaimed the five-year-old as we pulled out of the driveway.  Her conversation about dancing trees and their choreography went on for about two minutes before I finally came out of my “accomplish the routine” mindset and noticed the amount of wind that day.  Oh!  The trees were dancing.  I was so busy with my routine that I failed to notice the world around me.  Once I started paying attention to the movement of the leaves and the beauty of the trees “dancing,” it changed my whole mindset.

Experiencing life through the eyes of a five-year-old brought beauty and appreciation back to my morning.  I find it is easy to lose the sense of wonder for God’s creation that I had as a child.  The same is true of my relationship with God.  The longer I’ve been in “the routine,” the more likely I am to lose some of the wonder, the awe, and the freshness.  It took a young child to remind me that I need to stop and enjoy the wonder of my relationship with God and His creation.

PRAYER: Dear Father, renew that sense of wonder and child-like faith that I had when our relationship first began.  Remind me to stop and watch the trees dancing or the beauty of a sunset in your creation.  But, especially help me to keep the sense of wonder in my relationship with you, my Creator.

Well, readers, is there a time that you regained that sense of wonder and child-like faith in your life?  Or perhaps had one of those special moments that your child opened your eyes to things you were too busy to pay attention to anymore?  Leave me a comment with your story and I’ll pick one winner after midnight to receive a copy of  this newest devotional book.