Beloved author Sally Clarkson shares her heart and wisdom for mothers―and offers hope for each day. A mother living well in her God-ordained role of Christian parenting is of great beauty and inestimable value to her family and the future history of any generation. Her impact is irreplaceable and necessary to the spiritual formation of children who will be the adults of the next generation. Fun, comfort, humor, graciousness, spiritual passion, compassion for the lost, hospitality, chores, meals, training, life-giving words, hours and hours of listening and playing and praying and reading―all are parts of the mosaic of soul development. Spend the year with Mom Heart Moments, the first devotional by beloved author Sally Clarkson, and discover how as a mother you can draw closer to the heart of God. In a world constantly vying for our attention, it can be easy to get caught up in the chaos. Designed to nourish your spirit and cultivate your faith, every entry in this devotional for moms includes: A Bible verse - A short reading to inspire and convict you - A question for you to meditate on Each day of this beautiful women’s devotional offers encouragement, joy, and direction to become the mother God has called you to be. Nurturing your soul matters not only to God but to your children. A mother living well is of great beauty and inestimable value to the future of any generation. Her impact is irreplaceable and necessary to the spiritual formation of her children. Fun, comfort, humor, grace, spiritual passion, compassion, hospitality, chores, meals, training, lifegiving words, hours and hours of listening and playing and praying and reading―all are parts of the mosaic of soul development. Start each day with thoughts from God’s Word and from beloved author Sally Clarkson to find inspiration, encouragement, and practical instruction to fill your mom heart. As a mom of four grown children, Sally offers deep understanding and sympathy about the burdens and blessings of motherhood, and shares wisdom and strength to help you flourish with grace through each season. Mom Heart Moments Daily Devotions for Lifegiving Motherhood By Sally Clarkson Tyndale House Publishers Copyright © 2019 Sally Clarkson All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-4964-3210-0 CHAPTER 1 January 1 Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23 A woman cannot pass on what she herself does not have. If we want to pass on health and beauty and goodness to our children, we must discipline ourselves to pour into our minds and souls truth from Scripture, seek out wise people, and read great books, as well as protect our souls from all that is base. And so, as I ponder what I want to become more of this year, I must take seriously the cultivating of my own soul, so when others come to draw from me, they are drawing from Him, because I have invested time in Him, His Word, His wisdom, His truth, and His ways. I am working on my own personal goals, so I may determine how I will use my time this year to ensure that I am growing in all the elements that are beautiful, true, wise, good, and lovely. Here's my advice: seek out a time to get away alone to consider how you would like to grow this year. Evaluate the habits you practice and how they influence your soul, your heart, and consequently, your worship of God. Make a plan of how you will grow in wisdom, beauty, and truth this year. What will you read? When will you have a quiet time? What do you need to stop doing? Make a plan for all the ways you will pour beauty, goodness, wisdom, and truth into your children this year. What books and stories will you read to them? When will you have devotions with them? How do you need to change in order to reflect love and graciousness to them, so they will form their relationship habits on gentleness and generous love? What do you need to change in order to focus more on investing, rather than just passing time with emptiness? * * * Take this opportunity to put time away for evaluation and planning on your calendar! January 2 Love is patient, love is kind ... does not take into account a wrong suffered. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Time and age have convinced me of my own propensity to be selfish and immature. Consequently, my gratitude has grown immensely, since I know that I don't have to perform for the Lord. He is mindful of my imperfections, yet He still calls me His own special child. The number of times He has had to bear with me, love me, and give me grace has made me so much more apt to bear with, love, and forgive my sweet but human children, husband, and friends. I know they will make mistakes and be selfish and sinful — just like me! — but I also know that I can only please God and have peace in my own heart when I choose to love them back. And in practicing loving them, my own heart swells with more love, good thoughts, and generosity. This is how it works in my own life. I will have a critical