Category: Blessings

Blessings, encouragement, Encouragement Today, Holiday, Inspiration, Life, Parenting

It Takes Special Guys To Be Dad’s

Heidi Benson
Credit: Home. Life. Encouragement

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there.

Being a father is an important job and one of the most important ones you will have.

I know for me I had an amazing one.

My dad was special because he was one before he had to be. This is because he wasn’t my biological one.

My back story is that my biological father left my family when I was very young and because I was so small I don’t remember him, which does not break my heart because I have always had a dad.

My dad became my dad when I was 5 years old.

He would play ball and games with me. He would read to me. He would love me like a true dad loves their child, but when he was doing this, he wasn’t my dad yet.

Over the years our relationship grew as a father and child would and then one day my mom and dad got married and he then became my dad legally.

Due to the time he invested in me, we didn’t have to grow our relationship after he became my dad because we already had one.

Instead, the only thing that changed was that I could introduce him as my dad. That was a sweet time in my life.

So, in honoring our dads out there, I want to take a moment to say to the nonbiological dads,

“Any guy can be a father, but it takes a special guy to be a dad.”

To the dads who are investing in kids that are not their own biologically, I see you too, because you are a special guy.

To the biological dads, stay engaged with your kids because you too are investing in their lives.

Keep up the good work guys because your kids are watching you, mimicking you, and are loving you.

Love your kids not just today, but every day. Invest your time into them and grow those relationships with them.

Love on them as you love their mom.

Bible, Blessings, Christmas, Comfort, Encouragement Today, Holiday, Inspiration, Journey, Life, Peace

Christmas, A Time of Reflection and Many Emotions

Heidi Benson
Credit: Home. Life. Encouragement

Merry Christmas to everyone who is on Christmas vacation and Christmas break.

It is my sincere and heartfelt message that you are able to make some precious memories and spend some quality time together.

Take the time to rest and watch Christmas movies together.

Take the time to fill your home with the sweet aroma of home baked Christmas cookies together.

Take the time to build a uniquely “your own” gingerbread house together.

If you live where it snows, take some time to play in the snow together. Make a snow angel family, go sliding, or make a snowman and then enjoy some creamy hot chocolate afterwards.

Take some time to sit in front of the twinkling lights of a Christmas tree or the warmth and sparkle of a fire in a fireplace to reconnect with the relationships you have missed or have been struggling with.

The time you spend and the memories you make will be the best present you can give to each other this year or any year.

To those who are not on vacation and are struggling, whether it is with grief, loneliness, discouragement, frustration, anger, or PTSD, know you are not alone. I see you.

For many, it is hard to see the joy the holiday season brings, but if this is you, I want you to know you are not alone.

It is my prayer God will soften the pain you feel and will provide you with a peace to see the sparkle of joy this season whether it is through a song that will touch your heart or the twinkling of Christmas lights you may see in the passing of your day.

It is also my prayer this verse will touch your heart and provide you with the comfort and peace you didn’t know was possible to feel again.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16 NIV

God wants us to remember that He sent His Son to give us the assurance there is better to come.

We don’t need to be hopeless or discouraged because no matter how bad life may seem right now, there is better to come.

Take some time in the week to come to seek God and receive His gift of grace, peace, and comfort.

Big hugs to those who are struggling and suffering today and big hugs to those who are celebrating the season with those who have embraced them.

Merry Christmas to all my friends and followers.

#Keepingitreal, Bible, Blessings, Challenge, Comfort, encouragement, Encouragement Today, Faith, Gratitude, Journey, Life, Strength, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving

Gratitude Through Blessings and Hardships

Heidi Benson
Credit: Home. Life. Encouragement

Gratitude Can Be Hard During Difficult Seasons

Happy Thanksgiving Friends!

I hope today is one that is full of sweet blessings and the making of sweet memories.

I am, however, mindful of the many who are struggling despite it being a holiday.

If you are one who is struggling, I will send up prayers for you.

If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, I will pray for you.

If you are feeling lost and lonely, I will pray for you.

If you have a heavy heart, I will pray for you.

If you lost your job, I will pray for you.

If you have family you can’t spend time with, I will pray for you.

If you have a Service Member who is not home or is deployed, I will pray for you.

If you have a loved one working today, I will pray for you.

If you have a sick loved one, I will pray for you.

Today is a day of mixed blessings and emotions for so many because life, although it is beautiful, can still be messy no matter if it is a holiday or not.

I have a challenge for everyone, whether it is a wonderful day or whether it is one that is difficult.

Seek to find your blessings today.

“… Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:18‬ ‭NIV

So what are you thankful for?

Let’s share our blessings. I am looking forward to seeing your responses.

Bible, Blessings, Challenge, Envy, Inspiration, Journey, Life

Cultivate What is Yours Instead of Being Envious of What is Not

Heidi Benson
Credit: Home. Life. Encouragement

“The grass is not greener on the other side, instead, take the time to tend your own.”

Unknown Author

Before you envy the life of others, take time to tend to yours because you have no idea what is hidden in theirs.

Unfortunately, we find it easier to be frustrated with our own life and envy others as well as long for what they have.

This is a dangerous way to live because many people have the ability to keep their difficulties masked behind a smile or a blank look.

You have no idea how difficult of a life they are living because they have mastered the art of living a life with a mask on, so you do not see their reality or their truth.

Instead, God encourages us to not envy that which is not ours.

“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”

James‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

When you look to others in an envious way, you will be met with constant disappointments because God promises to not bless us.

Instead, take the time to cultivate what you have in front of you. Take the time to build your own home, family, and relationships.

When you do, God will bless you in areas you didn’t know was possible.

He will bless…

… your family
… your relationships
… your finances
… your health

He will bless you everywhere you need a blessing.

Be happy with what choices you have made and be encouraged to accept what your difficulties may be because you may find yours are better than those who you envy.

Be encouraged today to live what is yours.

Affirmation, Believe in Yourself, Discouraged, Encouragement Today, Exhausted, Inspiration, Journey, Life, Strength, Weariness

Your Strength Is Your Beauty

Heidi Benson
Credit: Home.Life.Encouragement

I want to encourage you if life has you discouraged and beat up.

“You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

A. A. Mine

Your strength is your beauty because God is your strength and your endless supply and source of it.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Psalm‬ ‭46:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Stand tall and strong knowing you are not doing life on your own.

Allow your beauty to shine through because God has you.

Sit back and just breathe knowing God is refreshing you today.

#Findingyourcourage, #Keepingitreal, Anxiety, Bondage, Broken, Burn out, Depression, Discouraged, encouragement, Exhausted, Grief, Journey, Keeping It Real, Real, Storms, Stress, Trials, Weakness, Weariness

Strength Has Power Over Shaken

Heidi Benson
Credit: Home. Life. Encouragement

When life has turned you upside down and inside out, stand firm on this simple truth…

“ I will not be shaken.”

Psalm 16:8

No matter what has you shaken remember God still has a plan for you.

“For I know the plan I have for you.”

Jeremiah 29:11

My Friend, I promise, I know how hard this is to live by, as well as remember on many days, but this is why I’m here today.

I am here to remind us both that we can get up, start our day, and move.

We can move, despite the paralyzed feeling of pain, anxiety, grief, or fear.

God is our strength when we have none.

Be encouraged sweet friend! You are not alone. You are never alone.

Lean on your Creator because He will give you the strength to move and the direction in which to move in.

You’ve Got This!

#Findingyourcourage, #Keepingitreal, Anxiety, Believe in Yourself, Comfort, Depression, Discouraged, Encouragement Today, Exhausted, Journey, Life, Weariness

Opinion Vs. Reality

Heidi Benson
Credit: Home. Life. Encouragement

Are you living in a season where everything seems to piling up around you?

Are you struggling with feeling like you are failing at every turn, no matter how hard you try to get everything right?

Are you living in a season where every decision you make is wrong and everything you say is incorrect and disputed?

The struggle may be real, but the reality is not.

HD Benson

The reality is, no matter what society says, their opinion is never the reality.

What is real is this, “You are a Child of The King”.

God wants you to know He sees your pain, tears, and frustrations.

He knows what your struggles are and how weary and broken you are from them.

He is calling you, sweet friend.

He is calling you to come spend some quiet time with Him today.

He wants to refresh you and hold you in His arms.

So run to Him and be encouraged and strengthen today.

Disclaimer: I am tempted to hit delete instead of post because this season is real for me as well.

It is my prayer, if you are battling this same battle, that you find rest, peace, and comfort today in the arms of your Heavenly Father, who loves you to pieces.

#Keepingitreal, Broken, Burn out, Challenge, Discouraged, encouragement, Encouragement Today, Exhausted, Image, Inspiration, Journey, Keeping It Real, Life, Moment of Inspiration, Motivation, Real, Rest, Weakness, Weariness

Set Your Cruise Control For Slower

Heidi Benson
Credit:@homelifeandencouragement.com

As we close out another week, I would like to remind you before you book up your entire weekend with busy work, to think about adding some down time in there as well.

It is my prayer you will be inspired by this quote and it will be enough to cause you to stop and observe how fast your life might be traveling.

“There is more to life than increasing it’s speed.”

Mahatma Gandhi

Life has a way of getting ahead of us when we least expect it but, I want to remind you to be conscious of this and mindfully add some time to just sit down and reflect on the week.

Consider asking yourself a few questions.

  • Did it go well?
  • Did it function well?
  • If you struggled, where were those struggles and are they ones you can change around before the next week?

The purpose to life should not be just existing or just surviving. It should be to live life to it’s full abundance.

I know this is hard as I find myself in constant survival mode but, God didn’t create us to be in survival mode. He created us to a light unto the world.

I don’t know if you can relate to this or not but, it is hard for my light to shine brightly when I find myself exhausted and struggling to get one foot in front of the other or when life has me chasing my tail because I’m constantly trying to chase down the chaos.

I found myself desiring and craving a need to change the crazy dance I have found myself dancing. I want to enjoy life and enjoy it to it’s fullest.

Is this you as well? If so, we can work on this together. Let’s start by not adding any more speed to our weekend. Let us make a valiant effort to find or make the time in our weekend ahead to relax and enjoy those who are around us and the quiet time we created.

Happy Friday Friend!!! We can do this!!