This is a view I see almost everyday, at the very least Monday-Friday, as I pull to this stop sign so I can circle around the block to go home and each time I hear it...the chant..."Go up the hill! Go up the hill! Go up the hill!" And as usual, I say, " Not today." Now as you can see this isn't an especially exciting hill but in the mind of a 9,8,7, 4 and 2 yr. old it has some sort of magical and exciting appeal. Our 2 yr. old excitedly joins the chanting because being left out of the excitement would devastate this over dramatic, ornery, sweet girl of mine. So here I was approaching this reoccurring Ground Hog Day scene, and having just left our MOPS group where the guest speaker inspired me to have more fun with my kiddos, so I did it!!!! This spectacular event that my kids couldn't wait for was becoming a reality! The cheering was unbelievable!!!!! The "Yay, we're doing it!"

The noise level was ridiculously off the charts! All this over a hill that isn't particularly special! A hill that comes to a complete stop once you reach the top...and they know because we've traveled this hill before. So instantly in less then 30seconds I am... drum roll please..."THE BEST MOM EVER!!!" It was soooooo worth the extra 30 seconds! Sometimes moms desperately need those words of positive affirmation from our kids. Now I highly doubt this would have had a similar outcome if I had indulged them the past 37 times they asked. The point...there is so much power in your no and your yes!!! Like most things this power can be damaging or good. Too many no's in the life of a little person can send the message that what is important to them is...well...not important at all. It can send the message that they will never ever be able to live up to the standard set for them. That can set the stage for them to have a quitter mentality. To many yes's have the power to put our kids in situations they are not ready to navigate without us. It can be over indulgent making little things loose their excitement. Creating an impatience that says nothing is worth waiting for. This can led to an entitlement mentality. My prayer today is that God would grant us the wisdom and discernment needed so we can have ,God aligned, balance in our yes's and our no's. I pray that we will find ways to have fun with our children so that they grow knowing they are valuable in our sight and God's!

So if you see me in your neck of the woods in our 15 passenger "Monster Mobile" (as I endearingly refer to it), at the top of a hill, full of screaming kids you will know that we went on a hill seeking adventure. Know that we have the radio up singing praises to God as I allow them to tell me where to turn, looking for the next hill. Know that if you see us I am hoping it inspires you. Inspires you to pray as choose your yes's and no's carefully. Inspired to go on an adventure with your kids. An adventure that will make them squeal in delight proclaiming you as "The best mommy ever!"

Go up the hill mommas....your hill...the one that will make your kids do a happy dance!! Proverbs 3:6; 21 "In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths...do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight preserve sound judgment and discretion