A long time ago when my kids were little, I made a simple decision that has brought MORE JOY to my life than I ever expected:

I decided to SMILE in all of my pictures, no matter how I looked.

Before that time, I would get my photos processed at the local Walgreens and spend several moments nitpicking how I looked in each picture- the good and the not so good. Now I realize how silly (and how prideful) I was, and how being hypercritical of my “Irish-prone-to-wrinkle-skin”, or hyper-focusing on the remnant of flabby skin after two pregnancies with 65-pound-weight gains simply stole my joy.

I saw how important this was when I realized my pictures were being ruined by my overly self-conscious, half-smiles. Everyone else in the pictures looked so happy…except me.

I decided then and there that I wanted to look back on my pictures and see happy smiles, no matter how I perceived I looked in each picture.

So now, whether I have on makeup or not, look a little more wrinkly than I like, or have a few extra pounds on my frame, I want the prevailing emotion in my picture to be JOY… not pride, or self-consciousness, or overanalyzing, just FUN and appreciation for that moment in time represented in that picture that the Lord has given to me and my family and friends.

I love how the Bible gives us an important clue in Psalm 90:12 on how to live wisely (and joyfully) with no regrets:

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

I started asking God to help me realize my time on this earth was short and to help me learn to live every moment of my life with more joy.

When I’m 80 years old, I want to look back on my old pictures and see the smiles on every page. I want to be grateful for each and every memory God has given me to enjoy on this earth.

Love,

Deb and the Help Club for Moms Team

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Deb Weakly

Co-founder at Help Club for Moms

My name is Deb Weakly and I helped create the Help Club for Moms with one goal in mind: to create a community in which moms help moms to know the love of Christ. My own childhood was difficult and filled with sadness. I didn’t grow up in a Christian home, so when I became a Christian (and soon after, a mom), I had no idea what I was doing; I didn’t know what it meant to raise Christ-centered kids, but I so desperately wanted to learn.

I remember going into my daughter's room night after night and kneeling beside her bed and crying my heart out to God because I didn’t know how to be a Christian mom; I felt like I had no idea what I was doing. You know what? God is so faithful! He answered me and simply said, “Spend time with me, Deb.” And so I did. I began arising 15-30 minutes earlier each day so I could read my Bible and pray, and plan out my day with my family.

If there was one thing I would love to share with you is that God is personal and loves you as you are. You don’t have to be perfect to be loved by our amazing God! Come as you are! His loving presence can be practically known and experienced. He is not a God who is far away, He is near and easily found. He longs for you to come to Him!

Randy and I have been married for 33 years and we have two grown children, Christie, and Jack, and one answer to prayer son-in-law named Alex. And now I get to be a Gigi to my sweet little grandbabies, Aspen and Skylar, and Piper. Yay!

Latest posts by Deb Weakly (see all)

• Homeschooling with Heaven: Partnering with Jesus in Your Homeschool - April 17, 2024
• Mothering with Deb: What to Do When Your Child Struggles with Their Faith - April 16, 2024
• Hearing God Episode Four: Hearing God For Your Kids - April 14, 2024