Having six kids means I deal with a lot of mess.  My Tuesday Tip today is about cleaning up that mess.  Clear Windex.  I am a believer in Clear Windex. It gets out anything and doesn’t leave a residue, which ends up dirtier than the original stain.  Don’t use carpet cleaner.  It will leave a soapy residue that will come back to haunt you later.  So, there you have it.  Clear Windex is a must-have.

Speaking of messes, did you know that there is no mess in our lives too big for the Redeemer?  You can’t mess up anything beyond God’s redemption.  That is an even better Tuesday Tip than Clear Windex.

 “I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Isaiah 44:22

Mont and I have always hoped and prayed that God would send other godly adults into the lives of our children to influence them and to reiterate what we have tried to teach them.

We are not threatened by these adults.  We are simply thankful for them.  Whether it is a teacher, a youth counselor, or a friend’s parent, we try to remember to say thank you for taking the time to love our kids.

The best way to show love to me is to show love to my kids, who are closest to my heart.  When another adult loves my child, they love me.  I need to show them that I am grateful.

In years past I have tried to use the occasion of my children’s birthdays to remember to say thank you to those who have been a positive influence in the life of the birthday kid.

So, as I plan a party or order a cake or buy presents, I try to remember to write a simple thank-you note.  In this day of emails and text messages, it has become easier to do.

Of course, a handwritten, mailed note is the best, but the main point is to say thank you.

April is a big birthday month for our family.  Four out of the eight of us have April birthdays.  I guess I had better get writing!

 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

                                                                                    Ephesians 1:16

For some reason, lots of people ask me for advice.

I guess it is because I have such a large family.  Somehow, they think that makes me kind of an expert on some things.

But what people don’t realize is that I am an expert on making mistakes, dropping the ball, forgetting the party, or lunch money, or paperwork.  I am an expert on winging it.

I learned long ago that part of my mission in life is to make other people feel better about themselves.  And I am good with it.  If my life, my mishaps, my weaknesses can free someone else from feeling like that have to keep up perfect appearances, then I don’t mind sharing it.

I guess I am an expert on learning to manage, even though I am not a good manager.  So, if any of what I have learned through any of my life’s experiences can help others, I will gladly share what I know.

Thus, the reasoning behind Tuesday Tips.

Each Tuesday, I will post tips about life—cooking, cleaning, parenting, praying, Bible reading, entertaining, and organizing (I heard some of my friends laugh out loud at that one!)

And I would love for you to participate.  Please leave comments and share your favorite tips with me.  Maybe we can all learn from each other.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up….

                                                1 Thessalonians 5:11