A Mom's Grace by Samnang Howard

March 16, 2017

Hello Ladies, My name is Samnang Howard and I am the volunteer specialist here on She Inspires, and I am also a single mom of two kids, a teenage son who is 16 and a 10 year old daughter. I’m so honored that God has blessed me with the privilege of being a Mom, and the unconditional love that I have for my children is incredible. It also reminds me of how much God loves me as his daughter, and I’m always is AWE.

One thing that I have struggled with as a mom, is discipline with my kids, and it’s something that I pray about constantly. There are so many emotions involved when it comes to discipline, and some days it starts out as anger and ends in guilt. I really don’t like having arguments in the morning, especially before sending the kids off to school, and that has become one of my most trying times.

One morning in particular, my daughter and I had a disagreement, and I was driving to work that day, it sat so heavy on my heart. I prayed and asked the Lord for guidance and how I should handle this situation and how I should respond. God spoke the word “GRACE” to me so clearly. I read up on what grace meant from a Biblical aspect and how that related to my situation. Grace is getting something that we do not deserve; God’s favor.

In Lamentations 3:22-23, it reads, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Grace is not letting my daughter get away with things, but reminding her to make good choices and correcting her in a positive way. We don’t just stop loving our kids, because they give us attitude or talk back to us. We forgive them over and over again and give them chances to make it right. God gives us so many chances when we fail and when we come to Him with our issues, He embraces us. This is how God wants us to respond to our children. Showing grace over and over again even when they don’t deserve it.

XOXO, Sam

Coffee & Word: You Have A Purpose

February 28, 2017

Growing up I didn't necessarily know my worth; as a matter of fact, I thought I was dumb and not good enough in many areas of my life. Insecurities surfaced from all corners and the lack of confidence definitely overpowered it all. Then, one day, I opened my eyes and took a look around, and I realized that I was worthy of it all, because my Lord and Savior tells me so in His Word.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10

Loving myself and dying to my fleshly being has brought me to a place of intention in my faith walk. It allows me to open myself up and truly live for Him. In addition, I have the opportunity to encourage other women to do the same. My purpose is to solely to live for my Father---to not hold back---to walk in His complete grace and bring everyone around me along for the ride. "We are not defined by our status, we are defined by our purpose.

To wake up each morning to breathe in all that God has for you, and knowing you have a purpose, and knowing that purpose isn't just about you, is so rewarding. When you come to truly accept who you are, and know that you are on mission in life to link arms with others, that brings overwhelming joy.

So rise up and be who you are and know that your purpose is so much more than just you!