Helpful, Inspiring, & Encouraging Blog Articles -- Matchless Beauty

Free “Polite Privacy” Printable Doorknob Hanger for Girls

Made Matchless

September 4, 2018

I’m not sure about your girl, but as my 11-year-old daughter gets older, she is really beginning to enjoy a little more privacy to read, pray, decompress, dress (of course), process feelings, and just “be”. And as a family in general, we are all learning a bit more about boundaries. We are figuring out what it looks like to honor and respect them.

I don’t mind if my daughter wants some privacy, but being polite to us about it is key since our kids are under “our roof”. So around here, we’re coining the term “polite privacy”! The term carries a feeling of mutual respect, something that both kids and parents can sometimes disregard.

I know that as our kids get older, it’ll be so important for my husband and I to stay connected to them, to encourage them in the tough moments, and to come close when the enemy wants them to feel isolated. But there will also be those moment when God wants to do his thing with them on his own in the quiet of their hearts. And God knows I don’t want to come between his chisel and my daughter!

I don’t pretend to have all the answers about when to respect the privacy boundary and when to step in, but I suppose, like many parenting decisions, God will give us the wisdom in each moment to know what to do.

To help us (and YOU) with the idea of “polite privacy” in your house, I’ve developed this simple, ::printable:: doorknob hanger.

One side says “Please come in” while the other side says “Please knock”. This printable is actually appropriate for girls or boys! The bathroom could be a great place to hang it as well. To make ours more durable, we laminated them and of course, to personalize them, my kids are putting stickers on theirs.

What are your boundaries about privacy? At what age did your daughter begin to want it more? Is it ever okay to violate that privacy with kids? What are your thoughts? Comment below!

To download this fun, FREE printable doorknob hanger, click here!

This post was based on a “Tuesday Tip” I posted on my Facebook page! Please check out other Tuesday Tips and “like” my Facebook page by clicking here.

6 Not-So-Secret Secrets to a Quality Relationship with God

Made Matchless

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September 3, 2018

Is a quality relationship with God impossible for the busy woman? Too often, the well-intentioned woman struggles to “fit God in” to her already-packed schedule. She works hard, desires more in her walk, but ends her day spiritually and physically exhausted. Yet, she sees other women who seem to know Christ intimately.

“She must have more time in her day to pray,” she tells herself. “What is she doing that I’m not?” she wonders.

The truth is, even in this busy, distracted world, many women are thriving in their relationships with God, making significant impacts for his kingdom, just as he made them! They’re experiencing supernatural peace, emotional security, and unsurpassed joy, whether life is great or crumbling around them.

“What secrets do they know that I don’t?”

The “secrets” these women know are actually not-so-secret. Having a quality relationship with God requires what any other quality relationship does. Let’s look at the not-so-secret secrets these women know.

A quality relationship with God takes…

1. Time.

In our fast-paced, scheduled-packed lives, we can foolishly believe earthly relationships need little time investment. We tell ourselves, “Quality vs. quantity.” But women who have a thriving, quality relationship with God know they must invest time towards building intimacy. Sunday morning worship, although wonderful, isn’t enough for a quality relationship with God and they know it. They need time with him every day, if possible. For many of us, time is our most precious commodity. Translation? A relationship with God is going to cost you. But sisters who hold the “secret” to a quality relationship with God have discovered that this “cost” is a small price to pay for a priceless, precious reward.

2. Effort.

“But those women must not be as busy as I am,” you may say. Try saying that to her! Relationships take effort. The next not-so-secret secret to a quality relationship with God is these sisters have adjusted their schedules through effort. I lead a very busy life of homeschooling my children, maintaining Made Matchless, teaching, and upkeeping the home. So my “effort” is that I’ve disciplined myself to wake up earlier before my children to spend time with God. In addition, many sisters remove less-important items from their schedules in order to leave time for God. So in a way, maybe they’re “less busy”, but it’s done so with effort and for purpose. You can choose this, too! (Am I stepping on any toes yet?)

3. Intentionality.

I already started hinting at this… just as in earthly relationships, quality relationship with God requires intentionality. This could look like a Bible reading plan, small group study, or devotions based on Scripture. In other words you have a PURPOSE for your time and effort. As a busy mom, I know that if I wait until I’m IN the time to decide how to SPEND my time, I’ll WASTE time trying to decide how to USE my time! So I use resources (like the Made Matchless Planner & Prayer Journal for Women) to help me not only plan my day, but get focused right away. I’m not sitting down to my quiet time saying, “Now what?” When that happens, you’ll find me scrolling Instagram five minutes later!

4. Reciprocity.

Maybe you’ve known someone who loved your friendship…until you needed friendship in return. Quality relationships require give and take. The not-so-secret secret is that a quality relationship with God doesn’t just ask from God, but also returns to praise him, enjoy his presence, and serve him. Even if all he did was save us from hell, we could never give more than God gives to us! A heart that appreciates God’s grace wants to give all of herself in return (and you KNOW God is ready to use that woman!). It’s the most beautiful reciprocity I know.

5. Presence.

Honestly, this is the hardest for me because there are so many distractions: social media, email, chores, even kiddos! But when a friend opens her heart to you about life, the last thing you’d do is get your phone out, text another friend, or check Twitter. Instead, you’d plop that phone in your purse, look her in the eyes, and listen. That’s what God desires from you. He longs for you to put away the distractions, get in his Word, and “listen” to his heart for you. He wants your presence, heart, and attention. What he has to say is the most important thing you’ll hear all day, so be present and pay attention!

6. Communication.

“Did you hear a word I just said??” Relationships fizzle without communication. And with God, prayer is our main communication. Sometimes those prayers are quick little “help me, God!” prayers (we’ve all done those)! But the not-so-secret secret is that prayer is an ongoing, open communication with God, not just reserved for Bible study, meal times, or bedtimes with children. Prayer is for the everyday moments of joy, sorrow, conviction, worry, surrender, and gratitude. It’s real, raw, beautiful, simple, vulnerable, and supernatural. Prayer with God, like with an old friend, feels like you’re picking up right where you left off.

4 Bonus “Secrets”

Establishing a quality relationship with God may be similar to your earthly friendships, but they are NOT the same. A quality relationship with God includes all of the above PLUS the right heart-attitude. Here are four BONUS not-so-secret secrets:

Humility.

Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” God’s not your “pal” or “BFF”. He is holy, righteous, and powerful and you must humble yourself before him. As a believer, you must submit under God’s authority and assume he knows infinitely more about your life than you do. This will lead away from a casual, entitled relationship with the Father and towards greater trust and righty-placed dependency on him.

Confidence.

Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” When you trust Christ as your Savior, you can humbly, yet confidently approach God in your time of need and he will hear you! Don’t live in fear that God is “out to get you” because of your sin. Instead, repent and live in peace that you have been redeemed through the blood of Jesus. Know he has your best interest at heart!

Obedience.

Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments…” Many Christian women confuse obedience with “earning God’s love”. But Jesus calls those in relationship with him to a life of obedience. When a believer obeys, no matter how a situation looks, it implies trust in the one being obeyed. And no quality relationship can stand without trust.

Faith.

2 Timothy 1:9 talks about how God “called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” We cannot take credit for our quality of relationship with God since he is the one calling us to him, through faith, in each step we take. If you are a Christian, the faith given to you by the Holy Spirit is what equips and enables you to pursue relationship with God. And he WILL use it for his purposes. What a gracious God we have to not only save us, but to draw us in and place within us the desire to know him intimately.

Trust me when I say NO WOMAN IS “THERE” YET! God is sanctifying us every day as we step towards true relationship and intimacy with him. Which one are you wanting to grow in? Did this post “step on your toes”? Would you add any “secrets” to the list? Comment below!

10 Encouraging Mini Locker Posters for Girls Going Back to School

Made Matchless

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August 13, 2018

This set of “10 Encouraging Mini Locker Posters for Girls Going Back to School” is the last, most important item on your girl’s “school supply list” this year, no matter what her age. Why? Because whether your daughter is excited to go back to school or experiences anxiety about all the unknowns, all girls of all ages need encouragement that will last them through the best days and the worst days.

The hardest part for us

The hardest part for moms is wishing we could be present in each moment to provide that encouragement…in the high’s, low’s, and all of the in-betweens…cheering her on, reminding her of truth, and defending her character. We see all the excitements and hardships and take them on as our own, feeling her every exhilarated and painful heartbeat as ours.

But whether your daughter goes to public school, private school, or is even homeschooled, the hard truth is we can’t save her from every moment of hurt and need. Us “mama bears” want to rescue and step in and tell her everything she needs to believe about herself. It’s so tempting to try and be all of that to her.

But as much as we are given the job by God of protecting, raising, and instilling, ultimately we must also step back and allow Christ and God’s Word to minister to her so she may experience him for herself, just as we do. If we become the one doing all the saving, fixing, and soothing, we run the risk of becoming our daughter’s savior.

And there’s only room for one Savior.

Jesus Christ is the true Savior she needs to face her gamut of daily joys and struggles. And God’s Word applied in each situation is exactly where she’ll experience him. When you can’t be present to help, your daughter needs to believe in God’s presence. When you can’t solve her problem, she needs to know God won’t abandon her in those problems.

There are many encouraging truths your daughter needs tucked in her heart as she faces her own world and her own dilemmas…especially the ones that are bigger than you (and trust me, God will give her challenges that you are definitely ill-equipped to solve).

So as your daughter heads into a new school year, send her off with more than just fresh school supplies tucked in her backpack. Send her off with fresh perspective, encouragement, and truth tucked in her mind and heart. Because if the enemy has any strategy for your daughter this year (and you know he does), she’s going to need these daily. Download the following mini locker posters. Review these with her. Talk them over. Then print them out for her locker. Print a set for her friend as well! Each one is a powerful truth that you can trust God will use on her best and worst days.

10 Encouraging Truths and 10 Mini Locker Posters

Here are “10 Encouraging Truths for Girls Going Back to School” (to download 10 Encouraging Mini Locker Posters for Girls Going Back to School, so she’ll see these truths everyday, click here: Mini Locker Posters For best results, print on cardstock or laminate!)

You are matchless. (She is made unlike any other for God’s glory and purpose) Psalm 139:14 “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
You are beautiful. (God sees her beauty inside, and that’s what matters) 1 Peter 3:3-4 “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”
You are capable (through hard work, for God’s glory, not her own) Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men”
You are forgiven (because of Jesus). 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Also, Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”
You are imperfect (and that’s ok). Romans 3:23-24 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”
You are loved (just as she is. She doesn’t need to earn God’s love) Romans 8:38-39 “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
You are a treasure (because she is valuable to God, since he created her). Luke 12:6-7 “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
You are on a journey (to her destination, which is heaven. The only way to get there is through Christ). John 14:6 “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
You are changing the world (through her example, by God’s power, each and every day). 1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” Also, Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

I hope she loves the “10 Encouraging Mini Locker Posters for Girls Going Back to School”. Which truth, do you believe, will minister to your daughter the most this year? Which truth from God’s Word would you add? Comment below!