About the Author

Renee Swope is a Word-lover, heart-encourager, and grace-needer. She's also a wife and mom of three Joshua (27), Andrew (24), and Aster (13) and the best-selling author of "A Confident Heart" and her newest book, "A Confident Mom," released in February! Renee loves making memories with her family, creating beautiful...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. I would like your new Bible materials. Empowered. I am a senior citizen and can’t afford to buy. I am wondering if I can get the materials.

    • Gail, I have preordered the first book for you as God has told me to do. I love following his nudges.
      Please, for your own safety, never post personal information on a public site.

    • His grace is such a gift. And just like mercy, it’s new every morning. He never stops offering it and we will never stop needing it either. 🙂 I’m so glad today’s post encouraged your heart!

  2. Renee,

    Thank you so much for letting the Holy Spirit guide you in the writing of this. I’m sure you have touched more than just one woman with your words. I so needed to hear this. As a single mom working 3 jobs with two teenagers, it’s easy for me to unwind by plugging in instead of finding meaningful ways to connect. I want to be more intentional, and I appreciate knowing I’m not the only one.

    • Kim, you are definitely not alone!! There are so many times when I’ve been in the room with the people I love, but my mind is somewhere else checking emails, social media, or thinking about texts and calls I need to return. I know it’s extra challenging with teens because they can give off the perception that they don’t want to spend time together BUT they do. They want us to want to be with them and be interested in what they are into. It is something that will build a lifetime connection and so worth the time we give when they are still at home. (My boys are 24 and 27 so I see that now). And remember, you don’t have to be perfect or do it all. A little, on a consistent basis, goes a long way with our kids. Praying for you mama. xoxo

  3. This was a really important reminder for us to be “present” with our friends and family. Thank you, Renee!

  4. Thank you for writing this it so good. I don’t have kids. Not brave enough to give birth. I have Nieces and Nephews. All I see them doing is looking at screens. Should it be a mobile or Xbox. Especially when of school looking at their Xboxes playing games or playing games on their mobile if old enough to have one. Texting looking up Facebook etc. It was as it is sad they crave so much of their time on theses things. So do their parents on their mobiles. I wouldn’t have Facebook about me. As it takes up far to of your time up. You go on it for nosey sake to see what this person or that person up to. Then it can tempt you gossip if you read something about someone on Facebook. God would not want you to do that. Like kids parents can use the Xbox or mobile no matter what kids do on it as a babysitter especially when of school. Or if out for a meal with the family. You see the mobiles come out just to look at it or play games while waiting on the meal to arrive. Even toddlers given parents phones to amuse them. They get they crave the connection of the toddlers things on them. All this very sad. I see it with my Niece’s and Nephews. Who are not babies now. But even when toddlers they craved it. Because their parents let them have it be on their Parents phones or iPads to keep them amused. It can become the babysitter. That sad. If parents let them on theses things for far to long. Especially when of school. They say as long as they are quite. As long as they are happy. It sad even toddlers don’t know anything outside theses things. I heard my Niece’s and Nephews before having a phone of their own. When out somewhere. Going Mum can I have your mobile. All they want to do is play games on them. That sad. As I believe when out somewhere even if out for a nice meal together. Even if child or Adult the mobiles all should be put away. Only be answered if the mobiles ring or an important text. You hear the bling type noise of the text look at it. If not important. Answer the text later when get home. Or text the person back to keep them happy. Out for a family meal text you when get home later. Parents if do let their kids play Xboxes or be in their mobile when of school or after the homework done. Limited the time they spend on them. Parents be a good example as well spend less time on mobiles to. Then they family all do something together as a family. Make memories when of school. But one thing I have learnt in my life to not let my mobile take over I would not ever have games on my mobile. I know Adults that are saved that have games on their mobile. They get addicted to them. They can take away from their time with God. That is wrong. I never had games on my mobile. As God told me Dawn. If it takes over your life. Do with out it. If have to have mobile for phoning people to let them know important things or text them. Or incase something important for an important reason they need you or you need them. That ok. But not let it take over your quite time with God in prayer and his word. We must put God first. Not or mobiles. Be a good example to our kids if have any. Kids to appreciate parents giving them a time limit when homework done on their mobile if have one and when of school if into Xboxes etc. Be a good example Parents limit their time on their mobile. Put the time into their kids. As kids will then remembered when big the time parents spent with them. Then kids will realise my Mum or Dad not stopping us having time on our mobile or Xboxes. Limiting the time for our good as kids. So they don’t take over their lives. They and Parents do something together as a family. This is Parents putting time into their kids and not saying no. Then the kids fell their parents being unkind. I believe this is what God would want. Love Dawn Ferguson-little xx

  5. This message is so close to my heart. My three daughters are lovely young ladies. I am so favored to know they understand the love of Christ. They are gainfully employed and I pray for God to promote them on their jobs and in their every day lives.

    I suppose my mother and grandmother wanted the same outcome for me in my adult life. I see know that time is so precious. When will we learn the true value of time spent with our loved ones and dear friends. I know the Pandemic has taught us many lessons and I don’t need to know anymore about that.

    I should have played more with my girls when they were tiny tots but I felt I had to cook, do laundry and tidy up before my husband got home to give me more things to do. Now I can encourage other young mothers to play and have fun with their tiny children, it’s worth it.

    Jesus is an awesome Teacher, He teaches us by example. He took time to be with people no matter what day of the week it was when there was a need to be met. We can offer prayers for one another, smile at one another, share good news with one another and even bake cookies for one another. Life’s simple pleasures are the best. A walk in the park, a game of checkers for fun, listening to music together and having Bible Study together.

    Memories help us think about our investments made for our futures.
    Enjoy every day and be very thankful.

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

    Brenda M. Russell

    • Thank you for your kind words Brenda. And thank you for sharing your perspective from the season of life you are in now. We all have things we wish we’d done more of. I wish I’d enjoyed the earlier seasons of motherhood more. Played more, cleaned the house less. Went on more family vacations and work trips. We can’t go back but we can make the most of where we are and do the things today we wish we’d done then. 🙂

  6. Renee,

    Society is all about plugging in, scrolling through social media, texting, etc. It seems we have to know the latest information about everyone. I see so many people with their heads down looking at cell phones all the time. Can’t even have a conversation with them. They are oblivious as to what is going on around them. While being productive & learning about people & life is good-it is more important to be present in the moment.

    Back in the day most people had a front porch where they sat & talked with their neighbors. Now hardly anyone knows their neighbors. Life is becoming one big blur of pictures, videos & screenshots. No more having face to face conversations. That seems to be a lost art. It seems we value our cell phones & computer screens over being with people. Even Jesus took time out of His schedule to talk with people. If He being that busy could take time to be present then why can’t we? Please take time to be present with your family & friends before it’s to late.

    Blessings 🙂