Life – Page 4 – Pollywog's Place Blog

Rebuilding Trust After Disrespect: A Christian Guide to Boundaries and Reconciliation

Published on October 11, 2026October 9, 2026 by Susie @ Pollywog's Place BlogLeave a comment

Some of the hardest words to hear come from people we love. Insults, hurtful accusations, or disrespect toward our family can leave us wondering how to move forward—especially when the person later apologizes and expects everything to return to normal.

We may want peace. We may want our family together. We may also feel uneasy about opening our home or our hearts again.

Those feelings deserve attention. Repairing a relationship takes participation from both sides. We can offer a path toward reconciliation while allowing trust to grow through honest conversations and consistent behavior.

This guide offers practical steps for doing that with kindness, clarity, and a Christian perspective.

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One Season at a Time: Making a New Normal in Our Home

Published on October 8, 2026 by Susie @ Pollywog's Place BlogLeave a comment

Why would we welcome things into our homes for one day that we wouldn’t want influencing our lives throughout the rest of the year?

If something would trouble us in February or June, what changes when October arrives?

That question is part of why our family is choosing not to celebrate Halloween. But the more I consider it, the more I realize this reaches beyond one holiday.

Sometimes it feels as though the world is taking over our thoughts, lives, and homes one season at a time. There is always something we’re encouraged to buy, display, watch, or participate in.

I’ve started asking myself: Are we prayerfully choosing the rhythm of our home, or simply following whatever comes next?

I Haven’t Always Felt This Strongly

These convictions have grown over time.

Things I once accepted without much thought have started to trouble me. Recently, I’ve felt more and more convicted, and changes are being made in our lives.

We’re reconsidering what we celebrate, what we watch, how we decorate, and what receives our attention.

We don’t have everything figured out. Changing familiar habits can be uncomfortable, especially when those habits hold childhood memories.

But I don’t want to ignore a growing conviction simply because continuing as we always have would be easier.

I’m sharing this as someone whose own heart and habits are changing.

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Day 7 — Stop Striving

Published on October 7, 2026September 5, 2026 by Susie @ Pollywog's Place BlogLeave a comment

Scripture — Psalm 46:10 KJV

“Be still, and know that I am God…”

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Free Jesse Tree Advent Study (Plus a Special Bonus!)

Published on October 3, 2026October 26, 2026 by Susie @ Pollywog's Place BlogLeave a comment

Hello, friends!

As the seasons change and we look toward the winter months, my heart always turns to finding meaningful ways to keep our homes grounded in the Word. If you are looking for a beautiful, stress-free way to lead your children through the grand story of Scripture this coming December, I have a wonderful gift for you.

It’s never to early to start preparing for the busy season ahead and I am absolutely thrilled to release our brand-new, completely free Jesse Tree Advent Study Guide!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to the specific Jesse Tree book that our family loves and uses alongside this guide. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting Pollywog’s Place!

The Jesse Tree is such a beautiful tradition. Starting on December 1st, it takes your family on a chronological journey from Creation, through the Patriarchs, the Kings, and the Prophets, pointing directly to the birth of our Messiah. It helps children see that the whole Bible is one big, beautiful story connected to Jesus!

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A Heart of Obedience: A 31-Day Family Devotional Journey

Published on September 28, 2026September 29, 2026 by Susie @ Pollywog's Place BlogLeave a comment

Hey there, sweet friends!

If you are anything like me, you are constantly looking for ways to anchor your children’s hearts in truth amidst a world that feels pretty loud and distracting right now. With our days full of homeschooling, household chores, and the beautiful chaos of family life, finding meaningful, open conversations with our preteens and teens can sometimes feel like a challenge.

That is exactly why I am so thrilled to share our latest family project with you: The Heart of Obedience: A 31-Day Family Devotional Journey.

This isn’t just a list of rules or expectations. It is a gentle, 31-day journey designed to guide our older kids into understanding why God calls us to a life of submission and honor. Divided into five weekly themes, each day features a foundational King James Version verse, a thought-provoking discussion question specifically tailored for preteens and teens, a practical way to apply the lesson to daily life, and a short family prayer.

We’ve also included traditional hymn suggestions to weave music into your morning basket, alongside weekly hands-on object lessons (using simple things you already have in your kitchen or living room!) to make these big spiritual concepts visual and unforgettable.

Whether you gather around the living room couch or chat over breakfast, my prayer is that this study brings your family closer to God—and closer to each other.

Want to dive in with us? You can grab your copy of the study guide and print out the daily readings to add straight into your own homeschool binder. Let’s keep growing faith, family, and food together—one beautiful day at a time!

May GOD Bless You!

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