I've said this to friends and I'll say it here-AGAIN. :) In my opinion, one of the sins of our generation is busyness. I don't mean the good old fashion roll up your sleeves and get your house work done kind of busyness. I mean the kind of busyness that takes a woman away from her home. The kind of busyness that rushes a woman out the front door and then rushes her back in just in time to cook dinner.
I think a woman needs to be relaxed and in her own home. If a woman is to be busy at all it should be within her own four walls. I honestly think home is where a woman can be truly happy. It is at home that a woman is truly the Queen. And, with practice this Queen can rule from her throne with skill and grace.
Some practical things to practice:
-Begin eliminating activities from schedule even if they seem good, sociable and helpful.
-Begin getting up just a little earlier to start the day. Shower and completely dress for the success of your home making day.
-Make sure your kitchen is clean and make a list of items needed to have a stocked pantry.
-Move a piece of furniture or two around in the living room to add a newness to the atmosphere.
-Last, but really first. Pray that time will be used effiently before the Lord. His plans may be that you do less around your home at times.
Learn to relax. Just stay at home mom.
"...to be busy at home..." Titus 2:5
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Under the Influence...
I've realized something recently. Our children rarely learn something through osmosis....or at least they don't through osmosis alone. Yes, they are sponges and absorb what is around them, but they are so easily squeezed out at times and will reabsorb again and again. BUT...
They don't learn something just because we speak. As parents we have to speak, then show, then supervise as they attempt life on their own. And guess what? They might fail. And they might fail in a big way. They'll fail less in that big way if we're there to watch their every move. We can't breathe for them, but we must be there to make sure they breathe. I can't trust my children to know how to breathe on their own. I (and my husband, of course) need to show them. And we do. We're not perfect, but we do. We show them. But, I personally need to brush up on that supervision stuff. Confession time. Sorry Lord.
In a very practical way, I, instead of their friends need to be there for them . Sure, friends are nice to have around, but not for long. Children need to be under the influence of their parents instead of under the influence of their friends...even their really good friends. Their little friends are ignorant in life. I don't mean this in a bad way, but they are. Do I want my children to be "taught" about life behind the closed door of friendship? Do I want MY children to teach someone else's children behind the closed door of friendship? Heck no! My children (and they are good children) are as likely to lead someone astray as they are likely to be led astray. They're children. They're learning. I'm learning too, but I'm learning as an adult so now I teach.
So, what am I to do? Well-I think I'll be practical and obey some things I've read many times...."Adult supervision required" and "Never leave children unattended." That's good advice for future reference.
Can I do anything about past sins and mistakes? Heck no! The blood of Christ will have to cover those---actually that precious blood will be needed for the past, present and future sins and mistakes.
God is the God of new beginnings....
Morning by morning His mercies are new....
Forgive me, dear God for the times I've hidden from you or allowed my children to do the same. I'm very sorry. Very sorry (sigh).
Once again Lord, for my children and me (and hubby)...and parenthood..."Create in me a clean heart O'Lord and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10
Teach me to be a sponge dear Lord and absorb only Your Truth...The Living Water.
Thank you God! In Jesus Name!
They don't learn something just because we speak. As parents we have to speak, then show, then supervise as they attempt life on their own. And guess what? They might fail. And they might fail in a big way. They'll fail less in that big way if we're there to watch their every move. We can't breathe for them, but we must be there to make sure they breathe. I can't trust my children to know how to breathe on their own. I (and my husband, of course) need to show them. And we do. We're not perfect, but we do. We show them. But, I personally need to brush up on that supervision stuff. Confession time. Sorry Lord.
In a very practical way, I, instead of their friends need to be there for them . Sure, friends are nice to have around, but not for long. Children need to be under the influence of their parents instead of under the influence of their friends...even their really good friends. Their little friends are ignorant in life. I don't mean this in a bad way, but they are. Do I want my children to be "taught" about life behind the closed door of friendship? Do I want MY children to teach someone else's children behind the closed door of friendship? Heck no! My children (and they are good children) are as likely to lead someone astray as they are likely to be led astray. They're children. They're learning. I'm learning too, but I'm learning as an adult so now I teach.
So, what am I to do? Well-I think I'll be practical and obey some things I've read many times...."Adult supervision required" and "Never leave children unattended." That's good advice for future reference.
Can I do anything about past sins and mistakes? Heck no! The blood of Christ will have to cover those---actually that precious blood will be needed for the past, present and future sins and mistakes.
God is the God of new beginnings....
Morning by morning His mercies are new....
Forgive me, dear God for the times I've hidden from you or allowed my children to do the same. I'm very sorry. Very sorry (sigh).
Once again Lord, for my children and me (and hubby)...and parenthood..."Create in me a clean heart O'Lord and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10
Teach me to be a sponge dear Lord and absorb only Your Truth...The Living Water.
Thank you God! In Jesus Name!
Sunday, May 27, 2007
An Orderly Life
Yesterday, I was talking to my daughters about leading an orderly life. The conversation started with a reminder that when they do something they should do it to the best of their ability. They should be picky. Pickiness is usually associated with negativity, but I think pickiness is a compliment to orderliness.
I explained to my daughters that God is the God of order. He arranged the seasons in perfect order. The moon and sun, for example, appears with exact precision, perhaps even pickiness.
As a woman of God I need to imitate this pickiness within my home. When my home is out of order I'm out of order...my "world" is out of order.
One way to ensure we have orderly homes is to be at home. I honestly think busyness outside our homes is one of the main sins and distractions of our generation. Running to and fro, chasing the wind...spending, spending, spending. This busyness can cause lack of contentment and frustration, which in turn will be spilled inside the home. It's a terrible cycle.
Practically speaking, we should challenge ourselves to make one improvement inside our homes each day. Perhaps moving a piece of furniture or rearranging accessories will do the trick to give a newness...to show our interest in building a haven for our families.
"For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you."
2 Thessalonians 3:7
"...aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands..."
I Thessalonians 4:11
I explained to my daughters that God is the God of order. He arranged the seasons in perfect order. The moon and sun, for example, appears with exact precision, perhaps even pickiness.
As a woman of God I need to imitate this pickiness within my home. When my home is out of order I'm out of order...my "world" is out of order.
One way to ensure we have orderly homes is to be at home. I honestly think busyness outside our homes is one of the main sins and distractions of our generation. Running to and fro, chasing the wind...spending, spending, spending. This busyness can cause lack of contentment and frustration, which in turn will be spilled inside the home. It's a terrible cycle.
Practically speaking, we should challenge ourselves to make one improvement inside our homes each day. Perhaps moving a piece of furniture or rearranging accessories will do the trick to give a newness...to show our interest in building a haven for our families.
"For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you."
2 Thessalonians 3:7
"...aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands..."
I Thessalonians 4:11
Qualities...
"...to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed..." Titus 2: 4-5.
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