I love fall. I think it is my favorite season. The cooler weather, the colorful trees, the smell of pumpkin spice lattes, apple cider, and other delicious seasonal treats. Fall festivals, hayrides, the holidays, family traditions, and the coziness of your home and spending time with loved ones as the days get shorter... not to mention my anniversary and my son's birthday! :)
Recently I have been reading a series on one of my favorite blogs called "Making Your Home A Haven" (see below). The series spans five weeks and challenges women to bless their families through prayer, showing gentleness and love, as well as in a number of practical ways such as cooking family meals or special treats, decorating for the holidays, and creating special family memories. It has really spoken to me by highlighting the ways in which I can bless and bring JOY to my family through the seemingly "mundane" tasks of motherhood... be it cooking, cleaning, or even folding laundry.
There is an inherent difference between "housekeeping" and
"homemaking." One brings to mind a list of chores and drudgery, the
other a feeling - a pleasant one, at that. When I first got married I
had little to no cooking skills. I could do my own laundry but had never
been responsible for keeping multiple people in constant supply of
clean clothes, towels, sheets, and looking presentable (still working on
that last one). I knew how to dust and vacuum but had never had a five
bedroom house to keep clean and fresh for a family and visitors. These tasks can become overwhelming, boring... burdensome, even. But when we view our roles as wives, mothers, and homemakers as part of a higher calling... when we realize that God has entrusted us with one family and one house to bless, we start to see the joy in the mundane.
"We aren’t responsible for every home on the block…just the one God has given us.
God has given us one home to turn into a haven for his glory.
One home to use to shine brightly for him.
One home to subdue, manage and cause to flourish.
And when one home is flourishing – the souls that pass through that home are forever touched and changed by the work of your hands."
http://womenlivingwell.org/category/homemaking/making-your-home-a-haven-challenge/
"Every good and perfect gift is from above." James 1:17
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Continue On
Continue On
One of my favorite poems by Roy Lessin:
A woman once fretted over the usefulness of her life.
She feared she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother.
She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband and children would make a difference. At times she got discouraged because so much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed and unappreciated. "Is it worth it" She often wondered.
"Is there something better that I could be doing with my time?"
It was during one of these moments of questioning that she heard the still small voice of her heavenly Father speak to her heart.
"You are a wife and mother because that is what I have called you to be.
Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye. But I notice.
Most of what you give is done without remuneration. But I am your reward.
Your husband cannot be the man I have called him to be without your support. Your influence upon him is greater than you think and more powerful than you will ever know. I bless him through your service and honor him through your love.
Your children are precious to me.. Even more precious than they are to you. I have entrusted them to your care to raise for me. What you invest in them is an offering to me.
You may never be in the public spotlight, But your obedience shines as a bright light before me. Continue on. Remember you are MY Servant.
Do all to please me."
One of my favorite poems by Roy Lessin:
A woman once fretted over the usefulness of her life.
She feared she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother.
She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband and children would make a difference. At times she got discouraged because so much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed and unappreciated. "Is it worth it" She often wondered.
"Is there something better that I could be doing with my time?"
It was during one of these moments of questioning that she heard the still small voice of her heavenly Father speak to her heart.
"You are a wife and mother because that is what I have called you to be.
Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye. But I notice.
Most of what you give is done without remuneration. But I am your reward.
Your husband cannot be the man I have called him to be without your support. Your influence upon him is greater than you think and more powerful than you will ever know. I bless him through your service and honor him through your love.
Your children are precious to me.. Even more precious than they are to you. I have entrusted them to your care to raise for me. What you invest in them is an offering to me.
You may never be in the public spotlight, But your obedience shines as a bright light before me. Continue on. Remember you are MY Servant.
Do all to please me."
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Love is Patient
It all started with a trip to one of those indoor play places. Some sneaky little virus was camping out on the toy that my toddler decided to lick and now it's 7 days later and mom, dad, toddler and baby are all getting over the never-ending cold.
It's hard having a sick toddler. They whine. They cry. The world is over if they can't have animal crackers for breakfast or if the blue spoon is dirty and they have to use the green one. It's also hard having a sick baby. They cry. And they cry. And they cry. And their crying makes your toddler cry, whose crying makes the baby cry more and then you want to cry.
On days like these I have to pray for patience. I remind myself that love, patience, gentleness, and self-control are fruits of the spirit and I double my efforts to speak kind, uplifting words despite my feelings.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29
Love is patient. Love is kind. 1 Corinthians 13:4
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12-13
Today my toddler shoved pebbles up both nostrils at the playground while I wasn't looking. He woke up at the break of dawn banging on his bedroom door. He didn't want to nap, didn't want to sleep at bedtime. He didn't want to eat dinner. He only wanted to play with toys the baby was holding. He spent a considerable amount of time before bed nursing an imaginary booboo with an ice pack on the couch. He wanted to swing at the playground, but cried because the seat was too narrow. He didn't want to leave when it started raining.
After feeding lunches, changing diapers, putting both boys down and then realizing my toddler had no intention of napping, I lay on the floor next to his toddler bed, praying and holding his hand until he fell asleep. I asked for some sorely needed encouragement and what God gave me was the image of His hand holding onto mine just as I was holding onto my son's.
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 41:13
It's hard having a sick toddler. They whine. They cry. The world is over if they can't have animal crackers for breakfast or if the blue spoon is dirty and they have to use the green one. It's also hard having a sick baby. They cry. And they cry. And they cry. And their crying makes your toddler cry, whose crying makes the baby cry more and then you want to cry.
On days like these I have to pray for patience. I remind myself that love, patience, gentleness, and self-control are fruits of the spirit and I double my efforts to speak kind, uplifting words despite my feelings.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29
Love is patient. Love is kind. 1 Corinthians 13:4
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12-13
Today my toddler shoved pebbles up both nostrils at the playground while I wasn't looking. He woke up at the break of dawn banging on his bedroom door. He didn't want to nap, didn't want to sleep at bedtime. He didn't want to eat dinner. He only wanted to play with toys the baby was holding. He spent a considerable amount of time before bed nursing an imaginary booboo with an ice pack on the couch. He wanted to swing at the playground, but cried because the seat was too narrow. He didn't want to leave when it started raining.
After feeding lunches, changing diapers, putting both boys down and then realizing my toddler had no intention of napping, I lay on the floor next to his toddler bed, praying and holding his hand until he fell asleep. I asked for some sorely needed encouragement and what God gave me was the image of His hand holding onto mine just as I was holding onto my son's.
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 41:13
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