practically perfect in every way

I can see how some visitors may not like me "endorsing" a movie. There really are very few worth watching out there. And even this one causes some reservations as my children ask if she is real or if it all pretend-every.time.we.watch.it. And then there is the whole suffrage movement. But I so enjoy the character of Mary Poppins. My children also love her. Personally, I wish she were real; [smiles] and I wish I were just like her {snapping my fingers to clean up the toys?!}.

Of course, perfection and tea parties on the ceiling and popping into chalk pictures are just fairy-tales  -beautiful whimsy and imagination.

But there are a few things we can learn from her approach to children and life. 

1. children's wants and desires are not to be dismissed out of hand just because they are children.

2. children need and WANT their father's [and mother's!] time and affection.

3. children need play in equal proportion to learning, and sometimes the two go hand-in-hand.

mommy & Anya {3 years ago!}

4. while the occasional babysitter is necessary for the survival of a marriage, children do not need a nanny. They need their parents, specifically-time with their parents! [and I won't go any further than that!].

And while I will never be a Mary Poppins, I can take these lessons and apply them to my responsibility as a mother. 

I must be intentional about taking time to listen to my children-their concerns, their stories, the reason for their squabbles, the way others treat them, what their dreams are, etc.

I must take the initiative to be sure each child has time with me regularly. In a loving manner, I must nurture time with their daddy. 

Even amid chores and the eventual homework that comes with growing up, I must take the time to remember they are still children. If home and school become only about work, they may come to resent being in either place. Life is full of adventure. And sometimes I need to remind myself of that! 

As often as our personal schedules allow, I should make arrangements for the children to be cared for by someone else for a brief time so as to foster a loving relationship between myself and my husband. Because whether I like it or not, our marriage will be the one they most likely model their own marriages after one day. I need to be sure I am seeking the Lord in being an example of a loving, Godly wife {no matter my faults as a housekeeper-lol}.

a price above rubies . 15

She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

Proverbs 31:24

She understands a trade. She knows an area of business and takes advantage of the market, thus earning some income. This has been talked about earlier in the chapter also.

She knows that her merchandise is good. This woman has worked in the night hours to furnish product to the merchants. She has remained a light to her family during the dark times [possibly of financial struggle].

She is not afraid to lay hold on work. She has learned to give to the needy. She has proven to have a mind to reason out business.

While she could have {and so can we} become involved in a myriad of business opportunities: soap-making, farming, animals, child-care, artist, etc... she did become involved in clothing and material construction {as well as a little farming}. We see here that she made fine linen. She constructed girdles to sell.

I find it encouraging to notice that, while it does say she was not idle and looked well to the ways of her household [further on], it does not say that there were never days of disorder or frustration.

I am positive she had days of being tired. She WAS human. But she also relied on God for strength {she feared the Lord in verse 30}.

[I do understand that this woman is simply the advice of a mother to her son on looking for a wife, but I think the fact this type of lady's description made it into Scripture means this type of life is more than just a lofty aspiration.]

Life is messy. Husbands are not always agreeable {and neither are we!}. Children are often chaos waiting to explode. She took care of her family and home to the best of her ability. And she learned a trade. Incidentally, she learned a trade that benefited her family [growing fruit and constructing clothing]!

These things did not happen in a day. Neither did they happen in one year. This chapter is the culmination of her life. It does not say she bought land every year or even planted vineyards every year. It does not say she made linen every season her whole life. These are simply things she did-at some point in her life.

And while I am busy these precious, few, fleeting years training my children to be good and how to do household chores with me, I can be learning and preparing for a time when they will not require my full-undivided-attention-every-waking-moment. It will come. I think the fact that the only time this lady's children are mentioned is when they rise up to call her blessed attests to that.

~ ~ ~

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 

Proverbs 31:10

the series

multiplying miracles {day 22}

Today I read in Luke 8 of the man of the Gadarenes that was possessed of many devils and whom God healed. 

 After Jesus cast the demons into the swine feeding nearby and the animals died in a lake, the people talked about it. There was likely a frenzy of wondering what just happened?! 

But when the people found out that Jesus had made this maniac to be sane, they were afraid... of Jesus.

I am sure they were not pleased that Jesus had killed their pigs [I am assuming they were part of someone’s lively-hood]. It is not normal for animals to wildly run down a ravine and into a lake.

But it was not until they saw a crazy man sitting sanely that the Bible says they were afraid. It is a fairly normal occurrence for a man to sit, clothed, speaking calming to other people. And yet, this is what made them afraid.

And the city asked Jesus to leave.

One of their own was made whole, sane; and they were afraid of the Healer.

The Bible records that He came back later and was received gladly.

What made the difference?

Jesus told the man: shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him. [v 39]

The man told the people of the city his first-hand account of Jesus power. He told them Jesus was God... or at least, the man realized Jesus was God, and that influenced his story. And then, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him. [v 40]

And after this was when Jarius’ daughter was raised from the dead. It seems to be a man from the same town.

All this... led me to realize, yet again, that when the name of Jesus is elevated to GOD in our conversation... when we actively think of Him as God, thus changing our manner of life... people believe {maybe not all, but it is noticed!}, hearts are changed, and miracles continue! How marvelous. 

established thoughts {day 16}

Some days, I just feel kinda lost. I don't know how to get a certain principle across to my children, or I am unsure how to respond to something unkind a supposed friend said.

And some days, I just feel like any good I try to do means nothing.

And then I read encouraging words from God's Word:
Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. Proverbs 16:3

Each day I have the opportunity and privilege to intentionally commit my day and all its works unto the Lord. Only then can it really have any meaning anyway.

And when I do this {you see, I don't first thing every day... hence those lost thoughts that happen}, the Lord establishes my thoughts for me.  

He directs my mind to think the way I need to. 

He gives me wisdom to instruct my children with the proper attitude and the appropriate words. 

He gives me the strength to be hurt and yet forgive without being asked for it. 

He gives me the discretion to understand that, while my "good deeds" are filthy rags, when I ask Him to do the works through me... His goodness is mine. And I can rejoice in that!

I am not well today. I had to cancel plans with a dear lady... and that made me sad. But my thoughts can still be right and good when I commit the works I am able to accomplish today to Him.

soul rest {day 9}

Do you know when your children just really need some extra rest?
The fussiness, crankiness, general irritability--that just screams at you, “Please put me in my bed and let my body rest!”

yep, that's a pouty face...

Some days, my spirit is like that. The children’s fussiness grates on my nerves; the mess that accompanies 6 people in a small space... clothing, toys, school papers, mis-matched socks,  lost cups [found days later], remnants of “teachable moments” {let’s see how well you can put your own clothing away. hehe}, etc.; and then they all want to eat-3 times a day... all work together to make my soul weary. And yet, I am not to be weary in well-doing.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  

Galatians 6:7-9.

And I realize that...

I am trying to do good... in my own strength {again}. 

{I am reaping weakness... because I am sowing in my own strength}

And I must lay down my burdens with the Lord and let Him take over!

Come unto me...and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me... ye shall find rest unto your souls. 

Matthew 11:28,29

I am not enough

OH my!!

As a new mother I was also a young wife (which most new mothers are) and thus I was learning so much in such a short time.

Or, at least I NEEDED to be learning. But I was not. I was barely surviving.

Looking back, I can see this. At the time I thought there was just something seriously wrong with me. I felt as though I was not a good enough person to be a mom. (um, who IS?) and I was not really prepared to be a wife (again, who is?).

Life is a learning process. An adventure in discovery.

And I have discovered that life is messy.

   Children can be annoying.

   Husbands can be frustrating.

   Friends can turn on you.

And this journey, this adventure we call living is not fair. 

But that's OK! If life were fair, we would all have to clean up our own mess (as nice as that sounds, then no one could give you a break!) 

and if life were fair, there would be no salvation.

and if life were fair, there would be no Helper, no Peace-giver for us to call Father.

So, I am not enough. This I have learned thoroughly! but He IS enough. His help is my potential. His peace is my strength.

Lean on the Savior, the One Who loves you more than any other. And, while your clothing will still not put itself away and the sink will still pile with dishes and your children will still squabble and need your attention... your heart [and home] will be full of peace [though not necessarily quiet or complete order]. Your life will be filled with the calm and strength and resolve that cannot come from your own will-power. 

Your world may fall apart daily, but you will not.

being part of:

the best way to love our children

I missed my scheduled posting time last week. But the children and I had great fun visiting my grandparents, whom I have not seen since my oldest child was a few months old! It was so wonderful for them to meet the other 3! It was a rather spur-of-the-moment trip, so I had time to schedule any posts.

my grandparents, my children & myself

I have long heard it proclaimed to men: "The best way to love your children is to love their mommy. and let them KNOW you love their mommy!" This obvious affection creates stability that children so desperately need. 

This idea is rooted in Biblical truths, but for today I am simply relating personal experience.

And I am going to tip the tables and say it backwards: "The best way for ME [mommy] to love my children is to love their daddy. and let them KNOW it!" 

I must be INTENTIONAL about my love for him. 

I have come to notice that the more I devote my time, attention and even Bible study & prayer to simply loving my husband in the way he feels love [his love language], the nicer I am to my children when they are whiny and the more joy comes to me when doing the mundane--laundry, dishes, etc. 

Happy Mommy = Happy home. 

So, my goal is to commit my mind to pleasing my children's father; and whether or not the clothing actually gets put away, our home will be a happier place! [but I'm working on getting the laundry put away!!]

I pray these thoughts are encouraging to someone today! 

being part of:

being MY husband's wife

There are so many posts out there that talk about being a wife the way God intended. There are a few posts about that on this blog. 

But today I am going to tell you a few things I have personally learned about being the wife my husband praises {wow! that sounds boastful, but his praises are how I know I have done something right! so I am going to share what that has been recently}. 
**And just because my husband has noticed these things does NOT mean I can give them up as "accomplished"! I still struggle with these -and so much more- every. single. day.**

 

1. being intentionally "beautiful" for him. dressing more for his eyes. {I know that might sound like I think I'm pretty, but really, I just mean that what he enjoys about my wardrobe has become more of my focus when I dress & shop}

When I keep my hubby's likes in the forefront of my thoughts when dressing for the day, I find there are a few items of clothing that really need to go! And when I allow it to influence what I buy, I feel better about spending a few dollars on my wardrobe. I also find that I feel more feminine knowing that there is a man out there that appreciates the way I look {smiles}. 

**Have you ever asked your husband what clothing he likes on you? or just taken note of his expressive reaction to your outfit?

2. making our supper daily. and usually it is edible. {smiles}

I try to make note of the meals he eats quickly and those he gives me some "direction" on... and take the direction as a gentle reminder that I am not the only one eating the food I prepare! While I do try to make our food as nutritionally healthy as possible, sometimes I just try to make something I know he thinks is YUMMY! because HE is my #1! 

**Do you let your husband occasionally criticize your food with an open mind {and heart!}? It's not easy sometimes, but it can show him your love.

3. allowing God to work in my heart. {if he can notice it, it must not be my imagination that God is working. and He has shown me some ugly things about myself recently}

When I ask and then allow God to show me that ugliness called SELF in my heart and then also allow Him to work a change in my life, it makes me a more pleasant person {just trust me on that if you have never experienced it}. And living with a woman who has a pleasant disposition is at least part of EVERY man's dream! {smiles} Yes, it IS hard sometimes. It is painful to know... sometimes agonizing to admit... that I am wrong. that things I have thought and acted on were just not right. not Godly. not Christlike.
But when I have allowed God to work and I have humbly told my husband that I know this or that was wrong and will you please forgive me, there is such a freedom that comes. And usually he turns right around and tells me that he realizes it was not all my fault.

** When you have conflict with your husband, do you ever honestly asked God to reveal your own fault in the situation? and then talked humbly and openly with your husband about it?

I pray these thoughts are encouraging to someone today! 

being part of: