"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
Wow, do I need rest! The past two months have been filled with one piece of drama after another. Yesterday I woke up to a busted hot water heater and water everywhere. I spent most of the day emptying buckets, using a wet vac to get up the puddles, and wondering how much water is 50 gallons? Of course, I was reminded of God's faithfulness as I saw the things that did not get water on them and as I thought of how it would have been if my husband had been out of town. I had to rest in God last night and trust Him to provide what we needed.
Perhaps you are also going through your own dramas. Are you feeling inadequate? Are you frustrated? Are you weary and burdened? Stop what you are doing right now, and tell God about it (yep, just say it out loud). Ask Him to teach you, ask Him for rest, ask Him to gently lead you. Then, take a deep breath and trust Him to do those things. Don't worry about the how and when--just trust. This is an action of faith, and God will not disappoint!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Trust
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
Sometimes, that is all that needs to be said.
Sometimes, that is all that needs to be said.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Stewards of Time, Part 1
Last week I talked about how as parents, we are stewards of our children. Did you know that God gives us other things to steward? One of those being your life? God gives each of us 24 hours a day to steward, or manage. And, what are we doing?
Are you at a point in your life where you get to the end of the day and think, "what did I accomplish?" First of all, I do believe it is important to remember that the time we invest in our children is very important, and often, women are led to believe that they should be out in the world doing "something" to make a difference. You ARE making a difference as a mother, and don't let the world make you believe that you should be "doing" anything more!
I know that I often regret that I am not spending enough time with my husband. After all, I am "stuck" with him for the rest of my life. (Laugh here) If you are married, are you making time to enjoy your marriage? Did you know that God put you together to make a difference? As a couple, you can support each other. Ecclesiates 4 says it best: "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves."
These verses also remind us of the value of time in building friendships. We cannot use our time effectively when we try to do it all alone. Doing it on your own often takes much longer and is more difficult and tiring. We need friends! We need other people in our lives. God uses our friends to help us save time and energy and to give us opportunities to help others!
Wow, I really need people in my life!
Are you at a point in your life where you get to the end of the day and think, "what did I accomplish?" First of all, I do believe it is important to remember that the time we invest in our children is very important, and often, women are led to believe that they should be out in the world doing "something" to make a difference. You ARE making a difference as a mother, and don't let the world make you believe that you should be "doing" anything more!
I know that I often regret that I am not spending enough time with my husband. After all, I am "stuck" with him for the rest of my life. (Laugh here) If you are married, are you making time to enjoy your marriage? Did you know that God put you together to make a difference? As a couple, you can support each other. Ecclesiates 4 says it best: "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves."
These verses also remind us of the value of time in building friendships. We cannot use our time effectively when we try to do it all alone. Doing it on your own often takes much longer and is more difficult and tiring. We need friends! We need other people in our lives. God uses our friends to help us save time and energy and to give us opportunities to help others!
Wow, I really need people in my life!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Homeschooling Popularity Grows
This article tells me what I already know: Homeschooling is becoming cool!
This article tells me what I already know: Homeschooling is becoming cool!
Monday, February 2, 2009
What is a Steward?
During baby dedication yesterday, our pastor said something that really stuck out to me. He was encouraging the parents to recognize that children belong to God, and we as parents are just the "stewards" of these gifts. Ok, so what is a "steward"? According to Webster's, it is a person who directs the affairs and/or supervises the food/drink---basically, someone who takes care of the thing that is stewarded.
I want to use this statement to encourage you to continue your good work as a "steward" in the life of your children. Don't let anyone make you think that you are too involved in your children's lives! Don't let anyone else make you believe that you do not know what is best for your children! God has ordained, assigned, and given you a gift to manage, direct, and supervise. He could have easily given your child to the neighbor or the government, BUT he didn't! He knew that you had the tools and the wisdom needed, especially as you depended on Him.
Yes, you need to also remember that your child belongs to God, and there are times when you need to trust when it is time to put him/her in His hands for safekeeping. This is why it is so important to have a relationship with Him, so you can distinguish between His leading and others' opinions.
Stand firm in your beliefs, and know that you and your children will be rewarded as you steward with dependency on God.
I want to use this statement to encourage you to continue your good work as a "steward" in the life of your children. Don't let anyone make you think that you are too involved in your children's lives! Don't let anyone else make you believe that you do not know what is best for your children! God has ordained, assigned, and given you a gift to manage, direct, and supervise. He could have easily given your child to the neighbor or the government, BUT he didn't! He knew that you had the tools and the wisdom needed, especially as you depended on Him.
Yes, you need to also remember that your child belongs to God, and there are times when you need to trust when it is time to put him/her in His hands for safekeeping. This is why it is so important to have a relationship with Him, so you can distinguish between His leading and others' opinions.
Stand firm in your beliefs, and know that you and your children will be rewarded as you steward with dependency on God.
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