Good Mother, Great Wife

Titling a blog is not an easy thing to do. I wanted my title to reflect about what I planned on writing about. So often people comment on either my wonderful marriage or on my wonderful children. Young mothers ask me how I do it. I never know what to say. How do you tell someone what you cannot explain even to yourself. I think blogging about day to day life will help find the little hidden treasures of being that great wife and good mom people tell me I am.

As far as motherhood, I do okay. My kids watch TV, we eat at McDonalds, I yell, some days I spend with my nose in a book, and I am not the world's best house cleaner. However, I do some things pretty good. I would rather spend time with my kids than without them. We play, I encourage and challenge them to do their very best and I am always there when things don't work out as they'd like. I also home school my children, although I don't think that home schooling is a 'must have' in order to be a good mom.

Now being a wife. After 15 years together I think I'm finally getting it. Up until about four years ago, however, I was no different than any other wife. There was nothing to set me apart. The greatest compliment I have ever received was from my husband. He said, "The greatest years of marriage have been since you've become a Christian."
I'll never forget it. When I boast of this, my boasting is for the Glory of the Lord! My husband was won to Christ because of my quiet and meek nature that was given me after being born again. Before being a Christian I was selfish, stubborn, disrespectful and easily angered. That is not all. I had the general woman-view that we were better than men. Of course, I never ever would have known I was like that. If you told me I was, I would have denied it. Truth is, until I had the Holy Spirit I really had no clue that my marriage was suffering. Even then, it was good. Now, it is great!

My husband loves me (as Christ loves the church). I respect my husband in his God-ordained role as being over me. Us women are to submit to our husbands. What this means, ladies, is that if the two of you cannot agree on something, go with what your husband chooses. Simple as that. If your husband does not want you volunteering in the nursery, but instead wants you to fellowship with him, then do not volunteer in the nursery. This is a hard lesson I've had to learn. Thankfully, my husband is a patient man. It is not easy to let go of the role we are accustomed to. God does not call women to be inferior to men, we are different. We have different jobs while here on Earth, that is all. With prayer and the Spirit to guide us, we can accomplish all things that God would have us do.

It is my prayer that my readers would come to salvation and to discover the God ordained role of women in the home.

Living the Christian Life

One of my favorite Scripture verses comes from Romans chapter six. In the first five chapters, Paul is admonishing the people of Rome about what sin really is and why they need the salvation that only our Lord Jesus Christ can provide. Then he has his BAM! moment. Romans 6:1-2 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?" (bold is my emphasis, but the verse is all original). What Paul is saying here is 'Just because Jesus died to take away your sin certainly doesn't mean you can keep doing it. Stop sinning!'

Verses 10 and 11 go on to say, " For the death that He (Jesus) died, He died to sin once and for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise, you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Oh how I wish Paul were here now. We sure could use someone like him. He was not afraid to tell people that they were sinning and how they could obtain everlasting life. In today's day, if one was to tell someone they were sinning, he/she would be called 'judgmental'. However, we are called to do just that. We need to first examine ourselves. Speak the truth in love. We can bring the knowledge of sin to someone without judging them.

If you saw a blind person walking toward a cliff, wouldn't you warn them? Of course, you would not even think of how they may be offended at you screaming at them. They will be grateful that you ran up to them and grabbed their shoulder and explained that there is a giant cliff they were about to walk off of.

Of course, not every person will be grateful that you tell them the good news. "Most men will proclaim each his own goodness." (Proverbs 20:6) They will say something along the lines of ' well I'm a good person' 'I do good things.' 'I'm sure the good I've done will outweigh the bad.' They will be offended, because the Cross offends. Remember, it is not your job to get them to 'pray the prayer'. Your job is to plant the seed. To show the sinner his/her sin and the need for salvation. Leave the rest to God. Salvation is of the Lord.

If you, yourself, are not sure of what sin is, please look up 1 John 3:4 "...sin is lawlessness". Sin is transgression of the Ten Commandments (the Law). If you could not define sin without this verse, you may not be soundly saved. How can you be saved if you didn't know what you needed saving from? Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you unto true salvation. Then live a life like you are a resident of Heaven. (Because you are...a saved person is not of this world. We are just in it for a time.)

Gotta start somewhere

Why Blog? I have been asking myself this for a while now. I have wanted to blog for some time now, goodness knows why. I've talked myself out of it several times, too. Yet, here I am.

I seem to often have random thoughts circulating around in my head during the day. Oftentimes it is practical day to day living stuff. Maybe it is a handy gadget I'd love to share with someone. Perhaps a tip on how to get it all done in a day. I love teaching newly wed wives and mothers how to achieve balance in their home. Sharing seems to be one of those things that comes naturally to me. You could call me compassionate. I have a want to help others find their God-given roll of nurturer in their family.

My own mother didn't teach me much. It wasn't that she didn't want to or wasn't qualified. Her Mothering Style was just different. Perhaps mine is different than someone else's. Actually, I know mine is not the same as everybody else's.

I suppose that's why I've started this whole blog thing. If I can help just one mom or wife out there it will have been worth it.

I guess this first post is going to be a bit random. I sure am having trouble articulating all my thoughts. It could be because it is very late for me. I have a teething one year old who isn't sleeping, or eating very much for that matter. I want to cram all my thoughts onto this page before he wakes up (again...he's already woken twice and it's only 10pm). So, I suppose it's understandable that my writing reflects that of a mother with a newborn, as that's the schedule I've been on lately.

However, as with anything, perseverance is key! I will prevail against all that stands against me. No laundry mountain is too high! No toy pile too deep! I have slain the demons of dinner in less than a half hour and I will commit to blogging, no matter what. So, until tomorrow...