What kind of mom are you?

Are you a "yes" mom or a "no" mom? Think about it...When your child(ren) make a request of you, whether to get something or to play with them, are you quick to say "yes" or do you find it is your habit to say "no" or "not right now"? May I challenge you to say yes as much as you can?! Be a "yes" mom. So often I think we say "no" because we don't want to take the time to get that game down from the closet, or whatever it may be that is a bit inconvenient at the moment. There are PLENTY of times we have to say "no" in training our kiddos in righteousness, so say "yes" whenever possible. Be a "yes" mom!

Must read!!

This is an AMAZING book! All Moms, Grammys, Mimis, Aunties, caregivers etc. should put this on their must read list! It's an annual read for me because oh how quickly I need good reminders! This book, Don't Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman is about heart-oriented discipline. First time obedience...ahhhh... We don't want to merely focus on our child's outward behavior but rather what is in their hearts. I could go on and on about this book, but I won't this time ;)Read it for yourself. I KNOW you (& your kiddos) will be blessed!!!

Our Children's Salvation

Like me, one of your fervent prayers probably is that God would see fit to save your precious children! They are not saved simply because they have believing parents. Pray that God would do a mighty work in their lives and change their heart to repent and believe in Him.
The following really captures the desires of my heart. It is a prayer from the book, Valley of Vision (a compilation of puritan prayers):
O Sovereign Lord, let those that are united to me in tender ties be precious in thy sight and devoted to thy glory. Sanctify and prosper my domestic devotion, instruction, discipline, example, that my house may be a nursery for Heaven. Amen

12 years

Sunday marks my 12 year wedding anniversary! I am married to an amazing man who adores me! In honor of each year of marriage, I put together 12 things I love about my Hubby, Alvin:
1. He loves the Lord our God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength.
2. He loves me and lives with me in an understanding way.
3. He loves our children with a tender, Daddy kind of love.
4. He is fun-we have a blast together as a couple and as a family.
5. He values my thoughts and opinions.
6. He is faithful to God and me.
7. He loves God's people and desires to help them grow in the Lord.
8. He has a burdened heart for the lost.
9. He serves me in the home.
10. He is strong and brave-he has 3 black belts (Aikido, jiu-jitsu, kali selat)
11. He is beautiful and has good fashion sense.
12. He would rather go shopping or be artsy than play or watch sports.

Schedules-love em or hate em??

There are seasons when I cringe at the thought of having a schedule! There are seasons when I cringe at the thought of NOT having a schedule...I go back and forth. Currently, I'm thinking about entering back into the delight of having a schedule. It does cut down on the nagging when the kids know what to expect for the day. Or when it is time to have "sit time" or homework time, I don't hear as much revolting. I think we'll try it again-it does take time to get used to-- So if you start to implement a schedule, give it time before giving up-that was to encourage both you AND me!! lol.

Following are some thoughts from Carolyn Mahaney from the girltalk blog:

-A schedule is meant to serve, not rule. When it doesn’t serve, dismiss it. Lay it aside and pick it back up later.

-A schedule must be exercised in dependence upon God. It can greatly enhance our mothering, but it can never eliminate our need for God’s help.

-A schedule should be implemented humbly. We must avoid being self-righteous and judgmental in our communication about mothering practices. We must also avoid sinfully judging other women that they are being self-righteous and judgmental. In many cases they may simply be trying to help.

-A schedule is optional. You can certainly glorify God and be an effective mother without a schedule.

-A schedule is not the most important thing about us. Remember D.A. Carson’s admonition:

“So many Christians today identify themselves with some ‘single issue’ (a concept drawn from politics) other than the cross, other than the gospel. It is not that they deny the gospel. If pressed, they will emphatically endorse it. But their point of self-identification, the focus of their minds and hearts, what occupies their interest and energy is something else” (The Cross and Christian Ministry, p. 63).”

The gospel—and not a schedule—should always be what we’re most passionate about. And this is not a suggestion.

God's Grace is Sufficient

Have you ever felt tired? I don’t mean tired as in you went to bed late and got up early…I mean just tired. Like if you have to do one more thing for one more person, you may just loose it? I have felt that way before. Maybe that’s something a lady shouldn’t admit. Well, here’s to all the ladies that have felt that way but won’t admit it. GOD’S GRACE IS SUFFICIENT!!! (2 Co. 12:9) God gives us the exact amount of grace we need for every circumstance-no more and no less! He will never give us more than we can handle. I know sometimes it doesn’t feel that way but because we know that God’s word is true, than this is true. I think of the mother/child relationship here because our children constantly need us to help them. As moms we are to love our children (Titus 2:4). That is a given for me, I absolutely adore my children. I love spending time with them, training them in righteousness and I could talk about them nonstop-sometimes I do. But you know, when I am trying to make dinner and the kids are arguing with each other and one acts out in anger and hurts the other, I can be tempted to roll my eyes, *sigh* and abruptly say “stop it, go sit on your beds!” But I am doing my children harm if that is what I do. In Deuteronomy 6:7 we are told to teach them diligently when we sit in our house and walk by the way. (This includes when I am interrupted in making dinner). I must stop to take the time to actively love and shepherd my precious children. Getting to the heart of their behavior and not merely stopping the current problem takes time and it can be tiring. A mom once said to me, “If I stop to take that time, that’s all I will do ALL DAY!” Yes, is my answer-there are days when most of what I do is teach them diligently. That is why I began this blog with the question, “Do you ever get tired”? Remember His grace is sufficient. As moms, let’s be sure to be encouraging one another in the word; we are on this pilgrimage together. And don't forget to take the time to teach them diligently.

The word of the Lord is righteous and true

"For the word of the Lord is righteous and true; He is faithful in all He does". Psalm 33:4.
Aren't you so thankful for that? I am!! I am thankful that God preserved His true word for us, that He and His word are perfectly righteous, and that we have His word which allows us to know Him. Think about that! We can know the God most high by reading His word. I want to know Him more, don't you? So why is it that there are days that go by without being in His word? I praise God that He is faithful in all He does! How amazing!! I am thankful that God remains faithful even when I am not. How I wish I was faithful in all I do-it is something I strive and strive to be but only our holy and perfect God can be. May we all be faithful to be in God's righteous and true word this week! blessings, jenny