A Rich Uncle

This weekend, my husband came home from grocery shopping and was commenting on the amount of money he spent and how few groceries he had. I hear this each time he does the shopping, so I just smile and listen as I put away the groceries. I heard him mumble something about having a rich uncle, which I knew he didn't have, so he must have been wishing for one. I can’t imagine what my husband goes through being the head of the household and breadwinner for the family. I sometimes see him scratching his head when he writes out bills or balances the checking account, so I just pray. This time, I did more than pray. I reminded my husband about our rich relative up North. I knew if we called him, he would be willing to help us. I waited for the right moment and then proudly mentioned the relative, our Father, King Jesus, who owns everything. I began to point out our many blessings inside and outside our home. I went further and joyfully spoke about the future blessings in store for our family. My husband was now smiling as I spoke from my spiritual soap box. I refused to let my husband board the ship of discontent and frustration. We are so blessed! I know every head of household, woman or man, gets frustrated from time to time, but we have to remember who we are and whose we are. We are children of a King! Just as we want our children to obey before we give them what they ask for, King Jesus is waiting for us to get our act together and surrender so He can bless us. Once we do our part, King Jesus will definitely do His part. With a relative like King Jesus, who needs a rich uncle?

I Chronicles 29:11 (NKJV)
...For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head over all.

Character Class

Last night, I made my children get out of bed to clean their room. It was a disaster and they told me they had already cleaned it. I found one's clothes behind the other's bed, clothes in the sock drawer, and piles of stuff in every corner. Don't they know if they just keep their room clean, life will be a little easier for them? Lord, have mercy. I wonder about the decisions my children make and what goes through their minds. Lately, I've been prompted to put more time in our character training. Teaching children character is so important. Character is what will help mold their values, morals, and allow them to make right choices. Children grow so fast and before you know it, our opportunities to pour into them will be gone. Each day is another opportunity to give our children something they can keep for the rest of their lives. Life lessons of how to treat others, responsibility, honesty, truthfulness, obedience, cleanliness, discipline, perseverance, humility, initiative, the list goes on and on. Character defines the essence of who we are and our children will be successful in whatever road they travel with good character. Begin today and take advantage of every opportunity to teach a life lesson on character. Academics isn't the only thing that will take a child through life.

Homesick

I looked forward to the holiday weekend to travel and see my parents. Saturday morning, I was so happy as I packed my clothes and prepared for the trip to Montgomery. I had not seen my parents in a while and was homesick. The Lord quickly let me know that it's okay to miss my parents, but my heart should be longing for Him - homesick to be in His presence. Yes, my parents have loved me, cared for me, and protected me, but our relationship is only temporary. My Heavenly Father will love, care, and protect me eternally. I was reminded again, that this world is not my home. The temporal things and people I enjoy bring happiness, but my Heavenly Father brings me joy - everlasting joy. As I thought of being in my Creator's presence, the thought of no more illness, issues, problems, tears, and cares of this world became quite appealing. A song came to mind that I remember from years ago. Some of the words are...Can't wait to see Him and look upon His face. Bow down before Him and thank Him for His grace...A blanket of peace and unspeakable joy covered me as I longed to be in my Savior's presence and look upon His face. I began to long for my eternal home; I was homesick. It's so easy to get attached to people and the material things of this world. We have a special love for our parents, spouse, children, friends and family, and even our homes, but our love for God must be greater.

1 John 2:15 (NKJV)
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Everyday is Labor Day

One night at football practice, second born accidentally locked the keys in the car. My husband was about 45 minutes away in school, so we sat at the field and waited for him to arrive. While we stood next to the car, the boys wanted to find constellations. After teaching most of the day, I was tired and really didn't feel like using my brain. I tried to act interested as we looked up at the sky. The coach who was nice enough to wait with us asked me if I would tutor some of the boys on the team one night a week. I immediately thought to myself, "I don't feel like teaching my own sons and now you want me to tutor someone else?" Good grief, can I get a break? After I got over my one minute selfish party, I agreed to help. I'm at the field anyway, so I chose to do the right thing. Sigh...every day is Labor Day for Mothers. Everyday is a teaching day and every moment offers a teaching opportunity. Thank God for Mothers and have a happy Labor Day!

Worried?

We all have concerns that can easily turn into worries. Our homes, marriages, children, jobs, and school are just a few concerns of life. The key to not allowing our concerns turn into worries is prayer. Want to worry less? Pray more! A simple concern can begin to weigh on our minds so heavily that we begin to spend alot of time thinking about it. Most of the time we're thinking about something we have no control over. Instead of using that valuable time thinking, turn the thoughts into prayer with God. Cast your cares on Him! Need a job? Need gas money? Children acting up in school? Husband not being so lovable? Need to make a big decision? Instead of allowing these concerns to marinate in our minds and turn to worry, pray about them. Yes, the thoughts will come back again and again, but as soon as they do, PRAY! This takes practice, but it works. We have to program our minds to not worry. We have to condition ourselves to be prayerful. Prayer removes worry. Prayer offers peace of mind.

The Porch

While stationed in Cuba, over twenty years ago, I walked to the beach every Sunday morning, sat on a huge rock, and communed with God. I remember the warm sand, the clear blue skies, the powerful, yet soothing sound of the ocean waves, and even the bold iguanas walking around. Even in my twenties, before I was married with children, I craved time alone with my Creator and benefited from it. Yesterday, I was reminded of my Sunday mornings in Cuba as I sat in a rocking chair on a friend’s porch. Although I wasn’t alone, I felt like I was miles away – lost in the peace of God. The trees, the soft clouds, and the wind blowing against my skin were heavenly. I didn’t have a care in the world and could have sat on the porch all night, but I knew I had to snap back into reality and go home. On the ride home, I continued enjoying the peace as I watched those same soft clouds follow me home. I realized it wasn’t about the porch at all, but the invitation the porch offered – to take a moment and be still. The huge rock in Cuba offered the same invitation. Being still allows me to honor God and His power. Being still invites me to recognize the breathtaking nature around me. Being still prompts me to exalt God. Being still invites peace, joy, and humility as I meditate on God's greatness. Just because I’m not in Cuba, sitting on a rock by the ocean, doesn’t mean I can’t take time everyday to sit and be still. God is everywhere! My rock is wherever I choose to be still. I thanked my friend for the invitation to sit and rock on her porch. I was reminded of the many benefits of being still. My mind was refreshed and renewed as if I went on a short vacation. Take a minute today to sit and be still. ]

Psalm 46:10 (NKJV)
Be still, and know that I am God...

Pearls of Wisdom

I've heard the phrase 'words of wisdom' referred to as 'pearls of wisdom'. This is so fitting because the words of the older women in my life are definitely as valuable as a pearl ... if not more. I remember one particular woman telling me that if she had school-aged children during this day and time, she would awake early just to cover her children in prayer before sending them off to school. Her words replay in my head often and although I don't send my children off to school daily, I'm reminded to pray for them each morning and throughout the day. I can't afford to get comfortable in my prayer life just because they are in my care most of the day. The enemy is still busy and a Mother's prayers offer protection from dangers seen and unseen. Have you prayed for your children today? Have you asked your Heavenly Father for His grace and mercy in regards to your children? Have you asked for His protection over them? If not, take a moment and cover God's children in prayer. He has entrusted us with His children, so we must do everything possible to love and protect them. Never send a child out unprotected!

My Village

I’ve enjoyed being the go-to person in my twelve-year old's life, but he has approached the stage that now places his father and me in the clueless bracket. I still have a couple more years with my second-born before I become clueless, but he is already showing me that it takes a village to raise a child. My dear ten- year old came home from football practice one day and spoke proudly of how serious his coach is about drinking water. Okay, I’ve only preached the importance of water to you since you were a toddler and I remind you daily to drink plenty, so what’s the big deal? I know what the big deal is. Someone outside the home has mentioned the importance of water, so now it’s gospel. I believe it’s my job to train my children and instill the right values and morals, but they still need a village of positive influences to back me up. Second-born’s sudden enlightenment with water has convinced me of this. I’m sure those of you with older children can identify with me and now I understand. Parents need help; we need a village. Single Mothers really need a village! We must be careful about the village we place our children in because they will listen, imitate, and believe their village. I want my sons' village to confirm my words, not work against them.
Another school year is here and my sons will be a year older. Where is my village? Coaches, friends and family, co-workers and business partners, church family, neighbors, plus the people God will place in our life for necessary seasons. I’ve always safeguarded my children from influences outside the home and now as they grow older, I’m seeking and identifying positive influences for them. It’s funny how things change. As I write this, I think of the older women who were members of my village growing up. I still remember their faces and the words they spoke to me. Just knowing they were in my life made a difference. Yes, it takes a village to raise a child. I can't thank my son's coach enough for instilling something that I've tried for years to do. Thank you! Will all the village people please stand up!

Psalm 34:11 (NKJV)
Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.