On the Couch

After playing taxi-driver with my children yesterday, (they wanted to go to Walmart and the Library), the rest of the evening was mine and I took complete advantage of it. The boys cooked dinner (hamburgers and french fries) and I was sitting on the couch by the time my husband came home from work. After we had dinner together, I washed the dishes and back to the couch I went and I was there until bedtime. Did I feel guilty? No! Well, I guess I did because I folded a load of laundry. My husband and I watched three movies - one after another and we enjoyed this time together. Now, I couldn't do this day after day, but I sure enjoyed it! I'm trying to teach myself that I don't always have to be doing something - sometimes I want to sit and do NOTHING when I'm in the house. So, why did I feel it necessary to fold laundry in the middle of a movie? Did I feel like I was wasting my time? I don't think so. I was spending much needed quality time with my husband. Did I feel like I was supposed to be doing something? Probably so since I'm usually ALWAYS doing something. It's probably just the way I'm programmed. Well, it's time for some de-programming! I'm going to sit on my butt from time to time like the other people in this house do (smile). No one else seems to sweat the housework, so why do I? As long as they have clean underwear and aren't hungry, they should be fine. Life is too precious.

My Temple - Your Body

Dear Lord,

Help me to better care for my temple - your body. Help me to understand the importance of proper rest, diet, and exercise. Forgive me for neglecting my temple and thank you for the reminder that my body is not my own and it needs special care for your sake. Remind me when I'm tired to rest, remind me when I'm hungry to eat right, remind me when I'm low on energy that I need to exercise. Bless me, Lord and thank you for another chance to bring you glory through my temple - your body.

A Secret Ingredient

I'm convinced one of the key ingredients to keeping my peace of mind is getting the proper rest. I slept in this morning (until 7 a.m.), and it felt GOOD! I still cooked my husband breakfast, yet I went back to bed, which is something I rarely do. There was really no reason to stay up - well, of course there was - there were dishes and clothes to be washed, bathrooms to be cleaned, rugs to be vacuumed, and much more, yet going back to bed sure wasn't going to make these tasks disappear, and as a matter of fact, when I woke up they were still there staring me in the face and probably wondering where I was (smile). I'm not just finding out how important rest is, yet I sure deny myself of the benefits often. Mothers are always saying how tired we are and I use to say I didn't have time to take a break, but of course I do! JUST DO IT! Who's stopping me? Only myself. I use to feel like a slacker for taking a nap in the middle of the day, yet waking up at 4:30 in the morning for the past I don't know how many years, takes a toll on ones body! Sometimes I need a moment to sit and exhale. Find a minute to put your feet up, rest your eyes, or just breathe....this minute will add peace and energy to your day. We deserve it!

Just Listen

Being the founder of MOMSWEB, I have to sit and listen and talk less when in the presence of other Mothers because as soon as I share MW, others think I'm an expert on Motherhood or will judge their Mothering skills. This is so far from the truth. Me? I always say God chose me to start MW because I needed the most teaching (smile). As I listen to Mothers speak about their homes, their children, and motherhood in general, it's amazing how different, yet alike we are. It's so easy to judge another mother, yet I've learned to consider the teaching this Mother has received and her upbringing. I've also learned to look at my own imperfections! Not everyone is raised by a Godly Mother or even a Mother that has her children's interest at heart. We do things differently, yet we all have the same boss and the same job description - to raise, love, and nurture God's children. Some Mothers prepare dinner every night while others enjoy the convenience of take out. Some Mothers give their children a hot breakfast, and some offer a pop tart. Some Mothers allow children to date in middle school and some choose to wait. Some mothers believe in children having cell phones and some do not. Some Mothers believe in chores and allowance, yet others do not. Whatever the case may be, it is not our job to judge each other, yet to encourage. We all have a challenging journey and being judged is the last thing we need. Encourage another Mother today even if you don't agree with her mothering style. Accept her and love her - this is the secret to an open door of opportunity to enlighten her on what God expects of Mothers and not what we expect of Mothers. Happy Mother's Day!

My Strength In Weakness

I learn something new about being a Mother every day. It's amazing to me the many things we do on a daily basis and how we can keep going and going like the Energizer Bunny. That energy is the power of God. I awoke this morning at 4:30 a.m. to make my husband biscuits from scratch, spent some time in prayer and meditation, had prayer with my prayer partner, folded and put away laundry, put the trash on the curb that my oldest son forgot to do, washed a few dishes, exercised, and did some work on the computer. My children aren't awake yet, so my day really hasn't started. This can only be the power of God because if I had a choice, I would still be in the bed, yet I know what God expects of me as a Mother. It's not about what I want to do.

I truly believe the role of the Mother is just another one of God's tactics to show His awesome power. He puts things on us to remind us of who he is. We get tired, frustrated, irritated, and snappy only to get to a point where we call on Him for help. God wants to remind us that we are nothing without Him and we do all things through Him. We really can't take any credit for what we do as Mothers - the glory goes to God. It is because of Him that we do what we do.

Well, my children are up and about now, so it's time to begin my day! Thank God for Jesus!

Seek Solitude

I spent the last four days in Oklahoma meeting, greeting, and spending time with what seemed like my husband's entire family tree - uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and childhood friends. Whew! What a big family and being alone for a minute was out of the question. By the time we left his town, I was mentally drained. My personality doesn't allow alot of room for constant socializing and I was craving for my personal space, yet had a twelve-hour drive home with my family plus my husband's niece. It was difficult hearing my Master's voice since He had to compete with others to keep my attention. I was having short, sporadic prayer throughout the days, yet I'm spoiled with my daily commune time with Him. Mothers deal with this issue on a daily basis. God has to compete with so much stuff to get our undivided attention - telephones, cellphones, people, tv, radio, computers, children, husbands, and everything else calling for our attention.

When I don't get my time alone with God, I suffer mentally, emotionally, and spiritually and it becomes more difficult to remain Christ-controlled, which means...my carnal self comes to surface. Yikes! Needless to say, I had a rough drive home from Oklahoma and so did my poor husband (smile). My lack of space and solitude was revealed in the worse way. I cried out to God to help me find a place in my mind to hear His voice clearly. Yes, God came through. Somewhere on the highways of Mississippi, I noticed everyone was sleeping. Thank you, God! Yippeeeee!! Although I was driving, I took complete advantage of this time and soaked in silence as I waited to feel the sweet presence of God renewing my mind. It was finally just the two of us. It was almost like waiting for your husband to turn the television off, so you can have his undivided attention - only waaaay better. Okay, maybe not your husband. Having consecrated time with my Lord is my lifeline - I can't live without it. It's my daily medicine for living. It's my way of staying connected to my power source - His presence is my being. As I received my much needed refill, my entire demeanor changed and I was able to properly prepare myself for the homefront routine waiting for me in Florida. I was a different person and without a doubt, my husband noticed. Seeking solitude should be added to every mother's list of things to do until it becomes a habit to spend time alone with God - daily. It makes a difference!

Matthew 14:23(NIV)
After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone...

What Will You Leave?

Last night, I asked my husband if his mother, who recently passed away, had a will. He said, "No, she didn't have anything to leave." I immediately defended my seventy-five year old mother-in-law, who lived as a single mother of seven children most of her life. My husband wasn't expecting this, yet I jumped on my Motherhood soapbox and began to speak. No, she didn't have anything to leave because she gave everything she had while she lived - physically, financially, mentally, and emotionally. With seven children and who knows how many grand and great-grandchildren, everything she had was probably sucked out of her to the point she had nothing left to give except herself - she was truly a giving Mother. She gave her children life and gave her life to her family until her last breath.

A Godly Mother is a living sacrifice for her family. A Mother puts the needs, wants, and desires of her husband and children before her own. A Mother will do what is necessary to provide a loving, peaceful home environment. A Mother will go hungry to ensure her children eat. A Mother will even give her thoughts, ideas, and suggestions to her husband and make him feel they were his! God must get the glory for a Mother's giving spirit because only He is capable of giving His all and still having more to give. Mothers are empowered by God to give as we do. Although we get tired, frustrated, irritated, and sometimes feel like we're going out of our minds, we continue to give in all aspects of life. Just when we think we have nothing left to give, God injects us with a refill of His strength, energy, and power. A Mother shouldn't have to leave anything when we leave this world, yet we still desire to - even then. Our will should include leaving a legacy of the Godly life we lived, the love of God we shared, and our supernatural gift of giving. We should leave an example of being a Godly Mother, not only to our children, yet to other mothers and mothers to be. Although it is important to financially prepare for our death, the most valuable possession we can leave is a joyful memory of the life we lived and shared with others.

Proverbs 13:22 (NIV)
A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children...

He Prepared Me

Sweet Jesus is soooo sweet that He prepares us for things we can't handle. He knows when we'll need extra strength to endure tests, trials, storms, etc...This week I've been more prayerful for my husband than usual and it's because of the Holy Spirit pricking my heart to do so. Last night my husband's mother passed away and I needed to be strong for him. My fervent prayers prepared me for what we didn't expect. Thank you, Lord. It was a rough night for my husband, yet I was able to be the supportive, comforting wife I needed to be and he thanked me this morning. Nobody but Jesus!

I thank a special angel for her prayers who was with me when I received the news. The Lord ALWAYS gives us exactly what we need right when we need it. I can't stress a fervent prayer life enough. Pray, Pray, Pray, Pray.