Missing the Mark

The aim:  A place for everything and everything in it's place
The reality:  can't find the:  keys, book, phone, remote, scissors, tape (you name it- we'll misplace it at times)
The remedy:  call a "Family Search" which includes everyone and goes until item is located. Offer reward if necessary. Of course, this depends on the importance of the item. If these measures are not warranted then just forget it...it will turn up eventually, probably when we clean the house :)


The aim:  To always have an orderly and clean house especially BEFORE company arrives or hubby gets home from work.
The reality:  Not quite as stated above and they're pulling into the driveway.
The remedy:  Laundry baskets! They hold so much and can be stacked in the laundry room with the door shut until the time comes to deal with them.  Later they can be carried from room to room during the relocation process. If you have older daughters be careful that they do not see you doing this one!



The aim:  To have and stay on a schedule
The reality:  Unplanned for late bedtimes,sleeping in later than planned, late start, not feeling quite well etc...
The remedy:  Remember to stay flexible so that you don't get bent out of shape! Start somewhere, skip something or just completely change the plan into something else like:  packing a picnic, visiting an old person, going for a hike, doing art projects or???


The aim: To have cheerful, obedient children, who come when they are called, work without complaining and remember everything you've ever taught them:)
The reality:  Self-centered, disobedient, forgetful children who seem to pick up more of your bad habits than your good intentions and at all times test the limits.
The remedy:  Pray for wisdom and patience. Apologize to the children for allowing them to become (lazy, disrespectful, defiant), owning that it really is your fault for failing to properly train them.  Resolve to be more like Jesus who gets our attention with His "still small voice". Determine to be consistent- not letting any word you say be ignored and no disobedience nor defiance go unpunished. Humble yourself, show lots of love and a "we're in this together" attitude.


The aim:  To be lovely and cheerful, singing and smiling and blessing your husband, children and all who enter; never letting fatigue, bad news, achiness, or hormones sway your pleasant graces.
The reality:  Becoming irritable, snappy, whining, complaining and mean resulting in hurting others and becoming a far cry from the godly example you long to be.
The remedy: Go to God again and repent. Acknowledge your weakness and let His strength be perfected in you. Apologize to your family, receive forgiveness then go and sin no more! For a quick makeover...put on a happy face. I've noticed that I look so much better when I'm smiling, don't you?

The aim:  I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:14

The reality:  ...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 3:23 I'm using this verse, not as an excuse but to show that we all sin which means to 'miss the mark'.  

The remedy:  "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Everything You Need to Make Your House a Home.

I like to thumb through old magazines like "Martha Stewart Living" from time to time to get some fresh meal ideas and so on. That's what I was doing awhile back when I came across this ad...

     Oh great I thought... EVERYTHING I need to make my house a home, right there at Macy's.....how convenient! Problem is that in order to shop at Macy's, I'd probably 

have to get an outside job. And I'd surely need to leave my         children behind; can't imagine anything more stressful than spending a couple of hours at Macy's with 5 or 6 bored kids that aren't allowed to touch or ask for anything. 

  I hate this sort of advertising. What a message to send to would-be home makers:  "If you'll just run into Macy's and blow a bunch of money you'll have a gorgeous, happy home". Ha! Truth is:  if you stay home and clean what you already have, and take care of your children yourself, and conserve your hard earned money for more important things...you'll likely have a happy home!  I don't subscribe to or have these magazines lying around. If someone gives me one or I happen to pick one up on the free table at the library, I peruse it quickly, tear out any useful info and toss the rest right into the trash. I also find these useful for quickie social studies lessons with my children:) 


What we really need are advertisements like these:


"By wisdom a house is built and through understanding it is established;  through knowledge it's rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." Prov. 21:3,4


"She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn't eat the bread of idleness." Prov. 31:27


"The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands." Prov. 14:1


"Her children arise and call her blessed, her husband also and he praises her." Prov. 31:28


"...encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. (KJV says blaspheme)" Titus 2: 3,4,5


"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1 Tim. 6: 6-10


"And Jesus said unto them, Ye are they justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God." Luke 16:15

“I come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly."            

John 10:10

We have God's precious Word, my friends. It is full of promises and instructions like these. Let us ever be diligent that we, as Mothers endeavoring to raise children for Christ, in homes that glorify God, take His word to heart every day.

I'm quite certain that my children would be happier sipping lemonade or even ice water for that matter, out of old tupperware cups, on a worn out blanket in our yard with me than to give what it would take to enjoy the items offered in the ad above.

You Don't Have to if You Want To

Hannah, me James and Tom in the garden.

I love the phrase..."You don't have to if you want to" and I've been using it alot with my kids lately. It really makes them think, especially my 5 and 8 year old boys.  :) But, there's a catch... it applies to me too! Yes, it's always convicting to hear the things we so lovingly and wisely say while instructing our dear little ones.

Mild maids Ruth and Mary

This is the barn that Jeff built.

There are so many seemingly mundane, repetitious, not-so-significant things Moms do.  I remember one time when I sighed to my husband's co-worker that it must be nice to be able to get his work done. Once a barn was built and delivered it was finished. He asked what I meant. I complained that my work was never done. He lovingly pointed out that it certainly was done...my family wore clean clothes, ate nutritious meals, lived in a clean house and had a Mom that loved them. That was my work and it was getting done and my job was to keep doing it. That helped me see things clearly again. Maybe that's why God chose the wording "keeper at home", because we must keep on keeping. 

Dishwasher Joe

All done! Pete folding clothes.

This concept can really change our perspective when we apply it to different areas of our work. Just think of the difference between having to make dinner...and wanting to.  After all the most important ingredient is love. Or viewing laundry as drudgery or...loving service to our precious family. I sometimes lift a little prayer for the one who's clothes I'm folding. And dishes can actually be a special time of prayer and praise, with the right heart. 

Jeff and Me and Tommy on his birthday!

                                                                                                                                                    Years ago while I was getting up with my
first newborn I realized that I didn't have to if I wanted to and it made all the difference. Instead of his cry being a rude interruption to my much needed sleep it was a welcome invitation to be with him, to nurse him, comfort him and watch his dreamy smile. Those were fleeting moments that I didn't want to miss!


The following poem has long been an inspiration to me.
Publish Post

Boots

Home Duties

Though life may seem useless and empty and vain,

Ours is the task to help others in pain-

Soothe little scratches and kiss the bruised knee,
Patch little troubles and peacemakers be.

Nothing ourstanding-no fame will we know;

We work for our families, helping them grow.

Hannah and Sarah and chocolate chip cookie dough..yum!

We homemakers aren't sent to a far, foreign field,

Our home is the place where to Christ we may yield,

And truly be Christians, doing God's will,

In these little duties our mission fulfill.

Humdrum occupation? You may say it is so,

But it takes our very best efforts, we know.

You wonder perhaps what satisfaction can come

From the small, humble duties required of some?

Joe, Seth, James and Ruth butchering antelope.

Serving at home to women was given,

To let our light shine and to gain all of heaven.

Though some may belittle, may our motto e'er be:

"As you've done unto others you've done unto Me."

Pete and Joe bringing in the wood.

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men: Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ" 

Col. 3:23, 23.

Hannah's roses

                    A humdrum occupation? You may say it is so... but, I love the variety my life-choices have brought and wouldn't change the way I am spending my days for any other role. Here is a partial job description: teacher,nurse, herbalist, nutritionist, midwife/doula, coach, referee, counselor, gardener, chef, baker, domestic engineer,interior decorator,childhood development specialist....
                      I remember the pressure I felt in high school to figure out what I was going to "be" and "do". There were so many options. I wanted to find something meaningful and a way to help people..and to make a difference in this world. God has blessed me in calling me to be a wife, mother and homemaker and continues to fulfill all of the desires of my heart.


Psalm 37:4Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.