umi-fashion: Raising Sons

Showing posts with label Raising Sons. Show all posts

Friday, October 12, 2012

When Our Children Sin

"Folly is bound up in the heart of a child..."

Yes, our children will sin. There is no question of it. I think it was funny when I look back as a young mom and didn't think that my only child did. My older daughter, who was alot smaller at the time, was a perfect angel---or so I thought. Yes, I know that sounds far fetched, but I was naive and didn't "see" or want to see it. But the true reality was that she was definitely a sinner needing the grace of God just as much as her unsaved mommy did.

So why is it that we are always surprised when they sin? No, instead we need to know that they will sin. To expect it and be ready and prepared to react in a godly fashion. I have learned over time it is alot easier if you are prepared. Especially when you have 8 children, as it seems there can be violations all the day through. That is what parents are for, to be an authority figure guiding them in the speedbumps of life.

Children are a lot LESS experienced than us. It hurts me to hear small children getting cursed out by parents who seem to think their child needs to act and perform perfectly like an adult (who sin as well). They are not robots, nor are they our trophy children. They are on loan to us from God for a limited time and we must be faithful with the time that we have.

But we are not here to have PERFECT children. We need to remember that they are not perfect, but are sinners in need of a Savior. They desperately need parents who will lovingly share Jesus and carefully show them the way to Him. As parents we will always struggle doing this since we are not perfect parents but we must strive to do what is right and not grow weary in the process.

They also need parents that have MERCY. We cannot come off as harsh, religious, hypocrites if we are wanting to parent well. We need to exhibit love, patience, kindness, mercy, humility, understanding and be slow to anger. This will win a heart, the opposite will repel it. My father-in-law is a great example of this. He is patient and slow to anger and always has arms outstretched to love on someone. He always shows overflowing love to all his grandchildren (he has 21 of them, and 2 great grandchildren) and they would just absolutely do anything for him.

Think of how God has drawn us to Him. It wasn't through harsh demanding means. Often when I see Him working through sin in my life it was through His kind love and that is what drew me in closer.

Do NOT become discouraged. Children WILL sin and we need to guide them and show them the way. We must remind ourselves that it is all part of God's perfect plan to work all things together for the good of those who love Him according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

The fruit of this parenting journey is that we are being refined right along with our children and for that we need to praise to Him as we seek to build strong homes to bring Him glory. Amen?

For more encouragement on parenting:

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Where to Invest a Child's Time and Wise Woman Linkup!

"Think long and hard about the way you invest your children's time.

Time is treasure.

And where your time investment is, there you will find the heart of a child.

Invest the majority of his time in entertainment, and his heart will be turned to love of pleasure.

Invest his time in peers rather then family, and his heart will be with the peers more than his family.

There is a time and place for all good things in balance, but wise parents will steward the treasure of time, and in so doing, shepherd their children's hearts."

-Doug Phillips

Balance is always needed when approaching the investing of time of our children--we never go wrong when we invest time in teaching them about our Lord, His Word, the character He expects from us, and His mission of loving others and sharing the gospel with them!

" But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." -Matthew 6:33

Now onto our linkup:

A Wise Woman Builds Her Home is a place to be encouraged in your high and noble calling of role of wife and mother and daughter to the King and we want to encourage each and every single reader out there to build up strong Christian homes to the glory of God.

We would love for you to link up with us---share your posts on building up your home, homemaking, character, hospitality, femininity, family, tea, recipes, parenting, marriage, etc. we would love to have you share it with us!

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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Confused Parenting

There is a trend in America today that is ever increasing and being promoted from magazines, books, and TV shows that we need to be aware of --it is a form of parenting that hinders a child instead of helps a child to reach his maximum growth. It is a form"molly-coddling" and it needs to be addressed.

I have read some very sound books on parenting and some very bad books on parenting. The good books will stick to scripture and follow it's guidelines. The bad books are based on psychology that can be confusing and literally stunt the growth of a child.

We need to be Christian women who can discern the difference. Just because a book made it to the top 10 bestselling list or has a splashy cover does not mean it contains wisdom. It might contain wisdom of this world but not true wisdom which comes from God's truth.

Some of these books talk about how we need to talk the child through every little thing--to find out how that child "feels" and how we "feel" and how we need to allow the child to vent, do what they want and be out of control. I know there can be a time and place for talking, but that is alot different from what I read about having self control and self government in the Bible. Sometimes sin is just sin and we need to deal with our children biblically, with a firm hand of truth combined with love.

"Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. "

Proverbs 29:17

False methods exhaust and exasperate the children and the parents. The scripture above speak volumes of truth on parenting. His way is always perfect and right.

We need to raise up children who can do things for themselves too. Not a child who cries and whines for everything. We must understand that we can't do everything for them. When we do this we are giving them life skills that will prove to be valuable one day. These children will eventually turn into adults who cannot do things for themselves because they have been handicapped while they were younger.

We also need to teach them to serve others. Children are born with folly bound up in their heart, they feel that the world centers around them and a parent needs to step in and let them know that this is not so. We need to teach our children to having loving hands that share and give and thinks beyond themselves.

We try to do that around here by giving our children the Word of God, teaching them to serve and do jobs that help others, to serve by helping at church, and minister in our neighborhood. Now we don't do this perfectly by any means, but it is a starting point. We are laying down seeds that will grow one day and that is what matters.

Parents need to do their part. They are responsible to God.We are commanded in Scripture to raise them up in His ways---not the ways of this world. We cannot grow weary or be swayed by all kinds of false teaching.

Mothers, my prayer for you today is that you would have wisdom as you walk alongside your children ever dispensing truth, patience and mercy. Forgiving and learning along this great journey of motherhood as He molds you as a parent-- that you and your husband, together as a team, raise up godly seed for Him, and would have wisdom to discern His truths over the fallible wisdom of this world.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Guidelines for a Peaceful Household

Many moms write me and ask questions about parenting and running a household, and since I just shared about large families yesterday I thought I would share these Duggar Household Guidelines. You may have seen it on their website in the past or heard it on the show, but I wanted to share it again as it is a good reminder for our children to abide by. Some of you might even want to print it out, post it on your fridge or schoolroom to share with your children, you can use a point a day to discuss the different character qualities mentioned.

"Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; he shall give delight unto thy soul. "

Proverbs 29:17

As a mom of 8 children I am reminded everyday that our children are a work in progress. I pray for them and try to remember to be patient with them the way God is patient with me. I don't always do this perfectly but I am a work in progress too. ;)

Here they are:

Duggar House Guidelines

Always use soft words, even when you don’t feel well.
Always display kind actions and joyful attitudes, even if you have been mistreated. Have the right response by quickly forgiving others in your heart even before they ask.
Always be enthusiastic and look for opportunities to praise others' character.
Always deflect praise and be grateful to God and others for the ways they have benefited your life.
Always use manners and be respectful of others and their belongings.
Always do what is right, even when others may not, or when no one is looking.
Thank God for how He made you, for what He has given you and everything He allows you to go through. (Romans 8:28)
Don’t mock or put others down. Develop compassion and pray for others.
Never argue, complain, or blame. Quickly admit when you have done wrong and ask for forgiveness (even if you were only 10% at fault). Don't wait till you’re caught. Be sure your sins will find you out. He who covers his sin will not prosper, but he that confesses and forsakes it shall find mercy.
Have a tough accountability/prayer partner to daily share your heart with and to keep you in line (your parents, spouse). The power of sin is in secrecy.
Be attentive and look for ways to serve others with sincere motives and no thought of self-gain.
Think pure thoughts (Philippians 4:8, Romans 13:14).
Always give a good report of others. Don't gossip! Never tale-bear unless physical harm will come to someone. (Use Matthew 18.)
Never raise a hand to hit.
Never raise a foot to kick.
Never raise an object to throw.
Never raise a voice to yell.
Never raise an eye to scowl.
Use one toy/activity at a time. Share!
Do your best to keep your surroundings neat, clean and organized.
Never let the sun go down on your wrath.
(Don’t go to bed angry or guilty)
Amendment J.O.Y. -
-Put Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last.

Remember, that children will sin and break "the rules"so to speak-- so be prepared. In our large family of 10, we are reminded that we are a bunch of sinners saved only by grace. This is a learning lesson for all in itself. As parents, we are always guiding our children unto right paths. My mother is 65 and still encourages me to do the right thing!

Finally, don't expect perfection, but do expect to give patience and mercy when needed. Our children need love and guidance from us (sometimes alot more than we thought) and not just a set of harshly driven rules.

May the Lord bless you as you faithfully build up strong homes!

Related: Prayers for Our Children

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Serving Leftovers to Our Families

FAST!

Our culture wants things fast, quick, and right now. We see no signs of slowing down, no slower pace in sight and that is exactly why we moms need to evaluate our lives and our homes carefully.

As mothers we cultivate the atmosphere of homelife, we help to paint the memories of childhood, and imprint the Word of God on our children's hearts, but we cannot do that well if we are merely giving them our leftovers.

Are there things in your life that needs to be reorganized or reprioritized in order to invest your best energies into your true gifts--your loved ones?

I am sure the Lord has already been gently nudging on your heart on what needs to be changed. Can you slow down enough to listen and think through what He wants you to do? Don't be the woman who regretfully sacrificed those precious years of her children, squandering them away, having lost those precious moments forever.

The harsh reality is that life is not perfect and we can truly get busy, so it is always wise to do a frequent checkup to see how we are doing and not fall into the trappings of neglecting the important.

5 Things You Can Do Right Now:

1. Pray for Wisdom--ask the Lord to show you what needs to be done. Pray for you to look honestly at your home and schedule and ask Him to give you the boldness to make change.

2. Recognize weak areas and pare down--if your schedule is jam packed with things that are stealing away the best things (God, husband, children, home) target what they are and see if they are truly necessary. What you thought was good a few months ago, might be a huge source of stress for you and your family today. Also, don't just get rid of old activities only to replace them with more time-wasting pursuits. I had heard of a mom who cut down her computer time and then spent all her time on her iPhone. This is not really eliminating, just replacing.

3. Eliminate Excess--Get rid of material items that are just not important. Ask yourself the hard questions about what you own and simplify. Our materialism threaten to steal away our time due to all the maintenance it takes to keep them. Do we need all the extra excess? Sometimes we need to be ruthless in throwing away our extra stuff, but it is well worth the extra time we gain with our families.

4. Be Intentional--don't go about it haphazardly, if you eliminate something fill it with something good such as time together making memories, discipling, teaching, shepherding and whatever else the Lord puts on your heart. Some of you have been so busy, it might just be good for you to rest for a time. Yes, rest is good for a family to recuuperate and refresh yourselves as you face a better, brighter future together.

5. Make the Most of Every Minute--Value the time you have and see to truly cultivate strong relationships. Do what you can together loving one another and investing time together.
Remember, dear friends, tomorrow is not promised! Cherish your precious gifts, be in the moment with them, and not somewhere far away mentally. Always keep in mind that tomorrow is not promised---today is your gift.

I hope this list will help you to redeem the time!

Monday, June 4, 2012

10 Ways to Teach Your Children Godly Character This Summer

Today I wanted to share a few ways to teach your children godly character through the summer.

This might be your first year that you purposefully decide to try to instill more character in them--or you just might feel your children need to focus more on it! (Don't we all feel that way sometimes?) Our children are definitely not perfect and we always should be trying to reach their hearts with the truth of God's word.

Whether you just want to choose one thing or ALL, feel free to pick and choose! Maybe you used to do all these things but just need to get back on track, summer is definitely a great time to do it. We are personally planning to do several of these things of the list.

Here we go:

1. Begin a consistent Bible reading/devotional time. Be sure to include prayer. We always need to be pro-active about getting the Word of God into our children and the most important thing you can do is help them to have a regular time with God that will bring them into their adult years. If your children are small just read a children's Bible to them.

2. Bible verse memorization. Maybe a verse, a chapter, or whole books (this family did it). Don't forget to also learn fun facts, for example..how many books of the bible are there, where did such and such take place. I liked this Bible Fun Fact book and the children enjoyed it too. Small children can listen to scripture CD's to learn verses a designated times of the day or before going to sleep at night.

3. Work through a character work book together. Polished Cornerstones and Plants Grown Up not only has solid character training teaching but also offer smorgasborg of fun and meaningful activities or skills! For younger children you might want to try Keepers at Home and Contenders of the Faith.

4. Start a summer reading list and include inspiring stories of the faith, martyrs, and biographies of past Christian heroes or inspirational men and women who have come before us. For more Christian book/magazine ideas click here.

5. Watch movies--Don't just grab any old movie, but be purposeful! Go to the Faith and Spiritually section of Netflix, Family Christian Bookstore or your library and grab some inspiringly refreshing movies that make for great conversation later. Also use movies to teach a biblical worldview.

6. Give them jobs. Summer is not just for lazing around and lamenting about how bored they are. Get the rest and fun in but be sure to give them some jobs to help around the house. Organizing, cleaning, mowing the grass, organizing a garage sale, plant a vegetable garden, mending, sewing, home repairs, cleaning their room, learning an instrument, washing the car, are all great ways to teach teach the principal or hard work, diligence and perseverance,which are all godly traits that should be reenforced.

7. If you kids are older have them watch/listen to sermons or biblical teaching online. He who walks with the wise becomes wise. Now your children can walk with very wise preachers who live across the globe. Download podcasts or use You Tube and have them listen! Vision Forum also has great teaching tools (for moms and dads too!) that are easily downloadable at Blue Behemoth. For younger kids, I recommend Cedarmont Kids and Jonathon Park.

8. Join in activities with your local church. There are many great godly men and women to tap into at church. I'm grateful that our church has many great examples. Our family will be actively will be actively involved with our church family doing everything from work, play and outreach.

9. Volunteer to help. Whether it be in a food pantry, an volunteer organization, bringing a new mom a meal or baking cookies or cleaning the yard for the widow down the street, or making food packages for the poor, we can reach out with helping hands in special ways to our community.

10. Spread the gospel. A few years back we used to buy some modern tracts and spread them in our neighborhood, stores and parking lots. But there are many ways to do this. You can bake a loaf of bread or gift and attach a card and give it to a neighbor/friend or invite them over and show some good old fashioned Christian hospitality. You can share the gospel to the masses at home too. A few of my children in the past had set up blogs just so they could help spread the word about Jesus (they also learn valuable writing skills, typing, communication and computer skills).

And most importantly have fun with the list--it's summer after all!

We hope you enjoy your summer!

Friday, June 1, 2012

Crushing a Child's Spirit

We want to be careful not to crush a child's spirit while we are training them but instead help to shape their will. Our culture teaches us it is okay to haphazardly parent but we need to be purposeful instead:

"... do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4)

Examples of crushing a child's spirit includes:

punishing for disobedience and childish "accidents" in the same fashion
verbally demeaning them
punishing while angry

We need to train our children rather than provoke them.

How to not crush a child's spirit:

Carefully select your tone of voice and words when your child disobeys (this will reinforce their personal responsibility of choice and the consequences that will follow thereafter) .
nurture your child's curiosity for life by allowing them to ask questions with freedom
understand the difference between willful acts of disobedience and unintentional accidents.
allow your children to fail without becoming angry

Children will fail and sin--there is no question about it. We need to be prepared on our end by responding biblically and not just reacting.

We definitely want to avoid raising children that merely have an external compliance. It's easy to become focused solely on trying to conform their outward behavior. We need to remember to nurture the heart that encourages children to do what is right because they love God, as their behavior will flow out of the heart. (Mark 7:21)

It's been said:

"Man cares about externals, but God cares about inner qualities. Man values beauty, brains, wealth, and power; God values a pure heart. Integrity and faithfulness have greater value to God than success."

In the midst of it all we need to show our children their own sinfulness and need of a Savior.

Parents, if you have been crushing your child's spirit, go to them and ask for forgiveness. Let them know that you need a Savior too and that is why Jesus died for you as well. Children are very resilient and forgiving. Let them see the transforming work of Christ in your life too. Pray together that the Lord would help you to encourage and build him up from this point on.

God is a forgiving God and He can make all things--even your parenting, new.

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Don't forget this is the last day to take advantage of this great deal at Vision Forum--sale ends at midnight!

Thursday, May 24, 2012

The Seven Marks of Wisdom

Teaching our children takes time. It takes even more time to teach them wisdom. While some will learn faster than others and some will be slower, we must not grow discouraged in the call.

This past week I have been reading through Raising Wise Children and have been teaching and reminding my children what it is to be wise. The Scriptures say that "foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child" which is even more reason to constantly share with our children what foolish characteristics are so they can recognize them (sometimes it even helps parents recognize foolish behavior in themselves!) and replace it with wise behavior. I have these seven marks written on our school board right now and I wanted to take the time to share them with you:

The Seven Marks of Wisdom

1. Trusts in God. "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." Proverbs 29.25

2. Walks in Healthy Relationships. "Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soal and with all your mind. " "Love your neighbor as yourself.""Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffer harm."

3. Seeks Good Counsel. "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."

4. Speaks Carefully. "The mouth speaks what the heart is full of." Matthew 12:34

5. Exercises Self-Control. "Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end." Proverb 29:11

6. Keeps Balance. This mark of wisdom has to do with internal stability of a person's life--through tragedy, loss, or disappointment, they won't be shaken.

7. Manages Resources. This mark of wisdom goes beyond simple self control to the broader area of making the best use of our time, money, energy, talents, and relationships. "Do you see someone skilled in their work? Thy will serve before kings; they will not serve before official of low rank." Proverbs 22:29

Awhile back I remember taking this quiz--

I have posted it here for you:

If some of your children tend to constantly fall on the foolish end of the spectrum, don't be discouraged. It takes TIME to teach them wisdom (sometimes it feels like a lifetime) but just remember to do your part and trust God with the rest. Cover them with prayer and be faithful with what God has entrusted you with. It helps to remind yourself of your own past foolishness and the grace you received from the Lord as you diligently pave new paths for your own children, all the while doing it with the love and kindness that He has also shown you.

"He who walks with the wise becomes wise..." Proverbs 13:20

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Discontentment Over Expectations

Yesterday I ran across some wise words from a post Michelle Duggar (19 Kids and Counting) shared just a few days ago. She emphasized how sometimes we can set such lofty goals and have great expectations that we can sin against others and live an angry life never being content with those around us and our circumstances. This is a very true reality for many women, they get caught up in the web of ungratefulness and discontentment and unwittingly tearing down their homes in the process. Michelle shares her insightful experience here:

Michelle Duggar on Having 19 Kids and Zero Expectations

Are you struggling with expectations?

I hope you enjoy the article!

Related Resources:

19 Kids and Counting DVD's (and instant stream)
Duggar Books
Duggar Tea

Note: Don't forget the FREE SHIPPING at Lilla Rose ends Sunday!

Monday, April 9, 2012

On Raising Men

Kelly over at Generation Cedar wrote some thoughtfully inspiring words on raising sons:

"Men are rare. Real men allowed to be who God made them. And like almost everything in the universe, we, WOMEN, hold the power to shape and change. We are the ones who have so craftily disassembled the real men. And only we can help build them back and raise a new generation of them."

Read the rest here:

Raising Men in a Man-Hating World

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Tuesday, March 27, 2012

10 Steps to Teaching Your Children How to Have a Biblical Worldview

Do your children have a biblical worldview?

Statistics are showing that children growing up in Christian homes today are sorely lacking.

They are growing up with a worldview but it is NOT biblical.

How are we missing this vital element that will impact their future and generations after them?

Today, Rhonda over at Walking With Sarah, is sharing ten vital steps on how to begin teaching your children.

You won't want to miss it.

See you over there!

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Friday, March 23, 2012

Godly Parenting Resources on Sale for Just $2.80!

In the world today it is hard to be a parent and even harder to be a Christian parent and raise your child, mentor and disciple them, etc. It is important that we have tools that will help us encourage and mold our children's character along the way and that is why I want to share with you a fantastic sale that Vision Forum is having right now. They are having a Spring Sale of many of my highly recommended books, toys, movies, CD's. etc.

Here are some of my favorite CD's on sale now for just $2.80:

What to Expect from a Twelve Year Old

This is one of my favorites and I have probably listened to it at least FIVE times! I also had my children listen to it to. Here is the description:

The reason parents have problems with some teens is because those teens have a deficiency in their earlier character development. A study of Luke 2 shows that Jesus, by age twelve, had developed seven character qualities necessary for true maturity. This message not only shows parents the proper goals for their children, but has also provided motivation for youth to reach for those goals!

Listen to a sample HERE.

The Influence of the Older Children on the Younger Children-

on sale for $2.80-reg.$7

Here is another popular CD from SM Davis that I truly enjoyed gleaning wisdom from sharing how an older child's behavior can affect the rest of his siblings and why it is so important to train them correctly.

Listen to a sample HERE.

Here are a few other things that are of notable mention:

Building a Winning Curriculum

I know that many of you are buying homeschool curriculum around now for next year. Have you read "Building a Winning Curriculum" yet? It is on sale now for JUST $3.50 (reg. $10)! Great book to have and VERY helpful!

All of the"Daughters of His Story" paper dolls sets are now reduced to $5.85

They are a favorite for daughters to play with! “Daughters of His Story” is a new series of beautiful, full-color paper dolls that will entertain your girls and strengthen them in biblical femininity, character, and love for history. The women of God featured in these collections were dedicated to serving the Lord through their missions as wives and mothers. Each set comes with two women from history, along with a short biography and three outfits, two dolls inside a keepsake folder, two stands, and six dresses

Thoughts for Young Men--
just $2.80 (reg. $7)

"If it was difficult to be a young man in the days of the nineteenth century when Ryle penned Thoughts for Young Men, it is all the more difficult to be a young man in the twenty-first century world of image overload, radical individualism, and rampant sensuality. Thanks be to God, the answers available for the boys of Ryle’s day remain every bit as potent for boys today. The reason, of course, is that these truths spring from an eternal font of life — the Word of God — which knows no historical boundaries.

Thoughts for Young Men addresses the four great temptations that plague most young men: sloth, lust, love of pleasure, and peer pressure. J.C. Ryle, the last of the great Puritans, tackles each of these subjects with a tenderness and tact that is unsurpassed. First written toward the end of the nineteenth century, it remains to this day the most relevant and helpful book on the subject in print."

And there is so much more on sale from 40-70% off--they have over 300 items worth! I also recommend the Elsie Dinsmore Collection for daughters which is 50% off right now.

You can view all of the SALE items HERE.

Have fun shopping!

And one more thing--the sale ends soon (March 28th)!

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Monday, March 12, 2012

The Gentle Mother

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin,

you who are spiritual should restore him gently.

But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

Galations 6:1

How many times have you read this verse and thought perhaps more of church discipline or some other scenario?

Have you ever thought about this verse regarding your children?

Think of a time when your child was not listening to you--perhaps you were patient at the beginning when you corrected them. Then they did it again and again and again and AGAIN....

Now you are not so patient any more. In fact, you might be exasperated.

WHY is this child NOT listening???

So Momma gets impatient, and angry or mad. Her blood pressure begins to boil and she begins to raise her voice....and you and I both know what can happen from here.

But what if we restored him/her gently---how different that would be from the world. What a testimony of God's outpouring grace and love!

Restoring gently...just meditate on that for a minute. How would you want to be reproofed?

What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?

1 Corinthian 4:21

Is your life characterized by a gentle spirit? Is it characterized by peace? This is how I want to be remembered by my children.

Yes, I will fail, and you will fail, but we will make this our goal. We will do our best to leave a godly legacy to our children even if we fall 1,000 times---a 1,000 times we will get up and try, TRY again.

Are you with me?

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We are linked up with The Modest Mom, Growing Home, and Far Above Rubies.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Biblical Communication-Attacking the Problem

As a first generation Christian one of things I struggled with was learning how to communicate biblically, as sinners this is something we all struggle with since the flesh seems to have its own mind at times.

I am so grateful for this post that share Four Rules to-

Biblical Communication

for a truly great reminder of how to bring glory to God in every situation,

and hope you glean from it and enjoy it too!

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Tuesday, January 3, 2012

On the Raising of Sons

Sons run on respect just like their fathers, and it is important that they not only see their fathers respected, but they must receive respect in the home as well. It will look different from the respect that the head of the house receives, but sons need to be praised and admired for their achievements and accomplishments just like Dad.

This means mothers treat their sons with courtesy and sister are taught to treat their brothers the same way. Courtesy excludes scolding, running down, picking on, or criticizing. Mothers should not share their son's weaknesses, failures, or sins any more than they should share their husband's. Rather, they should seek to build them up, encourage them, and praise them for their good work.

--from the chapter Mother and Sons,
Building Her House by Nancy Wilson

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Thursday, December 29, 2011

Raising a Fool

Since we touched on the subject of New Year Goals earlier this week, I am sure all of you have your thoughts set on some new goals for the coming year--how you would like to better yourself, your role as a wife, your home, the raising of your children. Speaking of that, I enjoyed this article I found over at Walking With Sarah by Rhonda Devine, that you should read:

10 Ways to Raise a Fool in 2012

Enjoy!

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Friday, December 16, 2011

It's All a Lie

The world tells me that to be happy I need to drive a nice car, wear beautiful clothes and have plenty of me-time. I need to strive for the body of a 21-year-old and live the American Dream.

And the last time I saw Oprah she wasn't interviewing a housewife who told how she scrimps, saves and eats beans and potatoes in order to stay home and wipe noses.

The cover of Glamour magazine never features a housewife who denies herself praise and prestige in order to be the keeper of her home, and Cosmopolitan won't tell me how to be an excellent wife and the crown of my husband.

We cook countless meals, wash the same laundry and repeat the same non-glamorous tasks day after day and don't receive any accolades. The only thing many of us will receive is scorn from the world who has no eyes to see that the daily dying, the investment in our children, will be the future of the Church.

But God sees all.

He sees every hot meal you make, then eat cold. He sees every tear you cry when you are exhausted. He sees every diaper you change and every slow reader you refuse to give up on. He sees you draw close to that unlovable child. He sees you go the extra mile in cleaning that bathroom as you do it as unto Him. He sees you share the gospel daily with your family by the choices you make, the lines in the sand you draw, the life you have chosen.

You are serving Him.

And He will reward you. Maybe in this life, as your children may one day rise up and call you blessed. But certainly in the one to come.

His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' Matt. 25:21

-This is a guest post by Bambi of In the Nursery of the Nation.

I am an ordinary, homeschooling mom to seven children. Our eighth child will, Lord willing, be joining us in March! We are a Texas-loving, Texas-abiding family who loves Jesus as well as good books, strong coffee and the outdoors. Oh, we also love babies. Lots of babies :)

I enjoy spending my time learning about reformed theology, the doctrines of grace and solid Biblical truth. I don't have all the answers nor have I "arrived". Like you, I am a wife and mother in need of torrential grace. I fail every day...many times in fact. But the Lord is faithful and His mercies new every morning!

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” – Phil. 4:8

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