Blissfully Domestic: Train them up!

www.openclipart.org

Okay so you got me. How on earth could I possibly put the words "blissful" and "domestic" together? This is still a process in our household but if we train our children to do things as unto the Lord then pretty much anything can be blissful through His eyes even the domestic stuff.  Yeah, easier said than done right?  It's going to take a lot of prayer and following through that is for sure.  I have learned that being consistent is key.

Since we are in a "home improvement" transition  along with getting rid of things causing clutter, this whole concept is a challenge in our blessed little home. We are learning to be diligent in what we do have because the Lord is getting ready to entrust us with more and we want to be humbly ready. If we can apply this now it will not be so hard when the time does come for us to move on.  Clutter is the ENEMY! Ugh lol

The Lord showed me a system to encourage domestic skills all the while striving to be joyful and yes, blissful.  Life is certainly not perfect and there will be days when the blissful concept will fail but it's all about attitude and how it is approached.  Sure, there are many days I just want to throw the whole concept out the window because I get so frustrated and discouraged but the Lord has gently whispered to me: "Do I give up on you?"  Yikes, that really got my attention!  Let's not give up on our kids even when we are weary, tired, and frustrated. 

"Lord help us to be diligent in raising up our children for your glory. Help us with our attitudes and help us strive to be diligent so all of our life learning experiences can be joyful and blissful. Life is too short and too blessed to be stressed. Thank you Lord amen!"

Lindsey
Blessed to be a wife and mom!

Being content with what you have!

Whether you are a Christian homeschooling mom/parent or not, there are days motherhood/fatherhood can be such a discouragement right?.  We know that they are only little once and we shouldn't take things too hard but in all reality, it just happens.  We love our children dearly and we want to raise them up in the Lord, right?  I know it's my heart's desire as I really just want to do the Lord's will.  He entrusted these precious children to us and we are going to be held accountable of how we raise them.  It's a scary reality but I don't want to steer off the narrow path.  Oh Lord, please give us discernment.

There are so many worldly influences out there that can cause major distractions in our parenting and in our spiritual walk.  Material things are a big one.  Right now, we are in a fairly small house but we have learned to be content with what we have because we know that God can strip it away in a heart beat if He so chooses.  For quite a few years our family really had to learn how to budget as we were coming out of debt and learned quite a few lessons along the way.  The Lord has us in a place now where we are financially blessed but don't want to step out of line because of it or because others are doing it.  We have to be good stewards with our money and as badly as we would like to just throw a for sale sign up on the lawn, God wants us to be patient and pay off our mortgage first.  Right now we are getting improvements completed.  We understand our house isn't ours but it is God's.  If we step out of line, well I don't want to know what could happen.

I am not saying this because I am in any need, for I have learned to be content in whatever situation I am in.  Philippians 4:11

The Lord is having Ron and I teach the girls how to be self sufficient and that the size of a home doesn't matter.  Even the size of a home doesn't always prove someones financial status so always keep that in mind too.  I'd rather be content with something small and be able to do other things rather than having to live for a house.  That is most definitely not the way to live, at least this is what I am learning.  In due time if we seek ye first the kingdom of God, He will take care of everything and at this point if the Lord wants us here for whatever reason, then we have to be obedient.  Can't dwell on finer homes, etc.  Those are all going to pass away.  I'd rather be diligent in doing for the Lord rather than "doing" for material things.  Sure, the Lord's blessings are rich and He wants to bless His people, but we have to be wise in how we approach them.  If you can't afford it, don't do it.  If you can afford it but God is making you wait, then you better wait.  This is where we are at.  It's tough and very humbling but honestly, my family is so blessed and happy why mess with that?

Thanks for letting me vent on this subject, it's a place to share my heart while sharing with others.  I didn't intend for this blog to be published live online but for accountability for myself, but the Lord told me to publish it as there are others being blessed by this.  I don't keep track of page views on this blog, etc. so if this just blesses one today, that's all that matters to me this point in time.  God bless you!

Lindsey
Blessed to be a wife and mom

Image: Master isolated images / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Seeing Your Children

Just recently, I started an amazing (ministers to your spirit man or woman, haha), Bible devotional for parents. I found it through YouVersion on my iPhone and it has opened my eyes to so much. God is faithful. Here is a devotion from yesterday that really blessed me as I know it will bless you as a parent! God is so good and faithful, where would we be without him? Truly!

Parenting by Design Devotional

Tuesday, January 24, 2012 (Day 28)

Genesis 16: 13

"And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Though God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?"

"Seeing your Children"

"This passage tells of the trials of Hagar, the maid of Sarai. Sarai was unable to conceive so she sent Hagar to Abram, hoping Hagar would bear a child in her place. When Hagar became pregnant, however, animosity developed between the two women. Sarai's mistreatment caused Hagar to run away into the desert. There God intervened and encouraged her. She knew He truly understood her struggle, and as a result, she felt deeply known by God. She even named God: "You are the God who sees me." This gave her the stregnth to go back and fulfill her responsibilities to Sarai in the midst of tough circumstances. Like Hagar, our kids desperately long to be seen and known by their parents. How can we do this? By taking time to discover and celebrate their interests. By appreciating their unique qualities no matter how different they are from our own. By listening to their perspective on life. When we discover and value our kids' God-given uniqueness, they fell known and accepted."

This definitely should open our eyes as parents as we are shaping them to be Godly human beings in these dark days. We need to acknowledge every detail of their little lives. It's easy to go about our busy days and brush off even the minor details that will actually make a big impact on their life as an adult and throughout their spiritual life. Thank you Lord for this revelation!

Lindsey

Blessed to be a wife and mom!

Image: graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net