*This tips comes on the heals of an amazing Mother's Day Sermon (listen here!) and the conclusion of reading Sally Clarkson's book on motherhood. It's a more serious Thursday because it's what's on my heart! It wasn't the easiest to truncate my thoughts...hang in there!
Thrifty Tip #22: Do NOT be thrifty in your role as a mom! It'll be the best investment you ever make for your children!
When I started reading The Mission of Motherhood: Touching Your Child's Heart for Eternity
by Sally Clarkson, I was honestly looking for a mothering book that would give me the "secret code" for teaching my children perfect obedience. I wanted to know how "to do it all" as a mother. Truthfully, I wanted some easy catch phrases and the tools that would make mothering seem "easy".
Instead, I have walked away with a vision of teaching and training my children to love God with their whole hearts. I gained a "goal to make the Lord real--His character, beauty, love, justice, truth, excellence, and purpose. My goal is to touch my children's hearts with the overwhelming wonder of His presence As I seek to gently and lovingly expose my children to the natural greatness of God's being, my hope is that their own devotion will naturally arise out of the wellspring of their full hearts." I want to touch my children's hearts in a way that will turn their hearts toward their Savior!
So, who do I need to be? A whole-hearted mother who daily seeks God's plan and His will--His plan for my life and for my children.
"My children didn't need me to be on top of all my chores or even be perfect in taking care of all their needs. What they needed was for me to be content and patience with life. They needed me to walk by faith that God was in control, allowing his Spirit to give me peace and joy in the midst of life's inevitable ups and downs....When I model patience in the midst of difficulty, joy in the midst of messes, contentment in the midst of lack, then I provide them a pattern for their own lives. They will learn that my joy is not circumstantial but real because I have an endless source of strength through the power of the Holy Spirit in my life."
Here are a few questions that have challenged me as a mom lately:
Do I live like my children are a blessing or a burden?
Do I daily show them grace, mercy, and unconditional love?
Do I love them selflessly like Jesus Christ loves me?
Do I share with them beautiful things in nature that reflect the awesome Creator?
There could be so so many more! It's good to continue to challenge ourselves and strive for growth!
Please take the time to jump over and listen to this sketch by my talented friend, Jessica: A Mom's Life.
A painting similar to the one below was painted by my other talented friend Abby live during this sketch.
It was so touching! I'll try to get a picture of the real painting soon!
3 comments:
I'm so blessed to be surrounded by creative, godly women who are committed to sharing Christ through their mothering. This is the root of the compassionate cringe that arises when I hear the crabby mom in line at the check-out, making empty, angry threats: the conviction that modeling joy in difficulty, contentment in lack, love through challenges--is our privilege and one of the most effective ways of living the gospel to our children. Lord, make me that woman! Thanks for sharing! Need to read this book . . .
Jess
Thanks Londa! It is awesome to see all the different avenues God uses when He is working on your heart. I have really been struggling lately with my heart for my home and God has used your blog to encourage me in the right direction again. I own the book "The Mission of Motherhood" and haven't ever read it. I pulled it out the other day to read but haven't started it yet. I think I will today. Thanks for your challenge!
Wow, I SO needed this today! What an encouragement - my kids don't NEED me to be on top of my chores - so thankful for that. :) Especially since this afternoon's 'chore' time is going to be spent heading BACK to Sears to pick up the diaper bag I forgot there.... :)
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