I knew that someone out there had to have some insight on these feelings I was dealing with.  That someone, was Helen Lee.  In her book, The Missional Mom, she addresses so much of what I was feeling.  Her writing style is very conversational, as she skillfully invites the reader in by sharing some of her personal thoughts.  She begins by highlighting the idea that all Christians have a  mission(s) and that as our relationship with Christ grows we should have an ever increasing sense of the “mission(s)” to which God has called us.  Throughout the pages the reader is encouraged to pay attention to the opportunities for missions while expecting God to unfold them before us.  The job of the believer is to be a willing vessel.

Each chapter shares personal vignettes and stories of mothers that found their mission(s) and offer encouragement, self-assessment, and exhortation.  Resisting cultural pressures, becoming a disciple and being both empathetic and sympathetic to those around us are also addressed.   Each story shares the need for a single-minded focus to carry out our mission regardless of the reservations, fears or worries that one may have.  The focus should be taken off of us on placed onto the souls that we have been preordained to minister to.  The reader is encouraged to have a greater personal discipline and a clear eye concerning where to focus our time and energy.  Our goal is to draw men and women to Christ and make disciples of them.

I especially connected with Chapter 11.  Lee shares one of her personal experiences with living “missionally.”  She shares how the Lord led her to homeschool her children.  Her experience was very similar to my own.  I felt the Lord nudging me in that direction, but I had never considered it as a viable option for our family.  Whether the nudge you feel is toward homeschooling, missions, or developing a gift or talent to be used for the up-building of the kingdom, this is the type of read that should provoke you to move in a new direction  In fact it’s a call to action as well as a thrust in the right direction.

Free resources, including journal pages, discussion guide and a free chapter from the book are available here.

For some of us motherhood saved our lives.  We became selfless rather than selfish.  Our priorities changed, as well they should.  Unfortunately, for a lot of mothers society has blurred the lines of what a mother’s role should be in their children’s lives.

Motherhood is a holy calling.  In fact, Psalm 127:3 NLT reads, Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. Successful motherhood requires great faith.  One must trust that the voice of the Holy Spirit to direct you on your journey.  The Spirit of God who bore us, who shared his divine life with us, who sustains us, comforts us, and teaches us, stands ready and willing to aid every Christian mother in fulfilling her sacred duty.  Jesus called the Holy Spirit the Comforter.  Allow the Holy Spirit to comfort you in your many faceted role as a mother.  It’s a lifelong position.  No risk of termination or early retirement here.  The job is yours to keep.

Mothers  have been innately equipped to download everything that God has given them into their children.  Those early years lay the foundation for our children’s personalities and there is so much potential for error.  We must not let society make us think that we should define ourselves by their standards.  We are more than qualified.  We have the ultimate standard, the infallible Word of God, as our measuring rod.

Successful mothers devote themselves to prayer.  They recognize that they need to tap into the source, Jesus Christ, in order to keep moving. What an honor it is to be chosen by the most high God to nurture a child!  Be blessed and know that whenever you feel tempted to lean to your own understanding or someone else’s that Jesus is all you need to be a successful mother.

1. Hebrews 12:11: “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” Praise the Lord for a mother that raised you properly.  It truly could have been another way.  This verse is a great way to express your gratefulness.

2. Proverbs 6:20-23: “My son, observe the commandment of your father and do not forsake the teaching of your mother; bind them continually on your heart; tie them around your neck. When you walk about, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk to you. For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; and reproofs for discipline are the way of life.” You can use this verse to thank you mother for her wisdom and guidance and remind her that you will always hold what she has taught you close to your heart.

3. Proverbs 31:10-12, 25-30: “An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life … Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her, saying: ‘Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.’ Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.” This passage describes God’s vision for motherhood. Husbands, this verse is especially perfect for a Mother’s Day card or letter to your wife, the mother of your children.

4. 1 Timothy 1:5: “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” While growing up, and especially during our teen years, many of us have probably felt that our parents’ discipline was too strong or too strict. Over the years, however, we come to realize that our parents disciplined us because they loved us. Even becomes even more evident once you have children of your own.  Sound “instruction” is truly a blessing.

5. 1 John 3:18: “Let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.” This is a verse for the mom who has always communicated how much she loves you not just with her words, but also through her actions.

6. 1 Corinthians 13:13: “But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Has your mother given you all three? Tell her so, with a thankful heart.

7. Proverbs 29:17: “Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; He will also delight your soul.”

8. Isaiah 66:13: “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you …”

I Took His Hand and Followed
Mrs. Roy L. Peifer

My dishes went unwashed today,I didn’t make the bed,

I took his hand and followed Where his eager footsteps led.

Oh yes, we went adventuring, My little son and I…

Exploring all the great outdoors Beneath the summer sky

We waded in a crystal stream,We wandered through a wood…

My kitchen wasn’t swept today, But life was gay and good.

We found a cool, sun-dappled glade, And now my small son knows

How Mother Bunny hides her nest, Where jack-in-the-pulpit grows.

We watched a robin feed her young, We climbed a sunlit hill…

Saw cloud-sheep scamper through the sky, We plucked a daffodil.

That my house was neglected, That I didn’t brush the stairs,

In twenty years, no one on earth, Will know, or even care.

But that I’ve helped my little boy, To noble manhood grow,

In twenty years, the whole wide world, May look and see and know.

Although it appears that the author of the poem was referring to educating her son in general, Christian mothers (which should really be all mothers) have the added responsibility of raising our children in God-centered homes.  A mother’s faithful instruction multiplies to bless others as her children grow into mature servants of God. 2 Tim. 1:5

2 Timothy 1:5 (ASV)
⁵ having been reminded of the unfeigned faith that is in thee; which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and, I am persuaded, in thee also.

Be blessed…

How many times have you read Proverbs 31 and wondered, “How can I possibly be this woman?” Well I have good news for you! The Bible is like a mirror, as you look into it, and start appropriating what it is reflecting back to you, you begin to resemble more and more what the Word says you are! In light of this, I want to share with you one of the “reflections” God has shown me.

Proverbs 31:17 (Amplified Bible) says, “She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.”

While reading Proverbs 31 countless times, I continually found myself feeling like this verse was a speed-bump. I would be reading along, but would come to verse 17 and feel like God was trying to get me to slow down and hang out on this verse for a while. The word “girds” captivated me and I knew the Holy Spirit wanted to reveal something to me. The word gird means: to enclose, to surround, to equip, to clothe. It’s where we get the word girdle. It means to invest, which is to furnish w/power, privilege & authority! Honey, when you get your girdle on, you are furnishing or clothing yourself with God’s power, privilege and authority!!!

As I read this verse, God directed me to something I had not paid much attention to before. It says, “She girds herself.” So who does the girding? The godly woman that is being described. You see, it’s my job to gird myself! It’s not someone else’s job to gird me! It’s not my pastor’s job to gird me! And guess what?! It’s not even God’s job to gird me! It’s my job! Have you ever tried to put on a girdle? Let me tell you it takes some effort! Now imagine trying to put it on one of your sisters! I don’t think so! You know, there are just some things you have to do for yourself! I love that God did not make us robots, obeying pre-programmed commands, but instead, as a loving Father calls us to a loving relationship based on us choosing Him.

In the Amplified Bible, the strength she girds herself with is described as 3-fold, it says “spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task”. She doesn’t neglect any of these areas because she understands that all 3 have a part in her fulfilling everything that God has for her.

Listen to this definition of gird: to prepare oneself for action. She prepares herself for action so she will be ready for God’s use!

She prepares physically she strengthens her body why? Well it’s not only so she can be looking and feeling good, although that is a benefit of physical fitness. No, her 1st reason for physical fitness is to be strong for her God-given task. You know it’s going to take some physical strength and stamina to fulfill God’s assignment for you.

She prepares mentally strengthening her mind. She understands learning doesn’t end with graduation! We should constantly be growing & learning as long as we have breath.

She prepares spiritually how? Here are 2 ways: first, getting God’s Word in you, and speaking that Word out; and second, developing a daily prayer time, praying in the spirit and in your understanding.

Girls, one of the best investments we will ever make is in a good girdle! Only you can make that investment, nobody else can do that for you. Let me encourage you that whatever the cost of investment of your time, your talent, your heart to your Creator will have eternal benefits for both you, and everyone God wants your life to touch. So come on girlfriend! Get your girdle on!

Valerie Ralston’s more than 16 years of ministry, teaching, & living out the principles established in God’s Word enable her to teach with passion, humor & conviction. Her message is straightforward, extremely real, & will inspire you to be the one of a kind original God intends for you to be.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS-MAKE A WEBSITE

As believers our first ministry is to our family.  We are to consistently live and teach the gospel to our children.  These gifts are our responsibility and none of us should want to get caught with our work undone.   I was so very moved when I watched the video below.  It shares the testimony of a young man, named Brady, that came to Christ during a bout with brain cancer and how it built his faith as well as his parents’.

It’s no different when you get a call and someone requests to stop by, the anxiety still exists.  But why?  What has given us the notion that we all have to be Martha Stewart or B. Smith with Style?  What has given us the notion that we should appear to be prepared to entertain like Martha or B. Smith at a moments notice?  I like things to be aesthetically pleasing so, I recently wrestled in this area and became extremely frustrated.

We struggle in the area of hospitality.   After a few conversations lately, I realize that I’m not the only one. My house is lived in.   I have two young daughters, that love to play,  Although we have systems set into place, sometimes something just doesn’t get put away and I have to learn to be okay with that. Why should I feel rushed to make someone think that our family doesn’t live in our home? Should I wait until I’m ready to be featured in Better Homes and Gardens or In Style Homes to open our home to company?  That can’t be true.

Remember, if you will,  the commercial when the woman convinces her family that their dessert “takes time” as she relaxes while reading a novel.  She then, hurriedly splatters her face and clothes with flour and bursts from the kitchen with the Rice Krispy Treats as if she slaved over them.  It is easy to want everyone to remember all the work we put into our centerpieces and how we slaved over a meal. That’s our flesh just doing what it does.  It should be more important to us that our guest are comfortable than how impressed they are with us.  Hospitality begins in our hearts.  We can forgo fancy feasts and lavish decorations and open our hearts when we open our homes.

Our culture has caused us to be consumed with keeping up appearances.  We have confused the true meaning of Biblical hospitality.  It is not about living in the right neighborhood or having the “right house”.  It’s about serving others and not about others praising us for doing so.  Jesus often crossed economic, cultural and social divides in order to be hospitable to others, even though he wasn’t in his own home.

Being hospitable may not always be convenient or comfortable.  As a child, my parents opened up our three bedroom home all the time.  Often, to people that they had just met. My mom and her sisters would get together and prepare meals and there would always be more than enough. My parents would lend their vehicles to people while other saints questioned their actions.   I did not understand why I had to crash on the couch or why we were down to one vehicle then but, now I understand what they felt compelled to do.  They had to show the love of Christ.  The following scriptures highlight the importance of the hospitality of believers:

When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.  Romans 12:13 (NLT)

Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!  Hebrews 13:2 (NLT)

Practice hospitality to one another (those of the household of faith). [Be hospitable, be a lover of strangers, with brotherly affection for the unknown guests, the foreigners, the poor, and all others who come your way who are of Christ's body.] And [in each instance] do it ungrudgingly (cordially and graciously, without complaining but as representing Him). 1 Peter 4:9 (Amplified)

After meditating on these scriptures I feel at peace with our lived in abode.  I thank God that we always have a place for someone to rest their head, something to satisfy their hunger and word of prayer. I thank God that those unexpected visits might have been preordained.  No more concern with keeping up appearances.

On every level of life from housework to the heights of prayer, in all judgement and all efforts to get things done, hurry and impatience are the sure marks of an amateur.   Evelyn Underhill

Disney estimates they will make a ton of revenue from the Tiana dolls, manufactured by Mattel.  They are hoping she will help carry them through tough times.  In addition, Mattel has plans to launch their first complete line of African-American dolls.  The So in Style Dolls will launch in the fall, just in time for the holiday shopping season.  Reportedly, the line differs from its previous releases of African-American toys.  The new line is set to have more realistic features like fuller lips, different noses, and complexions, etc.

I don’t even think I knew what suicide was at 11-years old.  He would have turned 12 on the 17th.  She described her son as a happy child who had recently come under a great deal of stress due to enduring bullying at school, including daily taunts of being gay, despite his mother’s weekly pleas to the school to address the problem. This is at least the fourth suicide of a middle-school aged child linked to bullying this year.

In an unrelated incident another 11-year-old boy, Jaheem Herrera, in Atlanta suffered similar abuse.  His younger sister found him hanging in his bedroom last Thursday.  Norman Keene, the fifth-grader’s stepfather, said the family knew the boy was a target, but until his death, they didn’t understand the extent of his suffering.  “They called him gay and a snitch,” he stated.

Victims of bullies become anxious, insecure and cautious, suffer low self-esteem and rarely defend themselves or retaliate. Often they feel isolated and withdrawn. The most common reason cited by youth for why someone is targeted for bullying is because the person does not fit in.

Even if your child isn’t a victim, it can be beneficial to have a discussion about this topic. Who knows? Your child might become a protector of someone being bullied, or he may even decide to show compassion to a bully who feels guilty about how he’s treating others.

Most importantly, we should start at home by modeling Christlike attributes and behaviors before them.  This foundation will establish both accountability and respect for others.

Educators’ advice to parents on how to combat bullying:

> Talk with and listen to your kids —- every day. Engage in frequent conversations about their social lives.

> Spend time at school and recess. Research shows that 67 percent of bullying happens when adults are not present.

> Be a good example of kindness and leadership. Your kids learn a lot about power relationships from watching you.

> Learn the signs. Most children don’t tell anyone (especially adults) that they’ve been bullied. Learn to recognize warning signs such as complaints of headaches or stomachaches, or avoiding recess or school activities.

> Create healthy anti-bullying habits early. Coach your children what not to do —- hitting, pushing, teasing.

> Help your child’s school deal with bullying effectively. Zero-tolerance policies don’t work. Ongoing educational programs that help create a healthy social climate do.

Source: Education.com

More Recommended Resources:

State Laws on Bullying

Cyberbullying

No More Bullies: For Those Who Wound and Are Wounded By Frank Peretti

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According to the Autism Society of America, Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum disorder” that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause for autism, but it is generally accepted that it is caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function.   Brain scans show differences in the shape and structure of the brain in children with autism versus neuro-typical children.  Common knowledge says that parents whose child has been diagnosed with autism should run — not walk — to the nearest therapist. Early intensive intervention, it is said, is the key to “optimal outcomes” for autistic children.

There’s no doubt that autistic children who undergo intensive intervention, be it behavioral or developmental, do better than children who don’t. And there’s certainly no good reason to wait to provide such therapy. The following video from the Center for Disease Control helps provide information on recoginizing the signs of developmental delays.

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