Thanks for Godly Mothers

Throughout the Bible we are given portraits of both good and bad mothers.  The Word of God highlights the many roles of mothers and the rewards that come along with the job.  Below you will find some verses that help shed some light on what a Godly mother is and why you are truly blessed if you have/had one.  Enjoy!

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 …”

Just a Reminder for all the Mothers

According to Titus 2:5 it is important that a young woman keep her home. She is “to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to [her] husband, so that no one will malign the Word of God.”  Unfortunately, our society has taken this out of context and we have placed more importance on keeping up appearances than anything else.  I ran across this great poem today that was a refreshing reminder of what my most important role in my home is…raising my children. Too many days are spent focusing on the aesthetics and not on the tasks that have true value, real merit and will place an indelible mark on the future.

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…

Just Call Me Baby

Just Call Me Baby
By Sherrie Coronas

Mom’s long-lost friend from the old neighborhood let out an ear-piercing scream as they both did a crazy little dance at the entrance of the grocery store. It had been a long time since they’d seen one another — apparently. I quickly scanned the vicinity for anyone I might know, taking a few steps forward to distance myself from the swirling hug that had ensued.

My hope for a quick trip to the store was dashed as they launched into an extended discussion about the whereabouts of Ranelle who used to live on the corner and Joseph from down the street. I strolled over to the magazine rack and started scanning Teen Beat for recent photos of Leif Garrett.

Coming out of the chat-frenzy, mom remembered my presence and vigorously signaled for me to come over to meet Helen. “This is Marissa,” said my mother with overflowing mom-pride. “Marissa is my baby!” she announced to Helen and everyone in the checkout lines with megaphone level volume.

Alright, I wasn’t really her “baby.” That’s just what mom called me in order to establish my birth order in our family of three kids. I’m pretty sure it would be just as easy to say that I was the “youngest” or “this is my third child,” but for whatever reason, mom liked to call me her “baby” despite my objections. So, there I was, the 17-year-old baby captured in a head lock by long-lost Helen. No worries. I figured I’d only have to suffer the embarrassment one more year. At age 18, I would be a bonafide adult and things would change.

My magical 18th birthday was not so magical after all. There was no overnight transformation. I was still under mom’s watchful eye and was responsible for no one other than myself. At age 21, I was taking care of a house, a husband and a stack of bills. Still the world seemed very manageable. I had life under control.

At age 27, we welcomed our first son into the world and adulthood came swiftly in the night. A second son arrived a few years later. Things that I once selfishly clung to — like sleep, money and “me” time — were suppressed and denied on a daily basis. These life-altering shifts in priority were permanent and the adult-sized pressures cumulative.

The lethal combination of a lack of sleep, a colic infant and a cranky toddler created the perfect storm one day in my adult life. Pacing up and down our tiny hallway, bouncing Damon back and forth, the crying simply would not cease.

“It’s Marissa,” I blurted out before mom could finish saying hello on the other side of the phone.

“What’s wrong?” she gasped as her mind raced through worst case scenarios.

“He won’t stop crying again.” I said working into a colic fit of my own.

“I’m coming over now,” declared mom.

Within minutes of arriving mom effectively produced a burp that had eluded me and the colic-one all afternoon and rocked him into a calm and happy state.

“You get some rest now,” said mom with no judgment whatsoever. “I’ll take care of Nick and Damon. Go on…” she insisted. I drifted off to sleep before my head settled into my pillow.

What was it about mom that could bring such instant peace? In a world that demanded so much of me, she was only interested in giving — giving me rest, giving me assurance, giving me love on the toughest of days.

The clock in the bedroom said it was 4:30 p.m. when I awoke. My head seemed clearer and the world appeared less daunting with five hours of straight sleep deposited into my mind, body and soul.

All was calm as I strolled into the living room like a toddler waking from an afternoon nap. Mom was in the kitchen making chili while a load of dirty laundry spun violently in the washer.

“There’s Marissa…there’s my baby,” said mom with a twinkle in her eye. My heart swelled with appreciation for this selfless woman who had called me baby for more than three decades, as I finally understood that the term of endearment described so much more than my birth order in our family of three kids.

Sherrie is a believer in Jesus Christ, a website writer for her church, a wife of 25 years and a mother of two wonderful sons. She resides with her family on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, where she was born and raised.

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

11-Year-Old Hangs Himself

It is normal for us to feel that no child should ever proceed their parent in death.  Whether the cause is illness or senseless violence the pain is still severe.  It was heart-wrenching when I heard Sirdeaner Walker describe finding her 11-year-old son, Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, hanging from an extension cord in his bedroom last Monday night after he had endured another day of taunting at New Leadership Charter School, where he was a sixth-grader, she said.

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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National Autism Awareness Month 2009

April is National Autism Awareness Month.  Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the U.S., affecting 1 in 150 children. Every 20 minutes, a child is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Autism is more common than juvenile diabetes, childhood cancer, Down’s Syndrome and AIDS combined. It is one of our community’s most urgent needs.

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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The Master Decorator

The Master Decorator
By Patty Wysong

How is it that some people can take a room, fill it with spare parts, old parts, new parts, odd parts, and all kinds of other things and make it beautiful? I have never been able to understand it. I could take the same parts and pieces, arrange them, and have a…garage sale. It just doesn’t work for me.

I’ve studied Better Homes & Gardens for years, dreamed, schemed, plotted and planned, and my house still looks like a collection of yard sale and auction finds, which it is. What’s the missing link? If I hang a curtain like the masters do in BH&G, it’d look like a sheet hung with strips of rags instead of the cool curtains they end up with. What am I doing wrong?

I just don’t have that magical touch of a decorating master’s hand. Some hands create beauty out of chaos, mine create more chaos out of chaos. How I wish I could create an environment that invited people to enter, relax, visit and unwind, but I struggle with keeping the living room presentable enough so my husband doesn’t groan when he walks in the door at night!

But just because I don’t have a decorator’s touch in my home doesn’t mean I’m not touched by the Master Decorator. He’s willing to decorate my soul if I just give Him access to it. Am I willing for Him to dig through the attic of my life, looking for antique treasures I had tucked away and buried? What about those basement corners in my life? Just because I think something is junk and have it hidden in my basement, doesn’t mean He doesn’t want to pull it out, touch it up, and add it to my living room, that ‘public’ part of my life.

God, the Master Decorator, is able to pull all the parts and pieces of my life together, even the seemingly ugly parts, and create a place of comfort, a haven from life’s storms. But I need to give Him access to my hiding places. Am I willing to have Him pull out the ‘uglies’ hidden in my life and create beauty from those? Am I willing to invite people in to see how He has decorated my soul? It means exposure. It means allowing them to see the uglies. But those uglies, once touched by the Master’s hand, are not ugly any more, they’re worked into the whole and they create a picture and a place of His beauty. If I allow Him access and invite Him to decorate my soul.

Please, Lord, be the Master Decorator in my life and soul. I give You the keys to my attic, basement, closets, shed, and garage–every hiding place in my life. Take these parts, even the ugly ones, and touch them and arrange them to create a place of beauty in me–a place of refreshment and peace. Be the Master Decorator in me.

Patty Wysong is a Christian wife and homeschool mom of 5 who is passionate about wrapping lessons in pretty packages that will point others to God.

Blog: http://pattywysong.blogspot.com/

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

Christian Sex-Ed

Let me first start by saying that I have desperately been avoiding this issue.  However, it seems to keep popping up everywhere, including my own home.  My six year old wants to know where babies come from and how any human being could have eight!  I thought I had taken care of this conversation for at least another couple of years, but with OctoMom being covered on every news outlet there is no escape.  So, begins my journey.  How do I teach with all clarity and accuracy about sex?  What is age appropriate?  How much is too much?  Should boys and girls be handled differently?

Sometimes as parents we make the mistake of putting off questions. When we do we might think that we’ve “successfully avoided” the issue. Instead, we are teaching our children that you are not a good sources of information. They will go elsewhere.   Instead, we should “take advantage of the opportunities our children give us to provide correct answers.”

Our goals as Christian parents should be, first, to model healthy, biblical sexuality (in our actions and attitudes), second, to educate about healthy, biblical sexuality (the physical, spiritual, and emotional dimensions), and finally, to help our children to internalize healthy and biblical attitudes and boundaries with their own sexuality.

I plan to read the following  selections and share the information and insight with you.   Please share any experiences that you have had in this area.

God’s Design for Sex Series, Book 1: The Story of Me, Revised By Stan Jones & Brenna Jones / NAV Press

Questions Kids Ask about Sex: Honest Answers for Every Age By J. Thomas Fitch, M.D., with Melissa R. Cox / Revell

Teaching Your Children Healthy Sexuality–Parent/Child Kit By Jim Burns / Bethany House

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Sound Off: What Would You Do?

A great deal of our readers are or have been breastfeeding mothers.  There doesn’t seem to be anything quite like the bond between a mother and her child.  It is amazing the way that nature innately gives us all the necessary framework to know when our children need us.  We want to immediately attend to that need and rectify the situation.  However, at what point does the need to nurture supercede the need to protect?  Sound off sisters?

The After Effects

I was 14years old when I had my first abortion. I was afraid to tell my mom but due to the fact that I had a terrible case of nighttime sickness I couldn’t hide it from her. After she found out about my pregnancy she asked me what I wanted to do.

Immediately, I told her that I wanted an abortion. Sad to say she was relieved that I didn’t want to become a mom at such a young age. After the initial ease of terminating a pregnancy I began to use abortions as a form of birth control.  Sadly enough there were six more to follow. This is something that I am not proud of. I tend to joke about it from time to time but at the core of my being I have had to deal with the shame of my past.

My struggle with promiscuity and lust has over the years grown into monkey that tends to ride my back. I believed I was beyond repair and absolutely no one would understand me.   Thankfully, I have found someone who I was able to divulge my innermost struggles with. I poured my heart out to him informing him of my guilt, shame, emptiness, despair, inner hatred for self and others, and ultimately my feelings of unworthiness. As a result of my dark past I felt unworthy of true love, I thought I was “damaged goods.”   Who would want to have anything to do with me? Who in their right mind would care for me truly knowing all there is to know about me?

I found a true friend and confidant in the Lord Jesus Christ!   He was and is the answer to these questions that I longed to have answered.   He made me look at myself in the mirror and acknowledge my trifling ways, meanwhile showing me that there was a beauty that had yet to emerge. I struggled with feelings of emptiness, despair, and shame.   Ultimately the road to complete and total healing was and is a long one to say the least.  After several years of inner turmoil I found true love in Jesus Christ. His forgiveness allowed me to forgive myself and to move on with my life. Not in regret but in expectancy.

Once I realized how gracious, merciful, and compassionate he had been and is to me, it was like the light bulb finally came on.   I can be free and am free from the haunting thoughts of “what if” and “why did I?”  Although the after effects still try to tap me on the shoulder I have learned to overcome them day by day.

-Please feel free to contact LS Moore with your stories of triumph and struggle with the aftermath of abortion.

God Still Heals

“…But time and chance happen to us all.”  Eccl. 9:11

Life often gives us some low blows.  We are often hit with a sucker punch from now where and when we come to we can’t remember what happened.  It is our human nature to gather ourselves, regain composure and deal with the situation.  However, sometimes the blows that we receive are below the belt.  We don’t recover as easily from those.  We want to take time to try and understand or define the situation.

Last year my family was thrust into one of these situations.  Our otherwise healthy eight month old daughter suddenly became ill and had to be hospitalized.   The following video shares the testimony of how God healed and our faith grew.   Just click  the link below.  Be blessed.

God Still Heals

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