Mentoring Monday Cultivating Thankful Hearts in Your Children

Johannes Evert Hendrik Akkeringa

Way # 9

"We are thankful for what we have, whether it is a little or a lot."

Memory Verse

"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing;in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

I Thess. 5:16-18

Summers are always a time when our door swings open and closed constantly as we welcome friends from afar as well as adult children who want a reprieve from life. The past few weeks have been filled with company--friends close and acquaintances who needed a shelter from storms of life for a day or two. I, the mama, who it seems often holds the whole world together, (do you feel that way, too?), and have been carrying burdens, as well as the hearts of each one in my family and home, have been giving out constantly the past weeks. But it is a season in which God has asked me to be faithful.

I keep looking inside the hearts of those in my circle of care to check if they are ok and if I can help, love, encourage, or give in some way. I know it is not the things I provide or being a perfect host that my children and friends need. But someone to look into their eyes and notice them.

Early one morning this week, I forced myself out of bed, begowned and ruffled of hair and spirit, and put on the tea kettle, lit candles, poured 2 cups of tea and took a tray up to sleepy Joy.

"I just wanted a few minutes by myself with you, away from Sarah, Joel, and our company, to check your heart and to see what was swimming in your mind."

Under my pillow that night, "I have so many things, so many experiences, but what I want most is time alone with you. Thanks for noticing me this morning."

God's will is very clear and very straightforward--Rejoice, pray, and give thanks in everything. A heart that is grateful is a heart that is satisfied, content.

At this juncture in history, there are more things available to purchase; more entertainment, available 24 hours a day; more food; more material good than have ever been proliferated at any other time.

Yet "having more" has created a culture that is never satisfied, often in debt, dependent on pleasure and self-gratification in order to be content, while neglecting the greater needs of less fortunate people than themselves. As a result, the development of a strong character in children, has often been neglected. Children are coddled, entertained to death, and spoiled with expectations that can never totally be assuaged, which creates a complaining spirit, and self-pity if every gratification is not promptly met.

What is even worse, is that many parents have come to think that they are supposed to provide all of these things for their children so that they can be happy, instead of understanding, God wants them to cultivate children who have learned to be content.

Jesus, on the other hand, came into the world with no stately form or majesty that we should look upon him. No title. Few if any possessions. Choosing mostly fisherman, tax collectors, and common men and women to be his companions, he lived a simple, common life, with "no place of his own to even lay his head."

Yet, in this, He modeled to us a thankful heart.

Simplicity is one of the keys to having a thankful heart. For children, how important that they learn to be satisfied with playing at the beach or in a forest or digging in dirt. Enjoying an active imagination, pretending stories, drawing a tree or flowers, singing and dreaming under a shade tree.

The fewer choices children, (or adults), have, the more likely they will be happy and grateful for what they have been given.

 Many years ago, as a young, idealistic mama, I wanted to provide my children with all the best experiences, opportunities, books, toys, a playground, bikes, lessons--all of those things that we feel pressured to provide for our children. Yet, when we started Wholeheart Ministries, we moved to a tiny country town, (712 people), lived with my mother-in-law, and got by on a negligible salary for 5 years.

Shopping at Goodwill was our habit, as we could not afford department stores. Going to the grocery store sometimes made me feel guilty, because we just didn't have much money. Our budget didn't allow for all of the things I thought my children needed. Sometimes I would worry about what my children were missing because we couldn't afford many luxuries or "things" that I wanted to provide.

Thomas Eakins

Yet, living out on the country with lots of space to roam, few friends, lots and lots of time together as a family, is probably the best thing that could have happened to my children. Because we did not have lots of toys, our children learned to pretend, to create their own stories, draw and study nature, to make up games, read lots of books and to spend lots of time outdoor with animals, collecting fossils, building forts and gardening with me.

Because there was not even an option to have lots of "things", they became content with what they had. I was the only one who had any idea that they might be missing out on something cultural voices had told me they needed.. Life, to them, was a joyful, adventure where we had a little community called Clarkson, of which they were a part.There was no need to be constantly entertained because we did not have lots of media, gadgets, and toys, so they had not learned to expect them. There were few neighbors nearby to tempt them with toys they did not have.

Because we did not buy soft drinks when we were out as a family, our children did not long for something they had not come to expect. I distinctly remember when we were at a picnic with some friends, someone offered Sarah and Joel a whole can of coke to each of them. They looked at me and said, "Mama, they are giving us our own drink that we don't have to share with anyone! Isn't this fun! We feel so special!"

They were so very grateful for any small favor because our lives were simple and at the time, not very materialistic. I look back now and think that God was indeed actually answering my prayers to help my children to become godly--by not allowing me to have all of the things I read that children could have.

Working, waiting for gratification, sharing, patiently waiting for their turn in our family, all of these were the ways God built thankfulness into my children's hearts. I was not smart enough to choose this for my family, but God in His wisdom, knew just what my children needed to build character, and he used our circumstances to train them!

Enabling children by over-indulging them, is common in our contemporary culture. Yet, being spoiled and over-indulged creates a person who complains, whines and is weak in the day of adversity.

Don't get me wrong, we created a fun, challenging, interesting life for our children, amidst the daily grind of work, study, helping us in our ministry, learning to share and becoming a steward of their gifts. Creating times of celebration and appreciating after a time of hard work was a part of the warp and woof of our lives. But each child had to live in to his need to work, help and to learn to earn the money for something they hoped they could receive some day.

However, writing into our children's brains and hearts the wonderful quality of a thankful spirit, requires that we lead them to appreciate what they have and to be content with real life instead of material life. This is one of the most essential qualities for us to have a mature walk with God--the ability to praise and thank Him no matter what the circumstances.

This week, every day, notice the things that God has provided. Practice thanking Him for each way He has worked and blessed in your life. Have your children write thank you cards to friends of family for whom they are grateful. Breathing thankfulness into all the minutes of the days, creates a great pattern for life and helps you and your children to become more satisfied with what God has given.

And the winner is.......

Congratulations to: Jami Vander Warf Whaley

Order more books for your daughter for a summer read and for a fun summer group Here!

God forgives, Wisdom does not

The Fool by  Stanczvk Mateiko

FOOL: SOMEONE WHO ACTS UNWISELY OR IMPRUDENTLY

If a child is given an ice cream cone and starts chasing and wrestling with his brother, the likelihood is that he is going to drop his cone in the confusion or knock the scoop of ice cream off of his cone. The child acted foolishly. Can the act be forgiven? Of course. It is something that happens with children all over the world.

The act can of course be forgiven, but the consequences will still remain.

Another example. If a car is speeding down the road at 90 miles an hour in the snow, and suddenly skids out of control from hitting a patch of ice, it is likely the car will crash. The unwise, imprudent choice of driving too fast in the snow has consequences.

How often I see people shaking their fists at heaven, at God Himself, asking why they have been treated so unjustly. And yet, often, these very people find themselves in a pickle of their own making--they used credit cards too much; they married an unbeliever against the will of their parents and then had regrets; they have had conflict with a person or persons and were unwilling to extend forgiveness and leave the bitterness alone.

The voice of culture gives us permission to compromise God's standards on every side. But we know that Satan deceives and wants us to follow folly.

How important it is for us as believers to understand that choices have consequences. If someone makes an unwise decision, then probably havoc of some kind will result. One cannot expect to practice acting foolishly and not have repercussions from the bad judgment extended.

God, our merciful Father, will indeed be with us and love us and guide us through the consequences of our choices, as He longs to give us health, peace and favor. But He does not remove the lessons learned, and He teaches us by helping us to learn to make wiser choices and to learn to obey Him the next time. We must, however, learn to be humble, to repent and to ask for His wisdom, in order to benefit from His desire to bless us. A stubborn or prideful heart often refuses to acknowledge mistakes or short sightedness and goes back to folly again and again. This is what a fool is--one who acts unwisely and without discretion.

All of us are foolish at times. But the more we fill our hearts with wisdom, the more we are able to make right decisions.

It is essential, then, that we are filling our minds with Biblical wisdom and not just man's advice. Finding and modeling our lives after wise, seasoned, mature believers is a necessity if we are going to have God's perspective in our lives.

Many "Christians" espouse lots of man made values and advice that is based on tradition, but not on the wisdom of God and then find out that their emotional, spiritual and physical foundations were washed away in the storms of life--without an anchor of truth and hope to give guidance.

If you want to make wise decisions, you must adhere to the wisdom and insight of scripture. Merely saying one is a Christian or gives his tithe does not assure them of a blessed life. Wisdom is at the core of living a righteous life and seeing God's favor unfold.

Don't be caught in a life of confusion--looking for favor in a life that is unwisely lived. Choices have consequences. Seeking to become wise and humble, obediently listening to and following godly advice is the only way to find a centered life with a foundation that will not be shaken.

"The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding." Proverbs 4:7

Moral laws that direct to purity are given to protect our lives. Staying married. Caring for our children and building a godly heritage by investing our time in their lives require choices of obedience. Choosing love and service by modeling our lives after Christ is choosing to live wisely. We cannot compromise the truths and wisdom of God and expect to have the same consequences as if we had followed Him.

James says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask it of God."

God is so very patient and gracious and will restore and heal us over time. However, God is not a Santa Claus who just hands out answers to all requests just because we want something. He has made us in His image and given us the Spirit to then choose obedience, excellence of character, hard work and keeping our eyes on Him.

 We are called to be stewards of the truths and wisdom He has provided. We must embrace responsibility for our lives. Our responsibility is to listen to His voice and follow His ways if we want to see our lives grow in order, strength, beauty and soundness.

Christianity without godly character is a hollow sham.

 May we be those who collect, acquire, hold on to wisdom,  and obey His ways, that our lives may follow in the pathway of our Lord.

Carrying unnecessary guilt is a soul-killer

So many sweet friends have met with despair and darkness in the constant giving and serving of their families. The feeling of failure, or inadequacy or the knowledge that they have made so many mistakes overwhelms them.

I am almost 60 and still, I fail every day. I say things I regret. I mean to be loving and gentle and then instead am foolish, self-centered and harsh. And yet the miracle is, that sweet Jesus takes my heart and heals it and restores it and helps me to understand that righteousness and maturity and perfection will never ever be mine in this world. And more, to stay in the depths of despair because of my fleshly failures is a waste of time.

He, the one who shows His glory daily,  and sacrificed all because He knew I , (and you),  were doomed to drown in our sin if He had not saved us.

What compassion. What love, What gentleness and generosity.

And so He wants me to see His heart and willingness to give all that I might be healed.

And so, timidly, humbly, with sincerity of heart I come to him and beg Him to show me how to live more truly and more really resting in His love and redemption as a child who pleases Him from my heart.

Trust in yourself and you are doomed to disappointment;....but trust in GOD, and you are never to be confounded in time or eternity.

Dwight L. Moody

Peace comes when there is no cloud between us and God. Peace is the consequence of forgiveness, God's removal of that which obscures His face and so breaks union with Him. The happy sequence culminating in fellowship with God is penitence, pardon, and peace - the first we offer, the second we accept, and the third we inherit.

Charles Brent

May the peace of the Lord be yours and may you rest in Him now.

Homeschooling with Nature Study {With June Printables for Studies of Your Own!}

One of my favorite pass-times with my children when they were little was to spend lots and lots of time outdoors. We would "look for the fingerprints of God." Collecting bugs, worms, butterflies, critters of every kind, flowers and different kinds of leaves and drawing, sleeping out under the stars and trying to figure out what the constellations were--all of these habits are what shaped the souls and minds of my children.

So many of you have asked me to share about some of the things we did when we homeschooled our children. I will be putting up weekly articles about home education--for all moms, whatever educational choice they have made--because all moms are teachers. I asked my friend Kristen, who blogs at Hope With Feathers to share her new resource for Nature Study while I am off this week.

Clay and I have always loved getting outside with our children where they expended lots of energy and got lots of wiggles out, by being outside.  When they were young it was wonderful to see how well they learned through the observation of nature. They loved engaging their little minds in making observations and drawing and classifying all sorts of nature life they collected in their own little baskets. Giving them opportunities to discover and explore outside,  to be sure they could draw what they found and to have  place to collect their treasures, created a great appetite for them to expand their learning..

Here is what Kristen has to share with you:

One of my favorite things about where we live in New York City is that we are right near Central Park.  Whenever I long for the mountains of Washington or worry that my own aren't going to have the romping outdoors kind of upbringing that I did, we can walk across the street and envelop ourselves under the treetops, dip our toes in the pond, search for worms or lady bugs and generally get pretty dirty. Nothing feels quite as 'normal' to me as being outside.There is something so beautiful about spending time out of doors together as a family, our imaginations seem to all take off and we each in our own way feel so connected to God and all He has created for us to enjoy- The Earth is full of His glory and we are able to experience him in a different way, see his handiwork and praise him anew.

I have always loved studying and exploring nature with my children, but as wonderful as it is, I think it can be a little mysterious to most moms! In our family, we spend an afternoon a week outdoors with notebooks, watercolors or colored pencils, a field guide, our magnifying glass and a big blanket as our home base. The children all collect treasures that I keep near me in a small basket and they take turns exploring our surroundings and drawing the landscape at large or perhaps a particular plant or animal, rock or shell. We look up what they have discovered in our field guide (We use The Handbook of Nature Study- my favorite!) and look up the name of our finds and some tidbit about it.

Sometimes we go looking for something in particular that we are studying- trees and roots or wildflowers, birds or a type of rock. The wonder of it all really lies in the adventuring together and the beauty of discovery.

Summer is a great time of year to get outside with your own crew! To encourage you, I've put together a Nature Notebook for you full of printables to help you explore.

The Notebook includes:

-Journaling pages​ and questions to ask about your surroundings

-A June Calendar with ​beautiful cut-outs to track the weather

-Graphics to study the parts of a flower​

-A poem for June, a place for your child to collect  June adjectives and create a poem of their very own.​

Click here to view and download the PDF for free!

Blessings to you as you journey together outdoors,

Kristen

And don't forget to enter to win Rachael's book--and think about starting a small group study/dinner/ tea time/group with your daughters and friends. This is what I did for my girls when they were teens and we wanted some summer groups.

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God's Girl Giveaway

As a mother of 4 adult children, I have become so much more concerned over the years about how much of a battle there is for our children's hearts as they enter the teen years and college. I have pondered why so many wonderful kids from very intentional families have fallen away from their faith.

One of the reasons, I believe, is that many young adults do not have a strong sense of self. They know Bible verses, understand moral rules, and have gone to church, but they lack a deep down sense of God's call on their lives----of who they are in Christ; that He has a plan for their lives which includes using them to bring light to a fallen world and to redeem others back to God's design, that a meaningful life comes from living purposefully by being a Daniel to their own fallen culture.

Also, many young adults are shocked and their world is rocked when they enter the fallen world of adulthood. The peer pressure to conform and the desire to not be lonely is just too much for them to handle.

This is why I asked Rachael to tell you about her book for young teen girls. This is an excellent book to read with your teens. Here is what Rachael has to say about her book:

We live in a generation of iPads, iPhones, Facebook, and more social media than we can possibly handle. All of these networks are in place to help us "connect", but I have found that it has made connecting with God pretty challenging. As a 22 year old young woman, living in Los Angeles in the midst of today's culture, I have found that our world really enjoys attempting to define who we are. But what if we were able to become young women who were strong, confident, and wonderfully made? What if we found a way to get back to a genuine relationship with God and define ourselves for who He says we are?

I wrote "God's Girl" to encourage every girl to work at having an authentic relationship with the one who loves us more than anything. We let mistakes, sins, flaws, magazines, and broken relationships tell us who we are. But I am here to tell you that no matter where you've been or what you've done, you are God's girl.

"God's Girl" is a 10 chapter devotional filled with personal stories, scripture, and interactive questions. Numerous mother-daughter groups are currently reading "God's Girl", as it is a great way for you to connect with your daughter. The two of you can grow closer to each other as you grow closer to God.

Check out what a few fans and readers across America of all ages thought of "God's Girl":

"I love the message that we are ALL God's girls, as this is such an important truth for young women to grasp. My pre teen daughter, Cayley, and I enjoyed reading the devotional together and talking about the thought provoking questions at the end of each chapter." -Cherie, (49) of Texas.

"God's Girl" reminds me that in Christ I am beautiful, and that His ways are perfect for me. Rachael's writing is so refreshing. She is a great mentor to young girls desiring a closer walk with God." -Hannah, (17) of Michigan.

"I was feeling so insecure and so lost when I was given a copy of "God's Girl." Rachael communicates in such a personal way, and helped me remember that my relationship with God is personal, too." -Ashley, (14) of North Carolina

This devotional brings a fresh new outlook on what it means to be His. Give your daughter the gift of quality time. Give the gift of inspiration. Grab a cup of tea, and set aside an hour every Saturday to go through a chapter and questions together and watch your girl flourish as she connects with God.

***Click on the photo below to purchase your copy of "God's Girl."

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Taking time off to live well at home......

So this one, my precious baby, turned 18 today!

Joel is moving to another state next week and so we all need lots of talk time and tea or coffee on our porch.

Sarah is leaving next week to work at Summit Semester with college students for 8 weeks, so this week, we three will take time for what we call, "Girl's club" together for talking, sharing lives while we have these days, and building into each others hearts and souls.

I need some talk and planning time with Nate and Rachael and time to begin planning and working on some fun projects together.

I might even take a little time with this guy, just to have fun and plan more of our life together, and make a few more memories together--after all, together we are the masterminds of the destiny of this distinguished crew.

So, I will take a little rest from my blog this week,  to live life better and to take time to breathe with these sweet ones who need me at home.

May God grant you rest and peace and wisdom to live well in your homes this week.

Inside my life this week.....

Sarah and Joy, often share birthday celebration breakfasts--both in late May!

This above from two years ago--we will repeat it on Saturday morning. Both girls--presents, celebrating the day, special birthday dinner!

This means I make lots and lots of cinnamon rolls in one month!

May is almost as busy and demanding for me as Decembers and Christmas. Really, it starts April 19 with Nathan's birthday. Then Clay's birthday and then Mother's Day and then Sarah and then Joy. Whew, a lot of cinnamon rolls.  And we have so very many birthday traditions to keep. Why didn't I consider spreading our birthdays out a little better when I was making babies! :)

These several days are not my norm, but welcoming a daughter home after her first year at college requires a celebration! (This is what she wrote on her wall about college yesterday: "

Thus ends my first year at Biola... As I am zipping my last bag and poking my head out the door to say goodbye to friends for the summer, I am deeply thankful for such a beautiful year. This year has been full of kindred spirits, adventures, debate, missions conference, amazing professors, challenges, delights and filled to the brim with God's gracious goodness. I cannot wait to see what lies ahead.  So long, Fresh-more year! You have been good to me.  Take me back to my mountains. — feeling blessed."

So I had to make a special meal to celebrate her success at finishing her first year well--but first, I had 6 whole hours to breathe in my own life.

So, yesterday, my day to rest, I slept in until about 7:45, and I had 6 hours off for the first time in a gazillion years and was truly, truly grateful for each minute. Deciding to go out to breakfast with Sarah, since she will be leaving soon, was a gift to myself.

I split Eggs Benedict with Sarah at a favorite local 5 star hotel.  (The Broadmoor). I added extra hollandaise sauce to mine and it was delectable!

Poached eggs on top of ham on top of a toasted English Muffin with lots of Hollandaise sauce! Yumm!

(My mom used to make this for Christmas breakfast.)

Rain and fog and mist made the day beautiful and mysterious. So we spent an hour sipping coffee in one of the hotel lobbies. (I have dubbed it my private lobby as I go there often to write! It has a cozy fireplace just behind this room view.)

Our view looked out over the lake, the flowers, the swans, the wind blowing and dancing amongst the willows and blooming yellow branches across the lake. We sat there sipping coffee and listening to music and being quiet--for an hour! Luxury. Peace.

Looked, really looked and admired the gorgeous flower art all around us!

Drove home, lit candles and played the new album Joel gave me for my birthday:

Yo Yo Ma plays Ennio Morricone

Breath-takingly beautiful and so very soothing. I have been playing it over and over the past few days. I discovered it on my Pandora channel.

I read one chapter in my book by Elizabeth Gouge--The Dean's Watch. I always hate it when a book is over as the characters linger in my thoughts and emotions

Came home and straightened up the house, put a welcome sign up for Joy and placed candles and flowers in her room.

We (Sarah) made homemade chocolate chip cookies with pecans for Joy's  homecoming. (The secret to fluffy chocolate chip cookies is to whip the butter and sugar and vanilla for about 5 minutes before adding the other goodies.)

Also, homemade potato and cheese soup and Spinach salad with strawberries, sliced almonds, feta cheese, and whole wheat rolls.

Tomorrow, we will go to a favorite greenhouse that is hosting an open house to locals for discount flowers and baskets of flowers for our porches and decks. Going with mama-daughter best friends and then lunch together after to catch up on life.

Saturday birthdays celebrated--

presents to wrap, cinnamon rolls to make, groceries to buy--and then there will be another week.

May your weekend be a blessed one. I pray the comfort of God will be real, through real people, for all of those precious ones all over the world going through such sad and challenging times. So many of you have filled my thoughts and prayers.

May your world, this weekend, be at peace.

*******************************

Watch Sarah Mae and me today on Life Today. http://lifetoday.org/video/

for channel guides to watch it on television, go to:

http://lifetoday.org/life-today-tv/station-guide/

A Wise Woman Sleeps

Henry Maynell Rheam

"Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life."

Proverbs 4:23

Responsibility can often pile high this time of year. Combined with tragic national news, an exceedingly busy lifestyle, constant demands from children, bills, mamas can  start to grumble and stew and spew, placing a lot of energy, worry and fear into the constantly demanding issues of our lives.  And then we fret. Often grumpiness and harshness overcomes our souls as a byproduct of the days we are living.

Fear. Fretting. Darkness. These can plague our inner hearts if we do not watch over our hearts.

 The last thing that seems productive when life is busy and overwhelming is to rest. Yet, rest may very well be the most strategic thing to do if we have a busy, full and demanding life.

When I was younger, there were times I thought life was so overwhelming and it seemed as I couldn't make it as a mom and tears were close to my eyes. But I remember that a sweet friend of mine said, "Don't think about it today. I am going to pick up your children and have them spend the night with me. You need to eat chocolate, watch a great, romantic movie, sleep for at least 10 hours, spend tomorrow at leisure--and housework is not allowed. Then do the same thing for one more day and come back when the weekend is over.  We will talk about how you are feeling."

A miracle happened. Sleep was what I most needed. I felt so much better about my life, loved my children anew and found hope--all because I just needed a little break.

Without giving ourselves time to rest, we can end up with serious illness, exhaustion, bad attitudes and fist shaking faith aimed heavenly--and then fretting about our lives.

As I have said before, "Fretting leads only to evil doing."

God put Sabbath Rest into the weeks of our lives with a purpose. I have found that when I believe and engage my heart in the goodness of God's character, and put out of my mind, after praying, all that I am carrying and just seek to be still and find joy, I see the miracles bubbling up slowly, surely, as He, my Father, delights to provide.

However, a Martha heart is often wont to see the miracles, as she is so busy living in the whirlwind of her own meek provisions, she loses all hope and becomes a wretched nag.

The more exhausted I am with life, the more tense, grumpy and tight I become and it spills all over everyone else.

Finding myself at a juncture of exhaustion from giving all that I had the last few weeks, I find that somehow when I try to figure out all of the responsibilities of the next few months, which are huge, I am tempted to be overwhelmed.

Yet, from so many times like this in the past, I have learned a secret. My Prince Jesus comes to me at just the right time, but like the story of Sleeping Beauty, the prince comes, not when she is searching the horizon, pounding her fists, running the floor, but when she is doing nothing but resting.

Resting in Him, choosing peace and putting off responsibilities and recreating is sometimes such grand medicine for my soul, that after choosing to rest and to invest in fun and love and ease of life, my strength is renewed and all issues are able to be faced with grace. I know busyness is coming, but I will face it with courage later if I rest today.

And so today, my plan is to go back to bed, to pace leisurely through the pathway of the next few days, to sip and really taste my coffee  and my tea!--And, to just sit and listen to my sweet ones at home, and focus on the beauty of their light filled eyes, to stay in comfy clothes all day, to read and pray, and then maybe to rest again, because I know that while I am resting, my Prince is already coming to my rescue.

Peace, be still, the Lord is near.

The Civilization of Nations Begins at Home

Anchise Picchi

"Does not wisdom call,

And understanding lift up her voice?

On top of the heights beside the way,

Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

Beside the gates, at the opening to the city,

At the entrance of the doors, she cries out:

To you, O men, I call,

And my voice is to the sons of men.

O naive ones, understand prudence;

And, O fools, understand wisdom.

Listen, for I will speak noble things;

And the opening of my lips will reveal right things." ~Proverbs 8:1-6

 It’s always a joy when all my children find their way back to the nest, and this week of birthdays and  celebrating Rachael and Nathan's engagement was no exception. Seems we have had a constant stream of meals eaten, dishes washed, and then repeating the routines again and again.

 Rousing discussions this weekend in our home with many friends who are in our lives and have different opinions about all the issues, as well as opinions about movies, church, books, actors, disasters and life. More serious discussions have stimulated our ideas as we talked  about how to reach a post-modern culture, about what is really important to the Lord and what is the balance between ideals and grace, passion and redemption.

 It has been good as always, for me to enter the world of the insightful thoughts and wisdom of my thinking and reading children who are now full-hearted adults,  and see how they think and to ask what my part is in offering truth in a way that can be understood. I see all of the input I receive from differing points of view as ways that God prepares me to be a better thinker and more insightful into the souls and ways of people and ultimately as a steward of His messages.

 I have spent much time pondering what the role of motherhood has played in the issues that rage in our country today. We are all busy and live in a hectic, fast-paced culture. Yet for every “advance” it seems there is a price that must be paid, a cost to battling in spiritual realms, whether we are aware of it or not.

 The vision I see is this: if mothers rise to be the gatekeepers, making their homes places of excellence, cultivating love for each other as well as reverence and worship of God, spending personal time teaching and discipling their children, keeping them from worshiping the idol of television and serving them through this training and nurture and giving up of her own time, there will be hope.

 Then a civilization will be born where the whole culture will be populated with adults who have great souls, a call to the Kingdom of God, a passion to do what is right, a desire to protect the weak, and an honest moral character that is the foundation of right decisions made in politics, medicine, government, media and the arts.

 Yes, it requires great personal sacrifice. But in the battle between evil and good, the allegiance between our commitment to our God or our bowing to Satan has always required sacrifice. Evil is never passive and never takes a break–and neither can God’s chosen ones cease to work tirelessly to be about His business.

 When mothers abandon this great and important responsibility, there is a greater tendency for children to become the kind of adults who can be self-centered and self-serving; under-developed and ineffective without intentional training, --those who can overlook unrighteousness without any pang of conscience—because that conscience has never been developed. They become the kind of adults who can passively let others take responsibility for our government and country--to accept and validate those who would promise the moon even though the moon isn’t available in reality. When a person has no convictions, he cannot operate his life in God’s strength. It is moms who help to develop foundations of righteousness in their children’s souls.

 For this gatekeeping to occur there must be hundreds—thousands—of dinners made, laundry loads run, backs scratched and cookies baked. There must be watercolor projects and messes, hikes and games of hide and seek, money spent on wonderful life-giving books and concerts and the theatre. It will not happen in the absence of a cost.

 Time spent ministering to our children is time well spent because that investment grants us the door to their hearts. When they are soft to us because we have ministered to their needs, their minds and hearts will be soft to hear our values, our convictions, and our guidance. Moms, the way you invest your life today will indeed have a great impact on history. We need to buck up, strengthen the areas that are weak, and decide to accept the work load of small children with joy, as would please our heavenly Father. The cultivating and raising of great souls is of the utmost importance.  Your life is making a difference. Take time in the word, take time to read those books which call you to excellence, spend time praying with friends of like mind–and don’t give up!

 “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.” Hebrews 10:36

 Think about a special time you could have with your children that would soften their hearts toward you. What would you want to share with them during that time? Put it on the calendar!

 BE SURE TO JOIN ME TODAY AT MOMHEART.ORG WHERE I AM SHARING A WONDERFUL PORK ROAST RECIPE THAT I MADE UP LONG AGO--A FAVORITE FEAST OF OUR CHILDREN.