Who's Your Elmo?

I’m hoping the title to this post will provoke some curiosity. I know I talk about my kids a lot -- especially my 4-1/2 year-old, Eliana -- but who knew I could learn so much from a child? Today, in response to the question, “Don’t you think Elmo is a little annoying sometimes?” Eliana said simply, “No. He’s just the way God made him.”

Now, it’s true that I have to teach my daughter the difference between puppets and humans, but that’s not the point I want to make.

What kind of a difference would it make if we had Eliana’s point of view toward people we know? people we work with? people we come into contact with? 

Of course, I am not referring to tolerating sinful lifestyles and choices (we need to speak the truth in love! see Ephesians 4:15), but sometimes people with personalities that differ from our own can rub us the wrong way. Let it go no further. Remember we are all uniquely created by God for His purposes and His pleasure. Let’s try to appreciate the differences of others instead of being aggravated by them. 

After all, “He’s just the way God made him”...or her!

Blessings, my friend,

Rachel

Miniature Me

I had had enough.  The whining, complaining, ungrateful attitude was getting to me.  I tried to be patient and speak with love, but my annoyance was escalating.  Finally, my frustration came to a head: “That’s enough!” I said firmly (and a bit too loud), “I am really tired of your whining and complaining when you don’t get your way!”

I was speaking to my daughter, but as the words came out of my mouth I realized it may as well have been God speaking to me!  How often have I whined or complained when things don’t go “my way” -- either out loud, or in my heart and thoughts?  How often have I exhibited an ungrateful attitude because things are not happening the way I thought or desired?

Many times, I see in my children a reflection of me; I get a glimpse of my own childish attitude or behavior toward my Heavenly Father.  How thankful I am that “the Lord is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness” (Psalm 103:8).  So unlike myself as a parent.  

I have personally learned that nothing humbles us (me) like being a parent.  But it also teaches me about the greatness of God, my Father: His patience, kindness, forgiveness, grace...  What a privilege it is to be called His child through faith in Jesus Christ.  Now, I better act like it!

Blessings,

Rachel

This Season of Life

Seasons of life...there are certainly more than four! Sometimes it seems there are four hundred seasons in life. In this season of my life, I have three adorable children ages 4 and under, who FILL my days with singing and dancing, doling out peanut butter kisses (and fingerprints!), giggles and gurgles (dirty diapers, too) and lots of memories. This explains why I started this blog with gusto and it has dwindled to striving for 1-2 postings a week. But that’s okay -- I realize that this may not be my “season” to write. Yet there are things that God is doing in my life; just because this is a busy season at home does not mean God isn’t using me or working in my life -- He is! For one thing, He is tugging at my heart to be happy at home: to be a better example (for my children) of a wife who loves the Lord and respects her husband, to train and teach my children, take care of the many responsibilities at home (cheerfully), and PLAY with my kids! 

Some of my friends are in a different place in life -- unmarried...married without children...married with older children...etc. God has given them burdens or opportunities different from my own. It is unwise for me to assume that I ought to be  serving in the same ways they are, or involved in the same things they do. It is also unwise for me to become too concerned with how the Lord is using them and compare it to my own life. (Does that strike a cord?) Jesus addressed an issue along these lines with Peter, one of His disciples. 

When Jesus spoke to Peter about the way he (Peter) would die, Peter’s first response was an effort to compare: he wanted to know what would happen to John, another disciple. He wasn’t satisfied with focusing on God’s plan for himself. Jesus answered Peter by saying, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” (John 21:22). In other words, it is none of your business what I have planned for John. You follow me. I think He is still saying the same thing to many of us. 

What is God tugging at your heart to do right now, in your “season”? (Perhaps it is to start asking Him what to do!) Is it time you begin to give more? to leave it all behind to reach the lost? to pour yourself out for others in some way? to pray more? to invest in your children’s lives? to write a book? What is it? 

Rather than being caught up in comparisons, let’s focus on what God is teaching us individually, and what He is doing in our own lives. What a waste of time and energy it is to make comparisons or battle discontentment. It is exhausting! What life and joy there is when we blossom where He has planted us in this season, for this time.

Blessings as you blossom,

Rachel

Follow HIM Fully

I have recently finished studying the books of Kings and Chronicles in the Old Testament. I am in awe of all that God taught me through these books! Jehoash (also shortened to Joash) is on my mind today. “Jehoash?” you may be saying, “I don’t even know how to pronounce that name, much less have anything to say about him!” I understand! And don’t worry about the pronunciation -- most of us louse up the Hebrew names anyway (which are beautiful when pronounced correctly). I will do my best to give you enough detail to share the lesson the Lord taught me, and maybe whet your appetite to study him as well if you haven’t already.

Jehoash had a blessed beginning: 

• He was hidden and protected from the evil and destructive Athaliah who wanted to secure the kingdom of Judah for herself (as queen) by killing the royal line, to include Jehoash (2 Kings 11:1-3).
• He grew up in the house of the Lord. His formative years were spent there (7 years).
• He was raised by Jehoiada the priest.
• Became king of Judah when he was 7 (yes, seven!) years old, and reigned 40 years.

At first glance, it’s easy to conclude “Wow! With such a beginning, he must have been a strong man of faith when he was older.” But there was a problem with Jehoash. Scripture tells us: “Jehoash did right in the sight of the Lord all his days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him” (2 Kings 12:2, emphasis added). In other words, as long as Jehoiada was around, Jehoash did what was right. 

Once Jehoiada was no longer around to demonstrate godliness and be a positive influence, Jehoash was swayed by the negative influences around him:

“But after the death of Jehoiada the officials of Judah came and bowed down to the king, and the king listened to them” (2 Chronicles 24:17).

The result was that the house of the Lord was abandoned and the people followed after idolatry. God eventually sent Jehoiada’s son Zechariah to bring a warning. Look at the surprising response: “[Judah] conspired against him and at the command of the king [Jehoash] they stoned him to death” (v. 21).  How heart-wrenching, all because Jehoash succumbed to ungodly influences! 

It is very possible for a person to do right only because of the influences around him or her, and not because it is truly in their heart to love and please God. 

“The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.” (Proverbs 29:25)

“For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)

Are you like Jehoash? Do you need to step up your trust in God and do what is right even in the face of potential rejection, criticism, humility, or whatever you seem to stumble over into fear of man? Ask the Lord to help you seek His favor rather than the favor of men.

What about your children? I know I have been writing a lot about and for mothers recently, but that is the chapter of life I am in! Pray for our children NOT to be like Jehoash, but to be so solid in their faith and love for God that they will do what is right even when faced by ungodly pressures.

Blessings as you seek to follow HIM fully--

Rachel

Do Battle for Your Brood!

The chronicles of Israel and Judah’s kings given to us in 1 & 2 Kings and 1 & 2 Chronicles are sobering as a mother.  God-fearing and God-honoring men had sons who committed great evil (i.e.: Jehoram son of Jehoshophat; Manasseh son of Hezekiah; Jehoahaz son of Josiah).  It is true that once in a while it was the other way around -- an evil king had a son who did love the Lord, but I think the message is clear: We cannot assume our kids will grow up to love the Lord just because we do.  

This anxiety-provoking, anguish-inducing thought can either paralyze us with fear, or motivate us to do battle for our children’s souls.  Rather than being apathetic, take action!  Here are some ways we can do this:

• PRAY, PRAY, PRAY for our children -- for their hearts to be soft and pliable toward God and His Word.

• LIVE a real (genuine) life of faith, complete with seeking forgiveness from our kids and the Lord when they see us fail (through our own actions, attitudes, words, etc.).

• TRAIN them in the ways of the Lord.  Address the heart and not just behavior!  I cannot emphasize the importance of that enough. Take time to be with them, to study and train them and teach them the way God intended:

“You shall love the L_ORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.  These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7)

• DEVELOP a relationship with them by being with them.  Play with them when they are young, support their endeavors as they grow, show interest in their interests, befriend them as adults...

• PROTECT our children from ungodly influences.  This takes wisdom and discernment -- and courage!  Moms, we need to be aware and beware of what our children are watching, listening to, where they are going, who their friends are, etc.  Do not be fooled: these are the things that shape our children’s worldview, beliefs, choices.

• CRY OUT to God on behalf of your child, and on behalf of yourself for wisdom in raising them.

• TRUST God with the end result.  Never stop praying, even if our greatest fear and sorrow becomes a reality: a child who does not love the Lord and walk in His ways.  Never stop praying.

“Keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and it will be open to you” (Matthew 7:1)

Jesus Himself taught with parables “to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart” (from Luke 18:1).

This list is in no way exhaustive.  If you have ideas you would like to share, add a “comment.”  Please share the wisdom God has given you.  I would love to hear from you!

Blessings to you and your “brood,”

Rachel

Intentional Encouragement

“Encourage one another, and build each other up...” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).  What words of advice.  I sometimes wonder how much less I might say if I would consistently heed these words...and then again, how much more I could say as well!  Recently I have been thinking about how this applies to those of us who are moms.  Are we encouraging one another and building each other up specifically as moms?  When was the last time you told a fellow mother, in all sincerity, “You are doing a great job”?  

Sometimes we “encourage” other moms by giving unsolicited advice, and that may actually have the opposite effect and come across as if saying, “You aren’t doing the right thing.”  Now, if another mom is sinning in something she is or isn’t doing, that is one thing, but more often it is a matter of personal preference or opinion that we are quick to give input about.  What works for others may not work for us, and vice-versa.  Consider a few popular heated topics:

• Sleeping through the night versus waking to nurse or take a bottle
• Breast-feeding versus bottle-feeding
• Potty-training

Obviously, as a mom of young children I am thinking primarily of the younger years, but I know that with every stage come issues about which moms have strong opinions.  How about asking each other, “Is that working for you?” instead of being too quick to offer that unsolicited advice.  Or ask, “Would you like me to share with helped me with that?”  If she doesn’t, determine not to be offended!  People are more important than preferences.

As moms, there are many times when we question if we are doing the right thing, making the best decisions in raising our children.  (At least I do!)  If we are Christians, we are usually diligently praying for God’s wisdom and help for this most challenging task.  Let’s strive to encourage one another along this journey of motherhood, which feels like a journey into the Twilight Zone from time to time.  Here are some ideas to get you started thinking about how to encourage your mom-friends:

Encourage moms who feel frazzled with the baby stage that they have an important job, even when it feels like the only thing they can accomplish in a day is changing diapers, feeding baby, and hopefully getting a shower.  It will be worth all their effort.

Encourage moms who are exhausted with toddlers to be consistent with disciplining those little children and a reminder that playing with them really is more important than cleaning the house.  And keep a sense of humor!

Encourage moms busy with other children to cherish the days and moments with their kids (especially during those busy school years) and that God is faithful to those who ask Him for wisdom to handle the challenges that seem to come with every parenting “season.”  Make memories that will last a lifetime -- for mom and kids.

Moms with children of every age -- from infancy to grown adults -- benefit from encouragement.  There are moms who have children at every age and stage of life -- all at the same time!  Be encouraging -- and then when a friend and fellow mom really does want some advice, she will probably come to you because she knows you are a safe place for her to share her struggles and concerns; someone who is right there with her, learning and growing as a mom after God’s own heart.

Blessings,

Rachel

A Mom's Ministry

Something hit me this morning as I reflected on James 1:22-26.  It may be obvious, but for whatever reason the thought never really dawned on me until today, at least not as powerfully:  

My number one ministry is to my children; the number one method of my ministry is my example.

It is not so much about "doing," but being.  What kind of example am I to my children?  They learn a great deal about the Lord by how I live my life!  What am I teaching them about the goodness of God by how I handle disappointments or frustrations?  What do they learn about God's character by observing my perspective on life?  Do they see the joy of the Lord in my attitude and actions?  What kind of a God to they think I serve, based on the life that I live before them?...  

These are some sobering thoughts!  I praise God for the riches of His grace and the mercy He gives in Jesus Christ.  How desperately I need His help as I minister to my children not only in the activities I participate in with them, but in the example I set before them.  Partner with me in prayer about this.

Blessings,

Rachel