Teaching VS Practicing

All the words in the world could not overpower your actions when teaching your kids. If you want you children to be kind then you must be kind. You cannot tell them to be gentle and forget to be gentle as well. I’ve noticed this in my own children. I don’t always speak as kindly as I need to and I’ve witnessed my daughter mimicking my tone almost perfectly. I have to push every day to be an example of what I would want for my children. It’s hard, most of the time, but I know God’s grace is sufficient to do that work in me. It’s my goal to seek Christ for gentleness, mercy, kindness, compassion, long suffering, and hopefulness. I want them to be generous, helpful, careful, meek, and humble. But if they are going to have any chance at that then I must be those things first. Motherhood is a difficult task, but it is one that has a great reward. <3

Showing our Children who God is.

 

 

Psalm 103:8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

 

Children don’t understand who God is. That’s why it’s our role as parent’s to show them the attributes of God in our own character. It’s through us that they will find out who God is. Telling them all the characteristics of God and then living a life that doesn’t reflect those will only lead them to confusion. Seek a life that is pleasing to God and your children will quickly see who Christ is by watching you. Remember that they may not remember the words you spoke over them but they will remember the way you acted and reacted in circumstances. 

 

Mama’s in charge!

Raising your children up right is your highest calling as parents. The funny thing about this is that everybody has different opinions and views on child raising. But as a parent you have the full God-given authority to raise them the way that you feel God has called you to. There are a few things in the Bible that are clear in child raising. But let’s face it, for the rest of the 99% of the issues that come up you are on your own.

This is where prayer comes in. If you want wisdom in how to deal with children then prayer is going to be your only option. I know that God has given me wisdom on several issues with my children. But I still also feel a bit bewildered about many things. Ultimately, your choices will affect your children and their lives in the future.

Once all of this is taken to heart than you can go forward with confidence knowing that yes I will get angry, I will have short answers, I will get frustrated and lose my temper, but that it doesn’t mean that you are failing what God has called you to do. How could we be perfect parents if we are imperfect people?

When people cross you telling you all the things that you do wrong or should be doing differently that is where you have to take a step back and realize that this is between you and God and your children. No one else has the authority to decide how you should raise your kids. No one. They don’t know and understand all the emotional facets of my children like I do. I know all their different shades of cries and can determine how to respond based on those cries. I know when one of my kids is throwing a tantrum or when they are actually hurting. I know how sugar causes them to be emotional time bombs for days. I know the difference between not wanting to eat because they want to play and not wanting to eat because they just can’t get those nasty greens down their throat. Because I am their Mother. I have raised them thus far and I understand them. God paired me with my own children because we were right for each other.

I said all of this to say this… don’t be tore down by people who will try and convince you that you aren’t doing right. There will always be naysayers no matter what you are doing. If you are leaning on Christ and confident that the decisions that you are making are working for your family than don’t allow people to knock you off your feet. Because they are not the ones responsible for your children, you are.

 

REMINDER!!! The giveaway in the previous post is closing TOMORRROW! Remember to follow all 3 requirements or you won’t be qualified to participate. COMMENT on the giveaway post. SUBSCRIBE to my blog. LIKE the FB page of the prize donated. LOVE. :)

Happy parents make happy babies

I’ve been married to my man for over 5 years. He’s awesome. But he isn’t perfect. There’s a huge misconception about love in this world. For some reason all movies and books portray men to be wussy, whiny, begging for your hand kind of men. And then the girl gets treated like a queen for the rest of her life with flowers on her table once a week. Okay ladies, let’s be real. How often does that actually happen? Not only that but are those things necessary to have a glorious marriage? No way.

Marriage is so much more than that. It’s a rich relationship that really is hard to explain. It seems like every mountain my husband and I face just enriches our relationship. We grow closer to each other every time we need one another. Sadly, marriage is becoming an old fashioned idea as of late. I’ve heard many people say to me, “Well I sure do love her, but I hope it all works out in the end.” What? Really? Why give up so easily? Loving someone requires a lot of work and energy. Some days you may not even feel all squishy from the love that was once there. In fact, some days you may feel like giving up. But you see, love isn’t about those feelings. Unlike what you are taught loving someone isn’t about how it makes you feel. No not really. It’s not about how happy you are. God set marriage as a Holy Covenant. A vow. A picture of how much He loved us. If you dig deeper into what marriage actually is than it will be easier to understand. Marriage isn’t about finding your soul mate and living happily ever after because of butterflies in your tummy and a jump in your heart every time you see your man. Ladies, love is a choice. It’s an action. It’s a reaching out from deep within you. Something that doesn’t come naturally. It’s only given by God.

In my case, I met my man when I was 14. I thought he was WEIRD. He was annoying and immature to me. But over the course of a couple of years I grew to love this man. I couldn’t shake it. I married him when I was 19. Don’t regret a thing. I’ve learned so many valuable things from him in our time spent together. I’ve learned that I need God to give me the wisdom and grace to love my husband. I truly believe God has put in my heart a desire to serve, honor, love, and be loved by my man. When God is your resource you can have a wonderful marriage. Even when you feel wronged or disrespected or tired. This than translates to him and he loves me, respects me, shows me the affection I need, and chooses to love me also. Marriage is truly a miracle. It’s a blessing and gift from God. Take it to heart. Choose to love your spouse today. Win his/her heart back to you. Maybe you feel lost and unloved. I encourage you. Fight for your spouse. Fight for that love you desire. Become the wife/husband God created you to be. Fight as long as you have to. If you have any respect for the covenant that God has set before you. Search for ways to make it right.

But what about the children? Why does this matter to them? This will be short and to the point. Wives honor your husbands and husbands love your wives. Teach your children what it means to lay your life down for someone else just as Christ laid His life down for you. Show them how happy you are and that it is possible to be in love in this crazy mixed up world that is so anti-marriage. Fight for them. Show them that their Daddy is a wonderful man. Even if he makes mistakes. Show them that you can love someone who is imperfect. They will love and respect you more than you actually realize. Tackle this challenge with zeal. Let the little things go. Don’t try to be right all the time. Make it a point to bless your husband. Don’t put yourself half way out there. No, give it your all.  You won’t regret it in the end.