Day 5...Self-Control

The worldly way...do what you want, when you want, how ever much you want. How are our children supposed to learn self-control when the influences around them not only say "it's not that bad & it's a new world now", but, then provide them with "protections" to keep them from getting hurt doing what they want! Well guess what, they are going to get hurt. From Genesis on people have struggled with self-control, I personally struggle with it everyday - from too much computer time to the extra chocolate bar that I know I do not need...yes, these are simple things that shouldn't "hurt" us, but how about the things we do everyday that DO hurt us, or better yet - or relationship with Christ. From what comes out of our mouth, to how we choose to spend our time each day...these are all tests in self-control.

So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 (NIV)

I love the version from The Message...so clear cut!
So, let's not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let's keep our eyes open and be smart. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 (The Message)

Our Prayer today...
Lord, Please help me to practice self-control, so that I can be an example for my children daily. I pray that you will help them to have strong wills when it comes to this issue. Show us simple ways to teach them self-control today, so that when they are truly tested in later years they will be able to follow you. Amen.

A day in the life...

This is what 15 minutes of my day looked like yesterday...

CRASH..Cole accidentally knocks a votive holder off the mantle, it hits the fireplace screen & sends glass flying all over the carpet.
As I am picking up the large pieces of glass, Jacob has a total blow-out diaper.
I get him undressed & cleaned up, and, leave him in the pack-n-play while I go to the sink to prepare a bath..advising Cole to stay away from the front of the living room until I can vacuum.
I prepare the bath, and, come back to find Jacob covered in pee...lovely.
Bath Jacob.
Clean the pack-n-play.
Vacuum the shards of glass off the carpet.
Stain spray Jacob's clothes.
Cole:"Mom...I'm hungry"
Me: "OK - what do you want"
Cole: "Surprise Me!"
I take in a bowl of grapes & graham crackers
"No, Mom! Not that!"

Ah...Fun times :)

Day 4...Honesty & Integrity

We are really struggling with our 5 year old right now with "fibbing" (I hate to call it lying at that age), he truly believes that if I didn't see it, it didn't happen. We have talked & talked & talked about this, but we are just not getting through. I hope that soon he starts to understand - because as an adult, the quickest way you can hurt me is to lie to me. I seem to never recover from that. I want him to learn early the importance of being honest & earning that trust from people.

May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you. Psalm 25:21 (NIV)

Our Prayer for Today..
Lord, please help my boys to learn the value of honesty. Help them to see first hand the benefits of being honest - even if it's hard sometimes. I want them to be men of integrity and people to know they can trust them. Amen.

Check out my Guest Blog Spot on Happily Domestic!

This is the piece that I sent over for my Guest Blog Spot on Happily Domestic "Perspective". I wrote part of this a year or two ago, found it & reworked it based on life today. I think it still applies :)

Day 3...Love

It all comes down to love. If we do ALL things in Love (as Christ would), you can be assured that you will not do wrong.

And live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:2 (NIV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control. Galatians 5:22 (NIV)

The fruits of the Spirit is something I want to spend time focusing on with my boys when they are old enough. These are the qualities I want my boys to have for themselves, for their future wives, for their children. It's so cool to me that the very first is love :)

Our prayer for today:
Lord, I pray that my children may learn to live a life of love. Allow YOUR love to penetrate their hearts & show through all they do. I pray that they will love those who don't even return it. Fill them up Lord, and, let it spill over!!

Day 2...Growth in Grace

One of the coolest things to me about a relationship with Jesus is that it is never complete, we continue to grow & learn daily, the more we invest in our relationship - the more we grow. Our Bibles are a source to unlimited life lessons.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

Our prayer for today...
I pray that my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.I pray that we as a family never tire of learning & growing together.

Day 1...Salvation

This has to be our #1 priority with our Children..that they accept Jesus into their hearts, and, live a life with Him. This is our biggest job as a Mothers, to foster that relationship.

You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the Lord, have created it.Isaiah 45:8 (NIV)

It's what I'm sitting in jail for right now - but God's Word isn't in jail! That's why I stick it out here - so that everyone God calls will get in on the salvation of Christ in all it's glory. 2 Timothy 2:9-10 (The Message)

I love the Timothy passage from The Message (paraphrase)...it emphasizes how important it is for us to have that personal relationship with Christ.

Our prayer for today...
Lord, I pray that you will equip me with the knowledge & tools I need to help my children know you. And, when the time is right for each of them, let salvation spring up within my children that they may receive the gift of life that is only in Christ Jesus. Amen!