Trusting God as a Homemaker

 The call not to work outside of your home was a big decision. It may have been a huge sacrifice financially, but you felt the Lord challenging you to do this very thing. Some of us are called to stay home with our children. Others of us laid down our jobs to return to homemaking without understanding the reasons or the impact that it would definitely make in our lives and our family.

This is a trust issue. It is much easier to say we trust in the Lord when we are self sufficient financially. But our Lord loves us so much that He desires to plunge deeper in a relationship with us. He proves Himself as provider so that we will recognize His goodness and give Him all the glory for it.

Not everyone is called to this so don't get in the place of judging others for not doing this or expecting others to follow you in this endeavor. This is an individual call on your life. It is very personal.

I was called by the Lord to stay home when my children were very small. We went without fancy vacations and often had only one car in the driveway. I found shopping at garage sales or consignment shops actually fun. The days were sometimes very long and there were not a lot of accolades or pats on the back for a job well done. In retrospect, it was worth it all! Strong family bonds are created and in my case my own children have chosen to stay home with their children.

I worked part time through the years my children attended school, but was called to leave a job that I truly enjoyed after my children were grown, married and independent from me. This gave me different days to fill which always pushes me to ask the Lord for direction, leading and guiding, throughout each day. My reliance and trust in the Lord was strengthened like never before. 

In my own personal situation I was able to keep my home running smoothly, making it a true haven for my husband to come home to after his long work day. It freed us up for church ministry and gave me opportunity to meet with friends and family during the day, which was a reciprocal time of encouragement. My love for drawing, painting and writing were blossoming.

The Lord is continually calling us to a higher standard as we see in the scriptures;

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

In my own feeble understanding I can be misled. If you desire to bring God glory in your life you need to trust Him and obey. Reading your Bible everyday and asking the Lord for wisdom and guidance through prayer, you will find His wonderful direction that comes with fulfillment. You will become more sensitive to His choices for you as an individual and will find the time you are given will be full and complete.

Take Aways:

* Trust the Lord

* Know that God is your provider

* Find contentment in what you have

* Listen for His leading as you read the Word and pray

* Give God the glory!

How to find Time To Read And Pray as a busy Parent

 STRUGGLING WITH TIME TO PRAY?

Are you frustrated with yourself? Have you found it almost impossible to set time aside to spend with the Lord? Might you have little ones that seem to take up all of your time? Have you thrown up your arms and shouted, “I don’t have enough time, Lord!” There are a few ways that you can redeem that time. The Lord wants to spend time with you personally. You can be in control of this with a few easy ideas.

HOW I BECAME A CONQUEROR OF MY TIME AND YOU CAN TOO!

My oldest daughter was the “early bird that gets the worm”. As soon as the sun popped up her eyes popped open. Much too early for my liking, her big brown eyes were peering up over the edge of my bed. I was never an early bird so I had to set down some rules for my own sanity. Thankfully digital clocks had been invented. I put one in her bedroom and explained to her that she could leave her room when the clock read seven zero zero. Amazingly she followed the new rule, but as soon as seven o’clock appeared, out the door she would march!

MY STRUGGLES FOR TIME WITH JESUS CONTINUED.

My day began with one eye open as I was surrounded by three chattering children, all vying for my attention. The chaos never seems to end when you have little ones. No matter where I was in the home my children were close at hand. How was I ever to find quiet time with the Lord? I tried to get up before seven but my own body clock didn’t react well. I couldn’t concentrate so it was a useless effort. I would busy the children with toys or a project and then sit down with my Bible. All too soon, the interruptions pursued.

JUST ASK AND JESUS WILL GUIDE YOU!

I asked the Lord for guidance in this area and you can too. I’m a night owl so the Lord made me aware that it was more effective for me to spend time reading the Bible and praying before I went to sleep at night. This was a tremendous help. Meditating on the Lord without interruptions gave me much needed stamina and peace for the upcoming day. Instead of striving, worrying and pushing my children to the side, I was filled with the Lord’s peace and presence.

MAKE A PLAN FOR YOUR TIME THAT WORKS.

Ask God to give you direction for the best time of day that will work for you. Early morning, children’s nap time, or in the evening are a few examples available. Turn this time into a habit. Make yourself comfortable including your Bible and a prayer journal. Take time to meditate on what speaks to your heart from His Word. Jot down a favorite scripture or prayer request. Rest in His goodness.

BIBLE VERSE

FOR ME, IT WAS THE EVENING WHEN I SET DEVOTIONAL TIME ASIDE, SO THIS SCRIPTURE SPEAKS TO MY HEART:

“MAY MY PRAYER BE COUNTED AS INCENSE BEFORE THEE; THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS AS THE EVENING OFFERING.”

— PSALM 141:2

The Holy Spirit Strengthens You

 HAVE YOU BEEN ASTOUNDED AT HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO BE A PARENT?

Who would have dreamed that your beautiful little children, or your teenagers, would zap you of so much energy? While caring for their needs you are also expected to run through the thankless repetition of house cleaning, laundry, cooking meals, grocery shopping, driving children to school, play dates or sports. We berate ourselves for finding that the fulfillment we thought we would receive from having a family has flown from our grasp, possibly bringing us frustration or even tears?

WHERE IS THE STRENGTH THAT I SO DESPERATELY NEED?

There is a strength we too often forget to turn to or call upon. When we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. This is a gift that can never be taken away and that fills us with strength in our everyday life situations. Too often we begin our day without finding encouragement through the Word of God and refreshment by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a gift that keeps on giving. We need to turn our thoughts to His strength, grace, wisdom and leading at every opportunity.

THE WORD OF GOD ENCOURAGES US:

“For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, for why does one hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”

EMBRACE THE GIFT!

What a wonderful gift we have been given! Recognize the Living God is residing in your heart and is continually praying for you to receive strength to persevere. As you continue parenting your children, no matter what age, to the best of your ability you are actually pleasing God. Understand that you can call on Him to help you on a daily basis. Nothing is too big or small for our Lord to be actively involved.

LET’S FOCUS ON A PLAN

As you wake in the morning invite the Holy Spirit to be an active part of your day ahead, to immerse you with His presence.

Turn to the Spirit in the hard or frustrating moments and find His strength and wisdom to increase hope and trust in Him.

Praise the Lord and thank Him for His Holy Spirit that helps you persevere. Take a moment and remember the good things that He has done for you.

Now put a genuine smile on your face and enjoy the day!

Finding Freedom as a Parent or Homemaker

 WHAT DIRECTION ARE YOU LOOKING?

It is extremely important to look forward and not back. Too often our minds start dwelling in the past and somehow our memory of things becomes skewed by sugar coating the actual experiences. We start longing for the good old days. This is not the way to walk in freedom. We are actually allowing our minds to be brought into a type of bondage as it produces depression and dissatisfaction. 

MY DREAMS AND PLANS SEEM MURKY.

When you were walking in singleness you were desiring a marriage partner, children and a home of your own. Now that that is a reality you may not be feeling the joy and contentment that you once expected. When you have a young family there are a plethora of demands on your time. You are not experiencing wonderful accolades or pats on the back for a job well done. No one seems to notice the continual cycle of cooking, cleaning, shopping, wiping noses and yes, wiping butts! Where is the promotion? The freedom I once had now seems to be lost.

TIME FOR AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!

The Lord desires you to readjust your vision. He has a perfect plan and purpose for your life. The things you are experiencing now are a part of the building blocks that help form His character in you for your future. There are many people who would love to walk in your shoes. Lift up your eyes and ask the Lord to reveal what He is developing in your life. Rejoice in the growth of your children, the love of your spouse, the roof over your head, and the food you are able to prepare and enjoy.

SET SOME TIME ASIDE.

Sit down and enrich your life in the Word of God. Teach it to your children and discuss it with your spouse. The Lord desires you to look forward with expectation for your future. He loves when you walk in freedom by experiencing the depth of joy that comes from knowing Him. His path is perfect for you.

“ Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet: but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

PLAN FOR THE DAY:

Evaluate your emotions. Are you beginning to wallow in self-pity? Run to the Lord and His Word. Get a spiritual refill. Thank God for the positive things in your life. Rejoice in the true freedom you can experience when you look forward to His perfect plan.

Making the Word a Priority

 HANG ON TO THE WORD THROUGH THICK AND THIN!

“This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

Your emotional state of mind might not feel like rejoicing at the moment. You may have been sleep deprived because of sick children or just exhausted with the routine of shopping, cooking and cleaning. The weather may be dreary and or you don’t seem to have enough money. There may be a plethora of reasons you are experiencing disillusionment today.

DO YOUR EMOTIONS CONFUSE YOUR FAITH?

Fortunately, for all of us, our emotions do not dictate who God is. When you are in emotional upheaval it is time to turn to your Bible. The Bible will return you to the reality of what our existence is all about. We are reminded to turn to God’s Son Jesus Christ for all our peace, hope and inspiration. He is the one who created you, a mere human, to fellowship with Him for eternity.

FIND AFFIRMATION IN THE WORD.

The Bible, which is God’s Word, will lift you above your circumstances. His Word has recorded everything that we need to know. It reaffirms that Jesus was with God in the beginning and is God. The Word is our daily reminder that Jesus sacrifice on the cross and resurrection provides a way for us to experience an everlasting relationship with Him. What a privilege!

ARE YOU GETTING YOUR DAILY BREAD?

The Word is our daily bread. In our busy lives it is much too easy to leave reading the Word, or should I say feeding on the Word, at the end of our check list. If your check list is anything like mine, I never seem to get to the end of it.  Distractions and interruptions many times take precedent over my to do list. If this happens day after day we find ourselves starving spiritually. 

EQUIP YOURSELF.

When we are diligent in reading and meditating on the Word, we are equipped to be an encourager to our spouse and others. We are more aware of opportunities to teach our children the way the Lord would desire them to act and live. The scriptures also bring a song to our mind and heart that carries us through the mundane. We become more hopeful and gracious as the Word penetrates our very being. 

RESTORATION COMES!

Our hearts and minds are renewed and restored as we soak in the Word. We are now able to confess with our mouths the truths that have been freely given to us. We become an instrument that can be used by the Savior to bring peace, joy and hope into our homes which then spills out to others. Each new day we are presented with unique opportunities.

FIND ENCOURAGEMENT WHEN YOUR READ ROMANS 10:8-11:

“But what does it sat? “The Word is near you; in your mouth and in your heart”- that is, the Word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness; and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

ACTION PLAN:

*Prioritize – put reading the Word at the top of your to do list daily

*Allow your heart to be renewed and restored

*Become an encourager to your family

*Spill the Good News out to others