Rejoice always, pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. - Ephesians 5: 16-18 God wants us to never stop praying - that part is easy to understand. But many women aren't exactly sure what that looks like. I remember hearing the term 'keep an attitude of prayer" and wondering what in the world that meant. It was during a study I did on prayer that I finally understood. God wants us to be mindful of Him, conscience that He's there. He wants us to talk with Him all day long. Not just about our problems, although He is there to help. He wants us to share our joys and gratitude, and to intercede for others. He is with us at all times; we just have to acknowledge Him there. For example, my husband and I recently purchased a new vehicle. For that first month after we drove it home, each time I climbed into that truck, I told God how awesome it was to drive a new vehicle, how much I loved seeing my husband's happiness, how … [Read more...]
Does You Child Have Too Much Freedom?
She threw a fit because the eggs were scrambled in a skillet rather than a baking tin. That's when my friend realized she had given her daughter too much freedom. This second grader had gone years deciding her own breakfast, and had reached the point where she wanted to dictate each step in the cooking process. And my friend wondered where she had gone wrong as a parent. What had she done to turn her child into a little diva? Where should moms draw the line in letting children make their own choices? Once another mom confronted me about my refusal to let my preschooler choose his own snack. I couldn't figure out how to explain it at the time, but I was trying to establish my authority. Even in little things like snack time, I knew I needed to show my child that I am in charge, not him, that I have the final say. Yet never letting a child make a choice teaches them to be weak and fearful. I heard a story about a ten-year-old who went out to dinner with her aunt. The child … [Read more...]
When Your Child Hurts Your Feelings
She wasn't trying to be rude. She was just stating an opinion. But it still hurt. I made a chicken casserole for dinner, a recipe I got from my sister, who had cooked it for my family a couple times. Since my kids loved it, I decided to make it at home. I don't recall what I did differently that made my daughter unhappy, but she decided it wasn't nearly as tasty as the casserole my sister had made, and she told us all. Her hasty words stung. After a quick argument in my head, I smiled at my child. I realized I had a choice; I could be upset, or I could let it roll off my shoulders. So I agreed with her. "Yup, you're right. But I still make the best manicotti." As a mom, there will be times when our children hurt our feelings. Sometimes the situation is a little more complicated than a comment at dinner. Maybe your children have a favorite parent, and it's not you. Maybe they don't like the way you dress or style your hair. Maybe they complain often about not getting toys … [Read more...]
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