Thursday, January 28, 2021

Motherhood, Marriage, Ministry @ Home Tips/Encouragment










Here is a summary or quotes from godly men and women relating to Christian marriage.  Marriage is a precious gift from Christ and covenant to Christ.
Here are some summaries quotes, etc.:

1.  As a married couple you are now one flesh.  There is not two in this union.  In God's eyes, you are one.. 
Nothing changes this fact. Till death do you part. Literally!  Walk this way now.  Do not separate even in the littlest things.  Look at your own marriage as one flesh.  Everything else, gulp even your children, are not a part of this one-flesh union.  Everything else is tended for and treasured from the outside.  There is a circle that is not crossed around your marriage. Actually, you are a three-cord strand.  God, your husband, and you.  That's it!  Anything else is not natural in Gods creation...This one flesh union was His idea and His perfect purpose, don't worry about anything else.  In fact, if anything tries to tear you away from your marriage, throw that intruder away.--summarized from Ultimate Marriage

2.  Respect one another.  God has brought two different people together as one.  You have strengths and weaknesses and your spouse has strengths and weaknesses.  You are similar and polar opposites.  This diversity is beautiful in forming a beautiful braid or strand.

3.  Your children are a blessing from the Lord.  Look up scripture.  God's promises are over them.

4. Communicate.  Work through problems.  Repent. Forgive.  Come up with a plan.  Create plans that work for you both. You are a team.

5. If you are struggling in your marriage, have hope:

"No marriage is too dead for God to restore" Swindoll - Doesn't the Lord raise the dead?

6. "The greatest security our children have in this world is a God-honoring, Christ-centered marriage between their parents" Voddie B

7.  Time.  Time is an investment.  It is not endless.  With your spouse, come up with time management for outside activities from your marriage and home.  Don't let time steal time from your marriage or children. Give your time to the Lord and sacrifice time for His calling for you and your family. Time can pull you away, yes even from God's will.  Listen to His Spirit in telling you which avenues to walk down.

Encouragement for Staying at home as mom---
Managing your time:




Running a household day by day is a huge job.  Your work is never finished.  You can run a load of laundry, do dishes, and catch up on things, meanwhile taking time to sit and rest, realizing there is another deep cleaning task or tasks for the week, groceries to buy, meals to prep, lunches to prepare, sports to make time for.... the list goes on. 

This is my list for tips and encouragement:

1.  Being a stay-at-home mom is a full-time job, homeschooling or not.  Wake up with a ready heart, knowing your home is your job.  You have clocked in.  Sure, after recovering from having a baby, a season of illness, etc. it is easier to sleep in.  However, no matter what time you wake up, plan your day wisely, knowing the Lord is watching your time clock.  There is plenty to do, in fact, not enough time for all of the day's work. Set your schedule with needed items to tackle each day, besides a day of rest and fun with your family or friends.

2.  Understand as a wife and mom, your calling is first to the Lord, then your husband, your children, (managing your home is included in nurturing these relationships), and then to what you can walk in outside of this order in helping with finances, service etc.  (In fact, working full-time outside the home has this order in place also)

3.  When staying at home, it is realistic to chart at least 2-3 deep cleaning tasks each week, on top of normal household cleaning routines each day.  This has helped me greatly in having a house that is in order.  One week, my mental checklist tells me to wash certain bed sheets, scrub certain neglected areas, or tackle a task that was overlooked-which can be washing a wall, etc. I don't follow a paper checklist, I just plan certain things as needed each week on my own.  This takes the burden and pressure off of me and allows me to tackle needed areas.  

4. Grocery prep and meal prep.  I place an order on Amazon monthly, usually, and then plan/prep for extras through local stores each week.  Again, I am not a paper and pencil mom, but I usually have 3-4 set dinner ideas for the week and then come up with other things with what is on hand. I have set dishes for my crockpot which are cheap and easy, examples being meat sauce for spaghetti, meat gravy and vegetables for rice, baked chicken, green chicken chili, meat for tacos, meat curries etc.  that is easy to prep in the crockpot, cooking or preparing grains, veggies, fruits etc. on the side. 

5.  Special time with friends or other entertainment. This is important at times throughout the month, but it is not the sole purpose of your existence.  At least, this is what the Lord has shown me as a wife and mom.  My role as wife and mom is first in life as my calling to Him.  Once married, everyone is on the outside, while the Lord comes first.  You love others, but your priorities are biblically to your spouse, your children, your home, and other jobs that help your family or calling.  Have fun, but don't expect the same social life you had as a teenager or younger person.  God's best friends for you are your spouse and children.   This is His perfect order.  Friends and family are important, to be treasured, loved, and nourished; but just like a full-time job, your purpose is now to care for your unit.  And, as my kids get older one day, my husband and I will step back and let them live their lives from the outside.  This is hard to think about now haha, but healthy and good.  So- treasure the time you have with your own kids as you raise them!  

6. Plan special family trips and trips with grandparents and extended family.  This is so important.  Your children will treasure and hold dear memories from vacations and special time with family, cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles etc.  These are memories my kids already treasure and are blessed with.


7.  Make time for friendships.  As a stay at home mom, this can sometimes get put on the back burner, but get better in certain seasons at having coffee, lunch, going on walks with women friends.  This might be easier over summer break etc.  But this is important. 

8. Rest in God's great gifts and responsibility He has given you.  Tend your gardens well.  Tend your home well.  Nourish your husband and children and rejoice that the Lord created you for a purpose, which is already being carried out day-by-day, imperfections and all!  Can you imagine yourself as a little child, God chuckling, and knowing your future husband and children in His heart, as you were raised?  Super incredible, knowing His purpose for these days was planned way ahead of time.

"It has been said, so goes the father, so goes the family". I agree, however, it should also be said, "So goes the Mama, so goes the husband, children, and home"

In life's trials, get up, repent, forgive, walk with the Lord, grow, change, and take action. God doesn't expect perfection, but a willing heart.  Love is action.  Not just words.  What a mighty responsibility and role as wives and moms we have :) It is such a gift. 















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