Sunday, January 16, 2011

A Woman Who Loves Jesus with All Her Heart

I don't know about you, but I struggle with being everything I think my family needs. When all my family needs is a WOMAN WHO LOVES JESUS WITH ALL HER HEART. "I have found David...a man after my own heart, who will do everything I want him to do." (Acts 13:22)

Our heavenly Father wants us as wives and mothers to succeed and not only succeed, but we are told in Proverbs 31:31 that He wants to reward us, for our works to bring us praise. For us to be honored. "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." (Proverbs 31:29)
We can bring glory to God by demonstrating to a watchful world that we can succeed and succeed well through the: poopy diapers, crying babies, the broken bones, the spats over toys, the dirty dishes piling up in the sink, 8 loads of laundry on the couch, giving our spouses quality time, giving ourselves time to refresh, scheduling family events, allotting time for family devotions/prayer time and the 8 hands reaching under the bathroom door as you try to escape for 5 minutes because we are demonstrating the heart of Jesus, the power of Jesus at work within us.

God clearly paints a picture for us of what His priorities for our lives are and His word is full of wisdom in helping us to succeed at accomplishing them. 1 Timothy 5:9-10 is speaking of the widows but these widows had to have had these priorities in their youth.
  • To be faithful to her husband
  • Known for her good deeds, such as bringing up her children
  • Showing hospitality
  • Washing the feet of the saints
  • Helping those in trouble
  • Devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds
These are the priorities that I am striving to have in my own life. The Lord has been teaching me that I can not achieve in being the wife and mother He wants me to be if I am trying to prioritize my life the way I or the world sees fit. I believe that if I have these priorities for my life that He will bless and reward me and that I will be a blessing to others.
These are a few of the statements I have heard over the years:
  • How can you possibly homeschool?
  • How do you have the patience?
  • I admire your strength and patience.
  • You must be really patient.
  • How do you get all done cleaning, cooking, homeschooling?
  • You must be real organized.
The truth of it is it is not by anything I can possibly do myself and most days my house isn't clean until about 30 minutes before daddy gets home. I struggle every day, but I am not alone for He promises in Hebrews 13:5 that never will He leave me nor forsake me. I find hope in Ephesians 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." This is where my strength comes from, knowing that it is not by my might but Him at work within me.
Whether you are a stay at home mom, a homeschool mom, a mom who works outside the home we all need to be refreshed each day. Psalm 104:27-28 "These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things." In the same way His Word is our food and it greatly satisfies our soul. However, we can not be refreshed if we aren't in the Word, if we aren't giving him first priority in our lives, if we aren't seeking Him with our whole heart. You can't fill your cars gas tank half way and expect it to take you as far as a full tank. Neither can you give God a little of yourself or squeeze Him into your day and expect Him to do immeasurably all we ask or imagine through us. A woman who loves Jesus with all her heart doesn't fit Jesus in, she eargerly seeks to spend time with Him, she thrives on His presence, she loves to be with Him. I say this from my own convictions, because I have been the woman who says when can I fit God in today? I have let the busyness of motherhood get in the way of God truly working in in my life. Having what I have now, there is no way I want to go back to trying to fit God in.
There is great joy that comes from raising up a family. God chooses us to be the parents of our children, what a blessing. Our children our a reward from God. What a great honor and privilege. Psalm 127:3-5 reminds us of this "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them." In the same way that a warrior directs his arrows toward a target we, the parents, have got to train our children in the way of the Lord, so when we release them they will not depart from the Lord. I can not explain the joy in seeing our children seek God and to serve Him now as children. Imagine the impact they will make for the Lord when we release them as young adults. What a reward it will be to know that God will find in our children another "David".
"The wise woman builds her house." Proverbs 14:1 and "He blesses the home of the righteous." Proverbs 4:33b
If you need an encouraging message visit Nancy Leigh DeMoss's "Revive our Hearts" podcast each day. I am always inspired by the Word she has to share.

1 comment:

  1. I just read this today and just LOVE it. Thanks for sharing Brandy. :)

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