Learning to listen to your children is one of the most important things you can do to strengthen your relationship. Your children need you, no matter their age, and will continue to need you even as they reach adulthood and begin their own families. One of the ways you can be there for them is to listen to them. Truly listen.
This is difficult, I know. There are a lot of people and activities competing for our time that create a number of hindrances to really listening. Here are a few I’ve noticed in my own life: (more…)
In a world full of devices and non-stop connecting…They still call Mom.
One day you are wrapping your arms around your child to comfort them for a skinned elbow, or making them a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or putting on a colorful Band-Aid that fixes anything. Now, you are receiving late night texts from your young adult child asking for prayer about a heart-breaking relationship. It appears our older, wiser mentors were right when they said, “Challenges of parenting do not go away when the kids get older; they just get more complex.”
This is what I was told many times.
Now that my children are older I find myself echoing similar statements.
In my early years of parenting, when I passed up opportunities to be more involved outside the home, I questioned my decisions.
Invitations to sit on boards in the community or serve on committees at church were carefully considered so that I could have the time, and energy to avail myself to training the hearts of my children and cultivating our relationships. The early morning time readings, conversations and prayers, the talk-time in the cars on the way to co-ops and sporting events, the hanging out on the couch in the very late evenings because that’s when they liked to open up and share their deepest thoughts—all these cumulative moments and hours helped cultivate a heart in my children to maintain a relationship with me even now.
When they were younger, the focus was on teaching worldviews, Biblical truths, and basic life disciplines. That focus continues but now with more emphasis on listening, encouraging and supporting. It is a rich blessing, a high calling and a beautiful ministry.
Why do we pray for the Lord to lead and then doubt when He does?
Do you struggle with this? I’d like to think of myself as a faithful daughter of the King, but I discover time and time again that I question His providence. I have to give myself the proverbial slap to refocus my proper perspective. Here are His promises:
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave your nor forsake.” Deuteronomy 31:8
“For we are God’s Masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Eph 2:10
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11
He promises to go before us (and our children). He planned good things for us (and our children) long ago. He promises prosperity, safety, hope and a future for us (and our children). Yes, I believe this Lord. Help me in my unbelief! (more…)
When I read about the Proverbs 31 woman I see a life well lived. For many women, they interpret this passage as something that must be done all in one day or season. Truth is, this describes a woman’s life in totality… not a day.
Let’s begin by defining “consider.”
: to think about carefully in order to make a wise choice or decision
: to take into account to gaze on reflectively
: come to judge or classify
There are, however, key principles a wise woman practices on a daily basis. She… (more…)
Women (like yourself, I presume) have always had to juggle many titles and positions. The various roles we must fill, if not guarded and balanced, can cause us to lose a sense of who we are at our core: uniquely female. Moms who choose to homeschool, a unique role indeed, often run a greater risk of allowing themselves to be defined by what they do and at times are subjected to scrutiny by peers, friends, and even family.
During the different seasons of my life, there have been five things that have helped ensure I remain the woman I was created to be:
Be Intentional
Get to know and understand yourself. Whether you are a wife, mother, homeschooler, volunteer, or business owner, there are certain expectations (job descriptions, if you will) required of you. Although the expectations may be well-founded, problems arise when you realize those expectations might not be what you’re all about. For example: my children, now adults, were recently surprised to learn I do not enjoy cooking. They had no idea! Creating food that could win awards is not something I aspired to. But feeding my family nutritious meals and creating memories required cooking, so I was happy to do it. I was working toward the goal of building a family. Meals times are a big part of that.
Knowing who you really are is the beginning of staying true to yourself. You must discover what you do well and build on that base. Every woman has been given strengths and talents unlike anyone else. Your strengths and talents fit perfectly with the life you get to live and the people you are doing life with. (more…)
