Chaotic homes?

The rest and rejuvenation we want from our homes is getting harder to find. Our work lives have moved in, taking residency in our computers, finding us wherever a phone can reach (...) In every aspect of our lives, no matter how trivial, we are confronted with a dizzying array of things and choices. If we're overwhelmed as adults, imagine how our children feel!

- Kim John Payne M.Ed - 

I read this quote on Sunday... and I've been thinking about it ever since. Boy, do I feel convicted. My life is all too often a whirlwind, and there are plenty of occasions I've got to the end of a day and realised I've not spent any time playing with/reading to/just being at home with my little girl because I've been busy being manic around her. I've been doing the chores, working on a project, spending time with other people, going out - mother and toddler groups, weigh-ins, bible studies, NCT meetings.

A couple of Fridays ago, I walked to the mother and toddler group with a good friend of mine. I cherish this time. Every week, I spend 20 minutes picking her brains on motherhood and homemaking, and I glean every shred of wisdom I can from her. She's a bit of a Titus 2 woman to me, and she probably doesn't even know it... We were talking about how easy it is to get caught up in "social mothering", going to classes and groups and going for coffees and actually not being with our children... not teaching them to learn to enjoy home, to appreciate their own toys, to learn how to do chores...

Who is going to teach my Ava to be a wife and a mother? If she wants to be a teacher, or a doctor, or a marketing assistant, or a PA... she'll get taught. She can do a degree in it, she can study and learn from the best. But there's a good chance that one day my little girl will get married, one day she'll have her own children, one day she'll have a home to care for... and whose going to teach her how to do that? There's no degree, or diploma, or course in being a wife, mother and homemaker. She sadly won't be learning from the best... she'll be learning from me.

And if I spend all my time being manic around her, what message does that teach her?

No. 

I need to slow down.

I need to show her that home is my favourite place to be.

That family is my favourite company.

That doing the chores can be a joy, and not a burden.

That God has called me to the high calling of wife and mother.

And that's a great place to be.

Thankful

Today I am having a thankful day.

I have a lot of reasons to be thankful.
This past week, I have been reading the biography of Stephanie Nielson, a 30-year-old, mother of 5 who, in 2008, was involved in a horrific plane crash, leaving her with 80% burns. I am thankful to God for her because he has used her, this past week, to remind me to appreciate the little things.

I am thankful today that I was able to get out of bed and have a shower independently.
I am thankful that I was woken by a smiley little girl
I am thankful for my husband who displays his love for me in big and so many small ways
I am thankful for a husband who goes out to work day-in day-out to make it possible for me to stay at home and look after our little girl
I am thankful for a family who love, support and encourage us with their time, energy and money
I am thankful for a church where we are loved, cared for and where Christ is preached and modelled to us every week, and every day of every year.
I am thankful for good friends and fun times.
I am thankful for a body which is healthy and does what I want it to
I am thankful for a home where I can put my stamp, be creative and enjoy making a haven for my family.
I am thankful for the joy of teaching, of moulding little minds
I am thankful for paint, and wood, and material and thread and the beauty of creativity
I am thankful for music, for being able to sing, and to write lyrics that point to Christ
I am thankful for the sunshine, for being able to bask in its rays
I am thankful for the rain which waters my garden
I am thankful for nature - for mountain grandeur, for trickling streams, for wildflowers and wildlife
I am thankful, because I know that one day, any one of these things, or all of them, could be taken away... and then I will wish I had been thankful while they were mine to enjoy.

But above all, I am thankful for the Lord Jesus, who loved me, died for me and is preparing a place for me with him in heaven.

That can never be taken away from me.

Resolution 21: A Sunday morning stroll...

21. Resolved, never to do anything, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him.

I gritted my teeth and groaned inside as Ava's eyes fluttered open. How dare they! I thought don't they know how long I've been walking round these back roads trying to get her off to sleep... and she's just gone... and then they rev their car engine right beside her and the crying begins again! It was a Sunday morning, Dave and I were heading up the band (he was already there setting up) and I needed to get Ava to sleep for the walk to church... I knew that the minute we got there, her eyes would pop open as the band rehearsed for the service. I had already been walking twenty minutes. I only had ten minutes left to give her a power nap (she normally has an hour and a half in the morning) and it seemed like everyone was out to get me. She'd nearly dropped off about four times, and every time something would make some racket right when she was on the verge... a dog barking, a man yelling across the road to his friend, someone stopping me for a chat (totally well-meaning!) and now this car revving.

Grrrr...

I was livid. I felt like all these people were purposefully trying to make my life difficult. Have they no idea what its like to have a baby?!

Then I stopped. How many times have I innocently shouted across the road to a friend, stopped someone for a chat, revved my car as I've pulled off? These guys were doing NOTHING wrong. The sin was in me! I was being judgemental, selfish, feeling-sorry-for-myself because I felt out of control. I was feeling most frustrated with my daughter who was fighting sleep like it was her last battle!

I am so quick to judge, so quick to despise, so quick to defend myself and my situation and yet when I turn the finger round, all to often I am guilty of the exact thing I am judging others for! My frustrations normally root back to my own sin. I was seething inside at these innocent passers-by because I wanted Ava to sleep... why? Because she needs it, but also because I knew who'd be paying if she didn't get it, and I selfishly didn't want to be dealing with a grumpy baby.

My sin is great, but Jesus' grace is greater, and in Him, I'm going to attempt this week to put other's before myself. To think about whether I am causing someone else to suffer, and to nip those judgemental thoughts in the bud. I can't do it in my own strength, but in Him, anything is possible.

Farewell JF Camp

Fantastic memories after an incredible week...
As our good friend Matt put it; "21 young people, lots of rain and one Great Redeemer!"

My fab husband did some GREAT teaching on the book of Ruth -
praise God for Jesus, our ultimate Redeemer!

The rain poured... but it could not dampen our spirits! 

JF breakfast news - live from Bethlehem!

Encouraging small groups

On the Question Time panel

Bible's open!

... The three Amigos performing their greatest trick - "the long-necked turtle"

Have a fab weekend everyone... thanks to those of you who prayed for us!

xxx

JF Camp: Day Three...

Another day past... reminded of God's generous and extravagant provision for undeserving people like us, as we saw how Boaz provided for Ruth! What a good God we have!

The afternoon was spent celebrating the Queen's Jubilee with a tea party... some very creative young people!

Talent show last night was pure genius...

JF Camp: Day Two...

Well, the rain may be seriously dampening the grand outdoors, but it isn't dampening the spirit here at JF camp. Serious levels of fun, great teaching, fantastic small group discussions and copious amounts of food and tuck cannot be put off by the rain! Yesterday, 21 young people braved the weather enthusiastically as they set off to complete their Jubilee mission in Horsham. Mrs Competitive that I am, I was so excited to go (especially as our team are currently miles in the lead - woop woop! Claire... set an example to the children!!) but Bubba decided to grow a new tooth yesterday, resulting in a fairly sleepless night, great amounts of whinging, finger sucking and general grizzliness. As a result, Bubba and I waved farewell to the masses and had a quiet afternoon playing (while Mama felt very sorry for herself that she was stuck back at base camp while her team were in the throws of a competition!)

Oh well, these things happen!

Having a fab time with a very encouraging, lively and enthusiastic bunch of young people!

JF Camp: Day One

Ruth 1:1-5... which way? Bethlehem or Moab?