Ever heard something that makes you think so hard that you literally go, "hmmmmmmm"? Over the past several years, there have been several comments made from time to time by either friends or acquaintances that have really made me stop in my tracks and think. Think really hard!
My friend Laura and I communicate almost daily-either verbally or through text. She is one of my go to gals! We work together, shop together, eat out together, and attend the same Sunday school class with our hubbys. This past week she mentioned that she has said (to another family member) on numerous occasions that her marriage comes before her boys. Now, she has said this to me many times before, but this time, it really made me stop and think. Think so much that I actually asked the hubs this morning, as he was tying his tie, what he thought that statement meant.
What does this statement really mean? More than that, what does it me to me and what does it mean for the sake of my (healthy) marriage? I am so thankful to have Laura in my life. She brings things to light for me and we seem to really balance each other out. Her husband would probably tell you that I, on the other hand, can be a negative influence as I totally indulge her love for shopping! Hey, that's what girlfriends are for, right?!
Back to topic. What does it mean to truly put James (my hubs) above all else? Even before the children who I carried for 9 months and sent my body into a whirlwind to deliver safely? Those same children who I have cradled in the middle of night and worn (still wear, as Emie is only 9 mo) t-shirts covered in their less than appealing bodily fluids (gross, I know!)? How do you even do that? They NEED me!! They have needs that ONLY I can take care of! Sound familiar?!
Well, that is where I have been shown that I am wrong! What my children NEED is to see their daddy and me loving and serving the Lord, loving one another, and being available to care for them. There are times when James and I WILL need to take a break and go to dinner--just the two of us. And that is ok! We should not feel guilty about loving each other and wanting to reconnect and re-energize our marriage. The more and more that we allow things (in some cases people) to come between us, when we diminish our ability to be able to communicate and spend time together, the worse off we will be. The worse off our marriage will be. The worse off our family will be. We must take time to love each other. It is so easy to be so busy that we forget to ask "how was your day?" or give that kiss at the end of the night, but we can't! I wouldn't have my beautiful babies if it were not for James and I can't be guilty of forgetting that!
So, in closing, just as my children need me, so does my husband! I can't a Godly mother to them if I am not being a Godly wife to their daddy! I hope this initial question made you stop and go "hmmmmm"! Thanks Laura for being my friend and for making me stop and think outside MY box! I love ya!
Blessings,
Heather
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Convction
To be the hands and feet of Jesus has convicted my heart. The Lord uses ways that He knows will speak volumes to us when He wants to reach us the most. With me, it is through the eyes of my 5 year old little boy, Evan.
I know without a shadow of a doubt that God has big things in store for my Evan. I can tell by the way he cares for others, wants to serve others and by the heavy heart that he has for others to know Jesus. Just this past weekend, Evan and I were in the car and he began asking me questions about Heaven and Hell. This is not an uncommon territory for us to tread, as Evan often has questions about what the Bible has to say. We talk openly and freely about Jesus and about the sacrifice that He paid so that we would not have to. This time, his questions were specific about others and how THEY would come to know Jesus.
His heart is troubled for "children whose parents don't make sure they know about him", and for "those people who live in other lands who never hear about Him (Jesus)". These were the exact words spoken from my little guy. He questioned how if they never hear the Word how will they enter the gates of Heaven.
The Lord totally took control and led the conversation as only He could. The Lord created us, as followers of Christ, to share the good news with all that we encounter. For Evan, that may very well be those children whose parents are not raising them in church. It is our responsibility to be an example through our actions and our testimony through words to present the Gospel in such a way that a seed is planted. We are to care for others and love them the very way the Jesus loves. We are to forgive them in the same manner.
So, to be the hands and feet of Jesus is my cry. My heart's desire is to grow the Kingdom of the Lord and share His goodness with others. He is the King of my heart and I am so thankful that He has planted the desire in Evan's heart to reach others. I am hopeful that his daddy and I will be the examples before him so that he will know what is pleasing to the Lord. I pray that he will see us being the hands and feet so that that desire will continue to grow and he will better understand, as he matures, how to minister to others.
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." Mark 10:45
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed in me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you came to visit me, I was in prison and you came to me, then the righteous man answered, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you? See you naked and clothe you? And when we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' The Lord replied, 'Truly I say to you, whenever you did these things for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did for me." Matthew 25:35-40.
Blessings,
Heather
I know without a shadow of a doubt that God has big things in store for my Evan. I can tell by the way he cares for others, wants to serve others and by the heavy heart that he has for others to know Jesus. Just this past weekend, Evan and I were in the car and he began asking me questions about Heaven and Hell. This is not an uncommon territory for us to tread, as Evan often has questions about what the Bible has to say. We talk openly and freely about Jesus and about the sacrifice that He paid so that we would not have to. This time, his questions were specific about others and how THEY would come to know Jesus.
His heart is troubled for "children whose parents don't make sure they know about him", and for "those people who live in other lands who never hear about Him (Jesus)". These were the exact words spoken from my little guy. He questioned how if they never hear the Word how will they enter the gates of Heaven.
The Lord totally took control and led the conversation as only He could. The Lord created us, as followers of Christ, to share the good news with all that we encounter. For Evan, that may very well be those children whose parents are not raising them in church. It is our responsibility to be an example through our actions and our testimony through words to present the Gospel in such a way that a seed is planted. We are to care for others and love them the very way the Jesus loves. We are to forgive them in the same manner.
So, to be the hands and feet of Jesus is my cry. My heart's desire is to grow the Kingdom of the Lord and share His goodness with others. He is the King of my heart and I am so thankful that He has planted the desire in Evan's heart to reach others. I am hopeful that his daddy and I will be the examples before him so that he will know what is pleasing to the Lord. I pray that he will see us being the hands and feet so that that desire will continue to grow and he will better understand, as he matures, how to minister to others.
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." Mark 10:45
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed in me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you came to visit me, I was in prison and you came to me, then the righteous man answered, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you? See you naked and clothe you? And when we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' The Lord replied, 'Truly I say to you, whenever you did these things for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did for me." Matthew 25:35-40.
Blessings,
Heather
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