Father's Day Memories

A few days before Father's day I was listening to the car radio and the DJ on a favorite station was talking about gifts for dad.  She stated that what most father's want is not the latest electronic gadget or tie, but to know they are respected by their children.  


I know at times in our home I do not always show my husband respect and there is a trickle down effect with our children.  I have been bothered by this and realize the only one who can change this is me.  I am working on it!  Ephesians 5:22
Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.

I must remind myself daily that I should be an example to my family and lead my children in the way they should respect their father. Colossians 3:20

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 

After hearing the radio DJ, I decided that for our gift to dad the kids would write what he means to them. The younger ones would draw a picture of something they loved doing with dad. These gifts were presented to my husband and I believe he was overwhelmed by the words. The kids enjoyed doing it and it was a great reminder of how great our dad is!!! 

Friday's Funny

Teaching Younger Women

Titus 2:3-5 ~ Women who have studied the Word will know that this passage speaks to women and the roles the older play in the lives of the younger. I consider myself in the latter category, but last week as I read a post by one of my favorite bloggers, Anne Elliot, I realized that is fast changing.


And so over the past few days I have been contemplating this change and wondering what it means for me and my role in the lives of younger women. I do not think of myself as an older woman, full of wisdom, and ready to advise ( that's what my mom is for!). But I am acutely aware that I am older than many of the women I encounter daily. I have had opportunities and experiences that have aged me, one being having 5 children and one on the way.  I sat in the doctors office yesterday and was very aware that I had 10 to 15 years on many of the women in the waiting room.  


I realize that if I truly desire to be a woman whose worth is "far above rubies" Prov. 31:10b, than I must seek out ways to show the younger mom the right path.  Ann Elliot is her post noted that because she still had young children in her home she was not yet fully responsible for the role of older women and still mostly fell into the younger category. But  as our world screams negative messages to mothers, we as Christian moms need to step up, even if we feel too young. Moms are under attack and they are being left on their own to decide what is right or how to accomplish a "mom task."  We are allowing young moms to influence each other and that leads to something like the "blind leading the blind."  As I write this I am struck by the many things I  have seen recently that are appalling to me, but seem normal because the young moms of today haven't been taught what is right. For instance,


I was at a home party the other night.  You know how they work, a hostess invites you to her home, serves you food with the intent that you buy whatever product that she happens to be trying to sell.  Anyone invited to a home party should feel obligated to buy something, anything, if they show up. Well, the other night I was in attendance at this party, I had arrived on time and was surprised when after 15 minutes the hostess said she was still expecting 8 people.  Those 8 arrived en mass, late.  They were invited  to help themselves to the food (which happened to be the item for sale), which they did.  We then listened to the salesperson give a short talk about the product, invite us to ask any questions, and then we were given catalogues to shop.  I immediately began shopping, but noticed that those women who had arrived late dashed back to the table of food.  Then made their way to the other room and stayed there socializing, talking about their babies, toddlers, diets, husbands...etc., until the salesperson packed up her stuff and left. They never opened the catalogue and none placed an order. Some said they would shop from home (maybe they did, i don't know) but their behavior was so offensive. I left the party quite disturbed and totally fed up with this "new thinking generation." I call it selfish behavior.


Thinking on this for a few days, I know that to be angry or upset with these women is not what God has in mind.  I am to hold then to a higher standard while showing them that standard in my own life. Loving then, desiring to show the right ways through God's Word, praying for them, teaching them, guiding them. Not always an easy job, but one I know that as a women of God I am called to do. And I will devote myself to doing what is good.  I will still look up to the older women in my life, but as I transition into that role myself I will seek the wisdom of God and allow him to use me in any way. Because I believe I can make a difference.  I believe that women can be taught, but I must be gentle and kind.  And above all else pray that God will give me a love for them that is not of our myself. 


~Heavenly Father, Help me to grow in You that I might truly make a difference in this world.  Thank you for those moms that you put in my life, those I know and the strangers I encounter daily.  Help me to see the needs and recognize what role I might play in their life.  Help me to also remember that I am still learning and must seek out council from the older women in my life.  But above all else help we to look for the daily reminders that you are leading me, guiding my feet on the path You have set before me.  Help me to keep my eyes on You that I might not fall.  Thank you for loving me and walking with me. Amen