Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Resolutions for Moms:

Many of you may already receive these emails from the P31 Ministry. I just wanted to share this one with you. It touched me. Oh how I pray that I can forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead...pressing on towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus! May my children see that and learn to live it by example.
Be blessed.

January 16, 2008

Real Resolutions for Moms
By Karen Ehman

“… But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:13b-14 (ESV)

Devotion:
It’s that time when many of us are making New Year’s resolutions, so how about some resolutions for mothers? Here are mine:

I will put my Bible before the television, the radio, the telephone, and even before good Christian books, for my children will know my priorities by the way they see me spend my free time.

I will make my prayer requests known before God and my children, enlisting their help in the process and informing them of the outcome, for by letting them help when I petition our Lord will they learn of a living God who still answers prayer.

When times of crisis, conflict or confusion arise, I will hit my knees before I hit the phone knowing that by my example my children will discover that although friends are important, God alone is the one who holds the solution to life’s every problem.

I will erase the words “luck” and “lucky” from my vocabulary and will instead by my speech point my children toward the One who orchestrates every detail of our lives and brings all good things to pass, for by this my children will learn of an omniscient God.

When bad things happen, I’ll neither grumble nor complain, but will instead help my children see that in the scope of our lives even the bad times are allowed for a reason, for by this my children will learn quiet trust in their Maker.

When normal childhood mishaps occur, I will remember that although difficult, it is still easier to remove grape juice from off-white carpet than to erase harsh and unloving words hurled at a child whose chubby little fingers have failed her, for by this my children will see a God who understands when our best efforts fall short.

When my children have witnessed something ugly in me - unkind words, an angry temper, “harmless” gossip, biting sarcasm or even my infamous “mommy pout” when things don’t go my way - I will confess it as sin before them seeking their forgiveness, for by this my children will develop the much needed habit of wiping their spiritual slate clean before God and man.

I will teach my children the importance of cleanliness and order while at the same time remain sensitive to the fact that a skinned knee or hurt feeling is more crucial than a spotless floor or uncluttered counter, for by this my children will learn to value people above things.

I will make time for the lonely, the sick, the elderly, the difficult to love, and will bring my children along, for with each afternoon visit, each ride to the doctor, each raked lawn or washed window they will have opportunity to serve Jesus by serving the “least of these.”

I will make our home a haven of rest and retreat from the outside world and a welcomed place for my children’s friends, for with each impromptu backyard soccer game, each video viewed on a rainy day, each cup of hot cocoa or chocolate chip cookie, my children will have opportunity to practice the art of Christian hospitality thereby learning to share all God has given them.

I will by my actions and my speech let my children see a mom love their dad, for by this will my children sense family stability at a time when marriages all around them are crumbling.

I will not require of my children obedience, honesty, patience or kindness without first being willing to submit to the same rules whether in speed limit, in miscounted change from the grocery store or when answering a toddler for the fourteenth time, for by this my children will see a mother who is also learning and not a perfect parent to whom they’ll never measure up.

In all things will I remember that more is caught than is taught.

There are little eyes upon you, mom. You are the first Bible your children will ever read.

Dear Lord, may my goals this year spring from a right relationship with You and may carrying them out point others heavenward. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
A Life that Says Welcome by Karen Ehman

Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture by Mary DeMuth

Visit Karen’s Blog

You are Special a children’s book by Max Lucado
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Application Steps:
Pick just one or two resolutions that have to do with your role as a wife or mother. Tell a friend and have her hold you accountable for carrying them out.

Reflections:
Of the above resolutions, which are the most difficult for you? Why?

Do any of the things mentioned come more naturally for you? Have they always? Or have you seen growth in your life in these areas?

Power Verses:
I Timothy 4:12, “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” (NIV)

II Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (NIV)


Proverbs 31 Ministries

8 comments:

Sunni at The Flying Mum said...

Love it! Thanks.

Matt & Kristin said...

"When times of crisis, conflict or confusion arise, I will hit my knees before I hit the phone knowing that by my example my children will discover that although friends are important, God alone is the one who holds the solution to life’s every problem."

Wow, that's really convicting. Thanks for sharing.

thosetonnes said...

wow that was powerful. Thanks for sharing that.

The Mays Family said...

I read David's blog from yesterday, and I thought that it was fun, it wasn't too serious. I liked it. Look forward to seeing you on Thursday.
Love
Caroline

Sarah said...

Hey Keri! It's nice to "meet" you :) Thanks for your comment about the allergies--I'd love to have shots for one day, rather than for nine months! I'll have to ask--I go to the same place, but my dr. is Dr. Leon. And Grayson sees Dr. Fawcett there. So far I've had a good experience there.

(And sorry that this has nothing to do with your post; I didn't want to post where my dr. is on my own blog)

How do you know Brittan?

elizabeth engelhardt cards and creations said...

I FINALLY got a chance to sit and read this. WOW. Thank you so much for posting it. I have a lot to sit and think about. A lot of conviction!!

The Mays Family said...

It has been 11 days ............ when are you going to update. See you Thursday

The Mays Family said...

Stephanie and I both think that he is a Golden Retriever, he looks just like Millie except he is bigger and is a boy. I guess we will know tomorrow if he is a full bred and I will let everyone know.
Caroline