by tascha |
What is growing me today!
Proverbs chapter 5 gives warning to a young man about the dangers of the “strange woman.”
I would like to think that there is not a whole lot for me, a Christian, trying-to-be-Godly woman to really get out of that.
But, there is much there for me. There is an example, several explicit illustrations, of what I should not be as well as character traits I need to guard my own daughters against developing and principles I need to teach my son.
I know that, in general, people can be a little touchy about the subject of the “strange woman.” Many people have used her as a launching point for dwelling on dress and “modesty.” I am not going there!
A totally different thought struck me this morning as I read this chapter.
…the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: but her end is bitter as wormwood… [Proverbs 5:3,4]
How often do I speak as honey purely with the intention of getting my own way-which in turn often has results that are bitter as wormwood…?
… ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them. Hear me now … depart not from the words of my mouth. Remove thy way far from her…Lest thou give thine honour unto others… [Proverbs 5:6-9]
Are my ways moveable? Do I allow my “mood” to affect {move} how I treat my family? Sadly, that is something I struggle with at times-to the point that my husband canst not know [my ways]. When I allow how I feel to so deeply affect how I act, I am a detriment to the Lord’s ministry in my husband’s life as well as my own testimony to my children {and others}… and the honor of our family is harmed.
Now, I know that this “strange woman” spoken of here is an harlot, and I know that the Bible is teaching young men not to seek out a woman with these traits as she will lead them to ruin; but as a Christian, trying-to-be-Godly woman… I need to guard my own heart against those tenancies.
…because I cannot forget that I have 3 little girls and a sweet baby-man looking at ME to see what a Godly woman should act like.
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{{As I close this post, I feel I must say this…. I realize that some of the thoughts I am sharing during this 31 days may seem a bit strong. I apologize if I come across that way. I am truly only sharing things the Lord has shown me about my own life, about the lives of my children and what to teach them.
I totally get it that some people may not see or understand the same thing I do. I do not always see a passage the same as another, but we can edify each other that way.
That is the beauty of studying Scriptures on a personal level. That is the beauty of our God! I pray you are blessed and encouraged!}}
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by tascha
totally “fall”decor – it was beautiful!
So, today we had a wedding at our church-two young people who grew up in our church… who had a beautiful engagement and now wedding. I am praying their marriage is just as beautiful!
I read the Proverb for today, and there was many directions I could take this post.
But today, I am going to just tell you how God spoke to me at the wedding… even amid needing to take my children out because the baby was not agreeable :/.
yep, goldfish!
Today, I remembered just HOW MUCH my husband means to me. He is my gift. He is the man God gave to me to take care of and cherish me, and he does.
One of the songs sung during the ceremony spoke of “the two of us is all we need.” And another one sung spoke of “walking hand in hand”… being friends. My husband truly is my best friend. And to keep a harmonious friendship {with anyone!} I must be friendly {a different Proverb}. I must speak kindly, lovingly even when occasionally reproving. I must allow the Lord to temper my reactions when they are not what they should be.
gorgeous & delicious
And I must remember that, after God, he is my life.
My husband is my life!
He is my ministry. As and extension of our love, our children are my ministry… but they are not my life in the same way that my husband is. I must remember that I am training and teaching my daughters how to have their own home one day. I must teach my son about being a Godly leader in his own home with his own wife one day!
So, today, this evening…. I am remembering to be intentional so that he will know he is my life.
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Let’s connect on FACEBOOK!
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I’m also on Instagram!
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and I’m on Twitter!
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by tascha |
Sundays are a little hectic. Usually I try not to schedule or allow anything that might take away from any calmness that might be found in getting ready for church services and praying for our Pastor. Thus, I did not get my post typed out yesterday for day 7.
But the Lord did speak to me…. {smiles}
one of the faces that makes my heart HAPPY!
There were several things that I wrote down in my notes from the messages yesterday. I want to share one with you.
The source of our strength… in those weak days {or any day!} is the Lord. A verse that popped in my mind was from Nehemiah where it says: the joy of the Lord is your strength.
I think this thought originated with what the preacher was saying {and I think he actually spoke of that verse}, but honestly, there are times my mind is triggered by something and I start having my own little service in my head for a few minutes… with verses and thoughts ministering to me… inside my head… {am I strange? does this happen to anyone else?}.
Regardless of where it originated, this thought encouraged me:
I often would think of this phrase in that verse in the context of
“God’s joy in my heart will give me the strength to face the day….”
But what if another way to think of it is equally true?
“When I do things that bring God joy,
I receive the strength I need to carry on.”
And this thought made me wonder about what I might do that brings God joy!!
Thinking about the parent/child relationship, I know my own children bring my heart joy when they
obey….
or when they
do right even when their friends do not…
or when they
just say the love me and give a hug… out-of-the-blue….
Is it possible those things bring my Heavenly Father joy, too?
Thus giving me strength to keep on going.
Thinking about the friend/lover relationship, I know my husband brings joy to my heart when he speaks up on my behalf…. {maybe I could speak of the Lord’s goodness}
when he tells me how much I mean to him {in prayer, I can praise God for who He is… simply because I know He loves me}
How about you!?
What sort of things do you think might bring Joy to the Lord in your life?
When you do those things, do you find that strength results? I know I do! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Let’s connect on FACEBOOK!
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I’m also on Instagram!
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and I’m on Twitter!
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by tascha |
You know the saying “Life is what happens after you make plans.”?
That was my day today. I had plans to “farm the kids out” {not really, just asked a trusted, sweet lady to keep them for the day}… so I could concentrate on some truly necessary things in our home that keep getting pushed further and further into {not onto, that would imply I’m still entertaining thoughts of them. haha} the back burner.
And then, last night, I heard a racking, hoarse cough coming from the girls’ room. I knew right away which one it was… my baby girl. Her congestion had finally settled, hard, right in her chest.
She woke up coughing… and crying, which made it worse. And made my momma-heart hurt.
But even amid the fatigue, the Lord gave me strength and brought certain things to my remembrance to help me help her. We got her coughing calmed down, and she went back to sleep for several hours… then it was time to get her sisters up for school.
A little while later, the baby’s nasal drainage caused his tummy to not appreciate his breakfast… {but he jumped right back up to being his normal, happy little self… and we are all cleaned and disinfected. hehe}
All this to paint a backdrop for this one thought:
...[God’s] strength is made perfect in [my] weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9 [added]
While this has been a far cry from my “worst day ever,” life happened to bring me a day far different than I had planned. And because I know HIM... I can rest in His strength when days just don’t turn out the way I wanted.
edited: {not saying I always do rest in this strength, just that I can… and it is blessed}
I pray you can also find rest in His strength when life happens… after you make those plans {smiles}.
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Let’s connect on FACEBOOK!
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I’m also on Instagram!
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and I’m on Twitter!
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by tascha
Do you know when your children just really need some extra rest?
The fussiness, crankiness, general irritability–that just screams at you, “Please put me in my bed and let my body rest!”
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| yep, that’s a pouty face… |
Some days, my spirit is like that. The children’s fussiness grates on my nerves; the mess that accompanies 6 people in a small space… clothing, toys, school papers, mis-matched socks, lost cups [found days later], remnants of “teachable moments” {let’s see how well you can put your own clothing away. hehe}, etc.; and then they all want to eat-3 times a day… all work together to make my soul weary. And yet, I am not to be weary in well-doing.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6:7-9.
And I realize that…I am trying to do good… in my own strength {again}.
{I am reaping weakness… because I am sowing in my own strength}
Come unto me…and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me… ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Matthew 11:28,29
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Let’s connect on FACEBOOK!
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I’m also on Instagram!
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and I’m on Twitter!
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