A couple mornings ago, I woke up with a sweet face just inches from mine. “It’s raining, mama.” She whispered. I had been lying there with eyes closed for some time listening to the rain fall. Call me crazy, but I love a rainy day. “Can we go out on the deck and play in it?” She asked. I shook my head, “no”. She giggled and ran out of the room.

By mid-morning, the rain had stopped. Then, for the rest of the day, I was plagued with this thought: Why couldn’t she play in the rain? I mentally listed all of the reasons.

They would get all wet.

That would mean a change of clothes, a.k.a. more dirty laundry.

The carpet would probably get wet when they came back inside.

It’s true. All of those things would probably result from a morning of playing in the rain. Suddenly, however, none of that bothered me.  What bothered me, in that moment, was that it had not even occurred to me to say, yes. Sometimes, “No” is just my default response. It rises to my lips before I have even fully listened to request.

Sometimes, I say “no” because I tend to be an overly worrisome mom.

Can we run outside with bare feet? 

No. After all, they may step on something sharp. They may slip and fall. Maybe, they will stub a toe. Maybe, aliens will visit our neighborhood and only steal the children whose mommies did not make them wear shoes.

Other times, I say “no” because it is just not convenient for me.

Can we play with our paints?

No. If we do that, I will have to gather all of the art supplies. Then, we will need to change into some different clothes. The baby will be trying to get into everything. Then, when it’s all over, there are brushes and things to clean. So on and so forth.

Then, there are those times, when I say “no” just because. Seriously, just. because.

Will you come outside with us? No.

Do you want to play Barbies with me? No.

Can we skip baths tonight? No.

Like I said, it is often just my default response. But, I want to change that. Obviously, I am not talking about agreeing to every request. You are not going to suddenly find my kiddos playing in the streets or eating candy for breakfast. I do, however, want to say “yes” more often.

(As I’m typing this, my daughters came to the door and asked for some chocolate. I said, “no,” without so much as a second thought. I’m a work in progress, y’all.)

Something happened on that rainy morning. I found myself waiting for it to start raining again. I wanted to surprise my kids and let them play in it. It never did rain again that day, but you better believe I’m waiting for another chance. Because, I may have had dry carpets, but what I didn’t have was a picture of my babies dancing in the rain. Of the two, I think I made the wrong choice.

I do not think I’m the only one who gets stuck in “no” mode.

Maybe you, like me, need to give “yes” a try. Yes – to staying up past bedtimes. Yes – to blanket forts in the living room. Yes – to playing outside with kids and ignoring the laundry for a little while. Yes – to playing in the rain.

Let’s loosen up a little and enjoy our kiddos. They won’t always be asking for snuggles on the couch or pushes on the swing. The dusty tables and dirty dishes will still be there tomorrow.

I have to go, now. I need to get my kids some chocolate.

You Might Be a Working Mom If…

10.   You know that you’ve already worn that outfit this week and you. just. don’t. care.

9.     You have ever left your purse at the daycare and taken a diaper bag to work.

8.     You have ever called your boss, “honey.”

7.     You are an expert at throwing sippy cups, pacifiers and other miscellaneous items from the driver’s seat to a child in the third row while driving down the interstate and never taking your eyes off of the road.

6.     Your “vacation” days usually include visits to the pediatrician or school field trips.

5.     You use words like “potty” and “tee tee” in normal conversations with co-workers.

4.     You have ever brought home a “surprise” for the kids from the vending machine in the break room.

3.     Your six year old tells you to “put a reminder on your cell phone” because you tend to forget things like picture day, church events, breakfast…

2.     You have ever sniffed a pair of socks to see if they could be worn just one more time.

And, finally, you might be a working mom if…

1.     You are just. plain. tired.  Oh, who are we kidding, that applies to every mom.  :-)

Grab a cup of coffee.  This week isn’t over, yet!

It doesn’t matter if you’re married or single, young or old, male or female. Everyone wants to be loved. Here are 50 ways you can say I love you, today. Trust me, someone is desperately needing to hear it.

1. Smile at a stranger
2. Forgive an old wound
3. Share your last piece of gum
4. Pray with someone
5. Send a card
6. Visit someone who is lonely
7. Acknowledge someone’s pain
8. Take a meal
9. Share the gospel
10. Spend some time
11. Give someone else the last piece of cake
12. Send flowers
13. Say it with chocolate
14. Apologize
15. Make a phone call
16. Drive someone to a doctor’s appointment
17. Let someone else go first
18. Let someone cry
19. Do that chore that no one else wants to do
20. Hug a friend
21. Bake something
22. Hold the door
23. Give up your seat
24. Babysit
25. Say I Love You
26. Listen
27. Write a love note
28. Say Thank you
29. Make eye contact
30. Make someone feel seen
31. Invite someone to church
32. Buy someone’s meal in the drive-thru
33. Visit a nursing home
34. Rock a baby
35. Don’t say I told you so even when you told them so
36. Don’t hold a grudge
37. Hold hands
38. Kiss
39. Play a game
40. Put down your phone
41. Daydream with someone
42. Believe in someone
43. Laugh
44. Open your home to people
45. Be like Christ
46. Meet someone for coffee
47. Serve
48. Sacrifice
49. Step outside your comfort zone
50. Say I Love You

DAY 25 :GENEROSITY

 ”Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

- Luke 6:38 {ESV}

Our children were made in the image of God. As parents, it is our job to instill in them the characteristics of Him as well. In addition to being loving and kind and faithful, we want to raise up children who are full of generosity. It is God’s very nature to give generously and we, as His children, should do no less. We should be generous with our time, our energy and our resources. Nothing should be off limits when it comes to serving God.

Our prayer should be that we raise children who know what it means to give. We must teach them how to serve others in a “serve me” world. God does not withhold any good thing from us. His gifts are generous and His love is lavish. May we live lives of generosity in His name.

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 ~ Resource of the Day ~

Raising Kids for True Greatness

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This is Day 25 of our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children Challenge.

Please be sure to follow along this month as we encourage parents to be intentional about praying for their children. Read all of our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children posts by clicking here.

We’ve also created a calendar (two color options) that you can download and print to keep at your desk, on your fridge or wherever you’ll see it and be reminded to pray.

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Click here to download 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children {Option 1}

Click here to download 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children {Option 2}

DAY 19 : POISE

“Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.”

- Titus 2:6-8 {ESV}

In my former place of employment, I actually took a class on posture.  The instructor believed greatly in walking properly with back straight and shoulders squared. While it may look a little more attractive to walk that way, ultimately, I do not think the Lord cares if our children can walk across the room while balancing books upon their heads. He does, however, care greatly about their spiritual walk.

Our prayer for our children should be that they walk wisely (Ephesians 5:15-16.) We should desire that they walk in love (Ephesians 5:2.) How our children carry themselves matters.  Let’s pray that they would be men and women of integrity, discipline and self-control.  The world is watching and they need to see Jesus.

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 ~ Resource of the Day ~

Raising Kids Who Turn Out Right

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This is Day 19 of our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children Challenge.

Please be sure to follow along this month as we encourage parents to be intentional about praying for their children. Read all of our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children posts by clicking here.

We’ve also created a calendar (two color options) that you can download and print to keep at your desk, on your fridge or wherever you’ll see it and be reminded to pray.

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Click here to download 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children {Option 1}

Click here to download 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children {Option 2}

]]> http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/01/19/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-19-poise/feed/ 0 http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/01/09/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-9-hope/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-9-hope http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/01/09/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-9-hope/#comments Wed, 09 Jan 2013 13:00:50 +0000 Stacy Edwards http://familymatters.net/blog/?p=5637 DAY 9 : HOPE “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” - John 6:35 {ESV} Our children do not have the luxury of being unaware of evil in the world. They see it all around them and they need to have [...]]]>

DAY 9 : HOPE

“Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”

- John 6:35 {ESV}

Our children do not have the luxury of being unaware of evil in the world. They see it all around them and they need to have hope for something more. It won’t take long for this world to beat up on them and try to break them. We need to make sure they know that there is a hope and a future for them. They do not need to live lives of quiet desperation. They have a Father who loves them. They have a Christ, a Messiah, a Savior who came for them and died for them – all so they could have a hope.

Jesus wants them to come to Him when they hunger for something more. When they thirst for peace in their lives, they can come to Him and He promises comfort and strength. He promises Himself. They do not have to worry or be in despair. They can live with an everlasting, abiding hope that Christ will come again and make all things new.

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 ~ Resource of the Day ~

Grace Based Parenting

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This is Day 9 of our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children Challenge.

Please be sure to follow along this month as we encourage parents to be intentional about praying for their children. Read all of our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children posts by clicking here.

We’ve also created a calendar (two color options) that you can download and print to keep at your desk, on your fridge or wherever you’ll see it and be reminded to pray.

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Click here to download 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children {Option 1}

Click here to download 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children {Option 2}

DAY 3 : BELONGING

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”

- Romans 8: 31-32 {ESV}

Belonging is a big deal. No matter how much we try to deny it, we want to belong to something, someone, some place. We need to instill in our children, however, an understanding of where they belong and to whom they belong. You see, as hard as it is, we do not want our children to mistake this place for home. Because God has paid a very high price to have us as His own. We belong to Him. And that is where we find our security and our identity.

It’s okay to not belong here. It’s okay to look around this broken world and feel like we just don’t fit in here. We were never meant to fit in or belong in a fallen, sin-scarred world. We were created for more. We were created for Him. Our prayer for our children is that they would indeed belong, but not here. We want them to be okay walking this sod and being a little out of place knowing that, one day, they will be right where they are meant to be.

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 ~ Resource of the Day ~

Grace Based Parenting.

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This is Day 3 of our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children Challenge.

Please be sure to follow along this month as we encourage parents to be intentional about praying for their children. Read all of our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children posts by clicking here.

We’ve also created a calendar (two color options) that you can download and print to keep at your desk, on your fridge or wherever you’ll see it and be reminded to pray.

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Click here to download 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children {Option 1}

Click here to download 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children {Option 2}

Lord, what can you do with me? I have four children, elderly parents and a house where something new seems to break every day. I do not have the time, the money or the energy to do big things for you.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? Everyone, at some point, has had some variation of these sentiments run through their mind. We all want to do big things for God, don’t we? We see a blogger who went from obscurity to fame and we think that is what it looks like to be used by God. We see someone overseas living among the poor and, suddenly, our monthly gift to the local food mission doesn’t seem like much.

Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others… - 1 Peter 4:10

God is not impressed with a person’s gift. You want to know why? God gave every gift. He is not looking for the biggest or the best. He is seeking the heart that will simply say, “yes.”

And, if we aren’t careful, we will view the day-to-day tasks as mere inconveniences.  We will begin to analyze our responsibilities and deem some of them as holy and some of them as nuisances.  We might even convince ourselves that we would be more useful to Him if we did not have to do this, that or the other.

The reality is, however, there are those moments when the dishes need washed, the children need bathed and the baby has left spaghetti in the floor.  And, in that instance, maybe it feels menial. But, sometimes, the ministry is in the mess.  The sacredness is in the serving.

I have read many blog posts and articles recently regarding the “mommy wars.”  It’s the silly notion that there is a chasm between working moms and stay-at-home moms. Can I just tell you that it makes me sad and, more importantly, grieves the heart of God?

Sister, it does not matter if you work outside of the home or inside of the home. You might be a single mom or a married mom. You might have babes that grew in your womb or grew in your heart. Maybe you are a boy mama knee deep in army toys and dirt. Or, like me, maybe you’re a girl mama that has more Barbies in your house than the law should allow. Then again, bless your sweet heart, maybe you have a foot in both gender worlds. If so, girlfriend, I salute you.

Working mom, I applaud you. I did it for years and it isn’t easy. Stay-at-home mom, yay you, I’m doing it now and it isn’t easy. And that is what I want us all to realize. This thing called motherhood is dang hard…for everyone. There is no time for us to be dragging each other down. We have to quit shooting our own wounded. I, for one, do not want to be the reason another mom feels beaten down at the end of the day.

You and I, we are the same. We love our little ones. We pray for their futures. We clip coupons, pinch pennies and, sometimes, forget to shower. We have all made that midnight run to Walmart for gas drops or cough medicine. Each of us has had that moment where we felt one mistake away from our kids ending up in therapy. Admit it, you have sniffed a pair of socks to see if they could be worn just one more time.

I have felt the sting of those claiming they would never send their child to daycare. My blood has boiled at those wondering what it is that I do all day now that I “no longer work.” Whatever your average day happens to look like, mom,  I think you are a rock star. You are not the only one with a sink full of dirty dishes. You are not the first mom to call a peanut butter sandwich dinner because the thought of cooking was just too much.

I have worked full time. I have stayed home full time. I have worked part time from home. Whatever you do from nine to five, I am a huge fan of you.  I won’t judge you when I see you at the store in pajama pants. I won’t shake my head when your kid is screaming and you’re frazzled.

There is no condemnation for those up to their necks in motherhood. Deal?

Dearest Little One,

There are some things that I think you need to know.

I had dreams for you when you were only a flutter in my womb. I loved you long before I knew that you would have those beautiful dimples and that infectious giggle. I prayed for you having never laid eyes on you. I was smitten before they ever placed you in my arms.

I will be sleep deprived and weary, but I will still rock you in the wee hours of the morn. I will watch the rise and fall of your chest and whisper sweet nothings in your ear. I will cry for sheer exhaustion and wonder if I will survive the first year. Then, when it’s over, I will say that I would do it all over again.

When you fall down, I will always come running. If you want to talk, I will listen. And, if you don’t, I will simply sit and be with you. I will never say I told you so when that boy breaks your heart. I will roll the windows down and play the radio loud with you. I will take your fashion advice. I will respect you, pray with you and let you borrow my shoes.

I will mess up. Oh, especially during those teen years. I will make mistakes. But I will make them out of love.

I pray that you will follow hard after God. I believe in you. I know that you will do mighty things for Him and I cannot wait. He may call you far from me and I will cry. But I will be your biggest fan.

I will love your husband like I love you. I will be flexible about holidays. I will be a hip and cool grandma. You can call me in the middle of the night when the baby won’t sleep. Don’t worry about the stretch marks or the extra ten pounds. I promise, it is all worth it.

One day, when I cannot be here with you any longer, please do not feel alone. I will be leaving you in very good hands. I may be your mother, but He is God. And He loves you even more.

Love,

Mom