Have you ever watched the shows “Hoarders” or “Fixer Upper”? Well, my intention is to describe what happens in my life when, spiritually speaking, I let the Holy Spirit take my Hoarder Home and turn it into The Ultimate Fixer Upper! -Matthew 20:28 “Jesus did not come to be served but to serve…”
Trinkets break easily but treasures last forever. So, which would you rather save up? Here I liken hoarder rooms full of trinkets to souls with lots of issues people compile but often forget about. If the junk drawers, closets and rooms of our soul full of trinkets are not emptied out, eventually they impede those chambers which cause internal congestion! Not only that, but on the show “Hoarders”, we sometimes see the rooms so full of trinkets that damage has been done to the original construction! So, if too many unaccounted for trinkets cause concern for the collapse of a real house, can you imagine what then happens in your heart when problems are left unresolved? Matthew 6:20 “… store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
In my home, I choose memories over momentos because, personally, I can’t thrive in clutter or chaos. Well, it’s the same with our spiritual house! When I don’t let Yahushua rid me of past or present hurts and sins, offenses add up and become unmanageable! So, what do many of us do but “shut the door to that room” and try to live in the rest of the house. The problem is, the overflow of what I’m holding onto will inevitably encroach upon other living areas and sooner or later the entire house gets crowded out! And that is where one’s hoarder house may need a complete overhaul- “Demo Day!” -Hebrews 12:15 “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many!”
Admit it, no one enjoys trying to manuever around messes where they dwell. Then, why continue to collect emotions which keep you bound and unable to move about freely within your own vessel?! Fortunately, we have a Helper Hoarder Expert; the Holy Spirit, who cleans us out and washes us up! Everything from the floor to ceiling of our heart can be renewed! Jesus will purge those hard to reach, sensitive spaces you don’t want anyone to see! If you admit the need for His help though, Jesus will remove every cobweb and recover treasures you may not have known were even there! Or maybe you thought your hopes and desires were long lost when in reality, they were really just buried beneath the collection of trinkets. In an actual house, the goal is to occupy every space so that we can enjoy our living environment. Also, functionality is key, right? But how are we supposed to show hospitality to others, let alone manage our home, when we haven’t dealt with unresolved matters of the heart? How can we serve our family and friends in a welcoming environment when we haven’t taken out the trash in a while? Yuck, right? Yet when we open the doors of those locked rooms, the Holy Spirit can enter and take up occupancy! A much-needed renovation begins, and Jesus thoroughly cleans out the clutter of our hearts! When we confess our ill feelings to Him as well as other such sins, He helps us dispose of all the garbage where the trinkets of bitterness, resent, unforgiveness and anger are removed and the rooms get fumigated! Once those ugly, useless trinkets are thrown out, there is an airy atmosphere with a fresh aroma where we can then welcome in company and be a good host to others! -“For we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved!” 2 Corinthians 2:15
Upon this demolition we’ll call “sanctification of the soul”, God’s Spirit purges the unnecessary trinkets of pain and fear. These trinkets may come in the form of a facade you put up so others won’t see the cracks in your foundation, Or the performance act you put on in order to distract others from your short comings may be a way you like to hide those broken weight-bearing wall beams. Well, Jesus removes all of the fractures and repairs damages underneath the floorboards of your heart. Your Savior won’t stop until He restores all the damaged parts of your house. He never leaves us in the desolate condition we were found in! -2 Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God…”
Like a spiritual “Flip That House” renovation project, we must evacuate the premise for a time, trusting the Expert Builder to do His work. In other words, we need to get out of the way and submit to the Professional Architect Christ Jesus! Because, although it may be shocking to see our place stripped down to bare bones, we understand that this process must happen before Jesus replaces any unstable walls and reinforces them with His secure joists! The Holy Spirit demoliishes the falty structures and false beliefs which are like trinkets just taking up space within but are unreliable and unsteady. God rebuilds the wreckage life wreaked on us by installing steady pillars which will stand up under the load of life! -Isaiah 58:12 “Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls.”
Omnisciently, the Master Builder replaces the flimsy material you once used to masquerade behind and stabilizes our framework with His treasures of Faith, Hope and Love which endure the test of time. We all need those virtues reinforced and cemented at our core so that the true essence of who we are stands strong eternally. In the interim, like a “Fixer Upper” demo sight would reveal, things may look like a hazard zone at first, but in the end the homeowners always marvel at their new, refurbished house! And upon entering the doors of that recently repaired and revived home, we see the transformation on the inside! Mulitple rooms are filled with special treasures for the residents! And how much more spectacular is it for those of us whom the The Holy Spirit resides within because our remodel reveals the Splendor of The Divine Builder! -2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we all… are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory!”
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The Book of Ecclesiastes says “My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.” Are you delighting yourself in the Lord and the privilege He’s blessed you with of partaking in the sacred roles of wife and mother while upon the earth? If so, a delightful countenance would be your reward, according to Solomon. Do you walk around downtrodden, heavy laden, overburdened and stressed or do you understand how Solomon also goes on to say that there is nothing better than to find satisfaction in your work? Actually, he boldly proclaims how “enjoying your lot in life is the gift of God!” As one of the wisest men who ever lived, Solomon declares that “there is nothing better for us than to enjoy our work!” His words are paramount for any Christian Sister to accept God’s grace and space and pace solely marked out for their distinct race!
As of late, my heart was drawn to the importance of appropriating God’s grace for our life’s race while simultaneously spurring others on in theirs! This entails focused intensity yet integrity while we run! We dare not contend with fellow believers as if they’re our competition but rather view them as comrades with us on the same winning team! Since every woman has been given such a massive mission as a helpmate, caretaker, comforter, teacher and so on, in my opinion, there is no room for such rivalry amongst Sisters! If we receive our responsibility as a high calling from our Creator Himself and gladly accept our allotment with gratitude, then the only other reasonable response to our female peers would be cheering them on in their work!
Like with runners who have to physically prepare, there’s a spiritual preparation for the race ahead. As the Holy Spirit equips us with the fortitude needed for this marathon, it is concurrently our responsibility to learn the Scriptures and apply them. The Word reminds us to adhere to the rules of engagement and congruently it builds soul strength and stamina within. In the process of persevering, we must fight pride. We are not the star runner, therefore we shouldn’t become distracted by striving to be better than someone else because discord within the Body slows all runners down who involve themselves in such meaningless controversies! Together we aim to win not lose! This loss may be avoided by simply supporting and celebrating another runner’s progress! Hebrews 10:24 “Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds”!
There is a special grace exclusively for you.
It is written in Ephesians 4:26 “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it” and in Romans 12:6 “We have different gifts according to the grace given us.” So, have you appreciated this grace or are you stuck in “comparison-land”? Do you look at others like they have better gifts, skills, and attributes other than yourself or are you too preoccupied praising the Creator of the Universe for what has been specifically kept for you? The Word is clear on how everyone is made differently; not better than one another! For, “…it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose” and “we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do”. My prayer is the Truth told here will penetrate and transform your entire outlook towards your neighbor, whom we were called to love as ourselves; not envy with jealous spirits and covetous hearts.
There is a pace to keep when following the Lord.
Galatians says “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Since the pace will depend on what your individual track looks like, we dare not compare each others’ strides either. No matter what course The Coach has you on, run with perseverance the race marked out for you while dually cheering on your teammates!
You have your own significant space to occupy within the Kingdom of God.
First, you need to acquire the desire to seek out your Lord and Savior and find fellowship with Him, trusting that you were chosen and predestined according to His plan like Ephesians states! The proper position is one of joy and thankfulness of heart since we see that God marked out everyone’s appointed times in history and the boundaries beforehand, as we read in Acts. Paul says “God did this so that we would seek Him.” In any courtship, there is a pursuit. Jesus pursued you first! But have you sought Him out in return? Connecting with Christ more intimately births greater understanding of what personal place you hold in His heart as well as in His Kingdom! Once we grasp how our relationship with Jesus is unlike any other, there is no leeway left for rivalry and contention among the Brethen.
There is a race to be won but not against others.
So, stay in your lane and keep running with vigilance and fervor, embodying a spiritual sportsmanship noteworthy of any honorable athlete! Ergo, 1 Corinthians 15:58 announces: “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Likewise, “Let your eyes look straight ahead and fix your gaze directly before you”. In conclusion, whether you think someone is ahead or behind you, regardless, remember who holds the stopwatch and that at some point, the race will eventually end.
My final thought is that we’d conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel leaving no regrets on this race track called life. May we encourage the rest of the racers, finish well and ultimately recognize how it is God who qualified us, put us in our unique division and enabled us to win in the first place! On your mark, get set… GO, GIRLFRIEND!
Recently, our family went on a vacation to the Atlantic Ocean where Jesus reassured me, yet again, how He is the Anchor for my soul! Consequently, this blog will be written merely as an analogy comparing the condition of my soul to a novice brought out to the deep. So, for all my sea-faring friends and readers, I hope this post calms you the next time God leads you through a tumultuous voyage to remind you how He is still in charge of the winds and rains!
During our trip, the Holy Spirit unearthed in me that when I’m outside the familiarity of my everyday life, I wrestle with the uncertainty of those foreign environments, responding poorly to the unknowns they hold. Where I do love to travel and visit new places when we do venture out, the sin which becomes exposed is that I undoubtedly have unhealthy attachments to the idols of stability found in schedules and the security my accustomed environment brings me. Also, when a regular routine is not kept, my emotions get rocked back and forth like a small skiff in a sea full of perilous waves! But I believe Father allowed me to venture into undiscovered territory with such “choppy waters” in order to lovingly teach me that I am not the Skipper in charge of this barge! (Can you agree that the maritime terminology is fitting here?)
After much prayer and confession about ultimately putting my hope in things other than God, the Lord took hold of my heart as the Anchor of my soul. Although the Lord is the very one to stir up the sea so that its waves roar, He has a purpose beyond what’s seen. The bottom line is that Jesus can be trusted both at home and in uncharted waters!
23 Some went out on the sea in ships;
they were merchants on the mighty waters.
24 They saw the works of the Lord,
his wonderful deeds in the deep.
25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
that lifted high the waves.
26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
in their peril their courage melted away.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards;
they were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.
29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
First Corinthians 2:10 states “God reveals things by his Spirit; for it is His Spirit who searches out everything…” You see, on both the port side or starboard, Jesus covers our “blind spots”! He has eyes at the bow as well as the stern, omnisciently aware of dangers we can neither see nor predict. Similarly, it’s near impossible for me to know what lies at the core of my belief system until the Holy Spirit says “This weight is too heavy and will sink your ship if you carry it any further” confirming Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.”
Isaiah 42:7 pronounces “For I am the Lord your God, who churns up the sea so that its waves roar!” But He also promises in Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you!” So, in the midst of mayhem, instead of fighting what Father is doing and attempting to weather the storm alone, I had to trust that the Master and Commander of my vessel would keep me afloat! Otherwise, the forces of nature would have undeniably washed me onto shore, waterlogged and beaten by the wind. Instead, when my heart was astir within and the elements around wrestled me to the ground, Jesus became for me a shelter from the squall like a leeward shield! The Captain of the ship simultaneously guided me back to the serenity of soul and delivered me from the soaring surf surrounding me!
Overall, let’s recall what is said in Jeremiah 10: 13 “When God thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from His storehouses!” Hence, when the dark clouds of circumstance block my view and couple with my own vain conceit, they produce poor vision preventing me from seeing! In those moments, it’s imperative that I do not permit the pirates of pride and selfish ambition to rob me of the treasure troves God has kept for me at the end of the journey. (Isaiah 45:3 “I will give you treasures stored away…”) For this reason and many more, by faith and not sight I must constantly cling to the Compass who will direct my heart safely to Solid Ground!
Conclusively, even amidst divers dangers near and far, I have become aware of how to better ride out any odyssey the Lord deems fit to cast me into since Jesus is the Anchor for my soul. And while He draws me deeper in Him still, Father will not let me go beyond His desired destination for me! (Psalm 42:7 “Deep calls to deep… all Your waves and breakers swept over me.”) Verily, I have found that my role as a member on board this fleet among God’s other sailor Sons and Daughters is to openly receive both the tempest trials along with the tranquil times! Next time things look bleak from your limited marine binoculars’ view, let Jesus take His rightful seat perched up higher than the fog! In like manner, Jesus is also our Anchor saving us from the dangers of the depths below! Praise God for fastening us firmly to Him! (Hebrews 6:19 “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”)
Something has been on my heart with the “busyness” of women in the church versus enjoying Jesus at home. While many of you are wrapped up in attending church conferences, prayer meetings, retreats, concerts, classes, etc, I wonder if you would be better off staying at home to learn from God directly and make a concerted effort to fellowship with your husband and children more?!
Where church activities are not bad, there ARE seasons when it is better to seek your Heavenly Father individually. He will teach you personally about how to be His Daughter, a Godly wife, a nurturing mother and beloved Sister. As a homemaker and homeschool mom, I have learned more inside my house than anywhere else. Remaining in my God-given role here has caused me to rely on the Holy Spirit for counsel and comfort, guidance and nurture, instruction and insight. Jesus IS my Pastor who shepherds my own heart through this maze every single day!
My home is the hard-knock training ground where I become skilled (not perfect) in how to be a helpmate to my husband and a mother who disciples her children for the Kingdom. Together, Jesus and I walk and talk throughout the day. Often, I cry out to my Savior. And other times I rejoice with Him because as I grow in my walk, I find secret, hidden gems along the way! It’s like my life is a treasure map! Sometimes there are landmines and pitfalls on the path but as I keep going, I also discover rare and sacred jewels just for me! All of this happens at home. And not that I have this road mastered but when I look back to where I started, lots of ground has been covered!
Don’t miss out on communing with your flock at home. “Is it time to say ‘no’ to future engagements and any further commitments that require your involvement to volunteer and serve ‘out there’ robbing those under your roof of you?” Please do not miss the moments God wants you to experience inside your own dwelling place by scattering opposed to gathering. Gird yourself up for the work that goes into caring for your sheep first before you go out feeding others, and let’s move from busy to blessed. 
This year, my aim is to live without THOSE kinds of regrets. What about you?!
Mentor and Disciple your children. It is seemingly a lost art in the Christian home but not for Jews or Muslims, for they get this right and drill their beliefs deep into the well of their children’s soul. Yet it is without the Messiah. Hence, should not the Redeemed of the Lord be leading with this way of life?!!! And if so, what would that influential life look like with the role of mother? In response to that significant question, I have gathered a few thoughts of my own which I chose to write about in this particular letter.
In order to do this great work, first be taught by the Holy Spirit of God yourself as to then be able to teach your children His commands! Prepare this generation for how to maneuver spiritually throughout the landmines of this world. And train them for the Kingdom so when the New Millenial Reign begins, they will know the ropes! For, this is not our home. We are only deployed here for a time to learn more of our Heavenly Father and lead others to do the same through Christ Jesus, Yahushua. Get in the zone. Time is short. Focus, Parents. The children need for you to show them the Way from here! The lost are dying, the sick are crying out and those captive are waiting for release! Your child(ren) just may be the vessel who brings them their Savior. Impart wisdom and knowledge to them by modeling what is right and how to live for the God Most High. Teach them His Word. Pray for them and with them. Speak promises of His blessings over them by name! Proclaim verses of Scripture for each child, young or old! Anoint them with oil. Show grace and kindness to yourself and them when there’s sin, yet confess those sins and lead by example with repentance. Then, receive Jesus’ forgiveness for all parties. Walk in mercy and the Truth of God’s Word. Serve Him wholeheartedly with joy and thanksgiving so the children would want to emanate you. Be charitable and hospitable with all people and things. Remain humble. And continue to stand firm in the faith during times of trouble.
Your entire life, Mom and Dad, is a sounding board for your sons and daughters. They will hear you best with their eyes. So, be vigilant in the fight against the evil one with your spiritual weapons of warfare explained in 2 Corinthians 10:5, Ephesians 6 and Psalms 18 & 91. Be slow to become angry by letting the Lord quiet you with His love. Remember Whose you are so that you can remind your offspring Whose they are as well! Bring encouragement, affection and praise to the table every day! Cry out to Jesus and let them see the humility it takes to trust your Savior. Likewise, lift His Name on High in the times when you need only to be still and know that He is fighting the battles for you because Christ intercedes for us. Smile and focus your full attention on their faces while they are talking to you. And cuddle with your children… a lot. Let them climb into your lap or lay down to snuggle with you while watching a movie. Leave them notes to tell them how proud you are of them for WHO they are & not just what they have accomplished. Love their fathers well with respect and honor for being the head of your household. Walk slowly and hold their hands out in public. Love and enjoy your days by capturing each moment in your heart like the collection of memories which add up to one huge offering unto God. Sacrifice time, money and energy often. And let go of any distractions which deter you from them being well spent!
In wrapping up , aim to be a good steward, and recognize how communing with Abba and those He gave you in this life is the best use of your days. Walk in integrity. And Cristine, read this over an over again until your very nature reflects every single word from this letter. Reader, if you have read this far, I meant to tell you earlier, this message was addressed to me but I hope it has helped you to see what is most important as well!
If you have yet to read any of my other blogs but are ignited by this one, each and every one of them are jam-packed full of divine insights about how my relationship with the Lord has overflowed into my relationship with myself, my husband and children as well as and others! Our Heavenly Father has shown me so much about the “mommy mission field”! The reason I wrote the Honing Into Home blog is so women would know God better through getting a glimpse into my life. This collection of thoughts magnify how The Author of life has placed us in extremely privileged positions when He made us mothers! The Giver of all things has graciously bestowed upon us these gifts of children to steward well, love on and make disciples for Him! How then will you treat His most treasured possessions?
(Cristine’s definition of mother)
Mothering= Intentionally nurturing the hearts of those created beings whom our massive God has put under our care to nourish, train & shepherd by His Spirit. This is a most exceptional stewardship from Him to us mothers in whatever form it shows itself- ie; adoptive, fostering, older women teaching younger ones- in order for us to ultimately show them the Lord’s love. 
What is your personal definition?
Follow the calling God has for you, Mommies. There is no greater responsibility! Yet that is not something to fear! It is a gift to honor, cherish and be grateful for! My prayer today is all the Mothers out there view their roles as a great stewardship in serving the Lord. Our society, unfortunately, can pull us in many directions. But we must stand strong by the power of His Spirit to keep the main thing the main thing. Let us train up our children in the ways of God! Care for them well, nurture them a lot and be the shepherd who leads your flock with wisdom past this world filled with wolves!!!
Recently, I answered a friend’s email with this reply and thought it was a good thing to post! For all you out there who can relate (wherever it may apply in your life)…”This refining and sanctification process of a mother is not always easy, but God has shown me that He will bring me further faster here with them than a million events/conferences, etc that I could otherwise attend. Real life is here in my home. He is perfecting me to become more and more like His Son Jesus. So, for that I am praising Him- even in the tantrums, “ho-hums” and: “isn’t there more?!!!” days. : )
I am thankful for trials, afflictions, sufferings and troubles in this life. And before you say “That’s crazy. She’s either nuts or lying”– Let me briefly tell you why I am thankful for the sufferings I’ve experienced (which have been many in my 40 years of life). 
Through my most difficult times, I’ve grown closer to God. It’s in those times when He squeezes out everything in me that is not of Him and humbles me. By His Spirit’s power in me, it’s in those times I’ve been given strength to endure that crushing work He’s doing to make me more like Christ. It’s in those times when He’s shown me His great compassion and amazing mercy and abounding love, so I can then give those things in increasing measure to others as well as myself.
The intimacy I’ve found with The Lord during my darkest times have been one of God’s most beautiful gifts because it’s when I find freedom in realizing I’m held when I can’t hold myself up, I’m given breath when I feel like I can’t breathe & I’ve received grace to move farther in my faith than ever imagined. “Do you like pain?” you may be asking. No, I do not. Do I tantrum when I start feeling it? Yes. I fail & fall. And I do both often! But The Lord won’t let go- literally- He holds me tight through the pain (even when I’m faithless in that moment; trying to run or even attempting to battle with the very One who made me). And then, it happens… I find this sweet spot. It’s a place where peace beyond understanding comes, comfort beyond measure is encountered and rest better then any I’ve ever known is found. I am thankful that because of Jesus, I’ve been able to persevere and grow and mature so that, ultimately, I may serve Him better. Those seasons will come for you too, and when they do, know the one you hold onto is holding you!!!
One thought… what if all the hidden things that are done for God like praying and working as unto the Lord within your home (although no one else sees or recognizes it now) were one day on display as a museum in Heaven for all to marvel at as they amplify each of our personal relationships with the Lord while here on earth? The one who knows the very number of hairs on our head is watching. And the children are too. You’ve heard the saying: “They may not always hear what we say but they never fail to imitate!” Ponder that gem as you go about your days, Moms. Your life is a living, walking movie played out in front of those little ones’ whose eyes are watching. That astonishes me with both a holy fear and an excited joy! What about you? Like God has said: “Think on these things.”
Have Godly conversations with your children while driving in the car or hanging out at the house, Moms! I tell you the Truth, if you are training them up to know the Lord, you’ll probably be surprised to find out about just how much they know when it comes to God and His ways! 
So, let me leave you with this enriching thought! Mom’s, let’s not get frazzled today but rather be encouraged! Let us always remember who the Creator of ALL things is to keep our awe of Him! These verses from Jeremiah declare the vast omniscience of God! Jeremiah 31:35 “This is what the Lord says, He who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar- the Lord Almighty is His Name!”
Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Love to you from a girl who received way more than I ever deserved (not because of who I am but rather, in spite of who I am), and only because of the greatest love that ever was found in Jesus Christ; YAHUSHUA ha Mashiach.
The King James translation of First Thessalonians 2:7 reads: “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children“. The word “cherish” is a verb meaning “to care for tenderly; nurture.” My children are learning verbs in grammar so they know that a verb is an action word. Therefore, we must show our love by what we do. And according to the Scripture mentioned above, one aspect of how we moms can show care for our children is to love them like nurses!
Personally, I find that concept astounding since, back in the day, I was a pediatric nurse! Considering the fact that I had human lives in my hands, I was required to be proficient and complete my tasks with accuracy and punctuality in order to keep the doctors on their schedule. But talking to my patients with consoling words and comforting touches also came along with the territory! Calming the children ‘s fears during their doctor’s visits, especially when we had to administer shots, draw blood, give breathing treatments or insert catheters, was a major part of my job responsibility. I mean, as good as my technical skills may have been in carrying out those procedures, nothing replaced a friendly bedside manner! And it was mandatory that I know how to do both well! Same goes for moms here. There is a lot to get done within our “pediatricians office” at home but our routine cannot override our relationship. We moms need to love them like nurses with equal doses of diligence and gentleness!
Serving in the medical field wasn’t a job I could just show up to, sit back and collect a paycheck. It required something(s) of me. Doesn’t love? Doesn’t motherhood? A nurse needs to have physical strength because there is quite a lot of lifting, turning and pulling on any given day. But more than that, nurses need mental stamina because this career field can be an emotionally taxing one, to say the least! Furthermore, had I not learned to absolutely love what I was doing, I knew I’d eventually hate my job! I found the same to be true with motherhood.
Both nursing and “mommying” demand a selfless, service-oriented posture where we embrace being overworked and underpaid. This calls for dedication from the nurse and devotion from the mother. Nurses and mommies lay down their lives for others, putting the care receivers above themselves. Sometimes it costs them sleepless nights or arriving at their “place of employment” under the weather because they know others are depending on them. As a nurse, I got sick days and paid time off. But, as a Mom? Rude awakening. The schedule and compensation package is… a little different. Without a doubt, mommyhood is a full-time labor of love! Oh, but the perks that don’t come in the form of bonuses and paychecks or paid vacations! Cuddles are silver and hugs are gold while sweet cards, “Mommy, I love you’s” and other such tokens of their appreciation are priceless gems! As a former nursing professional, I do not minimize the tireless hours that go into each and every shift. But, the 24/7 nature of motherhood is in a class of its own, isn’t it? Can you see motherhood is not just a job, but a calling? Not just a calling, but a high one? At what magnitude do we rate the stewardship of souls?!
In nursing, my patients were often treated and released. As mothers, our patients don’t stay with us forever, either. We only foster their souls for so long. With that in mind, I pray we shepherd our kids with integrity and upright hearts, as King David said so well! To shepherd young ones is no small undertaking! Moms may mend sick ones back to bodily health like nurses but we also go to the extent of tending to those soul wounds with compassion, prayer and encouragement. A nurse will push proper nutrition, and as informed Moms nourish their children’s bodies best by feeding them healthy foods, we likewise nourish their heart with the Word of God! We get to cover the spiritual, emotional and physical aspects of the child while loving them like nurses!
As you ponder that, think also on this: in First Timothy 5:9 some widows were being considered for the list of care by the Church according to what good deeds they had done in their lives prior to becoming widows. One of the qualities mentioned in such a list was “being well known in the bringing up of her children”. Isn’t it interesting that the position of mother was so revered? Those who cared for others deserved care in return and were appointed just that! From reading the text, one would gather that the virtue of raising children spoke for itself in that day as one to be commemorated (by the Church at least)! And you, too, are accountable and eventually eligible to receive rewards for how you handled your Heavenly Father’s most precious possessions! The question then would be “Did you cherish your children loving them like nurses?”
In conclusion, nurses and mothers could easily be thought of together as angelic missions. And I wholeheartedly believe they are just that! Remember though, Mothers, you weren’t hired. You were called. And it’s a high calling. So, love like nurses who never clock out because that type of love shown will forever be known!
How does one become “purposefully present” in a digital age where technology is one of the main sources of how people work, play and communicate these days? As for myself, in order to accomplish that objective, it’s taken tons of prayer to learn how to guard my heart above all else, as Proverbs says, knowing it is the wellspring of life! Personally, this means making the commitment to eradicate some things in order to give people my full, undivided attention! And in my search for answers, I have found that focused intentionality is the only route for me towards becoming distraction-free and purposefully present!
This Thanksgiving season and beyond, regardless of where you’re at on your personal pilgrimage upon the planet, my plea is that you’d reunite with God’s perfect will to be purposefully present today! For, even in the darkest and most desolate of times, when we abide in the Lord, we discover His presence is paramount! Jesus’ sweet Spirit teaches us how to slow down and pause long enough to relish in the relationships around us. And subsequently, He surprises us with the simple things that were hidden in PLAIN SIGHT all along… like how a meaningful, romantic stare into our spouse’s eyes brings with it mutual endearment. Or when we secretly study our children’s features and expressions with delight, we receive immense joy into our hearts and smiles upon our faces. Or how about those times we show a fondness for a family member or friend’s stories? It often leads us to closer companionship with them! The point here is unmistakable: fully present equals fully gratified! When we are deliberate about resting in each other’s company with the intention to contribute towards someone else’s betterment, in return we can experience such merriment!
For my 10 Year Wedding Anniversary, let’s take a look back at what my refinement has been like as a piece of clay in the Potter’s hands! Over the years, The Divine Potter has meticulously and miraculously molded me into His image so that I could become the Cristine I was created to be for God’s Glory! Over time, every squeeze of His hands applied just the right amount of pressure and was used to transform my ways and will to Christ’s likeness. It didn’t always feel good, to say the least, but a fire is meant to burn after all!
Honestly, the Potter’s chosen methods of forging me through the flames were likened to when the fire is turned up in the kiln! Understandably, the heat had to be high enough to melt me into”pliable matter”! This procedure also purifies, pushing out the waste similar to the searing off of sin from within, which ultimately hinders our reflection of Him! And it seems that I’ve been put into the “Holy Spirit Hot Spot” more often than not! But each time I’m pulled out, I find myself right back in My Potter’s hands which are both strong, affirming I’m secure in them, yet gentle and tender too! Our Master Creator’s firm hands always brought reassurance that I’m handled with care! As He massaged and molded this clay of His, I became warm and soft for use! Through this process of kneading, my soul was fashioned to fit His liking! At the same time, the Potter’s nurturing hands smoothed out the rough places until my countour resembled His very nature! And where this work is not finished, my spiritual structure is now truer to His form, resembling my Heavenly Father more and more as the cycle continues! In 2 Timothy 2, we understand that if we’re willing to be purged and cleansed where we’re tarnished, “we‘ll be prepared for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”
Unlike a piece of ceramic, we are created as God’s treasured possession! The Potter sculpts each one of us as He pleases where we’re eventually polished to His perfection; not perfect like Him but perfect for Him! Throughout the metamorphosis of my life with Christ, the mistakes made along the way became lessons learned which helped frame the person I am today! Years ago all I was able to offer my Lord was a hard, tough piece of earth to work with knowing surely, I was a labor-intensive endeavor for the Potter! Seriously, from Heaven’s perspective, I’m probably viewed as the most major construction project of a person ever! Thankfully, God fearfully and wonderfully crafted us and delights in His design!
Okay, so my analogy is meant to tell how the Expert Potter still constructs masterpieces made from dust! Why not give Him what you have and watch what one day comes to completion! Presently, I can confirm that I am a much better woman because of the blaze within the hearth of His hands! Wherever this blog finds you, trust that Father is faithful to turn your ashes into a beautiful display of The Almighty’s artwork engraved with His inscription! 
Character training is a main vein that runs through the thread of our parenting style. In being a Godly mother and father, we understand the value of raising children for the Kingdom who will exemplify Christ to everyone they meet. This is the very reason why we take the time to passionately pour into them. As parents, my husband and I believe God’s divine plan means that we should have the most influence over our children. This is a major undertaking which encompasses teaching, training and mentoring our son and daughters on how to follow the Lord wholeheartedly.
Our duty is to leave a lofty inheritance of a Heavenly bounty for what the Father calls “our rewards”; aka our offspring. When we view the children through this spiritual lens, we understand the importance of stewarding these gifts in the form of our children! Then, we can aspire to give Glory where Glory’s due by pouring into these blessings, so that one day we may return God’s children back to Him with Kingdom values, morals, and virtues instilled in them!
For years, lots of us moms had this all wrong! I’d watch kids run their parents. I’d hear them yelling at their siblings or shouting in defiance at their mother. Rather than taking up their God-given authority to discipline the child right then and there, they would only ask their child to stop. Seriously? I am mortified by this because the child just continues on in disobedience until either the parent or child gets tired. (And it is usually the mother who gives in, resulting in the child getting their way.) This is called “reactive parenting”.
Truly, I used to struggle with this myself. Instead of getting on the front side of the problem, I’d react just like the mother mentioned above. Only I’d yell. In the above example, the child learns “all I have to do is wear her out to get my way”. On the contrary, like with my personal example, they, unfortunately, learn to behave by fear alone. Neither of these methods is the correct way to”train up a child in the way they should go”, as God directs.
Although the first example of “Spare the rod and spoil the child” is an erroneous parenting method because it relinquishes one’s responsibility to cultivate good character, that doesn’t mean the opposite reaction of yelling is appropriate either. Exacerbating the child is strictly forbidden in Scripture, for “man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires” (see also Eph. 6:4, Col. 3:21). So, what’s the best answer?
Through the Holy Spirit, as well as a variety of wise teachers on the subject, the Lord opened my eyes to a very important fact. When I placed my worth in my child’s opinion of me, I’d respond to them with more of an “approval of man” approach opposed to “this is what God says is best for you” steadfastness.
Ultimately, my job is to help raise arrows who have Godly character and get to know the true nature of the Lord for themselves. In order to fulfill my role as mom and mentor, I must model Jesus myself. This entails living The Word out in my life before them. When I put the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in His proper place, I look to pleasing Him above my children’s opinions. Fear of man creates a child-centric home but fear of God is the beginning of wisdom which keeps Jesus in His rightful place in our parenting; at the center.
In our home, we nurture the child yet correct the behavior as to help shape their character. One example is that we teach them the reason behind the rules like “When I give you directions, it’s to 1) guide you, 2) protect you and/or 3) prepare you for future obedience”.
Now they know we’re not just speaking to be heard, rather equipping them to make wise choices. Another tactic is to not just send them to their room for time out but also ask them to pray about what they did and why they did it. This strategy encourages their hearts to focus on the root cause verse the action itself, preventing behavior modification outcomes alone. Overall, our goal is to groom this next generation to live a life of Love and Truth forevermore at their core and not merely perform well outwardly.
Character training involves intentionality as well as your time, focused energy and plentiful resources! It’s a repetitive process of fostering, shepherding and imparting Biblical Truths until they launch!
Sculpt the souls entrusted to your care by presently investing yourself in your youth! It’s crucial for us to steer those coming up behind us onto the correct course through the tempest waters of the world! Let’s infuse Christ-like qualities into these foundational years of their upbringing by equipping them well! After all the effort, may you see how your “labor was not in vain nor did you bear children for calamity” like Isaiah says. No! On the contrary, watch them sail and soar because of the endowments you’ve sent them off with as they embark on their own with Captain and Commander Himself!
