I usually read before bed. Last night I picked up the book Home-Making by J.R. Miller. I didn’t read for long, but what I read was enough to get my mind going.
I have been thinking about how hard it is to raise a family properly if I am not constantly in God’s word, reading and meditating on His “rules for living”. If I do not stay focused on obeying God’s Word, than I slip into my own selfish ways and the world’s messed up ways of living, which are not only unChristian, but often completely anti-Christian.
Doing things God’s way means we have to study and meditate on His ways. I have to study words like love, mercy, truth, sincerity, obedience, sacrifice. Using the Bible first, and other materials second.
Reading Home-Making last night was like getting a blast of fresh cool air on my soul.
I started thinking about home life and how much I want my children to be best friends. I want peace in my home, and by the grace of God I can say my home is pretty peaceful, but I have noticed the children and I lately, slipping into selfishness. . .and I have noticed that certain ugly tone of voice coming out in both them and in me.
“These things ought not be”
So, I believe God led me to read these words last night:
“It is a happy art, the art of living together in tender love.”
“Where selfishness prevails there can be no real happiness.”
“As love grows, selfishness dies out in the heart. Love is always ready to deny itself, to give, to sacrifice, just in the measure of its sincerity and intensity. Perfect love is perfect self-forgetfulness. Hence, where there is love in a home, unselfishness is the law. Each forgets self and lives for the others.”
“This is the true home spirit. It needs culture. Even the best of us are in danger of growing careless in our family life.”
So, this morning, by the grace of God, I got up determined to serve my children in love. I made scrambled eggs, blueberry muffins, and baked oatmeal for breakfast. I had Ethan take Grace a muffin up in her bed, warm from the oven and placed on a paper napkin. I asked my eager helper (David) to help me make everything.
Sometimes I do things like that without realizing that my heart attitude needs to be the attitude of loving servant.
There is so much joy in serving my family, if I only stop to think that in doing that, I am pleasing my Father in heaven, I am obeying His Word, I am following His will for my life. What bliss! What liberty!
I also had the children each write down ways they can serve each other today:
“I will clean the livingroom for Mom” ~Ethan
“I will bring in Dad’s bags.” ~Ethan
“I will draw Jacob a picture.” ~Grace
“I will give Dad a kiss.” ~Grace
“I will help Ethan with math.” ~Jacob
“I will protect Grace.” ~Jacob
“I will read to David and Caleb.” ~Jacob
I made a list, too. I asked the children what they would like me to do for them. They want to make cookies with me, and they all want back-scratches. I’ll be playing catch with Ethan and painting Grace’s nails.
David has been wanting watermelon all week. I’m going to go out and buy him the biggest one we can find.
I’ll be going to Costco to buy Rich some luggage for our trip and making sure I look pretty for him when he gets home.
I only share all of this to encourage you. God’s standards are high because He knows that even believers can slip lower and lower until we are living in strife and ugliness, until we look no different than the rest of the world.
So live for your family today. Pick up flowers for your wife on the way home. Bake your husband his favorite treat. Go to the store to buy some good healthy snacks and have a weekend with your family that feels like a celebration, rather than ho-hum. Hug with your whole heart. Clean the kids up, or get them get dirty, whatever they need the most of. Play, rest, read, grow, smile, laugh!
“By love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor (and your family members) as thyself.” Galations 5:13-14
Grace, enjoying her (fifth) muffin:
Good to be Home 
What a cute picture of Grace enjoying her muffin (No.5!!) Oh that we would all be more “giving’! — we do get selfish at times!! — have a great vacation!
Such good quotes! and so true.
Rather wish I had been there for breakfast! Sounds scrumptous!
“Where selfishness prevails there can be no real happiness.”
This is so true, and yet so hard! It is at the root of every single thing we struggle with.
The list the kids made was such a great idea!!!
What an inspiring and stimulating post….to unselfishly give, which in turn encourages others to do the same.To live like this takes practice. Our selfish nature rebels against such kindness….but like you said, it is the right thing to do, and the more that Christ is in our attitude, the more fun this kind of living becomes.Happy, pleasant, and joy-filled day to you and yours.
Beautiful! Being a Mom can be the best character training ground.
Last fall I made it a point to read I Corinthians 13 every day for three months. I think it’s time to refresh my memory.
That’s what we’ve been working on this week. I’ve found that is the root of a lot Ainsley’s problems – when someone is not doing exactly as she would like she lashes out. We’ve spent a lot of time talking about others’ feelings and thinking before we speak and act. But those are hard lessons even for us grown-ups.
Have a wonderful trip. I’ll miss you. 🙂 Enjoy your family.
I think you must have posted this for me……with everything going on around here, family time has been neglected, and I can see it coming through.
Thanks, friend~
I love how Jacob said he would protect Grace. That is so sweet. That breakfast looks yummy! Love the picture of Grace enjoying it!
Whenever I think of wanting our home to be more peaceful, I always think of the kids fighting less. I have never really thought of me serving them. Of course I do serve them, thats what a mom does. But really serving them, with the right attitude. Thats something I need to work on. I always think of improving their behavior instead of thinking of improving mine and leading by example. Some of the things you said have really challenged me personally.
Thank you for this- I really needed to be reminded of this today. Your breakfast sounds so yummy! I hope you have a wonderful trip!
That is a very touching post. I am always encouraged with your posts. From reading them, you seem to be doing a great job and you’re very good with creating things for the family to do. Your children are incredibly lucky to have such a mom.
I’m not so good with giving, although I am working on it and my mind is always churning with different ideas. Sadly, most of the things I think of, I don’t follow through with.
My sister and I are taking a class at a church–Financial Freedom–and I have begun to see things in a different light. One that I knew was there, but one that I have neglected to see. We had a class last night and we discussed tithing and giving and how important it is to give for your lives sake.
So here is a question: If you are not affiliated with a church, how do you tithe? Would giving to an organization like March of Dimes, or some other charitable organization be along the same lines?
Reading this was like taking in a big breath of pure air Shan! Thank you for sharing this and encouraging me! I LOVE YOU!
What a beautiful post… I was blessed and greatly encouraged
Beautiful.
Thank you for sharing this! This has been on my heart lately too. I am encouraged! 🙂
I love reading your posts and seeing the pics of your family, but this was truly your very best post. Thank you for reminding me to serve my family (which is the manifestation of loving them). Have a great weekend!
Beautiful post ~ and Grace, dear girl, could you eat another one, just for me??
“Where selfishness prevails there can be no real happiness.”when I saw this quote…It made me think of a quote that has stayed with me…”Where worry is present, Trust cannot crowd its way in.”
What a delightful read! It speaks to my heart.
The emphasis on serving – so important! I just love that photo of Grace; she look as those she is experiencing pure ecstasy in eating that muffing!
I LOVE that book as well. I keep it right beside my bed and find a new “nugget” each time I open the pages. Praying you have a WONDERFUL vacation with your family.
Great post and great reminder. I think that’s a book I need to read as well.Blessings for a great weekendMelody
Great post! Thank you!
great reminder. timely for me here. amazing how quickly our perspective changes when we focus on others~happy packing there! (=D
What a beautiful post and day! I am so encouraged by your posts, quotes, stories, pictures…thank you! Precious picture of Grace, and her obvious enjoyment. I am looking forward to having some pictures from the past scanned this weekend….so will be able to do some fun posts! Jenny
wonderful, just beautiful and so true!! I love it. God has been definately working on my heart this past weekend about this. Thanks Shan.