As moms and in-charge-of-stuff women, we know that December can be one of the craziest months of the year. The month fills up so quickly with parties, trips and to-do lists. We hear it from everywhere, "Slow down! Enjoy the season! Have a simple Christmas!" but it's much easier to say than do. Life is full, Christmas is for celebrating and December just gets filled up with stuff! Of course, we are smart mamas and can get up early, grab the latest Christmas devotional and walk through Advent with our minds planted firmly on Jesus' birth and the wise men's gifts. We can juggle the school parties and still keep our hearts in worship as we wrap presents. But can our kids do the same? I picture my children's minds like a big colander---it's being stuffed with all of these bright, shiny, whirling, twirling Christmas Things and I wonder what will be left after it's had a good rinsing and shaking? How can we help our kids know the real meaning of Christmas? How can we lead our kids in excitement, not just about the birth of a baby, but about the beginning of a rescue plan to save the world?! Here's a few tips for you and your kids this season: 1. Kids meditate with their hands. You and I like the idea of a prayer closet with a cuppa, a Bible and a blank journal. Kids need space to learn! They need the focus of coloring, the creativity of a craft and the bouncing up and down of a game. Try reading Luke 2 and then do a craft about the manger and the shepherds and see what conversations and recollection happens at the same time! 2. Kids learn in small doses. Kids need small bites of the meat of God's Word. One verse about the manger. One day about the swaddling clothes. One activity about Joseph. One story about Mary and Elizabeth. It takes longer, but those those small stories get buried deeper! 3. Kids love repetition. This isn't a surprise as your child has a beloved book that's been read over-and-over-and-over-and-over again. Christmas should be the same--read and talk about The Story over and over. Let them hear it so many times they can't help but know it and know it good. Let it be a strong and deep foundation that every other piece of glitter and sparkle stands on. When looking at Advent and December, help your children be like King David and say, "I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done." (Psalm 143:5) When you give your kids time and space to interact with God's Word, they will see Christmas as a loving miracle from God's hands---a special gift to cherish for themselves and for the whole world! Amanda is the author of a special Advent book that helps parents lead their kids in daily meditations on the Christmas story from the Bible. Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands gives parents and kids instructions for a daily reading, ornament craft and fun conversations and activities to help families remember, meditate and consider the best present of all--Jesus! Use code MISSIONALWOMEN to receive 20% off at the Truth in the Tinsel website! About Amanda Amanda White is a stay-at-home mom of two who blogs at ohAmanda.com and is the author of Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands. In her former life, Amanda was a Children’s Pastor — overseeing, organizing and developing ministry for kids in nursery through middle school, but now that she is a mom, her “skills” are used up on her kids! If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right.
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This is part of the Not About Me November series. Check out the rest of the series here. So to be real, I struggle being a mom. Maybe it's just me, though somehow I doubt it. I love my kids but sometimes they actually drive me crazy. Sometimes I think someone might have to ship me off to the loony bin because I turned into a zombie from the continual whining and complaining. And then there's the never-ending discipline and the destruction... "No, don't peel that wall paper off the wall!" "Why would you squirt that in your brothers hair?" And the having to cut the gum out of my hair because someone left it on the couch. Is this seriously worth it? I'm like almost grey! And I'm 37! So what makes being a mom worth it? Why in the world is this season of insanity important? Should I treasure this time and cherish it because I'll never get to hear those cute little things they say again? Or is it that they will grow up to be something great someday? (Can I just tell you how much I hear that with my two strong-willed boys) But what if they make bad choices and end up in jail? Or what if they choose a career that really isn't that great? Then was it not worth it? Or what if something happens and they are physically unable to be the greatest __________? What really makes being a mom worth it? That is the question. Because there is just too much sacrifice wasted to get it wrong. So here it is. Being a mom is valuable because each tiny soul is the handiwork of God. Each precious child is uniquely made to give the world a little glimpse of what God is like. So unique that no one else to have ever existed can display the same incredible characteristic of God. His finger prints are on them. Being a mom is worth it because of the eternal value of what's been entrusted. For instance say I had a $100 bill to give you. But I wadded it up and spit on it. Is it still valuable? Of course! Why? Because of who made it. I can print off a $100 bill but it would be worthless. It's only valuable because the US Mint made it. Mothering is worth it because we have been entrusted with an eternally precious masterpiece. Mothering is worth it not because of what they will become or what they do or don't do but because of who made them. They are eternal God reflectors. That is why motherhood is worth it. That is why each grey hair and each soul scratching whine is worth it. Because that wee-one is made in the image of God. About LauraLaura, the creator and host of Missional Women is married and has five kids, two of whom are adopted. Laura and her husband have been missionaries to college students for 12 years serving with Master Plan Ministries. Laura is the Women's Development Coordinator and has discipled over 150 girls, led over 30 Bible studies and speaks to college and women's groups. Laura has authored 5 books, including an award winning 12 week Bible Study on First Samuel, Beholding Him, Becoming Missional, Reach; How to Use Your Social Media Influence for the Glory of God, and A Devotional Journey through Judges, a devotional to accompany the free online Bible study at TheBookofJudges.com. You can find her on facebook,twitter, pinterest, youtube, instagram and her author site. If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right. Sharing this over at these awesome blogs This is first in a the Not About Me November series. Check out the rest of the series here. Did you know the verses about training a child in the way they should go is actually talking about career training. Training a child to use their abilities, talents and resources to make Jesus known is a big stewardship. I am just about to finish Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell (which is absolutely fascinating!) and he has gathered a ton of research and basically come to the conclusion that people are good at things because of the time put into it. It's not about how gifted someone is, rather it's about the amount of time they had to devote. He shows example after example of how the opportunities each person was given gave them the gift of time to devote to something that then led to success. So devoted practice time equals success. But of course, we see that all over Proverbs. Seeking, or putting in effort leads to success. So if we want our kids to succeed at things, they just need time devoted to it. So our kids can do anything. That's a scary, weighty and inspiring thought. So how do we decide? Is it what we want them to do or what we think they would like to do? Or is it what fits in the schedule or what we can afford? My husband and I have been wrestling through this question and as a result started a Kids Development Journal. Our kids exist to glorify God, which basically means to make Him known. In the journal I have made a section for each of our kids and written down their strengths and weaknesses spiritually, physically, socially and psychologically (emotionally and mentally). Then with the end goal in mind of them knowing God and making Him known with their life figuring out which areas we need to focus on. Then with those main ones we can figure out which activities are a best fit for the end goal of our little one's development of being about the global mission of God of making disciples of all nations. We are still young in the process but I am grateful to have a grid to help us navigate what activities to put our time, energy and money toward since there are so many good things. But I believe keeping the end goal in mind will help us not forfeit the best because of the good. Because really our kids development is not about us but about being good stewards of the little souls the Lord entrusted to us. Here's a free printable to help you work through the same things we are with our kiddos. To download just enter your email and click the image of page one below. About LauraLaura, the creator and host of Missional Women is married and has four kids, two of whom are adopted. Laura and her husband have been missionaries to college students for 11 years serving with Master Plan Ministries. Laura is the Women's Development Coordinator and has discipled over 150 girls, led over 30 Bible studies and speaks to college and women's groups. Laura _has authored 5 books, including an award winning 12 week Bible Study on First Samuel, Beholding Him, Becoming Missional, Reach; How to Use Your Social Media Influence for the Glory of God, and A Devotional Journey through Judges, a devotional to accompany the free online Bible study at TheBookofJudges.com. You can find her on facebook,twitter, pinterest, youtube, instagram and her author site. If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right. Sharing this over at these awesome blogs I went to the doctor expecting to find cancer. But instead she walks in with this little stick with some lines…. “Uh…. What’s that?” I asked sounding not very smooth. “It’s positive!” She responds. God, what the heck?! I gave babies over to you! Months ago!! I was so looking forward to adopting. I thought that it was actually good timing that I wasn’t with all the changes with becoming campus directors and hopefully buying a house this year. I thought since I would be the main women on campus it was GOOD that I didn’t have kids because then I could do more of what YOU want me to do on campus. Wasn’t that your plan?? Once again, just like what God was teaching me when I struggled with not having kids naturally, GOD has a wonderful plan. Did I believe it? Even after a positive test, I still didn’t believe those medical professionals telling me I was pregnant. “My body is weird, I must be reacting oddly to rupturing that cyst in June… That must be it. My body makes big cysts, not little babies.” But then I saw the little peanut! All I could do was laugh!! I think I understand a little bit how Sarah felt. Like, “No joke! For real there is a baby in there!” I would laugh, and my belly and baby would move identically on the screen – this wasn’t a joke. This was real! If anything has been reiterated more in my mind since we found out about our itty bitty Hillie it’s this – GOD has a plan. God creates life. GOD is in control. GOD DOES have a wonderful plan that simply just not my own plan. Because the point to our own lives isn’t to make US happy and comfortable, but to make much of GOD! Can He do that with struggling to have babies? Absolutely! Can He do that when you’re starring parenthood in the eyes? Absolutely! Because the point isn’t a lack or an abundance of babies – the point is God! I kept thinking that once I was pregnant I would be so filled with joy and it would complete something in me. Like something in my walk with God would suddenly click on because my mothering genes finally get to be put to use. But that’s not necessarily true. I truly am so excited for this blessing of a baby! There are times I look at my belly and just marvel at this miracle in there. But at the same time, I still have the same struggles I had when I wasn’t pregnant. I still need to daily rely on God for the energy I need to make it through the day. I still need to spend time with God, and I still need to trust God that He has a plan. It’s not like I don’t have struggles like when I was facing infertility – I now just have new struggles. And you know what? I’m so glad! I’m glad that God in His infinite wisdom tests and tries us so we have to trust Him. I’m glad that we don’t just reach this point of trusting God to where He rewards us with all the things we ever wanted. He blesses us because He’s a good and gracious God. And He blesses us by not giving us good things at certain times. I’m glad that God wants to show off when He chooses to and not when I throw a fit. Overall, I’m just really glad God does things His way, don’t you? Dear Lord, Thank you for having a plan that I have to trust you with! Thank you for making it to where I have to keep trusting you regardless of the circumstances in life. Thank you for the three years where Malcolm and I got to be just us, and thank you for the years ahead the we get as parents. I pray for my friends out there who are struggling with infertility that you will comfort them and bring them the truth of the joy in their situation right now. I pray that we all, regardless of children, will be focused on You and Your mighty plan. In Your name I pray… About LeahLeah works with Master Plan Ministries at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. Other than watching college students' lives change, she enjoys getting her mind blown by God and His Word, watching sci fi, baking cupcakes, and spending time with her hunky husband. If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right.
Sharing this over at these awesome blogs Ministry, in many ways, is not so different from corporate America. I discovered this truth while growing up in a pastor’s home. While my home was quite different than most, what I saw in other pastors’ homes broke my heart – and continues to break my heart to this day. Absentee fathers in the home. Mothers too busy for family. Latch-key kids longing for attention. And it is not frowned upon so much because it is all in the name of ministry and church. While most would never say that ministers must sacrifice their families for ministry, their actions speak for themselves. And the result of such sacrifice is not positive, nor does it bear good fruit. Oh yes, there are those whose ministries thrive as hundreds - perhaps thousands - come to Christ because of their sacrifice. And yet while achieving this spiritual success, they have lost the foremost ministry given to them - their family. No, perhaps their marriages didn't end in divorce and maybe their kids didn't end up in gangs or strung out in a crack house somewhere. But the picture I saw flashed one ministry kid after another who either lived a good life apart from a thriving relationship with Jesus Christ, or remained in church while harboring deep-seated resentment toward the ministry for robbing them of involved parents. And here is where I must congratulate my parents for what they did right! How to raise a functioning family in the ministry 1. Take regular days off that are truly off. Turn off your cell phone, do not check your email, and even stay off of social media if it tempts you to work. 2. Teach your children to take phone messages. I remember my dad teaching us to tell parishioners that he was not available, but would call back the next day. We would tell them that if it was urgent (but not life-threatening) to call the associate pastor. This helped to protect him from the temptation to work on his days off. 3. Schedule family outings. Another temptation is to make days off all about you. When my siblings and I were little, my dad used to spend every day off on the golf course. He soon realized that days off were not about him, they were about family, and to maintain a functioning family, you have to build family relationships. This can only be done when families are together! 4. Let the Lord build the house. I truly believe that many ministers have a deep root of fear that if they hold their church loosely they will fail in some way; either their church will accuse them of slacking, the zeal for God's house will wane, or they will be voted out for someone who is more dedicated. Yet we must ask ourselves, are we laboring in vain? If we are sacrificing our families for ministry, and we lose our children in the process, then yes - we are laboring in vain. This is a sacrifice that the Lord does not honor! My siblings and I are living proof that you can raise healthy, functioning families in ministry with children who are not the quintessential "pastor's kids" or "missionary kids", who are out of control and obnoxious. We are living proof that you can raise children in ministry who go on to serve the Lord with passion and abandon! But to do so, you must first invest at home; for when you do, you will find that you will have far more in reserve to give to your ministry because you will no longer labor alone, but in the exponential power of a family laboring arm-in-arm, marching forward together in a mighty call to labor in fields of the Lord! About RosilindRosilind is an American girl married to a Bosnian guy who lives in a small village just outside of Zagreb. They have two crazy boys 3 and under who are as opposite as boys can be. When Rosilind isn't writing, she is dreaming up recipes and searching for ways to organize her home better. You can find her at A Little R & R where she writes about missions, marriage and family, toddler activities, and her recipes. You will also find her on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Want to read more from this contributor? Put her name in the search box at the top.
Sharing this article over at these awesome blogs She’s been hurting; teething times four; aching for more than some Anbesol; needing a healing touch from the One who watches over her; here in our foster home. Her one and a half year-old self, shifts restless, angry, uncertain as to why pain resurrects in places she can’t see. And as a parent, we learn fast, don’t we…no two children are the same. So I pray, grab her tightly in my arms, and start rocking and singing, “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world…” One verse leads to another, until almost magically, her hard look softens, body starts calming, and the windows to her soul, watch curiously, my face as I sing. In hopes of savoring this peace I am seeing, I keep singing, “Jesus died for all the children…” leading to, “Jesus rose for all the children…” and finally “Jesus lives for all the children...” But then I realize, Jesus death and resurrection, the entire gospel message was hidden right there in a toddler song. And wouldn’t it have been funny if I would have given this newly walking child, the finer points of doctrine, theologically schooling her on Armenian vs. Calvinism? Sounds ludicrous, doesn’t it? Apostle Paul gave us a key to missional living, “to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to men under the Law, [I became] as one under the law…” And “To those without (outside) law I became as one without law, not that I am without the law of God and lawless toward Him, but that I am [especially keeping] within and committed to the law of Christ, that I might win those who are without law.” (1 Cor 9:19-21 Amp) Paul goes on to say, “to the weak, I become weak”, and for the sake of the good news, ”I have become all things to all men”. (verse 22) Like Paul, if we are going to reach diverse cultures, places, people, age groups for the sake of Jesus, we must take from the wisdom Paul gave, using His model for conversion, instead of trying to strain people through some “one size fits all”, rules-based, Pharisaical legalistic system, demanding external laws, lives unflawed, and perfectionism void of any grace before others can find their place in the holy temple of God. And just as Jesus death and resurrection tore open the veil and gave all of us the same access into the secret places of God; we can, no matter our history, past, or calling, like Paul, come freely and be one with a God who taught us, love weighs more than law. A friend with a Master’s degree in theology sits in our home; another desperately seeking an Upper Room experience shares the same meal. Over our life-time, we have spent hours enthusiastically discussing apologetics with a friend we have met with for years. Paul’s model challenging us; will we die to our mold of evangelism, freely and willingly becoming what is needed to advance the gospel as a response to God’s call to a missional life? If we are going to lead the multitudes to Christ, shouldn't we first realize there is no formula to grow others in Christ? Might not the gospel come in the form of a song to an infant, a prayer with the prophetic, or a theological investigation with the highly trained and educated? What matters is not how we point to Jesus, but that we are prepared to give an answer to everyone for the hope that it is in us (1 Peter 3:15), meeting people where they are at, personalizing the gospel so other might receive it, trusting emphatically His Spirit to lead us as we bring others to The Resurrected One, behind the torn veil. About JenThough born, raised, and still living only miles from where she grew up, Jen's heart lies in the nations. Jen loves the beautiful tapestry found in the wide diversity of people, different cultures, and all nations. Jen and her husband have been married twenty years, and have parented fifteen kids and counting; twelve foster, one adopted, and two bios. Her multi-racial family reflects her passion for unity, desire for faith without walls, and missional mindset to share both the gospel and the power of redemption to a world desperately needing the hope found in Jesus Christ. Jen and her husband have led in a variety of ministries; including prayer, small groups, children's, and women’s. Jen advocates for the orphan as a board member for the non-profit, A New Song; and loves doing missions work internationally, along with her family. You can find Jen writing about faith, while challenging her readers at her blog, Rich Faith Rising, as well as at tweeting faith-filled messages @Jen_Avellaneda . Jen is also on facebook. If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right.
Sharing this over at these awesome blogs Ever had that kind of day where kids won’t stop crying and you just want to crawl back into bed, throw the covers over your head, and press an imaginary button on your alarm clock that says, “Turn back time”? Motherhood is under a holocaust. There is a real life, in your face assault against parenthood going on. It is underway every day, in every nation, in every city…but we just don’t see it. It hides in the shopping commercials, the ads luring us to travel to exotic places; it creeps in through “the good life” promises, and derogatory statements on social media. I mean, haven’t we all heard someone downplayed motherhood, saying, “I am just a mom.” But friends, this, motherhood-is-a-wasted-life theory is a lie, tempting to deceitfully derail us. It says, “Someone else’s life is better”, or “parenting has no joy or no fulfillment.” Statistics today report, at an ever increasing rate, moms are abandoning their husbands, children, even entire households. Women are walking away from their label “motherhood”…because someone somewhere has convinced them that they deserve more than changing diapers, attending children’s mundane needs, or listening to kids bicker all day. I mean, haven’t we all seen the crumbled families, the motherless children, the families broken because someone justified, “another life” must be better than the one that God by grace has given me? I don’t know about you, but I have joked (sometimes not always smiling) with my husband on those awful, terrible, really hard days when I just don’t think I can go on, “I am running away”. Please tell me you have threatened this too…or at least thought it? But friends, God never wanted our self-centeredness. He simply asks for our obedient faithfulness. He calls us not to be the designer of our own destiny, but to align our heart with His, laying down our wills for the sake of family. I mean, let’s look at scripture. From the beginning of time there has been an assault against children and families: Cain killed Abel due to jealousy; Essau and Jacob battled due to their mother’s favoritism; people worshipped false gods like Molech, throwing live children into the fire for so-called purification; leaders like Pharaoh and Herod slaughter children, wanting alone to be the one and only Savior. But God says family is precious. He welcomes, loves, and delights in children. Psalms 127:3-5 says, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!” Do you need six ways to treasure the little ones God has placed in your life? Remember their position. (Matt 18:1-25) When you feel what you’re doing is useless, remember to God, children are “greatest in the Kingdom”. Be approachable. (Mark 10:14) The more you are with your children, the more your heart will mold with them. Time and attention always increases love. Protect your children. Our job is to do more than love and feed our children, but to protect them from dark influences, people, and situations. (Luke 17:2) Provide everything your child needs for life and godliness. (1 Tim 5:8) That includes spiritual training. Pray over your children. (Matt 19:13-20) Don’t be afraid to lay hands on your children and speak life over their little lives. Give room for the Lord to work in your children’s lives. (Isaiah 54:13) Remember, He is the God who plans our children’s steps and ordains their lives. Motherhood isn’t always laughing and amusement parks, but if we look at what God says about children, we will find motherhood is some of the most holy, sacred work there is. About JenThough born, raised, and still living only miles from where she grew up, Jen's heart lies in the nations. Jen loves the beautiful tapestry found in the wide diversity of people, different cultures, and all nations. Jen and her husband have been married twenty years, and have parented fifteen kids and counting; twelve foster, one adopted, and two bios. Her multi-racial family reflects her passion for unity, desire for faith without walls, and missional mindset to share both the gospel and the power of redemption to a world desperately needing the hope found in Jesus Christ. Jen and her husband have led in a variety of ministries; including prayer, small groups, children's, and women’s. Jen advocates for the orphan as a board member for the non-profit, A New Song; and loves doing missions work internationally, along with her family. You can find Jen writing about faith, while challenging her readers at her blog, Rich Faith Rising, as well as at tweeting faith-filled messages @Jen_Avellaneda . Jen is also on facebook. If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search
box on the top right. Sharing this over at these awesome blogs Recently I discovered KidsonMission.com and I'm pretty sure it may be one of my favorite websites. Here's why. I deeply want my kids to know the Lord and walk with Him. But not just be Christians in a little Christian bubble living as consumers. I want them to live on mission. I want them to live as though this life were about Jesus and making Him known. But here's my problem. I know college ministry. It's what I've done for 12 years. And though we try to include our kids as much as we are able, it just seems they can't really be effective in the ministry we do till they get older. That's the temptation, to think kids have to grow up first before they can live missionally. And I just know that isn't truth, but honestly since I just don't understand kids ministry I have no idea on how to help them live missionally. That's why I love Kids on Mission. They know how and not only teach me, but show me and give me everything I need to help give my kids opportunities to serve now, not have to wait till their older. And reality is stated well in Philemon 6 "Be active in sharing the gospel that you might know everything good thing you have in Christ." When people get to see God use them for eternal purposes in causes something click, it's the most rewarding sense of fulfillment there is. I want my kids to have that. I want them to be able to store up treasure starting when they are young, not have to wait till they are old. I want them to have many experiences with the Lord of getting to see God use them. So I praise God for Kids on Mission in providing their incredible resources! You'll just have to check it out to see what I mean. And you can subscribe and follow on facebook. Here's a little bit about them. Kids on Mission: Making a world of difference through hands-on missions experiences The world may seem like a big place to your children, and God’s heart for the world may seem like a big topic to cover. But everyone has a role in reaching the nations with the Gospel, BIG and small. It’s that simple! Adding missions to your ministry doesn’t need to be complicated. Kids On Mission wants to help you in leading your children to learn, pray and serve in God’s world. |