Have you ever just wanted to sit around and drink coffee and eat snacks all day? Let the kids run wild, the laundry pile up, and throw the whole "schedule" out the window?
The Word says in Proverbs 31:17 (message) "First thing in the morning she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, and is eager to get started. She senses the worth in her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. She's skilled in the crafts of the home and hearth, diligent in homemaking."
How many of us actually have a plan for the day? I never did and I always snickered at others that did. We just did whatever we wanted....back when I had one child and even with two. Once three came I felt the tension and then with four God finally broke me down and I realized that we just cannot do the same things we did before. We have made changes to our routines. Or shall I say "adopted" a routine.
Today we are scheduled. Somethings are by time and others by day. I recently started a laundry schedule. It works for us and now I don't feel like I am always doing laundry. Start by scheduling bedtime and wake up times. Snacks, lunch, and dinner. Keep to it for a week and add one more thing at a time. If it doesn't work stop and try something else! Have a purpose for your each and every day!
Here is of some of our basic routines.
Food:
7:00 Breakfast
9:30 Snack
12:00 Lunch
3:00 Snack
5:00 Dinner
7:00 Snack
Sleep:
6:30 Wake Up
9:30 Baby Ruth 45m nap
12:30-2:30 Nap/Quiet Time
7:30 Bedtime
Laundry:
Monday - Mom/makayla's sheets
Tuesday - Makayla/Ruthie
Wednesday - Dad/master sheets
Thursday - Mikey/sheets
Friday - Hannah/sheets
Saturday - Towels/Ruthie's sheets
Monday, March 22, 2010
Menu for Week of March 22nd
"She's up before dawn preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day." Proverbs 31:15
Monday: Turkey Chili w/bread and salad
Tuesday: Crockpot Chicken w/Rice
Wednesday: Beef/Broccoli Pasta Alfredo
Thursday: Turkey Tacos
Friday: Ministry Meeting - Dinner out
Saturday: Pulled Chicken Suiza Sammies (trying this one out this week)
Monday: Turkey Chili w/bread and salad
Tuesday: Crockpot Chicken w/Rice
Wednesday: Beef/Broccoli Pasta Alfredo
Thursday: Turkey Tacos
Friday: Ministry Meeting - Dinner out
Saturday: Pulled Chicken Suiza Sammies (trying this one out this week)
Sunday: Lunch out with Friends/Sandwiches for dinner
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Not Always The Way We Thought...
For several years I have been working on staff, part time, at our church assistanting the minister of the preschool ministry. When I started I had my two oldest girls. Just over a year ago I delivered number four. Everything changed....we cannot do the things we used to do and I don't have the energy I once had. With four children five and under life turned somewhat complicated.
Just before the 2009 holiday season my husband stepped into a ministry position as the Children's Pastor over 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders. It soon became obvious that my season ministering with the preschoolers was over and God desired for us to serve in a ministry together. It is hard to walk away. The change is huge for me. I am giving up income that we use to pay for our oldest daughter's tuition. We had been contimplating the change for a couple months and thought we would want until the end of the school year for me to leave so that we could continue using my income for tuition. After all, my income completely went towards tuition, uniforms, and gas to go back and forth to school.
At the beginning of the month God assured us that this was the time and He would provide everything if we would just walk in obedience. I submitted my notice but kept trying to figure out how God was going to provide. Silly really. I thought my husband would start earning a wage for his service Pastoring the children. At least the amount we are loosing from my decrease in wages. No. God had another plan and I didn't even realize what had happened because I was waiting for "my plan" to break through. My husband was introducing me to his volunteers and sharing the exciting news that I would be working with them after the end of the month and it clicked. He was saying, "God is so good. We stepped out in faith and obedience on this issue and He provided. I just received another promotion at work!" Gosh! He told me that the other day but it didn't process. That was the break through we were waiting for and I missed it!
Have you ever missed the provision because you were too busy waiting for "your plan" to work out?
Just before the 2009 holiday season my husband stepped into a ministry position as the Children's Pastor over 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders. It soon became obvious that my season ministering with the preschoolers was over and God desired for us to serve in a ministry together. It is hard to walk away. The change is huge for me. I am giving up income that we use to pay for our oldest daughter's tuition. We had been contimplating the change for a couple months and thought we would want until the end of the school year for me to leave so that we could continue using my income for tuition. After all, my income completely went towards tuition, uniforms, and gas to go back and forth to school.
At the beginning of the month God assured us that this was the time and He would provide everything if we would just walk in obedience. I submitted my notice but kept trying to figure out how God was going to provide. Silly really. I thought my husband would start earning a wage for his service Pastoring the children. At least the amount we are loosing from my decrease in wages. No. God had another plan and I didn't even realize what had happened because I was waiting for "my plan" to break through. My husband was introducing me to his volunteers and sharing the exciting news that I would be working with them after the end of the month and it clicked. He was saying, "God is so good. We stepped out in faith and obedience on this issue and He provided. I just received another promotion at work!" Gosh! He told me that the other day but it didn't process. That was the break through we were waiting for and I missed it!
Have you ever missed the provision because you were too busy waiting for "your plan" to work out?
Friday, March 19, 2010
No Time for GOD?!?!
As mother's of young children we often find ourselves so wrapped up in the "survival" of every day that we lack the maintanence of our foundation. How do we thrive with young children around seeking our constant attention? Here are some tips that have helped me.
1. Do you have time-stealers in your life? Facebook, Twitter, TV, email, internet, phone, text? They may seem harmless but they take up alot of time.
2. Intentionally plan time with God. Just as you cannot live without nap time...you also cannot live without God time. With my full, noisy, busy house I have to find creative ways to get the WORD. Gather your kids together and read aloud. Write down verses or passages and leave them in your car, the kitchen, or the laundry room so as you go about your daily chores you can connect with God.
3. Put Bibles in several spots around your house so you can pick it up anytime and get a verse or two.
4. Use the first few minutes of nap time to refill your spirit. Even if you get a few verses or can get through a devotional. If your kids don't nap designate quiet time. They can color or read a book in the quiet zone while you get refreshed.
5. Escape for a few minutes. Sometimes I run up to Sonic for a Coke and read or mediatate on the word in the car after Daddy gets home. Or fold clothes in the laundry room or seek into a closet for a quick passage. Sounds silly but you do what you have too so you can get recharged.
6. Practice God's presence "in the midst" of choas. God doesn't leave because you are busy. He can minister to you as you prep dinner, comfort a crying child, or sort laundry.
7. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom and discernment as you discover what will work for your family. It is God's will for you to know Him, ask Him to enable you to creatively pursue that in this season of your life. The house, stuff, and even time will all pass away. God's word is eternal.
Proverbs 2: 1-10 says:
1 MY DAUGHTER, if you will receive my words and treasure up my commandments within you, 2 Making your ear attentive to skillful and godly Wisdom and inclining and directing your heart and mind to understanding [applying all your powers to the quest for it]; 3 Yes, if you cry out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek [Wisdom] as for silver and search for skillful and godly Wisdom as for hidden treasures, 5 Then you will understand the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of [our omniscient] God. 6 For the Lord gives skillful and godly Wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He hides away sound and godly Wisdom and stores it for the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with Him); He is a shield to those who walk uprightly and in integrity, 8 That He may guard the paths of justice; yes, He preserves the way of His saints. 9 Then you will understand righteousness, justice, and fair dealing [in every area and relation]; yes, you will understand every good path. 10 For skillful and godly Wisdom shall enter into your heart, and knowledge shall be pleasant to you.
1. Do you have time-stealers in your life? Facebook, Twitter, TV, email, internet, phone, text? They may seem harmless but they take up alot of time.
2. Intentionally plan time with God. Just as you cannot live without nap time...you also cannot live without God time. With my full, noisy, busy house I have to find creative ways to get the WORD. Gather your kids together and read aloud. Write down verses or passages and leave them in your car, the kitchen, or the laundry room so as you go about your daily chores you can connect with God.
3. Put Bibles in several spots around your house so you can pick it up anytime and get a verse or two.
4. Use the first few minutes of nap time to refill your spirit. Even if you get a few verses or can get through a devotional. If your kids don't nap designate quiet time. They can color or read a book in the quiet zone while you get refreshed.
5. Escape for a few minutes. Sometimes I run up to Sonic for a Coke and read or mediatate on the word in the car after Daddy gets home. Or fold clothes in the laundry room or seek into a closet for a quick passage. Sounds silly but you do what you have too so you can get recharged.
6. Practice God's presence "in the midst" of choas. God doesn't leave because you are busy. He can minister to you as you prep dinner, comfort a crying child, or sort laundry.
7. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom and discernment as you discover what will work for your family. It is God's will for you to know Him, ask Him to enable you to creatively pursue that in this season of your life. The house, stuff, and even time will all pass away. God's word is eternal.
Proverbs 2: 1-10 says:
1 MY DAUGHTER, if you will receive my words and treasure up my commandments within you, 2 Making your ear attentive to skillful and godly Wisdom and inclining and directing your heart and mind to understanding [applying all your powers to the quest for it]; 3 Yes, if you cry out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek [Wisdom] as for silver and search for skillful and godly Wisdom as for hidden treasures, 5 Then you will understand the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of [our omniscient] God. 6 For the Lord gives skillful and godly Wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He hides away sound and godly Wisdom and stores it for the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with Him); He is a shield to those who walk uprightly and in integrity, 8 That He may guard the paths of justice; yes, He preserves the way of His saints. 9 Then you will understand righteousness, justice, and fair dealing [in every area and relation]; yes, you will understand every good path. 10 For skillful and godly Wisdom shall enter into your heart, and knowledge shall be pleasant to you.
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