To Everything

In December of 2008 I sat down at my shiny new laptop and started building a blog with the handle www.mondaymommies.blogspot.com. The very first post was called Fil' er up! and was written by a friend of mine. After a little while I purchased the FreshStartMondays.com domain and committed to write (or share a friend's writing) and publish each Monday morning.  A devotion, a prayer, and a challenge to start our week.

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing...

Ecclesiastes 3:1,5

I truly believe that Fresh Starts has run its course for the time being. Thank you for allowing me the privilege to share my thoughts with you.  Thank you to the ladies who have shared their own writings here as well.  Who knows? Maybe the Lord will bring us back to this place again.  

Love,

Jen

Poking the Outlet

For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:6, 11

Chastisement, according to Webster’s 1828* dictionary is “correction; punishment; pain inflicted for punishment and correction, either by stripes or otherwise.”  When our children are little bitty and discover the electrical outlet, we warn them not to touch; when they poke the outlet with a plastic teething ring we might warn them again.  If they mess around with that outlet once more a stinging ‘pat’ on the hand and a firm “No!” will usually teach them the lesson.  That lesson equates pain with playing with outlets, potentially saving them from testing those little holes with a metal fork later in life. (Mommies – when that little face screws up and a pitiful wail ensues after the chastisement, just remember that you are potentially saving your child from future electrocution.)

As Christ followers, we have the privilege of receiving chastisement from the Ultimate Parent.  I say privilege because the Scriptures clearly state that the Lord chastens those whom He loves.  If I am suffering uncomfortable consequences due to sin, it is because He loves me enough to allow pain to teach me that wickedness does not bring joy to the believer.  What might that chastisement look like in a Christian’s life?

Gossip can lead to broken relationships and embarrassment.

Pride can lead to demotion, humiliation, loss of friends and family.

Nagging can lead to stressful marriages that spiral downward.

Lack of self control (physically or financially) can lead to broken relationships or shortfalls in a budget.

Refusal to submit to those in authority can lead to chaos in a home, church, or workplace.

The wonderful news is that chastisement has a purpose that will always bring peaceable righteousness IF the chastised person is trained in the midst of the lesson.  To be trained is to be “formed by instruction.”  If we are gossipy and choose to learn from the consequences, we will be formed into one who loves others and understands the power of words; a nagging wife will be formed in a woman who considers her husband’s needs and the huge responsibilities that rest on him as the leader, provider, and protector of the home; a prideful person will become known for her humility and will not pat herself on the back for that reputation, instead she will give glory to God alone. 

Learning from our chastisement affords a great opportunity to give honor to the Lord.  He forgives our sin and does not hold it against us; He uses our brokenness to bring about the peaceable (“free from war, tumult or public commotion”) fruit of righteousness (“purity of heart”) that will draw people’s attention to Christ.  Submitting to God and allowing yourself to be humbled will draw you closer to the One who loves you enough to administer chastisement in order to teach you not to poke the outlet.

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:7-10

Prayer: Father, please help me not to waste the training that comes with chastisement.  Let me see Your perfect love for me even as I walk through painful consequences due to my own sinful actions.  Amen.

Challenge: Are you blaming some hard things in your life right now on an ‘attack from the enemy’?  It might certainly be just that, but take time to examine your heart and be sure.  It could be that you are fighting a ‘battle’ that is really a time of training from the Lord.

*all definitions are from Webster's 1828 Dictionary

Jen G. 2012

Just Being

When our children were young, my husband and I dated each other on a regular basis.  I think our parents saw the wild look in our eyes each week and figured to protect their grandchildren they should give us time away for an evening.  Adrian and I would walk on the beach or picnic in a park, see a movie and eat ice cream while watching the sun set over the lake.  As the kids got older we somehow started turning our dates into functional trips; an excursion to the grocery store, a run through Home Depot, a Wal-Mart visit for underwear.  Our dates became about as exciting as staying up all night with a croupy baby.

Last night, my darling and I broke the vicious cycle and headed out for a ramble through the book store followed by a leisurely dinner at Smokey Bones.  We played catch up after a week of art camp and Pioneer School, discussing everything from our walks with the Lord to this year’s school curriculum.  It was so nice to just…be.

Are you taking time just being with your spouse?  Looking into one another’s eyes, encouraging one another and talking about dreams and plans is so important.  It can be incredibly easy to get so caught up in parenting and life that you forget to carve out time for one another.  One day the kids are going to move out.  Will you know one another or will it be like living with a stranger?  If you do not have children, have you worked harder on your career than your marriage?  When retirement comes will you enjoy being together, or like child focused parents, will you be strangers sharing a bed? (This would just be weird on so many levels.)

If your husband is a believer, you can use dates to walk out these passages in Scripture directed at the Church:

 “But exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin,” Hebrews 3:13 

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”  Hebrews 10:24, 25

If your darling is not yet a Christ follower, focus on these passages:

“Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 1 Peter 3:1, 2

“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Colossians 4:5, 6

Take the time to cultivate your marriage and practice the very important art of just being.

Prayer:

Father, help me to make the time necessary to build my marriage through time alone with my husband.  Please give us the motivation to continue, or to restart, this important part of marriage.  Amen.

Challenge:

Do an online search for great date night ideas in or out of the house.  Make a point to plan at least one date a month, working up to one a week. A date can be a big out on the town to-do or it can be as simple as a Freschetta Pizza and a RedBox movie (one of our favorite date nights!).  The point is making one another the main focus.

Jen G. 2012

Stayed for Dessert

Last month I posted that I was 'out to lunch' until July 2 due to our state's homeschool convention and our role in helping.  Well, after lunch I stayed for dessert - our daughter's graduation party, Pioneer School, Art Camp.  I will be back - soon!

I would like to leave you with words from 1 Timothy 1:14-17:

And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.  This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.  However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

I have been very mindful of this verse of late.  I was given mercy so that Jesus might show His extreme patience with my sinful self, thereby using me as a pattern for others to see the way to everlasting life through Him.  How awesome is that?  I am a pattern!  (This is pretty ironic for someone who can not sew a stitch.)

If you are Christ Follower, you are a pattern as well.  Ask the Lord to show you specific circumstances this week in which you are being that pattern to others.

Back to my dessert!

Jen

Out to Lunch

To be more accurate - Out to Convention.  Fresh Starts will return by July 2.  Thanks in advance for your prayers as my family and I head into a very busy, and fun, week.