Christmas Devotionals 2022 #15 MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

 Merry Christmas!!!!

O come, all ye faithful,

joyful and triumphant!

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!

Come and behold him,

born the King of angels.

O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him,

Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels,

sing in exultation,

sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above!

Glory to God, all glory in the highest!

Yea, Lord, we greet thee,

born this happy morning;

Jesus, to thee be all glory giv’n!

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!

 

Come one, come all! Poor. Rich. Faithful. Unfaithful. Sick. Well. Near. Far. Holy. Unholy. It matters not. Whatever your soul needs is found in Christ alone. And what our soul truly needs is forgiveness. Forgiveness for our rottenness. For our sinful, selfish ways. Christmas calls us out of ourselves to hope. Hope in the Christ Child. Hope for a new day. A new start. Run to Jesus today!

 

Christmas Devotionals 2022 #14 The Word Became Flesh

 Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King:

peace on earth, and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled!"

Joyful, all ye nations, rise,

join the triumph of the skies;

with th'angelic hosts proclaim,

"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King"

Christ, by highest heaven adored,

Christ, the everlasting Lord,

late in time behold him come,

offspring of the Virgin's womb:

veiled in flesh the Godhead see;

hail th'incarnate Deity,

pleased with us in flesh to dwell,

Jesus, our Immanuel.

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings,

risen with healing in his wings.

Mild he lays his glory by,

born that we no more may die,

born to raise us from the earth,

born to give us second birth. -Charles Wesley-

 

Important to the Christmas account and more so for us as earthlings needing salvation, is the core theological truth that Jesus became a man; Yet He was still the perfect Savior. He was and is the God-Man. God in the flesh. No human could save us. A perfect sacrificial lamb was necessary to atone for our sins. So, he laid His glory aside, stepped into history, and “veiled in flesh, the Godhead see.” We see God thru Christ. Amazing! Hard to comprehend. But, life giving. He was “born that we no more may die!”

Merry Christmas Eve!

 

Christmas Devotionals 2022 #13 Move Me Closer

When Michael and Shawna Wright and I used to sing together, at Christmas we’d sing this little song and Shawna would do the narration. If we only were closer to Jesus, how blessed we would be!

“Move me closer,

Move me closer,

Move me closer to the Child.

Let me see Him, let me hold His hand,

Move me closer to the Child.”

 

Christmas Devotionals 2022 # 12 The God of the Unusual

 “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

Micah 5:2

I love this contrast of thoughts-

The One who has been around for a very long time will be born as a baby in an insignificant town and He will rule Israel. This is how our God works! He does things so differently than our humanity expects.

Christmas Devotionals 2022 #11 Christmas is Joy!

The message of Christmas is joy.  Joy and gladness is what Zachariah was to experience due to the birth of his son John in his old age. The Angel told him,”and you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.” While John was not the Messiah, he was the forerunner, the one who would prepare the way for Christ.
What is this joy promised? It is the joy of having our sins gone! Of restoration to our intended state of fellowship with our Crestor.
May this Christmas season be one that is joy filled for us all-Christ is joy!

Let our gladness have no end, alleluia!
For to earth did Christ descend, alleluia!
Refrain:
On this day God gave us
Christ, His Son, to save us;
Christ, His Son to save us.

Prophesied in days of old, alleluia!
God has sent Him as foretold, alleluia!

See, the loveliest blooming rose, alleluia!
From the branch of Jesse grows, alleluia!

Into flesh is made the Word, alleluia!
He, our refuge and our Lord, alleluia!
Bohemian Carol

 

Christmas Devotionals 2022 #10 Wise Men

 As with gladness men of old

did the guiding star behold,

as with joy they hailed its light,

leading onward, beaming bright,

so, most gracious Lord, may we

evermore be led by thee.

As with joyful steps they sped,

Savior, to thy lowly bed,

there to bend the knee before

thee, whom heav’n and earth adore,

so may we with willing feet

ever seek thy mercy seat.

William C. Dix

It’s always a good day to draw nearer to Christ. It’s never too late, either. So many things and distractions conspire to keep us away, so Christmas is a

wonderful time

to draw near. The Wise Men let nothing, including King Herod, keep them away. Be a wise person. Draw near to the Savior today. In Him is all we desire.

 

Christmas Devotionals 2022 #9 Sons of God

 “Sweet little Jesus boy

They made you be born in a manger

Sweet little holy child

We didn't know who you were

Didn't know you'd come to save us Lord

To take our sins away

Our eyes were blind, we could not see

We didn't know who you were”

“He came to His own and His own did not receive Him.” John 1:11.

The heart of Christmas is the understanding of who Jesus is and His purpose in coming. So much more than a baby being born. So much more than the manger. He came to live and to die for me. For you. Because without His death as the perfect lamb we are without hope.

“The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.” CS Lewis

 

Christmas Devotionals 2022 #8 Jesus, Lunatic or Lord?

 A Child is born in Bethlehem

And joyful is Jerusalem.

He lies within a lowly stall,

The King who reigneth over all.

Sprung from no mortal father, He

Is born of pure virginity.

Unwounded by the serpent’s tooth,

He comes to us a man in sooth.

Like to the flesh man dwelleth in,

But all unlike to man in sin.

That He might bring our mortal race

Back to the image of His face.

A Child is born in Bethlehem,

And joyful is Jerusalem.

Now upon this, His natal day,

Bless we our infant Lord alway.

Possible 14th Century with Czech origins.

A key point of the Gospel is the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. The fact the He was born of a virgin is miraculous and lends credence to His claims to be God. Being born of a virgin made Him sinless and capable of being our sacrifice for sin. Without this reality, Jesus is just as CS Lewis said, “He would either be a lunatic–on a level with the man who says he is a  poached egg–or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse…. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God.”

Christmas Devotionals 2022 #7 A Royal Family Tree

 Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming

From tender stem hath sprung!

Of Jesse's lineage coming

As men of old have sung.

It came, a flower bright,

Amid the cold of winter

When half-gone was the night.

This Flower, whose fragrance tender

With sweetness fills the air,

Dispels with glorious splendor

The darkness everywhere.

True man, yet very God,

From sin and death He saves us

And lightens every load

Jesus had a carefully planned family tree and from it we can learn a lot! A reading of His lineage given in Matthew 1:1-17 will tell the story of 4 women whom were in His family. Tamar, a harlot; Rahab, a woman of Israel’s enemies, Bathsheba who was Uriahs wife and Mary, His mother. The first three mentioned were not women who we would think would be in the family tree of the Savior of the world, but apparently, God, the Father had other plans! By having these three women in the family tree and actually placed in the record, we see a wonderful manifestation of the gospel in the tender plant of Christ. No one is excluded from this message of redemption. All may know His forgiveness. This is the message of Christmas!

 

Christmas Devotionals 2022 #6 "Find Rest in Christ"

 And ye, beneath life's crushing load,

whose forms are bending low,

who toil along the climbing way

with painful steps and slow,

look now! for glad and golden hours

come swiftly on the wing.

O rest beside the weary road,

and hear the angels sing!

Edmund Sears

Rest. It’s something we are not very good at. The press of earthly life keeps us often in a frenzy of trying to please many on multiple fronts and hold many things together! Christmas should be the time when we pause for much needed rest in our minds and bodies, but somehow even during this wonderful time we are frantic! Seek to find a restful spirit this Christmas and “be diligent to enter that rest…”(Hebrews 4:13a) which only comes in Christ.

Christmas Devotionals 2022 #5 "Find Hope in Christ Today!"

 There's a star in the sky!

There's a mother's deep prayer

and a baby's low cry!

And the star rains its fire

while the beautiful sing,

for the manger of Bethlehem

cradles a King!

There's a tumult of joy

o'er the wonderful birth,

for the virgin's sweet boy

is the Lord of the earth.

Ay! the star rains its fire

while the beautiful sing,

for the manger of Bethlehem

Cradles a king! - Josiah Holland

There’s something about the feeling of Christmas that brings hope and joy. Is it the lights, gifts, even the music? Not really. Those things are simply the symptoms of the reality that within the human heart lies eternity-something beyond this earthly veil of sorrow. We were never made to live in brokenness and sorrow. But sins entrance into our world changed what was a perfect reality. Within we know there must be something better. Christmas gives us a glimpse. A solution to the yearning for eternity’s perfection. Hope for a solution to the brokenness we feel. That solution, that hope is none other than the Baby who lies in the manger of Bethlehem, Jesus. Find hope in Him today!

Christmas Devotionals 2022 #4 "Comfort and Joy"

 God rest you merry, gentlemen,

let nothing you dismay;

remember Christ, our Savior

was born on Christmas Day

to save us all from Satan's pow'r

when we were gone astray.

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,

O tidings of comfort and joy.

“Fear not," then said the angel,

"let nothing you affright;

this day is born a Savior,

the true and radiant light,

to free all those who trust in him

from Satan's pow'r and might.

English Carol

The sin we were born in, the sins done against us and the sins we commit always bring us to despair. But, the message of the Gospel is always one of encouragement. As Corrie ten Boom said many years ago, “There is no pit that He is not deeper still.” No matter what we have done, Jesus came to bring forgiveness! That is “comfort and joy!” He sets us free from our past. True “comfort and joy!”

Christmas Devotionals 2022 #3 "Run to Jesus"

 “Bethlehem! there in manger lying,

Find your Redeemer haste away,

Run ye with eager footsteps vieing!

Worship the Saviour born today.

Bethlehem! there in manger lying,

Find your Redeemer haste away.”

Traditional French Carol

Run quickly! Don’t waste time! “Today is the day of salvation…” “Redeem the time because the days are evil.” We have no assurance of tomorrow. But, we have the here and now to go quickly to the only One who can take away the burden of our sin which causes us so much grief and sorrow. Find Him today!

Christmas Devotionals 2022 #2 "All in Jesus"

The great hymn writer, Charles Wesley, summed up the longing of each heart in these beautiful words—

“Come, thou long expected Jesus,

born to set thy people free;

from our fears and sins release us,

let us find our rest in thee.

Israel's strength and consolation,

hope of all the earth thou art;

dear desire of every nation,

joy of every longing heart.”

Each soul searches for something-we often look for it in the worst of earthly places. GK Chesterton said that the man who knocks on the door of the harlots is really looking for heaven. Friends, just skip that door and all others that lead to ruin. Instead, come to the Manger! All you truly want is there in Jesus.

Christmas Devotionals 2022 #1 "Dispel the Night"

 In these trying and frightening times, I would not want to live without the hope that comes from Jesus. He came to be not only my Savior from sin but my Hope! I love these beautiful words from a very old carol…

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,

Who orders all things mightily;

To us the path of knowledge show,

And teach us in its ways to go.

O come, Thou Bright and Morning Star,

And bring us comfort from afar!

Dispel the shadows of the night

And turn our darkness into light.

From the Latin, 12th Century

Christmas Carols 2022 #2 In a Manger He Is Lying-Polish Carol

1.  In a manger He is lying

Who will greet Him as He sleeps?
Baby Jesus, infant Christ-child,
Who will greet Him as He sleeps?
Wake, ye shepherds, and as ye play
Gladsome songs and carols gay,
Seek the Babe ere break of day;
Seek the Babe ere break of day.

2. Angel hosts have sung their story,
Who will follow the bright star?
Told of Christ in all his glory,
Who will follow the bright star?
Wake, ye shepherds, and sing Noel,
Help the angel chorus swell,
To the earth glad tidings tell;
To the earth glad tidings tell.

3. In a stable, dark and dreary,
Who will be the first to kneel?
At the crib where Christ is sleeping,
Who will be the first to kneel?
Wake, ye shepherds, Seek out your King!
Play your songs and loudly sing,
Till the air with echoes ring;
till the air with echoes ring.

Christmas Carols 2022 #1-Oh How Joyfully! Latin Carol

 

Oh, how joyfully!  Oh, how merrily!

Christmas comes with its grace divine!
Grace again is beaming, Christ the world redeeming,
Hail, ye Christians, hail the joyous Christmas time.

 Day of holiness, Peace and happiness.

Joyful, glorious Christmas Day
Angels tell the story, Of this day of glory;
Praise Christ our Savior, Born this Christmas Day.

 Oh, how joyfully, Oh, how merrily,

Christmas comes with its peace divine!
Peace on earth is reigning, Christ our peace regaining,
Hail, ye Christians, hail the joyous Christmas time!

 Oh, how joyfully, Oh, how merrily!

Christmas comes with its life divine!
Angels high in glory, Chant the Christmas story:
Hail, ye Christians, hail the joyous Christmas time!

Decorating Idea-Using old records

 Rob and I enjoy visiting Flea Markets, and even enjoy visiting a very large one whenever we go to Florida.  On one of our jaunts to a Flea Market, I found this old record set of Bing Crosby singing Christmas songs.  What a find this was, as I love Bing Crosby, and I love vintage things.  I got it for a really good price, and now it adorns my piano at Christmas time.  Yes, it's a little ragged, but that's part of the charm!  

Family and Holidays...

 I love my family, and being with them is one of the beautiful parts of the holiday season.  But, for some, family can bring a lot of pain due to past actions and hurts.  

I think of my parents who are well on their way to 80 years old.  Hard to believe.  They so enjoy it when everyone is there, altogether.  But, the family is growing and it's getting harder for everyone to be in the same place at the same time.  It's easy to feel hurt and long for something better.  Even if we can all be together, there is always the end of the day or the end of the visit.  Everyone packs up and goes back to their own homes. We wish these times filled with laughter and joy would never end.  We love that feeling of togetherness and warmth.

But, there is a place where we can be together in unbroken fellowship, and that is heaven.  For those of us who have placed all of our trust in Christ Jesus for our salvation, we can be assured  that eternity together will be a reality!  We can gather together around the throne of God in a family gathering that will NEVER end!  We will never need to pack up in our cars and go back to our homes, apart from each other, ever again.  Living for that day will make the family gatherings here that seem so short, alright!  

Enjoy your family during these holidays!

Joy in Christ...

 Being very hypersensitive, I'm always very in touch with my feelings, often too much so.  I'm at a place in life where I feel very burnt out, very frustrated and very trapped.  In the midst of this, comes a hint of joy that is nudging me around the edges...plunge into this place of joy that nothing can take from you...what is this?  It is the reality that Christ Jesus, Himself is with me in EVERYTHING.  Those early morning drives, alone in my car, in the dark, to a job that I dislike...He is there.  His guardian angels set out each morning sitting on the top of my car, guiding me away from the deer, away from accidents and safely to my destination.  When I'm sitting at my desk, struggling to focus due to the ravages of a postmenopause brain, discouraged, feeling trapped and frustrated, He is there.  When I'm home cleaning the bathrooms, cooking the meals, doing the laundry, in my marriage, in all of my relationships, even the most mundane things, Jesus is THERE!  He, alone, is the source of everything that I long for.  His Presence, Peace and Purpose are THERE!  In joy, in sorrow, in good times, in bad times, He is THERE.  

"You will show me the path in life, in Your presence is fullness of joy."  Psalms 16:11

Pockets of Joy

 Been struggling again with feeling weary, burned out and discouraged.  Trying to hold down a job, take care of our home, stay connected to family and friends along with dissapointments, etc. has been taking a toll on me.  I always expect too much, care too much and am way too sensitive it seems.  I don't enjoy my job much, it's just a JOB, but it's what I have to deal with right now and maybe for a very long time.  So, what do I do?  I try to find little "pockets of joy" in my life.  What are those things right now?  They are the Tuesday afternoons when I get off of work early that I take time to visit my niece, have lunch with a friend and maybe do a bit of shopping up in the city.  These times refresh me a lot.  Other pockets of joy include my time spent in the Word with Jesus each morning, the precious time I get to keep our home clean and cook and help Rob with our yard work.  They are the moments on weekends when we sit down to a meal with my mom and dad or Rob's family or some of our friends.  

If you're discouraged right now and who isn't?  Try finding and guarding those little pockets of joy in your life.  And remember, "The Joy of the Lord is our strength."  Even when everything is going wrong, if have Jesus, we can have joy!  Joy Unspeakable!

Things that Bring Me Joy...

 Been going through a rough patch...despair...struggling as a post menopausal woman.  So much I could say.  But, today, I thought, what brings me joy?  I started to make a list...coffee with my niece, Luanna and her little gal, Evie; cooking; keeping our house nice; playing piano; studying the Bible.  Right there are several lovely things.  What are things that do NOT bring me joy?  Feeling tied to a dead end office job when I really want to focus more on homemaking.  This is really hard.  But, I am here.  Jesus is in control and He is allowing this in my life right now.  So, I have to do what Paul said in Philippians.  Think on good things.  Things that are good, lovely, praiseworthy and of a good report.  Some of those things are the ones I already mentioned, coffee with my niece, cooking, the time I DO have to keep our home, playing piano, studying the Bible.  Perhaps the joyless activities will help to make the Joyful activities even more enjoyable.  Lord Jesus, help me to find my greatest joy in You alone.  You truly are "Jesu, joy of man's desiring."  

STRUGGLING...

 It's that time of life when you struggle with everything...please grant me a few moments to be very honest...the change of life is so devastating to a woman.  You're just humming along, and then around age 40 or so, you start to have these hitches.  At first they aren't to much, just a little here and a little there.  But, as age 50 approaches, it starts to become more frequent.  More difficult.  More disruptive.  What was once an occasional hum in the background begins to consume your thoughts.  Many little aches, pains, bodily malfunctions, and, of course, the dreaded and at the same time, welcomed change of life.  Perhaps, it's the transition that is so hard.  You've left one shore, but you're lost out on the ocean of doubt and bewilderment as you head off to the next shore.  A new place where you've never been.  A part of you is ready to go there, another part wants to stay with what you know already.  

Weight piles up.  It doesn't come off like it used to.  The drive to get it off and keep it off is much less.  Emotions become dulled.  Just getting out of bed in the morning takes every ounce of energy you have and then some.  Every ache and pain screams that it will be your undoing.  It will be the dreaded cancer, it will be the condition from which there is no cure.  Your confidence is gone.  You doubt everything.  One one hand you feel dull, on the other hand you are perhaps more sensitive to other things.  It's a huge shift in thinking, feeling and just being.  

In the midst of the chaotic, swirling, ugly soup, there is One who neve leaves.  His name is Jesus.  He created me.  He knows me.  He loves me.  He died for me.  He numbers every hair on my head.  I am still His child.  I am still beautiful to Him.  He will never fail me.  May my thoughts rest in THIS reality.  

Prairie Fires-The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Caroline Fraser-Book Review (what I've read so far)

 I grew up with my own set of the Little House Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  I've read them numerous times, even reading on them in my adult life.  Several years ago when I was teaching, and had a Christmas break, I enjoyed reading all of the Christmas passages in the books.  There are several, starting with Little House in the Big Woods.  That Christmas was enjoyed with family who lived nearby and Laura received her precious doll, Charlotte.  Among the other Christmas accounts, was the one written about in On the Banks of Plum Creek.  Their church had a Christmas tree adorned with many gifts for the people from people better off back east.  When entering the church that night, Laura saw a beautiful fur cape and muff hanging on one of the branches.  She was so surprised when it was given to her!  

Recently, I found this book written as a Biography of Laura.  I am really enjoying it.  The author seems to be of a more liberal persuasion than am I, but I am still enjoying the history and background of Laura's life.  There is great information about how the Native American's were treated and the Homestead Act which furthered westward expansion of this continent.  It was a very hard life and many farmers failed.  She discusses the grasshopper (locust) plague which Laura wrote about in On the Banks of Plum Creek.  It was devastating for two years in Minnesota and other parts of the Midwest.  

The author, Caroline Fraser, traces the whole path of Laura's family with history of the path her parents took prior to meeting and marrying, and then Laura's entire life.  There is so much American history here, and much to be learned.  I highly recommend it thus far.  

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/prairie-fires-american-dreams-laura-ingalls-wilder/

Refrigerator Pickles...

 Do you want to do homemaking tasks but don't feel you have the time due to necessary work, etc?  Then, here is a way for you to enjoy a simple task that will reap benefits for awhile and won't take up much time.  Make Refrigerator Pickles.  They will keep in your fridge for up to a year.  This recipe was given to me, but I have taken my own liberties with it.  

6 C. Sliced Cucumbers

1 C. Sliced Onion

1 C. Sliced Green Pepper

1 C. Vinegar

2 T. Salt

1 t. Celery Seeds

2 C. Sugar

Mix together and store in refrigerator.  Ready to use in 24 hours.  Keeps 1 year.

Homemaking...Duty or Delight?

 It doesn't seem real glamorous to scrub a toilet, wash dirty underwear or clean the kitchen floor, does it? I agree that it seems insignificant in the whole scheme of life, but I have a suggestion.  We CAN see these and other homemaking tasks as VERY significant and even do them for the glory of God.  Just this morning, I read this passage in the Bible; 

"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."  (I Cor 10:31)

As we do our housekeeping tasks, as we clean, cook, iron, scrub, bake, mend, do laundry, decorate, etc, we CAN do it for a high and holy purpose, the glory of God, Himself.  As old fashioned as it sounds, I do believe that God gifted women for these tasks.  Not to demean us, but as part of our design to be a helpmeet to our husbands and as already discussed, for the glory of God, Himself, the One who created us and gave us this design.  If we can grasp this reality, it can be transformative.  

If you are single as I was for 50 years, you may wonder how you fit in here.  I believe that you do.  You are still a woman, and most likely, you still have to work a job to support yourself.  But, that by no means lets you off the hook.  You can set aside time each weak to make your home a pleasant place to relax in for yourself and others.  You can take time to cook healthy food.  You can keep your laundry caught up.  You can do what I did as a single woman.  I hosted a Ladies' Bible study several years ago in my home.  I really enjoyed preparing for it and opening my home for others.  At our last meeting, we all pitched in for a Mexican meal together.  It was a blessed time.  By being a homemaker even while single, I had a place where others could gather.  

Now, I'm married and I spend much of my free time outside of work, being a homemaker.  That is my dream job and I hope the day will come when I can do it even more.

How can you make your home today a more peaceful, orderly and lovely place?

Housecleaning Thoughts...

 Keeping house is a daily task.  I have always tried to keep my house reasonably nice, do some cooking and keep the laundry on track even when I was single.  Getting married, however, it's a whole new ballgame!  😁  Throw in a remodel of the very rooms you are trying to live in, organization and sorting through all of my possessions, etc and you've got a huge task!  And, to top it all off, I have held down a job this entire time I've been married.  And, we've taken several trips and had several bonfires at our country place.  I could go on, but I will spare you.  

About two years ago, I began to develop a system whereby I could keep house and continue my job as my husband wanted me to keep working.  On a normal week now, I am gone up to 40 hours.  

I have made lists, a graph and weekly cleanings list, etc.  I have been tweeking it over time into something somewhat workable.  

Basically, I try to to the laundry beginning on Monday evening.  My goal is to do one load each day until Thursday which is my day off.  Then, I try and finish it up.  This works pretty well.  Rob is good to hlep me fold it, he's especially good at folding fitted sheets!

Monday evenings he is usually gone to Men's Group at church, so I usually try to get a lot done while he's gone such as clean both bathrooms, vacuum the carpet and generally clean up the kitchen.  If I have time, I also clean the kitchen floor.  I try also to take a little time to practice the piano, play with the kittens and cats and now in the summer, maybe work in the garden a bit.  It's a busy evening, but so helpful.  

On Tuesday, I'm usually home by noon and I do another load of laundry, and work on my cleaning check list for the week or we use this time for shopping/errands.  Sometimes, I also use Tuesday afternoon for doctor appointments and coffee/lunch with my niece or friend, Debby.

Wednesday, another load of laundry, tidy up the kitchen, practice piano, etc.

Thursday is my marathon day!  I finish the laundry, spend time in my office doing various things, practice the piano, and try to clean one room of the house such as our bedroom.  I also thoroughly clean the kitchen and rotate extra projects such as cleaning out the refrigerator, oven, etc.   This is working pretty well, but I do have to keep on moving.  

If I am successful at all of this, by Friday evening and the weekend, we can have some time to do fun things and then Sunday we are fairly lazy!  Which is what Sunday is meant to be, a day of rest.

How do you organize your cleaning and homemaking?  I would love to hear some of your suggestions.  

On Being a Wise Woman...

 "A wise woman builds her home,

    but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands."  

                                           Proverbs 14:1, NLT

I'm pondering what it means for a woman to be wise as opposed to foolish.  In the modern world we live in, how can I be wise?  How can I fulfill God's plan for me as a woman, in my marriage, in my workplace, in my home, in my family relationships, friendships, when doing commerce, and so many other areas?

First of all, I become wise only as I learn and know what Jesus Christ, my  Savior has put forth in His Word for how a woman should become and behave.  

In this little piece, I want to explore how a woman can be wise in the area of her home.  How can I build up my home and not tear it down?

I believe that a woman is subject to her husband, as he is the head of the home.  This doesn't mean that he is to lord over or abuse his wife, but lovingly lead.  This won't be too difficult for a wise woman to follow.  Assuming he is striving to be that kind of husband, how can I build?

Tend to the home---I mean clean it, organize it, decorate it, keep the laundry caught up, cook food in it; in short, make it a place where your husband can be at home, relax, and find peace with you.  I'm learning and have along ways to go that balance is needed.  Perfection is not my friend, but neither is letting the home become a place that is dirty and uninviting either.  I'm concerned by a modern view that messy, dirty homes are okay.  No, they are not.  Somewhere in the middle is best.  

Create an atmosphere in the home that is welcoming.  Create an atmosphere in the home that is comfortable.  Create an atmosphere of love and acceptance.  

Center all of your life in the home.  

At this time, it is needed, by my husbands request, that I continue to work some.  I am gone from home each week around 35 -38 hours to my job.  Honestly, it's more than I want to be gone, but I am trying my best to make it all work.  But, most of my free time, is spent at home, cooking, cleaning, doing the laundry, organizing, helping in the garden, working in the yard, etc.  By centering my life around the home, I am denying many other things in my life.  Yes, there is a balance.  I do take some time to be with my women friends and have a lunch or coffee now and then.  I believe this is part of life balance.  Through these relationships, I can grow and also be an encouragement to them.   

How do you build up your home?  What are ways we can foolishly tear it down?