"....Your children shall be like olive plants all around your table." Psalm 128:3

Monday, May 7, 2012

A Joyful Mother






Our society doesn't necessarily make us feel that motherhood is a joy.  Comments from strangers that I sure have my hands full don't always spark joy in my heart. They are right - I do have my hands full.

It isn't always easy, and is most often challenging. People frequently question our family size and wonder why I would want to have my children home with me all day.

Inevitably August comes, and I begin to hear familiar comments from mothers about how happy  they are that their children are going back to school. They certainly don't seem very joyful about spending the summer with their children.

But I suffer from the same problem - lack of joy. I know how easy it is to get caught up in the nitty gritty details of everyday life and miss all the joy that my children bring to my life.

Instead, I should count it a blessing that my children are underfoot all day and I can see everything  that happens as they grow.

I can be happy that when my teenager has a problem that needs to be talked about, I am right there for them..to listen and give counsel.

Or when my 10-year-old has a question about the Lord, he will come to me for the answer.

Or when my toddler falls down and scrapes her knee, I am the one who will hold her and comfort her.

Friends, we should realize the magnitude of the ministry the Lord has given us in training our children at home. And our joy should be in simply being there each day to train our children - not in achieving some high standard of performance each day... and not in doing all the tasks we think we must do.

True joy comes when we realize that we are right where God has placed us - in  the center of His will and in the heart of our home...caring for our husband, children, and our home. True joy is accepting God's best for us.

"He makes the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!"  -  Psalm 113:9

I hope your day is joy-filled!








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30 comments:

  1. Emily FayMay 7, 2012 at 8:46 AM

    You are truly blessed! Thank you for this inspiring post today! Have a blessed week ahead

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    1. LisaMay 7, 2012 at 1:52 PM

      Thanks for stopping by, Emily Fay. Hope you have a blessed week, too. :)

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  2. JacquieMay 7, 2012 at 10:08 AM

    Such a wonderful post. I Feel discouraged at times, but the most amazing thing is seeing what kind of person my daughter is turning into. I know she is who she is because I am here all day everyday to guide her. I have actually had a few people ask me if I stay home with her and when I tell them yes they say it shows. She shares because she doesn't know any diffarent, she hugs because she is only ever shown love. A quote I heard recentley really struck a cord. " One good mother is worth a hundred school masters." It is so true.

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    1. LisaMay 7, 2012 at 1:53 PM

      Amen, Jacquie! It is so encouraging to see the fruits of our labors. And I love the quote so much I might put it on my sidebar. :)

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  3. mariaMay 7, 2012 at 11:15 AM

    In the beginning of my schooling journey, I was overwhelmed by the responsibilities. As my boys grew, so did my desperation to teach them 'well'.

    Then I stopped. I stopped listening to 'well meaning advice'. I stopped purchasing curriculum that was expensive and not suitable for my children's needs. I began to listen to myself and embrace the fact that learning is daily and that it never stops.

    I am looked at as an oddity, but then so did Our Lord.

    Thank you for sharing Lisa...

    Be a blessing today my friend,

    m.

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    1. LisaMay 7, 2012 at 1:56 PM

      Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, Maria. And you're right - it's about not listening to what everyone else if telling you to do...but listening to what the Lord is telling you to do. :)
      Blessings!

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  4. ChristineMay 7, 2012 at 12:13 PM

    Wise words. Being in the center of His will can be very challenging, but there's no truer joy.

    Have a blessed day. Praying right now for comfort for you.

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    1. LisaMay 7, 2012 at 1:57 PM

      Thank you, dear Christine. Keeping your little princess in my prayers as well. :)
      Much love to you!

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  5. UnknownMay 7, 2012 at 12:29 PM

    Lisa I can not tell you how much I needed this encouragement today. I hate to admit it but I have been so weary of homeschooling, we seem so behind and I feel so overwhelmed. I actually told my husband I don't think I can do it anymore, Of coarse I did not really mean it but was fishing for engorgement. I know the important things are the things you mentioned the time spent with them, not necessarily learning everything I think has to be learned this year. Thank you my friend, this post was for me!

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    1. LisaMay 7, 2012 at 2:03 PM

      Thanks for stopping in and sharing, Tesha. I know you're going through a really hard time right now, but hang in there. Your children are still learning - whether or not the school books are opened. :) Just being with them is more than any book will ever teach them. Keeping you and your family in my prayers.

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  6. EverythingIam-blogspot.blogspot.comMay 7, 2012 at 1:47 PM

    Hi Lisa! Thank you for this post! I have to admit I'm one of those mothers who look forward to back to school. I'm one of those mother's who looks forward to Monday's. Yikes! I'm a working mum and both our children go to a Christian private school (Trinity Classical).

    It does sound appealing to stay home and school our children. The Lord has truly blessed you with patiences. I pray for that and many fruits of the Spirit everyday!

    Your children will flourious in the Lord and life because of your dedication to them. God Bless you Lisa and thank you for this great post. I need to pray & check my heart.

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    1. LisaMay 7, 2012 at 2:08 PM

      Thanks for stopping in with your kind words, Amanda! Soli Deo Gloria! :)

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  7. sunnyskiesandsweetteaMay 7, 2012 at 1:55 PM

    Lisa,

    What a great post! Sometimes it is hard to be a homeschooling mom... and I only have 2 children...what a wonderful reminder to count it all joy!

    Blessings,
    Amy Jo

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  8. AnonymousMay 7, 2012 at 4:40 PM

    Though God has not blessed me with Motherhood in my season of life, I pray that you never feel discouraged when people tell you that you have your "hands full." Indeed you do, but remember, your hands are full of the Lord's work - raising your children, taking care of the home, and up-building your husband. Therefore, these are a blessing to have, and having your "hands full" of these treasures are also God's perfect plan for your life.

    Just thought I would give you a bit of encouragement. Have a blessed day!

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    1. LisaMay 7, 2012 at 5:27 PM

      Mara, indeed my hands are full of treasures. :) Thanks so much for stopping in and leaving those encouraging words!
      Blessings!

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  9. LisaMay 8, 2012 at 7:12 AM

    Such encouragement! Thank you, Lisa, for sharing your thoughts on joy in our mothering and homeschooling. While our days may be busy and our hands may be full, the joy of serving the Lord in the calling He's given to us is worth every interruption. Taking time to stop and enjoy the daily moments with our children is time we'll never regret. Having three grown & married children, I'm keenly aware of how quickly the days and years fly by! Walking by the way with my youngest two (who are so quickly growing up) is my calling and ministry, and I love it.

    Again, thanks for posting this, Lisa. So encouraging!

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    1. LisaMay 8, 2012 at 8:00 AM

      Thanks for stopping by and leaving your kind words, Lisa. Soli Deo Gloria!

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  10. JudithMay 8, 2012 at 7:50 AM

    Thank you for your encouraging words and we journey along in whatever season each of us finds ourselves in. I still appreciate the encouragement too in just knowing others are out there on similar paths.

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    1. LisaMay 8, 2012 at 8:01 AM

      Thanks for dropping in, Judith. Many blessings!

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  11. ~katie~May 8, 2012 at 7:35 PM

    Love that verse ~ yes...joyful indeed! Thank you for these encouraging words!

    Blessings,
    katie

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    1. LisaMay 9, 2012 at 3:09 AM

      Thanks for stopping by, Katie. Soli Deo Gloria!

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  12. AnonymousMay 9, 2012 at 12:48 PM

    Such encouraging words. I remember well the comments ~ are they all yours?! I have absolutely no regrets of staying home and raising my children. I would have missed a life time with them if I hadn't. It's nice to see others on the same path.
    God bless you,
    Anne♥

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    1. LisaMay 9, 2012 at 1:45 PM

      I have no regrets either, Anne. But I do have a ton of wonderful, happy memories of having my children with me 24/7. Thanks for the visit. :)

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  13. PlainJaneMay 10, 2012 at 6:48 AM

    Wonderful words Lisa. I never understand it either, when mom's can't wait to get rid of their children. I LOVE our small quiver and would have loved to have more, but that wasn't God's plan. Amber graduates from our homeschool tomorrow and I've been in tears all week and she has mixed feeling as well. We hate to see this wonderful chapter in our lives end. Why would I want my loves to ever leave, I miss them even when they are gone for a few hours. This is what I was created to do. This IS my ministry. I thank God for every moment of it. ♥

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    1. LisaMay 10, 2012 at 10:18 AM

      So true, Jane! This is exactly what we've been created for. I have often thought of what Billy Graham said, "Young mothers, your children are your congregation." Amen to that. Thanks so much for your encouraging comments! :)

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  14. Wendy @ ECTaSJune 4, 2012 at 12:19 AM

    Excellent post... thank you for linking up with Scripture Sunday this week. It is a pleasure to host a link to your blogpost.

    Wendy

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    1. LisaJune 4, 2012 at 6:03 AM

      I was happy to participate in your link-up, Wendy.
      Hope you have a blessing-filled week. :)

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  15. betty-NZJune 4, 2012 at 6:52 PM

    So true! Our choice of how we look at things is our own!

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  16. LisaJune 5, 2012 at 6:22 AM

    So glad you dropped by, Betty. :)
    Many blessings!

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Thanks so much for stopping by. I love to hear from my readers, and your thoughts are welcome. And I try my best to respond to each and every comment. :)

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