Extravagant Love - Undeserved Grace

I have a son, he’s 15. He loves smoothies, grilled food, Japanese food and for his mom to do anything that resembles him being considered her baby boy. So – it was Friday morning quite early and after my two mile walk and my morning devotional time I got in the kitchen and made him a nice tropical fruit smoothie. I failed to mention to you that on Thursday I made sure I had his favorite sandwich bread and sandwich meat in the house so that I could coax his dad into fixing his lunch for him – on this same Friday morning. I drove him to school and went home to begin my day, but alas – he forgot something important at home so I cheerfully took it to him at the school. I got back home and began to start my day, and caught a glimpse of his bedroom – and since it was Friday, I cleaned it up for him. Now cleaning his room is not a daily practice – but today, I cleaned it. While I was cleaning it – I discovered many clothes that needed laundering so what the heck, I did the laundry too. Before I knew it 2pm so I ran downstairs to tidy up before going to pick him up from school. He forgot to tell me that he had something after school – so he was a little late coming out, no need to waste gas so I just waited in the car. When we got home he was starving so I fixed him a nice snack and ordered pizza from his favorite pizza place for dinner. What a Friday! Saturday morning I got up and fixed Hash Brown Stacks – he loves those! Hash browns topped with egg, Canadian bacon and cheese. While he ate breakfast I ran over to a nearby store and picked up coals so that I could grill him a nice lunch – he loves grilled food! Later I took him to the movies because there was a film he really wanted to see – we ate junk food – he loves that! And then finally sleep on Saturday night. Not once did my son say THANKS - HMM?

Sunday morning I woke up and went downstairs and while looking in the fridge I feel arms encompassing my waist – well, it’s my 15 year old and he says “I love you mama!” It has been 48 hours since that Friday morning, not one ‘thank you’ or ‘I appreciate you’ or ‘you da bomb’ – but those four words did it for me. I know I love my son with an extravagant love, not because he has earned it – but because it is my charge, my calling, my privilege to reflect Christ to him, in spite of him.

Ephesians 4:32 tells us to be kind to one another, tenderhearted and forgiving; and that in Hebrews 4:16 we are reminded that God’s throne is a place where we can find grace. Unmerited favor, unwarranted love and undeserved forgiveness – extend it to others just as you have received it.

Now - think about your Friday mornings – you know when the Father provides your food, health, clothing, shelter, transportation, comfort, joy, peace, etc. and you too don’t think about a thank you until Sunday morning and sometimes not even then. I want to challenge you to transform your relationships with your children. Determine to love them extravagantly despite their attitudes, faults and failings. Determine to love them extravagantly whether they are babies or adults. Determine to extend grace to them and reflect the character of God in their lives.

Extravagant love – you have received it, now give it away.

Are You a Teacher?

A teacher affects eternity; she can never tell where her influence stops. ~Henry Brooks Adams

Ladies, we have an assignment.

Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine….guide women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at you, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don't want anyone looking down on God's Message because of their behavior.

 Titus 2:1-5 The Message

"You" was added for emphasis.

When this word was written, a woman's responsibility was to keep a home and the goal was to be married and have children.  These responsibilities and goals have given way to many other aspirations for the modern woman.  We all know that times have changed.

It is still important today that we honor God.  We honor God by keeping first things first.  If you are married with children...then that is the first thing.  Pour into your family as your ministry. If you are not married or have no children, then serve where ever God has placed you.  Do all things as unto the Lord.

No matter the season of life or station in life, we are to lead a life of reverence to God. We should be teaching others to reverence God, too. 

Reverence means to honor, respect, admire and obey.

A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others. ~Author Unknown

Are You Building or Tearing Down?

A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands. Proverbs 14:1


Are you tearing down your home?

Have you ever stop to consider how your words affect those around you? Are you using your words to help or encourage someone? Or are your words harsh and spiteful; maybe even inconsiderate? Sarcasm is not funny if the object of the sarcasm is not playing along with your game.

We often take for granted that what we say jokingly is understood to be a joke. If we use what has been shared with us in private to humiliate someone in public, can we be trusted with private information ever again?

I witnessed someone being treated as a joke and taken for granted as a person. The smile this "victim" wore was all but sincere. They just grinned and accepted the comments which were not flattering at all.

A family member experienced ridicule for a goal that someone else deemed to be "a shame". They felt crushed because someone used words to berate what they thought was an excellent idea. The flippant comment made this person cry.

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the words of the wise bring healing. Proverbs 18:12

So, on to the building up business...Are your words affirming to those who hear them? If so, then you are building. Do you use your words to make the people in your home feel they can conquer the world? If so, you are building. Do the people in your home know how you really feel about them? If not, then it's time to go and build some more?

Are you building your home emotionally not structurally? If you are not building yet, go start laying some bricks today. The first brick is asking for forgiveness for tearing your house down. Begin building as soon as you can for one day it may be too late to repair the rubble you have made.

I sincerely hope that you are a wise person and not a foolish person. Build your home...don't tear it down.

I Love Being At Home...Do You?

It dawned upon me today that I really enjoy being at home.  Maybe, it's because we have a mountain of snow around us.  Okay..it's not really a mountain.
  

There is something about coming home to a warm, inviting place where you can relax and enjoy family.  I like to cuddle up with a hot camomille tea and my comfy sweats.  I don't always look like a bag lady in my sweats, nor should you :).  So, find something comfy and cute to cuddle up in.


My home is a place of refuge, love and peace.

My other job (the one outside of my home) requires lots of human interaction.  Many times those interactions are good but sometimes they are not.    My job at home requires just as much interaction; but,  those interactions are the perks of being a homemaker.  I enjoy all of the jobs assigned to me no matter what challenges they bring.   I love the jobs of Mom and Wife the most.  Who knew I was this domestic?



What do you love about your home?

Write it On Your Door Post....

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This is a fabulous company offering gifts and decor for your home.

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Why am I telling you this.....because you can add scripture to your selections. We should remind our families what the Lord has said by any means necessary.

Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

“These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. “You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.

“You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NASB)

Spending Time

One way to show someone you love them is by spending time with them. Tonight, I am watching the Dallas Cowboys with my husband. They are whipping the Eagles. Go team!!!

I have been a Cowboys fan since I was in the fifth grade. Can't say how long ago it was when I was in the fifth grade, but real (old) fans will remember Tony Dorsett and Danny White.

Whether you are a sports fan or not, try to find something both you and your loved ones enjoy. There are so many things to draw families apart. Find a common thread to hold it together.

Set aside some time this week to do something together that is relaxing, enjoyable and perhaps free. Family time is not an event. It should be a way of life.

Your City Walls

“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. Proverbs 25:28 NLT”

In ancient days, a city wall was used to keep the enemy out, to provide safety and protection from harm. The wall was of utmost importance. Guards were set to watch the wall and to stop intruders who were approaching. Their kingdom might be at stake.

Is your kingdom at stake? Do you and your family have walls built to protect from the enemy? I am not speaking of your alarm system or gated community. Have you made time for quality time with your kids as well as your spouse? Did you plan some down time just for you? Are you watching what you eat and what enters into your mind by radio and TV?

If you made a resolution for the new year, keep in mind; ”A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls”.

Happy New Year!

I threw away my 2009 calendar today! So many times we save things as a means of reflecting on what was…a time gone by. Personally, I am looking forward to this new year. I am not the kind of person who makes a resolution, because by January 5th it is usually broken. This year my desire is to show the people I love that I really love them. My method…using their love languages. Study the people in your family to find out what makes them feel loved. It will be an experiment with great benefits. I can’t wait to see the results. Again, Happy New Year! Go show someone YOU love them!