This Is Your Life .... Are You Who You Want To Be?

I was listening to a song while driving to the supermarket with 3 of my kids today, and a song by "Switch Foot" came on.  Some of the words and the hook line is, "This is your life....are you who you want to be?" It was so profound a question that I had to share it with you.  So often we go through this life trying to "BE" somebody or identify that we never stop to take inventory of ourselves, how we relate to others, how we see ourselves, and then begin to prune the fruitless things in our life so that we can be who we envision ourselves to be (or something close to it). 

PAYING YOUR DUES....IT WILL BE WORTH IT IN THE END!

One night I was talking with a very good friend of mine, and we were discussing some of the challenges that we face as mothers and wives.  My friend has 4 children and the youngest is a very busy, energetic 2 year old along with 3 older siblings.  She was sharing with me how tired, very busy, and sometimes frustrated she is, and how she would just like to take some time off just for herself. (Does that sound like you?)   I agree,  Like you, I totally understand her feelings because I have 9 children and there are  times I get tired and frustrated, but it's a little different now that they are all older.  At first there is a lot that we have to do for them physically which is challenging such as, cooking 3 and  4 meals a day, washing clothes, social activities, school activities, chaperoning and if you are homeschooler like me, teaching!  I have such a new found appreciation for teachers in the public and private schools.  It's not easy people!  

The one "Golden Nugget" that I have found is that no matter what we choose to do in this life, if it's honorable, you have to "PAY YOUR DUES".  Whether you are going to school, growing a business or a family, coming into a company or a  brand new job, you are going to have to "pay your dues".  Nothing worth having is ever easy to obtain, but once you get IT, oh how sweet IT is!  However, much of  paying dues depends on how well you train your children to not only be respectful,  but disciplined, obedient children, and that is where the really hard work comes in.  Cause as you know, sometimes they come here willful!  Yes, you will have days when you feel like a broken record and you're frustrated, and maybe even angry, but don't faint! Don't give up!   Recognize that you are just "PAYING YOUR DUES" and in the end (with God's help) you will begin to reap the rewards of all of the good seeds you have planted in the fertile soil of your children's childhood.

PRAISE!.....IT REALLY CAN GO ALONG WAY

EVERY NOW AND THEN WE COULD ALL USE A LITTLE PRAISE, WHETHER IT BE FOR YOUR EFFORTS, FAITHFULNESS IN SEEING A JOB TO THE VERY END, OR JUST BEING AVAILABLE.  WE ALL COULD USE IT.  FUNNY THOUGH, IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT GETS PASSED AROUND IN GREAT QUANTITY, YET IT IS THE MOST INEXPENSIVE WAY TO GIVE A PERSON A FACE LIFT.  IT DOESN'T COST ANYTHING EXCEPT A MERE THOUGHT AND A SINCERE HEART. 

GIVING PRAISE TO OUR KIDS IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT CREATES SELF-WORTH, SELF-ESTEEM.  IF WE GIVE OUR KIDS THE PRAISE NOW WHILE THEY ARE STILL DEVELOPING AS AN INDIVIDUAL, 9 TIMES OUT OF 10 THEY WILL NOT LOOK FOR IT ELSEWHERE.  PRAISE CAN EVEN GO FAR IN THE WORK PLACE.  TRY IT!  TELL A CO-WORKER HOW MUCH YOU APPRECIATE THEIR SUPPORT WHEN THE WORK GETS TOO BUSY, OR HOW WELL THEY LOOK.  PRAISE IS A HEALTHY PRACTICE, WHO KNOWS, MAYBE YOU'LL RECIEVE ONE TODAY.    

SOMETIMES YOU JUST GOTTA WAIT!

Raising 9 children, and managing a household budget requires self control and the capacity to wait. For sure there are some things we need not wait, especially when it challenges either our health, money and/or relationships. However, a lot of the lures that challenge our peace are simply based on our "wants" and not "needs".  We "want" to get married but the dude you have in mind can't take care of himself let alone you. Should you wait?  Absolutely! You may want to purchase a new set of wheels but can't afford the financing and high interest rate. Should you run to the nearest car dealer for the fly-est car in town?  Maybe not.  An auction may be the best bet, NO CAR PAYMENTS! Don't let your wants get in the way of your needs and for peace's sake, WAIT.

Sometimes You Just Gotta Wait!

Raising 9 children, and managing a household budget requires self control and the capacity to wait. For sure there are some things we need not wait, especially when it challenges either our health, money and/or relationships. However, a lot of the lures that challenge our peace are simply based on our "wants" and not "needs".  We "want" to get married but the dude you have in mind can't take care of himself let alone you. Should you wait?  Absolutely! You may want to purchase a new set of wheels but can't afford the financing and high interest rate. Should you run to the nearest car dealer for the fly-est car in town?  Maybe not.  An auction may be the best bet, NO CAR PAYMENTS! Don't let your wants get in the way of your needs and for peace's sake, WAIT.

Hardest Job You'll Ever Love...

Raising and training children can be enjoyable and equally as challenging.  The dynamics involved is a whole lot different than when I was coming up.  There was a time when most of society had strong moral convictions, traditional family values, and neighbors you could trust.  There was censorship in radio and television, and no "sex education" in schools, that was left up to parents, where it should be.  There was much more family ties.  Drugs and even sex are within our schools and as young as elementary-aged engaging in these acts.  Yes!  It is the hardest job you'll ever love and because of our society's ills, we have a much harder job to perform.  That is why we need encouragement and support from other parents and our elders to do do this thing to the best of our ability and understanding, because we only have one chance to get it right.  Let's get it right together!

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