"New Goals for Moms"

As Mother's Day approaches and I am currently reading the book Captivating I have been thinking about my duties as a mom.....and a wife...and all the rest those jobs entail. I do strive to be good at what I do...but sometimes it is easy to start feeling like you just do the same stuff over and over. I love my children so much....so very much... and it is during those times that I feel disgruntled or aggravated that I have to remind myself how blessed I am to be home with them. To be able to play with them....instead of leaving them for 8+ hours a day to raise other people's children.

When I remember those long days, the unappreciative-ness (is that a word) of the school where I worked and just how frazzled our lives were during those two years I really start ton think...wow...I really need to use my time more wisely here at home.

A while back something was shared through an online homeschool group of which I am a member. It could be taken critically, but I mean to share it as an encouragement. Sometimes you just have to be reminded...to be "exhorted" in your calling as a mom. These words made an impression on me and at the time I meant to type it up really nicely and post it somewhere in my home so I could see it on a daily basis. I am one who thrives on motivation....sort of like when I did Weight Watchers...I need that weekly meeting!!!!!

This isn't one of those "moms are the best go moms" kind of things...there may be parts that "prick your conscience" here or there...which is good every so often! I know it did for me! I hope you can enjoy and maybe share some of these goals! Please don't think that because I posted this that it means I have all these in perfect practice. I strive...I desire to, but no one's perfect...and if you are that's your mistake! (taken from Dave Ramsey)

So here you go: New Goals for Mom: (actually these could apply to dads as well!)

*I will put my Bible before the television, the radio, the telephone, and even before good Christian books, for my children will know my priorities by the way they see me spend my free time.

*I will make my prayer requests known before God and my children, enlisting their help in the process and informing them of the outcome, for by letting them help when I petition our Lord will they learn of a living God who still answers prayer.

*When times of crisis, conflict, or confusion arise, I will hit my knees before I hit the phone knowing that by my example my children will discover that although friends are important, God alone is the one who holds the solution to life's every problem.

*I will erase the words "lucky" and "luck" from my vocabulary and will instead by my speech point my children toward the One who orchestrates every detail of our lives and brings all good things to pass for by this my children will learn of an omniscient God.

*When bad things happen I'll neither grumble nor complain, but will instead help my children see that in the scope of our lives even the bad times are allowed for a reason, for by this my children will learn a quiet trust in their Maker.

*When normal childhood mishaps occur, I will remember that although difficult, it is still easier to remove grape juice from white carpet than to erase harsh and unloving words hurled at a child whose chubby fingers have failed her, for by this my children will see a God who understands when our best efforts fall short.

*When my children have witnessed something "ugly" in me-unkind words, an angry temper, "harmless" gossip, biting sarcasm, or even my infamous "mommy pout", when things don't go my way- I will confess it as a sin before them seeking their forgiveness, for by this my children will develop the much needed habit of wiping their spiritual slate clean before God and man.

*I will teach my children the importance of cleanliness and order while at the same time remain sensitive to the fact that a skinned knee or hurt feeling if more crucial than a spotless floor or uncluttered counter, for by this my children will learn to value people over things.

*I will make some time for the lonely, the sick, the elderly, the difficult to love, and iwll bring my children along, for with each afternoon visit, each ride to the doctor, each raked lawn or washed window, they will have opportunity to serve Jesus by serving the "least of these."

*I will make our home a haven of rest and retreat from the outside world and a welcomed place fo rmy children's friends, for with each impromptu backyard soccer game, each video viewed on a rainy day, each cup of hot cocoa or chocolate chip cookie, my children will have opportunity to practice the art of Christian hospitality thereby learning to share all God has given them.

*I will by my actions and speech let my children see a mom love their dad, for by this will my children sense family stability at a time when marriages all around them are crumbling.

*I will not require of my children obedience, honesty, patience, or kindness, without first being willing to submit to the same rules whether in speed limit, miscounted change from the grocery store, or when answering a toddler for the fourteenth time, for by this my children will see a mother who is also learning and not a perfect parent to whom they'll never measure up.

*In all things will I remember that more is CAUGHT than TAUGHT.

These are little eyes upon you, mom. You are the first Bible your children will ever read.