- Get into Scripture more than you are currently doing. Dig more. Study more. Read more. Memorize more! It is the one thing that will always make you wiser, richer, and change you. Let it be what flows from your mouth in counsel & conversation, in good times & bad. Treasure it!
- Seek to serve and love Doug better each passing month and year. This is a decision you will never regret. Keep your commitment to “just say yes” to sex. One day, you’ll look back and be so thankful for each caress and kiss you shared.
I know you’re tired… but LOOOOOOVE those children with your affection and smiles. Yes, even the older ones. Maybe I should say “especially the older ones,” as it is so easy to snuggle and giggle with the little guys. Laugh. Joke. Tickle. Play. You used to be better at this than you are now, but despite the fact that you are older and tireder, you can reclaim ground in this area. They need it. And you will not get these days back.- Don’t grow weary raising your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. You, your children, and your grandchildren, and their children, will reap the benefits of this. Pour the Bible into them. Keep communicating openly about life, sin, challenges, and what discipleship means. You’re doing well so far… don’t let this slack with the younger children. They need your intentionality just as much as the older ones did/do.
- Forgive them and show mercy as lavishly as you do with Doug. You’re good at it with him; God has grown you in that. But you still struggle with extending grace to your older children. Sweetheart, they are sinners like you. See them rightly– as the precious gifts they are. See them with eyes of love– like you do with Doug. Even while you discipline and train them, give them gracious, generous forgiveness.
- Keep fighting those fits of anger. You’re right to see it as sin. Keep seeing it that way and don’t let up in your war against it. The more work you do now, the less of an issue it will likely be in your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s hearts & lives.
- Seek to honor your parents more purposefully. They won’t be here forever. Now is your chance; don’t waste it.
- Fix your eyes on Heaven. Let it be what thrills you and motivates you more than anything else– more than money, praise of man, having good relationships. Keep your heart tuned toward your eternal home. These years will pass, and your time to face Heaven as a reality will come sooner than you realize.
- Commit yourself to the local Body of Christ with vigor! This is the best way for you show the world the shocking, beautiful ways of Jesus.
- As God gives time and “margin,” discerningly invest in younger women. Pour yourself out for those who truly want to be like Jesus & are willing to do the hard work– the heart work– of sanctifying change.
I think it is all about remembering how fast time moves. Tiredness, emotion, current behaviour struggles with one or other child, problems in the church, relationship tensions – all of these are so temporary and yet at the time it is easy to see them as insurmountable. But over the years God shows Himself faithful again. And again. And again. As in Deuteronomy 6, we should tell, and keep on telling, our children of His faithfulness and goodness. Some things are passing, but others are eternal.
“I think it is all about remembering how fast time moves.”
YES!
Something Doug & I often do is put our kids’ ages into percentages of time spent under our roof until age 18.
So for example, to choose two of our kiddos:
* with Ethan, @ age 12, we’re 66% of the way through. That means we only have 1/3 of the time left with him that we began with.
* with Moses, at age 4.5, we’re 25% of the way through. If God lets him and us live until he’s 18, we’ve still got 75% of our time left with him.
It helps me to think about that and ask myself…
* For Ethan: Character-wise, have we poured 66% into him? Is he where he ought to be? Are there areas of concern that need our attention? Is he 2/3 of the way to manhood? 2/3 of the way toward being able to strike out on his own and make wise, God-honoring decisions? What more do we need to try to address, or do differently, in this last 1/3 of our time with him before adulthood?
* For Moses, 1/4 of our time is already gone. What do we need to be purposeful about in this next “quarter” of his life with us? What things did we do well with the olders, that we need to repeat? What things do we need to be more diligent about with him, etc.
Putting it in percentages/fractions gives me a better plumb line and helps me face the reality that time really is passing onward, like it or not.
I love what Ephesians 5:15-16 says:
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”
Such a good reminder to be really purposeful about how we use the time we are given. It passes so quickly!
Thanks for this reminder. Your posts are always an encouragement to me to strive to do better. Thank you again.