A Bible Reading Plan for Little Ones {February Edition: Love}

The links below are affiliate links- which means that if you make a purchase through them, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. But you should know that I am an avid believer in reading for free through your local library. Thanks for supporting The Purposeful Wife!

Every month of this year, Lord willing, I intend to provide you with a free printable Bible Reading Plan you can use with your toddlers and preschoolers (though older kids could definitely benefit from it too!). I'm picking one theme or topic for the month, and culling relevant passages from both the Old and New Testaments, just to give our kids broad exposure to Scripture as a whole. 

Some of the passages may be a bit intense or over their heads. But I do believe that God always blesses His Word and works through it, and if we sow that Word in our children's hearts, He can and will use it for whatever purpose He chooses. This is a tool that will hopefully make it easier for you as a parent to do the sowing. 

I've marked four verses- one for every Monday- that would also make great memory verses. You can recite and review them over the course of the week with your little people- or not!- but they are available if you'd like to make Scripture memory a part of your family's life. We personally aren't using the memory verses, because we're working to memorize scriptures in a children's catechism. 

February's topic is The Love of God. The plan begins with passages that specifically outline God's love for His people, and moves on to passages teaching about Christ's love for us. I try to include a bit of context with each passage, but I trust that you as parents will set it up as best as you can for your kids, explaining and teaching as you go through it. 

I changed things up a little bit this month in that there isn't a passage for every single day. Our family only got 3/4's of the way through last month's plan, and from the feedback I've gotten from other parents this seems to be a common issue. There is a passage for each weekday, Monday through Friday. You can use weekends to catch up, or just to take a break if you're on track. 

Songs and hymns that would be good for accompanying the plan include: O The Deep Deep Love of Jesus, Beloved Let Us Love One Another, This is My Commandment, and Jesus Loves Me. With a passage to read, a weekly verse to memorize, and corresponding songs, you have an entire family worship program in a nutshell (don't forget to pray). P.S: This is how I teach hymns to my preschoolers. 

You can access this month's free printable Bible Reading Plan here. 

If you like this plan, I think you would like my new ebook! It's called Read the Bible to Your Kids: A Year of Simple Plans to get into the Word Together. 

I've created 13 topical, month long plans with passages from both the Old and New Testament. The passages are short {for short attention spans!}, and the PDF file can easily be printed off for you to check off boxes as you read.

It's a great, simple solution for families who want to build Word-centered homes. You can find out what people are saying about it, the topics the plans cover, and download your copy for only $4.99 right here.

12 Parenting Books to Read this Year

One of the areas that I try to always be reading about is parenting.

A trap I've fallen into in the past is allowing parenting books to stress me out. I compared myself to the standard set in the book, scrambled to follow a method as closely as possible, and ended up feeling pretty crummy and useless when it just didn't work for me.

Reading shouldn't be burdensome! It should be helpful and constructive. Especially when it comes to parenting; it's good to turn the ideas over in our minds, think about our own parenting as objectively as possible, adopt the good, and feel free to throw the rest to the wind. Every family is different, and there is no such thing as a perfect parent.

I like to read parenting books often because it keeps me on my toes and thinking about what is currently one of my most important jobs. My parenting is a mosaic of the way I was raised, the way I understand Scripture, and the tactics and tricks that I've read or observed in other parents along the way. I want the wisdom of other godly parents coming at me constantly because I don't have all the answers. I'm looking to grow.

If we can approach our reading in this way- from a place deeply rooted in the grace of God, confident in our standing before Him, and not ready to be blown about by every wind of a different parenting algorithm, then I really believe parenting books can be beneficial.

Also, the number one book every parent should be reading is the Bible. That's the only infallible book that addresses the topic, period.

You should know that I haven't read any of the books on this list yet {apart from the first, which I just finished}. So they could be horrible, heretical, crazy, or amazing. I really don't know. I have high hopes for them because almost all were the recommendations of friends or other bloggers.

If you'd like a list of some of my favorite parenting books read in the past, that would include: Loving the Little Years, Fit to Burst, Give Them Grace, Together: Growing Appetites for God, Honey for a Child's Heart, The Shaping of a Christian Family, and Shepherding a Child's Heart... I could go on, but maybe that will be another whole post :).

Without further ado, 12 parenting books I'd like to read this year:

Withhold Not Correction by Bruce A. Ray. I received this at my first baby shower over four years ago in a stack of parenting books, and it had sat on my shelf ever since. It was recently bumped up to the top of my stack when I saw three copies {yes, 3!!!} of it on the bookshelf of dear family friends. The lady of the house, mother of 5 boys all grown into some of the nicest and godliest men I know, said that if anyone asked her for advice, this book says everything she would say to them. There you have it.

Surprised By Motherhood by Lisa-Jo Baker. I really appreciate Lisa-Jo's graciousness, sense of humor, and wisdom. This book was a favorite of one of my friends in 2014 {here's looking at you Abigail I.}, so it's been on my list for awhile now. Time to bump it up!

Strong Mothers, Strong Sons by Meg Meekers. Oh my heart! The bigger he gets, the more I'm astounded at the sweetness of the mother-son relationship. At the same time, girls are what I know and understand- I need all the help I can get when it comes to my little man.

Raising a Daughter After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George. I've appreciated a lot of E.G's books in the past. The titles kind of bugs me, because we are not the Holy Spirit, and in the end have no control over whether our kids grow up to be "after God's heart" or not. Still, I'm sure this book will be full of gems.

Parenting the Whole Hearted Child by Jeannie Cunnion. I heard the author interviewed on a podcast ages ago, and her wise, Gospel-centered words really piqued my interest.

The Faithful Parent by Martha Peace. Another baby shower gift from days of old that I have yet to read. You can count on Mrs. Peace to present sound Biblical wisdom in everything she writes.

The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson. Confession- I've never read one of Sally Clarkson's book {apart from Desperate, which she co-wrote with Sarah Mae, so I don't really think it counts}. She has quite the reputation, so I'm really overdue here.

Making Children Mind without Losing Yours by Kevin Leman. You know those moms who are just so kind, and lovely and wise... and you know that they aren't perfect, and you know that their kids aren't perfect either- but watching them parent just commands your respect and inspires you as a mom? My friend who is that mom recently read this book and recommended it as helpful.

Gospel Powered Parenting by William P. Farley. Gospel in the title or subtitle, and chances are good I'm going to want to read it. Moralism is a trap I've been stumbling over my entire life, and I need to see Jesus, to meditate on Jesus, and to allow Jesus to change the way I raise my kids.

Christ in the Chaos: How the Gospel Changes Motherhood by Kimm Crandall. Ditto to the above. Also, comes recommended from highly respected sources.

Duties of Parents by J.C. Ryle. This is a Christian classic, and recommended by the esteemed Elisabeth Elliot.

Hints on Child Training by H. Clay Trumbull. Another classic, also recommended by Elisabeth Elliot. Author happens to be her great-grandfather. Even cooler, you can get the Kindle edition for a mere $0.99. Don't have a Kindle? No problem! Just download the free Kindle app to any computer or mobile device.

What parenting books would you recommend? And tell me I'm not the only mom whose gotten stuck in the pits of parenting book blues?!?

The links above are affiliate links- which means that if you make a purchase through them, I receive a small comission at no extra charge to you. But you should know that I am an avid believer in reading for free through your library. Thanks for supporting The Purposeful Wife!

The Most Important Work

"Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work." C.S. Lewis

I've been feeling overwhelmed a lot lately. There's a list of tasks a mile long that I've been trying to get done for weeks... but I am barely keeping my head above water with the dishes and the laundry and the clutter and the children. We caught a nasty cold at the end of December, and a handful of us are still coughing through the nights.

This sickness, and trying to recover from two and a half weeks away in which the two big kids did not sleep well at all... well, it's dragged my body down to bone weary, and I'm having a hard time catching up.

At times like these I'm tempted to shelf the storybooks, throw on Netflix for the kids, take a power nap- then get my bottom in high gear fixing and cleaning and doing. While that is fine and dandy every once and again, I don't want my perspective to be off.

The kids are my most important work. 

When I remember that, we spend long sweet mornings in p..j's- doing our school work, reading lots of great books, making play dough and horse playing. These mornings are glorious. Sure, my to do list is sadly neglected. But the relationships fed and the memories built are worth it. 

There is a balance here. Obviously our families need to be fed and have clean socks to wear and a clean and comfortable space to rest and learn and live in. All of these things require a lot of work. Am I right?

But in our doing, let's not lose focus. Who are we doing these things for? Are we being sweet to the precious little souls we are raising when they interrupt our work for the 100th time that morning? 

This past weekend I tried to go to bed earlier and to take better care of myself, because I want to catch up. I want to feel well, and be ready and able for this most important task of shepherding the 3 souls God has entrusted to my care. 

Go to it Mama. Your most important work today is right under your nose. 

Parenting is Like Gardening

It's been about three and a half years now.

Three and a half years of wondering if I am the world's lousiest mother. Three and a half years of discipline and instruction, never consistent enough, done falteringly and feebly, but with as much love as any mother has to give. Three and a half years of a delightful, yet undeniably strong-willed, daughter asserting her independence.

Our oldest is 4 and a half... and all of a sudden, it seems like all of the things we have been stressing, and working through, and reminding and teaching are sort of starting to click.

I'm suddenly seeing a lot of fruit from all of our labors. It's encouraging to say in the least.

This is not to say that everything is perfect. We are still sorting out temper tantrums often, reminding, correcting, and disciplining. Because my kids will stop sinning as soon as I stop sinning {hint: not in this life}. But this beautiful and creative, severely strong-willed child is exhibiting multiple signs of blossoming maturity.

Interestingly enough, this has coincided with the two and a half year old beginning to incite his own rebellion. A much later bloomer to the terrible twos than his sister, which was nice until now :).

The delightful thing is is that this time around, because of all the progress I see in our first, I can remember that this is a difficult stage. It doesn't mean that I'm failing at motherhood. If we continue doing our best to train and plow through it, there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. Far away as the light may seem.

I still need to improve in consistency of discipline. I still need to learn the Law of Kindness when my kids are acting out and my patience is tried. I've got a long way to go in this motherhood gig, and by the grace of God I trust He will continue His good work in me, enabling me to rise to the task.

I've just got to tell you that this 4 and a half year old who comes when she's called, responds sweetly oftentimes now when I tell her no, and can answer me with the right verse or reason when I ask her why I've said something... she's giving me a lot of hope.

Hang in there, Mama who's first is still a fiery eighteen month old, a troublesome two year old, or a tyrannical three year old.

Yes, we need to lovingly teach and discipline our child to the best of our ability. If we do I can guarantee that sweeter days are coming just around the corner.

Parenting is like gardening- you plant and you water and you weed and you wait- just in this case the efforts are more constant and the wait is much longer. But eventually little green sprouts poke their heads out, flourish and grow, and you get to delight in the sweet fruits of your labors.

I think we're just experiencing the first fruits crop.

How I Make Time for Books

Last year I read 60 books. Not quite my goal of 65, but still- not too shabby for a mom of 2 and then 3 little people.

How did I do it? Sure, I'm a fairly fast reader, and that helps. The crazy thing is, is that that number could have been significantly higher if I hadn't wasted so much time online.

Which brings me to my first recommendation if you'd like to read more books this year:

Stop mindlessly scrolling. When you have a brief break between tasks, or you are making phone calls and stuck on hold, whatever- get off of FaceBook, and read a real book for a couple of minutes instead. I try to keep books all over- in my purse, on my nightstand, the end table next to my couch, and the countertop where I keep my planner and to do list. That way I can read a page or two in the in between moments.

Nursing or holding a baby = book time. This has been made even easier by the advent of the iPhone. I have both the Kindle app and a Bible app on my phone, and it especially keeps me sane when I'm bouncing a fussy baby. I'm subscribed to Money Saving Mom's email list, and pretty much every week day she lists free ebooks. Anytime one catches my fancy I download it for future nursing sessions.

Read a little before bed. I'm not as good at this as I'd like to be, but several evenings a week I'll read a chapter of or two of whatever is on my nightstand before turning out the light. I stay away from novels as story grip threatens a decent night's sleep, and stick with non-fiction.

Turn off the t.v. Again, I can't say I've arrived in this area. My husband and I like to watch a show or two together a few times each week. But if the kids are in bed, the house looks decent, and he's busy doing homework or another project, I will likely spend the evening reading.

Use the Lord's Day well. Sunday afternoons are for rest and soul re-charging at our house. This is the day that I make time for theological reading that I have a harder time plowing through during a busy week. I'm more awake after a Sunday afternoon nap ;).

Treadmill = book time. To make exercise a lot less painful, I indulge myself with something fun to read.

Need a little pick me up? Pick up your book. When you're feeling worn out or stressed, and you just need a minute to yourself, read. Usually 10 or 15 minutes in a book gives me the gusto I need to get back up and going.

Occasionally binge. I have to seriously limit my novel intake, because when I pick a really fascinating story up I won't emerge until it's done. This can be hazardous to my children, husband, and home. But when we're on vacation, or everyone is sick, or some other special circumstance arises, I will allow myself to binge read a novel or two. And it is delightful.

How do you make time for books?  

What's Our Emphasis as Parents?

The links below are affiliate links- which means that if you make a purchase through them, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. But you should know that I am an avid believer in reading for free through your library. Thanks for supporting The Purposeful Wife!

"Alas, if our children lose the crown of life, it will be but a small consolation that they have won the laurels of literature or art." Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

Education is incredibly important to me. I've always loved school {at least in theory}, but especially in the last two years of college, my appetite for learning increased exponentially as I realized all of the worlds it opened up to me. Education is an opportunity to fill our minds with truth and beauty.

At this point we are planning to classically educate our kids at home, and I am super exited about it- mostly because I can't wait to get my own second chance at a more thorough education. The history, the art, the language... pretty much all of it except for mathematics thrills me. 

But how easy is it to focus on teaching our kids their colors, and letters, and numbers... and neglect to fill their little souls with the Word of God? While I want my kids to excel in academics, isn't it so much more important that I be saturating them in truths of eternal weight? 

I'm not saying that academia has no import in a child's upbringing- clearly it does. Especially if "all truth is God's truth." The point I'm trying to make is that I think it is very easy to focus on the one, while neglecting the far greater. 

This is one of the reasons I'm so passionate about wanting to read the Bible to my kids this year. It's why we are including the catechism and hymns in our preschool at home. It's why I'm trying to spend more time in books like Give Them Grace, and in The Book. If the Gospel isn't central in my heart first, it will not be central in my home.

Clearly, the salvation of my children's souls is not up to me. Godly kids have been raised by ungodly parents, and ungodly kids have been raised by godly parents. Church History and Scripture itself delineates this over and over again. 

But like the Apostle Paul, I want to be able to say "Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God" {Acts 20:26,27}. Yes, he was speaking to a group of church leaders here- but shouldn't we, by the grace of God, be able to say the same to our children when they are grown? 

It's so easy to go on auto-pilot. To let our kids minds be filled with the culture around them- television, books {even good ones}, and friends they spend time with. I don't want to be an auto-pilot mom. With God's help, I want to be a mom who is intentionally devoting herself to the evangelization of her kids. 

Habits to Form in 2016

Goal setting is an area that I still really struggle in.

In light of this, I decided to keep things simple this year and focus on a few key habits that I'd like to form.

Because I am a check-list loving gal {the thrill of ticking off little boxes with pretty pens makes me feel so accomplished and happy!}, I've simply been listing the five or six habits/goals I want to develop on the right side of each day in my daily planner. As I complete each goal for the day I check it off.

This simple method is working so far in that it is keeping my most important want-to-do's ever before my eyes. I am already looking at my planner a dozen times a day- if I want to change in an area, this is a prime reminder location.

I've started with 5 habits that I want to work on all year, and 1 that is simply for the month of January. Once I am in a rhythm with them and feel like it is doable, I might add to the list.

If you're curious what they are, here goes:

Get outside every day. I'm a firm believer in all of the benefits of daily fresh air intake, especially as a part of the idyllic childhood experience. I want to be the mom that takes her kids outside every day, come hell or high water.

But when I haven't showered and it is 2 o'clock in the afternoon, and it is freezing cold, and I have to bundle up three children {including an infant} and myself, and our unfenced in yard sits smack on a busy road... well, it's a challenge.

So I'm laying aside excuses and committing to just. doing. it. Even if it's only two minutes to the mailbox and back. A little fresh air is better than no fresh air. My two-year-old all-boy boy bounces off the walls and really needs to not be cooped up all winter long.

Work on my blog every day. Except Sundays. Blogging is a hobby that I thoroughly enjoy... but I often neglect because I'd rather take a nap or watch t.v. sometimes. Which is fine, except that I want this to be a discipline- something I see the benefits of, and am committed to doing every day, no matter how I feel. I believe that committing to what's important to you is important. I want to walk by faith, not feelings.

Pray with my kids every day. Praying with my kids is so humbling- it forces me to confess my sins before the Lord and them, to make things right and keep the relationships healthy and open. I want to point my babies to Jesus- if they hear me talking to Him throughout their days, I am certain it will be a first step in making the Gospel impression on them that I am so desperate to make.

Pray with my husband every day. Niall and I are never so close as when we are praying together. Praying with my husband keeps me updated on what's on his mind, humbles me {see previous paragraph}, and refreshes our commitments to one another and the Lord. So good. We've been doing this at the close of each day.

Go to bed at 10 every night. I do not do well on lack of sleep. Yet I am so undisciplined about going to bed at night- I am a glutton for pleasure who wants to stuff every after bedtime child-free moment with fun fun fun! This is seriously sabotaging me in my efforts as a mom {tired mom= cranky and unkind mom}, wife {tired wife is no fun to be around, and is insanely selfish}, and homemaker {tired homemaker would rather scroll Facebook all day than clean, cook, and organize}. This is going to have to be my keystone habit for the year.

And just for January...

No sugar. I'm an addict folks. So Niall and I are cutting out all sweets {except for fruit} for the month as a kind of detox. At the end of the month we will discuss what role sugar will play in our normal life. I kind of don't want to live without sugar in my tea and a steady stream of chocolate... but it is super unhealthy, and I have a hard time moderating. We shall see how it goes. Today is Day 4 and so far, so good- I really miss the stuff, but just saying no has made me firm in my resolution. Having Husband accountability doesn't hurt either.

What are some habits that you'd like to develop this year? Did you set any goals or resolutions? 

Project: Clear Surfaces

Let's take a moment and consider the state of the surfaces in our homes. If counters and tables and nightstands are drowning under piles of stuff, home probably isn't feeling too relaxing right now.

Clutter-free surfaces are visual white spaces in your home. If the counters are cleared and clean, your eyes will have a tidy place to rest, causing you to feel relaxed. They are also big productivity boosters- it's much easier to do homework on a neat table, and to make dinner on an empty {or almost empty} island, than cluttered ones.

When preparing to tidy up surfaces, consider this: the surfaces in our homes tell stories. If we can hone in and listen to the story a particular surface is telling us, our clutter solutions can be solved with a lot less fuss.

For example, one of the issues with my desk is that the mini photo books I receive each month have outgrown their space. Once it worked perfectly- now they just tumble over and get knocked about. If I move them to a more accommodating space, the area will be a lot more presentable and user-friendly.

The trouble on top of my drier is rooted in the disorganized and overflowing craft collection on the shelf above. If I can streamline our art supplies and find a way to put them away neatly, while also being easily accessible, the issue will be resolved.

The other issue with that space is that I don't have a set location for borrowed goods that need to be returned. My friend's cake platter and travel cup are washed and waiting to go back to her, so I stick them on the drier. I keep forgetting to return items to people, and the pile grows. Designating a neat box of items to return by my door or in my car would be a better option.

What are your spaces telling you? The solutions you need could be right under your nose, if only you take time to pay attention and think it through.

The New Year is the perfect time to attack the surfaces in your home and wipe the slate clean. This week and next I will be going over my surfaces, discarding superfluous items, and creating more visual white space in my home.

It's a comforting ritual to ring in the New Year. Here's to lots of wide open spaces in 2016.

What stories are your surfaces telling you?

5 Compelling Reasons to Read

If you've spent much time around here, you know that I am a big fan of books. Since childhood I've been an avid reader. In my current season of life I try to read novels few and far between, because once the story has sucked me in my children get slightly neglected and my housework seriously suffers until I have steam-rolled through to the end. Can anyone else relate to that?!?

Lighthearted entertainment aside, I firmly believe that Christian people ought to be reading people. Here are a few reasons why.

1. God chose to speak to us through the written word. Of all the ways that the infinite, holy, and eternal God could choose to speak to His people, after the Prophets and His Son, He gave us a Book. If you could care less about any other book, please at the very least be a person of The Book. Plant yourself in it, meditate on it, memorize it. God was very gracious to give it to us. He has prioritized it, and so should we.

2. Reading develops empathy. Studies have shown that people who read literary fiction are more empathetic than people who do not. Why? Simply because connecting with characters in a good novel allows you to see into the mind and emotions of someone other than yourself, experiencing situations you are not personally familiar with.

Christians of all people ought to be empathetic- we know that we are sinners, saved only by the grace of God, and this levels the playing field for all people, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" {Romans 3:23}.

3. Reading keeps your mind sharp. It expands your vocabulary, develops your abilities to articulate your thoughts more clearly and convincingly, and is a good way to steward the amazing gift that God has given you in your brain.

4. Reading informs. It fills you in on all areas and aspects of life. Being well-read ensures that you will always have something to talk about in social settings, or some piece of helpful information to pass on to others. It can improve your relationships, your work, and your understanding of the world around you.

5. Reading can change your life. "You will be the same person in five years you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read" {Charlie Tremendous Jones}. This is so. very. true. I can look back over how I have personally changed in the past year and pinpoint the exact titles of the books that informed those changes.

I want to grow primarily in the grace and knowledge of God. I also want to grow in my understanding of others, in my work as a wife and mother and home keeper, and my level of knowledge in general. Thus I am, and will continue to be, committed to reading.

The Year of Desires Radically Transformed

I'm beginning every Monday morning of 2016 with words from a great mind. Encouraging quotes from believers who have finished the course before us and run well to the end. My prayer is that they will give both you and me the boost we need to start our week hopeful and fixed on Jesus. 

"Will the young woman find a mate? Will the couple have a child? Maybe this year will be the year of desire fulfilled. Perhaps, on the other hand, it will be the year of desire radically transformed, the year of finding, as we have perhaps not yet truly found, Christ to be the All-Sufficient One, Christ the Deep Sweet Well of Love.'" Elisabeth Elliot, Keep a Quiet Heart

If you were to ask me what would make my life better, happier, or more productive, I could rattle off a long list for you. A better job for my husband, a home to call our own, more money and freedom to travel and visit family, more sleep, and on it goes. Oh I know what I want in life, and it is very easy to focus on my unfulfilled desires.

And maybe this year will be a big year for us. Maybe all of our ducks will line up in a row, maybe things will look up, maybe it will be just one big dream come true. Maybe.

The sneaky thing about desires is that the moment one is fulfilled, another new one rushes to fill its place. We are highly discontented creatures. This world has been full of disappointments ever since Adam and Eve stole the forbidden fruit in the Garden. With their sin came the Fall, death, and misery. Genesis tells me that there will be sickness, there will be sorrow, and my life will not be perfect... until the New World comes. 

All of these imperfections, all of these hurts and desires unfulfilled, can do one of two things. They can either embitter and push me away from God, or they can cause me to flee to Him for refuge, comfort, and contentment. My prayer is that we would choose the second option.

When I look at my list of desired life improvements, I can clearly see that it is my desires, and not my life, that need radical transformation. It's been said that Jesus+Nothing=Everything, and I find that truest when the lesser desires go unfulfilled. 

When everything is sunshine and peaches and roses it is easy to forget the good God who has given all good things. His greatest gifts to me have been pain and uncertainty and desperation, because it is those undesired gifts that bring me down on my knees before Him. Trials deepen my experiential knowledge of God. They draw me closer to Him.

There have been times in my life when I have found Christ to be the All-Sufficient One, the Deep Sweet Well of Love. I can look back on my miscarriages, and my daughter's extremely premature birth, and I can see how the Lord in His kindness cared for us, gave us great peace, and brought us through. Knowing Him in that way in those days was a very precious gift.

Yet I confess that this is not my every day experience. This year, more than ever, I want to know Him this way, and to desire Him above all else. 

"Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you." Psalm 73: 25

May this be the year in which our desires are radically transformed. May we ever find that Christ is truly all we need. Certainly any deficiency in our experience of His sufficiency is a reflection not upon Him, but the state of our own hearts.

One Word for 2016

"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." 
{Proverbs 31:26}

This quality of the Proverbs 31 woman is currently the one that pierces me with the most painful conviction. For a long time it was the following, verse 27- "She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness." Laziness is one of those pet sins that I think I will be fighting until I die.

But since my children have multiplied, and sleep is less consistent and chaos more so, my temper has flared up and my tongue gets out of control. I hate the way I sound when scolding my kids, and they aren't big fans of it either.

Plus it sounds 8 million times worse when the same tone of voice comes out of my four year old daughter scolding her two year old brother. It is what she is hearing from me, and it is ugly.

I desperately need to learn the "teaching of kindness."

This year I am committing to praying over and working towards this particular fruit of the Spirit. I don't want to be THAT mom- the cranky, grumpy one who lashes out at her kids with harsh and unkind words.

I recently read Carolyn Mahaney's Feminine Appeal, and the impression that has stayed longest with me since finishing is Carolyn's warm accolades for her mother. The mother who was always kind, always joyful, so much so that her children were surprised at the many sacrifices required by parenting when they grew up and had their own children. She had never let onto the difficulties.  She had never played the martyr.

I want to be that mom. And I am so achingly far from it.

To help keep me accountable, and to encourage my progress, I intend to {Lord willing} write one post each month centered on this theme. I plan to memorize and meditate on relevant Scriptures, find visual reminders I can wear or post around my home, and pray a lot.

Want to join me?

If lack of kindness has been a point of struggle for you, I'd love to know how you combat it.

The links above are affiliate links- which means that if you make a purchase through them, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. But you should know that I am an avid believer in reading for free through your library. Thanks for supporting The Purposeful Wife!