A Bible Reading Plan for Little Ones {When I am Afraid}

Most kids struggle with fear at one time or another. Whether it's the dark, monsters under the bed, or a bully at school; there will be a point in your parenting career that you are faced with a frightened child.

How do we quiet those fears? How do you calm your child down when they are gripped by terror? Sure, the boogey man isn't real- but we do live in a scary world where bad things can happen. We need to be honest with them {at an age-appropriate level} about the scary; we need to prepare them for facing real fears.

For Christian parents, the answer should be obvious: when our children are afraid we need to take them to the Bible and teach them about the God who is in control of all things, and loves His children deeply.

We can assure them that God hears them, He values them, and any hard thing that does happen to them is under His sovereign control, meant for their ultimate good. When they are afraid, our kids can learn to trust God.

Because my kids have the same fears and concerns as any other kid, this is an issue we've tackled again and again in our home. For this reason I've put together a month-long Bible reading plan centered on the theme. It's called, "When I am Afraid, I Will Trust in Thee."

On it you'll find 20 different passages from both the Old and New Testament. The passages are short, designed for the attention spans of toddlers and preschoolers. But because it is the Word of God we are handling, you'll find them relevant to the entire family.

The plan simply lists each passage, titling it with a key point from the text. I've left it very open-ended so that parents can address the context and interpretation. It's a simple but effective tool for getting into the Word with your kids.

I pray that it will be a blessing to your family, and a meaningful way to introduce them to the God who quiets all of our fears!

You can get the printable sent straight to your inbox by signing up for my newsletter here.

If you like this plan, I think you would like my 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.

A Starting Place for Scripture Memory

The spiritual disciplines are vitally important to our Christian lives. Reading and meditating on Scripture, praying, and regularly attending and participating in the worship services of a local church are essential components of a spiritually healthy believer. 

Sometimes as a mom of little people, time seems scarce and even showering is a luxury... so it's easy to let many of our spiritual disciplines fall away. 

Many years ago {ha! feels like it...} before I had children, I started a Scripture Memory program that was very effective for me. The verses I was memorizing just stuck, regular review of past memory verses was an integral part of the program, and I was able to memorize large passages of Scripture. 

Bible Reading: Micro or Macro?

There are affiliate links in this post. That means that if you click through and make a purchase, I receive a commission at no extra charge to you. You can read my full disclosure policy here. Thanks for your support of The Purposeful Wife!

Christians disagree about Bible reading. Of course we all agree that a Christian should be reading their Bible every day... but how should they go about doing it?

On the one side, you could cover the entire Bible in a year, reading multiple chapters a day.

On the other side, many believers love to focus on just a small passage daily, really soaking up and meditating on a few verses.

God's Will for You

Often in this life, believers long for clear-cut direction from God. We want obvious, miraculous signs to show us if we should make a career change, have another baby, move cross country, embark on a new adventure, or just stay put and be faithful right where we are.

How can we know what God is calling us to do?

Do I really want to be godly, or just more put together?

I've moved blogs- you can find the updated article HERE, as well as a free printable set of verse cards to help you meditate on the Gospel. 

Thank you for understanding! I hope it blesses you <3. 

Presenting... Read the Bible to Your Kids {the ebook}!

It's a big day here at The Purposeful Wife, because after years of hemming and hawing, wanting to produce an ebook, but never quite buckling down and just doing it... it's done.

I'm delighted to introduce you to Read the Bible to Your Kids: A Year of Simple Plans to get Into the Word Together.

If you long to make God's Word central in your home but just don't know where to start, this is for you. If you feel frustrated by the inadequacies of Bible story books and want to get into the meat of the actual Bible with your little ones, this is for you. If you're tired and overwhelmed, but earnestly desire to plant spiritual seeds in the hearts of your children, this resource is for you!

When Your Fresh Start Falls Flat

We moved cross country at the very end of July.

"Yippee!" I thought. "A fresh start, right before the beginning of the school year- I can put my best foot forward, start living the way I mean to from Day 1 so that the habits just stick, and be awesome. The end."

I planned to blog regularly {duh- what else would I be doing with no local friends to spend time with?!}, eat healthily {"we just won't buy any junk or processed food at the new house"}, get our home beautifully organized and decorated, crack down on finances, FINALLY start going to bed earlier, etc.

A Bible Reading Plan for Little Ones {God Takes Care of His People}

A new month is upon us, and with it comes a new free, printable Bible reading plan to share with your kids in family worship. I'm sorry to be posting this so late! Our family has had exciting things happening behind the scenes that I can hopefully share with you all soon. It's been busy and a little out of the ordinary in my real life... which means this space is the first to get neglected ;). 

This month we are looking at God's tender care for His people- His provision, loving kindness, and ultimately, salvation. The goal is to show our kids what God is like, what He does, and why we can trust Him, resting safely and securely in His care. I started the month with passages related to physical provision and God's work in the world at large, and hone in more specifically on salvation and redemption as the month progresses.

I hope it will encourage both you and your little ones! Both children and adults need to know and remember that God is good, bigger than me and my circumstances, and infinitely trustworthy. My prayer is that these scriptures will sink deep into your souls, enabling you to experience the peace and joy that comes from knowing and trusting Him in the ups and downs of daily life. God takes care of His people- perfectly, beautifully, fully. 

As usual, there is a mix of both Old and New Testaments. One passage for each week day, for four weeks. Your feedback on the plans is always appreciated! Hope you enjoy this. 

We try to read ours at meal times. On a really good day, I read and discuss it with my 2 and 4 year old at breakfast, and my husband goes over it a second time at dinner. But we miss many a day, go through times of consistency and inconsistency- we by no means "have it down". 

The goal is to keep trying, and to keep sowing seeds of the Word into our children's hearts. They might wiggle, they might not seem to be hearing... but we keep reading, explaining, and praying, trusting the Lord to work through His Word in His way and time.  

You can print your copy off right 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 solutions. 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.

How to Stay Awake Reading Your Bible First Thing in the Morning

I'll never forget the advice that an old pastor gave to me and my husband before we got married- "Let the first words that your eyes see every morning be the words of God."

Scripture is replete with the early morning practice of seeking God first; from David in the Psalms to Jesus in the first chapter of Mark.

We know it's a good thing to get in the Word first thing... but it can be rough. Especially for moms of little people who aren't getting much sleep. Trust me when I tell you that I know it can feel impossible to keep your eyes open when you are trying to read your Bible right after you get up in the morning. I'm right there with you! I've gone months at a time of not getting up all that early, and reading after breakfast while the kids play {sleep is essential for our proper functioning!}.

A Bible Reading Plan for Little Ones {Who is Jesus?}

A new month is upon us, and with it comes a new free, printable Bible reading plan to share with your kids in family worship. My favorite plan so far this year was April's, in which we focused on the Attributes of God. I thought I'd plan something similar for this month, instead focusing on God the Son. June's plan is all about Jesus.

From several Old Testament passages, but mostly New Testament, we'll be examining the names and descriptive titles of Christ. I hope and pray that you and your children grow in your understanding of who our precious Savior is <3.

The plan covers Monday-Friday, for four weeks. I've tried to make it a timeless resource that could be used any month of any year, so it won't match the calendar perfectly. Just use extra days to review or catch up if you've fallen behind.

If you use one of my plans with your family, I'd love to hear what you thought of it! Preparing these plans takes a good chunk of time each month, and I'm really wanting to improve their quality. I want them to be as user-friendly and as much of a blessing as possible! Shoot me an email at thepurposefulwife@gmail.com. Or a comment is fine too.

You can access June's 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 solutions. 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.

Making Over My Evenings {Day 7}

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. Thanks for supporting The Purposeful Wife!

I'm working my way through Crystal Paine's new course, Makeover Your Evenings- 14 days of videos, reading, and projects designed to bring more order, rest, and productivity into your life. If you'd like to grab the course and work through it right along with me, you can do so here. Each weekday night I'll be posting my takeaway from the day's coursework. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it and how you are making over your own evenings!

Finally, with a few pit stops along the way, I'm at the halfway point of this course! How's it coming along for you?

Today Crystal addresses our thinking. The negative thoughts we think on rerun have a tendency to drag us down, affecting the way we live. She encourages us to replace our negative thoughts with positive ones.

I'd like to go a step further and say we don't just need positive thoughts- we need Gospel thoughts! The reality is we do make huge mistakes, and life is a disaster at times. If my hope is in my own ability to improve myself, then I'm doomed for disappointment every time.

The good news for the Christian is that all of our sins are covered by the blood of Jesus. While there may be consequences for them, and broken relationships may never be fully healed in this life- before God, I am counted forgiven and righteous and perfect, only because Jesus lived holy, righteous, and perfect, and gave me this gift through His cross. No matter what my day or week or life looks like, my biggest problem {my sin and separation from God} has been taken care of.

The biggest negative thoughts I struggle with at night are 1) my own failings as a wife, mom, and homemaker, and 2) fear that the future is hopeless. I'd like to address both of those in light of the Gospel now.

First of all, my failings. On the smaller scale, I fret that I can't keep my house in order, the messes are unending, and that my homemaking disasters have a negative impact on my loved ones and my ability to serve others. On the larger scale, I worry that I'm scarring my children for life, that my life doesn't present the Gospel attractively, and that I am a terrible wife who is holding her husband back in life. Maybe you can relate to a few of these concerns? Some of them are indeed legitimate!

This is why every single day I need to preach the Gospel to myself- first thing in the morning, as I go about my day, and finally, at night as I'm tempted to lie awake fretting. I need to remember that while I've messed up BIG TIME, Jesus died for all of the sins I committed this day. They are paid for and put away, "as far as the east is from the west" {Psalm 103}. Furthermore, I am completely clothed and covered in the righteousness of Christ. I could never earn or deserve it, but by grace, through faith, He has freely extended this gift to me.

I need to remember that my children's salvation doesn't depend on me. Even though I will {guaranteed} hurt and disappoint these children who are more precious than anything on earth to me, God is big enough to never let them down. His grace covers all my failings. He fills the gap, He can heal them and help them. All I can give is my best, asking forgiveness when I sin against them, and keep moving forward in grace.

I also need to remember that while I'm appointed as Niall's helpmate, I am not the Holy Spirit in his life. God doesn't need me to accomplish what He intends to in my husband's life. Granted, by His grace I can be one of the means He uses to do so, but once again, the Lord is gracious, much bigger than me and my sin, and well able to accomplish all He pleases. This gives me great hope.

Secondly, I fear the future. We should note here that the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 "laughs at the time to come" {verse 25} and that Sarah's example in 1 Peter 3 says "And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening" {verse 6}.

Sometimes I worry that we are "stuck." Our life will never change, we will always be struggling in the same place, with the same besetting sins, never able to achieve the goals we dream of. That could be true. My life never may shape up to be the ideal I long for. BUT GOD.

I have precious Gospel promises that I should meditate on for encouragement when I'm tempted to despair of these things. The Lord has a plan for me {Jeremiah 29:11; Philippians 1:6}! He has promised to work all things together for good to those whom He has called {Romans 8:28}. My life may seem a total waste from a worldly perspective- but my God wastes nothing. He is sovereign, completely in control, my life was all planned out before it even began {Psalm 139}. He will accomplish what He has purposed to do for me. And it will be good and it will bring Him glory.

I get discouraged when I focus on my little dreams and preferences. When I look to Him, I can take heart and have hope.

If you are looking to grow more in your understanding of the Gospel and how it should change your daily life and thinking, there are a few books I would highly commend to you. They've completely changed the way I think about the Lord, myself, and life- Because He Loves Me by Elyse Fitzpatrick and The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges. Pretty much anything by these two authors is worth reading.

I'd love to hear how the Gospel has turned your negative thoughts on their heads <3.

Paying Special Attention to Those in My Circle

"Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special attention to those who by accidents of time or place, or circumstances, are brought into closer connection with you." Augustine

Sex-trafficking victims. Orphans. The homeless. Tsunami and earthquake survivors. Tribal folks without the Bible in their own language. The illiterate, the hungry, the lost. There are so very many people in the world, with so very many needs. 

As God's people we {ought to} feel compassion and concern, and the desire to help... but even the more "vanilla" trials and tragedies right next door of cancer, divorce, unemployment, and death leave us with more needs to  meet than we could ever possibly hope to in this lifetime. 

Then add the fact that your hands feel tied; limited resources, time the most pronounced. You feed your family three meals a day, keep their clothes clean, care for your home, and spend many a sleepless night....

How do we begin to make a dent in the needs? How can we radiate the love of Christ and make some small difference in the world for His Kingdom?

These words from Augustine of Hippo give me hope. 

I cannot do good to all- at least, not in the most literal sense.

But everyday the Lord, by divine appointment, puts me into direct contact with other people. Most frequently, my husband and children. But also neighbors, clerks in the grocery store, other moms and kids at the park, the elderly woman sitting in front of us at church.

If I focus in on the opportunity right in front of me, I can meet a need and show the love of Christ here and now. Faithfulness in the little things, in the little things right in front of our noses, is usually where we can best serve.

Let's not despise the day of little things.

You may not be able to write a big check, travel across the world, or devote your waking moments to the widows and orphans...

...but you could perhaps make a meal for the hurting woman down the street, offer to drive that elderly man to his doctor appointment, and faithfully care for the family God has given you. And maybe even send smaller checks to feed the hungry, rescue the trafficked, and shelter the homeless.

It feels a bit cliche, even trite. Truly, though- all we really can do is walk humbly and in obedience to our God, right here, right now. This is what that looks like for most of us.

Definitely you can pray. God has commanded it of us, and our awareness of the world's needs ought to drive us to our knees every day.

In the mean time, let's make a special effort to notice the people who God brings into closer connection with us. Let's be faithful to meet their needs as the Lord enables us, and to do good to all of those He's brought into our circle.

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

A Bible Reading Plan for Little Ones {Minding our Mouths}

It's that time again- a new month is upon us, so I've got a new Bible reading plan for you to print and share with your family. This month we are focusing on our mouths and the words that they speak. I've culled 20 short passages from the Old and New Testaments {some are only a verse or two}, all about our mouths- what they are for and aren't for, how we can use them to glorify God, and how God helps us with this task.

These short readings are perfect for family worship time with small children {mine are 4, 2, and 6 months}. We like to read them over meals- keeping little hands and mouths busy so that it is easier for them to listen.

Some of the principles to focus on and discuss with your kids as you read include:

• God made our mouths, and He can help us to use them rightly!
• Our speech can and should glorify God
• Our words come from our hearts, so change in speech begins with change in heart
• Words can hurt
• Words can help
• Be slow to speak, and don't talk too much

If you use one of my plans with your family, I'd love to hear what you thought of it! Preparing these plans takes a good chunk of time each month, and I'm really wanting to improve their quality. I want them to be as user-friendly and as much of a blessing as possible! Shoot me an email at thepurposefulwife@gmail.com. Or a comment is fine too.

You can access this month's plan right here.

You might also be interested in Tips for Reading the Bible to Small Children.

Happy Bible Reading!

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 solutions. 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.

Upping My Bible Study Game

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!

I grew up as a Pastor's kid. In high school I was president of the Christian Club, worked as a Bible camp counselor, and went on mission trips. After graduation, I attended a whopping four years of Bible college earning a Bachelors in Bible. My life has been, in many ways, saturated by the Scriptures.

And yet.

I can't say that serious Bible study is a part of my current, every day life. I read through the Bible every year, oh yes I do. Most days find me with my Bible cracked open for at least a quick read. Making printable monthly Bible reading plans has meant a lot of time spent with my concordance. And reading through Tim Challies' 2016 Reading Challenge has meant I'm picking up Bible book commentaries and other theological works.

Bible study can be confusing. If I read a commentary alongside my daily Scripture reading, does that count as personal study? Or if I work through a study book with the women's group at my church? So many tools and resources... and the idea of studying the Bible can become overwhelming. Where does one even begin?

Recently a bookish pal loaned me her copy of Jen Wilkin's Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both our Hearts and Minds. It was excellent- well written, completely relate able, absolutely doable.

Jen begins with a look at some of the bad habits Christians tend to have when it comes to reading their Bibles. She gently corrects them, then points us to a better way. Her plan for studying the Scriptures with the 5 "P's" {Purpose. Perspective. Patience. Process. Prayer.} certainly isn't easy; but it is doable.

I love how Jen openly acknowledges the difficulty we as women will have with making time for serious Bible study in different seasons of our lives. Raising small children, caring for elderly parents, bouts of illness, etc, can make it tough to be a diligent student of Scripture. But by God's grace, she challenges us to be faithful with the little moments we do have. She also equips us with a solid set of steps to follow. No wondering where to begin or what to do next!

If, like me, you struggle to know how to study the Bible for yourself... if you rely too heavily on the interpretations of other Bible readers... if you breeze through difficult passages and just hope to figure it out some day and "trust the Lord" in the meantime... I think you'll find this book to be a true blessing.

How many times have I looked to a commentary or listened to a sermon to understand an incomprehensible passage? I listen and think "oh! That makes sense!", but one week later still couldn't explain it satisfactorily, let alone remember the offered explanation. Truly studying Scripture out for myself is the only way to properly digest it and come to a place of better understanding.

With a large book and an infinite, incredible God to ponder, I'll never have the entire Bible mastered. But this invitation to swim out into the deeps has challenged me to make a beginning and just jump in.

Here's to many beautiful endeavors at knowing and loving God more through the study of His Word.

Gratitude for His Constant Goodness

There are affiliate links in this post- that means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. I only recommend books and products that I can personally vouch for, and I take your trust seriously. Thanks for your support of The Purposeful Wife! 

"'O that man would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men' (Psalm 107:8). Gratitude is the return justly required from the objects of His beneficence; yet is it often withheld from our great Benefactor simply because His goodness is so constant and so abundant. It is lightly esteemed because it is exercised toward us in the common course of events. It is not felt because we daily experience it." A.W. Pink, The Attributes of God

I'm fairly certain that not a day of my life has gone by in which I haven't committed the sin of complaining. I complain when my food doesn't quite suit my present cravings. I complain when the weather isn't ideal. I complain that my kids didn't sleep well, that my house is an impossible disaster, that I don't have enough money or time or freedom to do as I please.

Oh yes, complaining and I are familiar companions.

This sin that we've deemed as "respectable" {check out Jerry Bridges excellent book, Respectable Sins}- it's the same sin that God hated so much in the Israelite's that He struck them down in the wilderness for it. Because complaining is really, at its roots, an accusation that God isn't good, that He really doesn't know what is best for me. Or if He does, He is withholding it. Complaining in its true colors is blasphemous heresy.

The truth of the matter is that we are surrounded by the manifold goodness of God on a daily, moment-by-moment basis. As I sit and type there is snow falling in April. The temptation is to complain that it shouldn't snow in April! Doesn't God know that it is Spring already??

But really, the view I am enjoying from my comfortably heated home is stunning. The cup of coffee with real cream I'm drinking is a luxury. The mess on the floor surrounding me is a sign of God's abundant provision for our family, and all of the fun and liveliness that my precious children bring into our home. I don't feel these blessings as I ought to because I daily experience them.

His goodness is constant and abundant, and as I take the time to notice and thank Him for it, everything changes. My heart, my soul, my mind are all renewed, my perspective shifts, and joy replaces the bleak grumblings. How good God is- when we fulfill our duty of ascribing to Him the thanks and praise He justly deserves, He rewards us with deep and sweet happiness. Yet again, more goodness.

May the Lord cultivate in us thankful hearts. May we stop taking His many blessings for granted, and give Him the daily praise and thanks He so righteously requires.

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

Observing the Christian Sabbath {Part 4: Practical Application}

So far in this Sabbath series, we've covered:

• Biblical reasons for observing the Christian Sabbath 
• My personal story of how I came to this position
• A Biblical understanding of what the Sabbath is for

Today is the last post in the series. I'm going to briefly give you a picture of what Sunday's look like in our home, then provide a few suggestions which will hopefully be helpful to moms of little ones, seeking to find rest and spiritual refreshment within the unrelenting demands of motherhood.

As I mentioned in the last post, because believers today are no longer under the ceremonial law, there is no longer a black and white list of dos and don'ts for exact Sabbath observance. Practical application is going to look a little different in different homes. Developing your own personal convictions and practices will come as you seek the Lord through prayer, His Word, and counsel with other wise believers.

My desire with this post is to give you a helpful starting place for structuring your own day of rest and worship.

A typical Sunday morning at the O'Neill's house starts with getting ready for church. Most Saturday nights I lay out everyone's clothes, pack the diaper bag and Bibles, take my own shower, and prep the next day's meals so the day is as easy as possible. All I have to do in the morning is dress myself, feed everyone, and dress the kids.

We get home from church between 12:30-1. I heat up leftovers for lunch- no cooking enables me to rest from my normal work. Our two older kids used to take naps after lunch, so Niall and I took them too. Unfortunately now they are bigger and have mostly outgrown naps. Since they both sit in service with us, I don't feel good about making them do their typical week day quiet time either. Kids need to get their energy out at some point! This is a new challenge for us.

Some weeks Niall and I take turns napping. I lay down while he plays with the kids, then he wakes me up at a pre-determined time and we switch. I let the kids go out on our enclosed porch at the back of the house and close the door so I can read my Bible, study, or read another Christian book in quiet while they play. When they are bored of that, I set them up with art supplies and play either the Audio Bible for them, or a playlist of Hymns on Spotify.

Then we feed them a quick dinner and get ready to go back for evening service. By the time we get home from this second service, it is past bed time and we rush to get all of the kids down for the night. At which point Niall and I conclude the day, make a quick dinner, and enjoy a show on the couch before going to bed ourselves.

"Sabbath" for us is a day that we take a break from screens. We don't use our phones {apart from Skyping with long distance family} or turn on the t.v. {until the kids are in bed after evening service}. Occasionally we will spend the afternoon with folks from church- either hosting them for lunch, or going to another home. Sometimes we might visit someone in the hospital or a nursing home.

Between morning and evening services, we really don't have a lot of time to be bored, as I so feared before adjusting our lives to the weekly rhythm of Sabbath.

To boil it down, here are some practical ways a mom can "rest" on the Sabbath. Yes, you will still be disciplining, refereeing, training, and meeting the needs of your children. But these little tricks really make me feel rested at the start of each week:

• Cook ahead of time. This is a big one for me! I try to cook enough on Friday and Saturday so that meals on Sunday are just a matter of reheating. We've also recently instituted a tradition of muffins for breakfast Sunday mornings. I make the batter the night before, and just pop them into the oven first thing for a warm and yummy, extra special breakfast just for the Lord's Day.

• No housework. I don't do dishes or laundry or any other housework on Sundays. I don't go grocery shopping either. This requires strategic planning, and due diligence on Saturday especially. But it is totally worth it! Sure, Monday morning is usually spent getting everything in order for a new week, but the rest I had the day before equips me for facing the disaster. Institute a paper plates on Sunday policy to give yourself more leeway.

• A different agenda. Every day but Sunday, I have a to do list driving me. In between sibling conflicts and potty trips and blowing noses or instructing a child, I'm tackling as many to do's as I'm able. On Sundays, rest and worship are my only agenda. That means if the kids are playing nicely for a few minutes, I pick up theological reading I struggle to get in the rest of the week. Or I pray or read my Bible or just sit. Sure, I might not get many uninterrupted moments- but the ones I do get are spent with a specific purpose.

• Swap naps with your spouse. This might not work in every house- for example, a pastor's wife might have to diligently protect her husband's time between multiple Sunday services- but its at least worth asking your spouse about. If both husband and wife can catch a few minutes in bed while the other spouse keeps them quietly occupied, everyone wins. 

• No screens. A common thread in our culture is the overuse of technological devices. Laying down my phone, turning off the computer and television for one day, is so helpful in our home! It curbs addiction- we are comfortable when we don't have access to a screen, because we are used to not having them every single Sunday. It helps us to reconnect with the most important people in our life, to spend quality, distraction free face-to-face time. 

• Center kid time on the Word. I want the Lord's Day to be a meaningful, God centered day for my children as well as myself. Mothering is the one job in my life that I don't get a weekly Sabbath from! Sometimes it can feel frustrating to never get a break. To curb these feelings in my heart, I really attempt to spend focused Word time with my kids on Sundays. While they color their pictures from Sunday School, I talk with them about what they learned or play the stories they heard in church from the audio Bible. When they are clambering for some attention, we snuggle up on the couch and read Bible story books. We might go for an afternoon walk to burn some energy and talk about God's hand in the creation around us. If I'm intentional about the time I spend with them, I'm less likely to get discouraged. 

If you've never set aside the weekly Christian Sabbath but you'd like to start, the change might not be as drastic as you fear. If you're anything like my husband and I were before we did, it will probably be radically refreshing compared to your current worn-out and overbooked condition! 

First, identify areas of work you can set aside for a day {mine for example are food prep, dishes, shopping, and other housework}. The key is to prepare as much as possible ahead of time. Plan to pick up that emergency gallon of milk or package of diapers Saturday afternoon. Plan your meals ahead of time. Try to tidy your home Saturday night before bed so the next day is relaxing and not stressful. Then, purpose to fill your day with rest and spiritual refreshment. Include your kids as much as possible- the Sabbath is for the whole family!

I hope this series was helpful for those of you asking me about the topic. If you have any questions that I haven't answered, hit me up with an email {thepurposefulwife@gmail.com} or leave them in the comments. I'll do my best to respond promptly! Thanks. 

Observing the Christian Sabbath {Part 3: Philosophy of Application}

We've discussed why believers should observe the Christian Sabbath. I've shared the story of how my husband and I came to this understanding. Today I'd like to look more specifically at application.

 Practically speaking, how can one observe the Christian Sabbath? Especially for moms, how can we make the Sabbath a day of worship and rest when we are still so busy with our every day work of child rearing?

First, let me clear the air a little bit. There is this common idea of "sabbathing" that Christians like to toss around- a day of leisure and rest and pleasure, which can be scheduled at one's own convenience.

Rest is only half of the Biblical equation of Sabbath. The Day was also, primarily, intended for worship. We take a day away from our normal work, responsibilities, and pleasures {check out Isaiah 58:13-14}, for rest, yes, but more significantly, for the spiritual refreshment that comes from worship.

Also note that we aren't intended to pick the day ourselves. In the Old Testament, God clearly instructed His people to observe it on Saturdays. Because of Christ's Resurrection on the first day of the week, and because of the apostolic example, Christians now keep it on Sunday's.

In our culture it's becoming increasingly popular for churches to hold extra services on Saturday evenings or at other times. More convenient for members, and that way we can check the box for church attendance each week, easy-peasy.

I normally don't take rigid stances on this blog, in order to preserve a gracious spirit of unity... but this time I just have to say it. Worship isn't about us. It isn't about our convenience or what fits most nicely into our schedules. There is a New Testament precedent set that Sunday is the Lord's Day, and that that is the day believers are to meet in their local assembly. Our Savior laid down His very life for us, shed His precious blood... is it really too much to give Him one day?

With that ground covered, let's briefly take the positive tour of what the day is for, Biblically. We've already mentioned rest and worship. From the corrections Jesus made in the Gospels, we can also draw the conclusions that Sabbath is for acts of necessity {Jesus' disciples picking heads of grain} and acts of mercy {Jesus healing}.

Necessity means that Christian medical professionals, law enforcement, and a few other key positions will have to work the occasional Sunday. It means that if your pipes burst on a Sunday morning you will be compelled to drop everything else and take action immediately. Didn't Jesus say if you're donkey falls in a ditch on the Sabbath, you are going to have to get it out? Moms still have to feed their families, change diapers, and keep their little ducklings in  row.

Mercy means that the Sabbath is an excellent day to visit folks in the hospital or nursing home or prison. You can honor the Sabbath by writing letters of encouragement to the struggling, or helping your neighbor if their pipes burst. The Sabbath was made for man, man wasn't made for the Sabbath.

Because we no longer live under ceremonial law, we don't have a black and white list of do's and don't as believers seeking to honor the Lord's Day. We rely heavily on these principles laid down by our Lord Jesus, and form our own personal convictions through much prayer, study of the Word, and seeking the counsel of our Elders and other wise believers.

Because this post is {once again!} getting far lengthier than the average blog reader's attention span can manage {myself included!}, I'll call it quits for now and pick up again next week. Promise!

Stay tuned for the specifics of how we spend the Lord's Day in our home, and ways a busy mom can cut herself a little slack despite the constant demands of child rearing. And then I promise to lay this lengthy series to rest. Bear with me. Ha ha.

A Bible Reading Plan for Little Ones {The Attributes of God}

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!

All right folks- I've got to be honest. Three months into sharing free printable Bible reading plans for family worship, and my family hasn't completed an entire one yet. We are really faithful with it for a week or two, then fall off the wagon for another week or two. Kids get sick, parents get sick, and in many other ways, life happens.

But we are persevering in our efforts, and I'm hoping to read this month's entire plan with my kids!

Of course I read and select all the passages personally before posting them, but I want to be more consistent in reading them daily to my kids {ages 4, 2, and 5 months} as the month progresses.

Maybe you can be encouraged to know you're not alone if you haven't quite "arrived" at consistency in the Word as a family?

I find it difficult to select appropriate passages. I want to challenge and stretch our kids in their listening abilities, and I know they hear more than we think they do while they are wiggling and fidgeting... but I also want to make them bite-size and doable. I don't want us as parents to be completely discouraged because we are reading this loooonnnng passage and no one is hearing it over the bouncing and whispering and giggling.

If you use the plan, please email me {thepurposefulwife@gmail.com} with your feedback! It would be invaluable.

This month our topic is The Attributes of God. I tried to keep each week day reading down to just a few key verses. For the parents, be careful to define each attribute to your kids, and give them an age-appropriate understanding of context and application. I highly recommend A.W. Pink's little book, The Attributes of God as a complimentary resource for mom and dad's personal devotions.

It's a four week plan, one passage every Monday-Friday. I've chosen 10 attributes of God and picked two passages for each attribute, one Old Testament and one New. The goal is to begin introducing who God is and what He is like to your toddlers and preschoolers- from the actual Word of God.

I hope that it blesses both you and your little ones as you grow in understanding of who our great God is. Such contemplation's should definitely push us to more fervent worship!

Get your free printable copy 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.

Observing the Christian Sabbath {Part 2: My Story}

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!

Awhile back I shared a few reasons why Christian's should still observe a weekly Sabbath. As promised, today I'm sharing my own story of how my husband and I came to this understanding.

I grew up in a Christian home... pastor's kid, in fact. So you better believe we were in church every Sunday, every service. My parents are committed believers and really instilled in us commitment to a local body of believers. 

However we weren't reformed, and Sunday afternoons were pretty much free game for eating out or shopping or watching movies. My mom did ask us to have our homework finished by Saturday night, to free up the Lord's Day from that kind of work, and my parents always napped on Sunday afternoons. But that was the extent of "Sabbath" in our home.

Shortly after Niall and I were married we started attending our current church. It's Reformed Baptist and holds to the London Baptist Confession of 1689. For a church history point of reference, think Charles Spurgeon. 

We loved the Biblically sound, exegetical preaching. Every Sunday morning our Pastor works through a New Testament book, and Sunday evening an Old Testament book- wonderful for getting the whole scope of Scripture. We got to know people and became very connected to the body, and we knew we wanted to become members.

Only one problem. We had heard weird little rumors about something called "Sabbatarianism." It seemed like the prevailing ideas on how one should spend a Sunday were a bit Old Testament and outdated. We knew that this was something we were going to have to study and come to an understanding on before we could proceed in the membership process.

Niall talked with Pastor, and {as our Pastor has been fondly known to do} was handed a huge stack of books :). I mentioned the titles in the last post, but in case you missed them:  Celebrating the Sabbath by Bruce A. Ray, The Lord's Day by Joseph Pipa, and Call the Sabbath a Delight by Walter Chantry. So he began reading, discussing the concepts with me as he went.

I knew I would have to read these books too... but I was very reluctant. I didn't really want to make a change that would make us the odd ones out with most of our Christian friends. I wanted to be able to do what I wanted when I wanted. 

Eventually I read them. The arguments in favor of a remaining Christian Sabbath were, to my surprise {and chagrin?!}, pretty convincing. 

My only reason for not wanting to believe was because I wanted to spend the day my way. I wanted to choose how I was going to spend my time. I was afraid that committing to worship, fellowship and rest would mean long and dreary, boring Sundays. How would we even fill the time?? 

These weren't Biblical reasons for rejecting the 4th commandment. They were actually pretty selfish and sinful. Please be mindful that I am not pointing fingers here! If through your personal study of Scripture and the case for observing the Lord's Day you find that there isn't convincing enough evidence, that is entirely between you and the Lord. Specifically in my case, I found the Biblical reasons to be solid, and my only objections to be shallow and insufficient. 

Niall and I discussed and debated, I hemmed and hawed, but in the end I landed in the Sabbatarian camp with him, and we haven't looked back since.

At the time we had no children and were both working full time outside of the home. Weekends were completely jam packed- grocery shopping, cleaning, church, and as much social acitivity as we could possibly cram in. We lived in our college town and had tons of friends to hang out with. We were also tired all. the. time.

When we started reserving our Sundays for strictly rest and worship, we both experienced a major life shift. All of a sudden we were no longer exhausted! Each new week began with a day of spiritual and physical refreshment, and we felt energized and encouraged by it. 

This change in our theology bore crazy, life-changing fruit in our lives, in the best way possible. Which is why I don't feel burdened or restricted by it- it's a blessing and gift from the Lord to me, far more freeing than I could have ever imagined. Contrary to my initial fears, I have yet to be "bored" on a Sunday.

Stay tuned- when possible, I'll be sharing how we observe the day, practically speaking, and how you to can begin to make this blessed, gentle change. All grace friends <3. 

Observing the Christian Sabbath {Part 1: Why}

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!

Several weeks ago I shared this article on my facebook page. It's all about honoring the Christian Sabbath as a command- setting aside each Sunday as a day for rest and worship. It generated a bit of buzz, and since several of you asked for more details I thought I'd write a few posts on the topic of the Lord's Day.

I've hesitated to write about being Sabbatarian for several years. Until 8 years ago it was an entirely foreign concept to me. Having convictions in this area has at times meant awkwardness with other believers- godly believers who just happen to have different convictions. I don't care to be the divisive person in a group... so I just haven't talked about it.

But after seeing several articles lately on the topic, and getting a few questions from readers, now seems as good a time as any to just go for it. Please know that I am no expert! This is just my understanding of the Scriptures; what I believe, and how that belief informs my life.

Today I'm covering the why behind observing the Christian Sabbath, and later this week I'll share posts including my testimony of switching to Sabbath observance, and a few suggestions for how you could start to observe the Day yourself.

So why should Christians observe a weekly Sabbath?

1. The Sabbath didn't begin with the Law of Moses. Most people associate the Sabbath with the book of Exodus, but you might be interested to know that long before there was Mosaic Law, there was Sabbath. Sabbath starts at Creation (Genesis 2:2-3).

When Sabbath is commanded later in the Pentateuch, it isn't new. Every time Moses covers it, he says "remember the Sabbath Day"- remember, because it has been around since creation. Remember what you already know is right.

2. Sabbath keeping sets the people of God apart. God's people are called to be light to unbelievers. One of the ways we can be different is by setting apart one day each week exclusively for worship. We show that the Lord is important to us by prioritizing time in His house with His people.

3. It's one of the Ten Commandments. As a reformed Christian, this is my position on Law: while the ceremonial and sacrificial laws of Israel have been done away with in the New Covenant, the moral law {otherwise known as the 10 commandments} is a reflection of the moral character of God and still applies to Christians today.

Even if you aren't reformed, chances are you would take seriously every single other one of the 10 commandments. No true Christian is fine with adultery, murder, stealing, lying, or idolatry. We all reference Moses' words when we tell our children to honor their parents. So why is the 4th command the only one we ignore?

4. Jesus didn't negate Sabbath observance. When Jesus condemns pharisees about the Sabbath, its important to note that He isn't condemning the Sabbath itself. Rather He condemns their abuse of it- not allowing for healing or meeting basic necessities. Instead of abandoning the observance of the Sabbath, Jesus faithfully keeps it and instructs us on the proper use of it.

5. God ordained it and observes it. Sabbath is God's idea. If He rested after the work of Creation as an example to us, how important is it for us to follow His example?!

6. God takes it extremely seriously. I encourage you to read the Old Testament passages on the Sabbath, and then ask yourself- if God was so serious about this commandment when the Scriptures were written, would He really just do away with it all together after the cross?

Granted, the consequences and the specific restrictions are not today what they were then. But Jesus came to fulfill the Law on our behalf, and paid the penalty for our Law breaking on the cross. Isn't failure to obey the 4th commandment one of the sins that Jesus had to die for?

7. It is a blessing and a gift, not a burden. How glorious is it to have one day free of worldly cares and work, set apart to enjoy God, fellowship with other believers, and rest?!? This is a precious gift from God to us. I'll be speaking more on this in the posts to come!

8. Our souls need worship and our bodies need rest. Humans have limitations and humans have needs. One of our greatest spiritual needs is worship, and one of our greatest physical needs is rest. God has provided for both of those needs by giving us the Sabbath.

9. Church history sets a strong precedent. Until very recently, Christians everywhere were strongly committed to not working on Sundays. Restaurants, shops, and most other business establishments were closed on Sundays- even the secular culture respected the Day!

Of course historical examples aren't strong enough reason on their own- everyone is fallible, after all. But if keeping the Christian Sabbath was the habit of Christians from the days of the early church through the next 1,900 years... do we really think that we are superior to be free of it? It's at least worth considering.

Why do Christians observe Sunday as "The Lord's Day," or, the Christian Sabbath?

Basically, because Jesus rose again on the first day of the week. Christians in the first century started meeting on Sundays to remember His resurrection. In Revelation 1:10, John says he was "in the Spirit on the Lord's Day." That's why we call Sunday the Lord's Day, and its what most Christians use as their Biblical basis for worshiping on that day.

This is just a brief explanation. For more detailed works on the topic, I highly recommend the following books: Celebrating the Sabbath by Bruce A. Ray, The Lord's Day by Joseph Pipa, and Call the Sabbath a Delight by Walter Chantry.