Stopping Up Drips

“The beginning of strife is like releasing water;
Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.”
Proverbs 17:14

What better example of this than toddlers?! Whether you have multiple children or one, you have probably seen how strife can quickly escalate. It starts as a little thing, and before you turn around there are fists and angry words being thrown.

A little strife is like releasing water – how forceful and damaging it can be! Best to stop up a drip before it turns into a spraying hydrant. Or worse, an ongoing waterfall!

Such practical advice for us moms. When we see strife beginning with our children, we need to be faithful to stop it up quickly. Show them how to de-escalate and think through the situation. If an argument or fight can be avoided, great!

Sometimes the fight has already begun and needs to be addressed. Bringing peace doesn’t mean covering over problems – that would ultimately be detrimental to our children and our households. But it does mean taking the time to assess the issue, help everyone communicate, and lead the children to a good conclusion. Our kiddos need to know how to control emotions and problem solve, taking others’ desires into account. And as our children work through these situations, they will see how they can avoid contention altogether. They will learn how to share, how to talk things through, how to deal with hard things without automatically resorting to an argument or fight.

Easier said than done sometimes, but remember the Proverb. Stop the drip before it becomes a rushing torrent! Think of how this can serve them: handling disagreements in marriage someday, in a healthy and productive way? being able to communicate with a challenging boss? maintaining good sibling relationships instead of drifting away because of a petty miscommunication?

Take heart, God has given you the tools you need in His Word. There will be times a fight cannot be avoided, and you can teach your children how to handle that well. Even when they do their best in a situation that still ends ugly, you can praise them for a good job and help them find comfort in Christ.

Keep their futures in mind as you plod along faithfully. One step at a time, one day at a time. Stop up those drips!

To Build or To Tear?

“The wise woman builds her house,
But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.”
Proverbs 14:1

Today you and I have the choice to make efforts to build our homes or tear them down. I don’t know about you, but it is a scary thought that we have the ability to tear our house apart!

We can build up with words - gentle answers, kindness, listening before we speak. Or we can tear down with words - harsh answers, anger, impatience as we deal with situations.

We can build with our actions - praising good deeds, respecting projects and time, making efforts to do fun things together. Or we can tear down - ignoring good deeds to harp on the bad, demanding projects be cleaned because they’re inconvenient or cutting someone’s time short because you’re done, calling it quits at 3pm because you’re too tired for fun.

I could go on, but I’m confident you can recognize things in your own life and household. The Holy Spirit is wonderful at nudging us when we need Him to. Just this afternoon, my oldest asked if he could use my pillows, blankets, etc. to make a path in my room for quiet time. This happens nearly every day…and it is not something I love! But it’s not hurting anything, so I reluctantly said yes again. He can help clean it up in an hour and it’s a simple way to build him up rather than tearing him down by picking a silly fight.

Find ways to build your home today, and recognize the choices that could tear it down. If you mess up, apologize and seek the forgiveness of your kiddos and/or husband. Then move on, and keep growing!

God is faithful, and He will surely give you eyes to see what you need to. :)

Multipurpose Rooms || Friday Magnify

“Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.”
Psalm 34:3

I was looking through photos from one year, two years, and three years ago (phones are so handy) and amidst my trip down memory lane, I noticed how many looks our rooms have had. While I love to rearrange furniture for the fun of it, many times rooms have shifted due to needs that arise.

This room above has been a play room, a guest room, an office, a school room… and each adjustment has been so fun. The sun has shone through on the floors; it has hit across a bedspread; it has caused a glare on the computer screen.

Every other room in our home has looked different at one time or another, and I love the functionality. Sometimes we think we need a bigger house or more rooms in order to accomplish something, but oftentimes we have what we need already. God is so good to provide for us, even if it’s simply with more creativity.

This Friday, I’m thankful for the ebbs and flows our home has seen. I’m thankful for how the Lord has brought the seasons and changes, and the beauty in all of it!

A Quick Encouragement

Hey Mama -

In case you’re needing encouragement today:

Training up your littles (and bigs) is a worthwhile, good calling.

Taking the time to teach them, to play with them, to go places together - it’s worthwhile.

Your children have been put in your family on purpose, and God has given and will continue to give you and your husband everything needed to do the job of raising them.

It’s okay if your family structure doesn’t look like everyone else’s. It’s okay if your routines are different, or if you have to say no to outside things more often than you’d like.

Time often brings the gift of maturity. We have plans and routines that start one way and either morph or end. If your utmost focus is to shape your family life around what God teaches through Scripture, you’re doing well.

Keep on keeping on, doing the faithful work that the Lord has given you. It is good, and it is pleasing to Him!