I heard something in church yesterday that served as a gentle reminder to me.
“I was seeking after the fruit of the Spirit,” she said, “when I realized that seeking God was all that I needed to do.”
Bam! How many times do I need to be reminded of that before it sinks into my heart and stays there? Thank you for being patient with me, Lord…
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33
“All these things” includes the many ways I long to be a good wife and a mother–loving, patient, kind, gentle, and the list goes on…
But too often I’m looking in the wrong place. I see a disorganized laundry room and I wonder how in the world my husband puts up with me. I make basic easy-to-cook dinners that will never measure up to the calibre of other kitchens. I have teenagers who try their hardest to forgo the healthy in lieu of the tasty, and I wonder where I went wrong as their leader. I find myself in the weird part of youtube when I realize I’ve wasted time that I’ll never get back.
I count my short-comings until I come to the place where I’m reminded to rest in His grace.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30
Following His steps, I find three ways I can bless my husband. Three habits that outweigh any shortcomings I have. Three gifts I can bring to my family:
1. To seek God first. When I put God first in my life, I learn to both live well and to love well. It’s only through a relationship with Jesus Christ that the fruit of the Spirit becomes evident in our lives.
2. To pray for my husband and children each day, asking that God would protect them and guide them. Prayer is one of the greatest gifts we can bring to our family. I’ve read comments from exhausted young moms, and I’ve also received some from disabled women who are discouraged because they aren’t the homemaker they always dreamed they would be. I’m quick to remind them of the value of prayer, and how it’s the greatest way one can serve their family.
3. To live righteously. I know that my actions speak louder than words. I also know that I have the potential to influence my family in a powerful way.
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. – Proverbs 31:10
You are loved by an almighty God,
Darlene Schacht
The Time-Warp Wife
Pick up a copy of my book, Messy Beautiful Love: Hope and Redemption for Real-Life Marriages.
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A Blessing today Thank you Darlene
My mom has always prayed for each of her children each day and was a great example to us. Thank you for the reminder in Matthew 6:33. By seeking God first, we desire more to bring our spouses and other family before God’s throne. Also by seeking God first, he helps us order our day to what is most important to Him. I find that when God orders my day, all comes together and what I don’t get done on MY list doesn’t matter as much.
Darlene are you in my head? Sometimes it seems your writing my life from my heart! Thank you for being you. Also I just reviewed for BookLook at my blog this week your book Messy Beautiful Love! I love the book and it was so helpful to me to help me not fill alone in somethings. God bless you!
Thank you Darlene! I was seeking really complex goals for lent and this gave me the right perspective. You are such a wonderful teacher for me. Blessings to you.
Hi, Darlene! Thanks for writing these beautiful and encouraging words! Number 2 really resonates in my heart because I think when we pray for our family it helps us to remember that this world is not our home and that all of this will one day pass away. So it reminds me to pray for my husband and for my children about the eternal things of their lives that will last forever.
God bless you and thank you for your ministry! May God continue to touch lives through your faithfulness!!
Walking in His Grace,
Laurie
http://grace-filled-moments.blogspot.com/
Thank you. Your words have just described, absolutely precisely, and amusingly, my exact situation and what The Lord is saying to me. Bless you!
Just wanted to comment I’ve been married 24 years my wife is on my mind every day even I don’t know where she at I hope she safe love you girl