Recharge Your Batteries

I have often thought moms do little for themselves.

We are busy taking care of children, being a wife and focused on keeping a home.  Yes, we are doing Kingdom work right in our homes.  And it is a 24/7 job!

But, honestly, are you tired?

Are you burned out?

Have you snapped at your children lately?  Or your husband?

A few weeks ago, in Yosemite, I stole the time to take one of the art classes in the National Park – four hours long!  My mom and friends watched the kids as I sat under the trees painting Half Dome.

I learned to see the world from a contemporary modern artist.  While this is not my favorite medium, I learned something new.  I was able to reflect on the glory of God amidst the towering granite rocks and small wildflowers at my feet.  God’s majesty is everywhere in creation and painting it brings me closer to Him.

I did not feel guilty.  Perhaps years ago I would have, but now after cancer, I see the value in time away.  Time to breathe.  Time to reflect.  Not only do I strive to do this daily in a quiet time, but now I seek out opportunities that fill my soul regularly. 

I take time to recharge so when I am present with my family and my husband, I am truly present.

This is no easy task.  At home and in my life, there are thousands of things to do and lists to accomplish.  I have to carve out the time and make it a priority.  No one else will do this, but me!

So can I encourage you, moms of princesses and knights?

Can you take time for yourself this week?  And when you do, put into action 1 Cor. 10:31.  Find your place and “bring glory to God” wherever you are.

A couple of ideas:

1. Do something active.  Take an exercise class, ride your bike, or take a walk.
2. Do something soothing. Take a bubble bath. Go to the spa, or get a massage.  Go to coffee with a friend.
3. Do something outdoors.  Go to nature.  Wherever you live, God is there in His creation.  The mountains, the beach, the desert.  Find a quiet spot and journal, hike or paint.
4. Do something quiet.  Read a book alone with a candle lit and your favorite drink.  Watch the sunrise.
5. Do something creative.  Take the hobby out of the closet.  Start it up again: quilting, scrapbooking, pottery class, whatever makes you happy.

Our kids and our husbands love it when mom is happy and joyful. 

How will you find time for yourself this week?

A Conversation to Visit Over and Over Again!

Growing up in public school in Southern California, I was often challenged in my faith in science class.  Back in my day, we actually had a Creation vs. Evolution debate in our Biology class.  I know that we would be hard pressed to find that today.  Remembering back to my time in high school, I felt so confused with what our teacher said was fact and what I learned at church.

My parents did not have a clue in this area, so I was on my own to figure it out.  As I ventured out into a very secular Christian college, I found that there were many versions to what Christians believe in the Creation account.  Never really figuring out my stance, I graduated college not thinking it was a big deal.  God created the world, in some way, that must fit some Biblical model, I thought.  I was content not really figuring out the details.

Now teaching my four kids some 20 years later, I fell into learning things all over again.  We have been blessed to be teaching from a Biblical worldview for the last 9 years using Apologia Science curriculum.  I have been learning alongside my children and discovering that my belief in the Creation Story IS important to how I view the Bible.  Believing in a young earth, a poetic Genesis or evolutionary creation does affect my worldview.

I have learned that my kids need to learn about creation and hear it over and over again because the world is always there fighting for my kids’ souls.  It doesn’t work to say it once . . . or take one class . . . or go to one lecture.  I want my kids to whine and say, “Mom, we know this already”.  “Wonderful!  You get to teach today!” I say.

We have visited so many museums and watched so many shows that preach the evolutionary theories.  But I never shy away from a conversation with my kids about what the Bible really says.  This is the conversation to be repeated with my kids.  Learning God’s truth of creation, who God is and how to defend your faith is something we teach over and over again!

My kids can’t remember what I taught them last year . . . hence, the constant conversation!

God says “Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up”. Deut. 6:7  What are we to repeat? God says learn to love the Lord with all your heart, soul and might (v.5) . . . to learn to fear Him and love his statues and commands that it might go well with you and your children (v.2).

 There are many resources to help us!  Our family has listened to hours and hours of Jonathan Park audiobook series.  I think it is a wonderful resource to teach our children (and us adults) how to stand up against evolutionary thinking.  I highly recommend it! My kids all love to listen to it, even my 14 year old son!  We have attended a couple Creation vs. Evolution debates.  We have studied science from a Biblical worldview every year.  We have talked and talked and talked about it! 

So you can imagine my excitement when we were visiting the Creation Museum in Hebron, Kentucky a couple of weekends ago.  What a blessing it was to visit a museum sharing our same views and faith.  I was so refreshed and energized to be there! And we were continuing the conversation . . .

How are you teaching your kids “diligently” about the Creator of the world?

How are you continuing the conversation?