by Kimberly | Dec 6, 2016 | Books, mothering, parenting
Not a day goes by hardly where I don’t see a mom on facebook who is crying out for time away, a little time to herself, or is enjoying a much needed break.
This is how I understand the Word “Sabbath”: resting from work. God instituted the first Sabbath by resting from the creative process of the world. He rested, examining all He had made. Resting in its goodness. Resting from work. People in the work force usually get a day off during the week (at least one) and that helps invigorate them, giving them rest from their working.
Mommas don’t get a Sabbath. 24-7 we are thinking about our kids, washing clothes, changing diapers, driving, being a doctor-on-call, disciplining, loving, reading books, cooking, making juice cups. No matter how old your child is, mommas never rest from being a mom. So, the question needs to be asked, when does a Mom get a Sabbath?
Our older son is now coming in to Sunday night church with us. My husband and I have worked out a schedule for who gets to hang out with him during the service: reading books, playing, drawing, sticking dinosaur stickers everywhere, etc. When my mister is off on a Sunday, I hang out with Elijah in the pew. If he works that afternoon, then he gets to focus on our son during the service. I know one day will come when he can sit and completely focus on the service for 75 minutes, but he’s not there yet. So, we want each other to get some time to focus on the service. Its a good system.
One way my mister blesses me is giving me a regular Sabbath (a few hours) each week. On his day off, he will usually say something like “Go, have some quiet time.” He plays with the boys or takes them to a park. I can go just sit in the Word, do errands, be creative, meet with a friend, etc. That is my Sabbath. I try not to use that whole time to run errands, but if I’m not doing it with two preschoolers, those errands don’t feel like work. And usually once or twice a year, he will give me the whole day to go away, either with friends or by myself, to recharge, rest from being with the boys, feed my soul on the Word, read books, be in nature, etc. I can tell you that every time this happens, I come back more readily able to care for my boys well.
Some people would say that mommas don’t need time away. I would heavily disagree. If men worked 24/7 without any break people would think he is crazy because he would have burnout, or wouldn’t be obedient in taking care of his body, etc. But, if mommas ask for a break, most people say they are being selfish or aren’t being a good momma. Need is maybe too strong of a Word, but God showed us how to take a Sabbath, it is one of the things He commands, and that is a weekly rest. So, yes, I think it is a need. You just have to figure out how to do it.
Letitia Suk encourages women to take a break too – to be with God, to be silent, to walk, etc. She talks about how to retreat in Getaway with God. This book was different then I thought. She showed a lot of grace and variety. It wasn’t a “this is how you do it” book. It was here are some ideas, you are going to come against obstacles, here are ways to see if these retreats can work for you, etc. If you are planning a spiritual retreat, especially, I would encourage you to pick this book up to read during your planning stages.
I know some of you might be wondering: I can never get my husband to play with the kids and give me time alone. Or I am a single parent and can’t get time away. Or, my husband’s schedule won’t allow it and we don’t have money for childcare. Here are some thoughts:
Talk to your husband. Talk to him about your need for a Sabbath. Start small. Maybe request 2 hours, or 3. Work your way up to a whole day.
If your kids are small, see if you can swap with a friend so both of you can have a few hours of Sabbath to yourself.
If your kids are in school, use that school time to retreat and rest.
If you don’t have money for childcare – I think this is where your community (or church) comes in. We should be able to ask for help – and people should ask us how they can help, be willing to serve and be served. I know its hard.
Whatever you do, don’t go without rest from being a Momma. Its seriously rewarding and seriously hard! God gives us the much grace that we deserve!
Thanks to Litfuse for the book. All opinions are my own.
by Kimberly | Apr 1, 2016 | Books, Shepherding Children
One of the most important things in any relationship is trust. Once that trust is broken, it is hard to get back. And one of the most important things in training your children to love and know God is to teach them what God says about Himself.
I was so excited to get this new book from Tommy Nelson because I’m going through the Bible this year pulling out what truths God shows me about Himself. I want to know everything about who God is so I can be like Him (1 Peter tells us that).
I also want my boys to know God as well. And so, as they get older (this book is perfect for grade school kids), I will get to use this in teaching them during family worship time who God says He is and how they can trust Him.
Diane Stortz goes through 40 reasons why kids can trust God. Illustrated so kids will be pulled the pages, and written so they might know the Word and the truth that God wants to teach them.
She includes some of the Hebrew names so kids can learn (includes pronunciation), Scripture readings, questions to ask, and application.
I hope you like this little book as much as I do. You can win one for yourself (your child of course) by answering this question: what is the attribute of God you love the best. Mine right now: that he welcomes me into his presence through Christ! He is the ultimate host!
by Kimberly | Feb 4, 2016 | Books
Processed with VSCOko review,
Sometimes yall, life is a little bit crazy. Ok – sometimes life is a lot crazy. Can anyone relate?
Our lives as a little family have felt like this since we day we returned from our honeymoon. But, now we are again in an extra chaotic season of having to move and not knowing where in the world we are going. Our townhome that we’ve been renting in ATL for two years is going up for sale in oh, say, 24 days. And our lease is up the end of April. And we have two toddlers. And yeah – so there you have it. Another move. Another change.
Well, even though our lives may be chaotic, and at times our home, my life doesn’t have to be chaotic. Between lettering, photo shoots, spring break, packing, and then normal weekly activities, an early Easter, potty training – yes, life is crazy.
Shannon Upton, in her new book Building Your House, has given me great encouragement, grace, and instruction on how to be a wise mom who builds a God-centered home. (Thank you Shannon for the book, btw) When my mister and I were dating, he asked me what I thought of the verse in Proverbs that says “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” I just thought that meant keeping things clean.
Oh, how much I had to learn. I knew it meant other things – but didn’t realize the importance of all those little things. 4.5 years into marriage, I am realizing it even more.
Shannon gives you helpful DOABLE tips on how to keep from cluttering up your soul, your home, and your life. Prayer is the key – but prayer isn’t all. There are certain activities you must do. But, with these to -do items, she gives grace, practical tips, spiritual reasons that might be at the heart of why you need to do these things (like dealing with materialism and why you hoard possessions or idolatry or fear of man when you are too busy to do what needs to be done.)
This book can even be a great tool for new moms or women in your church because she includes a study guide – and I’ve found that being around women who will encourage me with ways to keep my home and keep my family on track is very rewarding.
On that note, I need to check on my eggs that are boiling on the stove so I can eat lunch here at 1:20pm.
by Kimberly | Nov 3, 2015 | Books, Shepherding Children
If you have a little girl – then this post is for you. I am a boy mom, but I got this from Tommy Nelson because I thought it would be good to be able to recommend to all the girl-moms out there. Yes, Precious Moments can be for either gender, but I think it best fits little girls.
This Bible, with its padded board book style, is beautifully illustrated in pastels that is traditional of Precious Moments. I actually love the retelling of Bible passages that are perfect for little ears – think older preschool to early grade school. As a parent, it would be great just to sit down and read them the story – but even better to read the Bible passage out of the Bible (especially as kids gets older and have more of an attention span and understanding) and then read the passage in the book. It covers a wide variety of stories.
If you want this Bible for your own little girl (or boy), just leave a comment telling me one special thing that you love about your child.
by Kimberly | Oct 26, 2015 | Bible, Books, parenting, Shepherding Children
As a parent, I love both of my boys, but I long to see lasting change in their behavior and heart. But, I’ve realized in a very short period of time that I can’t change their hearts – only God can.
One of the ways that God changes hearts is by the Word of God. And it is very important as parents who love the Lord to help instill in our children a love for the Word. I know they won’t love the Word unless God saves them, but we can work on creating moments where they Word gets in them and the Word works in their hearts.
Tommy Nelson just put out a new study Bible for kids (8-12) and I think its awesome. They gave me this Bible as a part of Tommy Nelson Mommies and are giving you a chance to win won too! It is in the NKJV and that is readable and understandable while still sticking to the languages pretty well. It has bold colors and a style that pre-teens will like Easy thumb tabs built in to the pages so the books are easy to find. Has application points that are geared toward pre-teens. Has further study points throughout the Bible that will help kids learn more about God’s will for their lives.
The Bible is living and active and life-changing. Get it into your kids’ lives and hearts.
If you would like to win won, comment with your favorite verse that you like to pour into your pre-teens, or kids of any age.
