Taking a Family Break

 

Letting you all know that I am taking a family break while my husband and children are on holidays...

lots of adventures to be had, photos to take, projects to finish and hopefully, goals to reach!

 

Wishing you all very safe and grace-filled Christmas with your beautiful family!

 

See you again in February next year!

 

A Saviour has been born to you!

Luke 2:11

 

Love Elisha

 

 

A Magic Eraser

Walking the kids down to the bus this morning, I was mumbling under my breath and getting right into the middle of a pity party ... but I was well within my rights to have one ... wasn't I?

Yesterday was a long day, with 6+ hours spent in a car (either mine or my parents) and going to the funeral of my Great Aunty (which was a lovely time of remembrance), visiting my other Grandparents by the sea side (got my feet wet and sandy ...bliss!) But by the time I returned home I was pooped and very sore.

I woke this morning and became fully aware of how messy my home was ... and so began the pity party. "Why do I have to cleanup after everyone, when everyone helps to make the mess?" "Why does nothing get done unless I ask and bring it to someones attention?" "The washing could have been folded and put away at least" ... and blah blah blah.

My pity party continued all the way down our loooong red-dirt driveway until it erupted like a volcano at the end of the driveway spewing out self-justified words on my precious children like hot lava. There wasn't swearing, there was just lots of questions and lots of thinking that I'm unappreciated. There was one statement I really wish I had stopped my self from saying though ... "You kids can't get up off your fat bums and help" ... ouch. There may not have been swearing involved and it might not be the harshest of statements, but when you have an 8 year old who is becoming self-conscious about her appearance, those words stung her heart like a whip lashing; she burst into tears. It was then I wish I had a magic eraser to rub-out those words (and the others) that left my children disheartened before they got to school, and start all over again (please tell me I'm not the only mother in need of this eraser?)

The truth is my kids do help, they do pull their weight really well, and yes I might have to remind them (the younger two more than the older two), but they are still in the process of learning to do these things. How can I expect them to know how to do something if I haven't taken enough time to teach them how to do it in the first place? How can I expect them to control their tongue and solve problems respectfully when I rant and rave and carry on like a tantrum throwing child? (Not nice to admit that sometimes happens) How can I except them to show the grace of our Savior to others if its not extended to them too?

The Bible says, do unto others as you would have them do unto you ... isn't this inclusive of our children too? It also says, "let us consider how we may spur one another on to love and good deeds" ... don't we want our children to be spurred on towards love and good deeds? It starts with our example, and how we treat them. Is a child exempt from being treated decently just because they are a child? No! The Bible says, whatever you do to the least of these you do unto ME, and he corrects the disciples for sending the children away from him by saying "Let the little children come unto me, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these". (So really children are not 'the least of these' to our precious Savior).

Proverbs talks about "A wise woman building her home, but a foolish one tearing it down with her own hands". Isn't that what the pity party does? Isn't that the result of harshly spoken words, a little more tearing down? A lot more work to rebuild?
Proverbs also says "A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver"... the Proverbs 31 woman (how many of you have tried to ignore the convictions that come from reading about that women like I have!!) is said to "speak with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue". Somehow I don't think statements like "your fat bums" is either faithful instruction or wisdom.

James 1:26 clearly states, "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight reign on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless". Proverbs 12:18 says, "Reckless words pierce like a sword ..." that is what our ranting does, it's piercing those who hear it. Proverbs 17:14 says, "Starting a quarrel is like breaching a damn; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out". It says in Philippians to do 'everything without complaining or arguing'. There are lots of warnings in God's word that speak to us reminding us of the destruction and hurt we can bring to people by our careless words. But I know you, like me, don't want that for your family just as much as I don't want that for mine. I know we want to be that woman who builds her home by building up the self-esteem and confidence of our husbands and children; by teaching our children the ways of the Lord so when they are old they will not depart from it.

And praise the Lord we are not under condemnation for the times we do slip up and wish we had that magic eraser! Praise Him that we can ask for forgiveness and rely on the Holy Spirit's power to give us His self-control so that we can be a blessing with our words. (And hopefully  not even need that eraser!) He has not asked us to do these things without the ever-present help of the Holy Spirit (and I need that help!). I desire to speak words of grace, encouragement, wisdom, love and guidance. I desire to have more self-control over my tongue and lead by example the hearts of my children. When our children need correction and truth to be able to speak that in love. Do you?

What will be the results of our words that are aptly spoken? 

Prov 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. We will be sweet healing to the very core of the people we speak to.

Prov 16:21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction. We will be discerning and our children will want to listen to our instruction and follow it.

Prov 20:15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel. Our wise words will be more precious to our children than gold or jewels (or any other amount of 'stuff' we can give them).

And this one ... this one blows me away, melts my heart and brings me to sobbing thankfulness ... every time. Proverbs 22:11 ... He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the King for his friend.

Let me encourage you (and me) to continue to ask the Holy Spirit to make our speech wiser, more loving, gracious, discerning, faithful and encouraging. Let us ask Him to be the builder of our homes and let's read the floor plans of His word to see how to live it out. Unless the Lord builds our house we labour in vain. And let's remember that we are not under condemnation, we are under grace ... and His grace is sufficient for us.

And me now? I have the task of asking my children (especially Little Miss P) for forgiveness this afternoon, and then choose an action to show them I am sorry. Not nice, but necessary if I want to build this house with love.

Let me leave you with this beautiful word of encouragement, again from Proverbs. It's in chapter 24 verse 3-4. "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures".

 



You are more than welcome to leave your comments, they will be greatly appreciated.

You are loved.

Jewellery Party

Our family Church has been passionately supporting the work of Destiny Rescue (DR) together for years and I thought it would be nice to inform you and give you all the opportunity to support such an amazing organisation too if you would like to.

 

Here is what they do ... (As found on DR web-page)

 

There are an estimated 27 million slaves in the world today. Destiny Rescue is committed to liberating those enslaved and restoring those that have been abused. Already serving in six nations, Destiny Rescue will keep expanding to reach even more children.

Destiny Rescue is a grassroots, internationally recognised, Christian based, non-profit organisation dedicated to rescuing children from human trafficking and sexual exploitation. We help rescue the sexually exploited and enslaved, restore the abused, protect the vulnerable, empower the poor and are a voice for those that can’t speak up for themselves.
We currently operate our various programs in six nations: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), India and Mozambique. We also have offices in two donor nations: Australia and the United States.
Our efforts are making a huge difference, too. We’ve rescued hundreds of children enslaved around the world, helped keep hundreds more from entering the sex-trade through our various prevention programs, ensured justice for those that have been wronged and have raised awareness to untold numbers. And, we’ll continue to expand to help reach even more children in the days ahead!
Destiny Rescue realises that human trafficking is a big problem globally with up to 27 million men, women and children enslaved in its deadly grip today. With that said, we’re determined to set captives free worldwide. As long as children are being sold into the sex-trade, and poverty that drives at-risk children into prostitution exists, Destiny Rescue will be fully committed to fighting for their freedom, restoration and offering them a chance to dream again. (To read more about their work click here)
 

 

 

Beautiful women, there are many ways we can help these amazing girls in reaching their goals and dreams of having a torture free, successful life ... we only need to look at our own sweet girls to see the need for the incredible work that destiny rescue does.

 

 

Maybe you could host a Jewellery Party, or visit the DR on line Jewellery Shop to purchase something beautiful for a loved one this Christmas ... you will be giving the gift twice over! By purchasing a hand-made piece of jewellery, you will help to provide an income for these young girls! You can also join the DR facebook page to keep up-to-date with the latest happenings and incredible rescue stories!

  

 

The work of DR is worth while getting behind ... this is what women need to do ... to stand together and be the loud voice shouting out for those who cannot speak for themselves; to give of our time and resources (of which we have plenty) and bless these innocent young lives so that they can reach their God given potential that He designed for their lives before they where even born.

Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan,

plead for the widow.

Isaiah 1:17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There's A Sweet Sweet Spirit In This Place

Yesterday we took part in one of our most loved family traditions ... the decorating of the Christmas tree while listening to our favourite Christmas music.



The beginning of the most beautiful time of the year - preparing for the celebration of Christs birth!!


My amazing husband made our family a manger for baby Jesus to be found in on Christmas morning, a visual reminder of God's gift so freely given. And now with hearts excited to celebrate our Saviours arrival this month, there is a sweet, sweet Spirit in this Place ... and I know that it's the presence of the Lord.

 

                             Mr S and Mr R having a 'brotherly' hug!       My Man and I joining in the fun!

 

Little Miss J and Little Miss P ... so adorable!

(Interesting that Little Miss P's shirt so perfectly states what the world thinks Christmas is about ... Oh how we need a Savior! Praise His Holy Name!)

A friend at our family Church made this Christmas Advent wreath ... so beautiful!

 

Some links to some of our favourite Christmas music for you and your family to enjoy this wonderful Christmas season ... Casting Crowns 'God Is With Us'  and The Isaacs 'Silent Night/O Holy Night and 'Mary Did You Know?'

 

 

May you rest in His peace, grace and love this season.
I warmly invite you to share how you make Christmas special in your home!

Christ is Lord!