Raising Godly Women

My daughters are a complete and total joy to raise!
I have enjoyed them immensely in the past 11 years I've spent with them so far, and while I anticipate a season of trial is around the corner, I cannot imagine more amazing darling girls with a sweeter pre-teen foundation.  Just today they begged to combine their rooms so they can be in the same place.  While they don't always agree, and although they all have a bit of bossy-ness, they adore each other.  When asked what they want for Christmas, they list a single thing: M wants an easel and some canvas', J wants art supplies, L wants legos.  When asked, "What else?" they say, "That's it."  ?!?!?!  Really? Well, ok, maybe they said a parrot, haha, but that was immediately vetoed so there you have it!  American kids with a single thing on their Christmas lists!  Amazing, in my mind!

I've been reading more of "Shepherding a Child's Heart" and realizing I certainly have much room for improvement on my parenting strategies.  I was so grateful to have one of my greatest concerns addressed.  My affection for my children is unquestionable, however, I struggle to communicate with them well.  I can lecture with great kindness, and entreat them to understanding, but I can really improve on my listening skills, and asking the right questions, digging deeper to know what is at the heart of their reasoning, and then being intentional in my response to always be pointing back to Jesus.  Always.  Oh, I wish my life were so well prioritized that I always pointed to Jesus, in all things.  I'm challenged to work hard on this, and I'm thankful because now I know I will be more aware of when I am communicating punitively.

This has my mind wandering to my desires for my daughters.  I speak often to them (lecturing mostly) about the very real adversity in the world towards Truth.  And how it appears in its wickedly deceptive form as common sense or wisdom.  I urge them to look deeper into such lies and then to cling to real Truth in Jesus Christ, only.  Part of these discussions are to prepare them for their futures.  As I stated to them the other day, "Your goal should not be for getting into an Ivy League College, or building a successful career, or being admired by many people.  Your goal is to be complete in Christ, and you will spend your lives, if you are Truly wise, seeking Him.  You are not a failure if you don't make straight A's, if you don't have a big house, or  the right clothes.  You ought to be more concerned with having these things, and not being in God's will for you."

Let my daughters be missionaries.  Let them be homemakers.  Let them serve the poor and needy, raise a quiver full of children to bring glory to God, let them deny themselves, and let me lead them by example.  Let us be clothed in strength and dignity, able to laugh at the (tough) days to come!

An American Girl

I am prone to harsh feelings towards this nation I live in.  Largely a glass-half-full girl, the opposite is true when I'm so overwhelmed by the materialism and escapism that grips the people of this country, myself included.
It disgusts me.
Yet, my disgust is misplaced.
I wonder, if I were to look at the U.S. with my Father's eyes, if I would not view it MUCH differently.

I see materialism, He sees empty souls longing for fulfillment.
I see escapism, He sees broken hearts longing to be healed.
I see hatred, indifference, rebellion; He sees lost, lied to, confused.
"Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." -Ephesians 6:12

I need to remember that I see with broken eyes.  Only God sees the true heart.  And while I struggle to feel like any love I show makes any impact, I KNOW better. God loves the USA.  And my prayer, is that through His great love, He will humble our nation, and soften our hearts to reveal Himself to us, and a revival will happen, where a whole nation returns to its Christ-centered roots.  I pray we will be "one nation under God" again.