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There are many different stages in life from childhood to golden years. One of the most hard to understand and adjust to for us was empty nest. Did you have problems or is your nest still chirping? We had friends tell us how great it is. No kids equals no rules. Whoopee! Problem was we loved our children and hated seeing each one of them fly the nest. We weren’t exactly rule breakers either.

Isn’t it funny how parents spend their lives making sure children turn into independent, successful adults but don’t want them to leave home? It was fun to have the house all to ourselves for a few days but before the week was over I was ready for them to come back. My daughter stayed home until she got married. Our son and daughter-in-law bought a house a few weeks before their wedding. He moved in to work on it and she waited until they were married. Our house has never felt quite right without them.

Then when the grandbabies started coming I wished for a life that I saw on television shows where families all lived in one great big house. You know, like Dallas. We did this when we went on vacation together. We rented one big cabin with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms with one huge great room. I loved it! This mama hen likes all her chicks, their chicks, and her old rooster under one roof.

Family is where I find the truest form of love next to Jesus and then my husband. Jesus died for me. There can be no truer love than that. Hands down. My dear husband has loved me for many years, since 1982. We finish each other’s sentences and communicate wordlessly with a look. It is as natural for me to love him as it is for me to breathe. Love for family is like that. Undying, unconditional love. The kind that lasts forever. I want the best for each of my children, and I include their spouses when I speak about my kids. I get tears of love when I think about my grandchildren and my prayers for their future. It is comforting that I don’t know what their future holds but I know Who holds their future. I am thankful that my children are Christians and are raising their children in the church.

Cherish your children. Teach them what they need to know. In a short time your nest will be empty and those fun days just a memory. The next chapter is fun in a different way. Arm your children for their future so that they might in turn teach their own kiddos. Get ready for the empty nest. It comes to all of us.

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim. 3:14-15 NIV

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Prov. 22:6 NIV

With Mother’s Day tomorrow it made me think of all the women I have known. The ones that have crossed my path, shaped my faith, loved me, and some I haven’t seen in a long time. I couldn’t think about women without pondering the Proverbs 31 woman. Have you ever thought about her? She was a phenomenal gal, a Wonder Woman for her family and the community.

What if that was written today? How would it sound? Who is today’s Proverbs 31 Woman?

Can any man find a moral, virtuous wife?
She would be more valuable than diamonds or gold.
Her husband could trust her with everything,
Especially his love, and would lack nothing of true value.
She gives him her best and does not deceive him ever.
She does laundry, ironing, and makes delicious meals with loving hands and never complains.
Her alarm clock went off while it was still dark so she could prepare breakfast, fix school lunches, and fill the slow cooker with dinner.
She does not gossip, lie, or slander. Her word is true.
Never does she steal even one penny. She does not take from others.
She attends church each Sunday and has raised her children to go.
She gladly gives her time, money, and self to those that need it.
She helps those in need giving money and food to young families and
Taking hot meals to elderly, staying to visit and clean for them.
She volunteered in the community and at church. She loves to help.
Her husband is respected in their church and community.
She does nothing to disgrace, only honor him.
She has a strength and dignity that she wears like a sweet perfume.
She trusts in God and does not concern herself with worry over the future.
She is wise and gives good, sound advice. When her girls need to know how to do something they turn to her for direction and instruction.
She keeps an immaculate house and is never lazy, always working to make her home better.
Her daughters call her a treasure and blessing. Her husband praises her, also.
Many women do noble things, but she is above them. She does everything with love for God and family.
Some women are only pretty on the outside, but she is a true woman of faith.
Beautiful inside and out.
Her family loves and cherishes this wonderful, beautiful, perfect for us Proverbs 31 woman.

As you might have guessed, this was about my precious Mother, our sweet Proverbs 31 woman. She is the best, most perfect for us. God blessed us by giving this amazing woman to our family. He is awesome. Think about your family’s Proverbs 31 women. Have you told them how fabulous they are? How loved and appreciated? Mother’s Day is a great time to start.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. You definitely are the Proverbs 31 Wonder Woman of our family and loved beyond what we could ever say. Enjoy Mother’s Day and always. You deserve happiness.

Proverbs 31:10-31 NIV
10 [a]A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Are you a good example? I can see your wheels turning, and you are wondering “an example for what?” For living a good Christian life. Do you walk the walk seven days per week or just barely, a weak walk? Can your children, family, and friends see Christ and hear His words through your words and actions? Or are you different at church than the rest of the week?

The other day when driving home I was caught in a lot of traffic. Cars were being funneled from two lanes into one, the left one. I got over pretty far back, but the closer I got to the end I noticed more and more cars desperate to get over. No, they didn’t wait their turn like everyone else but jumped the line and nudged their way in. Finally, enough was enough. I was tired of sitting in traffic, too, and was determined to quit being nice and letting line cutters over. That’s when it happened. The Holy Spirit put me under conviction. Stepped on my toes right in the car. Really, what did it hurt to show grace to the people doing that? Would I do that in church? Let people out of a pew? Certainly. Well, shouldn’t I also do it here? Yes, I should and did.

I also thought about the words I almost said, wanted to say, but didn’t as the cars kept coming to cut in line. Some blatantly veered into my lane not waiting for an invitation. Even though no one was in the car I wasn’t alone. Boy was I glad those four letter words didn’t come out. That reminded me of a story my son told. A girl that spends the night frequently with his daughters told them that she liked their house because the girls’ parents did not use bad words and hers did all of the time. What a great example for his daughters and their friends. Children learn what they see, hear, and live.

How are those Facebook postings of yours? Are your words and pictures things you would gladly share with the entire congregation? And Jesus? I am not a fan of the postings bashing spouses, children, family, or friends. They promote gossip. We need to teach love and forgiveness not humiliation. Not a fan of making fun of others or the crude jokes. I also don’t like the vulgar language some people so flippantly toss around. Respect for others has seemed to disappear along with good examples.

How are you influencing someone by the way you live? Are you living as outlined in scripture? Many people look to church going Christians for examples of what to or not to do. Are you helping them or leading them astray? Would the words you say outside of church, the things you do, and the attitude you have be acceptable inside the church, too? More importantly approved by Christ?

I am not perfect, far from it. The Holy Spirit guides me and helps stop me when I run off course. After I think about what type of example I am, I want to be better. Don’t you? For some people we might be the only glimpse of Jesus they see. Let’s show them love and how Scripture tells us to live, not dirty jokes, gossip, bad words, road rage, and bad attitudes. I want Jesus to say “good job” and not “you knew better than to do that”. Let’s be good examples and encouragers starting today. Are you with me?

“But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
James 1:22 ESV

Yesterday was one of those days for me. Do you know what I mean? Have you ever had one? Nothing life changing or threatening happened. Things that happened were disappointing, surprising in a not so nice way. Our checking account took a hit. A big old grand slam. Things needed fixed, unexpected bills came in, and expected bills were higher.

There are two ways to react to days like this: pity or praise. It is easy to give in to the bad and wallow in pity. Praise is harder to do. Are you an easy way out or tackle the hard part kind of person? Which road will you take?

I could have a good old fashioned pity party. Like the song goes “It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to……you would cry, too, if it happened to you.” It would have been easy to sit and cry. I could have been depressed without much effort. It is a natural reaction sometimes when a string of bad things hit. Another activity would be to add refreshments to my party, like ice cream or candy, and seek comfort. Those unfortunately provide fleeting and not lasting ease, like a bandaid.

The second option, praise, is the better one for me so I chose it. I know what you’re thinking. If I’m having such a horrible day, why should I praise God. Lots of reasons, my friend. Many of them. I praised Him first because He has this. This situation, this day, but most importantly, me. He has me. I praised Him because these are all material and monetary issues. No one is hurt, sick, or dead. No tragedy has happened. I am fine. I still have my husband, my parents, children, grandchildren, family, friends, pets, and home. Do you see what I mean? The things that matter most and make me happy are still here.

Once I started thanking and praising God because He is my Creator, Abba, it was difficult to stop. He is omnipotent and powerful. He can do all things. He loves me, cares for me, heals me, and provides. I saw birds outside and marveled at how creative He is to have made so many different ones. My mood improved, things got into perspective, and the bad news of the morning was like a bug that I swatted away. Sure, I will need to deal with it later but next time I won’t be surprised. I will be prepared. God has calmed me, given me time to think with a level head, and stands beside me. Praise is much more than a bandaid. It is a healing.

Next time you are having one of those days, choose praise over pity. Contact a prayer partner or me if you need help praying through it. Remember, God is powerful and has this, but more importantly, He has us.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10