Monday, December 28, 2009

This Can be a Great Week!!

Do you enjoy this week as much as I do? The pressure of all that mom must do to make the Holidays special is past and the lull of expectations and places to be are a current (albeit short-lived) welcome relief. The kids are hopefully playing happily with their new toys and there is the slight possibility that mom may be able to relax just a little bit before the regular routine rolls back into full throttle.

As we look forward to the new year, let’s consider some of the things we may want to do differently from last year. As a mom, prayerfully think about what went well in your home last year and what you want to change from the past year. Sometimes we need to do a little closet clean out and recognize some things we want to do differently. There may be a routine you want to change, or a way of disciplining you may want to rethink or an activity you may want to rearrange.

This is a good time to make positive changes and move in a new direction. I like the turning of the new year as it can offer the opportunity to make a fresh start. Here are a few gentle questions to ask yourself as a mom in looking toward the new year. No self-condemnation, just some things to consider:
· Am I disciplining wisely? Remember every time you discipline your kids it is an opportunity to teach and train and show them that you love them.
· Am I being a positive example to my kids through my words, attitudes and actions?
· Am I making our family dinner time a priority? Studies now show the powerful and positive benefits of family dinner.
· Am I looking at the good in my kids or am I focused on the challenges?

As you ponder each of these questions, ask the Lord to show you how to make positive changes. Seek His power and strength as you glorify Him in your home in 2010. Post the following verses on your refrigerator as a reminder of His power at work within you for the coming year.

II Peter 1:3 – 8
3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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