A close friend of mine has a son who is married and
has four children. They live a quiet and simple life. They are not involved in
activities outside of the home. Another friend of mine was with them recently
and was astonished at how well-behaved these children were. When she asked them to
come, they came. When she spoke to them, they listened carefully and looked her right in the eyes.There was no arguing among the siblings. They played quietly and
contentedly together. The parents have spent a lot of time training and
disciplining their children. They are not expecting anyone else to do it. They
take this job very seriously. Raising godly offspring is serious business and should never be taken lightly or carelessly.
The reason they don't get involved in a lot of
activities is so they can have plenty of time to teach their children things
that matter and have eternal value like getting along with others, being kind and generous, and loving
the Lord. Raising a family, being a help meet to a husband and keeping a neat
and tidy home should be a full-time job for mothers.
How many families and children do you know like
this? Most mothers are too busy doing other things instead of taking the time to train and
discipline their children, keeping a neat and tidy home and fixing nourishing food for their families. They think they must do something to make money {which the Bible never commands that women do}, have hobbies to
keep them entertained, and/or be on social media so they won't miss something "important."
NO! Your goal should be to live a quiet and
simple life within your husband's income. This atmosphere is the best way for
children to be raised. Jesus was raised this way! Elizabeth Elliot said, A simple and orderly life represents a clean and orderly
mind. Muddled thinking inevitably results in muddled living. A house that is
cluttered is usually lived in by people whose minds are also cluttered, who
need to simplify their lives. This begins with simplifying and clarifying their
thinking. Mind and life need to be freed from the "disorder of the
unnecessary."
Your children don't need a
lot of stuff or activities. They need you: your time, energy and training. They
need you teaching them to work hard, be obedient, love others and love God.
They need to see parents content with living a simple life who are at peace
with each other. They need to learn that having things doesn't bring happiness
but living according to God's instructions to us is what brings happiness and contentment.
Stop running about, wasting your time and neglecting your children, home and husband. Clean out
your closets, drawers and homes to help you attain an uncluttered mind. Get rid of everything you don't need. Have
clear and empty spaces. Let your children be creative in their play. Teach them to help
you around the home, to cook and to garden. Be a homebody! You don't need to be
running in your car all over the place. Your children don't need to be in a lot
of outside activities. You don't need a hobby that takes your time away
from your family. If you have food, clothing and shelter, you should be so
happy and content!
All Christian families should
be like this family I mentioned; the parents are deeply in love with each other;
their children are their priority WAY over their cell phone, Facebook,
Internet, TV, hobbies, etc. They have time for Bible reading, praying and praising the
Lord. Meals are eaten around the table together. Love is openly expressed to all who enter
their home. This is how a godly family should live.
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life
and attend to your own business and work with your hands,
just as we commanded you.
1 Thessalonians 4:11
and attend to your own business and work with your hands,
just as we commanded you.
1 Thessalonians 4:11
