Worn and Weary

I have seen the signs and I have heard the complaints. Moms across the nation, okay... in my community, begging for school to start because their kids are driving them crazy. These same moms are moms that sign their kids up for all kinds of sports and stay very active. They look to the summer to wrap up baseball and softball and have some down time and enjoy their loving families.

What is the problem? We become worn and weary after just a couple days. We have wonderful plans for the summer of visiting with friends, going to the Zoo, or amusement parks and by the third day of the break we wonder when do they go back.

As parents we have high expectations that we can have the perfect family life even when everybody is running in several different directions. Our family was guilty of this. We had cheerleading/football in the fall, basketball in the winter and softball in the spring. Not to mention all of the school activities and church activities. By the time summer would come along we would be wore out with kids that were used to be kept busy and kept on a schedule. This is unrealistic to maintain, especially if there are more than one or two children involved. Different ages, different genders, and so on. It wears out the family and then when there is a break you are so tired and so weary having relaxing family time seems impossible.

Children learn by their environment. If the environment they are in is in constant motion that is what they will crave. The same is true for the opposite, if the environment is constantly relaxed they will crave that. What is best is a happy medium.

A suggestion on lightening the load, so to speak, would be have your children choose one sport or one activity outside of church and school. Then you prioritize. This also helps the kids focus on what they want to do. This helped with our youngest daughter that is our athletic one. She wanted to be the best cheerleader, the best basketball player and the best softball player. The problem was from being constantly on the go, she wasn't that great and any. Now she is focused on softball and has been doing quite well. She even made the JV team at school this past year. Another thing we try to do is have a family night. Nobody spends the night all the kids are home and we deliberately do something together as a family. It can be watching a movie, playing a board game, catching fireflies, whatever.

Sometimes, it's not just our schedules that have us worn and weary. Sometimes it is life and circumstance. In the times we are facing today with the volatile economy and jobs being hard to come by, it is easy to pick up heavy burdens. For that I encourage you to turn to the Lord.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and the burden is light.”
Matthew 11: 28-30

Just as with our children we have to change our perspective. We have to get where we need to be.

I know as a wife, a mom and a student that I have to MAKE time for God. Being in the Word and being in touch with God is the only way to keep things under control. With the trials our own family has gone through we are unable to comprehend how those without God in their lives can get through the storms.

You did Get Dressed this Morning, right?

Have you ever had one of those days where you feel like everything is against you? It seemed that the moment your feet hit the floor your person was under attack?

I have had those days. It usually happens right after I have a had a few wonderful days. I was curious about why though, and I discovered something quite interesting.

On days that started wrong and kept going wrong? Guess what? I forgot to get dressed!

Not in the physical sense of course. Spiritually. Have you put your SPIRITUAL clothes on?

Read the Scripture below.

Ephesians 6:10-20 (NKJV)

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand pin the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 sand having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

When we fail to but on the armor of God, we are very prone to being attacked by the devil.

So obviously the armor is spiritual.

The helmet of Salvation, is accepting the Jesus is our Savior and that He is God's Son. Salvation is not earned, but it is a gift given to us that we have to accept in order to get it.

The sword of the Spirit, is God's Word. WE are equipped with God's Word by reading and studying the Bible. When you start your day in the Word you equip yourself with the strength of God's word.

The shield of Faith, is believing God. Believe God's Word that He will do as He has promised to do.

The breastplate of Righteousness. This is following God's Word and doing as the Lord has instructed.

The belt of Truth, is knowing God's Word. Knowing the TRUTH of Jesus.

The shoes. Taking God's Word forth and spreading it to others. There are many ways this can be done. Helping a neighbor, helping a stranger, being love to your own family.

With your clothes on, while you will still be attacked by the devil, you will be equipped by the Lord to resist.

Did you put your clothes on today?

Have it Your Way...

As the new year has started and plans are being made for www.ParentsForChrist.com, we have decided to ask you, our readers, what you would like to see added to the site.

What kinds of articles would you like to see?

What topics are needed?

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What topics do you feel are needed to be discussed?

How often would you like to see updates?

We highly encourage feedback and insight. If there is something you feel needs to be changed or added, please let us know.