Category Archives: Building Families That Last

The Heart of A Mother

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mywarminghouse.com

I watched as you inspected your newborn’s fingers and toes – awestruck at the little life you held in your arms, caressing the softness of new skin, smiling as the sleeping infant on your chest melted into you – hearts beating as one.

I know you well – what you think and what you yearn for. You recognize the realities of this world all too well and know how hard life can be.

You envision the life ahead of your precious child. You want to protect them and keep them safe from the ugliness and danger around them. You want them to have a good life.

As much as you love them, there have been times when you courageously stood back and allowed your child to walk on their own – like the time they took their first steps. It was so hard for you but so good for them. But you were always there.

I’ve seen worry and fear grip your heart, and I’ve seen you swell with pride over the smallest accomplishments. When your child experienced pain or joy, you felt it too – like it was literally happening to you.

As your “baby” grew, changed physically, moved to new places, and experienced challenges, you were always there encouraging them . . . sharing wisdom . . . cheering them on in the background.

You’ve made so many sacrifices so they would be stronger, happier, better people.

I’ve seen you there in the waiting rooms, the bleachers, the classrooms and so much more. I’ve watched you let them have the last cookie on the plate; scurry around the kitchen and sit down last for meals; stay up late washing clothes; make lunches religiously every morning; sit by their side helping with homework; drive to endless practices; cheer them on at recitals, games, and tournaments; edit papers late into the night; maneuver through college applications; pray over their hurts, diseases, surgeries, challenges, and futures; hold their hands and cradle their hearts; wrap them in hugs and release them when it was time; teach them about life and about me.

No matter what they’ve done or where they’ve gone, your love has always been there.

Your love for them reminds me of mine for you. Only thing is . . . I love you and your child much more than you ever could. Love isn’t something I do. It’s who I am. My love is unchanging, perfect, and pure.

Your life is a miracle to me – just like your child’s is to you. You are precious and I delight in you.

I developed you in your mother’s womb and marveled at the intricate parts of your body, your beating heart, and the spirit inside of you. I created you in my image. You are fearfully and wonderfully made so don’t compare yourself to anyone else.

I know the realities of this world too. Life is really difficult at times. Other people have made choices that hurt you. You have made choices that hurt you. When you felt pain or joy, I felt it too – as though it were happening to me. I care about you.

I have always wanted to protect you and keep you spiritually strong. In order for you to grow and mature, there have been times when I’ve had to stand back and allow you to walk on your own. Like when your child learned to walk. But I’ve always been there behind you cheering you on . . . giving you strength. You are not alone.

You have so much life ahead of you – especially when you consider that you have an eternity to spend with me. I have good things planned for you so keep pressing on.

As you continue through all the changes in your life, I want you to remember one thing. No matter what you do or where you go, I love you and I will be here for you. Always. There’s nothing you and I can’t overcome together.

——————–

Happy Mother’s Day to the ones whose love so clearly reflects His.

Psalm 139:1-2, Zephaniah 3:17, Psalm 139:13-16, Psalm 139:7-10, Genesis 1:31, Jeremiah 29:11, 1 Corinthians 2:9, Deuteronomy 31:6, 1 John 4:7-10

Lisa~

 

 

Family Advent Calendar Christmas Readings and Activities

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Christmas. A time to remember the day when God came to be with us in a body that could hug us, cry for us, tenderly touch us, speak verbally to us, kiss the cheeks of children, look into our eyes, wash our feet, give us food, heal our hurts, and call our names.

Our royal and holy God born as a baby. The breath of heaven breathing in our midst.

Banned by the innkeeper. Taking his first breath in a stable. Curled up in a feed trough cradle.

That’s why we have Christmas – the most extraordinary event in human history. A day that God kept his promise.

In the days leading up to Christmas (advent), we remember his birth. We focus on God’s incredible gift and goodness. Awe creeps into us. We get ready for the party.

Christmas Advent Family Activities

 In our home, we have a cute wooden advent calendar that helps us prepare our hearts for the party. It sits all cozy in our kitchen. I print off these activities, cut them up by day, fold them, and stuff them in the happy little boxes with a piece of candy. Feel free to use them with your family as you get ready for the party too.

“Cherishing the One Who Came For Us”

Day One

The Messiah will come to crush Satan . . .

Old Testament Prophecy: “So the Lord God said to the serpent (Satan) . . . “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”  (God is promising to send Jesus to rescue and protect us. Jesus is our hero who will crush Satan.) Genesis 3:14-15

Day Two

The Messiah will come to crush Satan . . .

New Testament Fulfillment:  “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death . . . that is, the devil.” Hebrews 2:14

“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” 1 John 3:8

Day Three

Make a card, write a letter, or draw a picture for someone who needs encouragement . . . someone in the hospital, a child whose parents have recently divorced, or a recovering soldier, etc.

For soldiers, send to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Day Four

He will be a descendant of Abraham . . .

Old Testament Prophecy:  “I will make you (Abraham) exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will come forth from you. I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you.” Genesis 17:6-7

“But God said, “Yes, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.” Genesis 17:19

Day Five

He will be a descendant of Abraham . . .

New Testament Fulfillment:  “So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.” Matthew 1:17

Day Six

Make a cup of hot cocoa. Have each family member count out 14 marshmallows and put them in their cup. Review the Old Testament prophecy, recall each of the 14 generations in Jesus genealogy, and discuss the fact that God always keeps his promises. (Read Numbers 23:19; Psalm 145:13)

Day Seven

A child will be born . . .

Old Testament Prophecy:  “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Day Eight

A child will be born . . .

New Testament Fulfillment:  “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11

Day Nine

In honor of Jesus’ birth, find a way to help other babies. Go through all of the purses and change jars in your house. Collect all the dimes and donate them to the March of Dimes. Or go to the store and shop for baby items to donate to your local pregnancy center.

Day Ten

Read Zechariah’s song in Luke 1:67-79. Find a way to bring a smile to someone’s face today. Why not see how many people you can bring joy to with random acts of kindness. (Help someone load their bags into their car, hand out gift cards to complete strangers at Wal-Mart, give a smile to someone . . .)

Day Eleven

God sent his son to make us part of his family . . .

“But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5

Day Twelve

To thank God for sending Jesus to adopt us into his family, check out some ministries that help orphaned and vulnerable children. Determine a way to help one of them by sponsoring a child, making a financial donation, praying for their ministry, or donating supplies. Some great ministries you can help: Watoto Child Care Ministries; Compassion International; World Vision; Danita’s Children; As Our Own; Tiny Hands International; Children’s HopeChest.

Day Thirteen

He will be born in the town of Bethlehem and will be from the tribe of Judah . . .

Old Testament Prophecy:  “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clan of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times . . .” Micah 5:2-5

Day Fourteen

He will be born in the town of Bethlehem and will be from the tribe of Judah . . .

New Testament Fulfillment: “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world . . . So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:1, 4-7

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked,  “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” Matthew 2:1-6

“For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah . . .” Hebrews 7:14

Day Fifteen

Say at least one nice thing to affirm and encourage each of your friends and family today.

Day Sixteen

Kings will bring him gifts and fall down and worship him . . .

Old Testament Prophecy:  “The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts.” Psalm 72:10

Day Seventeen

Kings will bring him gifts and fall down and worship him . . .

New Testament Fulfillment: “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem . . . On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. They opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.” Matthew 2:1-11

What gifts can you give to Jesus? In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus told us that when we help the hungry, the thirsty, the foreigner, the poor, the prisoner, and the sick – it’s just like we are helping him.

Day Eighteen

Do you know someone who’s a single mom (or a new mom)? Plan something nice to  do for her. (Bake bread for her family, give her some luxurious lotion, buy her a gift card to a local grocery store, anonymously pay one of her bills, babysit her kids so she can go shopping, wrap gifts for her, etc.)

Day Nineteen

God shall dwell among his people . . .

Old Testament Prophecy:  “Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for behold I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” declares the Lord.” Zechariah 2:10

Day Twenty

God shall dwell among his people . . .

New Testament Fulfillment: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:23

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

Day Twenty-One

Give the gift of your time. Be present with someone today just as God chose to be present with us. Visit residents at a nursing home and hand out candy canes, help at a food pantry, volunteer to ring the Salvation Army bell as a family, or invite someone to your house for dinner (or cookies) who may not have family close by.

Day Twenty-Two

He will be a Shepherd to his people . . .

Old Testament Prophecy:  “Behold, the Lord God will come with might, with His arm ruling for Him . . . Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, in His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.” Isaiah 40:10-11

Day Twenty-Three

He will be a Shepherd to his people . . .

New Testament Fulfillment:  “I (Jesus) am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” John 10:11

Look at the Heifer Project website. Consider buying an animal to help one of Jesus’ flock who need help.

Day Twenty-Four

Attend a Christmas Eve service at a local church. When you arrive home tonight, turn off all lamps and overhead lights. Plug in the Christmas tree lights. Light a fire and/or a candle. Read the entire Christmas story together as a family.

Day Twenty-Five

Bake a birthday cake and sing happy birthday to Jesus. Show love to everyone you spend time with today just as God showed his love to us through the birth of his son.

I’d be happy to send a Word file if it would be easier for you. Just leave a comment to let me know.

If you know someone who might be interested in this post, just click one of the buttons below to share it. If you subscribe to this blog today, I’ll send you my overview of the Bible, “God Never Lets Go,” - a teaching outline of the entire Bible that you can use with your children, in your church, or anywhere else it’s useful.

So thankful for God’s gift . . .

Lisa~

For more Christmas family activity ideas, click this link:

mywarminghouse.com Family Christmas Advent Activities

Single Moms – Giving Your Sons a Definition of Manhood

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Hi beautiful single mommas! Thanks for taking a few minutes out of your crazy life to stop here. So how has your week been? What challenges have you been up against? Keep your chin up. Keep pressing forward. You are important and so is your precious family.

This is the third post in my series helping single moms raise their sons to manhood. For the first two posts click here and here.

Growing up, I can remember my mom saying repeatedly, “All men are rats.” This seemed to become her mantra.

Looking back, I wonder how this impacted my brothers. How did it shape their view of manhood? How did it shape them as they moved toward adulthood?

Boys have a desperate need for someone to define and demonstrate what it means to be a man. Are there any men in your son’s life who are a good example of what that looks like? Where can they find the definition of authentic manhood?

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A vision of authentic manhood

Robert Lewis’ book, Raising a Modern-Day Knight, shares that the definition of manhood can be found by contrasting and comparing two men from history – Adam and Jesus.

They had opposite ways of life and two very different masculinities.

Every man will ultimately draw his masculinity from either Adam or Jesus.

Here are the four major differences between Adam and Jesus.

Adam:

  • Represents life separated from God.
  • His natural drive was to live out his manhood based on instinct, reaction, and preservation.
  • Represents a failed manhood that sought to suck life from others.
  • Represents manhood devoid of any significant meaning beyond the fleshly here and now.

Jesus:

  • Represents life in union with God.
  • His manhood is influenced by spiritual direction – based on faith not his “flesh”. (He was utterly dependent on God the Father, sought his guidance, and carried out the work God the Father gave him to do.)
  • Represents a manhood that is life-giving not life-taking.
  • Revealed a manhood that is filled with meaning and a sense of destiny.

These contrasts point us toward answers to the question: “What is a man?” They help us formulate a definition of authentic manhood.

Robert Lewis’ principles of authentic manhood

A real man is one who:

  1. Rejects passivity
  2. Accepts responsibility (a will to obey, a work to do, and a woman to love)
  3. Leads courageously
  4. Expects the greater reward

Next week I’ll be posting details about principle #1 (a real man rejects passivity) so you can start applying it in your son’s life.

Something to think about

How do you view men in general? Have you considered how your comments and beliefs about men might be impacting the young men you’re raising? Are you projecting a positive or negative vision of manhood?

Read this with your son

Philippians 2:5-11 (As you read this, list the things Jesus gave up, the sacrifices he made, the things he did, and the reward that awaited him. Ask your son why he thinks Jesus did these things. Discuss.)

If you want to leave a comment, I’d love to hear one thing about your kids that made you proud this week.

Thanks for making your way to The Warming House this week. Hope you come back again. As always, I’ll leave the light on for you!

Because families (and our sons) are worth fighting for . . .

Lisa~

If you know someone who might be interested in this post, just click one of the buttons below to share it. If you haven’t subscribed to this blog yet, would you consider doing that today? I would love for you to make yourself at home here as part of The Warming House “family.” If you choose to subscribe, I’ll send you my overview of the Bible, “God Never Lets Go,” - a teaching outline of the entire Bible that you can use with your children, in your church, or anywhere else it’s useful.