Just stay and linger awhile....

I feel like this doesn't happen enough.....
And my head is thinking, "Why in the world not?" I am crazy about this guy. I love him more now then I did when we married one another, nearly 12 years ago.

I know the obvious reasons...

I know that this season of life, with my precious small children, is taxing and requires much of me. Still I cannot quiet that longing in my heart for more time with him. My very best friend, my love, my partner, my leader. He can make me laugh like no one else can and see through to my heart more quickly than most. When he looks at me from across the room, I am certain I am the only thing he sees and that makes me feel adored and cherished.

God has strengthened our marriage and given us a vision that I know grounds and sustains us through the trials. God has also given us a deep love for one another. That sense of knowing that he is by my side for the long run, the comfort in knowing he thinks I am beautiful even on those days I'm not and the grace that is continually offered as I sometimes stumble through being his help-meet.

I recently glanced at an article title that said "The six-second kiss...." I didn't actually get to read it, but the title got me thinking. So often we greet each other at the end of a long day and quickly catch up, but realistically it is past 10 already and our heads hit the pillows. I'm certain that I don't give him six, one-second kisses every day, let alone many six-second kisses each day! What a difference such a small act of love would make!

How much more deeply would our connection be, even in the busyness, if I stayed and lingered awhile. This is the most precious earthly relationship I need to nurture and no one can do for my husband what I can do for him! I know there are many other times that I can stay and linger. I am planning on taking the time to do more of this.....



How can you find time to stay and linger awhile?

Humbled

Last month, God was so good to me once again. You see, He has this wonderful way of carving out unexpected, non-planned time with my very dearest friend. Even when we try to spend time together and work out the scheduling of our seven children, husbands home and a time and place....it rarely actually comes together in the end. But then on a random Sunday afternoon, we will both show up in a place for one thing and end up having a precious hour of time just for ourselves. God is really cool like that! :)

So last month, this happened and as we shared our hearts with one another, we both were having the same thoughts about the level of commitment needed for the wifely & motherly duties God has asked of us. Then in a class I am taking our teacher shared that it is has always been her goal to find ways to meet the needs and build in life to her husband and children. However, that is not something that she looks for them to do for her. No~ she goes to God for that. He alone provides what she needs. Now of course her husband and children bless her in many ways and build life into her, but she is not actively seeking that from them.

In our world today, this whole idea is completely backwards and so much negative light is shed on this idea of servanthood in our own homes. But, that is exactly where God calls us to serve first. And it is also where we find our joy and purpose. It also means that we must surrender our way and wants in marriage and motherhood and replace them with God's intended desire for these roles. Trust Him~ He will provide and take care of all that you truly need. And as you seek Him fervantly, He will mold what you want into that which He knows is best for you.

This is my prayer this next year~ that God will make me more selfless and more serving. That I will be in tune to the hearts of my inner circle, as well as those I come in contact with, in order to build life and meet their needs on a practical level. I was reading a blog I enjoy once in awhile and she had this beautiful post that spoke directly to this topic, so take a minute and go visit Joy. Let this story of the woman who "has no name" encourage you and challenge you in this mission of truly serving selflessly.

NewLens Challenge: Days 30-32

Wow! We are coming into the final days of our 32-Day New Lens Challenge! So, we put checks in our check boxes and it is soon back to regular 'ole days and the same old, same old....

Wait a minute! This challenge was meant to actually change us, right? Yes, us, not them or him, but us. I changed. Did you? What was the most significant change you can see since 32 days ago?

The challenge may be "ending" but it is absolutely just a new beginning. Now, we have a new lens to look through and we will not be doing things the same way~

Day 30-32 Open up God's word and go to 1 Corinthians 13:4-13 and read this out loud. Now go back and put your name every place it says "love." Write this verse down with your name in the place of love and post it somewhere to see through-out your day. At the end of the day, circle the ones that were challenging to you. The next day do the same thing, only circle in a different color and the same for Day 32.

I love the verse 11 which says, "When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. "

Where God's word is abiding, it is changing! So, has it changed you?

Keep this verse posted for the next 30 days and continue changing. Let God's love permeate the deepest parts of your soul in such a way, that you don't know any other way to love! Thank Him for doing a work in you and ask Him to continue His chiseling and refining~ for this is the place where we are brought into His beauty and used to make a difference in the lives of those around us! Thanks for walking through this challenge with me. It was encouraging to think of other women out there working hard to build up their families at the same time. God bless,

Melissa

NewLens Challenge: Days 28 & 29

Proverbs 31:12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

Day 28 Set aside time to be in prayer for your intimate relationship with your husband. The bond that is shared in marriage is so incredibly vulnerable and honest, our attitudes must be in the right place! Now, set aside some time to build your intimate relationship and pursue your husband in that way. This is a great need for our husbands, that they are so often "on guard" against in today's world. There is so much tempation all around. Let us be a warm and inviting place where they can share such a beautiful level of intimacy that only God could create between a man and a woman.

Day 29 OK....remember the verses we found about GOD being "all the we need." Time to share with our husband and ask forgiveness, if needed, for unspoken and unfair expectations that we have put upon him. Don't be hesitant or shy, but let your husband know that God faithfully supplies all that you need and you do not want your husband to feel the pressure of "being all." Find ways in this conversation to thank your husband for all that he does provide!

Motherhood

Day 28 Sit down with your child and make a fun acrostic poem using their name. Then use words that describe them (ex: helpful, gentle, etc...) Let them know what you love about them!

Day 29 If you have not done so already, take your children on their "date night" and just enjoy them. :)

NewLens Challenge: Days 22-27

Hello Ladies! Wow, this was a tough week for me~ We have been working on a project at our church, that has consumed me for the past two weeks and this week I was on guard, up against many attacks. I am sorry I did not post Friday night for the weekend, I pray that you found a special way to honor your husband and children yesterday! This last week is really an inward focus for ourselves and I know it is going to be challenging, but also I pray have a profound impact on our hearts!

As you go through the week, find your own ways to:
1. Honor your husband
2. Be intentional with your children

Please comment with your ideas! I would really love to hear how you personally found ways to build life into your family. I will be looking forward to hearing what God has done in your heart~

You know your family better than anyone and remember, NO ONE CAN DO FOR THEM WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THEM! Make a list as you go through the week and maybe even look back through this challenge at what you have already done. Does something stand out that really impacted your husband or children, act on that and bless them again! They will tell you by words or actions what encourages and builds them up!

Marriage

Day 22 to Day 27 Purpose to set aside each day to be in prayer about your attitude and "unspoken" expectations that you have put on your husband. Open God's word each day for the next six days and find a scripture that reveals to your heart what God is to you. Our husbands are not meant to "be all" and "provide all" we need and /or desire, but our Heavenly Father is! Draw near to Him and He will meet you where you are. Somehow, record each verse and pray that verse through-out your day.

(Also, be working on planning a "date night." Keep your husband in mind when planning. Even if it means later after all the children have gone to bed if you can't afford to go out somewhere. Plan something very special just for the two of you to enjoy!)

Motherhood

Day 22 to Day 27 For your children, first lay aside your dreams and expectations for them and let God fill your heart will pure intentions on their behalf. Yes, we all have the best intentions when dealing with our children, but it is hard as parents not to sometimes try and "mold" them ourselves. And that...is GOD'S job! So release your children fully to God and find scripture to encourage you in viewing them solely through God's lens. What does God say about children? What verse(s) is He revealing to you concerning your child(ren)? Record the verses you find. Then find sometime to share with your children what God says about them. Let them know that what God says matters to you and you are going to trust in God's orginal design of them~ letting Him bring to completion all that is possible in each of them.

(Plan a special "date night" with each of your children. This may need to happen over the next couple of weeks, depending on the number of children you have. Plan something fun to do to have special time to invest one-on-one.)

Have a wonderful week!

NewLens Challenge: Days 17-21

Proverbs 31:10-12 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

Marriage

Day 17 Today our goal is to not argue or "go against" what our husband says or does. I do not mean this in a doormat sense, but a much more valuable sense in that we are working to build in leadership to our husbands. Without even thinking we can often be discouraging with our words or questions, so let us keep quiet and think much before we speak much.

Day 18 Do you have a decision to make? Seek your husband's guidance. This may be something you already do, so maybe find something that isn't BIG and ask him what he thinks would be best for you to do. Our husbands feel respected and trusted when we express that we value their opinion of how we spend our time.

Day 19 Ask your husband what he would like you to accomplish with the children today? Is there a project you can all work on to help him at the house, a verse he would like them to learn, something he has been asking you do? Maybe it is even find out about registration for t-ball. Just purpose to seek his parental leadership and follow-through.

Day 20 If it's possible, plan to take lunch for your husband at his workplace today and have the kids make special cards for him. Be a winsome example of a wife who honors and does her husband good. This is not to be prideful, but to publically show your love for him. This gives others the opportunity to witness God at work in a marriage relationship, because they see something that looks different from what the world offers. If not, then plan a special meal for him and still have cards ready!

Day 21 Find 6 different times today to say, "I love you for....." (Example: I love you for working hard to provide for us. I love you for taking time to spend with our children.)

Proverbs 31:26-28 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

Motherhood

Day 17 Find a new way to say "no"....meaning, try not to say "NO" to your kids toda. I realize this is difficult, but even if you just pick 1 or 2 things you usually just say "no" to it will be great! (Example: "No, we are not going on a bike ride right now." Exchanged for: "I know that a bike ride would be so fun. Right now, we need to focus on our chores and rest time. We will see if we have time later this afternoon.") I really feel that this helps validate our children's desires as important. We do want them to know that their ideas are important to us, but we must communicate that to them!

Day 18 Purpose to not say "just a minute" to your children. Our goal is not to make our home child-centered, but not to appear too busy or distracted to meet their needs. Most things seem urgent to the small child, so help them feel that they are important to you, by addressing things as quickly as possible. They will see our willingness and feel a certain kind of love in having you not put them off. This take good judgement on our part. I am not saying drop everything, but at least find a proactive way to have them wait. (Yes, let me put this one dish away.) (Honey, I would love to come right away, can you use your words and tell me why, I am in the middle of making dinner) Take some time with older children to ask them about something specific they would like your help with or would like help in accomplishing over the next week or so.

Day 19 Make applesause with your kids today and color it a fun color! Here is a simple recipe.

Day 20 Talk to your children about how dad is the head of the home and why you are taking lunch or making cards for him. Ask them what they love most about daddy and write some of those things down on their cards. Build into your children a high respect for dad's leadership. If you have older children perhaps they can write a note to thank their dad for his leadership in some way they are appreciative.

Day 21 Get a piece of paper and some stickers, then let your kids know you are on the hunt for acts of kindness today. Each time you see one, you will stick a sticker on the page. Let them know the goal is to fill up the whole page! Maybe even draw a heart and fill up the heart. Share with them that kindness comes from the heart and is really wanting what is best for someone else. You share or do something that will benefit them more than yourself. And, that your heart is very happy when it is kind! Challenge older children to find ways to purpose to be kind today to the their siblings, a friend or family.

NewLens Challenge: Days 15 & 16

We have made it halfway ladies! I pray that this challenge is becoming more natural and you are finding true joy in encouraging and loving your husband and children through God's lens! For this weekend, the Sunday challenge is one for the whole family to take part in together~ Have a blessed weekend :)

Marriage

Day 15 Ask your husband for sometime to pray for him. Spend a little time searching his heart (letting God lead your words/questions) and then pray for him about those things he shares. Don't forget to pray for perseverence to reach those goals he shared with you earlier in the week. If you are unable to actually pray with him, then set aside at least 15 mins to pray for him.

Motherhood

Day 15 Kneel beside your child's bed with them and pray with them and for them. Ask them about some things they would like to talk to God about, then model talking to God like He is right there with you.

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Day 16 Plan a family movie or board game night. OR if your husband enjoys doing something else as a family that you are able to do, then plan time for that! Turn off the phone and let your family know that you are "all theirs" for the night. Maybe even have some fun things for supper like popcorn, pancakes, waffles.... you can think of something fun! Enjoy one another and pray together as a family, thanking God that He has put you all together as a part of His perfect plan and purpose!

NewLens Challenge: Days 10-14

Proverbs 14:1 "The wise woman builds her home, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands."

Marriage

Day 10 When your husband comes home today from work, refrain from complaining about your day. Focus on all the good things that took place and let him know the best part was him coming home!

Day 11 Take some time tonight to sit down with your husband and ask him what are some of his goals/dreams. Ask him what you can do to help him over time to accomplish them.

Day 12 Make your husbands favorite dessert for supper tonight.

Day 13 We often start "filling the room" with talking when our husband's come home from work. Work hard today to set up your house to be full of excitement (my boys go crazy with happiness!)when Daddy gets home, but then quiet for him to just be able to relax.

Day 14 Do you remember what first attracted you to your husband? Let him know!

Motherhood

Day 10 Find at least three times today to let your child know, "I am commited to you!" Tell them that this means you are always doing what is best for them based on what God asks you to do.

Day 11 Sit down with your kids and write a fun story to share tonight at supper! Start the sentences and let them fill in words once-in-awhile. (Ex: Once upon a time, there was a __________ and it decided to take a ride in a ___________) This promises, lot of laughs! Enjoy~

Day 12 Make your child's favorite cookies today! (You are already baking :) ) If you have more than one child, cutout cookies can be fun~

Day 13 Play a board game with your children today.

Day 14 Find time to sit with each child today and just let them talk! If they are not big talkers, sing songs with them or read a favorite book.

NewLens Challenge: Days 8 & 9

How are you doing? I pray that this past week has been encouraging to your heart and your home! If you are new to this, don't worry or be hard on yourself, change takes time and grace is available for the process~ thank you, Jesus! I also wanted to share something that has been on my heart. If you are unable to actually do these things for your husband or children (there are number of reasons why this might be) then I encourage you to keep a notebook for them, pray these things for them and pray about when you may be able to share with them. The most important part to remember is that although it benefits our family, it is really about changing our heart and attitude toward them! A sweet reminder God reveals to me each day I journey as a wife and mother~

Have a wonderful weekend!

Marriage

Day 8 Buy a small notebook, make a cute book or just grap some notebook paper and staple it together! Whatever your style, get a book to start writing love letters to your husband :) My husband recently bought this book, and although I have not read it yet, I am looking forward to it! The art of handwritten notes is almost lost, so revive this art, as well as all the reasons why you first fell in love with your husband, and let him know! If your husband is willing, you can invite him to write in it also, and pass it back and forth between the two of you! See how long you can keep this expression of love growing over time~ (I bought my little book at the right at Archiver's for about 4.99)

Day 9 At Sunday lunch, share with everyone what you love about your husband and why you are grateful that God placed him as the leader of your home.

Motherhood

Day 8 Make a fun page of "7" things I love about you on this day! Sit down and read it to your child, then find a special place to keep it for them. Purpose to randomly do this on a different day each month, using the date for the number of things you love! Don't worry about the "artistry" of the page, just make it fun for your child. Keep them in mind and use things/colors that they love :)










Day 9 At Sunday lunch, share with everyone why you are so grateful to God that you are "your child's name" mommy! Thank them for the special kind of joy they bring to your family.

Through a New Lens: Challenge Days 3-7

"Whatever you do, whether than you eat or drink; or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

Marriage

Day 3~ Write a list of 5 things you see that your husband does very well. Tonight when he gets home, choose one and thank him. Don't rush it, but find a time to really be able to look him in the eyes and let him know you are grateful. (Keep the list and thank him for the other 4, sometime in the next month)

Day 4~ Find a verse that you want to pray for your husband, write it on a notecard and tape it somewhere for him to find today. Remember to pray for him!

Day 5~ Ask your husband to share something that you could do for him today, that would be helpful to him. Purpose to get it done!

Day 6~ Call your husband, just to say "I love you and I'm proud of how hard you work to provide for our family."

Day 7~ Set aside an hour tonight for your husband to do something he really enjoys. Even if it does not include you, just let him enjoy some quiet time of his own. (with a joyful spirit!)



Motherhood


Day 3~ Ask each child what makes the feel loved and purpose to express that kind of love to them today.

Day 4~ Have something fun planned for breakfast, maybe even something your children request, but you don't make too often.

Day 5~ Set aside 30mins to 1 hour to do what your children want to do! Don't answer the phone or any other distractions, just "be" with them.

Day 6~ Find time to speak to each of your children individually today and let them know how you see progress in them. Thank them for making good choices that honor God.

Day 7~ Spend 30 minutes today reading silly books with your children! Enjoy and laugh with them.

Through a New Lens: Challenge Days 1 & 2

Just a little housekeeping~ I will post a weekend challenge and a week challenge. It is not realistic for me to post every day, so get out your calendar or weekly planner and write down the challenge for each day. I will post on Friday night for the weekend and Sunday night for the week. (If you are new, please read about this challenge here and here.

First, my prayer for each of you choosing to take on this challenge:

Father, I ask that you might reach down and deeply touch the heart of each of us, as we journey through the next 32 days. This will not always be easy and we may not see results right away, so help us to fully trust in You and Your perfect timing. When we fail, guide us back to the track and help us to keep moving forward and not stay there in that place of feeling defeated. Thank you for intimately knowing each of us; reveal to each heart what You want me doing for the good of my husband and children. May our motive be to honor You and not to gain anything for ourselves. Give us the eyes to see this place we are in as "holy" ground, doing work for Your kingdom. For you are ever-close to us and our life is for the greatness of You, not ourselves.

Day 1~ Acts 3:19-20 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus

Start on your knees before the Lord and cry out to Him. Be honest before your Holy God and let Him wash you. Wash away the fears, the doubt and guilt...whatever need to be cleaned out. Cry out for Him to empty you of yourself, so that you do not get in the way of what He wants to do in you. Be quiet before Him and listen.

Day 2~ Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Let this be your prayer today. Pray for your Holy God to do such a work in your heart that your words and thoughts are aligned with Him constantly. "take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" This challenge begins with prayer, because that is where the power lies! It is not in and of ourselves just being able to start a new routine or change our minds about doing "life" differently. The kind of change I am praying for, only happens at deep heart level.

Pray that this will not be a shallow attempt to spend a month encouraging your family, but rather that it will be the beginning of a new way of doing life. Closer to your Heavenly Father, more obedient to His daily direction and aligned with His purpose and will for your life every step of the journey.

Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

Praise God that He is your Source! Give thanks for this place He has placed you, for He knows what He is doing and you can trust Him! Thank you Lord~

Through the lens of God: Marriage

James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering and sincere.

gentle: those that are possessed of such a spirit are not easily provoked to anger; patiently bear, and put up with injuries; for God has a great regard to the meek, humble, and quiet souls; He lifts them up, when cast down; He causes glad tidings to be preached to them; He increases their joy in the Lord; He feeds them, when hungry, to their satisfaction; He guides them in judgment, and teaches them His ways; He will rise up in judgment for them, and reprove with equity for their sake; He gives more grace unto them, and beautifies them with salvation, and will cause them to inherit the earth. (from John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible)

The first time God placed this verse on my heart was about eight months before Wesley and I had a miscarrage. At the time He first gave me this verse, I knew in my heart that God wanted me to learn how to be unwavering in my faith and my follow-through each day in walking close with Him. I did not know what was ahead of me, but God did know and He was preparing me. Honestly, when we walked through that time together I was sure of my foundation and stood firm on the fact that God knew what He was doing. It was heart-breaking and difficult, but I really felt solid in the hand of God.

Ever since then, I have kept that verse very close to my heart. As God has taught me more about that trial we went through, He has continued to teach me more about the treasures found within this verse. It is applicable to so many areas of my life, because it is talking about God's wisdom, which is perfect!

God's wisdom is the light for my path each day. I know that God has placed me in this place for a purpose. I am the wife of Wesley and the mama to Eli and Luke for a reason. I was chosen by God to build life into them and invest in their lives with my whole heart. How does God ask me to live out my life as a wife and mother?

peaceable

gentle

reasonable

unwavering

sincere

full of mercy

Recently my heart has been so heavy and I have felt myself struggling with lots of thoughts, doubts, questions, etc... filling my heart and mind. I know that this kind of process is vital for me to grow and be refined, but it is difficult, because I feel like it distracts me. Through the struggles, God reveals so much to my heart and here is what He has said so loud and clear concerning marriage and motherhood.

Marriage~ "No one can do for my husband what I can do for him!" So, what am I doing for him? My attitude towards him needs to be that of pure sacrifice that is in his best interest. I need to daily look for ways to build life into him and support what God has asked Him to be doing right now with his life. This includes ministry, parenting, work, leadership, etc...

I have been more than blessed in the gift God gave me in a husband. I say that in praise to God for providing just who I needed to love me, lead me, partner with me, parent with me and be my best friend. He is very sacrificial and supportive of me, which I sometimes just stand in awe of, because I know there is so much more I could do for him.

I desire to be the kind of wife that "does him good, all the days of her life," one that knows "the heart of her husband trusts in her," and one who is "submissive and a lover of her husband." Loving my husband needs to be my top priority each day. Yes, I do believe it comes before my children, but I will be the first to admit that I know this doesn't always happen.

Having a 5 year old and a 3 year old, I am most often a bit spent at the end of the day and grateful to have my partner by my side. I am thankful that I have someone willing to be in the trenches with me, but I am not sure I always do a good job of letting him know that. My weariness often speaks first, rather that my heart of love and gratitude, as well as my pride (in a good way) in what an incredible job he does of supporting us as a family.

I am Wesley's wife and it is my responsibility alone to build into his life. So, I am taking a 32 day challenge to build him up and "do for him, what no one else can do!" Will you join me in doing this for your husband? Watch for the posts that will begin on February 28th~

I realistically know that not everyone precious woman who may read this post has a husband that is on her team, or supportive or sacrificial for her. I do not take that lightly, trust me! I take very seriously the fact that there are many marriages struggling all around me and that is a very hard place to be, I have seen it. I understand the effects and the hardship, so please know that, while it is not always easy to be in the place you are, you are never alone. God still has you and is looking for you to be faithful.

Many have heard 1 Peter 3:1-4 that talks of the wife who can win her husband over by her quiet and chaste behavior. This doesn't work because we think it is a good idea, it works because we are out of the way! I have women very dear to me who walk in hard marriages, but they also have the sweetest countenance. It may not be rewarded here on earth, but it certainly will not be overlooked in heaven, by their dear Savior!

If you are in a tough place in your marriage I encourage you all the more to take this challenge to heart and see what God can do over the next 32 days, in your heart and in your husband's. Remember that all we do is for the glory of God and that makes it all worth it!

This challenge will also include an aspect for motherhood, which I will post about tomorrow!

The Titus 2 Woman

Today I am going to start a series on the teaching of Titus 2:3-5. The material is from a dear friend and mentor, Rochelle Fleming, who has spent a lifetime studying and living out the principle of being a Titus 2 woman. Last year she devoted her time to writing curriculum for a group of 16 women to whom she taught the material and then sent out to teach to their small groups of 6-10 women. This ministry at our church is called Connecting Hearts. We started with Titus 2:3-5 because it is our mandate as godly women.

I had the privilege of co-leading a group last year with on older wiser woman and I am leading a group this year on my own. We are meeting one Saturday a month, so I thought on the Saturday we meet I would share one nugget of truth from Titus 2.

The first four qualities speak to the "older women," which by biblical standards is one of the approximate age of sixty. But, age alone does not qualify a woman to leave a godly legacy. She must be one who has done the work of raising her own chidren and honoring her husband, or serving the needs of the less fortunate and being devoted to good works. Her life needs to be an example of God's Truth in action. So, here we start with "reverent in their behavior". This is a complex topic that has many small bits and pieces. As we studied all of the qualities last year, we could always find our way back to starting with reverent behavior. So, are you ready for the defintion of "reverent in their behavior?" It is having God-centered daily living which flows from a personal relationship with God; resembling that which is important to God and stems from a heart that desires to obey God.

The heart of this older woman, sees all of life from God's viewpoint. If you were to watch her walk through her day, you would see what is next to God's heart! What a beautiful picture of bringing honor to God through one's daily life and choices.

I am not an older woman. I hardly qualify at the age of 31 with two small boys at home. So, what is there for me to learn from this quality for the older woman? Well, to be honest quite a bit. I will start by telling you that I desire to become an older woman, so I must be practicing! I will not just arrive at the age of 60, with my children grown and suddenly be wise, reverent and so on. No way, not on your life. How will I get there? It will be by my choosing to study God's word, to be obedient and to do this over a lifetime.

The only way I know how to to this is to never lose my first love for Jesus. He must permeate my life in every aspect. I heard Rick Warren say recently, "If you haven't prayed about something, you are doing it on your own." I have left Him out of the picture. How do I know what is next to God's heart if I am not pursuing Him? It is impossible. I think back to when my husband had decided he wanted to "date me for the rest of my life." We both spent a great deal of time seeking out ways to know one another better. He spent time listening and remembering what was close to my heart and I did the same with him. Now, after nearly ten years of marriage we know much of each others heart and we are still seeking to understand new facets of each other. As we grow, so must our devotion to learning about one another.

Now, God does not change or grow, but there is so much to know about Him, that even in a lifetime, I will not come to know all that is next to His heart. But I must be trying each and everyday. This will not happen by accident or luck. We, dear women, must make the time and take the time to learn about God, so that we can live our lives in such a way that we show the world what is next to His heart.

What have your family or friends seen in your life today that is a precious picture of God's heart? Where can you start to live this out on a daily basis. I pray we will all quiet ourselves before our Heavenly Father and seek to know what it is He desires for us to surrender, so that we do not lose sight of our first love. Oh Father, how I long to know your heart, so that I can live accordingly.