The following is not my post, this is from Our Daily Bread, but I was so touched as I thought of the great impact mothers have on their children’s hearts. I wanted to share it because I thought you would be encouraged by it, too.
My son, keep thy father’s commandments, and forsake not the law of thy mother.
As I read Proverbs 6:20, which refers to “the law of your mother,” I recall some of my mother’s unique “laws” that have helped me many times.
The first I call “the law of the warm kitchen.” When we got home from school on a cold winter’s day or when the holidays rolled around, the kitchen was always so warm from baking and cooking that the windows were steamed. It was also warm with a mother’s love.
A second law I call “the law of a mother’s perspective.” When I would come to her all upset over some childish matter, she would often say, “Pay no attention.” Or, “Ten years from now you’ll have forgotten all about it.” That helped me put things into perspective.
But above all was my mother’s “law of faith.” She had an unswerving trust in God that kept her strong and gentle amid fears, pressures, and sacrifices of the war years and of the 1950s.
Mom’s been with the Lord now for many years. Yet I’m still grateful for her “laws,” because they have helped me through many difficult days.
Christian mother, you too are writing “laws” for your children. Are they worth remembering? – D C Egner
That question is truly worth considering…”What ‘laws’ are you writing on the heart of your children?” Are they the kind of laws that will help and encourage them as they mature and move on in life? Your personal life has everything to do with whether or not you have anything to pass along to the next generation. Walk with God today. Let Him fill your heart with His joy, His Word and His directives.
Refresh the heart of your children with your “laws.”
This summer my husband and I made a decision to lose a few pounds. Why? Tight jeans and increased numbers on the scale! We were serious and steadfast. However, that does not mean that we ate tuna fish and boiled eggs! We have eaten so many new recipes filled with delicious foods simply lightened up. We’ve eaten a lot of chicken, and today’s recipe might be my favorite! This recipe came from Skinny Taste, a great place for lightened up recipes and scrumptious food!
We loved this recipe because of the crispy chicken, but also the deconstructed guacamole on top. That simply means that instead of taking all the guacamole ingredients and blending them together, you toss them in a bowl and serve them over the chicken.
Deconstructed Guacamole
I made a couple changes to the original recipe – I coated the chicken with taco seasoning (I make my own), and I used Panko crumbs to give the chicken that lovely fried-taste!
One thing I love about healthy eating is how colorful the plate is! So many fruits on the plate make it pretty and healthy!
Here’s the recipe…
INGREDIENTS
For The Chicken:
2 8 ounce boneless chicken breasts, cut in half lengthwise
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large egg whites, beaten
Taco seasoning, homemade or packaged
1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
1 -1/2 tbsp olive oil
For the Deconstructed Guacamole:
4 ounces avocado, from 1 small Hass
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup slivered red onion
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cumin
juice of 1/2 lime
INSTRUCTIONS
Season cutlets with salt. Place bread crumbs in a shallow bowl. In another bowl beat egg whites. Dip chicken cutlets in egg whites, then breadcrumb mixture, shaking off excess.
Heat a large nonstick frying pan on medium heat. Add the olive oil. When hot add the cutlets and cook about 6 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through.
In a large bowl combine the avocado, red onion, tomato, salt, pepper, cumin, and lime juice. Gently toss and serve over the chicken with additional lime wedges, if desired.
That chicken, that topping – yum!!
Does that look like diet food? I don’t think so! But it was. More later this week about how we lost the pounds slowly and wisely.
Last week I shared some of the many ways my husband demonstrates his love to me. Not only is it a great blessing to me, it’s also a nudge to me to keep my own demonstrations active each day we’re married. I promised I would share at least five more ways he demonstrates his love towards me – gestures that make a marriage strong and lasting. So, let’s go!
Yep, these roses were a recent gift from my sweet husband.
He protects me. Last week while I was taking my morning walk, I called him, alarmed at a car driving slowly up and down my country lane. Minutes later he sent me a text, “You okay?” When I didn’t answer within 30 seconds, he called me to ask the same question. He doesn’t smother me, but he lovingly protects me with gestures that remind me I’m not alone in life.
He reminds me that he wants to spend time with me. Recently we realized that our mornings were getting consumed without us getting to spend time together first thing in the day. He asked if we could rearrange our morning routines so we could have that time together before the day got too busy. Wow, that spoke volumes to my heart. After 39 years, he still wants to spend quality time together!
He still enjoys just having fun together. We play games, sing love songs in the car, ride bikes, go on picnics, hold hands while walking, share our meals together at the table, talk and share our hearts, enjoy a sappy movie, and laugh lots.
He is such a servant leader. He constantly takes a back seat to his own needs so he can serve me. No matter how I refuse or want him to put himself and his own needs first, he always serves me first. He seats me at the table, opens the car door for me, brings me my morning coffee, carries anything I have in my hands, makes sure I have breakfast, the best seat, or whatever the pressing need is at the moment.
He points me to our Heavenly Father. This is truly the greatest way to keep a marriage strong. Without the Lord, any marriage is weak because we’re depending on our own flesh. So every day Dale guides me spiritually. He shares what he is reading, what he’s praying for me and others, and he lives out personally what he talks about. He has shown me so much about how to live the Christian life with boldness and joy. He has helped me grow towards Christ in incredible ways.
Not only am I thankful for my husband’s loving demonstrations, I’m rebuked by them. I often say, “I don’t do nearly as much for you as you do for me.” Trying to out-do your spouse in loving gestures is a good thing and a good way to make your marriage last!
What could you do this weekend as a simple reminder to your spouse of your love for him?
Rahab leaned in as her friend cupped her hand around her mouth and said in hushed tones –
“Have you heard the news? The Israelites have finally been freed from their slavery in Egypt. Hundreds of thousands of them left…in the middle of the night! They say that when they got to the Red Sea, their leader, Moses, lifted up His rod and the water parted, and those people crossed on dry land! But when the Egyptians tried to go after them the waters crashed down on them, and not one soldier was left alive! I heard it was their God that cause all those plagues to happen beforehand, and that He was the One that made it possible for them to cross the sea safely. I wonder if they’ll try to come here to Jericho? I’m afraid of what will happen to us if they do!”
Rahab sat back, wide eyed and disbelieving at first, but then nodded as she remembered other things she had heard about the Israelite’s God.
These posts are 99% written with women in mind. I want to encourage the hearts of women. HOWEVER, today’s post is not just a time to be grateful for my husband or just to help women, I also hope to encourage men in their role as the helpmeet to their wife. So perhaps you could send this post on to your brother or other men in your world. I trust this will strengthen marriages!
I loved my husband dearly when we got married 39 years ago, but every day he makes me fall in love with him over and over! He is not perfect, and we have our times, like every couple, but he is such a blessing to me every single day. There have been times I’ve kiddingly asked,
Am I dying? Why do you treat me so well?!
I totally do not deserve it, but I am very aware of God’s blessing and grace in my life in the form of my dear husband, Dale.It’s all the little things that make a marriage last the long haul. It’s the daily investments that make it stronger and give one another security in the relationship.
This week I’ve been “following him around” and snapping mental pictures of the many ways he is a blessing to me, of the ways he invests in me and our marriage. He had no idea I was doing this, and this is not our anniversary or my birthday. The things I’m going to share with you are normal for him. This is how I “caught him” pouring into my life…
Sentimentality – He leaves “Love is” cartoons for me all over the place. For years he has been cutting them out of the paper and putting them in my purse, my suitcase, on the mirror, the fridge – everywhere. They are always so sweet and speak into our marriage so perfectly.
2. Help with the housework – This is our home, our laundry, our messes and he so graciously and willingly offers help with some of the chores. I usually always start a load of laundry each morning, but if he sees that it has stopped, he will put it in the dryer or fold it if it’s finished. He also vacuums most of the time, which is a huge blessing. It really does make me feel like this is a dual-occupancy, rather than just me keeping all the wheels going.
3. Spiritual leadership – I’m so grateful for the times we spend in the Word together. He has been intentional about reading from God’s Word and a devotional book together, usually in the morning (it’s hard to make it happen later in the busy day!). He also prays with me each night before we go to sleep. Many times he has taken me by the hand to pray with me about a burden or pressing need in my life. What a blessing this part of our relationship is!
Washing Dishes
4. Help in the kitchen – He always cleans up the kitchen after every meal. He appreciates my efforts to cook, and this is how he expresses his gratitude.
5. Help with decisions – I’m the world’s best with coming up with “great ideas!” He’s so good about getting excited with me about a plan I have to rearrange furniture or re-do a room. This week he visited a furniture store with me as I was looking for a new sofa for our family room (more about that in another post). He was patient. He helped me think through what would be best in that room. So many times, he just helps me think. I may be trying to decide what to do in my already busy day, or how I can minister in a certain way, and he will very easily come up with a 1,2,3 answer. I tease him that it’s always a three point answer, given his calling as a pastor! But his input is always so helpful. Also, he’s okay if I decide to make another choice. That takes humility.
I have at least five more reasons he gives me to love him more every day, but you’ll have to come back next Friday to read those!
What does your husband do that is investing in your marriage? I hope you tell him often how grateful you are!
If your husband needs help with these areas, pray. Also, ask God to help YOU pour into his life and your marriage and watch what happens!
Refresh your marriage with what you can contribute to your marriage today.
RefreshHer 