A Loving and Pleasant Wife

August 27, 2015August 31, 2015 RefreshHer2 Comments

Here’s a “re-post” from 2009, a Little refresher for our marriages:

I love reading through the Proverbs each month. The Lord so wisely scattered so many topics in each chapter. As I read through in the morning there are so many different warnings or exhortations given that I always need something that I’ve just read.

This morning as I read chapter 5 it was easy to feel “off the hook” when most of the chapter is a warning to a man about the strange woman. However, when I got to verses 18 and 19 the Lord brought a sharp reminder to my own heart. It says,

Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe…”

The husband is to enjoy the wife of his youth. We wives can make that a hard task some days because we’re not being what the verse 19 reminds us – loving and pleasant. Every day should find us enjoying being married, not enduring it! It’s ironic, isn’t it, that when a couple is engaged they count down the days until their wedding. Some even know the hours and minutes! They can’t wait! Then not long after – a couple years, perhaps – they’re looking at each other with daggers instead of delight. What happened?

I’m not going to speak for the husband, but for us wives I know what goes on in my own heart. Instead of being loving and pleasant I’m lukewarm and parsimonious (a neat word that means stingy) in the love I give him. It’s easy for us to enjoy our friends and other family members – parents and siblings, but we’re easily irritated with our husbands for some little something.

This passage is directing its encouragement to husbands, but we wives need to do the same thing toward them that they’re asked to do towards us. What is that?

Rejoice in him – Thank God in prayer today for the husband that He brought into your life and that you chose! Think about all the things that brought you together – the reasons you fell in love with him and rejoice!
Rejoice in being married.
Pray for your husband every day.
Choose to be joyful today in the way you speak to your husband and the way you respond to him.
Be fond of your husband and love him dearly. Think of ways you could display that today.
Laugh with him.
Spend time close to him, just loving him the way you did early in your marriage.

Other people can be my husband’s friend, but I am the only one that can be his wife…I want to do it well. I’m sure you feel the same towards your husband; we just get sidetracked sometimes. Let’s work today on being loving and pleasant so our husbands will have good reason to rejoice with the wife of his youth!

Refresh your marriage!

Lovingly,

Roses, Remembrances, Reunions and Rough Days

August 26, 2015August 31, 2015 RefreshHer3 Comments

Here’s a peek at my week:

Roses. Last Thursday my husband came home with 18 yellow roses because “I haven’t gotten you yellow roses in a long time.” I know how blessed I am, and I’m crazy in love with a man that is thoughtful, helpful, sentimental and loving. He still makes my heart flip!

Remembrances. Friday was a day to remember Alli’s birthday. She thinks she’s getting old – I know I am! As a mom, I couldn’t be more thankful for her and her sister. I’ve loved having daughters, and Alli is sweet, funny, thoughtful, generous and a blast to spend time with.

I had her and her husband over for lunch and we celebrated with her favorite things – White Castle Sliders, Garlic Fries and Chocolate cake, tweaked just a little.

We had this Chocolate Cherry Cake only I made it with Strawberry pie filling instead. The results? Scrumptious!

Reunion. Saturday marked the last day of our six week mentoring ministry, Apples of Gold. Does this look like a group of young women having a good time? We had too much fun!

One of the other sweet mentors taught them to make homemade tortillas! Here they are trying their hand at rolling them out. Coffee cups, recipes, flour, and guacamole ingredients are everywhere showing evidence of the great time we were having!

We had such a sweet time together! We also had a former “Apple” join us, making it a bit of a reunion. Melissa served like a true Servant of the Lord. She washed dishes, cleared tables, and jumped to do whatever she saw needed to be done. I love each of these women and will miss our Saturday get-togethers! We have one last dinner – our Celebration Dinner with their husbands in a week and a half. Should be lots of fun!

Here was the table, all set and ready for our Saturday class…

Rough Days. Who likes going to the dentist? Any takers? Me either. Monday morning at 8:30 my week started out looking at this…

I had a tooth break off a little piece, and it needed a filling. I try not to put things off like that. When I learn about it I want it fixed before it becomes more than just a filling that is needed. So, off I took myself Monday morning to start my week. You know what? It ended up being a blessing.

I decided I’d ask the dental assistant and my dentist how I could pray for them while they worked on my tooth. The doctor admitted that “we all need prayer!” Then after a minute he shared a heavy burden with me that had taken place in his family just last week. It was my blessing to lie there and pray for that need, and the needs of his assistant. It took my mind off myself and put it on someone else, and that turned the “rough day” into a blessed one!

Lesson learned – Not every day is a Roses Day, but the difference is really how I respond to the Rough ones. I can turn it around if I’ll turn my focus to the Lord and others instead of my problems.

So, how’s your week been? Has it been Roses or Rough Days? Would a change in focus help you, too?

Lovingly,

Christian Life

Why I Went to the Altar Again Last Sunday

August 25, 2015August 25, 2015 RefreshHerLeave a comment

Every Sunday my husband preaches solid Truth from God’s Word. It’s powerful, not because it’s my husband, but because he’s preaching The Word of God. During the sermon, the Lord is wanting me to hear, to be instructed, to change, to repent, and to obey. How will that be evidenced in my life? I believe that the first step is indeed a step – a step toward the altar. I go forward on many Sundays not necessarily to confess some horrific sin, but I’m driven by the desire that my heart will stay soft and not get tough and crusty. I don’t go every single Sunday, but I do go frequently. Here’s why:

I desire to stay tender towards the Holy Spirit’s prodding in my heart.
It’s good to just talk to God about what was just preached, and ask the Lord to search my heart.
I confess anything He brings to my mind and then surrender to Him whatever He brings to my mind and heart.
I desire that my going to the altar will encourage others not to be afraid to move forward as well.
I go to pray for others I know are unsaved in our service.
When I’m down front, I’m ready to be able to minister to other women who may have a spiritual need.

Most of the things listed above could be done right at my seat, but with all my heart I’m telling you, that I’ve watched “Old Christians” get hardened and hard hearted about invitation time. Some I’ve known for years have never walked the aisle to bow the knee in surrender or confession of a need. How can that be? I’m sure it isn’t that the Lord has not spoken to them, but I believe the longer we sit tight and talk ourselves into the, “I can make any decision right here in my seat,” we’re moving towards it being easier and easier to toughen up and resist the conviction and leading of the Holy Spirit. A person doesn’t lose their salvation, but I do believe your heart can get hard as a result.

I’m not putting myself up as a “super-Christian” because I go forward – it’s really just the opposite. I know my own heart and how it wants its own way! My method to fight against that is to pray for a tender heart and then obey when the Spirit of God prods me. I remember hearing about a man who used to cry so much in church and in any spiritual situation and he hated that, so he prayed for God to take his tears away. Then he spent the rest of his life asking God to give his tears back.

How long has it been since you’ve “done business” with the Lord at the altar of your church? If your church doesn’t give invitations any more, I’d seriously pray about finding one that did. There’s a lot to be said for having a tender heart before the Lord and having an opportunity to respond to His conviction and leading…at the altar!

Lovingly,

Family life

The Perks of Family Dinner

August 24, 2015August 25, 2015 RefreshHer8 Comments

I believe so much in Family Dinner that I think I could almost make myself preach a sermon about it (except I don’t believe women preachers are biblical)! So instead, let me write yet another post about its importance.

One reason I started adding recipes to my blog was so that I might encourage women that they could prepare a little ahead of time and have a nice Sunday dinner for their family. What’s the big deal any way? Why does it matter if we sit down and eat at the table versus everyone grabbing their supper and heading to the television or couch?

Family dinner creates unity in the family. Everyone seated together unites your heart as you share the meal, the table and the experience.
Family dinner makes memories. There are multiple kinds of memories – food, stories told, laughter shared, even delicious aromas.
Family dinner enhances good manners. When you’re seated together at the table, loving instruction and example can be shared about the proper use of utensils and of etiquette.
Family dinner gives time to work together as a family. Setting the table properly, learning to prep food, clearing the dishes, loading the dishwasher, washing and drying dishes all need to be done by all the family. Start with small tasks and lead up to greater ones as the children mature.
Family dinner creates time to connect with one another. You can learn a lot about the day’s happenings when seated at the table.
Family dinner is a great time to introduce new foods to your children. Ask that everyone take one spoon and give it an honest try.
Family dinner is a great time to pray and share burdens. Pray for the meal before you eat, but then if someone shares a burden or hardship from the day, stop and pray.
Family dinner creates a family bond. “Be home in time for dinner” creates in the heart of each child a place where they belong.
Family dinner is a great time for children to bring home guests. Allow your child to invite a friend from time to time. All the reasons above will remind you why that’s a good idea!

A little structure is needed. I would suggest:

Everyone gathers when called.
No one leaves the table unless asked to be excused. Being excused is at the end of the meal, not to randomly get down and go play, then come back and eat a bite, then go play…
Pass the food, teaching to take some and leave enough for everyone to be served.
Try to keep things relaxed. Teaching manners shouldn’t be scolding constantly, but a gentle reminder. Lift your napkin to your lips and say your child’s name to remind them to put their napkin in their lap.

Mom, it’s really up to you to create the atmosphere. Try:

Using cloth napkins (they’re economical and pretty, and far more sturdy than a paper one!)
Add a centerpiece. Flowers from your yard, a bowl of fruit or a candle will do nicely!
Turn on soft music to quiet the atmosphere. If you can’t hear the music in the background, someone’s being too loud at the table. =)
Use your “good dishes” sometimes. Don’t save them just for company! Your family are the most important ones that will gather at your table!
Plan your menu so you can prepare ahead of time. Everyone likes to know what they’re going to have for supper!

So, there’s my sermon!

What do you love about Family Dinner? What makes it difficult to make this happen at your house?

With love from my country kitchen,

Christmas · Crafting

Time to Buy!

August 21, 2015August 21, 2015 RefreshHer6 Comments

I was at Hobby Lobby yesterday and noticed that all their Christmas merchandise is OUT! Of course, if you’re a crafter you have to get started early! But you know what else? If you want to the “the good stuff” you have to shop early! I saw these ornaments there that are really hard to find once the Holiday season rolls in.

These are great for putting a graduation tassel in and hanging on the tree. What happens to everyone’s graduation tassels, anyway? Most are probably buried in the bottom of a cedar chest. If you had a recent graduate in your home, why not make them a special ornament, unless, of course, their tassel is hanging from their rear view mirror (ha!). I’m showing my age!

There are other cute craft ornament ideas, like this…

Another cute christmas idea Cute babies first Christmas ornament Idea!

But you’ll need particular ornaments to make these, sooooo, this is your friendly reminder to head to Hobby Lobby, or your local craft store and pick up the items NOW that you need to make them. Bonus! Hobby Lobby’s Christmas items are 40% off this week!

What will you be crafting for Christmas?