The Importance of not losing yourself as a mother is crucial to raising well equipped children. As a mother it is easy to over extend yourself. Someone is always needing something and something is always needing done. However, as mothers we need to prioritize ourselves from time to time. Knowing this, I still have a hard time putting that into practice. I will pour and pour until my cup is completely empty, and then somehow still manage to pour more. I let mom guilt convince me I need to do more and be more, until I am beyond exhausted.
That mindset can be detrimental to a person’s mental health and well-being. Not only will it leave you feeling depleted and underappreciated, it will also take a toll on your body. It affects your mood, your energy levels, it depletes your body’s dopamine. Eventually this leads to having little patience and struggling just to maintain everyday routines. You become irritable and snappy, constantly wearing a flat line instead of a smile. Once the parents become stressed and uptight, it usually resonates through the household. The children mimic the personalities of their parents.
A mother who constantly over gives slowly gives pieces of herself away until only a shell remains. She will forget the small things that make her heart sing. She will forget what makes her unique. She will forget who she is outside of motherhood. The woman that lives inside her will cease to exist, possibly never to be found again. It is our duty to maintain a sense of self so our children will also. It is our job to cater to the little girl inside of us and give her attention as well.
So if you are a mother reading this, for starters, good job and keep reading, it is a great outlet. Also, I want you to know that the dishes can wait, it doesn’t matter that they have been sitting there since yesterday. The laundry already smells funny in the washer, you can restart it later. The toys strung all over the living room can lay there a little longer. Go do something you want to do. You’re not getting any younger and you don’t want your whole life to be a series of events of everyone else coming first.
You can not burn a rope from both ends and not expect failure. You can not continue to bend and not expect to break. You can not continue to pour from an empty cup without consequence. By denying yourself simple pleasures you are robbing yourself of happiness. Not to mention the standards that are being set for your children. Would you want them to create the same type of family dynamic for themselves?
I can guarantee everyone will be a lot happier and more content if you would take a moment for yourself everyday. Even if it’s just five minutes, do something that brings joy to your heart. Read a book, draw a picture, write something, start a puzzle, try that recipe you saw online. Put earmuffs on and lock yourself in a room for a moment of silence. Whatever, just as long as it brings you joy, do it.
It is never too late to learn something new or start a new hobby. Don’t be afraid to be a beginner at something. We must teach our children how to rest and just be. We do not have to fill every moment with an activity. We don’t have to stay busy constantly. The dishes can wait, the kids can wait, dinner can be just a few minutes behind. Take a moment for yourself and just breathe. If not, you’re going to dig yourself an early grave and then you will be forced to rest. Start today, start right now. Until you make a conscious effort to make it a habit you will continue to place yourself at the bottom of the list. A list that never quite gets completed.
II Samuel 2:17 to 3:18, In-depth Study
Welcome back to another in-depth Bible study.Let’s dive into God’s Word together, seeking understanding and insight. May His spirit guide us as we explore Scripture.
II Samuel 2:17
17 And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
18 And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
19 And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.
20 Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.
21 And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.
22 And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?
23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
24 Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
25 And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill.
26 Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?
27 And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.
28 So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.
29 And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.
30 And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David’s servants nineteen men and Asahel.
31 But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner’s men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.
32 And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.
II Samuel 3
1 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
2 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
3 And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
5 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
6 And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.
7 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine?
8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog’s head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?
9 So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;
10 To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.
11 And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.
12 And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.
13 And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face.
14 And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
15 And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.
16 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.
17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:
18 Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.
That concludes our lesson for today. Come back tomorrow as we continue right along in the Bible. Have a great day and God bless!
Growing Closer to God One Verse at a Time.
Understanding the Bible in such a way that it brings a closer connection with God is easier than one might think. Too often today, we as Christians only hear God’s word. We don’t actively read it for ourselves. Or when we do read, we are reading it with a narrative already driving the interpretation. I feel this approach hinders potential growth. What if we read without all those hindering pretenses?
Psalm 119:105 KJV tells us “ Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Joshua 1:8 KJV says “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
1 Peter 2:2 KJV
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may growthereby:
Psalm 119:18 KJV
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
2 Timothy 2:14
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
We should study the Bible in a way that builds an unshakable foundation.The best way to do this is to read with intent. First, start by praying for God’s wisdom to fall upon you. Ask that only His intended message is received.Then, find a trustworthy study bible. I use the Companion Bible by Kregell Publications along with a Strong Exhaustive Concordance by James Strong. Together these books offer a wealth of information and reference points. These tools allow any reader to take every word back to the original languages. By doing so, the reader gains a deeper and more meaningful connection to each verse. It is crucial today to have a strong foundation and a wisdom filled faith. These aspects cannot be obtained by simply listening to sermons. It takes a conscious effort to study the Bible to gain knowledge and understanding. Then, when questions about God’s word arise, as they naturally do, pray about it and seek the Bible for answers. God’s living words speaks to us, but we must first open it to hear it.
Matthew 6:33 says “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” What better way to seek His kingdom than to read His word. Oftentimes, you will find that God gives you the answer in one form or another. If at that point an answer is unfound, then seek pastoral counsel.
John 1:1 tell us,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
How incredibly important God’s word must be if it was with Him all the way back in the beginning. Think about this for a moment, the Bible, a direct continual link to God, providing answers, guidance and correction to all of His children who will read it. Yet the majority of the time it sits on a shelf. A commodity such as that is more precious than any other riches this world has to offer, if you ask me. But even I don’t hold the Bible with the regard I should.
Maybe we take for granted how special the Bible truly is. Maybe the bible has become such a habitual part of life that it has almost been reduced to nothing more than a chore.
It doesn’t matter if you have read it once or a hundred times, next time you pick up your bible, read it with intent!
Priorities
I want to give a short sincere apology to my readers who follow my Bible studies. Recently, a series of events caused me to reprioritize my time. Unfortunately, my blog fell to the bottom of that list. I will continue the in-depth study tomorrow. I am trying to focus more on quality rather than quantity as we continue to study the Bible together. I have a great article set to publish tomorrow about what God says about reading your Bible. I think the message will resonate deeply. I apologize again for my delayed posts. Thank each and every one of you who stop by my blog. And a special thanks to those who follow dillegently.
Heave a great day and God bless!
The Love That Never Ends
What was your favorite subject in school?
What was my favorite subjects in school? Language Arts and Reading of corse! Math was my down fall and I throughly hated it. History was boring, now I know mostly filled with false histories. Science was okay, but not my favorite. Music, Art, and gym fall into a similar category. Except library days!!! Those were the greatest. Oh the simple times of life. I have little to no desire to return.
Zero, Zilch, Nada
What podcasts are you listening to?
What podcasts am I listening to? None. I was listening to “Your Brain on Facts” with Moxy but sadly due to her health she has stopped producing episodes. Her podcast was always fun, exciting and highly informative. Where ever she is, I hope she’s doing well.
The One and Only
What are your favorite websites?
What are my favorite websites? First and foremost would be MY website. I have came a long way in a little bit of time. I look back and can see tenacity and determination. I see a women who refused to fail because failure isn’t an option. I see hard work and God’s ober flowing blessing. I look back and see God’s guidance every step of the way.
I also enjoy other website but I wanted to toot my own horn for a moment.
Newest, Latest, Greatest
Name the most expensive personal item you’ve ever purchased (not your home or car).
Name the most expensive personal item I’ve ever purchased.
I am not one to stay up with the newest technology. For years I was content with the most modest forms of computers and cell phones. Why do I need all those fancy bells and whistles? Then I was persuaded by my husband to purchase one of the lastest smart phones. I had smart phone in the past but the Samsung Galaxy s25 Ultra is by far the best phone I have ever used. I am and always will be partial to android, no argument will ever sway me other wise.
The s25 Ultra is perfect size with a large display. High memory, high processor and a camera that will knock your socks off. The split and mulit-screen functions make multitasking a breeze. Add in the stylus that allows for quick note taking and instantly you can streamline any writing process. I could go one and one about this phone but I’m not trying to do a product review today. If you like Android and it is in your budget, buy one. You will not regret it!
Future Endeavors
What will your life be like in three years?
What will my life be like in three years?
I will be older, wiser and flowing in God’s blessing. I suspect I will still be somewhere with a pen in my hand and a fire for the in my heart. I will likely be still working my current jobs surround my wonderful family.
What will you be doing the three year? Or maybe 5.
Tell Everyone
What’s something you believe everyone should know.
What’s something I believe everyone should know? That at any given moment you are just one step from home. No matter the severity or multitiude of your sin. God wants YOU to come home. If you haven’t, invite Him into your life and watch how he refines and transforms what you once knew.
