Nov 23, 2009

Being 'Intentional' in the Home


Niyah looking intently at mommy..."What will you teach me today?!"

I thought I'd take a break from "Praying the Scriptures for Your Children" and write a bit about what I've been thinking about this week...

This past Saturday we had our first 'Noble Woman' gathering with the ladies from Grace Covenant Church. A room full of woman gathered and heard a message on true Biblical femininity based off of the book, "Becoming God's True Woman". Something significant that I was reminded of during the message was the importance of being intentional in the home. This word, 'intentional' caused conviction in my heart as to how 'un-intentional' I have been lately. Circumstances of life had caused my attitude to sink, and motivation in the home to be a helpful helpmate to lack. I had become an un-intentional wife and mother who quickly fell into the abyss of selfishness.

I am thankful for this reminder to truly be 'intentional' in all things. As a Christian, I not only have the responsibility, but also privilege to be intentional in investing into things that matter. I have the joy of waking each morning and choosing to be intentional as to how I can most effectively serve my husband for that day. I have the gift of being an intentional mother to meet the needs of my growing baby and to teach her the gift of life in Christ. I have the satisfaction of being intentional to make our home a hospitable, warm, and peaceful place to live and to welcome guests into. And I have the amazing honor to be intentional in ways of strengthening my spirit in the character of Christ by studying the Scriptures.

To be 'intentional' in the matters of life that hold everlasting significance takes lots of hard work. It does not come naturally nor easily. This reminds me of a quote, "kill sin or sin will be killing you." We must fight the desires of the flesh, and hold-fast to life in the Spirit. Many times I find myself saying, "I can't-- I don't have the strength or ability to...(do this or that)" Only then to be reminded of the precious truth in those words.

No, 'I' can't. I just preached the gospel to myself! For....

Christ can! He will provide the sufficiency of grace to overcome my selfishness and cause me to break through the bondage of sin and experience freedom in Him. I no longer am a slave to sin, but to the gift of grace in Christ Jesus. "For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." Romans 6:14

And...

"Thanks be to God through, Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit...[keep reading in your Bible and be encouraged!]" Romans 7:25- 8

I am so thankful that it is Christ who changes my heart and causes me to be the perfect helpmate to Carey and mother to Niyah. It's time to be intentional!

Here are some pictures of ways my husband is being intentional with Niyah as he teaches her hymns in morning worship time. We're looking forward to the day when she will join in with more words than the occational coos! Although it's pretty cute in the meantime!

3 comments:

Mrs. Josh McPherson said...

Good words sister...thank you for the wonderful reminder. And the cute pics of your girl.

love you..

Kristen Koeshall said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kristen Koeshall said...

Thank you for the words and encouragement, Tarah. Much love to you. Kristen Koeshall