FAMIILY & FRIENDS: Job Description of a Mom

Proverbs 31:28

Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her...

A friend sent this to me last week. A fairly accurate description of the best "job" I have ever had for the last 20+ years. I wouldn't trade one moment of it.

JOB POSITION:

Mom, Mum, Mummy, Mother, Mama, Ma

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Long-term, team players needed, for challenging, permanent work in an often chaotic environment.
• Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24-hour shifts on call.
• Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities!
• Travel expenses not reimbursed.
• Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• The rest of your life.
• Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly yet know when to speak at all times.
• Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.
• Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers.
• Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects.
• Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.
• Must be a willing to be indispensable one minute, and invisible the next.
• Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery-operated devices.
• Must always hope and pray for the best but be prepared for the worst.
• Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION

• None.
• Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

• None required.
• On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION

• Get this! You pay them! Offering them frequent raises and bonuses.
• A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent.
• When you die, you give them whatever is left.
• The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS

• No health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered.
• Limitless opportunities for personal growth
• Continual unconditional love
• A stronger prayer life
• Free hugs and kisses for the rest of your life
• Wonderful memories
• More joy than you could ever imagine

Footnote: There is no Retirement--ever! (and you wouldn't have it any other way)

FAITH: Politics / Government

1Timothy 2:1-2 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

Politics--the mention of the word stirs up emotions in people---boredom, anger, frustration, joy, change for better/worse, confusion, loss... There are so many disconcerting things happening today in our government, from the local to the federal level, that I can certainly see why many, including me, are concerned. I love the quote by Edmund Burke: All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. The United States is still by far, the best country in which to be a citizen. However, I pray for strong, godly men, my sons are now in that category, to be able to stand alone and speak up when necessary in this society that we live in. When anxiety or fear about our government raises its ugly head, remember: Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

FINANCES: Home Businesses for Moms

Proverbs 31:16-18

She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She senses that her gain is good; her lamp does not go out at night.

I have a part-time home business, in fact I have two. I teach piano lessons to adults and children and I sell items on eBay and Amazon.com. Both are very lucrative and can add variable amounts of income to our family budget depending on how much time I spend on each. The tax write-offs alone are worth looking into having even a part-time home business. Our accountant had me calculate how many square feet in our home is used for each business and that percentage of the house and many of its expenses can be recorded as tax deductions. We generally use my part-time earnings for family events, meals out, movies, homeschool expenses, gifts (weddings, graduation, missions)... one year I even paid for a family vacation to Washington State and British Columbia. The key is to find something that you really enjoy that works for you and your family. Both of my businesses are scheduled around my younger son's class schedule and our active lives. When my older son played Varsity basketball in high school, I scaled way back on piano lessons to accommodate attending all his games. I can list an eBay item in about 5 minutes including the photo(s) now that I have a system worked out that makes it a smooth process. I encourage every mom at home to do something like this when the season is right and teach your children to do the same. They won't always be at home with you and it's good to keep alert and marketable in these economic times.

FAMIILY & FRIENDS: When Someone That You Love Dies

Psalm 34:18

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

The month of August has brought news of so many deaths of friends, family and pets. Two old friends passed away, one friend lost two uncles in the same week, two others each lost one of their parents, my brother and another friend lost beloved pets, three others have parents with cancer, Lou Gehrig's disease, etc. I was with my own father when he passed away four years ago on August 11, so I understand the grief one feels and know that the comfort of the Lord is nearby if you seek it. If your loved one trusted in Jesus for salvation then he/she is with the Lord now, safe, healthy and sound; if not, well, the Bible is very clear about that as well.

There are so many falsehoods and deceptions when it comes to the area of faith. I urge whoever is reading this to be certain of your destiny when you die by seeking Truth in the Word of God alone. Things can happen literally overnight; your life or that of a loved one can change in a moment or in the twinkling of an eye. You want to be sure for when that time comes.

• For college students: http://www.everystudent.com/
• Adults or anyone: http://www.ccci.org/wij/index.aspx
• Search the Scriptures: http://www.biblegateway.com/

A few more passages about this:

Matt. 7:7-8 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

John 6:40 “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”

John 3:18 “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Heb. 9:27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,

1Cor. 15:51-52 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

FAITH: I AM...

Ex. 20:2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

John 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst...

John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

John 10:9 “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture...

John 10:14 -15 “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me...even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies...

John 14:6 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me...

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing...

Rev. 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Rev. 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

I am so glad that the Bible says "I am", rather than "I was".

FUN: Saturday Fun / IKEA

1Timothy 6:17

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.

Today for fun my husband and I have planned an outing to visit the IKEA store in our area. We're not purchasing anything (as far as I know), just checking out what they have, prices and the layout for future reference. We'll have their 99 cents bacon & eggs breakfast and check out this 309,000 s.f. store that I've heard so much about. One of our neighbor's homes was outfitted completely in IKEA from floor to ceiling, kitchen to bathrooms when they purchased it so we've seen some of their designs. Afterwards we need to go visit an elderly relative who is in physical therapy rehab in that area of town. We'll probably stop at a yard sale or two on our way home to a house full of boys that our younger son has invited to spend the day with us. Sounds like a fun Saturday to me!

Update: The "fun" part of IKEA was getting lost so many times. My husband and I were cracking up laughing half the time because we couldn't find our way to where we wanted to go OR find our way out without help. :) They really want you to keep you shopping in the store! We bought two plants and escaped.

FINANCES: Yard Sales

Proverbs 16:9

The mind of man plans his way,

But the LORD directs his steps

I love a good bargain. I love the thrill of the hunt for things for our family, for gifts (new with tags only) and for eBay resale items. I usually prefer to shop alone at these to sort items my head of what I'm looking for--family items, gifts and/or eBay resale items. It's a great way to stretch your budget dollars and helps me be a good steward of our finances. Here is one of my favorite stories of God's provision for us through a neighborhood yard sale:

I had been praying for a Vita-Mix to make healthy smoothies, add more fiber and veggies to our diet, etc. They retail between $500-$600. I was at a neighborhood yard sale and saw some Juice Plus vitamins for sale. I thought that was the next best thing to a Vita-Mix so I bought a case for $2 (they are quite expensive normally). That same day I was chatting with another neighbor about this and she offered me her Vita-Mix Super 5000 for $150. That's still a lot of money for a kitchen appliance, but I bought it anyway. It had only been used once or twice and even included a cookbook and a dry container for grinding flour, coffee beans, etc. I couldn't believe that she didn't want it anymore. I didn't need both the vitamins and the Vita-Mix so I listed the Juice Plus in my eBay store and sold the case for $100. My practically new Vita-Mix only cost $50. God provided amazingly for a very specific prayer which was so encouraging to us. What are you praying specifically for AND watching to see how He will provide?

FAMIILY & FRIENDS: Newsletters

And now the real Thursday, August 13, 2009...

1Thessalonians 3:12

and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;

Today is Thursday--the day I publish our church's weekly E-News letter. I started this as a ministry to the women several years ago and have expanded it to include our entire church and friends of our church (former members who have come and gone over the years, generally). What began as a 2-3 page announcements letter has now expanded to 20+ pages of prayer requests, articles by our pastor and elders, the church calendar, missions, announcements, a financial summary and sharing with each other (ads). My purpose, as stated in each newsletter is: to enhance communication and fellowship with our church family and friends...simply stated, it is a way for us all to grow in love for one another.

I work on it a little each day so I'm not overwhelmed, and because I use many of my gifts, it is very enjoyable as well as a blessing to our church. I also send out a photo supplement with pictures that I take myself of church activities and events throughout the week or that others submit to me to be included. Currently we do not have our own church building so we generally see each other only on Sundays. There are meetings and Bible studies during the week but not everyone attends. The E-News is a way for everyone to stay in touch, pray for one another and share items with the rest of the congregation and friends that they might not otherwise get a chance to. I encourage every church to have a method of weekly contact with its members regularly by blogging, newsletters or Facebook (our church does all three). It's easy to get lost in the crowd, even in a relatively smaller church. There is something God-placed, deep in the heart of every person: the longing to know and be known. You were made to “know” others and for others to “know” you.

FAITH: Still Waiting

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Job 24:23

He provides them with security, and they are supported;

And His eyes are on their ways.

Well, we are still waiting on the right tenant for our rental house. The For Rent sign has only been out for two weeks. The last time we needed a tenant, that was all it took. Sometimes God has a different time schedule for variety. :) We had someone see the house twice who absolutely loved it but her husband wanted something larger. My husband was getting discouraged yesterday when I received another phone call from a woman who grew up in that neighborhood and would love to live in the area. She saw it tonight and we are praying that she and her two daughters will be our next tenants. Thankfully we don't have a mortgage on the house and we have savings set aside to cover items, but not indefinitely. We are much more comfortable with the buffer income the rent provides us. We pray we are trusting in the Lord's provision and not our own. Times of testing really show this.

FINANCES: Wholesale Warehouse Clubs

Psalm 118:24

This is the day which the LORD has made;

Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

To join a warehouse club or not...that's a big question for families. We have a family of four and doing some of the grocery shopping at Sam's Club has been very beneficial to us particularly since we have an additional freezer. I purchase most of our meats in bulk, dairy products & cheeses, orange juice, and some produce weekly. I add to the shopping list as needed. Since I have a part-time business I am able to join with a business membership of $35 per year rather than the individual cost of $40. The savings on milk alone pays for the membership ($3.40 vs. $2.29/gallon x 52 = $57+). The business membership allows me a second card (my husband) as well as entrance into the club from 7:00 - 10:00 a.m. on weekdays. This time frame gets me in and out of the store very quickly. Sam's Club also has an auto center (car batteries and tires only), a pharmacy, a digital photo center which I use frequently, a deli and bakery, as well as a huge variety of other household items. There are other wholesale clubs--BJ's and Costco-- to name two. I use Sam's because it is literally 2 minutes from my house. Take advantage of one of these clubs if they are nearby.