Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs
I started out mothering by listening to the "good advice" from people around me. I was told I should wait four hours between feeding my baby. But he couldn't wait four hours. I was told I should train him to sleep through the night. Oh, how frustrated I was. I loved by baby but oh, this motherhood was painful!
Then I read a statement by a doctor that was my lifesaver.
"There is more in a mother's intuition than all the books you'll ever read."
Praise the Lord, I didn't have to listen to all the "old wives' tales." I could listen to the maternal intuition that God put within me. I was free to respond to my baby. I could nurse him when he cried! I could bring him to bed and let him sleep with me. What bliss! What freedom.
Forget all the books. Forget all the humanistic advice. Listen to God. Listen to your mothering heart. It will release you to be the greatest mother to your baby and your children.
Enjoy a beautiful mothering day,
Nancy Campbell
Why do we try to separate our spiritual lives from our practical lives? It's all meant to be one. Every practical thing you do in your home is sacred when God is in it. Always be aware that God is with you, no matter what mundane task you are doing.
In Nehemiah chapter eight we read how all the people gathered together to hear Ezra read the book of the law. As they heard the words of the Lord their response was to worship and bless the Lord, and even to weep with conviction. But they didn't keep this awesome time of spiritual renewal separated from life.
Ezra and Nehemiah told the people to "Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord . . . And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them" (Nehemiah 8:9-12).
What did they do after understanding the words of the Lord? Eat, drink, and have a great celebration.
God is not only part of your life when you are reading His Word and praying, but when you are eating and drinking. When you are having a celebration. And when you are accomplishing every practical and necessary task.
Embrace God's presence in EVERYTHING you do today. What a day you will have.
Be blessed, Nancy Campbell
Why do we try to separate our spiritual lives from our practical lives? It's all meant to be one. Every practical thing you do in your home is sacredwhen God is in it. Always be aware that God is with you, no matter what mundane task you are doing.
In Nehemiah chapter eight we read how all the people gathered together to hear Ezra read the book of the law. As they heard the words of the Lord their response was to worship and bless the Lord, and even to weep with conviction. But they didn't keep this awesome time of spiritual renewal separated from life.
Ezra and Nehemiah told the people to "Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord . . . And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them" (Nehemiah 8:9-12).
What did they do after understanding the words of the Lord? Eat, drink, and have a great celebration.
God is not only part of your life when you are reading His Word and praying, but when you are eating and drinking. When you are having a celebration. And when you are accomplishing every practical and necessary task.
Embrace God's presence in EVERYTHING you do today. What a day you will have.
Be blessed,
Nancy Campbell
We are talking about the things that God loves to see in our home. Another thing that God loves is gladness (1 Chronicles 16:27). God is not a kill-joy. God is the instigator of joy, laughter, fun, fellowship, and
feasting.
If you want your home to be filled with the presence of the Lord, fill it with gladness. This word "gladness" is the same Hebrew word that is used when it tells us the "joy" of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
It's so easy to get into a rut, isn't it? A rut of boringness, negativity, and gloom. Why not change the atmosphere of your home? No matter what your feelings, add some gladness to your home today. Put a smile on your face. When you catch yourself frowning, make yourself smile instead. You don't have to feel like it. You do it anyway and your feelings will catch up with your facial expression.
Whisper loving and passionate secrets to your husband today. Whisper secrets into the ears of your children that you love them and are so blessed to be their mother. Think of something new and special to do that will surprise your children. Cook a special meal that your husband loves. Write encouraging notes to your children and place them at their plate at the evening meal or pop them under their pillow to find as they go to bed.
Take time to watch your children and laugh. Laugh at your problems. It's not the end of the world. And God is bigger than your problem.
Have fun adding gladness into your home today.
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
As we seek to make our home a sanctuary for God, we must fill it with things that God loves. Yesterday we talked about strength. God also loves beauty in His sanctuary (Psalm 96:6). God wants you to fill your home with beauty too.
We love to decorate our home to make it look more beautiful, don't we? Beautiful music, pictures, plants and greenery, and flowers add loveliness to the home--whether it is a spacious home or a very humble home.
But beauty is even more than things. Beauty is order. There is no beauty in a home that is filled with junk and clutter. There is no beauty in a home that is not ordered and running smoothly. Order and simplicity will not only fill your home, but your soul with beauty.
Beauty is peace. That sure doesn't mean that you live a quiet home where there is no noise or hubbub of activity. If you have children, there will be noise, and even mess (but you don't leave things in a mess). Don't forget this fact--your peace is not in quietness; your peace is in God. Look to Him in the midst of everything happening around you.
Beauty is the joy of big and little children all around us. They are the gladness of our home.
Beauty is the aroma of food cooking and a delightfully set table that woos each family member. Always seek to make your table beautiful-a tablecloth (use a plastic cover over it if you have little ones and don't have time for extra laundry), and flowers (even a bouquet of weeds your children have gathered) or perhaps candles.
Beauty is love, joy, laughter, and especially sweet and encouraging words to your husband and children.
Seek to add a fresh touch of beauty to your home each day, both practically and spiritually.
Be blessed,
Nancy Campbell
Painting: The Breakfast Table by Sir George Clausen (1852 - 1944).
What a privilege we have as mothers to create a home that is a sanctuary for God. God loves to dwell in our homes and walk in the midst of everything we are doing (Leviticus 26:11-12 and 2 Corinthians 16-18).
Psalm 96:6 says: "Honor and majesty are before Him; STRENGTH AND BEAUTY are in His sanctuary."
Strength is one of the characteristics of God's sanctuary. Therefore, as we prepare our home to be a sanctuary for God, we need to build strength into our home. I believe the greatest way we do this is to fill our hearts, and the hearts of our children, with God's truth. Unless we, and our children, know the truth, are convinced of the truth, and are prepared to contend for the truth, we are wishy-washy and have no strength. We are a home that has no strength and can be battered by the storms of life.
I am amazed, or I should say, very burdened, at the state of Christianity today. Many do not have strong convictions of God's principles. They are tolerant of what God says is an abomination. They are raising children who are more familiar with the entertainment of this world than they of God's Word.
Let's build strength into our home. Let's become mothers of strong convictions. Let's raise children who will not fear to stand strong for truth, and who will "be able to withstand (stand against, oppose, resist) in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:13).
Are you with me? Let's do it.
Blessings from Nancy Campbell