Women, we do NOT have strength and power within ourselves sufficient enough to do the tasks set before us. Our duties as mothers and wives are too hard for us. That is why we need to get our stregth from the Lord Almighty! How many of us crumble under the pressure of cooking, cleaning, serving, helping others, tending to the needs of our children, trying to please our husbands, etc. It's true that some days we do a good job on our own, but it's equally true that most days, many of us are lagging and falling behind in so many areas of our lives. Many of us are getting fat, becoming grouchy, depressed, fighting with our husbands, and all the things that we never thought would happen to us are happening. Why? Because we have no joy.
The Bible says, as you may well know, "The joy of the Lord is my strength." There is NO OTHER source for this kind of strength in life. It is only the joy of the Lord that renews us day by day and gives us what we need to be good mothers and wives. We must turn our thoughts toward Him every morning if we are to succeed! Anyone can have babies, but not everyone can be a good mother and wife. It is HARD. Before becoming a mother, i used to paint for 8-9 hours in the HOT oklahoma heat to earn my living. That was hard. I used to not have air conditioning in my car. That was hard too. But nothing prepared me for the hard work i do now! Being a mother and maintaining a good relationship with my husband has taken far more effort and strength than any physical suffering i have endured.
We can not tell each other enough, that we need the help of our Father if our children are to grow up well and if our relationships with our husbands are to continue to bloom. Dwelling on His goodness gives us joy. Your thoughts are so very important. Think on good things. When you are away from your husband, even if he is just in the other room, force yourself to think well of him. He may not deserve it, but remember that you can be nasty sometimes too. Give him grace. Think the best of him. This kind of sacrifice is pleasing to the Lord, and that's what matters most. Don't buy into the modern lie that it's 50/50. A relationship may work best if it's all give and take, but if you're living in reality, usually one partner is slacking. Be the partner that chooses to give 100% no matter what your spouse is giving back. Even if he is giving 0%, you can choose to give to him because you love God. Your work is for God, not for your husband. You love your husband because God loved you. You serve your husband because God served you.
To give in this way, your strength will fail fast, i mean fast. That is why you need so much the Living Waters that come from His Throne! Turn your eyes upon Jesus, ask God to renew you because of your sacrifice. God will not ignore such prayers. I am a living letter that proves this to be true. I fail quickly in my own strength, but the joy of the Lord gives me new strength every morning.
My sisters, please don't believe this other lie that says you MUST have ME TIME. Yes, it is great to spend time alone, but it is not an absolute necessity, and you don't need it every day. If you can get it easily, then fine. Praise the Lord! I love it when i get those moments too! But if you have to twist your husband's arm or make him feel bad for not letting you loose and watching the children for you, then realize that you can still be a good mother and wife if you don't get the ME TIME. Choose to be a good mother and wife without that luxury.
Recently, my friends and i were talking about how we have to often mow the lawn or take out the trash, even though we'd really prefer our husbands to do this. It's great if he will, but what if he won't? Should you scorn him for it? I have had to deal with this issue, and it really is an issue of the heart. If he won't do it, rather than you making the situation worse by beating his ego down and making him feel like a horrible husband, why don't you try taking the trash out with a smile? Try taking the trash out and forcing your mind to think well of him. Even if he is watching sports on T.V. while you do it, you CAN think well of him. If i can do it, so can you. I am tempted to say, "suck it up!" but that is rather harsh. Instead, i will say, "The joy of the Lord is my strength."
I have just finished mowing the lawn for an hour in the heat. While i mowed, i could thank God that i have working legs. I could thank God for such green grass and such a large lawn to play on. I could thank Him that my husband is working today and not being lazy. Even if he were being lazy and sleeping while i mowed, i could thank God i have a husband who loves me. Oh, girls, stop being so ugly and whiny! I know, i can be that way too. Let's instead encourage one another to aim higher. I love this kind of challenge, don't you? You will be so amazed how quickly your husband starts giving once he sees a good example of a godly wife who serves with a smile, no matter what. Remember, the source of her strength is not within herself. It is within the God of Heaven!
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