The Habits of Joyful Wife and Mother

By all means, know that as I write this I am writing them down for my own benefit. I am in no way a master of these qualities or skills or feel as if I am in a position to school anyone else. It is the truth of God's word to be remembered and put into daily practice for the well being of a mother and her whole family. 

- Stop thinking that life was better before marriage, children or whatever else you tell yourself. That is irrelevant, you live now, as a mother of your given number of children. Decide to be content in your given circumstances. You aren't there by mistake. (Ester 4:14)

- Say what you mean and mean what you say. If a child disobeys, quickly and lovingly correct them and bring them into a right relationship with you, the offended and with God.  Be consistent. (Hebrews 12:11)

- The good behavior of your children will make your life easier, but it is the condition of their heart that really matters... their attitudes, thought life and relationship to others and God. Train them to have good manners and behavior, but know that that is only a refection of what lies beneath. (Luke 6:45)

- Instead of trying to get away from your children with activities and classes try drawing near to them. Sit down, listen, cuddle, listen more, and keep them near you through out your day. It is hard to like people you don't know. (Deuteronomy 11:19)

- See your children as God see them. (Psalm 127 and Matthew 19:14)

- Talk to God through out your day. Tell him about your children, your spouse, your problems, your joys. (Jeremiah 29:12, Matthew 6:5-7)

- Stop yelling! Whisper your commands and follow through with loving discipline. (Proverbs 15:1)

- Stop warning and warning and warning! Warning only teaches them to continue to disobey. Tell them ONE time, make sure they hear and understand, if they disobey they are sinning and need correction. (Matthew 5:37)

- Read the word of God. It isn't hard to understand God's words for wives and parents, they are simple directives that are full of wisdom.  (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

- Remember that your actions speak louder than your words. Live as you would want your children to live.  Treat your husband as you'd want to be treated. (1 Peter 3:8 and Matthew 22:37)

- Memorize this verse: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians. 6:9

- Love your husband. Put him first. Be under his leadership, no matter what that looks like. Life will instantly be better when you do this! (Titus 2:3, Ephesians 5:22-24)

- Memorize and apply this verse to your marriage: "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:9

- If you are task oriented schedule some fun time for you and your family at least weekly. Have "Fun Day Friday" or randomly plan a craft, outing or adventure. Take time to put down the phone, computer, dirty dishes and laundry to tickle, play on the floor or run in the yard. (Ecclesiastes 8:15)

- If you are relational oriented make yourself accomplish important tasks before you begin your fun. Do your house work or tasks in the first two hours of your day...work like mad and then have a fun afternoon, know that your family will be able to function better and enjoy the fun once the house is picked up and you don't have distractions. (Proverbs 14:23 and 31:17)

- Make every one do chores. Even very little children are capable of doing a few tasks a day. Plus, they won't learn if they aren't made to do them. Childhood is just as much about being childish as it is about learning skills that adults have. (Proverbs 22:6)

- Keep the end in mind. What do you want your children to look like at 18? How can you teach them these qualities? What will it take? Remember that they don't get that way on their own or overnight. (3 John 1:4)

- Keep today in mind. We are only granted the present. Enjoy it, savor the moment. Make memories. Stop and smell your baby's head because when they are bigger it won't smell nearly as nice. Don't allow annoyances, fits or inconveniences of parenting today to steal the joy you could be finding in the mundane. Stop and love the moment that is today. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

- Create margin! Running late or behind can make anyone hate life. Don't let life live you...you live it and in order to do that you need to put margin, boundaries and walls around your life. (Exodus 20:8-11 and Mark 2:27)

- View your position in life as God sees it. Martin Luther said, "What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did them up in Heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God." (1 Thessalonians 4:11)

- Finally, just decide to be happy. Start by putting a smile on your face. A positive attitude will follow. It takes practice. So keep it up. Start over after you fail and keep on keeping on!

(Proverbs 15:13, Psalm 105:3, Proverbs 31:25, Genesis 30, Ecclesiastes 7:14, James 5:13)