A Mother's Reflection on the Final Judgement

(In honor of Mother's Day next Sunday, I'm reprinting this. A stage of motherhood is coming to an end, for me, as our daughter graduates from high school next week and will be going to college in the fall. I'll post more reflections on motherhood at a later date. This week will be spent making mints (I borrowed a cow mint from a friend!), finding pictures, writing thank-you notes to the administration and teachers at Lakeview high school and doing a long list of related graduation and graduation party errands. It will be a wonderful week, especially seeing my parents and one of my sisters and her family! (See www.nebraskafamilytimes.blogspot.com for the "controversy" regarding the prayer at graduation at Lakeview.) May God bless all mothers!) 

A Mother’s Reflection on the Final Judgment

(received via internet)

For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat;

I was thirsty and you gave Me a drink;

I was a stranger and you let Me in;

I needed clothes and you clothed Me;

I was sick and you looked after Me;

I was in prison and you came to visit Me.

            Matthew 25:35-26

“When Lord? When were You hungry and I fed You?”

            “How could you ask that, you of the 3 million peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, the 100 ways to fix hamburger—which could have been steak if you hadn’t been feeding Me?”

“But thirsty, Lord?”

            “I was in the lemonade line that came in with the summer heat and flies, and left mud on your floors and fingerprints on your walls, and you gave Me a drink.”

“But naked Lord? And homeless?”

            I was born naked and homeless. You sheltered Me, first in your womb, and then in your arms, and clothed Me with your love (and spent the next 20 years struggling to pay the mortgage, the fuel bills, and keep Me in jeans).”

“Oh, Lord, but I never knew I visited You in prison. I’ve never been in a prison.”

            “Oh, yes, you were. For I was imprisoned in my littleness, behind the bars of my crib, and I cried in the night and you came. I was imprisoned inside a 12-year old body that was exploding with so many emotions I no longer knew who I was, and you loved Me into being Myself. I was imprisoned behind my teenage rebellion, my anger, my stereo set, and you came and sat by the wall of My hostility, took the abuse I heaped upon you, and waited in love for Me to open the door.”

“Now, enter into the kingdom of My Father, prepared for you since the foundation of the world.” 

Children in Church

Children in Church

By Shelly Burke, Editor and Publisher, Nebraska Family Times

(from iStockphoto.com)

I think every parent has had an “embarrassing child moment” in church. I remember Cody’s first Christmas Eve service. He was only 5 weeks old and he was not happy to be in church. I took him to the cry room no less than 4 times during that service (it’s one of my favorite services of the year and I desperately wanted to be in church with my family and church friends). He was crying so loud that people in church were turning around to look at us behind the glass walls of the cry room.

I can laugh about it now…but it wasn’t funny at the time. Whenever my kids were loud in church (or just made a tiny bit of noise) I just knew that everyone was looking at me and mentally “tsk-ing” me because my kids were so obviously completely out of control because I was a terrible mother (yes, I tend to blow things up sometimes, especially when it comes to being a mom!).

 I think the disciples were probably “tsk-ing” the mothers who brought their children to Jesus, as recounted in Matthew 19, which says, “Then little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”” Jesus clearly wanted the children to be close to Him.

And He wants to see children in church today, too! Moms, bring your kids to church—even if they do make noise! Experiment with the service you go to, where you sit, and how you prepare your kids for church. They will naturally be less likely to sit if they are very tired or hungry. Some kids pay attention better if they sit close to the front—where the action in church is. Some kids will be distracted with toys or books; some parents prefer to teach their children to listen and take part in the service. Your techniques will probably change as your kids get older—figure out what works for you and your family!

And now an important word for church members who don’t have kids or whose kids are grown: Remember what Jesus said; “Let the little children come to me.” In many churches the families with young kids sit toward the back of the church. If you don’t enjoy the sounds of children, sit somewhere else! And please refrain from giving parents whose kids are making noise a dirty look or telling them their kids should be quiet. It’s hard enough to be a mom, trying to do the right thing by taking kids to church, and a nasty comment or dirty look is demoralizing and discouraging.

Instead, offer a patient smile that says, “It’s OK—I know what it’s like to have kids in church and don’t mind a little noise a bit.” Better yet, encourage parents who bring their kids to church! Say, “It’s great to see your kids in church. I know it’s not always easy to bring them, but you are doing the right thing.”

(from iStockphoto.com)

A few years ago, during a baptism at our church, a sibling of the child who was being baptized made a huge fuss when her parents and new brother were in the front of the church during the baptism. The little girl wiggled out of the arms of her aunt and began running around the area where the baptism was being done. The mom looked embarrassed and mortified. After church I witnessed an older lady of the church, who the mom clearly didn’t know, say to the mom, “We love children in this church, and we love to see and even hear them. Your family is beautiful!” And I could see on the mom’s face that this made a huge difference in how she would remember the day. Be the person who gives families a positive feeling about having their children in church!

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…” 1 Thess. 5:11

How do (or did) you encourage your kids to sit quietly in church? 

A to Z Blogging "Zoo and Other Ideas for Summer Fun"

“Zoo…and Other Ideas for Summer Fun”

By Shelly Burke, Editor and Publisher

WOW—I can’t believe today is the last day of the A to Z Blogging Challenge! It has been a lot of fun! I’ve found some great new blogs and made some new online friends. The Challenge forced me to write and blog every day—on two blogs! After doing it twice a day (except for Sundays) I’m getting very good at posting on the new Blogger format and on Facebook as well. I’m thrilled to have more followers, too! I prayed that the A to Z Challenge would be successful for me and my businesses and it has been. I plan to continue to blog on a regular basis (not every day, but 2-3 times a week) so check back often or sign up for e-mail notifications whenever a new post appears.

School will be out in just a few weeks! With the more relaxed rhythm of summer you’re probably planning some family outings—and your kids are probably excited to have time to do activities there isn’t time for during the school year.

Regardless of the age of your kids, start making a summer fun list now! When our kids were young, we put our summer fun list on the refrigerator and added to it almost every day. We listed little things—like walk downtown for ice cream—as well as bigger activities like spending a day at the zoo.

Be sure to include a variety of activities—ones that take just a few minutes and those that take all day…activities that are free and those that have a cost…fun things to do in your own town and some that require travel. Then fit them in during the summer as time and budget allow.

Here are some of our favorite summer fun activities. I’m planning to enjoy some of them this summer with our family! Cody is finishing up his sophomore year of college and Morgan will be going to college in the fall, so I’m planning to make a lot of fun memories this summer.

• Staying up late and sitting out on the deck with all of the house lights off. As our eyes adjust to the darkness it’s amazing to see the stars, meteors, and so on. (It used to be the kids who got tired when staying up late…now it’s Tim and I!)
• Sitting outside to watch the fireflies as it gets dark.
• Getting ice cream and eating it in the park.
• Spending the day at the zoo.
• Visiting other Nebraska attractions; check out the Chamber of Commerce in area towns to see what’s available; you’ll be surprised at what you can do close to home.
• Trying new recipes. I really enjoyed teaching Cody and Morgan about cooking!

Start your summer fun list today—and you’ll make some fantastic memories this summer!

What are your ideas for summer fun? Share them in the comments! 

I’m also blogging today at www.nebraskafamilytimes.blogspot.com. My post there is titled “Zebras and Other Evidence of God’s Love for Us”

A to Z Blogging Challenge "You as a Mom, in Six Words"

“You, as a Mom, in Six Words”

I’ve seen this challenge in several places and for this blog, here’s the twist: describe yourself as a mom, in six words.

Here are several I’ve come up with for myself:

WOW-Life with kids speeds by!

Graduation soon. New stage of mommy-ing.

Mom loves you no matter what!

Pedicure with Morgan. Another priceless memory! (See picture above!)

And here’s how I describe my life as a mom:

Blessed beyond words after having kids.

Thank You, Lord, for each day!

How would you describe yourself as a mom, using six words? Share in the comments!

I’m also blogging at www.nebraskafamilytimes.blogspot.com.

Check out my post today, “You in Six Words.”

A to Z Blogging Challenge "X Marks the Spot where Morgan is going to College"

“X Marks the Spot where Morgan is going to College”

by Shelly Burke, Editor of the Nebraska Family Times; To inspire, encourage, and motivate you on your Christian walk.”

It’s FREEBIE FRIDAY! Subscribe to the Nebraska Family Times before Sunday, April 29^th and you will  receive a FREE copy of my book Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home. For only $20 you’ll receive 12 issues of local, state and national news from a Christian point of view. To order go to Nebraska Family Times and click on the button on the right side of the page to subscribe. Please make payment via PayPal to shelly@shellyburke.net, and leave the address to which you’d like your book sent! Home is Where the Mom Is makes the perfect Mother’s Day gift, and all books will be shipped on Monday, April 30^th!

Jenny 

Morgan has been fretting over her college choice for several months. We’ve visited five or six colleges and she’d narrowed her choice to two of them, both very different in size, distance from home, and majors offered.

It was a difficult decision, and only she could make it.

I have been praying that God would give her a sign that would make it very obvious where He wanted her to go, and when my sister Becky talked to her earlier in the week, she suggested Morgan do the same.

Yesterday when she was getting ready for school I heard her laughing in her room. She came out with a piece of paper and said, “I got my sign!” She explained to me that her dog, Jenny, had rolled over on her floor to have her tummy rubbed and Morgan noticed a piece of paper under her.  Morgan unfolded it, and inside found…a check for more than the amount she needed for her housing deposit!

To make the message even more clear, the check was from a cattle show that was sponsored by Colorado State University, one of her choices for college! (Morgan isn’t the neatest person in the world, but she is always very careful with checks she receives—so clearly God put it there on the floor under Jenny!)

Could the message be more obvious? Morgan is relieved and so happy with her decision—and I am so thankful that He answered our prayers in such an unmistakable way. Last night made her housing deposit and signed up for orientation this summer. She didn’t stop smiling all evening.

Jenny and Morgan

As a mom, I’m naturally a little worried that she will be so far away (Fort Collins is about 8 hours from home). However, she is absolutely thrilled about her choice and I know that God will be watching over her every minute. We are blessed to have many friends in the area—one of my best friends from college lives just 45 minutes away and her son will be attending CSU as well! Several of Morgan’s friends who show cattle will be attending CSU and she’s received many invitations for home-cooked meals from friends who live close to Ft. Collins.

Thank You, Lord, for answered prayers. Please lead and bless all the kids who are making college decisions at this time. Amen.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3

“”For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.””

Jeremiah 29:11          

“…Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.”    Mark 11:23-24

I’m also blogging at Nebraska Family Times.

Read about answered prays in my post “Thx, Lord, for Answered Prayers.”

A to Z Blogging "Every mom is a 'Working' Mom"

Every Mom is a ‘Working’ Mom!

By Shelly Burke, Editor of the Nebraska Family Times newspaper, and author of Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Moms Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home

I cringe every time I hear the words “working mom.” Why? Because the term is usually used in the context of comparing moms who have a paying job that is outside of their home to moms who work at home or from home. Used in that way, the term implies moms who are at home with their kids are not working.

All at-home moms, and I think (hope!) moms who work outside of their homes realize that all moms are “working” moms.

I challenge all moms to begin using the terms “work outside my home” and “work at home (or from home).” And I challenge all moms to gently correct anyone who uses the term “working mom” by saying, “All moms are working moms. Some of us work outside our home for pay, some work from home for pay, and some work at home for the payment of hugs from our kids.”

If you, as an at-home mom are asked, “Do you work?” you can answer in several ways: “Yes, I work from home,” or, “Yes, I work at home as my home manager and I get to be with my kids full-time. My benefits are the best—hugs!”

If you want to make a point, list your jobs as an at-home mom: “I’m an at-home mom. I’m a cook, nutritionist, entertainment consultant, housekeeper, chauffer, sleep  specialist, secretary…and that’s just in the morning!”

May God bless all moms in their work of raising their children! 

“Behold, children are a gift of the Lord.” Psalm 127:3

“Her children arise and call her blessed.” Proverbs 31:28, after listing all of the things that “the wife {mother} of noble character” does.

Please pass this post on to other moms who would enjoy it!

How do you feel about the term “working mom”? Leave a comment and let readers know!

I’m also blogging at Nebraska Family Times.

Today’s post is titled “Wind.”

A to Z Blogging Challenge "Instilling Values in Your Kids"

“Instilling Values in Your Kids”

by Shelly Burke, Author of Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home

(Excerpted from Home is Where the Mom Is. To see the Table of Contents, click on the tab at the top of the page. Home is Where the Mom Is makes the perfect Mother’s Day gift for any mom of children who are at home. See ordering information to the right.)

“Values” can be defined as “broad guidelines that can be applied to specific situations.”

When you instill positive values in your children when they are young, those values will help them make the right decisions throughout their lives. But…these values must be ingrained before difficult situations  (like receiving too much change at the store, cheating on a test, stealing, or having premarital sex or using drugs) arise and it’s all too easy to make the wrong decision—possibly with life-long consequences.

Think about your values and consider writing them out and hanging them where you and your kids can refer to them daily. The 10 Commandments will probably be included (Deut. 5:7-21) and the Fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control—are also great guidelines. You might include honesty and generosity and anything else that fits what you want to teach your kids.

Remember that the best teacher—negative or positive—is your actions. If you curse when you’re cut off in traffic, or tell your child to lie about his age to get a cheaper movie ticket, you’re teaching a powerful negative lesson.

Point out actions that demonstrate your values: “The checkout lady gave me too much change; let’s take it back to the store because that money is not ours—it is not honest to keep it.”  “I wanted to yell at the man who cut me off, but that’s not what God wants me to do—he wants me to be patient with others.”

Include your kids in value-instilling actions: A few years ago when a neighbor’s house burned down, Morgan picked out a bag of her own clothes to give to the little girl who lost all of her clothes. For months when we walked past the house she remembered, “All of the girl’s clothes burned, so I gave her some of mine.” Say, “Let’s hold the door for the lady in the wheelchair,” and “Let’s buy some groceries and take them to the homeless shelter so people who don’t have a home can have a meal.”

When you ask about their day at school, use their account of activities to talk about positive and negative examples of values. “So the kids got caught cheating—why shouldn’t they cheat? What were their consequences? See how it’s better just to do your own work and study?”

When your child demonstrates negative or positive examples of your own values, it’s an opportunity to talk about these values. Be sure to take the time to do so, even if you’re busy or in a hurry. The “real life” examples will demonstrate values better than anything you say. As 1 John says, “Dear children, let us love not with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18

I’m also blogging at Nebraska Family Times.

Read my post today about the “Verse of the Year” and how it helps me

when I’m discouraged.