I KNOW SOMETHING EVEN BETTER!
SPEND YOUR TIME ON THEM!
It certainly is hard, to look at those precious little ones that you love so dearly, and wish you could buy certain things for them, but you can't. But, dear mother, I'm afraid that trouble may be worse for you than that child. You may know what 'he might be missing' but he/she doesn't have to!
You see momma, you can spend your time on that child! Whatever measure of money you lack, give back that measure in your time!
We mothers can trouble ourselves plum silly, thinking our children are going to grow up so 'troubled' from the lack of 'things' we couldn't afford in their childhood. Ladies, that does NOT have to be true! (Trust me, they'll figure 'life' out sooner or later, just like you and I did!) But seriously, if you can keep reassuring them of your affection for them and that even though 'times are tough', they are still very much wanted and valued, they will be just fine.
I will say though, that there are times, especially with older children, who may have saw many 'better days', that they may have a harder time adjusting to 'rougher times'. But, I'm of the mind that if God allows this for your family, then it is for every member of them to learn something- not with bitterness and anger in their hearts- but rather thankfulness and contentment. He loves them and is more than capable of providing just what HE wants them to have.
Here's something I wrote the other day:
Driving back home...traffic was bad and I was looking at the parking lots of some of the restaurants...packed out. Some do that every day. They get off work, go out to eat....eating, drinking, and making merry. But sometimes God puts us in a place, where every day, it is looking to Him- for provision for that day....for guidance, that day..... Living in such a way, that He is not forgotten, not even for a moment. Our lives are built all the way around the Lord.We aren't living to get off work, grab the paycheck, go to eat, go to shop,
go to the movies, go go go go..... Not that there is anything wrong with going out to eat etc.... just that some people's lives are ordered around the wrong things...and well... if we had lots of money (I speak for my family)...I'm not sure that we wouldn't forget the Lord a little more often! :-)
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1 Tim 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Tim 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1 Tim 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
6 comments:
Great post!
Joy
Agreed. So many times the last few years, I've been saddened because my daughter feels left out - only because neighbor friends are, frankly, blessed with too many toys and activities. Hopefully she won't be too scarred by this all! :-)
In one of my adult Sunday School classes on Sunday, the lesson was about talking to our children, and the importance of family meals, and being there to listen to our children.
Afterwards my husband and I were discussing the lesson. We have dinner together every night. As I was listening to the lesson, I thought, it's because we don't have the money to put our children in activties that would divide us from being together for dinner. I reflected on what a great blessing that is.
I know people who have lamented their husband's lack of work, only to later remark what a blessing it was that their husbands were home during that time of their lives, to help them and the children.
I know I have seen many blessings from our own situation. I am thankful that my oldest was only 5 when we stopped regular shopping. My youngest children have never had cold cereal. They love oatmeal. Even the older children have had oatmeal for so long that it is normal to them.
Now I just need to see the blessings of the lessons that we are learning today, and the blessings in having things the way they are now.
Donna,
I love what you said about giving them time instead. It was very encouraging to me today, and I was feeling a bit discuraged by my lack of ability to provide all of the food that I wanted to yesterday. Thank you.
Thank U Joy!
Robbie, it is hard and I understand exactly what you feel. My older children sometimes get more opportunities than my younger, like that. I've tried to help them be happy for their siblings, but it can be tough. But they have learned to find excitement in the older one's stories.
Brandy,
I know you understand this completely. You made a wonderful point above- there is 'good' in these days. Our Father is in charge, we can trust Him!
May the Lord help us all to trust Him more- and keep our spirits right and our eyes on Him.
What an encouraging message. Thank you so much for sharing it. I am glad I have discovered your blog. Truly, godliness with contentment is great gain.
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