Boundaries, When to Say Yes,When to Say No ~ Norma

My advanced Support Group is finishing a book by Henry Cloud and John Townsend on setting Boundaries, I have learned so much from this book. I have been a person who has said yes too many times when I should have said no. Never wanting to have someone mad at me or hurt their feelings. This book uses Bible principles to instruct on how and when to set boundaries for every area of your life. Spouse, Children, Parents, Friends, and Work. I wish I would have had this book when I was raising my children, in this area I probably said no too many times at the wrong time. Having too much freedom as a teen, I tended to be too strict on my children as they were growing up. It goes from birth through teen years giving instruction on how to help your children begin on a foundation that will produce an adult that will be an asset not only for society, but especially an adult that can hear from God and then obey. I encourage you to get this book and read it slowly from front to back.' I have the Workbook but it is very repetitive, unless you want to do an in depth study and answer the questions at the end of each chapter. I am also reading the book on the Dugger family, "20 and Counting". I watch their show on TV and have been fascinated by how they manage to raise such a large family without Government assistance. God has truly blessed them and I believe their plan has worked for them. I do not believe it is for everyone, God does have a plan for each of our lives and we have only to find that place in Him and follow the path He lays before us. Just as He does not call everyone to be a Missionary in Africa, I do not believe He calls every family to have18 children. Their story is interesting and in the coming years we will see if their way works as their children grow up and leave home. For myself 4 was good and I love each one of them, I was not Harriet Nelson or Bever's Mom and know I could have been a much better Mom than I was, but we can not go back and do it over, I love my children and have asked them to forgive me for my poor parenting. This book has been a real eye opener for me and much of it I can put into practice in my life now. If you are reading this and have small children at home, I encourage you to get this book, not just for you but for your children. Until next time, "Keep You Eyes On Jesus"

Satisfaction ~ Norma

Satisfaction
I have a daily reading called,"For Women Who Do Too Much," which I do not always get to read and I am at the present a month behind, maybe I am trying to do too much.The daily reading for June 10 really spoke to me and I want to share it with you, this can apply to men as well as women. Satisfaction with one's life is like being anointed with warm oil. It is so peaceful to read the words of someone who is content. Often we equate contentment and satisfaction with stagnation. They are anything but that ! True satisfaction with ones life is an acceptance of what is, continuing to prepare for what can be, while letting go of what we thought needed to be. Satisfaction is a quiet place of quietude, a busy place of stillness. Satisfaction is a place of relief rarely felt be people who do too much. Satisfaction is the soul breathing a sigh of relief. By Anne Wilson Schaef
I meditated on this and I thought of when Paul said he was content no matter what state he found himself in. Phil. 4v11. He had learned how to be content and satisfied because he knew God was in control and would give him the strength to carry out God's plan for his life, Phil. 4v13. The warm oil refers to the Holy Spirit, He is our Comforter and our Peace. So my prayer for myself and for you who are reading this is to be satisfied where I am now, continue to look forward to what God's plan for my life is, and release what I think is needed. Let God have His way in my life, find that place of quiet and dwell there, for that is where He will be found. To be busy with His work, listening for His voice and follow Him, for there is where I will find the peace and contentment that I seek.
Till next time,"Keep Your Eyes On Jesus".

Family Matters ~ Cheryl

I know this is really big news for some of the young parents of today, but did you know that it is a good thing to sometimes say “NO” to your children! Being around some children today, you wonder if they have ever even heard that word! Some parents think that when a child is disobeying, that the thing to do is try to reason, divert, or distract.
There is nothing wrong with those methods sometimes. But, there are times that no amount of “reasoning” will get the point across. Children must learn to deal with the word “NO”, and parents need to not be afraid to use it.
One good reason for that is for their own safety. If a young child is about to run into the street, or touch a hot stove, they need to be taught ahead of time to immediately respond to the word”no”.
Children desperately need to learn that a parents “NO” means “NO”, even if you throw a fit ! If you say “no” to your child, they pitch a fit, and then you relent, what are you teaching them? I can guarantee you there are a lot more fits in store for that parent!
It is the same for older children. Teens or preteens may not throw themselves on the floor and kick and scream but they can sure throw some fits!
It is a proven fact that children do better with rules and regulations. It causes them to feel more secure and valued. Actually a child who calls all the shots in a home will begin to feel insecure and devalued. Kids need parents to say what they mean and mean what they say and stick to their word!