Another absence!...but back again...

Well, I had not intended such a long silence on here, but things have been, well, INTERESTING around here these last few weeks.

A few weeks ago, we had a holiday/vacation, so I was busy with that for a week.

This is all the children together, when we went for a walk on the Tuesday afternoon.  Robert didn't come with us - he was at home cleaning up the mess caused by Abigail opening the shower door, and completely shattering the glass panel! :-/  oops.....  holidays are just not so much fun without such unexpected incidents, are they?

Walks are always easy when you just get pushed around in a pram! *smiles*

I also couldn't resist putting this one in - what quite possessed Abi to rub her toast with chocolate spread all over her cheeks, I do NOT know!  But, she looked cute! 

We had a relaxing few days - with fun, fellowship and friendship! 

When we got home, we had a few "incidents" the next week....I fell down the last four stairs on the Tuesday, whilst holding Elijah.  I took a hard knock to my back, which jolted my neck and shoulder as well.  I rested up for a couple of days, whilst also then getting a cold!   Thankfully, it was all muscular sprain and I suffered no major effects - God is good!

The, friends came for an overnight visit on the Thursday/Friday.  It was lovely to have them come and stay, and we chatted VERY late on the Thursday night!!! We had a relaxing day the next day, which included a fleeting trip to the Cath Kidston factory shop that my kind sister-in-law informed me was close by!  Of course, I had to get myself a late birthday treat of a new handbag! *grin*

*sighs contentedly*

after we returned from the shop, things got a little bit, erm, dramatic?!

Bethany had just cut up some cucumber for me, helpful girl that she is.  Daniel decided to cut up some little shreds of lettuce left on the chopping board...Beth felt he shouldn't be doing so, and attempted to take the knife away...with dire consequences!!!  She badly cut her middle finger! :-/  So, a lengthy trip to A&E, resulting in steri-strips and glue and a bandage, was how our evening was spent.  Thankfully, no major damage was done, with no nerve or tendon damage. It could have been so much worse. And, a lesson was *hopefully* learnt by Beth and Daniel! Tell Mummy, and don't sort out things yourself!  My very kind friend was left to dish up dinner and sort my family out, whilst Robert and I attended to Bethany's injury (including her fainting!).   I am SO thankful for kind and loving friends. 

A few more "normal", but busy days ensued.  Another friend to visit the next week, for a day.  Then, at the end of last week, more friends came to stay for the weekend.  Another providence of the Lord was then appreciated...because, 2 of the girls got a vomiting bug on the Friday night.  That, I dealt with myself.  But, I got it on the Sunday morning!!! :-/ I *hate* vomit! But, because my friends were here, I got to rest for the WHOLE DAY in bed!!!! I can NOT even remember the last time I spent a WHOLE DAY in bed when I was ill...Mum's just don't have that luxury!!!   She was such a blessing - she took care of dinner, and looked after the children in the afternoon.  As Beth had been sick, she didn't go to Church that day, but made sure I was ok, with regular drinks (with ice!) and kind enquiries!  I also got lovely pictures and messages from my children throughout the day. So sweet, and it made me smile in my discomfort. There is always something to be thankful for, even in a day of illness!

Since then, I have been waiting for the others to get ill...and am STILL waiting!!! *laughs* It's one of these things that you don't want to happen, but IF it is, sooner rather than later would be best! At least my energy has returned, and i could cope with it now.

So, there we have it.  That's where I have been.  I kept thinking about writing a post, but I was often so tired by the end of the day, that it just didn't happen.

I want to keep on top of things now, as the new baby is due in just 6 short weeks!  WHERE did that time go to?!

Looking forward to sharing things that the Lord is laying on my heart, and the joys of my home life. 

Matriarch's....a day late! Deborah

This lady is one who can cause quite a stir.  Woman's libber's would like you to think that she is an example of a woman in power...so that makes it ok.

I don't think it is.  I think she sends a different message altogether.

Deborah, undoubtedly was a woman of God.  She was faithful and brave and bold for Him.  Truly an example, in many, many ways.

She was close enough to the Lord, to hear His voice and give direction from Him, to those who she led.  She had a humility that indicated her reliance upon the Lord.

The lesson that I want to draw, however, is on a different tack...

Barak was appointed to lead the army.  It was his job to direct them into battle against Sisera, (and any other enemy they had).

But, he was a weak man.  He said he wouldn't go unless Deborah went with him.

He didn't have the strength and confidence to go in the Lord's strength alone.  To take on his responisbility as a man ought to.

There were consequences, however, from his weakness.

"And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman."

Judges 4:9

Barak, for his weakness, was not going to receive any credit for the victory that would come.  It would go down in history as a battle won by a woman.

Firstly, to the credit of Deborah, for "holding his hand" through the battle.

And, secondly, to Jael, for being the one who "nailed" the final victory.

(Sorry, I couldn't resist the pun.....)

I have to say, that the role of Jael in it all, has never been one that I coveted or wished i could have been part of.  A TENT PEG....nailed through his HEAD?....BLEUGH.

That took quite a confident and brave woman to do that!!!!  Not me.....

So, all in all, the victory was firmly credited to the womenfolk.  Not the ones who were supposed to lead in battle.  But, they did and soundly led them to victory.

So, what of my lesson for today.

I was REALLY struck by something.  

Something we are missing in the Church today.

MEN. 

Men of God.

MEn of GOd who are willing to take a place of leadership....a place of working diligently for the Lord...of being a godly example to the young men, of how to live as a man of God.

WHERE ARE THE MEN?!?!

Is this just me?...I know it's not.  I KNOW that good, spiritually strong men are lacking in the Church today.

We, as mothers of sons, have a responsibility to raise them as men of God.  To raise them to be strong leaders.  Men who are willing to go "all out" for God in the Church of today.

We are clearly taught in the scriptures, that men should have the place of leadership and authority in the Church.  But, they have to be there, in order to do it.

It's a BLESSING to have sons.  To have sons that will one day become men...who we can raise to be mighty men for God.  Warriors in a spiritual battle against the world and spiritual decline in the Church.

Dads need to raise their sons...leading them by example. 

And, us Mums, need to diligently teach them day by day - making them into men, and not into weak little souls, who rely on the womenfolk to get things done.  With no sense of responsibility and strength, in things spiritual more than anything else. 

We need sons like Gideon...like Joshua and Caleb...like Moses...like Stephen.  Men who are willing to fight God's battle, and to even lay down their lives for the cause of Christ.

Yes, we want daughters who are willing to work for the Lord.  But we need the men.  The strong, and confident men, who will lead the Church in this day and age of decline in the Church, and in the world around us.

Just a short thought, but one that is needed, I think, nonetheless.