13 Real Resolutions For Moms

At this time of making New Year's resolutions, How about some resolutions for moms? 

 Real Resolutions for Moms

“… But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13b-14 (ESV)

1. I will put my Bible before the computer, television, phone, pad, or radio, and even before good Christian books, for my children will know my priorities by the way they see me spend my free time.
2. I will make my prayer requests known before God and my children, enlisting their help in the process and informing them of the outcome, for by letting them help when I petition our Lord will they learn of a living God who still answers prayer.
3. When times of crisis, conflict or confusion arise, I will hit my knees before I hit the phone knowing that by my example my children will discover that although friends are important, God alone is the one who holds the solution to life’s every problem.
4. I will erase the words “luck” and “lucky” from my vocabulary and will instead by my speech point my children toward the One who orchestrates every detail of our lives and brings all good things to pass, for by this my children will learn of an omniscient God.
5. When bad things happen, I’ll neither grumble nor complain, but will instead help my children see that in the scope of our lives even the bad times are allowed for a reason, for by this my children will learn quiet trust in their Maker.
6. When normal childhood mishaps occur, I will remember that although difficult, it is still easier to remove grape juice from off-white carpet than to erase harsh and unloving words hurled at a child whose chubby little fingers have failed her. Or to scrape the inside of a microwave now splattered with cheese from the teen's  impromptu nacho party when his friends stopped over, for by this my children will see a God who understands when our best efforts fall short or our hurried kindness is somewhat careless.
7. When my children have witnessed something ugly in me - unkind words, an angry temper, “harmless” gossip, biting sarcasm or even my infamous “mommy pout” when things don’t go my way - I will confess it as sin before them seeking their forgiveness, for by this my children will develop the much needed habit of wiping their spiritual slate clean before God and man.
8. I will teach my children the importance of cleanliness and order while at the same time remain sensitive to the fact that a skinned knee or hurt feeling is more crucial than a spotless floor or uncluttered counter, for by this my children will learn to value people above things.
9. I will make time for the lonely, the sick, the elderly, the difficult to love, and will bring my children along, for with each afternoon visit, each ride to the doctor, each raked lawn or washed window, they will have opportunity to serve Jesus by serving the “least of these.”
10. I will make our home a haven of rest and retreat from the outside world and a welcomed place for my children’s friends, for with each backyard football game, each video game tournament held on a rainy day, each cup of hot cocoa or chocolate chip cookie, my children will have opportunity to practice the art of Christian hospitality thereby learning to share all God has given them.
11. I will by my actions and my speech let my children see a mom crazy in love with their dad, for by this will my children sense family stability at a time when marriages all around them are crumbling, often landing in a heap on unsuspecting kids.
12. I will not require of my children obedience, honesty, patience, or kindness without first being willing to submit to the same rules myself: whether in speed limit, in miscounted change from the grocery store or when answering a toddler or teen for the fourteenth time, for by this my children will see a mother who is also learning and not a perfect parent to whom they’ll never measure up.
13. In all things will I remember that more is caught than is taught.

There are little eyes upon you, mom. You are the first Bible your children will ever read.

Blessings,

Karen Ehman

www.karenehman.com