October 08, 2005
The Busy Mom’s Guide to Wisdom
October 7, 2005 – The Busy Mom’s Guide to Wisdom
As many of you know I have recently completed the second book in the “Busy Mom’s” series. The first book was “The Busy Mom’s Guide to Prayer” and the next one to be published will be “The Busy Mom’s Guide to Wisdom.” (I also plan to write one for Bible Study and one for Worship.)
A few weeks ago the publisher for these books, Howard Publishing, called and asked for names to submit the manuscript for potential endorsements. I proposed a unique idea. I said, “How ‘bout you go for the typical celebrity endorsers and let me get a few endorsements from some of the moms who are the actual target readers.”
They thought that was a great idea and suggested I first get some words of endorsement from moms who have actually used and benefited from “The Busy Mom’s Guide to Prayer.” So, if that is you, would you mind sending me a couple of sentences explaining why you have enjoyed that book and how it has enhanced your prayer life?
I’m also going to post a few sample chapters from the upcoming “Busy Mom’s Guide to Wisdom” book and if you feel like this book could be helpful to you then would you be willing to put into a couple of sentences why or what you like most about the book?
First, here’s a synopsis of why I wrote the book:
“How many times have you thrown up your hands in frustration lately and cried, “I just don’t know what to do?” As busy moms it’s easy for us to feel this way much of the time. When our children are babies, we’re bewildered as to how to console them. During the toddler years we can’t figure out how to keep up with them. As our little ones grow older, we have education questions, friendship dilemmas, and safety issues.
I don’t even want to talk about the teenage years and the sense of utter helplessness that often accompanies them. Do the questions ever end? I don’t think so. Even after our kids’ hormones settle down a bit, we still have matters such as college, marriage, and careers to worry about. I don’t think mothers ever stop worrying.
We worry because we know deep inside, somewhere down there where the motherly instinct resides, that our children’s lives are really out of our hands. We can’t hold them tightly enough, we can’t control their environment adequately, we can’t protect them sufficiently, and we can’t lecture them as long as necessary. When it comes right down to it, even giving our all to insure a healthy, happy future just isn’t enough.
We recognize our limitations; we know we need help. So we spend hours on the phone with our friends, seeking advice. We spend hundreds of dollars on the latest books promising the keys to success. We spend untold amounts of energy running around looking for help because we know that the answers we’re seeking are beyond ourselves. And intuitively we know that they’re even beyond this world.
The book of Proverbs is so chock-full of wisdom that it’s often referred to as “The Book of Wisdom.” Proverbs has been my favorite portion of Scripture since I was a little girl. I think the reason I love it is because it’s practical. One of my favorite definitions of wisdom is “supernatural truth lived out in a practical way.” That’s exactly what this little book is all about.”
Here are a handful of sample chapters:
Proverbs 10:19 Paraphrased
Have you ever said to yourself, “When will I ever learn just to keep my mouth shut?!” We usually mutter this after we’ve been rambling on about something, not stopping until we’ve said too much. We need to go on a diet—a talking diet. Sure, it will be hard work, and it’ll take a lot of discipline. Just as it’s difficult to keep from opening our mouths to eat too much, it’s equally hard to keep our mouths closed and not talk so much. But we can do it. And let’s not wait until Monday to start.
God, give me the strength to keep my mouth closed more often. Remind me of the wisdom of not saying everything that comes to my mind. Since You say that anything that flows out of our mouths originates from the heart,perhaps I should ask You to do a little cleansing of my “hearteries.”
Proverbs 10:19
Proverbs 14:4, paraphrased
Just accept the fact that as long as you have children at home, your house is going to get messy. As soon as you get all the dishes washed, somebody’s going to dirty another one. Caught up on all the laundry? Not for long. But what’s really important—having everything in its place or spending time with your family? Every day you make a choice between the two. I’m not saying you shouldn’t strive to have a neat house. Just don’t sacrifice these short years when your children are at home for the lesser good of accomplishing everything on your to-do list. Some days, let the dishes stack up and pull out a board game. Or forget vacuuming and go to the park instead. You may have to come home to a dirty house, but it’s much better than coming home to an empty one.
God, help me to get my priorities straight. Show me what's really important in this life. I do want to provide a clean and orderly home for my family; so show me how I can do that while also enjoying my home and family. Strengthen me to teach my children self-discipline so they can pitch in and help.
Proverbs 14:4
Proverbs 3:11–12, paraphrased
Most of us can admit we aren’t perfect. So why are we surprised when we go through difficult circumstances? God uses tough times to shape us and mold us into the people He created us to be. He loves us just the way we are, but that doesn’t mean He’s going to accept anything but the best for—and from—us. He wants us to be all we can be, not just as moms but as individuals. And that’s not going to happen without a little pain. Instead of trying to figure out the fastest way to avoid hard things, let’s ask God to walk beside us as we go through the tough times. He’ll bring us through to the other side better because of the suffering. Our heavenly Father adores us, and He cares for us too much to let us take the easy way out.
Father, because I know that You are a loving parent and that anything You require of me is for my own good, I can delight even in correction. Help me not to resist change but to cooperate with the adjustments You want to make in me. Thanks for loving me enough to patiently teach me.
Proverbs 3:11–12
So, if you have been blessed by “The Busy Mom’s Guide to Prayer” or these few samples of “The Busy Mom’s Guide to Wisdom” would you take a few minutes and put your encouragement into a sentence or two. Don’t forget to add your first name and the city and state where you live so we can give you credit. (You can send your comments by clicking on the “Coffee Talk” tab at the top and then scrolling down to the “Email” link.)
Thanks!
Posted by weblion at 06:44 PM
