Are You Too Busy For Timothy?

I've been thinking about all the women in the Bible who had a Godly influence on their children. I want to be one of those mothers who's influence on her children would be carried out for generations to come. I want my children to tell my grandchildren and great grandchildren stories about me. Most of all, I want the generations that follow me, follow the same faith I have in God.

The only way I know to make sure that it happens is by spending time with my children. 

Next year, we will have two more children leaving the nest. Our sons, Trae and Benjamin, will be joining the military. I keep having these episodes that I've named "mommy moments." It's when something strikes that sensitive string that reminds me that my sons are leaving home within 6 months apart.

Am I ready for them to leave?

The real question is are they ready?

The answer to both questions are yes and yes.....Well, kinda yes and no to the first one.

I was reading about Timothy this morning. That's when that string was struck and I started to have a "mommy moment." Mommy moments are when I cry and blubber words that need an interpreter. I laugh too during those moments because I'm so proud of my sons.

I Timothy 1:5 says, "When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also."

Here's Timothy, a young man whom the Apostle Paul had great confidence in, who's faith was passed down through his grandmother and mother. Paul didn't get through the first chapter of the first book of Timothy without acknowledging the faith that was passed on to Timothy.

How did Lois and Eunice pass faith on to Timothy? I think it's spelled t-i-m-e, time. It takes time to impart faith into our children. This precious time that I have with my sons before they leave the nest is time that I will use wisely.

Mothers should never had to apologize to anyone when they say no to others so that their time can be spent on their Timothy. Your Timothy is more important than the women's meeting at church. Your Timothy is more important then the to-do list from your pastor. Your Timothy is more important than the job, your friends, your neighbors, etc.

Let us not be to busy for our Timothy. He may be the next person we read about in the history books. Your name will be there also, just like Lois and Eunice's were.

Domestic Tranquility

My home is all decorated for Christmas and I've been working on several projects. Each time I try and finish one, I start another one. Today, as I sat there at the kitchen table sewing an apron for a friend, something hit me. My home was so peaceful.

It was far from quiet. There were numerous sounds through out my home today. The washing machine which has the tendency to get louder and louder each day. Maybe I would too if I was being used for the fifth time before noon. Sarah sitting at the table with me cracking jokes as usual. One of my sons come through talking about the latest thing happening in his life. My sewing machine humming away with each step on the pedal. In the midst of it all, it's peaceful here.

Peaceful should be at least one of the words we use to describe our homes. With so many homes today in disarray, it can get discouraging at times. It's during those times that we have to remember who called us to do the job we are doing in our homes.

Being a keeper of the home is so valuable. In order for us to win the war against the declination of the family structure, the battles have to be won in our homes. Some days, the feeling of facing another battle can be overwhelming. It's on those days when we put our armor on and fight. When we fight, we don't play patty-cake with the adversary. We fight as if our lives and the lives of our families depend on it.

Peace is something that can be obtained in our homes. Look around your home. Look at your family. Look at yourself in the mirror. Tell yourself that peace in your home is worth having. Something that's worth having is worth fighting for.

Buckingham Palace Shortbread

It's that time of year when the oven is cranked and the candles glisten as I sit with the latest recipe book. I'm preparing for the holidays by experimenting with some new ideas. I've found some real treasures hidden in the pages of this book. One caught my eye because only few ingredients were needed. It's called Buckingham Palace Shortbread.

I decided to try this recipe and the results were amazing. One bite of this shortbread and I wanted another one. I decided to split a piece with the children to justify getting another one. That was so kind of me. :)

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients

 2 cups of cake flour
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
1/4 salt
1 cup butter (at room temperature)
1/3 cup of granulated sugar
1/4 cup of powdered sugar

Direction:
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch and salt until well blended.

 2. Beat the butter until creamy. Beat the granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as necessary.

3. Add the flour mixture in 2 or 3 additions until it forms a soft dough.

4. Wrap the dough with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.

5. After 30 minutes preheat the oven to 350*F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or leave ungreased.

6 On a light floured surface, roll the dough out to 3/4 inch-thick stab, about 5x8 inches.

7. Gently lift the dough and transfer onto the baking sheet. Baked for about 40 minutes. Slip the parchment paper with the shortbread onto a hard surface. Immediately sprinkle the shortbread heavily with the powdered sugar.

8. While it's still warm, gently cut into 1 and 1/2 inch squares. Let it cool completely.

The shortbread taste best at room temperature. 

I hope your family enjoys it as much as mine did. 

Real Ministry

As I sit here at the kitchen table watching Sarah look up definitions of this weeks spelling words, the words spoken by my son last week keep playing over in my mind. It was just an ordinary day this school year. Sarah and I sitting across the dining room table not only "doing school," but also sharing life together when my son walked in and said, "Mom that's real ministry you're doing there."

I turned around and looked at him and asked him what was he referring to. How could this be "real ministry?" After all, I'm just a mom who is homeschooling her teenage daughter. A wife who serves her husband. A woman who loves Jesus and enjoys the simple things in life. I'm not standing before hundreds and thousands of people giving the latest talk. No one really sees what I do day to day but my family. If truth be told, there are days when I'm quite lonely and would enjoy the fellowship of adult conversation.

He proceeded to tell me just that. He said although I spend many many hours here at home, but what I'm doing here in my home is "real ministry." He thanked me over and over again for my presence here in the home. He encouraged me to continue doing what I'm doing and don't change for anything or anyone.

As a mom, to have your 20 year old son say such wonderful things is a blessing to hear. There were many years of toiling that I thought my children would never get past the years of depending on me for everything. Looking back, I'm so glad I was there because now I'm reaping the benefit of all that hard work.

Though our days may seem long and tedious, you may not get the recognition now, but wait. It will be worth it because God is true to His word:

Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her.
-Proverbs 31:28

A Mom's Version of I Corinthians 13

"Grace and mercy is not your friend today!"

Those are the words I shouted this morning as the hustle and bustle started. Then I remembered that in everything I do, even in being a mother, I have to do it in love.
 
"And now these three remain; faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13 
 

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place, 

but have not love, I am a housekeeper, not a homemaker. 

If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements, 

but have not love, my children learn cleanliness, not godliness. 

If I scream at my children for every infraction, 

and fault them for every mess they make, 

but have not love, my children become people-pleasers, not obedient children.

Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh. 

Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window. 

Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk. 

Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys. 

Love accepts the fact that I am the ever-present "mommy", 

the taxi-driver to every childhood event, 

the counselor when my children fail or are hurt. 

Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, and runs with the child, 

then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood. 

Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection. 

Now I glory in God's perfection of my children. 

All the projections I had for my house and my children have faded away into insignificance, 

And what remain are the memories of my kids. 

Now there abides in my home scratches on most of the furniture, 

dishes with missing place settings, and bedroom walls full of stickers, 

posters and markings, 

But the greatest of all is the Love 

that permeates my relationships with my children.

-By: Jim Fowler

The Hand that Rocks the Cradle

Blessings on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace,
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Infancy's the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mother's first to guide the streamlets,
From them souls unresting grow—
Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Woman, how divine your mission
Here upon our natal sod!
Keep, oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky—
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

By: William Ross Wallace

 William Ross Wallace, the author of this poem, was born in 1819. He passed away in 1881.

I have always wondered where that saying, "the hand that rocks the candle is the hand that rules the world" came from. Now I know. 

The Marriage Bed

Bone of my Bone,
Flesh of my flesh
Breathe of my breathe
...My refuge, My safe haven
is in your arms with my head upon your chest
My covering, my protection
Enveloped with complete security.
listening to the rhythm of your heartbeat
It plays my favorite melody.
Your fingers run through every strand of my hair
a soft kiss on my head
Falling asleep in my favorite place,
pure and undefiled,
is our marriage bed.

By: Katrina Smith

Katrina Smith is the author of the book The Butterfly Movement ~ From Survival to Purpose

"My beloved is mine, and I am his." -Song of Solomon 2:16

Here lately I've been getting emails from women asking me what's acceptable in the marriage bed. What's acceptable in the marriage bed will vary from couple to couple. In saying that, I do know what is not acceptable. What is not acceptable is another person. In order for the marriage bed to be the sacred place God intended for the husband and wife, there cannot be any other person or anything that will distract the husband from pleasing his wife, the wife from pleasing her husband.

"Behold, you are handsome, my beloved! Yes, pleasant! Also our bed is green." -Song of Solomon 1:16

The Shulamite woman said something here about their bed that really stood out to me. She said their bed is green. When something is green, it has life. There was life in their marriage bed. God's original intent for the marriage bed was not death, but life. Our marriage bed should be pure, undefiled and full of life.

Life Through My Eyes

I'm constantly having those proud mommy moments. Two of my sons directed this short film. It's based on a true story.

Never judge someone by what you see. You never know what the story is behind that person's life. There's always a story. My family has a story. This true story could have been based on my family. There was a time when we felt hopeless. There was a time when we were almost homeless.

The Fig Leaves Weren't Enough

What if I told you that in the beginning of time mankind has struggled with modesty would you believe me? The issue with modesty is nothing new. When I typed in the word "modesty" in the search engine on the internet, about 15,600,000 results came up. That tells me two things. Either people are trying to understand the meaning of modesty. Or people are writing about modesty because immodesty is an issue.

If I were to tell you that in the beginning of time God never intended for nakedness to be wrong would that give you the freedom to walk around with no clothes on? God created the body. The body is beautiful. His first intentions for mankind was to walk in freedom unclothed. But what happened that made something so beautiful to be the downfall of so many?

When Adam and the woman's eyes were opened after they sinned (disobeyed) they realized something.....

"Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings." Genesis 3:7

After looking at just one fig leaf, I wonder how many fig leaves did it take to cover their naked bodies. The Scripture doesn't say they covered their whole bodies. It says they made themselves coverings. What did they cover? For you and I when we clothed ourselves each day, the first thing we do is cover our private areas. Even with our private areas being covered, still we are not fully clothed.....

After God spoke to the serpent, the woman and Adam, He clothed them.
"Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them." Genesis 3:21.

Mankind was in a fallen state. In our fallen state, God knew that we needed help in clothing ourselves. Remember we tried before with the fig leaves, but the fig leaves just weren't enough. We were still exposed. Imagine how He felt as He was making tunics to cover up something so beautiful. But left uncovered, He knew that mankind would self destruct.

That brings us to the day in which we live in. Many of us today have chosen to clothe ourselves. We no longer feel that modesty matters. We are told if it looks good then flaunt it. Let us not forget we (mankind) covered ourselves in the beginning and it wasn't sufficient. Although you may have the body and want to flaunt it, as Christian women, we need to go back to the beginning.

Imagine Adam waking up after being in a deep sleep and seeing this beautiful woman. Maybe Adam experienced a physical change that occurred in his body because he preached his first message in Genesis 2:23, And Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man." That man was excited by what he saw.

It's amazing to me that they were both naked and were not ashamed.

Many men today are ashamed because they are physically responding to seeing images that are not meant for them to see. Especially in the church. Men can work in an office setting and not get as enticed as they do as when they attend church. In the office, there's a professional dress code which applies. When you start to work for a company they will give you a company manual. Most company manuals have a "dress code" section. As Christian women we have a manual, the Bible. In it there's a dress code for us.

"In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works." I Timothy 2:9-10.

I'm not saying that a woman should not look good. I'm not saying that looking frumpy means you've finally arrived and now you're dressing modestly. No. What I am saying is that we as Christian women need to clothe ourselves properly and wear sufficient clothing like the ones God made for Adam and the woman.

Being in a fallen state, we can't lean on our own understanding of what being properly clothed means. We have to turn to the Bible. Just covering certain areas does not mean you are fully clothed. We can cover our breast, but leave the cleavage open. That's not being fully clothed.

The next time you get dressed ask yourself, "Am I just covering myself like Adam and the woman, or am I fully clothed?" Remember the fig leaves weren't enough.

Better Than Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls

This summer I find myself enjoying the company of my youngest child who will officially be a teenager soon. Earlier today the children and I were talking about the morning that Sarah and my husband made cinnamon rolls. I remember that day vividly. The cinnamon rolls were about an inch wide and 2 inches high. Sarah informed me that it was my husband who didn't listen to her and that's why the cinnamon rolls came out the way they did.

Though it's true the cinnamon rolls didn't turn out the way she had hoped that day, but she will never forget the time spent with her father. It's all about making memories that will last a lifetime. Today, I made memories with Sarah. We made some "Better Than Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls."

Here's the recipe we used: Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls.
Since we are not fans of cream cheese frosting, we did this one:

• Vanilla Frosting
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• milk or cream (2 to 4 tablespoons)

 Getting things ready.

 Rolling out the dough.

Spreading the butter.

Spreading the brown sugar & cinnamon.

Rolling up the dough. (At this point, it smells good and it's not in the oven yet)

 All rolled up and ready to be cut.

Sarah is doing a great job.

Ready for the oven.

 Making the frosting while the cinnamon rolls are in the oven.
(Now it smells even better in my home. "Home Sweet Home")

All done and ready for frosting.

(Ooops! I had to step away because of the drool.)

 Ready for my family to enjoy.

Proverbs 31:12

 

As a Christian, I strive to be like that woman Proverbs 31 makes reference to. So often as I’ve read this passage of Scripture, a key verse was overlooked. It was verse 12.

One day I sat down and pondered this verse. I was quite puzzled because I didn’t understand why this verse stuck out to me and why I couldn’t get it off my mind. I was being a good wife and a good mother. I meant no harm to my husband. I wanted the best for him. That’s when I had an “ah ha” moment. This verse says all the days of her life. That means every single day. Even on those days when I didn’t feel like it or thought my husband was worthy enough.

You see there are some days when I don’t do my husband good. It’s those days when I allow my heart to be controlled by my feelings. Those days when I allow my thought life to be controlled by what I see. Yes, it’s those days when my flesh takes control because it no longer wants to be denied. My flesh says, “You don’t have to serve him today. You did enough on yesterday.” It’s on those days when I die to my flesh that I serve my husband with a joyful heart. I think twice before I say something that may hurt his ego. I put his needs above mine. Therefore, I must die to self on a daily basis to make sure I do him good and not evil all the days of my life.

The Going-Away Mentality

The days in my neck of the woods are still somewhat cool. We have had some picture perfect days. Where I live, those days are a sign that summer is fast approaching. My heart longs for the days when the sun burst through and the clouds vanish.

As I have been preparing summer activities for my family, it has kept me occupied. Although I have not written anything in stone, I do have some ideas of what I wanted to do this summer. Some of those include learning Hebrew with one of my sons and jewelry making with my youngest daughter. While my ideas seem to increase, I knew summer time didn't. I had to start narrowing things down. So many things on my list (that's posted inside my head that no one can see) included a lot of time away from home. That's when I remember reading about "The Going-away Mentality"

I found it while reading this book.

The Going-away Mentality:

"What is a going-away mentality? It is the mentality that we need an abundance of social activities that make us run hither and yon to have a good time and do fun things. It means going shopping, mostly just to see what is there and to have something to do. It means going to see a friend, even though we just saw her last evening in church. Sometimes it means committee meetings, birthday surprises, baby showers, Tupperware parties, or something similar. We are restless and discontent unless we have somewhere to go. This mentality gnaws at family life a little like a dog gnaws at a bone, and soon nothing is left. It takes a family to have a family life, and if part of the family is missing, the circle is not complete."

Whew! That was a mouthful. It was said quite nicely compared to how an older woman told me in my earlier years of establishing my family. She simply told me to "stop running the streets." Appalled as I was, I couldn't get mad at her because she was telling me the truth.

It is not that this woman didn't want me having fun. She saw that I was to busy outside of my home, when I should have been busy inside my home. The only way I can do that is if I was home.

It is amazing what can get done around my home when I apply my energies here. It is not to say that the children and I will not venture outside the home this summer. The important thing is to learn boundaries. Learning when to say "no" to things that can disrupt the family life at home. I must say goodbye to some things and say hello to new opportunities that await me here at home.

Glimpse of Our Family

Each month I try to learn something new. This month I learned how to do videos. I was so proud of myself. My husband raved about my video so much that I wanted the world to see it. There's nothing like a man who thinks you're the best at everything you do :)

His Bride

"You are embedded in my heart. You dwell within me."

Just like the beauty of capturing fireflies in a jar on a warm summer's evening, are the beauty of these precious words spoken to me by my beloved. Once these words were spoken, I pictured myself running through fields covered with lavender being pursued by him. Not running too hard because I longed to be captured and held in his arms. 

"You're imagination has gone wild." as some would say.

Romantic as it sounds and unrealistic as it may be, I have these thoughts often of my beloved and me. For many years I've wondered what could bring a man to express these types of emotions? They say men are suppose to be tough and rugged. They are told being all emotional is wimpy. Somehow, my beloved is able to express himself in such a way that most men would cringe at the thought of doing it. The thought of letting their wives see them in such a venerable state causes a man to turn away from her, rather than let his true feeling show.

Mother's Day weekend was a special time for us. We spent time alone away from the children. Away from everything. Before we left, I knew our time away would be special. How special I didn't know for sure. We made a decision long ago that when we had alone time, it was just that. Alone. Being whisked away so quickly by my husband had me blushing. The excitement alone I could hardly contain, but I knew something would be different this time.....

"You are embedded in my heart. You dwell within me."

I was in awe over his choice of words. Looking into his eyes as I felt my hands being held by the hands that go out each day to provide for the children and me, I asked him to explain what he meant. His example was like that of a tree. The roots of a tree go deep. Roots grow all throughout the soil and intertwine with each other. They grow around hard rocks and still manage to survive.

While the tears of joy fell down my plump cheeks, there was a question that pondered my mind. Don't get me wrong. I was elated. Emotions were hard to contain. Between the tears and the giggles I asked, "What made you say that?"

His response was shocking to me because I didn't realize how important my actions throughout our marriage meant to him.

He went on to explain that I still acted like his bride.

Puzzled by his response because we've been married for some time now. I know there have been times when I didn't "act" my best. I inquired of him to expound so that I can understand. If my action brought out emotions like this, I want to keep "acting" this way.

He went on to explain that I still do the same things I did when we first met. Flabbergasted, I thought for sure I had grown and matured over the years. So being the inquisitive woman that I am, I wanted to know more. I wanted details.

To my surprise he proceeded to tell my that I've remained feminine all these years and still blush as if it's his first time talking to me.

Huh? That's it! I've been whisked away for a romantic weekend. Heard the sweetest words that a woman longs to hear all because I'm feminine and I blush. Surely there's got to be more than this.

Why wouldn't I remain feminine? After all, I knew from the very beginning it was the pink colors, soft shades purple, the twirl of my skirt and the way I curled my hair that kept his eyes focused on me. Blushing just comes naturally because I see the glistening in his eyes and I know what he's thinking upon my arrival to any setting, public or private.

I don't claim to be an expert on how to be the perfect wife. I'm far from it, but I think my husband may be onto something here. As women we long for that man who would open the car door for us. That man who would go out of his way to romance us and swoon at the sight of us. That same man who received a confirmation that yes we will become his bride.

Does your husband still see you as his bride? If not, is it because you no longer act like his bride?

My imagination of a bride consist of a woman who's blushing and makes an effort to be the best whenever she's in the presence of her bridegroom. It behooves us to continue "acting" like his bride long after the marriage covenant is made. Just as marriage represents an earthly relationship of Christ and the church, we are the church. As wives, let us be the example of what the church looks like.

As we anticipate the return our bridegroom, we so eagerly act like His bride. We make sure our hearts are clean because we know that He's coming for a church without a spot or blemish. In the same manner, let us always act like a bride to our husbands. Let our hearts remain steadfast focused on pleasing him only and our thoughts toward him pure.

Sombrero Pasta Salad

I love experimenting in the kitchen. I love collecting cookbooks. Especially, old ones that I find at yard sales. Recently, I found a cookbook at the library that I call a "treasure chest." In it contains menus that are delicious and easy on the budget.

Yesterday I made the Sombrero Salad. I packed some in my husband's lunch for work. He came home from work so excited. I asked him if everything was ok. He said yes. He went on to tell me how much he loved the salad. Of course, I stood there like a school girl blushing as he raved over the latest dish I made. I blush a lot around him because he always knows the right things to say.

Sombrero Pasta Salad

1 package (16 ounces) spiral pasta

1 pound of ground beef

3/4 cup water

1 envelope taco seasoning

2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

1 large green pepper, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

1 medium tomato, chopped

2 cans (2-1/4 ounces each) sliced ripe olives, drained

1 bottle (16 ounces) Catalina or Western salad dressing

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add water and taco seasoning; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. rinse pasta in cold water and drain; place in a large bowl. add beef mixture, cheese, green pepper, onion, tomato and olives; mix well. Add the dressing and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Serving Selflessly

Last week I was so excited when my husband received confirmation that his shift will change this week due to Spring break. That excitement continued throughout the week. I made so many plans for the family. As the days went on, my list of plans grew.

Yesterday after church my husband took me for a drive through the country. We talked. We laughed. We even flirted with each other. I then asked him what time does he have to be at work the next morning. I knew it was early, but how early I wasn't sure. He told me the time to be at work. He didn't stop talking there. He asked if I was going to make him breakfast like I always did when he worked the early shift.

My first thought was, "What about you letting me sleep in on Monday mornings and you getting up with the kids? You've allowed me to sleep in since September."

A wise woman once told me that I shouldn't say everything that comes to my mind. I'm glad I remembered that at this moment. My flesh wanted to rise up sing the "Me Song." I had begun to really enjoy my Monday morning sleep-ins. I had a routine established where I would stay up late on Sunday nights and catch up on emails, Facebook and making long distance calls.

My first calling is to my husband before anything else. The emails, Facebook, long distance phones, ect, will always be there. My husband needed to be served. Served by me. Although this service to him required me to give up something that I've become accustomed to, I still needed to serve. Serve with a thankful heart. Thankful that I have a husband who goes out and works hard to take care of his family. A man who hasn't called in sick for work in 20 years. A man who needed me to serve him selflessly.

This morning I made him a delicious breakfast. A breakfast of champions, as my son would say.

Before he left for work, he prayed for me. He asked the Lord to consume my day and the day of our children.

Boy do I love it when he prays for me!

What shall I make tomorrow morning for breakfast? :)

"Pick Me!" But, Why Should He?

Being a married woman for all of my adult life doesn't make me an expert per se in the area of singleness. Some have told me that I'm the last person that should be dishing out advice to single women. Maybe they are right. But on the flip side, who would give the best advice to a single woman who's hoping to be found? Could it be a married woman that's been married all of her adult life? The odds are favorable for a single woman to become a helpmeet, if the advice was taken from another married woman and applied to her life.

We don't have to go very far to see women carrying the invisible sign that says "Pick Me!"

The question that I would like to pose, "Why should he? What makes you different from all the other women?" In order to be notice, you have to be different.

This is just my opinion and only my opinion. I believe men are looking for a woman who's wife material. There are many things that a man looks for when searching for a wife. One thing he's looking for is someone who can be a secret keeper. What do I mean by a secret keeper? Let me explain....

Whether they will admit it or not, men have very sensitive egos. They pride themselves on being the best in every area of their lives. When they are good at what they do, they want others to notice. When they fall short in an area, they quickly try to cover it up before anybody gets wind of it. When a man gets married, who sees the short falls in his life? His wife.

When a single man is searching for a wife, he's looking for one who doesn't gossip. He listens closely to what single women say about others in their conversations. If he sees that she is prone to gossip and speaks0 negatively about others, he does not see her as wife material. Why? Because he is afraid that she won't be a secret keeper and will expose his short falls for all to see. At the least, he knows that her friends will know about his short falls.

Over the years I've watched the prettiest girls get passed up for the girl who was least expected to get the guy. There have been times when I've even had to scratch my head and say, 'Hmmm....." He didn't choose her because she was the prettiest. He didn't choose her because she wore the latest fashions. He didn't choose her because of her hour glass figure. He choose her because she made him feel safe. He knew that she could be his secret keeper.

America's First Lady of Food

I've always felt I was born in the wrong time period. Every since I was a little girl, I secretly wanted to be a wife and have lots and lots of children. I wanted to be the stereotypical woman who was always "barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen."

I was born in an era where women were running from the kitchen in hopes of finding independence. The kitchen became cold due to the ovens no longer in use. Homes across America no longer had the smell of homemade cookies permeating to every room of the house.

Had I been born in my desired time period, I would have been among a great company of like-minded women. Not saying that I'm dissatisfied with the company I have now. Back then I would have had more RLF (real life friends), versus the many I have online. Funny thing is, I have so many online friends that I've never met, but some are my closest friends. There's one lady I'm sure that I would have been "BFFs" with. Her name was Betty Crocker.

The other day I was looking at the pile of books that have been waiting for me to read. Each book was crying out to me saying, "Read me! Read me!"

I figured it was a good idea to start reading them instead of tripping over them each time I walked by my favorite chair. I look at a book titled "Finding Betty Crocker, The Secret Life of America's First Lady of Food." I thought the book would be filled with recipes.

I was shocked by what I found. Yes, there were a few recipes, but what I found astonished me. It contained some dialogues between Betty Crocker and American women. What stood out the most was Betty Crocker's five keys to happiness: love and affection, good food, self-expression, pleasant surrounding and spiritual faith.

Betty Crocker wrote a Homemakers Creed and this is what it said:

I Believe

homemaking is a noble and challenging career.

I Believe

homemaking is an art requiring many different skills.

I Believe

homemaking requires the best of my efforts, my abilities, and my thinking.

I Believe

home reflects the spirit of the homemaker.

I Believe

home should be a place of peace, joy and contentment.

I Believe

no task is too humble that contributes to the cleanliness, the order, the health, the well being of the household.

I Believe

a homemaker must be true to the highest ideals of love, loyalty, service and religion.

I Believe

home must be an influence for good in the neighborhood, the community, the country.

This is to certify that ____________ is a member of the Home Legion dedicated to Good Homemaking for a Better World.


General Mills, Inc.                                    Betty Crocker (her personal signature)

Seventy thousand Betty Crocker American Home Legion members received a copy of the Homemakers Creed, suitable for framing.

The Homemakers Creed inspired so many women back then. I believe it can be an inspiration today. I've decided to make a copy and hang it up in my kitchen.

Below are excerpts from letters written to Betty Crocker regarding the Homemakers Creed:

"I want to thank you for the Homemaker's Creed. I think it is so nice and means so much to me. I never realized home could be such a heavenly place until I heard your program. It really has done wonders for me and I love it. You must be a grand person."

"The Homemakers Creed scroll does a lot for my home front morale. Whenever I glance at it, it reminds me of my duty to my home, my family and myself. I am a homemaker and proud of it. In fact, my Homemakers Scroll means more to me than my Bachelor and Master of Arts sheepskin."

"I'm very much interested in your Home Legion project and sincerely hope you can accomplish wonders with the average homemaker. your Home Legion has given me real encouragement in my work."

A Letter to My Son

To My Son,

Some day, some one will walk into your life and make you realize why it never worked out with anyone else. You, Dad and I have had so many conversations about the young lady that God created just for you. There were times you've expressed frustration because you know she's out there, but you just don't know where.

As it's written in Proverbs 31, King Lemuel talks about what his mother taught the son of her womb. Those words hold true still today. As the son of my womb, I utter the words, "It will be worth the wait."

I also want to encourage you to not lower your expectations and settled for less than what God has for you. That would be so easy to do. I know first hand because I've done that many times in my life. The pain that I've experienced by settling left me empty with a broken heart.

I know that you desire a young woman who's heart is totally sold out for Christ. That's the greatest asset she will have. But I also know the virtues that you're looking for. I want to say to you that there's nothing wrong with the virtues you're looking for in a young lady. Continue believing the truth found in the word of God about what a virtuous woman is.

I must confess my son that I think about her too. I wonder what type of personality will she have. Will she laugh at my corny jokes? Will she adorn herself in an apron during the holidays and stand with your sisters and I in the kitchen? Will she encourage you to remain close to your family while raising your own? I know that's your desire. It's mine too.

I look forward to the day when she becomes a part of our family :)

Some day son you will find her.

Love,
Mom

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
-Galatians 6:9