I am so pleased to be able to introduce you to my dear mother-in-law, Ruth. Ruth is the mother of three grown boys and grandmother to my three children. She'd tell you that she didn't do everything perfectly when raising children but what she did do was give her life to love and serve Jesus Christ and the family He gave her. Her life is full of the fruit of a godly wife, mother and grandmother. Ruth did not slow down when her children left home, but instead gives herself to caring for her husband, discipling young women in the church, volunteering at a local hospice center, serving her sons and daughters-in-law, and caring for her grandchildren (my children!). She helps me all the time and I don't know what I would do without her! Her heart for the glory of God and her life of serving is an example for young and seasoned moms everywhere.
1.How many children do you have and what are their ages? I have 3 children who are not children anymore! They're 32, 30 and 24. All boys!
2. What are some of your fondest memories with your children? I enjoyed every stage of my children growing up, but I look back most fondly to the teenage years when I began to really enjoy them as young adults. I loved the fact that they were never embarrassed of me but seemed to be proud of me and loved to "share" me with their friends. We all had such a good time together and I remember lots and lots of laughs and good times when they all hung out at our house and I was a mom to all of them!
3. What did you find most challenging about motherhood, and how did you handle this challenge? The most challenging for me was fighting tiredness when the day started early, never stopped and a baby kept me up at night. Trying to spend time with the Lord at the same time as well as keeping myself fresh for my husband was difficult. I just took one day at a time and prayed a lot!
4. What book or resource has helped you the most as a mother? The book that I would suggest to young mothers would be Tedd Tripps' book Shepherding a Child's Heart.
5. How did you come to the decision to send your children to a Christian school/public school? The first two went to a Christian grade school and a public high school. The last of our sons went to a Christian grade school until junior high and then to the public school. My husband and I both went to Christian schools and so it was a given they were going to a Christian grade school. We prayed about when to send them to a public school and felt good about them going when they did - they were prepared and equipped to be a good influence there. And they were!
6. Looking back, is there anything you have learned since the time your children were small that you would pass on to younger mothers in regard to prioritizing marriage, etc.
Yes, I learned that life goes by so quickly and those years that can be so challenging are soon only a precious memory! Make the most of every single day! Don't just get through them! I wish I had given more of my energy to my husband and my relationship with him. It seemed like he was the one to be neglected when my strength was fading. It's important to put him and his needs before your own! (it's great when he puts you and your needs before his own!)
7. If you could choose one way to save your family money, what would it be? Plan meals ahead of time and don't eat out very often! See what's on sale that week and plan your menu accordingly.
8. What is one way that you serve your husband? I love serving my husband and I love thinking of little things to do for him that I know he appreciates. Every night before I go to bed I set a cup and spoon out by the coffee pot so when he gets up early it's setting there as a reminder that I was thinking of him the night before!
9. How can you practically encourage your husband? I constantly look for things he says and does that I appreciate and I let him know on a regular basis!
10. What does submission within a marriage look like in day to day interaction? It's honoring and respecting each other and considering each other as better than yourself. It's a heart issue and will be reflected in everything you do and say as you interact. I willingly submit to my husband as the head of our home and know it pleases him, pleases God and is a testimony to unbelievers.
11. How would you encourage stay at home moms who are tempted to be discouraged that they aren't able to be as actively involved in church life as they'd like to be? You are engaged in the most important job you will ever have as you raise and train your children to love God and serve Him! It's mind boggling to think of the eternal ramifications! Just wait - you won't believe how quickly those years will pass and then you'll have many years of service to your church!
12. What's your favorite book of the Bible and why? I can't even pick which one is my favorite! I love the Old Testament! I love reading about all the great men and women with all their strengths and weaknesses and I learn so much from them every time I read about them! To read about David, a man after God's own heart! His passion for the Lord stirs me every time I read about him and the psalms he wrote! I want to be like that!
13. What are some ways you were able to spend time with the Lord with small children? If I didn't do it early in the morning, I usually didn't do it! I had to get up early. It was hard, but that has to be a priority! (it wasn't always!)
14. Is there anything else you would like to share with other mothers? Psalm 90:12 - So teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom. You never know how many days we have on this earth! Don't let time just slip away! Before you get out of bed in each morning, give your day to the Lord and ask Him to use you however He chooses. Be conscious of His presence with you during the day and deliberately turn your thoughts to Him. Memorize Scripture and meditate on it. And if your husband is a Christian, pray together every day. And be accountable to someone who knows you and knows what you're struggling with! Enjoy life! Some day you'll look back on these days as "the good old days!"
IT'S YOUR TURN!!!
If there is a mom in your life that you think would like to share some of her life wisdom with us, please interview her and post the interview here!
Here's how:
Copy the block of questions below- however, these are only an example. You may add your own questions to them or take some out if you feel they don't apply, customizing as you see fit for each individual. We do suggest that you submit the first and last question, and also that you submit at least 14 questions to the mom you are interviewing, and allow her to choose the ten she feels most comfortable answering.
Then post the interview here! That's it!(Oh, and a picture of the interview-ee would be great too, though not required. :-))
Sample QUESTIONS for the INTERVIEW
1.How many children do you have and what are their ages?
2.What is the most (mutually) enjoyable activity you regularly do with your children? OR What are some of your fondest memories with your children?
3.What do you find most challenging about motherhood, and how have you handled this challenge?
4.What do you do to stay strong in order to fulfill your daily tasks as a mother?
5.When life gets hectic, how do you maintain a feeling of connectedness with your children?
6.What book or resource has helped you the most as a mother?
7.How did you come to the decision to send your children to a Christian school/public school/homeschool?
8.Would you mind sharing your favorite recipe for company or your favorite meal to take to a new mom?
9.Have you ever done a home business or worked outside the home, and if so, how did you balance that work with your responsibilities in the home?
10.How do you find time for romance and building your relationship with your husband in the midst of the busyness of small children?
11.Looking back, is there anything you have learned since the time your children were small that you would pass on to younger mothers in regard to prioritizing marriage, housework, child training, etc. OR, what things have you learned that have helped make your marriage and life-stage more enjoyable??
12.There are a lot of ways to save money, such as garage sale-ing, using cloth diapers, cutting coupons, etc.If you could choose one way to save your family money, what would it be, and why?
13.Do you have any creative ideas for managing to take affordable vacations for your family?
14.What is one way that you serve your family/husband?
15.How can you practically encourage your husband?
16.What does submission within a marriage look like in day to day interaction?
17.How would you encourage stay at home moms who are tempted to be discouraged that they aren't able to be as actively involved in church life as they'd like to be?
18.What do you wish you would've done more of when your children were at home?
19.What's your favorite book of the Bible and why? (or if you would prefer to talk about a favorite verse, that is okay too.)
20.What are some ways you are/were able, as a mother with small children, to spend time with the Lord?
21.Is there anything else you would like to share with other mothers?
For those of us who know Ruth, all of her answers are no surprise. She is such a good, godly example of a Christian wife and mother--a great one to give advice to younger mothers to follow.
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...Tedd Tripp speaks on parenting...
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Posted by Grandma Carol on April 30, 2009
