Be Faithful In The Basics

The title of this post is one of my favorite sayings. I need to see it often to remind me of what I am to be about. I had a friend call me this week. She was telling me about this woman that keeps popping into her life. This woman has been observing my friend and her family. She is asking lots of questions. Basically my friend told her to go to the Bible and search out what God has for her to do. She also mentioned a book or two that had been not only helpful, but life changing for her. Then that's when the excuses start. We don't have excuses. We are to be faithful in the basics... PERIOD!!! It does not matter where you live, what the parameters of your family are, how you get along with your husband or children, or anything else. What are the basics?

For me they start here. First and foremost I am a child of the King of Kings. He has told me to spend time with Him each day. How much time do I give Him. Do I read a verse or two or even a chapter or two and say... "I'm done!!" Or am I taking that verse or two or that chapter and looking at it after prayer and with open spiritual eyes to see what my Lord might be telling me. Do I spend time in prayer, asking for wisdom, for understanding. I hear people say that they don't have time. Yet, they have time to be on the phone with friends, they have time to be on the computer, they have time to hit the garage sales, they have time... You fill in the blank. We don't MAKE time. I am too often guilty of this. That is why I said I need the reminder of being faithful. If I can't be faithful here, then nothing else in my life will be as it should be... period!

Secondly, I am a wife. That (not motherhood) is my first most important human relationship. I am to honor and respect my husband. These are not feelings that he needs to earn, they are commands from the Lord. No excuses. He doesn't say honor and respect him if he leads what you believe is a godly life, or as long as he is nice to you, etc. He is the leader of this home (under Christ), not me. He is the one who will ultimately answer before God for what went on or didn't in our home. I need to pray for him. That is a HUGE responsibility. Men are emasculated in today's society. They are made to look like buffoons or idiots in the media. I again highly urge you to get and watch "The Monstrous Regiment of Women" DVD. Even those of us who truly strive to be what the Lord calls us to be have areas of feminism in us that we don't even see. We need to make them feel like the important leader that they are. I am to submit to him. The woman who was asking my friend questions wanted to know if we are to be doormats to our husbands. I am to submit to my husband as unto the Lord. Therefore, my primary purpose in doing this is to please the Lord. It should be done with joy, not looking at what it is supposedly "costing me." If I do it willingly and with joy, there are great blessings and rewards. Not only does my husband respond differently to me, but I feel joy and peace. If you have a long history of not doing this, it might take a while of you being faithful, but I know that you will see results. Do I make my husband feel like he is the best thing in my life. Do I greet him when he comes home from work? Do I see to his needs in all areas? Or do I expect him to come home and take over because I have done the house and child thing all day and it is his turn? Do I expect him to meet my needs and pay attention to me for the evening? Am I a high maintenance woman? Ask the Lord to show you your heart. The real you down inside. What is your real motivation?

Thirdly, I am a Mom. I did not get the blessing of a large family, but I was blessed with a son and I am so grateful. Are you there for your children? Are you working along side of them? Or are you handing out jobs and doing your own thing? Do you tell your children how much they mean to you? Do you tell them you love them? Do you listen when they need to talk even if you are so tired and were on your way to bed? Do you exasperate them and make them angry? Are you expecting things from them, that are not in place in your own life? Again, go to the Lord and ask Him to show you.

All other relationships come after these. Are your friends more important than your husband and family? Think about the way you treat each of these... husband, children and friends... What do your actions show?

After searching the scripture and hearing from God then DO what the Lord shows you. Don't buy another book, go to another seminar, listen to another teacher/preacher, etc. looking for answers. Practice what you already know to do. That is where most people miss the mark. They keep searching hoping for that magic potion or answer to filter down and make life wonderful. God tells us to obey. Yes, He tells us with love and mercy, but He also expects us to do what He says. BE FAITHFUL IN THE BASICS.... NO EXCUSES!! When we obey, He gives us joy and peace. He leads us to higher ground. He trusts us with more. Spend time with Him each day and throughout each day asking for wisdom and answers to what is going on. He is faithful.