Standing Besides "Men of Courage"

Have you gone to see the movie Courageous yet?

If you haven't I want to encourage you to go see it!!!!

It was a great movie and one particular part really struck me.

It's when Adam is speaking to the church and he calls the men out.  He begins by saying, "so where are you, men of courage?...

This led me to ask,

 "where are these men of courage?"

Yes, these men that lack the courage are a product of a fallen society, a fatherless nation, that has continued on a spiral decline of morality, as well as irresponsibility, towards fulfilling their God-given role. 

 But can we, women, sit here and cast all the blame in one direction?

Or can we, sometimes, be part of the problem?

Now, you have to admit, there is that Eve streak we all possess.

You know what I'm talking about...

we want it our way,  

we manipulate circumstances, 

we just know think we know better.

There's a reason why the submission verse in the bible addresses us specifically, ladies.

Now, I wish I could say that I am the perfect submissive wife...
but I'm not.

 I constantly need to remind myself to follow my husbands leading;

there are times when I doubt His direction.  

What if He's wrong?

What if this is not from God?

What if He didn't pray enough about it?

Well, those are legitimate concerns, 

but I've learned to focus on doing what God calls me to do 

while leaving my husband and his decisions in God's hands. 

I've seen way too often, 

women rob their husbands out of their duty to lead 

because they didn't like the direction they were being led in.

 I've seen men shrink back and take a back seat, 

missing out on the blessings that were probably before them,

 had they chosen to step out in courage and lead.  

God knows our concerns and He has them in mind, so we can be reassured that His plan will prevail over our marriages, parenting, finances, career etc... without us taking control.

As God-fearing women we need to encourage our men 

to live up to their potential 

so that when God calls out these "men of courage," 

we can proudly be

 standing besides them.


Are you standing besides your "man of courage?"


Linking to:

Encouraging Words Wednesday

An Attitude of Gratitude

It was a normal manic Monday. I was sporting my lovely paint-stained sweats with a classic oversized hubby t-shirt. It was almost four in the afternoon and everyone was doing their chores. Well, almost everyone. Michael was not taking directions well from his older sister, so I had to step in.

"Why do we go through this every time? Chores are a part of life, so get used to it. Fighting or complaining won't get you out of it...," and on and on I went, telling him how opting out of his responsibilities was not an option.

He was upset. I was frustrated. So I went back to what I was working on while carrying on a conversation with myself about my frustration.

Then Gabriela, my 30 year old daughter disguised in a 6 year old body, walked in and asked me a question that changed my whole mood.

"Mommy, do you have a hard life?"

I cleverly answered her "Jesus style", with a quesion.

"Why do you ask that?"

She smartly-so didn't bite and responded by saying, "I asked you first."

Well...this was a loaded question, don't ya think?

On some days, yes, life seems hard as I race to a never ending finish line of fulfilling the duties of the many hats I wear. It's a feat just to get everyone going in the morning (including myself), get the basic laundry done, and keep track of schedules,

but do I have a hard life?

No. 

I'm here in my comfortable home with the temperature set to just right, as I load my dishwasher. I have clean running water, choices for dinner, and five kids who keep me running going.

I get to home school my kids, live in a free country and speak of my faith in public (like right here) without persecution.

With that thought, my perspective was adjusted, and my attitude shifted to gratitude. I looked at my inquisitive child who was waiting patiently for an answer.

"No, my life is not hard, but sometimes Mommy needs to be 
reminded of that."

Do you need reminders like that?

Does God sometimes speak to you through your children?

       Luke 18:16

But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 

Encouraging Word Wednesday