Work while you work, play while you play.

That is the way to be cheerful all day.

All that you do, do with your might.

Things done in halves are never done right.

One thing each time and that done well

     is a very good rule as many can tell.

Moments are useless trifled away; so

     work while you work and play while you play.

                                    ~M.A. Stodart

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord.  Colossians 3:23

The last few weeks it has become apparent the need to raise men.  Being that I am not one, I run into a problem.  And being that I was blessed with three boys, the problem remains.  So, do I throw up my hands and say, 'Let there Father deal with this issue!'  In some ways yes, in others no.  I am important because I can (even though a girl) still guide them to understand what kind of husbands they need to be, what kind of workers they need to be and even tips on being a good fathers and most of all devoted to the Lord. 

This pressing on my heart started with the research I was doing on William Tyndale last month.  I used the book, 'Ten Boys Who Make A Difference' by Irene Howat.  As I looked at the title ~ I thought, 'That's what is important.'  Living life for Christ and learning the things that He would want us to learn.  So, here again comes many character studies and digging into God's Word for this guidance.  I also had purchased some books and have begun to dig into them.  Here is my list:

Future Men  ~  by Douglas Wilson

Created for Work  ~ by Bob Schultz  (the poem up above came from this book~ it is a fun one for boys or girls to memorize)

Life Skills for Kids  ~ Christine Field

I also have an audio series called... Building a Family that will Stand from Vision Forum

    which includes lessons such as 

Back to Patriarchy: returning to Responsibility

Shepherding your child's heart

Preparing sons for Marriage and Life Purpose

Biblical Manhood: Revival or Revivalism?

As I learn key lessons that the Spirit makes known, I will teach them to the boys.  Lately, we have been focusing on work and play.  I expect work to get done first (chores/lessons) and then when that is correctly completed, play is fine.  What I had been running into was work that was done poorly.  The mentality was to get it done as fast as possible, so play could begin.  I talked to them about when they have their own jobs and do it poorly, could result in loosing a job and not being able to provide for their family.  That is real life, and real lessons.  It was a beginning of preparing them for what they could become one day.  My two-fold question lately has been and probably will continue to be... "What kind of man do you want to become - what man does God want you to become?"  It will be exciting to watch them continue to mature and grow.

What a blessing to have the opportunity to share such vital teachings to them.  This is something that will continue and continue, even when they are married and have a family of their own.  Our lessons and work we do each day (as teaching mama's) is important, but helping these precious boys to become biblical men is exciting when looking at the big picture.  God is going to use each one of these boys to make a difference, for God's glory!!  We may not know how yet, but they were created for God's own glory.  That is exciting ~ don't you think?  I pray that God continues to keep this fire burning in me and that He would help me to be a godly example of a mother and wife before my boys (oh, that is a mighty prayer!!!). 

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9am- ?         Designated for various avenues of learning~ this is a day to go and do what it is that God has laid on your heart to do.

 Here are just a few examples of what you could do:

                                                Life Skills~         Work on projects that help teach new skills

Interviews~ Use this day to interview and document the lives of those around you.  (Family members, farmers, residents of the area)

                                               Co-op Group~ classes with others to learn special skills

Volunteering~ Helping your neighbor or elderly person; maybe you can help with some kids or an elderly person who is disabled (no money)

Visiting~ Use this day to visit someone who is lonely and would like to have the company. Bring muffins or something you think they would enjoy.

Community Help~ Is there a place on God’s earth that has been neglected or needs a little love and care?  Go there for the day and help to spruce it up and make it look nice (make sure it is not private property or get permission to help them if they would like their property beautified. Free of course.)

Family~ Is there something that a family member has been trying to get accomplished and could use your help?  Spend the day helping them to get this task finished. 

Comfort~ Is there a person who is suffering or needs some of God’s love poured upon them?  Spend the day showering their soul with the love of Christ.  Be a beacon of light and a breath of fresh air. Be a comfort during this hard time.  If they are not believers, then God could be using this experience and you to tell them about the freedom that comes in knowing and loving Christ.