When Mom Comes First — 25 Days to a Happier Home — Day 25

At Pint-sized Treasures, we encourage moms to serve and love their husbands and kids. But, there is a time when mom should come first. Don’t panic, let me explain.

moms come first

In this 25 Days to a Happier Home Series we have focused on making our homes a happier place. We have talked about following the leader, not comparing our families, playing with our kids, not seeking praise and so much more! Today I want to take our very last day and dig a little deeper.

So, for the last day of our 25 Days to a Happier Home here’s your challenge.

Your challenge is: Focus on yourself first.

We moms want the best for our kids, right?

I knew you would agree with me on that one.

We often tell them to go to church, do their best in school, care for others, tell the truth, put God first, don’t smoke or drink alcohol. We also tell them to keep themselves pure for their future husband or wife. But, are we reflecting those things in our lives?

The truth is, in the moral and spiritual areas of life we have to put ourselves first. We have to make sure that our relationship with God and others is right. How can we teach our kids to love one another when we hate someone in our very own family? Yes, I know hate is a strong word, but so may be the evil feelings that you have deep in your heart that you refuse to call hate. Just try to be honest and be willing to search your heart.

If you have ever considered any of these challenges for a happier home, I ask that you consider this one — above all others.

How can we put ourselves first?

Before our relationship can be good with others, including our kids, we have to make sure our relationship is right with God. Many of you call yourself a Christian. Many people claim this title and don’t really understand what a Christian truly is. A Christian is simply a follower of Christ.

How can we be followers of Christ if we don’t know him? How can we follow him if we don’t know what his message was when he was on Earth?

Today I want you to really consider if you personally know Jesus Christ as your Savior. Not as a historical figure or a wonderful prophet, but as your Savior, Lord and King.

When Jesus came to Earth, many times he dealt with people’s sins that lay buried in their hearts — sins that no one else knew about — sins that people considered not that bad. But, Jesus didn’t view their sins as mortal and venial, he viewed every one of them as transgressions of God’s law. The Bible is also clear what the payment of sin is — it is death (Romans 6:23).

Let’s consider something that most everyone knows — The Ten Commandments.

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

Let me ask you something. Have you ever told a lie? You bet you have. How many? More than you can count. Have you ever taken the name of the Lord in vain? How about coveting? Ever stole anything?

Pretty sobering, eh?

There are way more than just 10 commandments in the Bible, but just these ten show us that Romans 3:23 is still true. It says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Every single one of us have broken God’s law.

Many times we think, “I’m not that bad. I haven’t committed adultery or had an abortion. I go to church and even volunteer at several places.”

Yet, we have broken God’s laws and God says the payment for our sin is death. That death is separation from God forever in Hell.

What about the murderers, rapists and thieves? I thought those are the kind of people that go to hell.

The book of James has that answer in chapter 2 verse 10:

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

If you have broken any of God’s laws, you are guilty of them all. There is absolutely nothing you can do to rid yourself of the guilt and responsibility of breaking God’s laws. God’s Word is clear: no religious observances, good deeds or morality can erase the stains of your sin from God’s memory. If you would be washed clean from those stains, it is God that must do it. And that is exactly what God has done.

Jesus came to this earth to suffer and die in our place! Jesus is the only one that could pay for our sins. He is the only one that could offer to God a sacrifice that would appease and satisfy His anger against our sin. So, Jesus gave us a gift — a free gift that was wrapped in love, mercy and grace.

When one of Jesus’ disciples asked him the way to heaven, Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me.”

Jesus Christ came into this world miraculously. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, always pleased his Father and then willingly gave up his life to pay for our sins once and for all. Not only did he shed his blood and die on a cross, but he arose the third day and conquered death for us so that one day we may live again as well! Jesus took our fear away and gave us hope. No longer must we wander in darkness, dreading the day we must meet God who is plainly not pleased with our unrighteousness. But we can have hope and joy to know that our sins are forgiven, washed away and forgotten through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

If you have not yet put your complete trust in Jesus Christ to take away your sins and give you eternal life, hope and a place in heaven, ask him to save you from your sins today! I am always just an email away to answer any questions about your relationship with God. You can reach me at alison.pintsizedtreasures@gmail.com.

Ladies, if you want a happier home, start with your own heart first. Remember the Proverbs 31 woman that we all should strive to follow? What does the Scripture say about her at the end of the chapter?

“…a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”

How did the virtuous woman have the power to love her husband, her children, strangers and the needy? She had the power to do all those things because she feared God. She knew the living and true God, and because of that His love filled her heart and enabled her to make her home a happier place!

Ladies, I ask you to take time today to re-evaluate your relationship with God.

First, have you trusted in Jesus Christ to wash away your sins and give you new life? If you haven’t I encourage you to trust him now. He desires to save you!

Second, if you have trusted Jesus Christ, are you putting him first every single day of your life? Are you seeking Him first? Mom days are super-busy, but don’t let those diaper changes and nighttime feedings rob you from spending time with God.

Third, if you are seeking God, are you acting on the truths you know? If you know God’s word says you should be kind, submissive and loving, are you striving to follow his commandments or have you convinced yourself you don’t have to?

Re-evaluate your relationship with God today and see it make a difference in your home. Our 25 day challenge is has come to an end. May we consider the foundation of a happy home as we consider the foundation of the virtuous woman — “…she that feareth the Lord shall be praised.”

May your home be blessed as you seek to make it a happier home for your family!