JPlazaphotography
Mom-What to Do About the “unfriendly years” By Rhonda Stoppe
Some of the best marriages are enjoyed by couples who make the time and effort to playfully delight in one another. Right now, can you think of a couple whose joy is contagious?
Don’t you just love to spend time with them? Don’t you long to be them? What can you do to become more like the couple you desire to emulate. First off…think back to a time when it was downright fun to spend time with your man.
How did you enjoy one another back when you were dating? You didn’t fold your arms, tap your foot, and say, “Ok, I’m here. Now make me happy.” No—more than likely, you planned to have a good time simply because you were happy to be together with your love.*
What about after the kids came along? Did you somehow take of your fun-loving girlfriend-hat to wear the more serious, “There’s just too much to do to enjoy life” mom-hat?
I have heard experts say the 30’s are the “unfriendly years” for wives and moms. I can attest to that. As a young mom, amidst the mountains of laundry, spilled milk, and sleepless nights I often had to make myself be friendly to my husband and kids. Can I get a witness?
If you have found yourself doing life with little joy overshadowed by a seriousness and sense of duty, maybe it’s time to step back and determine to ENJOY your life. How you ask?
Philippians 4 offers a great formula to anyone who wants to learn how to joyfully respond to life’s circumstances and to the people we love.
FIRST – CHOOSE TO REJOICE. In Philippians 4:4 the Apostle Paul addresses the conflict between two women in the Philippian church by instructing those involved or affected by the conflict to REJOICE. This means to CHOOSE JOY amidst the ups and downs of life -and in messy relationships.
SECOND – BE REASONABLE Philippians 4:5 reminds us to be reasonable. We all know how unreasonable we can be about every 28 days, am I right? Sometimes, TO BE REASONABLE is a choice you must make amidst chaotic times.
NEXT – THINK WHAT IS RIGHT. In Philippians 4:8 Paul gives Christ’s followers the formula to enjoy those we love. When you CHOOSE TO THINK on whatever is good, right, honorable, and of good report.
FINALLY – YOU WILL HAVE PEACE. Philippians 4:9 promises that if you DO THE THINGS PAUL INSTRUCTS you will enjoy peace – in your heart, mind, and relationships. And when you enjoy peace…you will be free to ENJOY LIFE––and your family.
With all the distractions life throws at you each day, you have to decide daily to enjoy your spouse, and your children.
And, when you determine each day to celebrate the time you spend with your husband and kids, you have taken an important step toward making your marriage and family life delightful.
And if your husband and children find you to be friendly, I promise you won’t regret it––I know I didn’t.
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No Regrets Woman
Rhonda Stoppe is the NO REGRETS WOMAN. With more than 20 years experience of helping women live life with no regrets. I could have listened to Rhonda talk all night, is what women say about Rhonda’s enthusiastic, genuine and transparent style of teaching.
Through humor, and honest communication, she helps women build NO REGRETS LIVES by applying sound teaching from Scripture. Rhonda appears on radio programs, speaks at women’s events, MOPs, and homeschool conventions throughout the nation. Rhonda Stoppe’s book MOMS RAISING SONS TO BE MEN is mentoring thousands of moms to guide sons toward a no-regrets life.
Her new book IF MY HUSBAND WOULD CHANGE I’D BE HAPPY-And Other Myths Wives Believe (Harvest House Publishers) is helping countless women build no-regrets marriages. As a pastor’s wife, speaker, and author, Rhonda has helped women to:
- Discover significance and purpose for their lives
- Impact the moral fiber of the next generation by raising children with integrity
- Find victory over people-pleasing
- Experience a No Regrets Marriage
- Build an incredible legacy
- Become more influential than they ever dreamed possible
TO BOOK RHONDA FOR YOUR NEXT WOMEN’S EVENT VISIT: NoRegretsWoman.com
*Excerpt IF MY HUSBAND WOULD CHANGE I’D BE HAPPY & Other Myths Wives Believe
