relaxing

What does it mean to relax?

It is Labor Day and this weekend has been traditionally known as the end of summer for many and back to school for many others.

Being in Florida, we have NEVER waited until after Labor Day to start school and so this weekend and day off is a nice treat after two hard weeks of school getting started.

But, that is not the topic of my blog today. In the past few days, I have been really remembering stuff. You see, one year ago this weekend, I had a real turning point with a situation. I was reading a book by Debi Pearl and it is a book that I know I would of ripped up or say - no way too -- some years ago, maybe even last August of 2010 . .but in September of 2010, and because of stuff that was going on . . . . . it was a suggested read from a trusted prayer warrior and wife and I decided to read it. That book, sort of changed a lot of stuff.

It is a book that digs biblically into WHAT my role is as a wife and mother. Many will cite that they want to look and behave like a Proverbs 31 woman and THAT is a good thing and YES, that "kind" of woman is someone I WANT to be, but Debi Pearl uses the scripture of how to be a help meet for our husband. This book was a hard read, but a good one.

I can't remember all of the points but a few have stuck - for the past year.

Some tips . .on how to be a help meet?

1. pray ... This is something that we as wives don't do enough and we have too. We have to lavish everything with prayer. We need to place our expectations, our needs, and our wants into HIS hands and pray that HE provides. HE will.

2. pray ... Pray that we get ALL of our needs met through our devotion to Christ. HE has to be the need meeter. HE has to be the one that provides what is needed - emotionally and physically. We we allow Jesus to be that for us, we take the pressure off our husbands and then they are free to be whom God called them to be.

3. pray .. Pray for your children and husband and if there is anything that we want changed or fixed . .we must pray and let HIM do the work. As mothers who took care of laundry and did the dishes when needed and knew the diaper needed to be changed before he ever did -- the 'letting' go and letting HIM do the work is a hard one. It is a form of letting the control go and letting God be in control.

4. pray . .Pray that you seek HIM in everything .. for job satisfaction . .for our health . for our fun . .and for our emotional needs to be fulfilled so that we don't replace what we don't have with something else.

5. pray .. Pray that we are not ensnared by the enemy . ..we must be on guard and guard our hearts. WE must watch to make sure we don't let the enemy get a foothold into our lives, but if he does, we pray and bind because we have the authority to do so. God wins.

And 6. Relax .. be fun . be the woman the man wants to be with - to come home too - be the woman that God created, free of strongholds, free to pray, and free to allow your husband to be the man God intended .. not a shell of someone that has lost his sights into his future.

And finally, pray and forgive . ...... . . . . . . . you are never more close to Jesus than when we forgive.

I can attest to this, God answers prayer. God is a healer. God does what HE says HE is going to do, but HE does things in HIS time. We must always remember that God is always good and HE allows stuff -- to bring a greater glory. God also has the BEST way to restore and heal and bless one when you least expect it. God does have 'this' .. . .it will take as long as HE planned and not one day longer - amen.

Lord, I thank you for this day of rest and relaxing ... .you labor for me all the time and I am so thankful. Amen.