SWHW Two Year Bible Reading Plan: March, Year 2Sample

Top Takeaway from Michelle Myers:

Much of what we’ve been reading over the last few months has been a bit vivid and violent. I mean, from getting devoured by a bear for making fun of Elisha’s baldness (2 Kings 2) to all that was left of Queen Jezebel was her skull, her feet, and the palms of her hands (2 Kings 10), let’s just say that it has been a bit uncomfortable to read at times.

But perhaps the most uncomfortable I’ve been was today when we hit 2 Chronicles 28:3:

“Moreover, he burned incense in the valley of Ben-hinnom and burned his sons in fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had driven out before the sons of Israel.”

You read that correctly. This is actually referring to the common Canaanite practice of child sacrifice, which the Lord strongly condemned in Leviticus 20:1-5.

Child sacrifice was viewed as the greatest gift ancient pagan religions believed they could offer to protect themselves from evil or get back in good standing when they angered their “gods.”

No doubt, the mere idea makes you sick to your stomach or even brings tears to your eyes. But let’s remove the horror and allow ourselves to see the big picture of what was happening.

The pagan religions were sacrificing their children for their own gain and their own prosperity.

You see where I’m going with this, right?

Just as we cringe at the thought of young children as actual sacrifices, we should be as proactive to ensure we are not sacrificing our kid’s childhood to achieve something for ourselves.

This is NOT a working mom guilt trip. I repeat: this is NOT a working mom guilt trip.

It IS possible to work while you’re raising kids. (There would be no place for this ministry if it weren’t possible!) But...just because it’s possible, that doesn’t mean that it’s easy. 

It’s not easy. It's a challenge. Every. Single. Day. 

What connects this community is our priorities: 

1)   God

2)   Family

3)   Work

[In that exact order!] 

It’s so easy to type, but it’s hard to live – because the enemy will constantly pull at you to live your life out of God’s order. CONSTANTLY. Daily. Sometimes, even, moment by moment.

First, let me be transparent. I don’t do this perfectly. I don’t always get it right. But let’s get practical today and look at five guardrails I use that help me ensure that I live my priorities instead of just saying them. 

Pray about it.

I don’t want to rely on myself to get it right. I won’t. I begin every day from a place of desperation, begging God to protect me from the enemy’s schemes and to put His Spirit of discernment in me.

Ask your kids to hold you accountable.

Depending on your kid’s ages, you may have to wait on this one a while. But I’ve given my kids (ages 9, 7, and 4) 100% permission to call me out if they ever feel like they’ve taken a backseat to my work. And I don't argue with their feelings or justify my actions. Let's remember: most tasks are not an emergency. The majority of the time, work can wait.

Apologize.

Repentance begins with God, but we should also seek forgiveness from those we’ve wronged. I'm no parenting expert, but I am confident in this one parenting tip: Don't be too prideful to apologize to your kids. But I pray that my refusal to pretend to be a perfect parent keeps communication channels open with my kids for their entire lives.

Be intentional at home.

We talk a lot about setting goals and being focused at work. But does your family get that same intention from you? If they’re more important than work, they should. Hold yourself accountable to the same level of “WOW” at home as you do with your clients and teammates.

“Opportunity” is not always good.

You will have many years to work and build your career when your kids are no longer under your roof. Make sure that you consider them and how quickly they grow up as you weigh career opportunities.

This will not look 100% the same for all of us as we live this out, so don’t think that your life has to mirror her life to be walking in obedience with God. We’re not supposed to look like one another; we’re supposed to look like Him, despite our different assignments.

So let’s pray. Let’s be intentional. And let’s cheer one another on to do more of what really matters. I’m rooting for you!

God, help me to be the wife my husband deserves and the mom my children need. I know sometimes that productivity in parenting can be hard to measure, but God, don’t let me get distracted in my pursuit of that holy and high calling of wife and mom. Protect me from being deceived. Fill me with Your discernment. Keep me on Your path for my life. I love You. Amen.