peace |

” I don’t want to mama, I’m scared!”.

This was the response from my daughter, as I explained to them we need to go back to our neighbors with an apology note.

You see, a few days ago, a young neighbor girl came and asked if my girls would like to play in her grandmas backyard. I said yes, since I was out in the front with my boys, and I do know them from a few houses down.

Apparently, their young friend asked them if they would like to pick some of her grandma’s carrots from the garden. My girls said OK, without asking an adult first. This unfortunately didn’t go over very well with the grandma!

A few days later I bumped into the grandma outside my house, and she explained how upset she was about ‘the missing carrots’. She is an older woman, with a thick accent, that didn’t really let me get a word in edge wise. When I had a chance to speak, I apologized on my girls behalf, and let her know I would talk to them.

I know that my daughters didn’t mean any harm, and they were following the leading of their friend, but we needed to make this right! I explained that we never do anything we are not sure of, without asking an adult (NOT a 5 yr old) first. And since one of our neighbors is upset, we will bring peace to the situation…… because we are children of God, and THAT makes us peace makers!. (Gal 5:22)

I helped the girls write letters to their friends grandma saying they were sorry, and told them we will walk over and give them to her.

The next day, we put a few homemade cookies on a plate and got ready to take the notes over to our neighbour. The girls were nervous, and thought this lady would yell at them. I explained that they are doing the right thing by making peace, and making things right. We then looked at Proverbs 15:3, and how it says that the eyes of the Lord are watching everywhere – the bad and the good. This is a good thing!

We went over to our neighbours house and the girls gave her their notes and cookies.

The girls were so relieved…… this lady didn’t yell at them, she didn’t scold them, and she didn’t shut the door on them. She did the opposite by welcoming them and accepting their apology!

What a great learning experience for the kids – to get over a fear, and do the right thing! You could tell, they felt ‘lighter’ afterwards.

Being consistent in training your children to always do the right thing, builds proper convictions in them.

Don’t give up parent!. You are doing a great thing, and you will reap what you sow.

I remember coming home one day as a young teenager, after a long, hard and frankly embarrassing day at high school, to a wonderful thing.

It wasn’t a gift, or a pet, or my favourite food. But, it was the safety and security of a stable home and peaceful atmosphere.

I still remember the smell of my home then. My mom must have just made some cookies and maybe washed the floor, whatever it was, it was nice ….. and it put peace in my heart.

Now that I am a mom, I desire to create that same peaceful atmosphere, and even set a new standard in my home. I want my kids and my husband to LOVE coming home, and know that as soon as they get there, they feel joy. That their home is a place of shelter, and a place where God is honored. A place where they feel safe and secure.

As the woman of my home, I believe it’s my job to set the tone, and atmosphere in our house. This doesn’t always come easy, and believe me, there has been days, where I know things have gotten off to a rough start ….. mostly because of me!.

But, I do make a conscious effort everyday to set the right tone, and make sure the atmosphere in my home is God honoring.

Here are a few things I do to set a peaceful atmosphere in my home.

1. PRAY – Meeting with my Saviour daily in the most important thing I do!! Praying about the wife and mother I am called to be, is key. Without His guidance and grace… I’m a mess.

2. KEEPING MY HOUSE CLEAN – This is a big one. Having our home in order, keeping it neat, and de-cluttered makes a HUGE difference. I not an expert on organization (even though I wish to be) but, I try my best to put order in our home.

3. SPEAK LIFE! – Speaking with joy and calmness sets an amazing tone. Life can be loud and busy …. but speaking with peace and gentleness calms everything down. Strife, anger and loudness can make for a crazy house, but watching what you say and how you say it, can make a huge difference!

4. BAKE – This is one of my favourites! those of you who know me, are smiling right now. Just the smell of baking can make you feel happy and cozy. I know it does for me!. Bake some cookies, pour a cup a tea, and enjoy them with your kids!

5. EAT TOGETHER – Slow down, sit at the table together and enjoy your family. Spend that precious time talking, and smiling at your kids and husband.

6. LIGHT SOME CANDLES – This is always a nice touch, especially the scented ones. My daughter was the one who mentioned this one …. she says she loves it!.

These are just a few of the many things I try to do, to set a peaceful and good tone in my home. It’s important, your kids grow up fast, and you want them to remember these beautiful days.