Friday, July 23, 2010

Grace and Mercy




I have learned a few things on this glorious journey of biblical and wise womanhood and of it all, it would be not to fall into the foolish woman's trap. I know I must keep my wits about me and so must you--so I'd like to share them with you.

There is no one such woman that exists that is perfect--not I, not you, not Suzy Homemaker down the street. We all need the abounding love that comes from our omnipotent Father and the grace and mercy from one another.

I do not want to build a home to look down upon others or compete with others. My homebuilding is not a race, nor is it a track record of how well I am doing spiritually. It comes from a heart of love to do the right thing and heart of obedience to serve the Lord.

My homemaking is not perfect--nor is yours. Strive as we might, we cannot and should not mimic the staged scenes of the ever so popular and glossy magazines. There is so much more to homebuilding and that is cultivating and loving the tender hearts and atmospheres at our homes. If you stop by my home during the week you will see the imperfection I am speaking of! Toys on the floor, fingerprints on windows---yes, I would rather have that with happy children and husband than a neglected family and pristine home. In the past, I have known of godly women who purposefully make it a point to keep their homes 'imperfect' while having company to encourage the young ladies who visit ...what an encouragement, indeed!

And where shall I begin with imperfect children? Why, we all have them! They are the product of us--their imperfect parents. We should not be surprised when our children sin except be prepared for it so we can handle it biblically.

We do not want to ever fall into the trappings of pride. Prideful about our homes, our families our Christian walk, our material possessions, our so called 'good works'---it is the awful and seductive web of deceit that Satan spins enticing us throughout our days. I have heard it described as a yummy, enticing ice cream sundae---from afar you are tempted, its look soooo attractive with whip cream and cherry toppings. But as you get closer you see it for what it really is---it is not ice cream after all, instead you find that under all the whip cream, it was really manure! How could this be--what looked so great at a distance turned out to be a sham. And so how it is with Satan's allurement. It is but an ensnarement and a lie. At the end of the day, we need to ultimately measure ourselves through the eyes of Christ.

We need more grace and mercy towards one another. We have it with Christ, now we need to practice it...especially towards ourselves. So many of us are struggling right now with financial difficulties, layoffs, losing homes, and illnesses. Grace and mercy needs to be abundant in our lives. Our love needs to be evident and extended wholeheartedly in the way that Christ would want it, especially during difficult times.

I love to share what inspires me on this blog, but I never want even one of you to feel that you cannot measure up---these articles are here to encourage to help guide the way---to spur on, to inspire and most importantly--- give vision. Never to raise the bar so high that we feel we are miserably failing. NEVER!!! We need to take things with baby steps. Here a little there a little. Soon enough we will learn to 'walk' as we teach and train ourselves to do what is right and necessary to build a home that is pleasing to God.

It is with love that I share my heart on this blog, first to my children and then to you, my dear readers. May you always "hear" the undertones of this in my writings and know I am constantly praying for you. We are on this journey together--learning side by side--and what an honor to be able to do that with you...my dear friends...at the feet of Jesus.








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20 comments:

Kathleen said...

June,
It's like you read my mind this morning when I saw you had a new post. I thought to myself, "She's always so perfect, I'll never be that," and I wasn't going to read what you wrote this morning. I'm so glad that I did. Thank you for the encouragement to all of us imperfect wives and mothers.

Laura said...

Amen! It is such a seductive lie to believe if we just have the perfect house, the perfect family, the perfect ministry, ect. that we will be the best then at serving our Savior. Nothing could be farther from the truth. We are imperfect, as is everything else in our lives, but praise God that he uses our imperfections to His glory! It is through Love and with love that we serve our families, and nothing else. We can't do it apart from Him. I know I try not to so many times, and it turns out miserably for everyone!

Thank you so much for your encouragement (and prayers!! :0) )

Mrs.C said...

What wonderful, needful encouragement.

I love stopping by here, because what you share does help to keep me on track, what's most important, and yes, this too is needed, to be reminded of how we are all living by grace and mercy.

June Fuentes @ A Wise Woman Builds Her Home said...

Dearest Kathleen,

I am so glad that you did stop by! I sometimes believe that an image set on a blog can be misleading, and I wanted to set the record straight. I am HUMAN---just like you. Imperfect home, imperfect children, imperfect walk. I love reading what inspires me and try to stay away from what might discourage so you will see that reflected in my posts. However, no one should think for one minute that I am any different from them. I am just using this blog as a platform to teach what I am learning along the way, side-by-side with you.

Many blessings as you build up your sacred home...

Candice said...

Thanks, June, for this wonderful and timely post! I don't know how I found your blog, but I love reading it. Lately I have been feeling down (sin and lies from the enemy) that I am not being the wife and homemaker I should--and frustrated that no matter how hard I might try, I always end up lower than the bar I set for myself. I definitely needed to read this and be encouraged--and convicted! Thank you and PRAISE GOD! :)

ChristinaB said...

Thank you for your post today. I needed it. I think we can all be so hard on ourselves at times. We compare our worst to others best and always come out on the losing end. I appreciate your blog so much!

ChristinaB

mosey said...

you have no idea what a blessing this has been to me this morning!

Thank you.

Karen M said...

What lovely words of encouragement! It is wonderful to know that the same Lord who watches over your home in USA, watches over mine in Northern Ireland - fingerprints included!

Renee said...

This entry was just what the Lord had in mind for me today. So often it feels like there is some sort of competition going on amongst us women: "Who is the godliest?" It is all pride, but unfortunately it gets each and every one of us. Thank you for pointing this out, and facing it head-on, with great encouragement (all from God)! Please be praying for me, that I would not fall into the trap of pride (whatever form it shows itself) anymore. God bless you.

Abounding Treasures said...

What an encouraging post you've shared and so has Laura, in your comments section!!

Dianne said...

You remind me so much of a dear friend. She is such a Godly example and yet I have never felt judged, but rather inspired. Seeing her life and hearing her thoughts a few years ago has inspired me more than anything ever did before. And, yet, I could comfortably share struggles I wouldn't even THINK of sharing with other women who were less "together" than her. Her gentleness and non-judgmental attitude have been such an encouragement. She has never built herself up at my expense and always seeks to encourage me in my calling as a wife and mother. I feel that you have the same attitude as my friend and that's why I love to read your articles. Thanks so much for all of your encouragement! You really are making a difference in women's lives!

Becky said...

Hello. I just found your blof, and I will certainly be back.

Under His sun, by His Grace.

Anonymous said...

Thank you June. I am so glad for this post.

Love, Rosemi

Courtney (Women Living Well) said...

This was a beautiful post! This is so true with blogging for me! I always put my "best foot foward" and then before I know it I have painted this picture that is unrealistic.

I struggle with this. Today I posted a post titled "Failure". As hard as it is for me to admit - I do fail all the time - BUT I get back up...when I fall...I rise again and persevere. I think readers need to hear that too...to take strength from us falling down and then getting back up and trying again!!!

I love visiting you here - I find a calm tender place where I am inspired and motivated. Thank you!
Much Love,
Courtney
http://www.womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com

Grace said...

Beautifully said! Amen! Amen! Amen!

Finding Joy said...

June,

We see all those glossy magazines full of perfect houses and envy gets the better of us - those houses are not homes, not loved and cherished as ours are. We are so busy making our homes "perfect" we are most likely not spending precious times with our Heavenly Father. A bit of dust won't hurt anyone.

We will spend all our lives improving - it is a journey with our Lord Jesus Christ, one with many bumps along the way. Christian women should support each other, offering encouragement and support and not seeing who is more perfect. God didn't make this journey a competition.

Fitter After 50 said...

I hear you loud and clear. :)

Mrs. Theresa Frees said...

I so needed to hear this sweet truth. May we all be given grace to stand up under it in thought and deed to the glory of Christ Jesus.

Crystal said...

I'm new to your blog and I can't begin to tell you how encouraging it has been! I pray that I can paint a picture of God's wonderful grace and mercy by being real and extending that grace and mercy to others!

Anayari said...

June,
Thank you! I don't think you realize what a great encouragement this has been. Thank you for your honesty and humility in serving Christ.

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