Karisa Rivera

“A house is built with walls and beams;
a home is made of love and dreams.”

I am a housekeeper – not a homemaker.

If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements,

but have not love,

my children learn cleanliness – not godliness.

If I scream at my children for every infraction,

and fault them for every mess they make,

but have not love,

my children become people-pleasers not obedient children.

Love leaves the dust in search of a child’s laugh.

Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.

Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.

Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.

Love accepts the fact that I am the ever-present “mommy,”

the taxi-driver to every childhood event,

the counselor when my children fail or are hurt.

Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, and runs with the child,

then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.

Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection.

Now I glory in God’s perfection of my child.

All the projections I had for my house and my children

have faded away into insignificance,

And what remain are the memories of my kids.

Now there abides in my home scratches on most of the furniture,

dishes with missing place settings,

and bedroom walls full of stickers, posters and markings,

But the greatest of all is the Love

that permeates my relationships with my children.

Photo by PieterMusterd.

For many years I witnessed <and still do> the wonderful marriage of my parents. Although they are not perfect, they did make specific choices when they exchanged vows at the altar. Their choices included making God the center of their relationship and letting God guide their family. That is why I now stand and consider myself blessed for having such parents.

Today, although a few months short of my fifth anniversary, I am very happy and grateful for the marriage God has given me. With my husband, we have learned and grown in ways we could not even imagine. I am very blessed.

Here is a continuation of the letter a wise man wrote to his two sons regarding women (a future wife):

First, know that the woman you marry will be the lifelong mother of your children. All that she is in the accumulation of her past experiences will be present as the mother of your children. There is not a more major decision affecting the future of your children than the choice of your life’s partner… Treat your wife as a delicate flower, and she will “bloom” with energy to be a more giving mother.
Be sure to cultivate your relationship with your wife. Meet her needs. Make her happy. Enjoy her thoroughly … If you love and cherish your wife, the children will love and cherish her also.

Here are basic qualities you need to look for when choosing your wife:
That she loves the Lord and is his true disciple
Cheerfulness
Thankfulness
That she is a creative and hard worker
Love for children

Never marry a girl who feels she is not getting the best man in the world when she gets you. A girl who enters marriage thinking she could have done better will never be satisfied for wondering what it might have been like if…

Avoid like a plague the girl who will pursue her own career outside the home. A wife must be your “help-meet.”

Photo by carlosm76.

This was originally posted at SilverKey by one of my sisters.
She is currently living and working in Bolivia.

Last night I came home with a huge grin on my face

I couldnt believe my life

I was blessed

Last night I saw tears on my friend’s face

I heard about her life

and I felt blessed

Words fail me to truly expressed how grateful and blessed I feel right now. It’s like a light bulb has gone on inside my head or a veil has been lifted from my eyes … yesterday I stopped midday and realized I AM TRULY BLESSED. While others feel lonely, Ive never felt more loved. While others struggle financially, Ive never felt that I lack because God provides. While others are losing their faith, mine has never been stronger. And God has been soo good to me that he gave me amazing parents, the best brothers and sisters anyone can ask for – and though, I am away from them, He has made sure that I have the same support (emotionally and spiritually) in Bolivia. He has allowed my eyes to see His amazing creation. He has let me meet interesting and wonderful people from all over the world. I know that I am loved. I know that I am forgiven. I know that I am blessed. And its the most wonderful feeling in the world!

Photo by carf.

• You know what he likes and dislikes.
• You know what he is passionate about.
• You know what attracts him to certain friends.
• You know why his friends are attracted to him.
• You know what bad habits he struggles with.
• You know what strengths he is aware he has.
• You know what he would choose to do if he had all the money and time in the world.
• You know what music he listens to, and why he likes it.
• You know what type of people disgusts him.
• You know what type of people he admires.
• You tell him God is directing you to help him/her make changes in his behavior and he humbly and readily accepts it.

Photo by Brian Auer.

Be their friend. A real friend knows true feelings and passions. Determine to know your child’s.

Be part of their lives. It’s not just about knowing what they like. It’s about sharing the passion alonside them.

Be the one who teaches them about important things in life. Relationships. Career. Sex. Politics. Controversial issues, etc.

Share YOUR life with them. Involve them in everything that interests you.

Guide them. Without them even realizing it, children always need consistent guidance. A parent who has already traveled a road should take iniciative to lead and guide. Note: beware of becoming controlling.

Help them make God the only god in their lives. There is a need to continually help your children intentify and radically eliminate any idols in their lives.

Require a more disciplined lifestyle. When they are very young. When they are teenagers. When they are young adults. And as long as they live under your roof.