The older women should teach the younger women - before it’s too late. 

I feel that feminism has shot all women in the foot- even those of us who are anti-feminism.  I also blame younger women (generally- I have to be careful because I am not blaming ALL young women) but younger women who dress, act, talk and smoke and cuss like men. They seem to drive aggressively and act aggressive.  I don't relate very well to them as women- so how would the men?  I think we have all seen these strident females who seem to bristle at the mere suggestion that they aren't as good as or better than men! Over here, they even have tattoos and nose piercing!   I think that this must influence their behaviour. Any tougher and they'd rust! These women are now bringing up the younger generation- our grandchildren. It is a fearful thing that they are not teaching their daughters to be modest, demure, homemakers, sweet and loving. And by their actions, they are showing disrespect to their husbands. Often in today's world, today's wives and mothers do not have the back up of extended family like in the past.  Their mothers are usually working outside the home or are far away from the things of the LORD. Unless we older women intervene and teach them, what hope have the next generation got?  Let us take up the challenge of teaching the younger women to love and respect their husbands, and to love their children. God demands it, and commonsense dictates it.   

©  Glenys Robyn Hicks  

 
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance

It is said that all work and no play make Jack a dull boy. I believe that is true. As wives and mothers we can get so involved with taking care of others that we forget to take care of ourselves. We need to take time to smell the roses and we need to watch our children at play and learn to play again. Adulthood shouldn't be the end of play and laughter. The scriptures teach us that a merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken (Proverbs 15:13) It is hard to be cheerful some days and certainly work overload can break one's spirit- if we let it.

I have found that a smile actually promotes a cheerful spirit and gets a positive response. So how does one create a cheerful enough spirit to raise a smile? I believe it is by a few things:

1) The Psalms and Ephesians tell us to develop an attitude of gratitude. Just thank God continually with songs of praise and thanks. Start to see beyond the diapers and try to catch a glimpse of the beauty of motherhood. There are many many women who would long to be mothers- that's a reason to be thankful.

2) Develop a plan to organize your home and life into manageable portions so as not to become overwhelmed. Don't procrastinate around the home but roll up your sleeves and get going and do it! Nothing robs us of joy like procrastination! And get your work done as quickly as you can and as well as you can in order to do the things you like to do- I love to surf the Net and write. Whatever it is that you enjoy, get your work out of the way and then enjoy yourself.

3) When you work- work hard! When you play- play hard! But don't play when you work and don't work when you play! Just get your work done and then have a ball! Just enjoy doing what you love to do and don't feel guilty- God doesn't make us feel guilty- we make ourselves feel guilty! We must remember we must live our lives in balance: relaxation and enjoyment are a part of that balance! Enjoyment of life is critical to giving the best of yourself to your husband, your children, and your friends. Of all the species on earth, we are just about the only ones to forget to play daily. Unless you take time to recharge your batteries, even your relationship with God will become stale!

4) Try to think of those things that are positive, praiseworthy, pure and think only of those things. Phil 4:8 Remember that all we have is today- don't worry about yesterday, do your best today, and leave tomorrow in God's Hands.

© Glenys Robyn Hicks

An Age-old Question- where have all the years gone?

O My, where have all the years gone?? Today is my darling eldest daughter, Sonia's 32nd birthday! I remember the five hour labour, her little red face on my tummy staring at me in awe with a "where am I?" look on her tiny face! I remember them taking her to get washed and weighed and how I ached to hold her longer! Was it 32 years ago that I unwrapped the tiny dolly for the first time and checked out her little fingers and toes? And marveled at the beauty of the gift God had given me whilst watching her little banana top curl pulsate over her fontanel? Such beauty and perfection in a neat little 18" long x 5lbs 15oz package! Was it 28 years ago that I made a cubby house for her with an old blanket tied to the rails of my back porch steps. I can still see her setting up her dollies and teapots and making me a cup of tea! And hear her cries as her brother played Superman and jumped on top of her! Surely it hasn't been 27 years since I took her to school that first day where she cried and I crouched under the classroom window waiting for her to stop before I could go home in peace. And not rush in and cry with her and rush her home with me! It hasn't been 16 years since I watched her make her debut and curtsy gracefully in her grandmother's beautiful lace and satin wedding dress! Surely not- it was only yesterday- my heart says it was yesterday- my head says not! For I see her in her own two children now- and I ask myself again, where have all the years gone?? And as I kissed her for her birthday, I found a lump had formed in my throat- I am getting old. And she is starting to ask for the first time that age old question- where have all the years gone?   

Happy Birthday Sonia
© Glenys Robyn Hicks

A tribute to a real servant of God

I once read the life story of Charles Haddon Spurgeon. I recall that he used to make constant kidney stones. He was diagnosed as having a stag horn kidney stone which basically filled the whole pelvis of his kidney. He was advised to have risky surgery to remove the kidney. However, Spurgeon resisted the surgeon’s pleas and asserted that the LORD would heal him or he would die uncut. As a chronic maker of kidney stones and knowing the agony each one brings, it was with great awe and admiration that I read that the LORD caused the stag horn stone to slowly disintegrate and Spurgeon passed BOTTLES of stones over a few years! He would travel to a prayer meeting or rally shivering and vomiting with pain, yet when he started to preach, his words were strong and delivered with such conviction that many were convicted of their sin and saved without even suspecting that Spurgeon was passing blood and in constant agony! When questioned by those close to him, he was quoted as saying that his sufferings were nothing compared to what Christ had done for him! I wish I could remember the name of the book- it is something that has stayed in my mind over many years of passing bi-lateral stones myself. Most of the world doesn’t even know what a hero and wonderful servant of God he was!

© Glenys Robyn Hicks