She is No Fool

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." -Jim Elliot

I'm certain that nearly every Christian living today is aware of the man who wrote those famous words (for more on Mr. Elliot, click HERE). I started to ponder these just the other day when flipping through my The Excellent Wife book by Martha Peace, and I have come up with some quotes of my own.

She is no fool who gives up perfectly manicured nails to play with her children for she will teach them love.

She is no fool who skips salon haircuts  because her little ones need new shoes for she will teach them self-sacrifice.

She is no fool who drives her little ones in an older car instead of a new one if it can't be afforded for she will teach frugality.

She is no fool who cleans her home thoroughly for she teaches her little ones order.

She is no fool who gives what she has to the poor instead of pocketing it herself for she teaches her little ones to give wholeheartedly.

She is no fool who rises early to commune with her Lord instead of sleeping in for she teaches her little ones the importance of beginning the day with God.

She is no fool who obeys the traffic laws with her family in the car for she teaches them obedience.

She is no fool who dresses and behaves femininely for she teaches the importance of remaining separate from the world.

She is no fool who loves the Lord with all of her heart for she will provide an example of godliness by which her children can live.

Feel free to add on to these in the comments! :o)

Graphic Courtesy of Allposters

Comments

[Mrs. U]

WONDERFUL, Mrs. Wilt!! These are very lovely and quite true!! Thank you for sharing these!

His,
Mrs. U

[Mrs. Lockhart]

I just finished reading that book "The Excellent Wife". What a great book! She also is no fool who loves and honors her husband, for in turn she teaches her daughters to do the same with their husbands. The list seems like it could be endless. Thank you Mrs. Wilt for your thoughts!

[mrs.b]

I *really* liked these!

[Donna B]

Pretty inspiring thoughts...thank you!

[Spunky]

As I was in prayer after I layed aside my blogging, the words of Jim Elliott came to my mind with a slight twist.

"She is no fool who gives up blogging, to sit with her children one more hour in the day."

While I always attemtpted to keep my computer time to a minimum, I now see that one day I would have wished I had just one more hour to sit and read, color, and play with my little ones. They grow up sooo quickly.

There will be a time for writing and blogging again, but for now I'm spending one more hour with my children.

Looking into the beautiful eyes of my 18 year old as she and I chat over lunch out or watch the delight in my three year old's eyes when I say, "Sure, I'll read you that again." reminds me afresh just what is most needful in my home at this time - a mother who is physically, spiritually, and MENTALLY focused on my home. I never realized how much of my thought life was given to blogging until I let it go.

I still read a few blogs occassionally but its purpose and importance in my life has changed.

"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." Thankfully, the Lord spoke before I lost any more time with my precious children.

[Mrs. Wilt]

Dear Ladies,
Thank you so much for your kind words!:o)

Dear Mrs. Lockhart,
Isn't that a great book? Going through it right now has been an absolute eye-opener for me. God (and Mr. Wilt, too,I may add) has been so patient with me as I learn and grow. :o)

Dear Spunky,
I know exactly what you mean. As this "little bit o' nothing" has grown into much more than I ever expected, I, too, weigh how much time I spend away from my littles to blog. The only conclusion I have come to thus far is this: Whenever I choose blogging over my relationship with God, I have misplaced my priorities. Whenever I choose blogging over my family, I have misplaced my priorities. As our family expands (and our littles grow), I know there will come a time when I will also need to re-evaluate blogging and it's importance in my life. I am thankful for godly ladies like yourself to help me keep that balance. :o)

[Roberta]

Good thoughts Mrs. Wilt.

She is no fool who gives up her expectations to gain a heart of contentment.

Spunky~ You are an inspiration and I am grateful for your wisdom.

[Kathy, Jeff's Wife]

This is so beautiful Mrs. Wilt! Thank you for sharing and inspirering us!

[Barbara H.]

Very good thoughts. I get frustrated sometimes when I read little devotional essays about either keeping a clean house or being a good mom -- like somehow you have to make a choice between those two. There may be some times we need to set aside the task of the moment and place being a mom first, but overall I think keeping the house clean (and involving children as they are able) teaches them many good things.

[Kelly]

Mrs. Wilt, this was just beautiful and touched my heart in so many ways. I was thinking just the other day as I looked down at my very short fingernails how different my life is now that I have children. My toes used to be meticulously cleaned, cut, and properly painted. Now, that is no longer the case. It is a blessing, not a curse, that I am unable to keep up with what the world calls important. I am doing my job, what God requires me to do.