Priorities in Place

As homeschool moms, we have so many responsibilities – wife, mother, teacher, chef, maid, nurse, banker, chauffer, seamstress – this list could go on and on. With so many needs around us each day, we could use a biblical system for keeping our priorities in place.

Genuine peace and joy come when we follow God in every area of our lives. So today we’re going to look at five areas specifically addressed in God’s Word.

#1 Your Relationship with God

But grow in the grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

If God is not first in our lives, we will struggle in every area of our lives. We must abide in God’s Word and cultivate a heart of prayer.

#2 Your Husband

And the LORD God said, It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Genesis 2:18

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. Proverbs 31:11-12

Wives, submit yourselves unto your husbands, as unto the Lord. Ephesians 5:22

God calls us to help our husband – not hinder our husband. We must ask of our actions “Will this help or hinder my husband?” God calls us to submit to our husband – this is a tough one; but we must speak and show him respect at all times – as we would to our Lord.

#3 Your Children

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon thy posts of thy house, and on thy gates. Deuteronomy 6:6-9

God calls us to train up our children and to teach them diligently so they will know Him, love Him, and follow Him in every area of life.

#4 Your Home

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27

I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 1 Timothy 5:14

That they may teach the younger women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Titus 2:4-5

God’s Word specifically orders our priorities – husband – children – home. God calls us to take home management seriously – and we will be held accountable for the condition of our home. In fact, when our husband or anyone else walks in the door and looks around the home, we have just revealed what we’ve been doing in response to God’s call to us to manage the home. What do people see when they enter your home? Do they find calm – or chaos? Peace – or panic? Palace – or pigpen? Evidence of preparation – or procrastination?

#5 Your Ministry

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Hebrews 6:10

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word and deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Colossians 3:16-17

God’s Word encourages us to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. I want to encourage you to reach out and minister to the saints – show His love and admonish one another – your labour is not in vain – when every word and deed is in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Each day presents many opportunities and challenges to practice our priorities. One way to simplify your moment-by-moment decision-making might be to assign your priorities these numbers:

#1 God

#2 Husband

#3 Children

#4 Home

#5 Ministry