#FeminineFridays Home Is Where The Heart Is

Welcome to another episode of #FeminineFriday. Today is such a special day as I am recording this on my oldest daughter’s 9th birthday, so you may hear a little bit of background noise as we get ready for the festivities. Speaking of my daughter, I have officially returned to social media and have become so passionate about spreading the message of family, presence, and connection. During my time away, I made more time for my family and completely scaled back. Why? Because we need a revival of present parents, whole families and deep connections with God and others.  I’ve been sending emails this week about this very subject, which we will dive into more today. But if you are not signed up for my mailing list you can do so at my brand new website https://www.amandaferguson.org/family! While you listen to today’s episode, you may notice the fiery tone of my voice. I am fired up. I refuse to subscribe to the messages social media and culture is telling us. Ministry doesn’t have to cost you everything - family, health, and happiness. Jesus did not die on the cross for us to loose everything that he so badly desires for us. So while the opposite messages are being shouted, I am being intentional about shouting louder the pattern God intended for us to live by. This is the cry of my heart that’s been brewing in me since April of this year and further confirmed a few weeks ago when I attended a parents meeting at my children’s school. At the meeting, the principle began to tell us there was a war going on and recently, there was a child that came to school with a litter box because she identified as a cat. When the teacher refused, the principal told her that she had to allow the litter box because that is what the child identified as. Needless to say, the teacher quit.  In this season of my life, I am being intentional about making my home an atmosphere to receive and give love and be a pattern of what Jesus has called us to be in two ways:1. Deepening connections with others and patterning myself and life after the word of God. Think about it, how many people do you actually call on their birthdays rather than sending a text? Deepening connections with others, even those in your household can be as simple as putting your phone down while you are eating or calling instead of texting. Most recently, at my children's school, a teacher had an emergency and all of us pitched in to make sure her family had dinner every night. That is what community and connection is about. Most of what we see today, particularly on social media is just a pattern of culture and reflects intense selfishnes. It isn’t the pattern of the Word of God. Not me, I accept my identity in Christ and pattern myself after the Word of God.  Will you join me?2. Family dinners. Every night, we sit around the table and have funny conversations, enlightening conversations, and overall just enjoy each other. If you are chaotic and overworked, and, not in the Word of God, then your home will begin to feel that way. Eating dinner at the table with your family is just one of the ways to make your home a place of God’s presence and peace. It’s a way to restore deep connection with your loved ones and to fellowship the way God intended us to. I don’t know about you, but I am ready and will continue to shout my faith and belief in family, God’s way, louder than any other thing propagated in media today. And I want you to join in the fight with me and let the world know we are not on the sidelines not doing anything. Let’s show the world not a different way, but a better way by living our lives to pattern after Jesus. Share this audio with someone else listen to this.If you want to join this revolution of women, click here to join my email list to be notified when Kitchen Encounters becomes available: https://www.amandaferguson.org/familyGrab my new, best-selling book today: Feminine Woman HabitsRemember, for us to advance, we all have to be willing to get in the fight.