Finding Your Purpose as a Mom

Otto Donna, Buchanan Ann Christian

Description

Life management expert Donna Otto shares with readers simple tips and practical insights to help them have the home of their dreams--one in which holiness reigns and rest, peace, and joy can be found. Women of all ages will benefit from suggestions that will encourage them as they shape the atmosphere of their home create an environment that is relaxing and loving nourish the body and the soul enjoy life with creativity and laughter provide a safe and peaceful place for loved ones and guests alike Making Your Home Holy Ground prompts readers to take a fresh look at their hearts and homes and move beyond house beautiful to the fulfillment of house holy.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie

Informations

• Publié par: Harvest House Publishers, Inc.
• Date de parution: 01 août 2004
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780736938907
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 9 Mo

Extrait

“I can always count on Donna to give me practical words of wisdom on the things that matter most! She’s done it again in Finding Your Purpose as a Mom.Chock-full of encouragement on how to create a warm and welcoming environment where God is free to live and do His work, it’s a book you won’t want to miss!”

—V ICKEY B ANKS Inspirational speaker and author of Sharing His SecretsandLove Letters to My Baby

“Do you hear God’s call, ladies? He is asking us to be ‘home- makers.’ And He has blessed us with Donna Otto to facilitate that exciting, empowering task. When this book blesses your socks off, be sure you have already taken off your shoes!”

—K ENDRA S MILEY Helping you LIVE LIFE INTENTION- ALLY! www.KendraSmiley.com

“Finding Your Purpose as a Momis a must-read! You will be excited and motivated as you read about God’s purpose for your life and home.”

—E MILIE B ARNES author ofQuiet Moments for a Busy Mom’s Soul, Simple Secrets to a Beautiful Home, andIf Teacups Could Talk

“Donna equips and encourages women with godly principles, practical application, and heartwarming stories on the purpose and value of keeping our homes Christ-centered. She doesn't just talk about the importance of home; she lives out those principles within her own life and teaches women how to live it as well. I can't wait to recommend and give this book to women in my life who need her words of wisdom and encouragement on the home front.”

—S USAN M ILLER , author ofAfter the Boxes Are Unpacked andBut Mom, I Don’t Want to Move!

“Donna Otto has written words of wisdom and practical advice for any woman longing to integrate her love for God with her love for home and family. Insightful. Helpful. God-honoring.”

—C AROL T RAVILLA , author ofThe Intentional Woman

“My dear friend Donna Otto loves her God and her home. And what a blessing that she also loves younger women and knows the struggles they have to make their hearts and homes sacred spaces. If that is your struggle too, this book provides the encouragement and practical strategies you’ve been seeking. After reading it, you and your home will never be the same.”

—S ANDRA D. W ILSON , P H .D. seminary professor and author ofReleased from ShameandInto Abba’s Arms

DONNA OTTO with Anne Christian Buchanan

F inding Y our P urpose as a M om

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® Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible , © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Cover photo © Bruce Berg Photography

Cover and interior design by Harvest House Publishers, Inc., Eugene, Oregon, Corey Fisher, designer

FINDING YOUR PURPOSE AS A MOM Copyright © 2004 by Donna Otto with Anne Christian Buchanan Published by Harvest House Publishers Eugene, Oregon 97402 www.harvesthousepublishers.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Otto, Donna. Finding your purpose as a mom / Donna Otto with Anne Christian Buchanan. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 0-7369-1297-5 1. Christian women—Religious life. 2. Home—Religious aspects—Christianity. I. Buchanan, Anne Christian. II. Title. BV4527.O895 2004 248.8'431—dc22 2004003191

All rights reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, digital, pho- tocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America

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To Jason and Anissa as they begin building a home on holy ground. I love you.

Momma/Mamo

A Homestyle Thank-You

A n Italian dinner, served around our dining room table with black-and-white decorations, is planned. There is plenty of food, loads of laughter, and an Otto Dumb Question and apron on the back of every guest’s chair. The candles are flickering, the scents are garlic, cheese, and antipasto. The chalkboard at the door says, “Thank you, friends, for all you did to encourage me in this book. May our prayers be answered. Come in.”

These are David’s and my guests:

Anne Christian Buchanan Carolyn McCready LaRae Weikert Sandy Lane Bob Hawkins Jr. Hoppe Household in Oregon Wayne and Margaret Grudem Lilies Kim Moore Betty Fletcher Anissa Hamlin Sandy Wilson Carol Travilla Vickey Banks Kendra Smiley Emilie and Bob Barnes Susan Miller Kay Arthur Erin Moosbrugger Homemakers by Choice Board and Staff

Thanks, partner in life, for the privilege of making a home that is holy ground.

j

Contents

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Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Take Off Your Shoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Part One: It Begins with You 1. You Are Holy Ground. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 2. Starting with Yes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 3. Starting from Where You Are . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 4. The Picture on the Front of the Puzzle Box . . . . . . . . . . 35 5. Your Heavenly Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 6. Help! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 7. A You for All Seasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Part Two: Making Your Home a Place of Love and Peace 8. Peace on Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 9. The Click of the Thermostat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 10. A Countercultural Calm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 11. Ordering Your World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 12. One Small Step. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 13. Cultivating Peaceful Relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 14. The Gift of a Loving Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Part Three: Making Your Home a Place of Growth 15. Like a Watered Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 16. What Are You Planning to Grow? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 17. Cultivating Your Influence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 18. How Does Your Garden Grow…Best? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 19. Growing in Your Own Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 20. The Gift of Reparenting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215

Part Four: Making Your Home a Place of Service 21. Your Mansion Is Your Ministry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225 22. You Always Serve the Ones You Love. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 23. A Heart for Hospitality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243 24. Reaching Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261

Additional Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269