A Quiet Simple Life | Sallie Borrink

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

A Quiet Simple Life

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Is it Easier To Raise Boys Or Girls?


At my baby shower Friday evening, there was a discussion among several of the women regarding the question of whether it is easier to raise boys or girls. Since I have no experience directly with either, I just listened. The strong consensus was that it is much easier to raise boys.

I got to thinking about this afterward because my impression is that a girl would be easier to raise. (But more expensive!) I wondered why I had my perception when the reality of so many experienced moms has been the opposite.

Then I realized why I have always thought it would be easier to raise a girl than a boy.

Easier To Raise Boys Or Girls?

I can think of lots and lots of godly young women, but a whole lot less godly young men. I would guess that this is probably true of most of the people reading this. So I think that this has probably heavily influenced my thinking (along with being a girl so I think I intuitively understand the “girl” experience more than the “boy” experience).

I’m thinking that maybe your view of whether it is easier to raise boys or girls depends on the outcome you have in mind.

I would be interested to hear from others, especially those who have raised both boys and girls.

  • What is your criteria for “easier?”
  • Which have you found easier in general?
  • Which have you found easier spiritually?
  • Do you think it is a boy/girl thing or does it depend more heavily on their personality, gifts, and/or emotional makeup?
  • Do you think the method of schooling (homeschool, public school, or private school) also has an impact on it?
  • What influences have you observed related to this topic that I haven’t even mentioned?

I look forward to hearing what people think!

 

Category: 24 Comments

Thoughts On Church With Little Ones


Nancy Campbell of Above Rubies sends out periodic email newsletters. As I contemplate the end of my “freedom” in church in a few weeks, I found this part especially timely. I hope it encourages others as well.

(For the record, I don’t agree with going to church when you are sick.)

IS IT WORTH GOING TO CHURCH?

Recently an Above Rubies reader wrote and asked me, “Have you ever had difficulty sitting in church with many little ones? I wonder if it is just our season to stay home and not even bother attending church since we are so busy handling the little ones. Were you ever in this season in your life?”

I think this is something that many mothers wonder about so I thought I would share my answer with you all.

“Dear mother, I know how you feel. Many times when my children were little I wondered whether it was worth going to church too. However, I realized that church was more than sitting in a building listening to the pastor. Church is the people. We need to be reminded of that. So when you go to church, dear mother, even if you spend your whole time in the nursery, or much of your time training your children to sit in church, it is still worth it.

You are doing three things. Firstly, you have opportunity to fellowship with others (fellowship with other mothers in the nursery can be precious fellowship) which is so important. This is as important as listening to a message. You also have the opportunity to share with others and to pass on a blessing or a little encouragement to someone else. Remember, you don’t go to church to get, but to give-and preeminently to give a blessing.

Secondly, you are training your children to sit in church. It sure takes a lot of training, but if you stay home, your children will learn that you do NOT have a commitment to church. If you go, even if it isnt all perfect, and you don’t even get to hear the preacher, you are accomplishing something. You are showing by your actions to your children that you put God first in your lives and that it is important to fellowship with the saints and go to church. You show that God is a priority in your lives. You show to your children your commitment to God and to His people.

You take seriously the admonition in Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another: and so much the more as ye see the day approaching.”

My husband just said to me today, “Many people want the church to be there for them, but they are not there for the church!”

Thirdly, you are following the example of Jesus whose habit was to go to the house of God. We need to keep to this habit in our own lives and to establish this habit in the lives of our children. If our children see that we decide to stay home from church for whatever reason, when they are older they will stay home for even less reasons.

We have never missed going to church as a family-rain, hail or snow! And even when we were sick. It’s the best place to get healed!

Luke 4:16 says, “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read.”

Keep plodding on. It’s not always easy, but you are doing the right thing. Never stay away from church, just because the children aren’t perfect. That is a defeatist attitude.

We expected our children to be in church every Sunday morning and Sunday evening. I would bring sheep skins for the little ones to lie on and go to sleep for the Sunday evening services. Did they get sick of church? Never! They are all in church today and all involved.

Loads of love, NANCY

Category: 6 Comments

Baby Showers and Scrapbooking


I have my first baby shower this week. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions regarding bringing a scrapbook page or pages with me as a part of the shower?

I remember a friend having a blank page at her bridal shower and all of the guests signed it. Has anyone seen any neat ideas for baby showers?

Thanks! 🙂

Category: 10 Comments

Back Home Again and We Have a Delivery Date (and Maybe a Name!)


David and I arrived back home this afternoon from another long weekend at my parents’ home. We were just there three weeks ago, but we knew this was our last opportunity to get away before the baby comes. This was our LAST time away overnight with just the two of us. Between baby showers and the Labor Day weekend, we won’t be going anywhere the next three weekends. After that, I’ll be in my last month and won’t want to be too far away from the doctor or my hospital.

I can only guess how many times we’ve taken weekend trips to visit my parents, gone to a bed and breakfast, gone on a weekend getaway, taken a vacation, taken a trip, etc. over the past ten years. It’s hard to believe that next time we go away overnight we’ll be loaded up with Peanut and all her stuff!

We have a delivery date and time set! And it is a SECRET!!! No, we’re not going to announce it. Well, of course, our parents will know and so on, but we’re not going to generally announce it. We decided we wanted it to be as much of a surprise as possible. I, however, am guessing she is going to come early. I could be completely wrong and we could end up having her on the pre-determined date, but my guess is that she is going to want out earlier than that date. We’ll see!

We think we are about 90% settled on a name for Little Miss Peanut. We aren’t going to name her until we see her, but we’re pretty sure this is probably going to be it.

So, now I’m home and ready to start some serious nesting. I think I’ve been nesting since my morning sickness ended since I’m already a natural nester – pregnant or not – but now I am ready to start finishing up things around here in anticipation of her arrival. 🙂

Category: 5 Comments