Notes from this week's podcast: Jo & Sydney - Part Two - On Families Intentionally Following Christ

Sydney: What is our purpose? What are we seeking? What are our eyes fixed on? It's crucial. 

To what end are we doing _____? Maybe it's a sport, a commitment. Maybe as a parent it's something you're committed to, something you're gone for a good amount of time -- whether it's a job or just a volunteer. 

Jo of Sydney: Make sure you trace it all the way back to truth -- that you get truth to your children. 

Sydney: Is this draining or will this give us some life? It goes back to knowing them -- will it help them? That takes discernment from God, and He'll give it. 

Again, predeciding -- having thought this through before the signups get sent out. Take the time to pray and think it through before you have to make the decision -- have the time to think it through with your husband. 

Jo: You don't let the outside voices distract you from what your aim is. 

Sydney: Stay confident. God will give you that confidence when it's in Him, trusting in Him.

You don't have to play the comparison game. You can lay it down. 

Have margin. Have some free time -- for when things pop up or when God puts something in your life to minister, to serve, to volunteer -- where you have some capacity to see the needs around you, the people God might put in your life. Be faithful with the time God has given you. 

Jo: Apart from the margins, we let the world/the enemy fill our schedules where there's no time for us to sit back and think about all these great things. It's ok to have that schedule that's got a free hour or an evening not booked. Those can be assets. If we're not careful, our schedule can be a liability, because there's no margin. 

So many times, it's others' expectations on us that fill our schedule. But really what matters: What is God expecting of us? God has already ordained this home, this family. (What will bring Him most glory?)

Sydney: There's no one way. There's no judgment. You leave that to God. 

There is an ultimate umbrella of peace and freedom that you're walking in that is universal as your aim is honoring Him, glorifying Him in your family. 

Jo: It's ok that it looks different. As long as you're following what the Holy Spirit is leading you to do. God established your family, your home. 

Sydney: You've got to be communicating with God to have any discernment. You've got to have time in your day to get alone with God. 

Jo: Time alone with God can look different at different stages of life. 

Don't dismiss the little things. Find God in the little things. 

Know what to do and do it well and do it with consistency. 

Sydney (speaking to her child): I care about what's going on inside and what no one is really seeing. But I want more than anything that your ears will hear God's ways and that you know this is the way, walk in it. You're following truth and my ultimate aim is that they want to glorify Him. 

We get to narrate the world to our children (while they're little). You are the ultimate authority and discipler of your home. 

Jo: God is holding us (as parents) responsible. We don't relinquish when they go through the school door or put them on a team. It's up to us to oversee it. 

Sydney: God, show me what I need to see in this situation -- things I need to address, things I can let go. 

Jo: If we don't have margin, we won't have energy to deal with these things. The enemy will see it and lead you astray. 

* Keep your eyes on Jesus. You see what is right and righteous. You see what He desires, and then implement that. 

Pray through what has been said. 

What does God want me to do in my home? with my children? with this school schedule for this year? 

Scripture for further encouragement: James 1:5-6, Isaiah 26:3, Isaiah 30:21