Recently in my bible reading I read through the life of King Saul, found in 1 Samuel.

In one story of his life, found in chapter 13, the Israelites were about to go into battle against the Philistines.    The Philistines were lined up with three thousand chariots, six thousand charioteers and soldiers “as numerous as the sand on the seashore”.  That’s a lot of soldiers!  The bible tells us the Israelites were  ”quaking with fear”, “hard pressed” and “hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in pits and cisterns”.  If I was an Israelite I  think I would be joining them!!!

Samuel had instructed Saul to wait until he arrived before they offered a sacrifice and began the battle.  They waited seven days until the time appointed, but Samuel didn’t arrive.   The pressure was on Saul, and he watched as his army began to scatter.

Talk about pressure!  I’d hate to be Saul and facing this situation.  What did Saul do?

He decided he couldn’t wait anymore, and offered up the burnt sacrifice himself.  Right on cue, as he was doing this, Samuel arrived.  “What have you done?” asked Samuel.

What had Saul done?  He had disobeyed a direct command – to wait until Samuel arrived.  In his disobedience, he had taken matters into his own hands and acted, instead of putting his trust in God.

I felt challenged as I read this story.  We are often under pressure as leaders, and it’s a big temptation to take matters into our own hands.  Yet sometimes God calls us to wait, just as He had asked Saul to wait.

I’m not a fan of waiting.  I don’t like waiting in queue to get petrol. I don’t like waiting to be served in the supermarket. I don’t like waiting while on hold to a government department.  Sometimes I don’t even like waiting for the kettle to boil for my cup of tea!

What do we do when someone on our team resigns?  When things aren’t going to plan?  When our situation looks impossible? When we are under pressure?

I like taking action.  I like fixing problems.  I like doing something about the situation.  Yes, often that is what God asks us to do.

Yet, sometime God calls us to wait. To be still and know that He is God.  (Psalm 46:10)

What happens when we wait?

- Waiting makes us trust in God, not in ourselves

- Waiting gives us space to hear from God rather than taking matters into our own hands

- Waiting build character

While we wait God is working.  His solution to our situation  is always better than ours.   Waiting is not easy.   If God is calling you to wait, then be assured that He will not fail you.  God is always on time.

Dear God.  Help us to remember that you are sovereign in every situation in our lives.  When you are asking us to wait, please help us to do so obediently, patiently and with trust in you.  For the glory of your name.  Amen

Donna Hill

National Field Staff Manager

When one of our boys was about seven or eight and we were celebrating an adult birthday in our family, he said he had an idea.  He considered the large number of candles needed for such a cake and suggested that we have three candles – one for the past, one for the present and one for the future. We all thought it a great idea and this became a family tradition (for adult birthdays) also extending to birthday cakes for friends and even members of our Church Home Group.

So I find myself thinking about the significance of Past, Present and Future as I reflect back on my parenting journey.

PAST -   I was blessed with a Mum who set me a great pattern of mothering. She believed in me and was my greatest encourager. She modelled commitment and kindness to her children and husband.  She never used sarcasm.  In fact what my parents said was always what they meant. This is a good lesson, I think.

I had no grandparents and very few in my extended family but significant “aunts” and “uncles” added to the heritage I could take into my mothering and I am grateful.

PRESENT  -  Proverbs 22:6 exhorts us to “Train a child in the way he should go—.”  Along the way we often need good,wise advice and James 1:5 reminds us that “If anyone lacks wisdom— ask God who gives generously.” And, thirdly, one of my favourite Bible passages for life and certainly for parenting comes from Proverbs 3:5-6 which says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”

So enjoy your children. Have fun with them. Be honest and fair (apologise when you need to – we all get tired and cranky sometimes) and put in the time and effort needed to teach them, with words and by example, what is important. Encourage and affirm them.  Give them opportunities to relate to older generations -aunts, uncles, grandparents-real or proxy (we had wonderful, older next-door neighbours.) They provide different perspectives on life.

These are some of the things I have learned.

And along the way keep praying for your children – for now and into an exciting and largely unknown —-FUTURE

Jane McCarthy

Mentor

Mt. Pleasant Baptist MOPS, W.A.

Fortunately my employer talked me into staying for three months.  She encouraged me that I had what it took to turn this around and helped me with some strategies and promised ongoing support to get me through this difficult time.  She basically told me to get over my fear of failure and give it my best shot before quitting.

Those three months were probably the hardest period of my life. I worked tirelessly to change the culture of my branch of the company, and return better results backed by the commitment and support of my boss.  We did it and I stayed with the company for another six years.

How did we do it?  By creating a sense of belonging and connectedness, making everyone feel that it was their organisation and encouraging everyone to be involved not for just for them selves but for the company.   We ultimately succeeded, and the entire team reaped the benefits of success and the momentum continued with better monetary rewards, working conditions and a happy and positive work environment.  The adage “nothing succeeds like success” could not have been truer.

MOPS currently has 110 Chartered groups serving approximately 2,750 mums, my goal is that in 18 months we will have another 90 groups.  Realistically I cannot do that alone but I am not giving up my goal, when there are so many mums just like that who need the love support and teaching that we can offer.

MOPS is the largest connected mums group in Australia and we have the mandate and potential to meet that need.  Western Australia have articulated that they wish to start another 10 groups this year and there are others who share the vision and goal, by sharing the need at churches, among the mothers in their groups the need to spread MOPS.

How can you help?

1. Mothers on the March is an ideal opportunity to spread the word.  Wear your shirts, encourage others to get involved and email your press releases to the local paper.  Make MOPS more visible in your community.  Yes, it is a fundraiser but it is all about raising awareness of who we are and what we do.
2. Spread the word in your community, ask to speak at your Pastors Network or Denominational Women’s Ministry Conference.
3. Consider what your future might be in MOPS when you graduate from your present position, it could be that MOPS has a position that fits your particular skills.

We have allocated money this year for more promotional materials to produce banners, brochures and DVD’s more accessible to help with your promotion.

God Bless you all as you serve in your leadership roles as part of your team and the greater team of MOPS Australia.   Join with me in our goal to make MOPS available to 5000 plus mums by 2013.

Margaret Sanders

National Director

1.  To raise funds – Help raise funds for MOPS Australia as well as for your own group.  This year groups receive Mumopoly money for fundraising.  Yay!  For the first $100 you raise you get $20 for your group.  After that each group receives $50 (!!) Mumopoly cash for every $100 raised.  This money can be used as you choose – towards conferences, MOPShop resources, curriculum and more.

2.  To let your community know about MOPS - Mothers on the March is the perfect opportunity to let your local community know about MOPS.  Walk in a public place so that lots of people see you in action. Make sure you get the press release to your local newspaper to spread the word about your special event too.

3.  To be part of the big picture of MOPS Australia – We live in a B-I-G country, but on the 28 April we’ll all be walking together!  So far WA have the most groups walking.  Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of the bigger picture of MOPS Australia.

4.  To exercise together – C’mon… you know walking is good for you. Put the little ones in the strollers, get the bigger kids to walk alongside, and enjoy the fresh air!

5.  To have fun! – Mums always have a great time together. Make the walk even more fun by dressing in a theme or decorating prams and strollers.  You might like to share in a picnic lunch or bbq together at the end of the walk too.

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It’s not too late to get involved! Contact us today…

Welcome to the first group spotlight on the MOPS Australia blog for the year. Let’s get to know Michelle Woollams, and her group a little better. 

Tell us a bit about your group.

Gilgandra is in the central west of NSW. We have approximately 12 Mums that come along each meeting. We meet on the 1^st and 3^rd Fridays of the month. In the last few years since starting we have really bonded together to be an active group in supporting each other in our mothering.

Any tips for preparing for a MOPS morning? We have delegated lots of jobs out this year, so everyone gets a turn at setting up, cleaning up, table decos and even doing our creative activity. Doing things together really helps in preparing for a great morning.

So often we think we can do everything by ourselves.  But there is someone who is more able, who cares, someone who understands our struggles and limitations, weaknesses, emptiness and tiredness and knows when we don’t have the answers.  That someone is Jesus.  He identifies with us because he’s walked in our shoes.  He knew what it was to be poor, exhausted, rejected and misunderstood.  When I grasped that truth, I knew I had a true friend who was able, when I was not.

We are programmed to find hope and fulfillment through relationships.  However, our human relationships often let us down and never quite fulfil our expectations.  We all fall short of perfection and it is those imperfections that cause the tensions and conflicts that erode hope and trust.

The Bible tells that Jesus’ death on the Cross of Calvary paid the price for our sin; the sin that causes us to feel empty, frustrated and inadequate, and has issued us with an undeserved and unconditional pardon.

Christ’s death and resurrection bought us a means of escape, a ticket to freedom.   He opened the door for us to see ourselves in a positive light and has invited us into a life-changing relationship with him.

Jesus spoke these words to each of us when he said “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest”. Matthew 11:28.

All we are asked to do is respond.

Dear Jesus,

When I look inside myself there are areas that I know are sin and because of that sin I cannot have a relationship with you.  Lord I ask you to help me.  I believe that you died on the cross for me.  Forgive me my sins, come into my life and begin a relationship with me, that I might trust you as my Saviour and know you as my Lord.

Amen.

This Easter as you reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus may you again be reminded of what his sacrifice has meant for you.

Margaret Sanders

National Director

I need to make “critical” decisions everyday, both in my personal life and in my role with MOPS, if we are to continue to move forward and be relevant to those we seek to serve.   These include; direction, finances, growth and promotion at an operational level.

But, I am not alone.  Each one of you have to constantly make decisions involving your work, children, school, and home as well as MOPS.

Here are some simple rules when making decisions:

1. Don’t be impulsive; start by defining the real issue
2. Determine what is important; major only on the majors
3. Think through the tricky issues before saying something you might regret
4. Procrastination is paralysing
5. Base your decision on known facts, not on imaginations
6. Don’t be afraid of making a mistake, we are all human.
7. Don’t make the same mistake twice, analyse and learn from it
8. Be objective, decisions made under stress or when angry are often regretted afterwards
9. Once you’ve made your decision move on.
10. Decision-making is an important part of personal and professional growth. Learn by reflection to become a better decision maker for the future.

Monthly Calendar

Mothers on the March:

Increase awareness for your group and MOPS as a whole.  Earn vouchers to help cover costs for your group; curriculum material, conference fees or books, banner and other resources.  The money that MOPS receives will go towards better resourcing MOPS for growth; promotional banners, DVDs and Power Point presentations for your promotional activity.

So choose your walking route, visit your local newspaper and submit your press release, iron on your transfers, lace up your shoes and join with MOPS groups all over Australia to show that “Mothering really Matters”.

“I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.”

This got me thinking about my own mother and the many ways she has influenced me. I grew up in a busy home on a sheep property, lots of space to run around and be noisy!

I used to look at my mum and think, ‘Sigh, I want to be just like her!’ Mum always let us climb up on to her lap for a cuddle even when our legs were too long and had to be arranged awkwardly over the arm rest. She went from reading aloud to us to reading every book that we did, and we often discussed these books as we bent our hands to some other task. She happily baked for us and we rarely had store-bought bickies, cakes or dinners.

When I was afraid, or awakened in the night with terrors, she taught me that nothing was going to happen today that God and I together can’t handle. She taught me to pray daily, not just when I felt like it. She taught me to be kind to people. She taught me to share what I had with others even when I didn’t want to. She taught me to always, always ask first. She taught me to remember the simple blessing of a ‘please’ and a ‘thank you’. She taught me to notice people around me, whether they were happy, sad, scared or lonely. She taught me to always make time for a friend. She taught me that family was important, and it’s a place where you honour each other.

She trusted me with simple jobs and I felt big and important. She let me be responsible for the washing. As soon as I was able she let me iron dad’s hankies (I still enjoy ironing hankies). She taught me how to put a roast on as soon as I could lift the tray. She taught me to be gentle with new babies and to hold their heads just so. She taught me to drive and to reverse a car (something I was terrified of at the age of 10). She taught me the power of the written word with every faithfully handwritten letter I received whilst at boarding school. I love my mum! I didn’t realise quite how much she did for us, how many times she put our needs before her own, how many times she stayed up late decorating our birthday cakes, wrapping our gifts or sewing up my boarding school uniforms. I honestly did not fully comprehend the many ways she invested herself into my life – until I became a mum myself.

So much of my life is about my children, what they need and how I can teach them. What opportunities do I allow them to pursue? Which character traits do I need to draw out? Which aspects of their personalities do I need to address? What is important in life? I have traded in the latest fashions for sleepless nights; impromptu outings and clear laundry for this deep-seated desire to make a better world for my kids. Better mums really do make a better world!

We, as a generation, are horrified by violence, oppression, exploitation, poverty and natural disasters. We long to do something to put the world right again. We can… you and I! Day by day as we write our mothering stories, as we raise up a generation of children who love the one true God, we are making a difference. As we embrace our identity in Christ, and influence those around us we are called to shine our lights brightly in our communities, taking other mums gently by the hand and leading them into a relationship with our Lord and Saviour. We are called to share the hope we have in Jesus! We are equipped with all we need to raise our families and provide a kingdom influence to those around us.

Are you willing to let God write your 2012 mothering story? Are you willing to let God write your 2012 MOPS story? Serve where you are, with what you have, as He leads and you will make a better world!

Karen Askey-Doran

N.T. Regional Coordinator

A MOPS group cannot run without a Leadership team, and there are some amazing Leaders down under! This year on the blog we have decided to feature ladies in different leadership roles from all over the country. First up is Fiona Wiseman, who is the Finance Leader at Stafford MOPS in Brisbane.

What are five words that you would use to describe yourself?

A mum, a wife, a daughter, a sister and a friend.

How long have you been in your role as Finance Leader?

I started off looking after Creative Activities and then moved into the Finance role which is a better fit for me.  This is my second year looking after the finance and I certainly feel more confident doing it now than at the beginning of last year!

What do you like about your role?

I like being organised, and looking after the group’s finances definitely requires organisation!  It gives me great satisfaction particularly when I balance the money after a MOPS meeting.  I also love that I’m on the welcome table and that I get to know each of the mums more personally than I did before taking on this role.

What do you struggle with in your role?

Sometimes finding the time I need to fulfill the role can be a bit tricky but I always get there in the end.

How can we pray for you in your role?

Pray that I don’t miss something and the money always balances!!

What advice would you give to someone who is new to the role of Finance Leader?

Don’t be afraid to ask someone for help when needed, whether it is another Leader within your group or a Finance Leader from another group. Someone else has probably already encountered the same problem and found a solution. Also, as hard as it may be at times with how time poor we all are try and balance your money shortly after each meeting otherwise you could unnecessarily confuse yourself.

Would you like to share a styling tip that helps you on a typical MOPS morning?!

Most mornings I am just conscious of getting out the door on time for school drop off but on a good MOPS morning I try and pick something out of my wardrobe that I haven’t worn in a while.  It’s amazing what you find when you go looking.

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Do you know a great Leader we should interview here on the blog?

Drop Alice an email at celiarome@gmail.com (and dob her in)…