Rachel Jankovic
By Suzanne O'Keeffe, 700 Club Interactive
CBN.com –MEET RACHEL
Rachel Jankovic is a young mother of six children in her early thirties. Their ages range from 8 to under 12 months. On one of her blogs she shares that "Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling....not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for." Written from an everyday in the life of a mother perspective, Rachel examines and shares her pilgrimage through the challenges and problems that she has experienced in raising "little people." Her aspiration in this book is to strike something familiar in the heart of the reader that will bring not only encouragement while sharing in the "sisterhood" of motherhood, but to open a new path into hearts leading to a closer and more honoring relationship with the Lord.
PERFECTLY CLEAR
From the onset of chapter one, Rachel drives home several points that she not only wants made known but with emphasis that everything is biblically based. What will be noticed is:
* There will be a high priority set on "giving and sacrifice."
* When reading about sacrifice it will not be from a poor man's position, or an "empty life."
* Scripture says that if you want to be abounding then you will need to give.
Her motivation is to encourage mother's that giving and putting yourself last, with a right perspective, will lead to being filled by the Lord. Quoting Proverbs 11:24," There is that scatters, and yet increases; and there is that withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty." comes revelation that God desires to pour into our lives in order that we may give it away. This is a life-long pattern for people with or without children. Are we giving without resentment? According to Rachel, if not then it is not really considered giving. If you review everyday what you no longer have then it is time to change. See these "lost" times as opportunities to do what Jesus did, He gave freely. The role of a mother is like no other and if we are to be Christ-like then we should put the needs of our children in order, knowing that they need us. If we are about the Lord's business, He will take care of us along the way. So, there are three words that will paraphrase this book: giving, sacrifice, humility, all rooted in valuing others and life (emphasis on life.) This book is meant to not only make you aware of the Word being intricately involved in the work you do, but to experience the pleasure "beyond the sacrifice."
SELF-REVEALING
There is one truth about being a mother; it will flush out who you are. Doing the same thing over and over again, and doing it every day can become mundane, and if you do not see the significance and importance of what mother's are called to be and do, you may become very dissatisfied with the role God has given you. Thoughts such as "Lord, couldn't you think of something better for me to do?" will cause a woman to doubt her value and cause a loss of interest which will affect the entire family. Rachel presents a different line of thinking, becoming aware that our children will not always be little; as challenges present themselves learn to grow in them and honor God by staying faithful to the position of mother. However, use these times to praise Him, cultivate joy and allow hope to arise that causes you to "delight" to please the Lord. Clean a bathroom, make a bed, mop a floor knowing that as you work hard, you are pleasing the Father and bringing Him joy.
LIGHTENING THE MOOD
If there is a common thread throughout Rachel's book- it is having sense of humor. In choosing to laugh through certain situations, you can avoid what she writes as "let it dry you out" moments, by taking things too seriously. In reference to sin and discipline, Rachel and her husband have decided to stress discipline when they can point to a specific in the Bible. In doing so, they are confident they are standing on solid ground and teaching their children early that it is important to be led by God's Word. However, in some of the disciplines, they choose to lighten the mood by giving nicknames for small infractions. Using names like, "losing the bubble", which is used for emotional moments and "drama mayonnaise on their fussy sandwich", does not take away from the seriousness of the offense but is a teaching tool. Rachel says, "Cheerful work on the little weeds is basic Christian living. Getting out there every day to see what is coming up deal with it is faithfulness." She does express that we need to draw the line when dealing with teenagers and serious issues such as drug abuse and early pregnancy. Her point is, when you keep the morale high by humor it can be a powerful and productive means of producing the positive in our children's lives.
Rachel closes her book with the sound advice to be thankful in all things, "be full of gratitude...but over snotty noses and dirty floors." She writes that singing a song of praise when you are irritable will bring a transformation to your mood. There are so many positive effects of gratitude; one is that it cannot share the same space with discouragement or malcontent. Gratitude and praise will bring us into His Presence and enable us to "work as unto the Lord." Her advice is that as we lift our hands in worship, we could lift the work of our hands as well not matter the chore or pleasure. Rachel's reward is when in church; she can look down and see the hands of her children raised to God as an offering.
"Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end,
amen."