Welcome to Domestic by Design! I’m so glad you’ve stopped by.  If this is your first time, please start here!  I’ve been offering giveaways all week.  In order to enter, check out Tuesday and Wednesdays posts as well.

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Ladies, as I prepared for today’s post to go up, I wrestled with a few things.  In the spirit of being real, I thought I’d share with you.  And since I know some of you, I figure there’s not a better place to be real than with a friend!

First of all, this has been a busy and tiring week with the “official” launch, so I’m tired!  Even with pre-planning for this week, there have been last minute things to change, add, or fix.

Secondly, this blogging business requires delicate balance.  My family is my most important priority on this earth.  I am blogging first to be a blessing to my husband, in light of what is modeled to us in Proverbs 31 (I’m not insinuating that you are not emulating her if you aren’t doing what I’m doing).  And then to encourage and spur you on in the Lord.

But it’s a lot of work.  It requires much discernment in the use of my time because just like housework and raising children, there’s always something to be done on the blog.  I have been reminded this week that no matter how successful I may be in encouraging other women, it won’t matter in the end if I have failed in my roles at home.  Which is what I’m seeking to encourage you in as well!

As I’ve been working this week, on the forefront of my mind has been the desire to keep my family first.  But it’s a battle because I enjoy blogging.  And, I’m so easily distracted at times by housework that needs to be done that it’s harder for me to just get down and play with my kids at times. Do you ever with  struggle the beast of selfishness as a mom?  I want to kill it, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

I read a convicting, yet inspiring blog post last night here that I’d encourage you to read if you have the time.  Sometimes I just need to refocus!  I already light a candle regularly in our home (see blog post!), but will enjoy it with new meaning today.

So, I’m picking up a copy of one of my very favorite books, The Family (originally called Homemaking) by JR Miller and getting cozy for a sweet reminder of this most noble calling I have as a wife and a mother. I am so excited to get to know you and to serve you, but I don’t want to neglect what is more important.  This is one of those moments when I question whether this kind of “being real” is healthy for a blog like mine.  But I am sharing because it’s who I am and what I’m about.  And I want you to know that about me so you can pray for me (and know that you’re not the only one who struggles with being selfish).

And I feel the need to let you know that I approach this blog with fear and trembling. I am not more holy than you.  I don’t want to come across as thinking I am, either.  I hate messing up and don’t want you to see my failures. But what scares me the most is not obeying God in the roles He’s given me within my family.  So this blog is a tricky thing.  Balancing time and practicing humility when it’s all too easy to promote self and be selfish.  I want to learn from you, too.  I am fairly young. I don’t want to try to teach any older women (even just one year older) who might visit my blog, but to humbly share what I’m learning in hope that it will cause you to see Christ and to worship Him.

This has been a very plainly “spoken” post.  I sure hope it isn’t terribly jumbled and ill-written.     Because my husband isn’t editing this one.

If you are in need of inspiration, refreshment, or renewed vision for your role as a wife and mother, I highly recommend JR Miller’s book.  I could put quotes from it all over my home, because it’s beautifully written.  I want to offer one of you a copy today.

Update: This giveaway is now closed.  You can find the book in my store, though!

To win a copy, simply leave a comment below.  You will be blessed as you read this wonderful book.

This post is part of Making Your Home a Haven, Fall 2010 hosted by Courtney at Women Living Well.