His name was Pete. As with most adolescents, I struggled with peer pressure, desires to fit in, and had a wrong self image of myself. Add to that a struggle with depressive thoughts that often threatened to overtake me. I honestly wasn't sure I would make it through adolescence. But thanks to God's use of other people in my life, such as Pete, here I am.
I was a lone teen in my church and didn't know anyone else my age who was a believer. Then God brought Pete into my life. He was in his early 20's and new to our church. He wanted to get involved with youth but I was the only one, so he offered to take me to another church's youth program. That's where I began to find love and acceptance and truly experience the community of The body. Pete remained a youth leader throughout my adolescent years. I learned much from him about scripture and God's unconditional love for me. I remember times of feeling intense despondency and was able to call him at any time for a listening ear. He truy was an older brother in Christ. I really believe that God brought him and my youth group into my life at a crucial time. Without it, I would not be where I am today. His influence encouraged me to go to Christian college where I studied counseling. I then went on to get my Masters in psychology and ultimately I ended up working with children with similar aches and pains as my own.
Compassion International has asked their bloggers to share their stories of how an adult in their life spoke
hope into their world at an important time in their life. My friend, mentor, youth leader and brother in Christ, Pete was the one who God used in my life. Who influenced you in your life and spoke hope into your heart? And to whom are you speaking hope to today?
Compassion International's mission is to bring hope to children around the world through education, food, clothing, and the hope of Christ in the gospel. Our families compassion child is in Africa and supporting him has opened our heart to someone half way around the world. Our children have learned more about the area he is from and learned that most children do not have tha advantages they have. We pray for our child and his family and teach our children about how Jesus loved those who were considered less fortunate, poor, and weak in the eyes of the world and has given us that calling as well.
So, what is your story?
Friday, October 29, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Dog-Eared Mommy
Some people think you shouldn't fold down pages in a book. But I believe books are to be used, read again and again. Folding down a page or underlining something helps us remember something that stood out to us when we read the book. And sometimes I feel like a mommy who has been dog-eared. Weary, worn, and tossed around. The pages of my life are folded down to remind me of where I've been and what God has done in my life. God likes to use dog-earred people rather than those who are like coffee table books that are put on a table just for looks. Coffee table books are not used or haven't any life experiences. It's through the challenges in life that God molds us into what He is creating us to be. And like a good book that gets passed around to friends, we share with others what God has been doing in our lives and teach them about the road of faith.
I own many books and when my shelves are overflowing, I have a difficult time getting rid of them. Each one holds a memory of what I was going through when I read it and what I learned. Often when I need a reminder about a particular topic, I know just the book to pull out so I can reread it. And some books on my shelf remind me of such difficult and painful times in my life that I may never pull them out, but they are still on the shelf because they are part of my story. Each of us has a story that God has written and each day we live out one more page. Some of the pages in our life may be more worn than others, some we may want to rip out completely, and others have never been read yet.
But we are not alone. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to hep us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:14,15. Our Lord is part of this world's story. He knows the challenges and difficult times we go through in this sinful world. He came here knowing how his story would end...and that it would begin again. In the garden, he prayed three times asking God to change the plan but willingly submitted to his Father's will. Jesus, "being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!" Phil 2:6-8
One of the pages in my dog-eared book puts it this way, "Anyone God uses significantly is always deeply wounded...We are, each and every one of us, insignificant people whom God has called and graced to use in a significant way...On the last day, Jesus will look us over not for medals, diplomas, or honors, but for scars."
(Ruthless Trust: The Ragamuffin's Path to God
)"If all my years were summer, could I know what my Lord means by His "made white as snow?" If all my days were sunny, could I say, "In His fair land He wipes all tears away?" If I were never weary, could I keep close to my heart, "He gives His loved one sleep?" Were no griefs mine, might I not come to deem the eternal life but a baseless dream? My winter, and my tears, and my weariness, even my griefs maybe His way to bless. I call them ills, yet they can surely be nothing bu love that shows my Lord to me." Amy Carmichal
So when I look at my life and see the worn pages of past pains, tears, worries, and problems of this life, may I also see the hand of God as he carried me through each page of my history. And may I pass on what I have learned of God and His great love for us by sharing His story.
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Corinthians 4:16, 17.
Monday, October 25, 2010
3 Years
My baby is no longer a baby. Ian turned 3 yesterday and as it happens, we are also in the process of taking down his crib. So he's officially all grown up:)
I've seen a light bulb go off in recent months with Ian. He is increasingly interested in reading and has been learning his sight words. He's mostly reading small three letter words but he's making steady progress. He also recently asked me to teach him subtraction. He found some of Ethan's flashcards and asked me to help him with them so we've been doing those. He caught on quickly to the concepts. He's also been learning to write his name. It took him a while to be willing to sit down and practice writing it. He kept saying "I'm aweful at writing my name!" I think his teacher has been encouraging him at school to write his name as well as other letters and numbers. He's also started drawing people.
Ian continues to love sports and is very naturally athletic. (Have not figured out where he got that from). He's also kind of a ham and is pretty dramatic. He makes great faces and dramatizes about everything. Ian is also very cuddly and is a momma's boy. He still hangs on to my legs and acts shy around people. He adores his big brother and can't wait to pick Ethan up from school every day.
Happy 3rd birthday Ian!
I've seen a light bulb go off in recent months with Ian. He is increasingly interested in reading and has been learning his sight words. He's mostly reading small three letter words but he's making steady progress. He also recently asked me to teach him subtraction. He found some of Ethan's flashcards and asked me to help him with them so we've been doing those. He caught on quickly to the concepts. He's also been learning to write his name. It took him a while to be willing to sit down and practice writing it. He kept saying "I'm aweful at writing my name!" I think his teacher has been encouraging him at school to write his name as well as other letters and numbers. He's also started drawing people.
Ian continues to love sports and is very naturally athletic. (Have not figured out where he got that from). He's also kind of a ham and is pretty dramatic. He makes great faces and dramatizes about everything. Ian is also very cuddly and is a momma's boy. He still hangs on to my legs and acts shy around people. He adores his big brother and can't wait to pick Ethan up from school every day.
Happy 3rd birthday Ian!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Pumpkin Patch
Which one should I get?
This is the one!
Look here everyone!
I said smile, not stick your tongue out!
That's better.
There's the smiles I was looking for!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Give Thanks to the Lord
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. Psalm 107:1
And so the list continues:
151. Dear friends of ours from college days came to town to visit.
152. Smiles and laughter from their daughter.
153. Cooler mornings.
154. God's never ending forgiveness
155. The wonderful ladies in my bible study.
156. The community of believers in my church.
157. Seeing God's work in my husband.
158. The best chocolate cake I've ever had with the best icing in the world--thanks Karen!
159. Seeing Ian's excitement about turning 3 on Sunday.
160. Dinner out with a friend to a nice restaurant.
And so the list continues:
151. Dear friends of ours from college days came to town to visit.
152. Smiles and laughter from their daughter.
153. Cooler mornings.
154. God's never ending forgiveness
155. The wonderful ladies in my bible study.
156. The community of believers in my church.
157. Seeing God's work in my husband.
158. The best chocolate cake I've ever had with the best icing in the world--thanks Karen!
159. Seeing Ian's excitement about turning 3 on Sunday.
160. Dinner out with a friend to a nice restaurant.
Ready to do Christmas Cards yet?
Well it's that time of year again when I start thinking about Christmas cards. The past few years I've been doing photo cards. It is usually challenging to get cute pictures of the boys where they are both smiling so I start early so I have plenty of time to take tons of pictures. (Because truthfully, everyone wants to see pictures of the kids, not the parents). I've been using Shutterfly for photo cards and have really found the site to be user friendly with a large variety of designs to choose from.
I've even used the site for Christmas party invitations (I've had fun including party pictures from previous years of various friends). This year, I've been considering using this Christmas card design to mail out with pictures of the boys. What's neat is that there's an area to include a little letter of what your family did during the year. They are currently running a special: 20% off all holiday cards which is a great deal.
So I guess there won't be any suprise for those on my Christmas card mailing list--you already know what they might look like!
I've even used the site for Christmas party invitations (I've had fun including party pictures from previous years of various friends). This year, I've been considering using this Christmas card design to mail out with pictures of the boys. What's neat is that there's an area to include a little letter of what your family did during the year. They are currently running a special: 20% off all holiday cards which is a great deal.
So I guess there won't be any suprise for those on my Christmas card mailing list--you already know what they might look like!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
In His Love
Long before the stars lit the nite sky
and the planets danced around the sun;
before I made my very first cry
and learned about all your love had done
In your love, you planned for me.
Your crazy love stretches far beyond
the distance from the east to the west.
It is brighter than the morning dawn;
stronger than any empire's conquest.
In your love, you chose me.
You rest your feet upon the planets
and are dressed in brilliant light.
The sun obeys when to rise and set
and by your breath the mountains ignite.
In your love, you draw me close.
You are the King without a shadow
and you invite me before your throne.
Ashamed and guilty of all you know;
yet you changed me and call me your own.
In your love, you saved me.
When I stumble and flee from you to hide,
your Spirit can always find me.
Even when I sin, you're by my side.
Humbled, I delight in your mercy.
In your love, you heal me.
When I close my eyes in that final sleep,
and walk through the gates of gold.
The beauty of your Glory makes me weep,
for you are a wonder to behold.
Because of His love, I will live.
and the planets danced around the sun;
before I made my very first cry
and learned about all your love had done
In your love, you planned for me.
Your crazy love stretches far beyond
the distance from the east to the west.
It is brighter than the morning dawn;
stronger than any empire's conquest.
In your love, you chose me.
You rest your feet upon the planets
and are dressed in brilliant light.
The sun obeys when to rise and set
and by your breath the mountains ignite.
In your love, you draw me close.
You are the King without a shadow
and you invite me before your throne.
Ashamed and guilty of all you know;
yet you changed me and call me your own.
In your love, you saved me.
When I stumble and flee from you to hide,
your Spirit can always find me.
Even when I sin, you're by my side.
Humbled, I delight in your mercy.
In your love, you heal me.
When I close my eyes in that final sleep,
and walk through the gates of gold.
The beauty of your Glory makes me weep,
for you are a wonder to behold.
Because of His love, I will live.
And no one threw tomatoes
This morning I made a presentation to a class at the local college on the field of psychology. A friend of mine teaches a class on the health care field and asked me to come and speak. I haven't worked in six years and was suprised she asked. I really don't like public speaking but I have improved over the years. In fact, I wasn't nervous and I expected that I would be. Anyway, no one threw tomatoes so it wasn't that bad of a presentation. Of course my husband followed me in presenting the fire/ems profession. His job is a lot cooler than mine so there was a lot of interest in what he does. It did get me thinking though that it would be fun to teach psychology at the college level. Hmmm....
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Scripture Memorization
I am frequently amazed at the memorizing capability that children have. A long time ago, I met a two year old girl whose parents had taught her the shorter catechism. I couldn't believe that one so young could learn something so complicated. I never forgot it and when I had children of my own, I began as soon as they could talk having them learn God's word.
In our kitchen, next to the table where we eat all our meals, is a bulletin board. We post our family rules as well as verses and catechism questions the kids are learning. Every morning we review the verse during our morning devotions. Even after the kids have learned a verse, I frequently reference it during teaching moments to ensure they continue to remember it.
Another way I've found our kids learn verses is through music. When my oldest was a toddler, I purchased a few of Steve Green's cd's for children including: Hide Em in Your Heart Vol 1 & 2 and
Hide'em in Your Heart Praise & Worship for Kids
. He and a group of children sing scripture that he has turned into songs. There have been times when we are in the car and I have the cd playing and my oldest will say "Hey, they're singing the verse we are learning!"
An added benefit is that I too am learning the verses and often when I'm reading my bible and I come across a passage that I have learned in song, I can't help but hum it in my head. I often remind the kids, as well as myself, the truth that David wrote in the Psalms, "Your word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against you." (119:11). I'm finding this verse to be more true for me as I have grown in my faith. The more I read and learn in scripture, the more the Spirit uses it to remind me of God's loving plan for me and convicts me of sin. We know that the "word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12).
I pray that as I learn scripture and am changed by it, this will in turn teach my children, setting an example for them of a walk lived by faith and fed by the very word of God.
In our kitchen, next to the table where we eat all our meals, is a bulletin board. We post our family rules as well as verses and catechism questions the kids are learning. Every morning we review the verse during our morning devotions. Even after the kids have learned a verse, I frequently reference it during teaching moments to ensure they continue to remember it.
Another way I've found our kids learn verses is through music. When my oldest was a toddler, I purchased a few of Steve Green's cd's for children including: Hide Em in Your Heart Vol 1 & 2 and
Hide'em in Your Heart Praise & Worship for Kids. He and a group of children sing scripture that he has turned into songs. There have been times when we are in the car and I have the cd playing and my oldest will say "Hey, they're singing the verse we are learning!" An added benefit is that I too am learning the verses and often when I'm reading my bible and I come across a passage that I have learned in song, I can't help but hum it in my head. I often remind the kids, as well as myself, the truth that David wrote in the Psalms, "Your word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against you." (119:11). I'm finding this verse to be more true for me as I have grown in my faith. The more I read and learn in scripture, the more the Spirit uses it to remind me of God's loving plan for me and convicts me of sin. We know that the "word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12).
I pray that as I learn scripture and am changed by it, this will in turn teach my children, setting an example for them of a walk lived by faith and fed by the very word of God.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Party Pictures
Swimming in the "lake"
Hot dogs for dinner
The boys
Dirt Cake with campers in their sleeping bags around campfire
Boys and their cake
Wildlife Hunt
Ethan on the zip line
Friend Andrew on the zip line
Our wild Ian on the zip line
Friend Jackson on the zip line
Time for smores
Ethan and Smores
Friend Braden and smores
Our friend Andrew enjoying his smore
Learning how to put up tents
Ian chilling with his friends in tent
Tent city
Movie before bed
Presents before breakfast
Happy Birthday Ethan and Ian!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Crazy Love
This post has been on my mind for quite a while now. I guess I haven't written it because all I have are questions, rather than answers. A couple of years ago a friend and I read the book Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God
and I went through a time of self-inspection and conviction by the Holy Spirit. Less than a year later, we read it in my accountability group. And now I am helping facilitate a study at church on the book.
So three times diving into the book, being convicted, have I changed any?
Through my inner work I've realized how much living in our neighborhood has changed me. After having Ethan, staying home and participating in mommy and me groups, my worldly values increased greatly. Obviously, my heart was ready and willing to pursue worldly ideas and concerns, no one had to force me. I think that the years I worked with the poor had kept me grateful and focused on what really matters and being in a different context with more well-to-do mom's helped me forget that. I began shopping at stores I had never stepped in before, I gladly participated in conversations about the latest sales at those same stores. Even listened to women share their experiences with plastic surgery and those who desired it. I obsessed over decorating the boy's rooms, about every detail. Shameful, I know.
I have confessed and continue to confess this sin to the Lord and ask him to change me.
"What good is it for man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his soul?" Luke 9:25
"Our greatest fear as individuals and as a church should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter." Tim Kizziar
The book doesn't reveal anything new that hadn't read in scripture before, but in taking all the passages in scripture in which God shows us how we are to live as Christians and putting them together in one book, it opens ones eyes to see the complete picture of God's calling on our lives.
"This is true joy in life, the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy." George Bernard Shaw
The questions I'm left with and continue to struggle with is how to apply Jesus' teaching to my life:
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing, I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison and you visited me. Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the king will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!" Matthew 25:34-40
"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." James 1:27
"Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Where your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." Matthew 6:19-21
"Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?" Luke: 23-25
What does it look like to care for widows and orphans, to carry my cross, to store treasures in heaven? The book encourages readers to 'downsize' remembering that 53% of the world lives on less than $2 a day. What does it look like for me and my family to 'downsize'? How do I practically live out the gospel in my life everyday?
Because after all, think about what Jesus did for me:
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us." 1 John 3:16-20
Dear Lord and Savior, I set my heart at rest in your presence because my heart condemns me. Show me how to truly love others so that I will then be truly loving you. Help me to daily carry my cross and seek treasure that lasts. Amen.
and I went through a time of self-inspection and conviction by the Holy Spirit. Less than a year later, we read it in my accountability group. And now I am helping facilitate a study at church on the book.So three times diving into the book, being convicted, have I changed any?
Through my inner work I've realized how much living in our neighborhood has changed me. After having Ethan, staying home and participating in mommy and me groups, my worldly values increased greatly. Obviously, my heart was ready and willing to pursue worldly ideas and concerns, no one had to force me. I think that the years I worked with the poor had kept me grateful and focused on what really matters and being in a different context with more well-to-do mom's helped me forget that. I began shopping at stores I had never stepped in before, I gladly participated in conversations about the latest sales at those same stores. Even listened to women share their experiences with plastic surgery and those who desired it. I obsessed over decorating the boy's rooms, about every detail. Shameful, I know.
I have confessed and continue to confess this sin to the Lord and ask him to change me.
"What good is it for man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his soul?" Luke 9:25
"Our greatest fear as individuals and as a church should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter." Tim Kizziar
The book doesn't reveal anything new that hadn't read in scripture before, but in taking all the passages in scripture in which God shows us how we are to live as Christians and putting them together in one book, it opens ones eyes to see the complete picture of God's calling on our lives.
"This is true joy in life, the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy." George Bernard Shaw
The questions I'm left with and continue to struggle with is how to apply Jesus' teaching to my life:
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing, I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison and you visited me. Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the king will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!" Matthew 25:34-40
"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." James 1:27
"Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Where your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." Matthew 6:19-21
"Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?" Luke: 23-25
What does it look like to care for widows and orphans, to carry my cross, to store treasures in heaven? The book encourages readers to 'downsize' remembering that 53% of the world lives on less than $2 a day. What does it look like for me and my family to 'downsize'? How do I practically live out the gospel in my life everyday?
Because after all, think about what Jesus did for me:
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us." 1 John 3:16-20
Dear Lord and Savior, I set my heart at rest in your presence because my heart condemns me. Show me how to truly love others so that I will then be truly loving you. Help me to daily carry my cross and seek treasure that lasts. Amen.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Play as Therapy
Play therapy is the predominant form of therapy for children receiving counseling for whatever issues they are going through. Much of it is Jungian in origin, involving the therapist providing toys or objects for the child to play with an observe their play. Taking more of a back seat and not intervening much, the therapist allows the child to process through play what is occuring in their psyche. On the other end of the spectrum, play can be used to make a child comfortable and help them to open up and talk. That was more my speed with child therapy. I often found games to be beneficial in teaching anger management and social skills as well.
All that to say, I think play is a great opportunity for any parent (therapist or not) to create a safe, comfortable opportunity for talking about deeper issues with our children. In fact, I believe children are more likely to learn and retain what we teach them during play than when we are responding to them in the heat of the moment when they have done something wrong.
This morning Ian and I were playing with a new game he got this morning and he started talking on his own about his anger. At first I didn't understand what he was saying (kids to me seem to sometimes show a flight of ideas in their thinking and its hard to figure out where they are going) but I realized that he was telling me about the last time we had played that game. He had gotten angry and was messing up the game for the rest of us, tossing the pieces around. Today he was telling me that he was angry at me the last time we played because I had won the game. I asked him if responding in anger like that was honoring to God and he said it wasn't. I asked what he thought we should do instead when we are angry and he said "leave and go be by ourselves until we calm down." The interesting thing to me is that I have not talked with him about how to handle his feelings very much, usually it is just with Ethan since it is a predominant issue in his life. So I talked to him about where he feels safe to go and calm down and he said his room with his blankie. A great opportunity to share what it means to "in your anger, do not sin." (Ephesians 4:26)
God often gives us opportunities where we aren't even expecting it to disciple and teach our kids. I often pray that God makes me aware of when he places those opportunities are before me because often my mind is not in tune with what God is doing. My prayer is that I always keep Deuteronomy 6 before me:
"You must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are going to bed and when you are getting up."
All that to say, I think play is a great opportunity for any parent (therapist or not) to create a safe, comfortable opportunity for talking about deeper issues with our children. In fact, I believe children are more likely to learn and retain what we teach them during play than when we are responding to them in the heat of the moment when they have done something wrong.
This morning Ian and I were playing with a new game he got this morning and he started talking on his own about his anger. At first I didn't understand what he was saying (kids to me seem to sometimes show a flight of ideas in their thinking and its hard to figure out where they are going) but I realized that he was telling me about the last time we had played that game. He had gotten angry and was messing up the game for the rest of us, tossing the pieces around. Today he was telling me that he was angry at me the last time we played because I had won the game. I asked him if responding in anger like that was honoring to God and he said it wasn't. I asked what he thought we should do instead when we are angry and he said "leave and go be by ourselves until we calm down." The interesting thing to me is that I have not talked with him about how to handle his feelings very much, usually it is just with Ethan since it is a predominant issue in his life. So I talked to him about where he feels safe to go and calm down and he said his room with his blankie. A great opportunity to share what it means to "in your anger, do not sin." (Ephesians 4:26)
God often gives us opportunities where we aren't even expecting it to disciple and teach our kids. I often pray that God makes me aware of when he places those opportunities are before me because often my mind is not in tune with what God is doing. My prayer is that I always keep Deuteronomy 6 before me:
"You must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are going to bed and when you are getting up."
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Longing for My Lord
I've had this longing lately to just leave all the busyness of my life and walk into my Father's arms. Sometimes it feels like I have a long distance relationship with Him. Kind of like when a dating couple is divided by one person living on the east coast and the other on the west. Many times I wish for a small room in my house devoted just to prayer, like a prayer closet where I can escape to be with the Lord. I've had lines of poetry dancing in my head the past couple of months and I so long to write them down as an offering to God, but time escapes me. Why do I let so many things rob me of time with God? The ironic thing is that most of my busyness is devoted to His work in the Kingdom. Whether they good things like ministry opportunities, helping out a friend, even preparing for teaching Sunday school or worldly concerns like hitting the sales at the mall, I am only promised today and I want each today that I'm given to be lived out in worship to Him who gives me each day.
How do we stay connected to God in the busyness of life? How do we stay madly in love with Him? How do we keep the cross always before us? How do we satisfy our hunger for the Bread of Life? I am not alone as even the Psalmist felt the same way:
"As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?" Psalm 42:1,2
The scriptures direct me to the answers I seek. "Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again--my Savior and my God!" (Ps 42:11)
"Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found." (Ps 119:35)
"...I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and one earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower yo with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God." Ephesians 3:14-19
God has given means of grace for us to be able to come before Him, two of those being prayer and his word. Since I never allow myself to go physically hungry for too long without finding food, I must seek out God through prayer and his word when I hunger for him.
May Paul's prayer be true in my heart--Selah!
How do we stay connected to God in the busyness of life? How do we stay madly in love with Him? How do we keep the cross always before us? How do we satisfy our hunger for the Bread of Life? I am not alone as even the Psalmist felt the same way:
"As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?" Psalm 42:1,2
The scriptures direct me to the answers I seek. "Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again--my Savior and my God!" (Ps 42:11)
"Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found." (Ps 119:35)
"...I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and one earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower yo with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God." Ephesians 3:14-19
God has given means of grace for us to be able to come before Him, two of those being prayer and his word. Since I never allow myself to go physically hungry for too long without finding food, I must seek out God through prayer and his word when I hunger for him.
May Paul's prayer be true in my heart--Selah!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Birthday Campout
For the boys birthday party this year we decided to do a campout. So this past Friday night we had seven other boys over for a camping themed party. They swam in our "lake" (pool), rode the zip line in the yard, learned how to put up tents, went on a wildlife hunt and of course roasted marshmallows over a fire. The dads and the boys spent the night in our yard in tents and had breakfast with us in the morning. After another swim in the "lake" the kids headed home. It was a ton of fun, except for all the dads who didn't get any sleep:) Apparently, we forgot to turn off the sprinkler system in advance and they came on in the middle of the night, soaking the tents.
Pictures will soon follow.
Pictures will soon follow.
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
He Carries Our Burdens
Yesterday, one more item was added to my already full plate turning it into more of a tray than just a plate. I could feel the weight of it all afternoon. As I became more tense and burdened, I stepped away from God rather than to him. My heart was not at peace and instead I could feel agitation and even anxiety. Rather than turn to God right away for him to carry this heavy burden, I kept carrying that tray into the evening. I carried it as I tried to get the kids ready for bed and found I could not parent effectively while carrying the tray. But I insisted on carrying it anyway. And instead of stopping and focusing on what was happening with the kids (who were irritable and hyper from steroids because of sinus issues) I expected more of them than I would have otherwise. It turned into a miserable night for us. As I got into bed and picked up my bible for my evening bible reading time, I realized that I felt disconnected from God. I didn't have that normal eagerness to be with him and instead felt ashamed and angry with myself.
But as always, the one who gives more than we ever could, stepped in to give me grace and reminded me that I do not have to carry my burdens alone.
"Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 14:28-30
And so I lift up my heavy tray filled with duties, responsibilities, tasks, chores, events, worries, and stress to the one who holds the world in his hand.
But as always, the one who gives more than we ever could, stepped in to give me grace and reminded me that I do not have to carry my burdens alone.
"Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 14:28-30
And so I lift up my heavy tray filled with duties, responsibilities, tasks, chores, events, worries, and stress to the one who holds the world in his hand.
Monday, October 04, 2010
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Girls Away
My husband recently learned that he excelled on his promotional exam and so as a thank you to me for my patience the past six months, he sent me and a couple of friends out of town overnight. We decided to go to a huge outlet mall and Ikea. Before we left for our trip, he gave me another suprise--an Iphone. Something I had been asking for, well begging for really. So I got to start off my trip with my cool new phone. We walked for miles it seems while shopping. Got some great deals and enjoyed getting away. Sadly, we found ourselves humming the theme song from "Dora" one too many times. I guess one night wasn't enough to clear our minds:)
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