The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it. -Psalm 24:1
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I write about parenting quite a bit here on this blog. Sometimes the moments I write about are gloriously inspiring; sometimes they are terribly embarrassing. What you don’t get in my posts is an audio file of the joyful noise that fills our home throughout the day. It’s the joyful noise that can sometimes include crying, yelling, whining, complaining, and arguing. If your home is filled with joyful (and sometime non-joyful) clamor, you, too, likely spend many an hour praying, preaching to your own heart, applying self control, venting to your spouse…and reading parenting books. Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus is a new book co-written by one of my favorite Christian authors, Elyse Fitzpatrick. In collaboration with her daughter, Jessica Thompson, Elyse Fitzpatrick writes no ordinary parenting book. Offering no formulas and systems, Give Them Grace girds the parent with the paradigm and […]
It’s difficult to concentrate on studying and work when the sweetest baby in the world passes by your desk. You must stop to cuddle, to gaze with awe, to whisper little secrets… …because the last three weeks have gone so fast, there’s no time like the present to savor each moment. So…here’s to noticing, engaging, stopping, reveling, remembering, and breathing deeply each and every minute… …because the sweetest blessings cross our path each day if we only stop to take note.
I’ve been re-reading Shepherding a Child’s Heart as part of discussion for our school’s once-a-month fellowship for moms. So many familiar truths, yet such needed reminders. To shepherding a child’s heart is an ever work in progress…for both child and parent. It’s really not enough for us to read a book, take a class, or join a group, one time in our lives, and expect lasting consistency in our mindset and practice. As parenting is a refining work that shapes us as parents, and conforms our hearts closer to the Shepherd as well, we must be on guard and reminded daily through God’s word and solid resources. Here are some reminders for me (and hopefully for you!) today: …if you teach your child to obey and to perform for approval from you and from others, you presnet an unbiblical objective….People will respond well to a child who obeys, but you […]
There is only one picky eater in our family. It’s astounding the things this child believes he doesn’t like: any dried fruit, all berries, all vegetables except for carrots, asparagus, and broccoli. Considering how often kale, bok choy, cabbage, salad, tomatoes, eggplant, bell peppers, and any and all dried fruits and berries make it into our regular menu lineup, lack of exposure is not at the root of Number 2′s food fetishes. However, because we’ve held firmly to the rule that all things served at the table must be consumed at some quantity, our picky 6 yr. old has developed the art of embracing the vegetables before him, and consuming them without visible displeasure. Amazing, I know. I recently asked him how he learned not to gag while eating vegetables. We compared notes, and thought we’d share our lists with you: Number 2′s Guide to Not Gagging: 1. Eat the […]
Thank you for celebrating with us! We are delighted. As excited as the first. As nervous as the second. As stretched as the third. As prayerful as the fourth. The question everyone asks after four boys, is “Are you hoping for a girl?” The Preacher and I had a revelation the other day while driving to our first camping trip with four kiddos: If we had two boys and two girls, we may very well STILL be pregnant with number 5. The desire to have a daughter is still there–perhaps even greater for my husband than for me. But, something has changed in us over the years of raising children. Child bearing and child rearing has become for us, less about what we want, and more about what God wants to accomplish in and through us. That may include child bearing; that may include adoption. Parenthood has magnified our awareness […]
Every mother needs reminding of the greatness of her calling, the joy in her sacrifice, the purpose of her mission, and the reward of her investment. I am one of those mothers. During this season of life that is often overwhelming and deficient on time, I can at times, feel as though I am a drill sargeant, rather than a shepherd–commanding discipline instead of training lost sheep. Encouragement this week came through the voice of Sally Clarkson, in her book, The Mission of Motherhood, who in her chapter on Building Loving Relationships with Our Children, helped me to remember what kind of mom I want to be: It’s important to realize that spending time with kids means so much more than just getting the parenting job done. Sometimes it’s easy for busy parents to forget this. We become so focused on training our children, correcting them, teaching them responsibility, and […]
Here are 10 Things I had to remind myself today when the job of correcting my children felt especially difficult… 1. You disobey the Lord…and He is the perfect Father. 2. His kindness leads us to repentance. 3. God disciplines those He loves. 4. Your child’s disobedience does not measure your value any more than his obedience showcases your achievement. 5. Your child’s disobedience teaches you dependence on God. 6. And sometimes it’s more than dependence He’s after, it’s complete desperation for Him. 7. Your child is clearly a sinner, and needs to hear the truth of the Gospel, and see it lived out through you. 8. Times of correction serve to remind, or establish within your child, his own sense of need for a Savior. 9. It’s not good behavior you really desire…you want his heart. 10. Your child is a person, not a project.
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