Archives for August 2006

August 8, 2006 by Lee Leave a Comment

O Taste and See!

After watching F-15s and F-117s flying overhead for awhile, David, Bethel, and I drove home. We told God thank you for sending us to New Mexico where we could see fighter jets every time we go grocery shopping (and often from our backyard).

Then I remembered Psalm 78– how parents are to tell their children about our wonderful God and His wonderful ways United States. So I took a moment to tell David that Mommy and Daddy didn’t ask to come to New Mexico. We wanted to go other places. But God knew what was best for us, even though we didn’t. He always does! He knew how much we would love it here (really, all of us!). The we talked about how King David tells us that we will be happy (blessed) if we trust in God’s goodness, and it reminded me that God will provide…. a church, a babysitter, friends for the kids, and all of our daily needs. How can Mommy worry about these things, when God has proven Himself to be allknowing and all-loving?

August 7, 2006 by Lee Leave a Comment

Sitting Still During Devotions

We have family devotions at night right before bed. Several weeks ago, I noted that Bethel had begun showing an interest in what we were doing (we required her to be in the room, and play quietly, but she didn’t have to sit down with us). So Lee started pulling her up in his lap while he read. Typically, she’d sit for a minute, and then climb down. Lee let her do this. Then after awhile, he told her to stay with us, and then he’d direct her attention to the picture or something. After a few days of a little squirming, she has started sitting still and cuddling up in daddy’s arms. She does look at the pictures, and occasionally points something out that interests her.

She still is learning to be quiet during prayer time, though. She wants to giggle with David. For some reason this setting is different than other prayer times when she doesn’t have any trouble being quiet.

I’m interested that several months ago, she had a very hard time sitting down, even when we asked her to. It is also interesting that it took a few days for her to figure out what she was expected to do. We should be careful after a single trial run of something drawing a conclusion like “That won’t work.” Because David is getting to the age where in many churches children stay in the adult service, I’m keenly aware of what he needs to learn. He does a pretty good job, but he still has difficulty. Perhaps I need to give it some more time.

Michelle

August 4, 2006 by Lee Leave a Comment

What “Help” Sounds Like

I finally realized that Bethel has been saying “help.” I am just not recognizing it. I’ve heard several different versions, but she’s clearly inviting me to assist her.

Sigh. If I don’t notice she’s asking for help, she’ll stop because it doesn’t do any good. Crying gets mommy’s attention better.

My prayer for today is that I will be attentive to my children’s needs. And this thought makes me thankful that God is a loving Heavenly Father whose ears are open to my cry.

August 2, 2006 by Lee Leave a Comment

What Wisdom Sometimes Looks Like

I’m always amazed at how some bit of insight into a child’s motivation or development comes at just the right time. Perhaps he shows an interest in an area, or makes a comment that helps you understand him better. I believe God helps us to be aware of these insights and understand their implications for decision making in our kids’ lives.

For example, I’m still thinking through David’s adjustment to life in NM. It seemed life was fine. But some of his responses to life lately seem not typical of him. So I’ve slowed down to consider his needs. I think using the music/ light in the morning was a God-given insight from my husband. I’ve used music before for David, but not in this context.

Yesterday, a conversation with David revealed what may be more insight into his recent behavior. As we sat at lunch, David commented that we three made a triangle. Sure enough, if you connected our plates with imaginary lines, you’d see a triangle. I asked what would happen if somebody sat at the empty side of the table, and he said instantly, “That would be a diamond.” In a few seconds he added, “If we put plates here and here and here and here [indicating the four corners of the table], we would have a square.” Now, our kids’ grandparents think they’re geniuses, but I’ve never thought of them as anything but bright kids developing along a normal curve (and so they have). But this comment floored me, and gave me the thought that perhaps that little brain of his is asking for more.

So now I’m thinking through what I can do to keep his brain busy. Last night, I grew thankful as I thought about our conversation and how it helped me to consider another reason for his behavior that I might not have thought of. I wonder if I can help him speed up his “putting away toys” behavior by activating more of his brain. (so far, seeing how fast we can go hasn’t cut it)

Wisdom is what we need more than anything else. It is more precious than all the riches you could ask for, more precious than a large house, more precious than a bounty of toys, more precious than all the child-rearing books by godly people you can collect. May I be searching for wisdom today, on my knees in humility, knowing that I cannot rear my children as I ought apart from God’s mercy and grace.

[See the update I made when I realized I wasn’t really describing wisdom here!]

O Taste and See!

Sitting Still During Devotions

What “Help” Sounds Like

What Wisdom Sometimes Looks Like

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