Trust Isn't Always Easy

     Isaiah has been having fearful responses to two things: diaper changes (poop that has caused his butt to have a sore rash) and thunder (extremely loud and frequent). He literally has a fear that grips him; the tears are accompanied with screams and terrified looks. In either case, he would easily choose to find a hole and hide in it.

     As a parent, it is hard to work through with him - in the moment. For the diaper changes, I tell him to look at me, to stop crying, to trust me, that it will be over shortly, that he will feel better once he's clean, that the butt paste will make it better - nothing ever works. It is always after the intense moment is over and all my patience has been worn thin, that he bounces right back to his normal self. For the thunder, it is all very much the same (aside from butt paste and needing to hold him down - that's what make that one even harder).

     Since these episodes have been occurring, the LORD has been letting me know that it is not much different when it comes to me and Him. Just as I turn to Isaiah and ask him, "Do you trust me?" The LORD is doing the very same thing with me. My answer is always the same as Isaiah's, "Yes." Why, then, does it not make it all better? Why doesn't the pain or fear or doubt just go away, right away?

     One thing I can say for sure is that trust is a process. Every time a moment arises to practice trusting, it is as if a building block is being placed on a foundation. Trust is one of the main foundation pieces of life, of love. As we get better at trusting, the easier it is to look at the things that tempt us to be afraid or to doubt, and say, "I know whom I trust."

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

In God, whose word I praise,

in God I trust and am not afraid. 

What can mere mortals do to me?"

Psalm 56:3-4

     The other thing I can say for sure is that faith is another vital piece to facing down temptations to fear and doubt. Faith and trust run side-by-side, and all the while they have the LORD shouting out these words from their lips: "You can do this! I know you can't see what I see, nor can you imagine life any differently than how it is now, but you just need to believe! Just a little more. Give just a little more. You are almost past it. You are almost through it. Then you will see the beauty I want to show you, but I needed to take you through the valley in order to get to this next place I am leading you. You can do this! I believe in you! I am for you!"

“'But my righteous one will live by faith. 

And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.'

But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, 

but to those who have faith and are saved.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

This is what the ancients were commended for."

Hebrews 10:38-11:2

     As you help your children learn to trust and have faith, may God give you the grace to learn the same. May He give you the strength to hold up the shield of faith and secure every other part of your armor today (Ephesians 6).

Children's Money Matters

     I have been looking for a good "piggy bank" for the boys, for awhile. Finally, today, I found the one I wanted - so exciting (It wasn't so much that I had an exact picture of what I wanted, but I knew that when I found it, I would know)! In fact, I decided to get one for each of the boys (yes, letting them share one would teach team work/effort - having their own will give them independence and ownership for their own choices). 

     Why have a place for them to put money? For me the thought is that it will be a helpful tool in getting them engaged in money management. Anytime there is a hands-on opportunity, the better. How much better that these specific ones (which I found at a dollar store) have a super hero on them!

     What does God have to say about money in the Bible? Actually, there are so many places that "money" is mentioned, throughout the Bible. Here are three samples:

"Dishonest money dwindles away, 

but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow."

Proverbs 13:11

"Whoever loves money never has enough; 

whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless."

Ecclesiastes 5:10

“No one can serve two masters. 

Either you will hate the one and love the other, 

or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. 

You cannot serve both God and money."

Matthew 6:24

     What I take away from the "money matters" is that it is no simply matter; there is a major issue at stake. That issue being that we can too easily fall into the trap of making it a god - depending on it rather than on God. It also can lead to dishonesty and other character flaws. 

     As I proceed in letting the boys put their coins and cash into their banks, it will be fun to talk to them about what money is and who it belongs to - what to do with it, how much each coin is, how to add them, etc. There are so many angles in which to talk with the boys about money management. 

     May God give them wisdom as He gives me wisdom, in teaching them the right and wrong ways of money management.

     Hallelujah!

Adjustable Waistbands

     For kids, adjustable waistbands are wonderful!!! They are even better when you have more than one child who will be using a pair of pants/shorts - whether at the same time or different time (every child is different in the waist size because they are uniquely made). Also, if your child remains close in length, but changes in waist size, you won't have to break out the sewing kit or go and spend money on more clothes.

     Different brands offer adjustable waistbands on their clothes. These three (above) are from Carter's, Old Navy, and Gap. You can find them on both pants and shorts (I know it is the same for girls - which means you can also find them in skirts).

     Happy shopping and/or happy reminder of the small treasure you have, if they already exist in your child's wardrobe!

Cherish the Little Ones

God, thank you for these little ones that have been given to me to care for.

God, thank you for helping me to remember to cherish the moments with a kiss.

God, thank you for slowing me down - for pushing pause - so I can hold them close.

God, thank you for the laughter and smiles.

God, thank you for the honor of watching them grow.

God, thank you for helping me cherish the important things.

Raising Boys: Part 3

     What was God thinking when he created the heart of a boy - the heart of a man? What were His intentions? How did He fashion them to think and act and speak - to live?

     In Part 2, I chose to look at Jesus. Now, I am choosing to go to the beginning of the Bible. The first two boys to be born are Cain (first born) and Abel - the children of Adam and Eve. Those who are already familiar with their lives may wonder why I am looking here, but I will share that soon - trust me, please.

     "Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, 'With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man.' Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the LORD said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?' Now Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let's go out to the field.' While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him." (Genesis 4:1-8)

     The word that stands out most to me is COMPETITION. Since boys already, naturally, are inclined to compete - taking risks and doing death, defying acts - how much more will two or three or four do in the same family? Isn't it enough that they are surrounded by other boys/men in society - no, they also can be surrounded by them in their own family.

     Now, this is a great thing IF it is used and nurtured in a righteous manner. Boys have their dad as their first role model - not a competitor until later in life. A brother, on the other hand, can prove to be great competition.

     We know that every person, male or female, is uniquely made - likes, talents, dreams, strengths, and weaknesses. In the case of Cain and Abel, they both did different things. Cain was in the business of working the soil, and Abel was in the business of working the flocks - two very different areas of work. They had strengths; they had weaknesses.

     What happened in their family that the competition led Cain to kill Abel? Why did their relationship, as brothers, not reach a place of working together rather than working against each other? What was it that was more pleasing to God - in Abel verses Cain? Chuck Smith helped shed some light on that part of their sad happening.

     "In Hebrews, we are told that by faith Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, so the problem with Cain was that his was not of faith, whereas Abel's sacrifice was one of faith. That's the basic difference: one believing God and trusting God, the other not believing. Thus all of the sacrifices you may make without faith are worthless. The faith was the quality that made Abel's sacrifice acceptable unto God."

     Faith - that is what it was about with God. The heart matters to God more than anything else, and He can always see it - unlike humans. God is guided by His decisions based on our heart's response. That can be good news to some, and in this case with Cain, it was not so good. It could have been if Cain was willing to surrender to God's discipline and guidance. It was Cain's choice, yet he chose to take things into his own hands. He suffered the consequences the rest of his life.

     As parents of boys, we need to gleam from the lives of these men. We need to understand the need to nurture faith values in the family - entrusting each child to God, everyday. We cannot become complacent in asking God for His protection and provision over their lives. Wisdom and discernment, as parents, also must be top on that list; if we do not have that, then we will not know how to handle daily situations brought our way.

     On the note of competition, let us be about encouraging and uplifting each child for their strengths. Helping them see the strengths in others as a good thing and not a threatening thing will help them with their own confidence. Feeling threatened must be something we have on our radar as we observe their words and actions.

     Developing their hearts and minds in righteousness starts with us and overflows into them. When we are walking in humility, encouragement, trust, faith, and love - so will they. Things of God are too good to pass up. If we don't, they won't.

     How humbling to know that raising boys is bigger than our own ability, yet, how encouraging that God knew that before He placed them in our care.

     Stay tuned for more to come...

     Be blessed and endure. Christ's return is nearing. May God give you all strength and grace to overcome - wisdom and discernment.

    For fun, an excerpt from "Bringing Up Boys" by Doctor James Dobson: "They are men in training. Their aggressive nature is designed for a purpose. It prepares them for the 'provision and protection' roles to come...not to resent or try to eliminate the aggressive and excitable nature that can be so irritating. That temperament is part of the divine plan. Celebrate it. Enjoy it. Thank God for it. But also understand that it needs to be shaped, molded, and 'civilized.'"

Box Fun!

     There is no need to spend money on a new toy. Just go to your nearest grocery store and ask for empty boxes (in this case, these are leftover from a family members television purchase)! It's incredible how much fun kids can have with cardboard! They can build forts with them, color on them, or simply put all their toys inside them. Whatever they decide, it gives them a great source for being artistic and creative. Engineering skills and communication skills start in places like this.

Discovering Electronics

     Sometimes the best way for these little ones to learn is simply by trying (with supervision, of course!). Jeremiah is curious about this chair. 

     "This lever thing does something. Hmmmm...when it is pressed and pulled, this big, brown thing moves. How does it do that? Let me keep checking this out. Hmmm..."

     As odd, trusting, and uncontrolled as it may feel to us, as their care-takers, it truly is one of the best ways for them to connect and learn: Hands-on-training.

Infant and Toddler Swimming

     The boys love the water! Anything they can splash or kick around in - they are happy. And a happy child often times makes for a happy mamma! There is only so much fun that a bathtub can provide - that is until the "Enough splashing!" comes out of my mouth! I am thankful for the fun and freedom that a pool can provide.
   
     Aqua Leisure and Body Glove are the two brands of swimming outfits the boys are using. The tops are made of foam, the shorts are a simple swim trunk, and the two snap together with five snaps, evenly placed around the waistband. I am sold on the way in which the suits help them get used to the concept of swimming - independently. An added bonus is that they resist the sun's rays: UPF 50+. That translated = NO SUNBLOCK needed. For my babies, pron to sunburn, that is music to my ears!

Champion's for our Champion

     Jeremiah needed a new pair of sandals. His feet are rounder on the top, yet long, and many of the sandals that have fit Isaiah's feet do not feet Jeremiah the same. So, I needed to find something different (one of the many times I will be reminded of God's unique design of both boys). Champion has just the right fit! There are three velcro, expandable bands for customizing your own fit - exactly what our need is. Thanks Champion! You have provided our champion with a new pair of sandals!

Crayola Ultra-Clean Really Works

     The boys were recently gifted a pack of the Crayola, Ultra-Clean, Washable Markers. They have been using them in many ways - ways that only boys would think to use them! The colors have gone on books, toys, hands, and clothes. All things come clean! This is a mother's friend - especially when it comes to allowing a child's creativity to flow AND being able to leave them to a project for a few seconds (it's amazing how quick they are at getting into something they are not supposed to!). Thanks Crayola!

Raising Boys: Part 2

     What was God thinking when he created the heart of a boy - the heart of a man? What were His intentions? How did He fashion them to think and act and speak - to live?

     The first person I am going to look at, in the Bible, is Jesus. He of course was spoken of many time before being born - prophets and many others were given that insight. His parents knew of who Jesus was going to be even before He was born - Mary before He was conceived and Joseph after being conceived.

     "The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.' Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.'...'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'May your word to me be fulfilled.' Then the angel left her." (Luke 1:27-38)

     "...an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.'...When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife." (Matthew 1:20-24)

     God entrusted Jesus to Joseph and Mary. They were informed of who he was going to be, and their job was to follow through. As simple as that was written and as simple as it sounds, we all know that the day-to-day responsibility of being faithful and obedient is a delicate matter. It takes great endurance and humility to walk a narrow road - a road of righteousness and holiness. The only way in which that can happen is a surrendered and willing heart. Joseph and Mary were of that caliber - only by God's grace and mercy - nothing  of their own doing.

    As parents, we are entrusted with a similar mandate - raise them according to how God has fashioned them. God has made a promise to know each one of these precious children - us included - to the extent of ordaining days and knowing every hair, thought, action, and word.

     "You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain...For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!..." (Psalm 139)

     Prayerfully and humbly, let us continue bringing our sons to God, asking for guidance, wisdom, and discernment. Raising them is a big responsibility, and with God we will do a good job in training them up in the ways of the Kingdom of Heaven. God knows how He wants them raised, so all we need to do is keep asking for help; God will always answer when we ask, knock, and seek. His promises are sure.

     Stay tuned for more to come...

     Be blessed and endure. Christ's return is nearing. May God give you all strength and grace to overcome - wisdom and discernment.

    For fun, an excerpt from "Bringing Up Boys" by Doctor James Dobson: "'Don't let the kids put those beans up their noses.' Bad advice! As soon as their mom's back was turned, they stuffed their nasal passages with beans. It was impossible for my grandmother to get them out, so she just left them there. A few days later, the beans began to sprout. Little green shoots were actually growing out their nostrils."