Category Archives: Christianity

Solid Food

Christianity, homeschooling, mom, motherhood, Spiritual Encouragement, Uncategorized, , , , ,

baby with food

The time under our roof is short lived to be sure….solid food available!

We have heard it or said it…”where has the time gone?” when referring to the speed in which our children grew up.  The toddler in the stroller who loved being pushed down the road is now waving out his window as he drives to his first job. The little guy who recorded his voice on the tape recorder now is a grown man answering his cell phone. And those little shoe strings that I seemed to tie forever now are tied by the adult with a shoe size of 11. So when did this happen?

I believe that all parents go through a time of questioning about faith from their children.  The time we have them under the protection of our homes is so short.  So little time to teach them the things of the Lord and how to deal with the pain and hurt that will inevitably come their way.  When they were small, a kiss and a band aide fixed the “boo-boo”.  That doesn’t always work as they get older.

The last couple of weeks I have talked to some parents whose children are truly rebelling, or being “prodigal” as I sometimes say.  I don’t know the condition of their hearts, but I know that these parents have raised them in the ways of the Lord.  These children for some reason or another have chosen another path.  How my heart aches for these parents, and these children.  

My thoughts were rather simple, love them unconditionally and keep praying.  It is a spiritual battle.  Entering into that battle as a parent….was and is truly battle.  They aren’t little anymore.

I nursed my infants.  They received the nutrition necessary at that time.  But as they grew, their need for solid food increased.  And if anyone of you has raised, or is about to raise boys….stock your refrigerator NOW! 

Peter talked of it in scripture: “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:2.  Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:2 “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly-mere infants in Christ.  I gave you milk, not solid food for you are not yet ready.” and in Hebrews 5:13-14 “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.  But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”  

What do babies need to grow physically?  What do our children need as spiritual newborns?  What do we need?  As we continue to grow and teach our children, we must provide them spiritual food as well!  Could this be deeper discussions, asking our children to share their thoughts on scripture?  Are we satisfied with just the “Sunday” teaching, or do we want more ourselves?  When we are hungry, what feeds us?  

I don’t pretend to have all the answers.  But I will encourage you in this…make teaching, reading and discussing His Word an important part of your day and your children’s day.   I was always blown away by some of the insights the boys had as little guys.  My prayer was always that they hid the WORD in their hearts…pray that your children will desire a deeper walk.  Pray for that as they get out from under your protection…and question lots of things.  Keep that line of communication open so that they will bring you their doubts and you can continue to guide them to “solid food”.

They won’t live under that roof forever, so prepare them as best you can…encourage them with “solid food.”

Blessings dear ones..

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

*google image, NIV Bible*

The NEW Seedlings

Christianity, homeschooling, mom, motherhood, Parenting, Spiritual Encouragement, , , , , , , , ,

phototropism

Time in the garden has its moments!!

When I first started homeschooling, I was not completely confident in my ability to teach my own children.  Oh I knew that I truly had been called to do so, but I also heard a lot of negative from well meaning family members and friends.  “You cannot protect them forever”.  “They need to learn how to deal with the ‘real’ world.”  

Exactly.

Someone told me this story, and I cannot remember who it was or I would give credit.  It is probably not exactly how I heard it…but the same principle applies.

We start our plants from seeds.  The goal is for those seeds to grow into seedlings and then into the plant or vegetable to grow to full maturity.  We cultivate them when inside.  We make sure they get enough water, good soil and plenty of sunshine.  We move them from window to window if necessary, and even put them in a greenhouse.

We put them out.  Maybe too early, maybe not.  It is our first time growing our own plants, so it is a trial run really. The seedlings settle in the ground and the roots begin to grow.  Things are looking good!  Until…

The winds come, and the little seedlings get a bit unsettled.  The rain is so heavy and the seedlings have a hard time keeping their roots in the soil.  They are a bit wobbly.  Finally the rabbits raid the garden.  The roots are so battered, bruised, water logged….the rabbits win.  The seedlings are uprooted.  They did not last.  Maybe they were put out too early.

The next time we wait longer.  The roots are stronger and established.  Once planted in the garden they seem sturdy.  The rains come.  The wind comes, and those pesky little rabbits…but the roots stay firm.  The seedlings grow into strong sturdy plants.  They survive because their root system is strong enough to withstand all those issues!!  The storms rage and of course will come…but they stand.

So can we dare apply that to our children?  Can we put them in this old world too early?  We can train, teach and educate them until we feel we should.  We can go against what the world says…and follow the will of the Father.  It is not for everybody, but is it for you and your children? Are you called to educate your children? Only you can answer that question.

Trust me when I say…those storms will come and rage.  Your childrens’ root system will be tested.  Will their roots be strong enough?

Blessings dear ones~

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

The M and M World

Christianity, homeschooling, mom, motherhood, Parenting, Spiritual Encouragement, , , , , ,

canstock2945945

The M and M World!  Sounds like a candy title to me!!  

Mary and Martha actually….

I have never been much into housekeeping.  I did it because I had to do it.  I got no joy out of washing dishes, making beds, folding clothes, dusting….I know, I know…some moms take the time to pray during this time or get up at 4 a.m. to accomplish these chores.  Nope, not me.  I felt the need to “educate” my sons in these areas, so I would wait.  I am pretty sure I had a dust cloth in the eldest hand by the time he was 4!  Or was that 3?

I did have a friend that was just the opposite of me.  She always was buzzing around her house getting things done.  She was super organized, enjoyed housework and I would never catch her sitting down. She believed that no time should have ever been “wasted”, and activity was too important to ever relax.  Seriously, she wore me out.  

 But which one can you relate to?  Which Mom are you?  Are you constantly up doing something?  Do you have a hard time just sitting and being still?  Or is your life pretty balanced?

In Luke 10:40-41 Mary and Martha were dealing with very much the same issue. “But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to him and asked ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!’  ‘Martha, Martha’, the Lord replied, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'”

Sibling rivalry at its best!  And you are probably thinking…”Well if Jesus were visiting, of course I would sit and visit!” But do we now? That is a battle that we all face at one time or another.  Can we take time out of our busy schedules to sit at the feet of Jesus?  Do we have to learn to “Practice His Presence”?  Do we have to learn to be still?  I confess, I do.  In an age that is very goal oriented, we are all encouraged to be busy.

Jesus knew the importance of spending time with him.  Notice he did not tell Mary that what she was doing was wrong (there goes that Biblical excuse about not cleaning), it had to be done. But he did tell her not to be upset. Don’t get entangled in the things that can wait, those things that take you away from the foot of the Savior.

So our challenge is this…can we sit and be quiet and listen when we feel the “nudge” to do so?  Or do we put it off so we can finish up the vacuuming?  I have done that many times in my life…I have put the pressure on myself and I will miss that gentle “nudging” only to forget about it all together!

  I grow older, I would much rather be at HIS feet….and besides, my hubby has always preferred to do the housekeeping his way…so now I just let him… while I eat a few M&Ms!

Blessings dear ones~

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

*google image*