Category Archives: Uncategorized

Happy Birthday to My Eldest!

April 3, 2014Christianity, mom, motherhood, Parenting, UncategorizedAbba Father, encouragement for moms, God's plans, Parenting, TEACHER MOM, Unconditional love, unconditional love for childrenT.W. Allgaier

Happy Birthday to my Eldest!

I would be remiss not to mention the birthday of my eldest son. He was the little guy who first made me a Mommy. He was the first human being to really teach me what “unconditional love” meant. I thought I knew….then he was born. So when the second one arrived, I was prepared and understood how that love multiplied and didn’t divide.

Being a mom is not the easiest job in the world…in fact, I personally think it is one of the most difficult. We got through the necessary stages…newborn, baby, toddler, preschooler, young child, child, preteen, teen, post teen and now Adult. I am still working on being a mother of the Adult stage. And I have made plenty of mistakes…

I am proud of my children. But I often say that I cannot take the blame for their failures, anymore than I can take credit for their successes. They are adults. They are still a delight to me.So I give God the praise today for allowing me to learn so much from my first born. I thank Him for trusting us enough to raise him. And I say Happy Birthday…to my once little buddy.

“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” 1 Samuel 1:27-28

Be blessed~

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9*

image A2Z animation, NIV Bible*

Solid Food

March 6, 2014Christianity, homeschooling, mom, motherhood, Spiritual Encouragement, UncategorizedBible study, encouragement for moms, homeschooling mom, raising children, solid spiritual food, spiritual encouragementT.W. Allgaier

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*

Behavior-Respect=Lack of Discipline

February 26, 2014homeschooling, Love one another, mom, motherhood, Parenting, Spiritual Encouragement, teachers, Uncategorizedbehavior in children, christian encouragement for moms, discipline, discipline children, encouragement for teachers, first year teachers, homeschooling mom, raising children, respect, student behavior, Teaching, teaching position, unconditional love for childrenT.W. Allgaier

An Observed Formula

As a former teacher and mom of adult children, I have made a number of observations. I cannot say that they are correct, nor can I claim any scientific evidence. But it is was I have observed…my formula so to speak.

Behavior-Respect=Lack of Discipline

Behavior is defined as “the manner of conducting oneself” (Merriam-Webster) Respect is defined “a feeling of admiring someone or something that is good, valuable, important, etc.” and “a feeling or understanding that someone or something is important, serious, etc., and should be treated in an appropriate way” (Merriam-Webster). Discipline is defined as “control that is gained by requiring that rules or orders be obeyed and punishing bad behavior” or “a way of behaving that shows a willingness to obey rules or orders”.(Merriam-Webster)

How interesting. Could it be that simple?

The manner of conducting oneself, without the feeling of value leads to lack of behaving in a way that shows a willingness to obey rules?

Yep. I think it is.

If we don’t teach our children how to have respect for themselves and others, they will have no reason to follow any rules. What does it really matter to them? I am mindful of Mark 12:30-31, when Jesus was responding to a question by one of the “teachers of the law” when he asked what the greatest commandments was, and Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no commandment greater than these.”

Hopefully we teach our children to love their neighbors, but do we teach them to love their neighbor as they do themselves? Now I am not talking about the way some might do…the child can do no wrong, I am talking about respect and love. Teaching your child their value…..that God has a plan for them. How their lives are so important and they count for something. How Jesus loves them “without condition”.

I have seen both sides of that pendulum. Children who are given no respect at home, practically raising themselves, and don’t understand what it means to love others and put their needs first. They are kids for heaven’s sake, and yet the needs of those raising them comes first. I have seen it folks, firsthand and it is sad. How can a child dealing with those issues be full of respect for others and be disciplined at the same time?

Most of the issues I dealt with at school involved a lack of respect for themselves, friends and those in authority. I get it. But dealing with those behaviors while trying to educate is not always a happy mix. (But that is another blog!)

At any rate, I feel as though I am rambling, and I most likely am…but it breaks my heart. Our children, the children that are growing up around us…are they taught or given unconditional love? Can we as teachers, parents, friends…give it? Does it mean allowing a child to do what he wants when he wants it? Is our society disrespectful in general? What can we do?

I don’t have all the answers and will never pretend to have them. But the one thing I know for sure is that we must love. We must teach our children the true meaning of unconditional love. Then we must surrender to the Lord Jesus and allow Him to love others through us. How you teach that is up to you and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

I spent much of my day teaching and demanding respect. But my students knew that I loved them. They knew that they were important to me. They knew that the discipline (to train, to teach, to educate..Strongs) was because of the love I had for them, due to the unconditional love shown me through Christ. The children were not the reason I stopped teaching..although having my proverbial “hands tied” did contribute … (But that too is another blog)

So what is the answer? Jesus. Knowing who He really is…having an intimate relationship with Him and not making it about “rules and regulations” Without the love, rules and regulations will just lead to rebellion. (But that is another blog too!!)

I hope that I have given you some things to ponder. I would love to hear your thoughts on my observed formula! And it appears as though I have three more blogs to write….education and dealing with discipline issues….teachers leaving the field…rules and regulations without relationship…..hmmmmmm…..

Blessings dear ones~

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9