Challenge: There is a music group out right now that is popular with toddlers called The Fresh Beat Band. We have their CD and Havana and Jonah love belting out the songs. There is this one song, Freeze Dance, where when the music stops you are supposed to stop dancing. Well, Jason and I have taken it upon ourselves to dance like crazy during the music and then we will freeze in silly positions. This makes both Havana and Jonah laugh hysterically. The other day during this whole family dancing/freezing episode Havana laughs and says, "This is my favorite!!!!" and then when the song was over she says, "Freeze Dance makes me happy."
Both Jason and I thought that was very profound of her to be able to articulate how that song makes her feel - and we both think it is because it is something we all get into together. It is something special just for our family. It makes me wonder, though, how many other things is she excited about or interested about that I don't join in with her? Am I missing more of these opportunities to enjoy doing what she likes to do. Another example is our son Jonah - he loves sports and playing with any ball. I personally love basketball and so I've often thought, "I hope Jonah plays basketball... it would be so much fun to go to all the games." But what if Jonah doesn't play basketball - what if he plays football or baseball (or any other sport I'm not that interested in)? I want to get in the habit now and being excited and interested in the things my children are excited and interested about. I want to be there to experience it with them, a listening ear as they tell me all about it, and I want them to know what is important to them is important to me too. My challenge is to use those times my children want to play, talk, or do something that I think is incredibly boring or a waste of time or whatever my personal opinion is as a growing opportunity for me to join in with them. I want to make a choice to get excited about what they are excited about. I want to spend time with them doing the things they are passionate about.
Dear Lord, thank You for being the God of the universe and still having personal knowledge of each one of us. Thank You for caring about what is important to us. I pray that I would learn how to be a better parent by Your example. Help me put up on the shelf the activities and games that I find interesting and help me enjoy what my children are enjoying - no matter how simple. Help me capture the moments to express to them Your love through my love. I pray this in Jesus' Name. Amen
Prayer:
Father God, this world tries to tell us what is important: social status, relationships, wealth, tolerance, happiness, and selfish gain. Yet, You clearly state in Your word a very different standard. While my children are growing up in this fallen world, I pray that they would know that the things that society values are actually foolishness in Your sight (1 Corinthians 3:19). Help them to not conform to the patterns of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds so that they can test and approve what Your good, pleasing, and perfect will for them is (Romans 12:2). I pray that my children would hold firmly to the trustworthy message of the Bible so that they can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it (Titus 1:9). And, Lord, I know that by having my children "side" with Your standards - they will become enemies of this world. I pray that You would give them the strength to handle that challenge. Help them remain confident that You have chosen them out of the world (John 15:19) and that there is no only holy like You, there is no one besides You, and that there is no Rock like You, God (1 Samuel 2:2). I pray this in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Week 14!
Challenge:
My sweet Selah woke me up at 5 this morning. I sleepily made her a bottle and took her out of the crib. As I sat down in the rocker I thought, "I should change her diaper before I feed her". She had been asleep since 7:30pm and I knew she would go back to bed after this feed and it would be a few more hours until I got her up for the day. Yet, I chose to give her the bottle without changing her. As I was feeding her I began to feel guilty and was worried that her diaper would become so full over the next few hours that urine would get all over her skin, clothes, and crib. I prayed, "Lord, please help Selah's diaper to hold tight until the morning." As the words were coming out of my mouth I felt so selfish. And the Lord very kindly whispered into my heart that I was asking Him to spare Selah any discomfort despite my own selfish decision. It was true. I didn't want to change her diaper because I wanted to go back to bed as quickly as possible.
Sadly, though, I'm sure that self-motivated prayer isn't isolated to that one incident. There are many times that I make choices that are easier for me in the moment and hope that my children aren't the ones who will pay the price. Sure, most of these are very insignificant occasions where the worst that can happen is a wet diaper or not the healthiest lunch, but at the same time, it really showed me my own sinful heart and the limitations I put on the Lord. What is He wanting to do in my own life if I only allowed Him to stretch me? What does He want to spare my children from if only I would go the extra mile? My challenge, this week, is to recognize those times when I want to take a short cut at the expense of my children. Is it over sleep time? Is it taking the time to fix a healthy meal rather than thaw out something easy? Is it so that I can sit in front of the computer instead of reading to my kids? Etc. Recognizing what situations make me prone to selfish short cuts will help me change not only my actions, but my attitudes. Calling on the Lord to grow me and mold me into the parent He wants me to be!
Father God, being a parent is such a gift and I thank You so much for this privilege. One of the many lessons I am learning on this journey is realizing how selfish I can be. I am sorry and I seek Your forgiveness for the times when I give into my flesh. Help me be faithful to Your leading by no longer taking short cuts simply for my own benefit. May I be aware of which situations are easiest for me to put my own desires above the needs of my children so that I can better combat my sinful nature. Please continue to mold me into the parent You have called me to be. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I pray that my children would be men and women who would seek Your face (Psalm 27:8) every day of their lives. Use their hearts and devotion to You, Lord, to bring about a revival in this land. May they may rise up with other believers and be part of a generation that seeks You (Psalm 24:6) and who sets apart Christ as Lord (1 Peter 3:15). I pray that my children would fear You and serve You with all faithfulness (Joshua 24:14). I'm looking forward to watching You work in and through my children. Thank You, Lord, for loving my children so much. In Your name I pray. Amen.
My sweet Selah woke me up at 5 this morning. I sleepily made her a bottle and took her out of the crib. As I sat down in the rocker I thought, "I should change her diaper before I feed her". She had been asleep since 7:30pm and I knew she would go back to bed after this feed and it would be a few more hours until I got her up for the day. Yet, I chose to give her the bottle without changing her. As I was feeding her I began to feel guilty and was worried that her diaper would become so full over the next few hours that urine would get all over her skin, clothes, and crib. I prayed, "Lord, please help Selah's diaper to hold tight until the morning." As the words were coming out of my mouth I felt so selfish. And the Lord very kindly whispered into my heart that I was asking Him to spare Selah any discomfort despite my own selfish decision. It was true. I didn't want to change her diaper because I wanted to go back to bed as quickly as possible.
Sadly, though, I'm sure that self-motivated prayer isn't isolated to that one incident. There are many times that I make choices that are easier for me in the moment and hope that my children aren't the ones who will pay the price. Sure, most of these are very insignificant occasions where the worst that can happen is a wet diaper or not the healthiest lunch, but at the same time, it really showed me my own sinful heart and the limitations I put on the Lord. What is He wanting to do in my own life if I only allowed Him to stretch me? What does He want to spare my children from if only I would go the extra mile? My challenge, this week, is to recognize those times when I want to take a short cut at the expense of my children. Is it over sleep time? Is it taking the time to fix a healthy meal rather than thaw out something easy? Is it so that I can sit in front of the computer instead of reading to my kids? Etc. Recognizing what situations make me prone to selfish short cuts will help me change not only my actions, but my attitudes. Calling on the Lord to grow me and mold me into the parent He wants me to be!
Father God, being a parent is such a gift and I thank You so much for this privilege. One of the many lessons I am learning on this journey is realizing how selfish I can be. I am sorry and I seek Your forgiveness for the times when I give into my flesh. Help me be faithful to Your leading by no longer taking short cuts simply for my own benefit. May I be aware of which situations are easiest for me to put my own desires above the needs of my children so that I can better combat my sinful nature. Please continue to mold me into the parent You have called me to be. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I pray that my children would be men and women who would seek Your face (Psalm 27:8) every day of their lives. Use their hearts and devotion to You, Lord, to bring about a revival in this land. May they may rise up with other believers and be part of a generation that seeks You (Psalm 24:6) and who sets apart Christ as Lord (1 Peter 3:15). I pray that my children would fear You and serve You with all faithfulness (Joshua 24:14). I'm looking forward to watching You work in and through my children. Thank You, Lord, for loving my children so much. In Your name I pray. Amen.
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