Praising our children...a good reminder

"Borrowed" the following from a post by Dr. David Jeremiah.  Definately something to think about as we go through the "child-rearing" years and try to raise our children to be Christ like.

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
Colossians 3:21

The word "affirmation" is related to the word "firm." In affirming others,
we firm up their morale and confidence, and we encourage them in their
decisions and direction.

Our children need that, for their self-esteem depends on the feedback they
receive from us. Thankfully, there are lots of ways to do that. We can
strengthen our children by using phrases like: Good job! or Way to go!

We can affirm by appropriate touch--a  pat on the back or, tussle of the
hair can convey lots of love.

We can affirm with eye contact too. Try smiling at your child with your
eyes. We often convey discipline through our eyes; but we can also
communicate warmth and affirmation with our eyes.

We also affirm children by spending time with them and praying for them.
Children who are praised are like young plants lifting their leaves to the
sun. They are drawn to its warmth. We are all a bit like children--we need
to feel accepted and loved--even as Christ Himself unconditionally loved and
received us by His grace. Affirm someone today.
So very thankful for these gentle God-sent reminders to keep me on the right path.

Praise your children. Do not forever find fault with them. .... Whenever you
can, praise them.

Anonymous, from a nineteenth-century magazine

A Walk Down Memory Lane

As I was "catching" up the filing today, going through all the papers/bills/drawings etc, it occurred to me just how fast the years are passing. As I went to file away some old binders and things that I'll probably never need again, but am keeping "just in case" I came across the box with Rachel's christening portfolio in it. Was she ever that "little".  Unfortunately, back then I was in such a state of "adjustment" that I only vaguely remember the "early" days.  I was too busy trying to fit into the role of being a new mother and making sure that all her needs were met...that I feel like I 'missed"  those precious moments.  I was so hung up on making sure the house was in order, etc...that I didn't take the time to just sit and "enjoy the moments".  Now when I hold a little baby...I realize just how precious these moments are and how fast they pass.  Rachel wil start 1st grade in a few short weeks...FIRST GRADE!!! When the baby days were here...all I could do was "wish" for the days when she would walk, talk, be able to do things for herself...almost seven years later, I'd love to have the baby days back. I'm sure most of you share that sentiment.  Neediness has given way to independence, a mind of her own (that warrants trouble at times :-)) and a battle to hold onto the child while letting her grow into a young woman. 

As I was perusing the "chaos" that has built up in "office" I also happened across our wedding album...hard to believe we were ever that young and just beginning our life together. That couple has experienced a lot of "life" changes in 11 years...but only recently have I become more aware of how God used each of those "trials" in our lives to bring us to the here and now.  At times I am utterly amazed at my husband "sharing" at CG. Only God can do that. I could have never imagined it.  It's been a roller coaster ride through these years, but I know that God has a plan and it so neat to see what he'll do when you least expect it or are tired of trying to "fix it yourself" (because without God, it can't be fixed).

So, dear readers, tell me, do you ever walk down memory lane and look back and see how the Lord has used everything in your life to bring you to where you are now?

Please Stay Tuned

To my followers (all four of you...)

I have several posts brewing in my head...just haven't had the time or "clear" thought process to get them all out...so hang in there...I will be back when life settles down a bit. Thanks for not giving up on me...

Laura

A Letter to my Daughter

How did we get HERE? RE you are about to "graduate" from Kindergarten and move onto grade school. Where have the past 6 1/2 years gone?  What happened to my sweet little baby who would climb on my lap and snuggle...now you are up to my waist! Time flies so fast and memories are all that's left behind.

I am learning to savor each and every moment since the moments pass so quickly it seems.  I never thought I would long for the "baby" days of diapers, bottles, and firsts like I do now that independence has replaced need. How could I have known that the "quiet" when we feared you wouldn't talk (you were just taking you're time...), would become "long" conversations (more like debates/discussions) that seem to never end! :-)

I love you RE with all that I have and all that I am. I am so proud of the young lady you are becoming. You are truly a light from the Lord and I treasure the blessing that you are to me and all those that you encounter. You're heart to pray for your friends/family and to serve others absolutely amazes me at times. God has truly blessed your daddy and me with a precious gift.

I love you snugabug!!! May God Bless you richly and always hold you in his care.

Mommy

Blessings

A very good friend of ours sent us the youtube video for this song.  (but modern technology to download has me stumped tonite!) Therefore, I offer just the lyrics, which have truly spoken to my heart in recent weeks.

As for an update to my last post...PRAISING GOD for his merciful kindness (ref. Psalm 117) in the midst of the storm. The Lord has truly shown me his love and grace throughout this season I'm in and has used many wonderful friends to be support and his Light. The prayers of his saints have been one of many blessings that have come. I thank God for all of you...and it is so nice to know we don't do this life alone.

Blessings...by Laura Story

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

I am also looking forward to "counting my blessings" in the next several months. I am excited that our Care Group Ladies Breakfast meetings will be focused on the popular book "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp (aholyexperience.blogspot.com) { sidenote...check out her blog...it is excellent!!!).  Can't wait to see what the Lord brings to light during this study!!!

Praising God for his faithfulness and love even when I've lost focus!!!

A Battle

I'm struggling at the moment. Struggling to cope...struggling to find peace...struggling in general. It's been one of those weeks where I have just felt "off", "outside of myself", "not there", have you ever had one of those?

To top it all off the media is publicizing the "end of the world 5/21/2011"...and although I know that no one knows the time, day or hour (matthew 24:36) it unnerves me just a bit. I start telling myself I should be stronger in the faith, I should NOT DOUBT, I should be confident that GOD is in control of the situation. I am praying for peace, but not finding it...the Lord is teaching much through all this though. I am finding my prayer life to be more focused (a positive in the midst of this darkness). I know that the enemy would want me to wallow and stress about this for the next week, but I do have a choice. I can either let it "eat away" at me or I can choose to trust in God and rest in HIM who knows all things.

I have picked up my Bible three times in the last 24 hours searching for comfort. Ashamedly that's is much more frequent than usual...perhaps that will be the most positive thing to come from this "trial"....more time with the author and perfector of our faith. I am fearful, confused and tired. I am sure this is just a spiritual battle that will bring about a necessary change in my life and will glorify God when it's done so why am I struggling? I am restless and weary. All I can do is pray....and if I may, I ask that those of you that know me would also pray. Thank you.

Clinging

...to the cross. There is no where else to turn when tragedy like this most recent one strikes. Clinging...to my daughter a little more tightly... battening down the hatches a bit tighter than usual practices...walking around in a clouded daze. In a way, I feel that trust has been violated. Yesterday, I lived in one of the safest communities aroud, today it's a different story.  To think that just last summer my daughter was involved in dance lessons at the studio not 500 feet away from the apts. where this happened!!! That's a bit too close for comfort to me!

But I will reflect and be thankful that we are safe as a family at home, still I  feel the loss as if it were my own. Wanting an answer, a definition for what could possess someone to act out like this, In my humanness I desire justice, but in Christ I feel a call to mercy upon a lost soul that never heard the truth.  I am not to judge, for judgement can only come from above and is His alone. I am angry that a little girl had to die for the authorities to take her seriously. (there are reports that incidences happened two weeks ago between the victim and perpertrator!!!) It causes me to wonder if my daugher would be taken seriously if an issue arose? Have we become so cold as a society that we believe a nine-year old girl "asked" for this? Have we lost all sense of morality that we could possibly think she "provoked" it?  It is just so sad. My heart aches....for all affected by this unnecessary loss.

I am numb.