Childhood Heroes

My firstborn is now six. When she was five, she was first exposed to that fine piece of cinematic genious called "The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl." My husband took her to see the film. He said that it was awful; and, of course, she loved it. Soon thereafter, she refused to be called by her given name. She was now Lava Girl. Her notebooks were covered with drawings of the duo, and she was constantly trying to figure out how to make her hair pink like the heroine's.
Adventures at the playground became scenes from her favorite movie, as she "guided" the other children to play their parts. As her mother, I wasn't really concerned, just a little annoyed.

I thought:
"Why can't she have a more respectable hero? I proceeded to search for good quality children's missionary biographies to read her stories of real life heroes."

Well, I still haven't found those biographies. (any suggestions?) But, we did read "Peter Pan." And now, she is Tigerlily. When we go to church she writes Tigerlily on her name tag. When she meets someone new, she introduces herself as Tigerlily, and when her sister wants to ask her something, she must call her Tigerlily. (although we've been informed that Lily is also acceptable) Well, I do believe that this is an improvement. I certainly would rather her wish to be Tigerlily than Lava Girl. A brave Indian Princess from a classic novel is preferable to a cheesy heroine from a poorly made 'kid flick.' But, even more than that I want her to want to be like Jesus. He is faithful, and we will get there.

Childhood Heroes

My firstborn is now six. When she was five, she was first exposed to that fine piece of cinematic genious called "The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl." My husband took her to see the film. He said that it was awful; and, of course, she loved it. Soon thereafter, she refused to be called by her given name. She was now Lava Girl. Her notebooks were covered with drawings of the duo, and she was constantly trying to figure out how to make her hair pink like the heroine's.
Adventures at the playground became scenes from her favorite movie, as she "guided" the other children to play their parts. As her mother, I wasn't really concerned, just a little annoyed.

I thought:
"Why can't she have a more respectable hero? I proceeded to search for good quality children's missionary biographies to read her stories of real life heroes."

Well, I still haven't found those biographies. (any suggestions?) But, we did read "Peter Pan." And now, she is Tigerlily. When we go to church she writes Tigerlily on her name tag. When she meets someone new, she introduces herself as Tigerlily, and when her sister wants to ask her something, she must call her Tigerlily. (although we've been informed that Lily is also acceptable) Well, I do believe that this is an improvement. I certainly would rather her wish to be Tigerlily than Lava Girl. A brave Indian Princess from a classic novel is preferable to a cheesy heroine from a poorly made 'kid flick.' But, even more than that I want her to want to be like Jesus. He is faithful, and we will get there.

Working with our Hands

Recently, I was given a breadmaker from my mother-in-law. It had been lurking in the dark cabinets of a friend of hers completely lonely and unused. (I hear that this happens often with these poor machines!) Since she knew that I like to make our family's bread, she generously offered to give hers to me. I was certainly thankful for the thoughtful gift.

The very first day, I put it to work. As my six-year-old entered the kitchen, I explained to her that this machine was doing all of the work for me. So, now we wouldn't have to knead the dough anymore. Her first response was "but, I like to knead the dough."

Shortly after, I came across a quote from a very wise woman. It said :

"Just as it is good to get one's fingers into the soil and plant seeds, so it is good to get one's fingers and fists into bread dough to knead and punch it."
"The Hidden Art of Homemaking" by Edith Schaeffer

And so, it seems to me that living is doing. It is getting our hands dirty and doing something wonderful with them. Whether it is wiping a baby to make him clean, cutting out a pattern and sewing the pieces together, or even kneading your own dough. I am not saying that we shouldn't ever buy our goods pre-made from the store. Those conveniences give us so much more free time to spend on other things. But, it is good to make the family's bread now and then. And a dress made by Mom will be something that a little girl treasures. These experiences help to shape a happy childhood and grow our children into able adults. I really think that they often find comfort in knowing that Mom and Dad can provide for them directly, not just through earning the money to buy, but though taking raw goods and turning them into something that the family needs or will enjoy. It is also in a way more satisfying to us. Perhaps it is because our marvelous Creator formed something from nothing. He didn't purchase the earth, but he formed it with his own hands, and it was good.

Doctrine divides?

Before I had read or understood much of the Bible, I refused to claim a denomination. I would simply state that I just believed the Bible. How I could believe it when I hadn't even read much of it is quite a mystery to me now. Later in life, I attended my first real Bible study on the book of Romans. The truths taught in that particular book were so contrary to what I had always "believed" that they caused me to wonder why I had never heard them before in my church. So, I began researching various denominations to discover what each of them believed. It was during this quest that I first discovered church doctrine. And so my thoughts on doctrine are this:

It is necessary for a church to take a particular stance on how they interpret scripture.
It is necessary for a church to hold fast to that stance despite the potential pull of the culture to sway them.
It is good for a church to belong to a denomination that shares their beliefs to hold them accountable.
It is good for a Christian to join a church whose doctrine they agree with so that they can fully submit themselves to church leadership.

Believing that the Bible is true is very good. Knowing what the Bible says and believing that it is true is even better. Learning to interpret scripture rightly (in light of scripture) is wonderful. Leaning on the written works of both living and glorified saints to better understand the word is marvelous.

My Middle One

Last week as we were walking to the car, my four year old suddenly began running. When we arrived at the car she proceeded to tell my oldest "Ha, ha, I beat you in the race." The oldest responded, "but you didn't tell me that we were racing." "Yeah, that's because I wanted to win!"

Poor baby, I'm sure that she'll out do her sister in something before too long. I couldn't help but laugh all the way home.

Believing God

Yesterday, at church, I was thankful that our pastor mentioned Pro-life Sunday and prayed for the cease of abortion in our country. After reading Andrea's post on Pro-Life, as well as Barbara's I've been inspired to write more of my own thoughts on the topic.

It seems as though it all boils down to one question - do we really believe God?

When the Bible tells us "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward." Psalm 127:3

Do we really believe that? If so, how does it affect the way that we live? It has to be so much more than simply being anti-abortion, or even anti-contraception. Do we breathe a sigh of relief when they finally reach school age and someone else can deal with them all day? Or do we delight in hearing the pitter-patter of little feet coming down the hall? Do we count the days until their eighteenth birthday so that we can be done with it all? Or do we cherish them as we train them up to enter adulthood?

Sure, the days are long and hard. Sick children, stressed finances, and too many carseats to buckle can all make us say - "enough!" But, in saying that, are we really believing God? Do we trust that he is good and truthful?

I guess what I'm getting at is that our faith will cost us something. Whether it be giving up exotic vacations or sports cars, new clothes or even sleep! But, in the end, if we believe that God is good and his word is true. We can do nothing else but Trust and Obey.

Provision

"so to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations; a thorn was given me in my flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me "my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses , so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Yesterday, I was busy throwing myself a pity party over the state of my finances. Last year, we made the decision to add to and remodel our home which left us house rich and cash poor. I love our home. But, sometimes I covet. (don, don, don...) Yes, me - I covet. I long for new kitchen equipment and enough money to do my grocery shopping at Whole Foods. I want amazing vacations and sometimes even a maid. (imagine that?!) But, then the Holy Spirit led me to remember to:

"give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thess. 5:18

So, what do I have to give thanks for in this circumstance? Only about a gazillion things.

I am thankful for a husband who desires to provide a lovely home for his family.

I am thankful for the way that my cooking skills have developed since restaurants are pretty much out.

I am thankful for learning to make our bread.

I am thankful that I will, come Spring, have a garden. And I pray that it will bear beautiful fruit and vegetables.

I am thankful that I don't have the option to spoil my children with stuff.

I am thankful that a couple of days with my husband home feels like a luxurious vacation.

I am thankful for the satisfaction that comes from that perfect second hand 'find' to add to the beauty of our home.

I am thankful that the Lord constantly keeps me leaning upon his provision, rather than trusting in my own.

I am thankful for the increased lessons in stewardship.

"Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me."
Proverbs 30:8

From Feminist to Feminine

I've been inspired by Elise's story entitled 'Found' to tell a little of my story.

I was a young, American, Christian girl, full of dreams about my future. I was a planner, a goal-setter, and a dreamer. From my youngest days I remember contemplating what I would 'be' when I grew up, or where I would go to college. Somewhere way back in my little brain I believed that I would one day become a wife and a mother, but how I would get there or how that would intersect with my other goals was not at all a concern. I was smart, so they said. I could do anything. It sounded so blissful to map out my future. So, I often retreated to own little world where realizing my dreams was the key to my happiness.

At eighteen, I was accepted into a very good college, which I proceeded to attend. I spent the next year joining the world and all of it's darkness in my pursuit of happiness. The following summer, I was met with a suprise that did not fit into my plans or dreams at all.

I denied it.
I tried to run from it.
I was scared, sad and depressed.

Until, in agony, I turned my face back toward my glorious Creator who had never ceased loving me.

It was then that the Holy Spirit began to transform me. I knew it because:

I had joy in the midst of the sorrow of lost dreams.
I had love where before there was none.
I had peace in the midst of chaos.
I had faith that the Lord was my good Shepherd.

Two short months later, I was a bride. Seven years later, he still shares:
my bed,
my home,
my heart.

During the past seven years, the Lord has moved my heart slowly towards home. One by one, he has plucked my worldly dreams from my fingers and replaced them with blessings too numerous to contain in my hands. He is moving my heart to a place where my desires are his, and for that I am thankful.

There is great peace in knowing that He is sovereign, even when I am such a fool.

"Hallelujah, he has found me
the one my soul so long has craved.
Jesus satisfies all my longings,
by his blood, I now am saved"
-"He Rescued Me"

Ice and Dad

After just complaining of never seeing Winter here, we have just received freeeeeezing weather! It has been complete with sleet and icicles. The kids have had a great time playing in the unusual weather while having Dad around to show them how :)

The weatherman even says that we might get to see one of the greatest wonders of God's creation tomorrow - snowflakes!

Seasons

I love seasons. I often lament to my husband that the seasons where we live aren't distinct enough. We usually just get hot and warm here. But, right now it's fairly cool outide and most of the trees are naked, so I guess it's winter.

Anyways, I've been thinking lately about the seasons of life. I often hear talk of this time of raising young children to be a season, but it just recently struck me that there are many more analogies that we could pull from that. It seems to me that we truly do have about four seasons to a lifetime, just like our year.

Life begins in the Spring, when we, like the young plants are just uncurling. As we receive the proper nutrients from our environment and caretakers, we thrive and grow. We may even begin to blossom and bear fruit during this lovely time of rapid growth.

As we mature into adulthood, we also enter the summer of our lives. Life is hot and busy with the raising of children. The days are long and the nights are short. But, the world is green and bright and lovely. This is a wonderful time to experience God's goodness through his creation (our children).

As our children arrive at adulthood and begin to leave the home, we enter the coolness of Fall. This time is crisp and refreshing as we enjoy the fruit of our summer labor. The days are full, but somehow more relaxing and cozy, as we curl up with grandchildren before the fire to read to them and pass on to them the legacy of faith that was passed to us.

Finally, as our days begin to draw to a close, we enter winter. This seems to be a more solitary time. This will be the time when we can spend all day with the Lord in prayer if we like. This will be the time for lengthy meditation and storing up of the word in preparation for our new spring to come as we go to meet the Lord. This can be a lonely time for some, so as we are in our other seasons, let us not neglect those who are in their winter. Let us seek them out for wisdom and company.

As I walk through the hot days of my Summer, I try to remind myself often that these years of raising my children are only 1/4 of a long life on this earth. May I refuse to see them as a burden, but cherish each moment with them as I seek to offer them all of the care and nutrients they will need to be fruitful adults in their summer of life.

Baby Steps

My baby has been standing on his own for several months now. He has even ventured to take a step or two. Finally, on Jan 1st, 2007 - he made up his mind to walk across the living room for us! The past week has been full of joy and awe as I watch my dear baby carefully make his way around on foot. I love a baby's first steps. It doesn't really matter which baby it is (although my own is a bit more special :). I know that these are only the first of many steps which my little man will take in his lifetime.

"Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!"
Psalm 119:1

Sabbath Dinner, cont.

In a previous post, I had mentioned a beautiful website for helping families to really celebrate the Sabbath. It all begins with a special meal on Saturday evening (the traditional start to the Sabbath). The meals and recipes on the website are quite overwhelming to someone like myself. But, I think that I've found a happy compromise. Since our weeknight meals are usually quite simple, I think that I'll make our Sabbath meal a step above those by preparing a whole chicken or roast which could serve as some nice sandwich meat for a pleasant Sunday afternoon lunch. I recently purchased this wonderful cookbook full of simple, seasonal food. In fact, the whole book is arranged by seasons. The recipes in it are definately a cut above ordinary fare in our home and so I think that I'll use it as our primary text for Sabbath cooking for now. The photographs in it are amazing, and the text and recipes are inspiring! If any of you know of an equally lovely cookbook that focuses on a different ethnic style, I'd love to hear about it!