Our children are a gift from God. They belong to Him first ….. and He cares for them even more than we do. We all started out as an innocent child ….. simple ….. trusting ….. adventurous. Children have no sense of danger. A parent’s role is to protect while at the same time helping them to learn how to live in a world that is full of opportunities. The enemy is out to harm our children in all sorts of ways. Apart from being vigilant ….. the best way to protect our kids is to pray for them. Obviously we can’t be watching them every second ….. but God is! They are the ‘apple of His eye’. It’s the most sensitive part ….. and if something touches it ….. you know about it!
Who needs a fancy restaurant when you can have fish n chips by the beach! The older I get ….. the simpler life becomes. Last night was my perfect date night. Dinner ….. alfresco ….. followed by a stroll along the promenade with my man of 45 years. You can’t get any better than that! Life can get so complicated. It really doesn’t need to.
‘The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.’ Proverbs 10:22
Raising children is a huge responsibility ….. especially in the days we’re living in. Laws are being passed that make it difficult for parents to have control ….. and kids are being taught ‘their rights’! If you are struggling as a parent ….. remember they were God’s children before they were yours. He cares for them even more than you do! When we release them to the Potter ….. they are like clay in His hands. Do the best you can ….. and trust Him to do the rest.
I hope you have been able to enjoy some quality time with your family this summer. It won’t be long before the school year starts ….. and other commitments begin to fill the calendar. But it’s important to prioritise family times throughout the year. When our children were younger we had ‘Family Time’ after dinner every night. We would ask them to choose songs ….. share about their day ….. and join in the prayer time. It can be as long and creative as you like. Occasionally we would go out for ice cream! Make it fun ….. not something to be endured! The important thing is to connect and make memories. Of course ….. as they get older it’s not always practical. But if the foundation has been laid ….. they will hopefully want to continue the habit with their own families.
Ears are amazing things! They are entry points into our hearts and minds. They can alert us to danger ….. or lead us to safety. They allow us to learn new things ….. and make new friends. We can distinguish voices without seeing who’s speaking. There are so many voices clamouring for our attention ….. and especially for the attention of our children. Advertising ….. music ….. movies etc. Teach them how to distinguish between truth and lies. Jesus said, ‘My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me.’
One thing I’ve experienced ….. is that each decade I live becomes the best yet! The older I get ….. the more ‘at home’ I feel. Each stage of life ….. the innocence of childhood ….. the adventurous freedom of the teen years ….. the loving responsibility of the parenting years ….. the slightly guilty pleasure of the empty nest years ….. and of course the temporary indulging of being a grandparent ….. all have their wonders. They tell me the best is yet to come and I believe it! Can’t wait!
We were not designed to live alone. In fact ….. God said ” it’s not good for the man to be alone” ….. and so He made a woman as his companion. God is a perfect matchmaker! So if you are single ….. don’t go looking for that special someone! Become that special someone ….. and let God do the rest. He really does know what He’s doing!
It’s amazing how members of a family can be so different. They have the same roots ….. but vary in looks, size and temperament. And yet ….. at times ….. you see the likenesses. I’m glad God didn’t make us in a mould ….. but gave us freedom to choose. It was a huge risk ….. but also demonstrates a huge love!
The devil has always targeted children since time began. He knows the potential inside each child ….. and he will do everything he can to stop it. From the killing of babies ….. to child sacrifice ….. to sex trafficking and abortion ….. his methods are varied but his aim is the same. As the new school year is about to begin ….. our children face different dangers like indoctrination and propaganda. As parents and grandparents ….. we have a huge responsibility to pray over and to teach truth to our children. But there is Someone who is even more passionate about our precious littlies than we are. In His Words:
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
Before God introduced Eve to Adam ….. he prepared Adam for marriage! Firstly ….. Adam learned to walk and talk with God daily and to live in His presence. Next ….. he had to learn to be responsible for others and exercise authority by naming the animals. Then he was given a job that would provide for his family ….. as well as teach him to use his gifts in a productive way. Only then was he ready to meet the love of his life and start a family. Young men ….. these are the qualifications to being a husband. Young women ….. these are the attributes you need to look for in a future husband!
The school holidays are almost over and Mums are no doubt breathing a sigh of relief! I spent some time with these darlings yesterday! We decided to go for a walk and told these two to hold hands when we crossed the road. They proceeded to hold hands all the way! So precious! Both are 4 years old and both thought they were ‘looking after’ the other one! Well done Mums and Dads for making it through!
Trees are very significant in the Bible. They are symbols of strength ….. longevity ….. and shelter. Prophets sat under them ….. grandfathers told stories to their grandchildren and they were recognised from one generation to another. Your life is like a tree! What kind of tree do you want your future generations to remember? It’s never too late to plant one!
We got to hang out with these little darlings the other day! It was full on but very rewarding. Lots of laughs and lots of cuddles! So thankful for Mersade’s help with the littlies. I’d love to retake this photo in ten years time! I wonder …..
Well ….. January has gone. For many it was a month of holidays ….. late nights ….. relaxing ….. and planning. Now it’s time to settle into the year ahead. It’s back to school ….. routines ….. commitments. For Mums ….. you may have mixed emotions. Relief that after months of having your children at home ….. they can finally go back to school. Anxiety over their safety and well-being. Either way ….. you probably need some ‘me time’. If you can’t go to a peaceful spot ….. make one at home! Suzanna Wesley ….. mother of John and Charles ….. had 19 children! The only way she could be alone was to throw her apron over her head! The children knew to leave her alone when they saw that! Whatever your situation ….. take time to look after yourself! God loves your kids even more than you do. He’s got this!
As the new school year begins ….. let’s pray for our children to be attracted to things that will enhance their character ….. enlarge their ability to discern right from wrong ….. and increase their hunger for wisdom. Knowledge is good but wisdom is better!
Some plants are climbers. While other plants are content to form a nice bush and stay put ….. these have an inbuilt urge to explore. If not given a strong framework to support them ….. they would run wild. Does that sound like someone you know? A child maybe? A climbing rose will never be a standard rose unless its potential is continually cut off. But with a framework of discipline, encouragement and coaching ….. your rambling rose will be a stunner!
In our age of ‘instant gratification’ ….. we can often overlook the responsibility of planning for future generations. Some of the greatest people in history never saw the fruit of their labours ….. but we are now enjoying the benefits. One of the greatest ways we can sow into future generations is through prayer. The seeds we sow today will produce a ‘heritage tree’ that will bless multitudes after we are gone.
There’s a strength that comes from being ‘rooted together’ with someone. When those roots are founded in God’s love ….. the relationship will be even stronger. Once you know the depths of His love ….. nothing can hold you back. That’s why a marriage that is deeply rooted in God can overcome every obstacle ….. overlook every offence ….. and outlast every attack. May you know how wide and long and high and deep is that love!
Love is in the air! In the lead up to Valentines Day ….. I’ve been thinking about love! What is love? Is it a sentimental feeling? Is it something you suddenly fall into ….. and therefore can just as easily fall out of? The Bible definition of love is very different. The word for God’s love is ‘Agape’ ….. and means seeing a need and meeting it. It’s practical. It’s action. It focuses on the highest good of others. It’s about giving!
Sue's Views 