Over and over again

"Good manners have been elevated to the level of Christian righteousness.

 ”Moralistic parenting occurs because most of us have a wrong view of the Bible. The story of the Bible isn’t a story about making good little boys and girls better. As Sally Lloyd-Jones writes in The Jesus Storybook Bible:

No, the Bible isn’t a book of rules, or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a Story. It’s an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It’s a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne—everything—to rescue the one he loves. It’s like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life.

This is the story that our children need to hear and, like us, they need to hear it over and over again."

from "The Danger of Moralistic Parenting," by Elyse Fitzpatrick, on The Resurgence blog

Kids behaving well is good, and it is very convenient, but it is not enough and it is not the end.
Do I show my kids the same Grace that the Lord has shown me?
How do I find that right balance of justice and mercy?
That is some of what I struggle with.
And that is why I go back to that Story of rescue, the Story that is True, over and over again.

(illustration by Jago, from The Jesus Storybook Bible)

A Mother's Calling

"Mothers who understand that God desires "godly offspring" (Mal. 2:15) realize what an important part they play in fulfilling God's desire. It takes diligence, hard work, and faith to raise godly offspring for God, but it is a soul-satisfying work." ~ Nancy Wilson

"God had things He wanted me to learn that I could only learn as a mom at home. He still does. I have come to believe that staying at home is as crucial to my personal and spiritual development as it is to that of my children." ~Allie Pleiter

if I don't draw close...

But I go to church, often only because I am dragging them with me, and often because if I don’t draw close to the liturgy and the Cross and the blessing, I may well go stark-raving mad.
- Tony Woodlief, "Confession of a child-dragging churchgoer," WORLDmag.com, March 18, 2011

Reading this piece by Woodlief, I remember all too well those years of dragging little ones to church. 
Little ones who didn't want to sit still. 
Little ones who couldn't whisper.
Little ones who may or may not have been thunked on the noggin when they fussed with one another.

There were the years of being THAT close to getting out the door when a distinct odor halted the entire operation until a diaper was changed.
There were the years of trying to take toddlers into the nursery, only to have them scream long enough that I would be called back, usually just in time for the sermon.
There were the years of "I have to go to the bathroom."  "Wait."  "I have to go to the bathroom."  "Wait." "I have to go to the bathroom.  NOW!"

Now, they know how to sit still and they get themselves dressed and fed and they don't need snacks or quiet toys for the service.
And even so, some Sundays I get that same pull to stay home,  only now it's because "I don't want to go..." and "why do I  have to go?" and "I'll go but you can't make me go to Sunday school..."
Dragging big ones to church can be equally as hard, in a completely different sort of way.

But I go to church, often only because I am dragging them with me, and often because if I don’t draw close to the liturgy and the Cross and the blessing, I may well go stark-raving mad.

I slip into the pew and bow my head and utter the same prayer as I have for all these years.
Please Lord, meet me here this morning.
Please Lord, show me your Glory.
Please Lord, show me your Grace.


And He does.
He speaks through the Word and the song and the prayer.
He shows Himself in people and community and fellowship.

We never leave the same as when we arrived.
Thankfully.

Earnest, Secret, Believing

Earnest, secret, believing prayer should never cease to be daily presented for our offspring...That parent has neglected a very important branch of his duty, who has suffered one single day to pass by without bearing his children upon his heart before God in private prayer. -- John Angell James

As I read this, I reflected on the amount of time I really do spend in prayer for my children. While I spend much time in prayer for them, I also recognize that there needs to be particular times of "going to battle" for them on my knees before the Throne. May our Lord give us wisdom as we intercede on their behalf!

The Lord IS my shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd. Psalm 23:1

"Not was, not may be, nor will be. "The Lord is my shepherd."
He is on Sunday, on Monday, an through every day of the week. He is in January, in December, and every month of the year. He is when I'm at home and in China. He is during peace or war, and in times of abundance or poverty."
- J. Hudson Taylor

Just a Few Qs...

I stumbled across this blog, Pyromaniacs, today. I wanted to share this article with you entitled,
"Are you sure you want a husband who...?". It is thought provoking and challenging.

What do you think?

Our marriages has a profound effect on our children. Let's consider how we view the calling to be wives.

Inspiration from Titus 2

Family Focus, Part A
Family Focus, Part B
The Biblical Role of a Woman, Part A
The Biblical Role of a Woman, Part B
by Alistair Begg, senior pastor at Parkside Church near Cleveland OH.


Click on the titles above to hear wisdom and inspiration from Titus 2 on marriage and raising a family.

Share your thoughts!