Scripture Training

As a mom of a two and four, my life seems a little bit full of temper tantrums, fighting and DRAMA.  I want my kids to behave but I don’t want them to be robots.  I want them to obey, but I also want them to know why and not just my reason why, but God’s “why”.

I want my children to listen to me, but MORE then that I want them to listen to God and His Words. So lately, I have been trying to give them Bible verses, instead of mom’s words. Here are some of the verses:

It’s a process. We only have a few so far, but little by little…

Fighting:
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:32

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” – Philippians 2:3

Putting others first: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God,” – I John 4:7

Sharing: “Give, and it shall be given unto you” – Luke 6:38

Obeying: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” – Ephesians 6:1

Lying:“Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.” – Proverbs 12:22

Self-Control
“Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” – Psalms 141:3

There are SO many more verses, but this is a start. What verses do you use with your kiddos? Share below.

-Rejoicing,

Joy T

 

For This Child I Prayed, Part 2

So much has happened since I posted in January about my sweet little boy (or should I say so many words!). In January he turned 2 and his vocabulary was very limited. We weren’t sure what was going on. We took him to his pediatrician, and he assured us that he was fine and that he would talk when he was ready.
I was so tempted to continue to worry about him, but I prayed about it and left the situation with the Lord. The Lord gave me such a sweet peace. We did a lot of extra talking and singing with our son and a couple months later more and more words started to come. One of his first words was “tractor”. Before that, he had only said about three or four words. More and more words and then phrases and short sentences came. It was a joy to hear him say the precious name “Jesus”!
He repeats most words that he hears now, but he mostly prefers singing! I found him one day standing on the piano trying to sing “Jesus Loves Me”. It was hard for me not to laugh because he was being so sweet, but I didn’t want him to fall. Thus, his singing had to be moved to a different location!
I give all the praise to our wonderful God for what I have daily seen in my little boy’s life! When he finally said “mommy”, it brought tears to my eyes! Each day as I hear so many words come from my son’s lips, I am reminded of how important it is to pray specifically for our children and wait and see what our God can do!
At naptime and at bedtime I sing with my little boy and our final song comes straight from Scripture. Countless times I have heard my little boy start singing this song in his own way, and it is truly music to my ears! It is from Psalm 4:8: “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”
On Monday, my husband and I will be taking our son to see an optician. He has been crossing his right eye for several months now. One of his older sisters had to have glasses when she was 18 months old because of crossed eyes. This situation is once again a time when we could be worried, but we choose to trust the Lord and know that He knows what is best for our little boy. We have been praying for this situation, specifically that this problem could be corrected without surgery. Would you join our family in praying for our son? And thank you so much if you have been praying for his speech concern. If he could meet you, he would say, “Thank you” and “Love you”!
“Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” Ephesians 3:20-21

Mommy Stuff I’ve Learned Since My Baby Shower

When I look at the pictures from my baby shower, I look at myself and my tiny first born girl and think of all the days that have happened since – the sweet firsts, the long nights, the hard days of caring for a toddler and a newborn while working full time, the days getting used to being a stay-at-home mom to those same two and then their little brother, and all the days in between! So much has happened since the day of that shower! The Lord has seen me through so many ups and downs of being a mommy since that joyful occasion.

I definitely don’t claim that I know all there is to know about being a godly mother. I haven’t even come close to knowing! I fail EVERY DAY, but I am so thankful for the grace the Lord gives me to carry on in this special gift of having three little people call me mommy!

Here are a few things the Lord has taught is teaching me. I hope they will encourage other mommies as well.

1. Being a mom can be wonderful! There are all those wonderful moments with a baby: hearing your unborn baby’s heartbeat for the first time, seeing their profile on the ultrasound screen, holding them for the first time, their first smile, all those special days of cuddling and bonding. Then there are the wonderful moments as that baby grows into a toddler: first steps, first words, the very fact that this little person loves to be with mommy all the time! As that toddler grows older, there are more special moments together as they become more independent but still want to show you how glad they are that you’re their mom: wanting you to see their Lego building or other artwork, cuddling up to read books together, cooking and baking things together. God gives each mom these special wonderful moments to keep in her heart as her children grow older.

2. Being a mom can be HARD.There are lots of difficult days as a mom regardless of the age of your children – days of sickness, difficult circumstances, a move, so many things. Then there are the days that are hard simply because a mom is needed by so many people for so many different reasons and usually all at the same time! Emotionally, a mom can easily feel like a puzzle with all the pieces scattered everywhere!

There are several verses of Scripture that mean more to me now that I am a mom. They often come to mind on those hard days.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” -Galatians 6:9

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” – James 1:2-5

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” -Psalm 126:5-6

3. Being a mom can be lonely. Staying at home with your children is not all days full of tea parties and baking cookies. Those hard days can be lonely ones, too. Some days it’s exciting to hear the phone ring or the door bell sound just because a mom can have a few minutes of interaction with another adult!

In those lonely days, a mom truly realizes what a gift prayer truly is – talking to Someone Who understands and cares about everything that a mom is going through every day.

“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” – I Peter 5:7

4. Being a mom is totally worth it! In spite of the hard days and lonely days and all the other days in between, being a mom is a true blessing in countless ways! Being the one who is not only entrusted with the job of teaching children life skills, but also teaching them about the One Who gave them life and what He did for them through His Son. This is truly a daunting task, but what could be better? The best treasures a parent can lay up in Heaven are their children. Of all the things in life a parent can give time, money and attention to, what is truly the most important in light of eternity?

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33

5. Being a mom has helped me grow in my relationship with the Lord. The Lord has helped me through hard days, lonely days and all the other ordinary days. Having encouraging and convicting words of Scripture and Someone to go to with my cares and worries makes being a mom, although a difficult and sometimes discouraging job, a true blessing and gift from God!

“He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.”-Psalm 113:9