Teaching our Children to Give

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My 18 month old little boy has a lot of toys. He really does. He is our firstborn AND he is the first grandchild (and great-grandchild!) on both my side and my husband's side so, suffice it to say, he has many goodies to play with.

I made a decision before Nathan was born that I would teach him, and our future children, not to hoard up toys and clothes, but have a heart to give and bless others. I decided that each year before Christmas and every birthday, I would go through their things with them and we would choose items to give and donate away to other children. This has a two-fold purpose. Not only does it free up space in our home and keep our house from becoming overly cluttered and hoard-ish, but more importantly it instills in them a habit and a love for giving. A statistic from 2011 reads that 42 million people in the US live in poverty; 16.1 million of them are children. Did you know that at least 80% of humanity live on $10 a day? According to UNICEF, 22,000 children die each day due to poverty. I don't know about you, but that breaks my heart. And when I look around at the mass of "stuff" that is easily accumulated in our home, I am even more disturbed. I want my children to see that they do not "need" 20 coats, 50 pairs of shoes, and 100 toys. A simple baby doll is extravagant to one little girl out there. A warm coat means the world to a shivering little boy somewhere. It is my goal to direct my children's attention to the needs around them, and then have a desire to try and meet those needs. And like most things, a giving heart needs to be taught at a young age.

The other day I sat down with Nathan in his room and we began going through his toys. I chose toys that he does not play with and that have no sentimental value, and explained that we were going to share those things with a little boy who has nothing to play with. I said, "We have friends who don't have lots of toys! Let's give them a few of ours!" He, of course, doesn't fully understand, but one day he will.... And I hope when that time comes, that he will have learned to have a cheerful, giver's heart. It's also important to remember that we cannot expect to teach our children to give when we, adults, hoard up our stuff. I can't be hypocritical. I, too, go through my clothes and things and pack a box to donate or give away. As a parent, I have to set the example.

What are ways that you have found to help instill a giving heart to young ones?

Recommended Books for Little Boys

There are few things I love as much as books and the memories that I have in reading through my most cherished ones growing up. Below is a list I have compiled of my current favorites that I think are very beneficial and precious for little boys. Of course, most of these can be read to girls too (some are among my childhood favorites!), but I also find them very good picks for those with little snips, snails, and puppy dog tails, too!

 

I bought this book only yesterday for Nathan that I am going to give him for Christmas. I plan to begin reading it to him while he is young to instill the powerful message of this book into his heart at an early age. You may have heard of the popular (and HIGHLY recommended) book for girls, The Princess & the Kiss. This book, The Squire & the Scroll, is written by the same author with the same principle in mind: teaching purity. This story is about a young squire who travels a long distance beside a brave knight. Through dangers and perils, he learns what it takes to flee temptation and to guard the heart from impurity. In this age, that message needs to be deeply rooted into our children's hearts.

Barney Wigglesworth is a cute little collection of books about a mouse named Barney. In each book, he learns valuable and moral life lessons such as: cooperating with others, perseverance, caring for those in need, etc. My mom used to read me the Barney Wigglesworth books as a child and now I am taking great delight in reading them to Nathan. They are so very cute.

Adam Raccoon is probably my favorite to read to Nathan right now. I love the strong Christian parables in this series and he likes to look at the pictures. Each book is a treasure trove of spiritual lessons. In Adam Raccoon in the Lost Woods, he learns to follow Jesus, In Adam Raccoon and the Circus Master, he learns about forgiveness. This is, yet another, series I had as a child and I will always have these books in my home.

My mom began collecting the "Building Christian Character" books when I was little. This is probably my family's favorite series that we read growing up. There are so many books in this collection! The above book, Max and the Big Fat Lie, is about telling the truth. Buzzle Billy is about sharing. Sir Maggie the Mighty is about obedience, Handy-Dandy Helpful Hal is about helping. Cheating, greediness, thankfulness - there are so many topics that these books hit and the creative way they illustrate those messages are great! I definitely recommend this series!

Do you have any recommended reads for little boys? Feel free to share!

The Fruit of the Womb is His Reward

The Bible says that children are a heritage; a reward. I cannot begin to express how Grant and I feel to have been given the blessing of our son, Nathan. And now, I cannot tell you how we felt to discover that we were being "rewarded" a second time! That's right.... I'M EXPECTING!!!

Baby #2 should make his or her appearance sometime in mid-February of 2013.

My husband's and my reaction to this pregnancy was vastly different than with our first. With Nathan, we were overjoyed but very, very overwhelmed, not knowing what to expect. This time, we know full well what a blessing little Nathan is and are 100-times MORE thrilled and in awe; anxious to meet this little one and experience all the joys again.

Please be praying for me as I begin my pregnancy journey for a second time - for my health and little baby #2's health and safety.

God is big....and so very good!!

Psalm 127:3-5a
"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them..."

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Singing Scripture

A few months ago, I shared a chart that I made for me and Nathan as a way of helping me teach him Scripture. I call it my "Saturate chart." Children are like sponges and they learn so much, so fast, so early in their lives. It has been a challenge for me to remember to incorporate the Word into everyday life happenings, but we are getting there! We take it one day at a time. :)

When I was younger and in the AWANA program at our Church, I remember my mom taking the Bible verses we needed to remember and putting a tune to them. We were all singers and singing Bible somehow made it easier to remember those tough verses. There was a time when one of my little sisters, instead of reciting the verse to her AWANA leader, sang the verse....and had a few body motions to go with it! -- for effect, I guess? :)

     

Months ago, I began taking Nathan's bath time to recite to him Psalm 51:10. Not long after, I began to sing Keith Green's song that he wrote from that passage, "Create in Me a Clean Heart." Following suit, and being a singer, I took his mealtime verse of Psalm 34:8 and put a tune to it myself. -- Below is a video of my version.
  

The other day, with all of this on my mind, I thought to myself, "I bet there are Scripture songs out there!" So I pulled up Google and searched for KJV Scripture Songs for Kids. What I found made my heart happy! After looking at various CDs out there, I ended up at iTunes and downloaded fourteen Scripture songs that will make it a lot easier to instill many verses into my son's little heart.

I downloaded songs from the ABC Memory Verse CD, and several songs from the Bible Songs for Kids collection. I am LOVING them! It is a lot easier for me to "soak" him in Jesus and flood his mind and his heart with God's Word through song. And it's easier for me to memorize Scripture more too! (I'm no easy sponge anymore!)

So if any of you mommies love singing around the house and also want to teach your children Scripture, I highly recommend using Scripture songs. Find some you love....or put a tune to verses yourself! Whatever method you choose, I just encourage you to saturate your kids.

 

This is my tune to Psalm 34:8. I have found that there are many versions out there,
so if you don't like mine, you can find another. :) Though Nathan always gives me a
tiny smile, he is still more interested in his food. However, I am sure that if I stay
consistent, he will have those verses rooted in his heart forever.

Gullabagoo

Today, I have been thinking back to my childhood. And I am willing to bet that many of you grown girls will relate to this post.

Next month, I will be 26 years old. I am married. I have a little boy. I am grown.

...but sometimes I still feel like a little girl.

When I'm hurt, I cry.

When I'm upset, I sometimes throw a fit.

When I want something, I often don't have much patience to wait for it.

....you'd think I'd be more mature by now.

Sometimes I wear my feelings on my sleeve. Sometimes I just want to go run through a field or play on a swing set. Sometimes I want to go grab up my favorite teddy bear. Sometimes I want to lay my head on my Mom's lap. Sometimes I want to curl up and listen to a story from my Dad.

Which brings me to right now.

Growing up, my Dad told THE BEST stories. If you are an avid Andy Griffith-watcher (like me!), then you can remember the many times Andy Taylor would tell his son, Opie, the perfect thing in the perfect way. When Opie struggled with history, Andy made it interesting. My Dad has always reminded me of him! The coolest thing is when he would make up his own stories. Since I am remembering my childhood (and missing it in a way), I thought I would share with you one of the first stories my Dad ever told me as a little girl. It became a regular tale and, in 2006, Dad wrote it down and made it into a little booklet for me! Today, I pulled it out and read over it again and, I have to say, I got teary-eyed. So for all you women who sometimes feel like a little girl and for all you mommies who may want to tell this story to YOUR children, I thought I would share it...in my Dad's words. :)

It was a stormy night in Arkansas and a little girl named Kristen Elizabeth was awakened by the storm. There was lots of wind blowing, lightning flashing, thunder roaring and rain falling down hard to the ground. The water was rising fast towards Kristen's house. During the storm, Kristen began to cry and then she started to pray, "Dear Jesus, please help me tonight in this storm. Lord please stop the loud thunder. And, Lord, please stop the bright lightning and the strong wind from blowing hard. And Lord, stop the flood waters from getting into my house. Help me, Lord Jesus, not to cry or be afraid. Amen."

Well, way up in Heaven, the Lord called all of His special angels to His throne and said, "I've got a special job for a special angel to go help calm the heart of Kristen, one of my little children, who is scared tonight." Then the Lord said, "Which one of you angels would like to volunteer for the job?"

Just about that time, a little angel shouted for joy, and said, "Lord Jesus...please let me go and help Kristen. I don't want her to be afraid of anything, please Lord, let me go! Pleeeeeeeease!"

I never knew the name of that special angel, so I'll just call him "Gullabagoo."

Then the Lord said to that little angel, "You're just the one I was thinking of for this job!" The Lord said, "Gullabagoo, you will go and help Kristen and I will tell you what you must do."

Gullabagoo was so happy to be chosen, and he smiled and grinned from ear to ear and said, "Thank you, Lord." Then he was off and on his way to help Kristen.

When Gullabagoo saw the horrible storm, and heart Kristen crying and praying, it broke his little heart. Gullabagoo saw the lightning flashing and streaking across the sky. He saw the rain falling hard and fast to the ground. He heard the wind blowing and howling through the trees, and he heard the loud thunder roaring and banging on the clouds.

And then, Gullabagoo saw that old mean devil trying to scare the children. So Gullabagoo spoke and said, "In Jesus' Name: RAIN...you stop that right now!" And all of the sudden the rain stopped, and the flood waters began to go down.

"Lightning...stop flashing right this minute!" And as quick as a flash all the lightning just stopped.

"Thunder...you are way too loud tonight, so you just hush right now!" And all the loud thunder just stopped.

"Okay Wind...you quit blowing so hard against Kristen's house!" And all at once the wind stopped.

Gullabagoo then turned to that old mean devil and said, "The Lord Jesus sent me to tell you to get outta here right now, and leave Kristen alone!!"

Well, that old devil started running through the briar patches, and through the bushes, through the swamps, through places that even a rabbit couldn't go! He ran and he ran. He ran so fast that even the hounds couldn't catch him!

Well, Kristen began to smile, and said, "Thank you, Lord." Then she laid her head on her pillow, and softly went to sleep.

So when the storms come in your life,
and you don't know what to do,
just call on the Lord
and He will help you.

He may send an angel,
who will know what to do.
And who knows? His name just might
be Gullabagoo!

Thanks, Dad! :)

Reaching for You

Nathan has a new thing. He reaches. A lot.

When he wants a toy, he reaches for it. When he sees the shiny necklace I wear, he reaches out to snatch it
(because, of course, he wants to eat it!). When someone comes up and says, "Well, hello you little cutie!" he grins and reaches out his arm towards them. So sweet.

My personal favorite is when I am lying down next to him, or holding him up in my lap and talking to him, and he reaches out and touches my face. Some of our sweetest moments have been when we have caught each others' eyes and he reaches out to me, wanting to touch my cheeks, my eyes, my lips, my nose. Yesterday afternoon, I was lying down next to him as we were **trying** to take a nap. For some reason, as tired as he was, he was just too keyed up to sleep knowing Mommy was right there beside him. He would turn to me and reach out his little hand and touch my shoulder. Then he would coo and gurgle, and stretch his arm out to reach my face. I would look at him and he would give me his cute little smile. As I laid there, part of me wishing he would go...to....sleep so I could take a nap too, and the other part of me hoping he never, ever quits, I began to wonder if I do the same to my Lord.

When I feel His presence, do I get all excited, unable to sleep or do my own thing?


When He is right beside me, do I reach out to Him? Just to touch Him?

Of course, I WANT Him near me. Yes, I WANT His presence....but do I REACH for Him? Do I reach out my hands in His direction, stretching with all my might to reach Him? To touch a part of Him?

Motherhood can bring so much joy, but sometimes motherhood is convicting. I see my baby adoring me, giggling when I talk to him, opening his mouth to eat my finger or lick my face, following me with his eyes as I walk past him, and holding out his hand to touch me. I see my boy do that to me....and I'm human. I'll let him down in life. I will fail. Yet my God never fails. My Father will never let me down. And gracious, if I am His child, should I not reach, with all that is in me, for Him?

Saturating Your Children With Scripture

I remember years ago while attending a Bible conference, one powerful preacher of the Gospel outlined the lives of Jonathan and Sarah Edwards, two great patriarchs of Christian history. He said one phrase repeatedly when describing the upbringing of both Jonathan and Sarah, which was:

"....saturated with the Word of God."  Saturated.

Webster's Dictionary defines "saturate" as:
     
sat·u·rate    [v. sach-uh-reyt; adj., n. sach-er-it, -uh-reyt]
  
1. to cause (a substance) to unite with the greatest possible amount of another substance, through solution, chemical combination, or the like.
     
2. to charge to the utmost, as with magnetism.
    
3. to soak, impregnate, or imbue thoroughly or completely: to saturate a sponge with water; a town saturated with charm.
     
To unite with the greatest possible amount....to imbue thoroughly....to soak..... what a picture. Those two lives (and countless more!) were raised being saturated, not with secular culture, mind you, but with the very living, breathing, infallible Word of God. They were not filled with liberal mentalities or philosophies. They were not absorbed in the things of the world. Instead, they were soaked with Scripture. They were not raised simply just being around Christian things and hearing the Bible taught and preached. Instead, they were SOAKED and completely SATURATED with it. And if you study their legacy, you will be amazed to find that their family presents a near-perfect picture of Proverbs 22:6 which says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Thinking upon these things, I have committed to "saturating" my children with the Word of God. A few weeks ago, I began to take Nathan's bath time to instill a Bible verse in his little heart, correlating with what we were doing. I have been reciting Psalm 51:10 to him at every bath time and also will sometimes sing Keith Green's song based upon that passage in Scripture to him as well. I have also been trying to develop a habit of reciting at least one Bible verse at various times of the day, depending on the activity. I recently made a chart, that I will gladly share with you all, that I hope will help me in my endeavour to saturate my children.

As the world grows increasingly sinful and filled with carnal and flesh-filled idols, those who are truly and literally saturated with the Word of God are becoming fewer and farther between. However, as Elisabeth Elliot said, In every generation, there are a few.... My prayer for my little boy (and gracious, for myself too!!) is that he will be soaked in the Word so much so that when this world fades further into the darkness, he will stand out like a lighthouse on a hill. When those his age choose paths of self, lust, and sin, I pray HE will have the Word of God so deeply rooted in his heart that he will be able to aptly combat Satan's fiery darts. When sound doctrine and "the old path" as Jeremiah says, is rejected and even outlawed, I pray he will be so soaked with Scripture that even if his Bible is taken away, he is still able to meditate on the Lord's precepts "all the day long." As parents, we need to take hold of our high calling and USE it wisely. Proverbs tells us that if we train up a child a certain way, he will not depart from it. If we train up our children to simply be good in school, active in sports, or sociable, then that is inevitably the way they will go. And what's more, if that's all we do, we will fail as parents. However, if we train up our children to stand firm upon Biblical doctrine, to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, to hide His Word in their hearts that they may not sin against our Lord, if we train them up to be warriors in the army of God, then we will succeed as parents AND we will be pointing our children to Heaven's eternity.

Below is the chart I have made for teaching Nathan basic Scripture for his basic activities. I am resolving to recite these to him every day, instilling those Words into his little heart at an early age. If you would like a copy e-mailed to you, let me know and I will send you the pdf file.

  

Praying for you, parents, as you saturate your children....

The Cost of a Child

A few years ago, the government calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 years of age, and came up with $160,140 for a middle income family. Talk about sticker shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition. But $160,140 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into:

- $8,896.66 a year,

- $741.3 month
-  $171.08 a week.

- That's a mere $24.24 a day!

- Just over a dollar an hour.

Still, you might think the best financial advice is don't have children if you want to be "rich." Actually, it is just the opposite.

What do you get for your $160,140?

• Naming rights. First, middle, and last!
• Glimpses of God every day.
• Giggles under the covers every night.
• More love than your heart can hold.
• Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
• Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.
• A hand to hold, usually covered with jelly or chocolate.
• A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites
• Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what happens that day.

For $160,140, you never have to grow up. You get to:
finger-paint
play hide-and-seek
catch lightning bugs
play in the yard with the dogs...

You have an excuse to:
keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh
keep watching cartoons
go to animated movies....

You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day.
     
For $160,140, there is no greater bang for your buck.

You get to be a hero just for:
retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof
taking the training wheels off a bike
removing a splinter
filling a wading pool
coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs

You get a front row seat to witness the:
- the first smile
- the first step
- the first word
- the first birthday
- the first time behind the wheel...

You get another branch added to your family tree. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, and communications that no college can match.

You are given the honor of teaching them the Bible and the ways of the Lord.

In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits.

So.....one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost. That is quite a deal for the price!!!

Children Are a Heritage of the LORD

Exactly 10 days ago, I was given the most surprising, exciting, shocking, overwhelming, and thrilling news of my life!

I am pregnant!!

Yes, that is correct. Almighty God has seen fit to touch me intimately and physically and has blessed my womb with a life! And not just a life - but a SOUL!

I came from a big family and I watched my Mother carry and bear five children.... but I never came close to fathoming the joy that she felt. I never fully understood how exciting it truly was for her and my Dad.... until now. Now that I hold a new life in my body, I understand - more than ever before - the sacredness of life, the beauty of life, and the absolute thrilling joy of a child! I literally cannot wait!!!

Grant and I felt convicted immediately into our marriage that we would let God have full control of every aspect of our lives. We knew that God is fully able to help us, lead us, guide us, provide for us, and keep us and so we decided to surrender everything, even the matter of children, into His hands. So the Lord, obviously thinks that we ready for the wild and exciting ride of parenthood. And He touched us! I cannot tell you how honored I feel, how humbled I feel, and how overwhelmed by His goodness I am.

Currently, I am 6 weeks into my pregnancy. I am tired and fatigued, but watching the mirror every day for a baby bump.... even though I know it will be weeks more! I am already browsing through the baby section in stores and making lists of what I will need. I am praying over the child countless times throughout the day and talking to him/her like he/she can already hear me. My husband and I are praying, more than anything, for a child who will come to know Jesus early in life. We are praying for a healthy baby who will grow up to be a hero of the faith, a missionary or minister, a spiritual world changer! We are praying - even now - for the Lord to fill this tiny life with His Spirit. Please join us in prayer.

So, in closing, all I can say is:

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!

Psalm 127:3-5
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Scripture for the Week -- 08/22/10

3 John 1:3-4
"For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

For Such Is The Kingdom

Lately, I have been pondering the phrase Jesus spoke 2,000 years ago.

"But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."   (Luke 18:16)

It is almost like Jesus is saying that the key to the kingdom of heaven is child-likeness, isn't it? In Matthew chapter 18, Jesus said to be as little children and if we come to Him like a child comes to their father, then we are made great in His kingdom.

"At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."  (Matthew 18:1-4)

These passages in Scripture have been on my mind heavily for quite a while now. Coming from a family of five younger siblings and quite a handful of young cousins, I can say that I know a bit about children.
 
Children are innocent. Children are trusting. Children have a spirit of adventure. Children dream, while adults force themselves to focus on the tough reality. Children believe the unbelievable. Children are teachable; easily able to mold.
 
For such is the kingdom....
 
The more I think about it, the more I realize that I need to be more childlike in my relationship with Jesus. I need to be constantly filled with pure innocence, dwelling on the holiness of God. I need to TRUST my Master in all things. I need to trust that He will never leave me, never do me harm, never stop loving me. He will provide. He will prosper. He will give peace. I need to forever have the spirit of joyful adventure as I walk each day in His will. I should be anxiously and eagerly waiting for Him to move and speak every moment of every day. While living in a sin-cursed world, I should not focus simply on my hardships, but on the beauty of the Christian life, while serving and living out His dreams for me. I need to believe He can do miracles. I need to believe that He will do the impossible. And probably most of all, I need to be teachable by Him. I need to be clay that will not fight the potter; accepting every squeeze, every painful shaping of life, knowing that He who hath begun a good work in me, WILL perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.  (Philippians 1:6)

Too often, I am hard and cold. Unteachable. Untouchable. Haughty. Unkind. When I should be welcoming whatever the Lord brings to me, may it be rain or shine, many times I reject the opportunity to be as a child. When I should be giving, I am often selfish. When I should be trusting, I am frequently doubtful.

How I need more of Jesus in my life! The walk of a Christian really is an endless school of learning how much we lack and how we need Him more and more. I NEED HIM like a child needs his/her father and mother. And even though I am a grown woman, I still need to be as a child for God to work mightily in me.
 
Many times throughout Scripture, Jesus speaks of children. Many times, we see Him healing a child, holding a child, and - best of all - calling US His children.

 
Matthew 18:5
And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Matthew 19:13
Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray:....
 
Mark 9:37
Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

Luke 17:2
It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

Ephesians 5:1
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;


Our Savior, Christ Jesus, said to be as a child...for such is the kingdom...and I can see why. May it be so.