The Heart of a Child

Being a mom is one thing I enjoy most.  As Drew grows we are encountering new battles - sometimes almost daily!  Last night was a lesson in and of itself, if for no one else, for me.  We had a late dinner - and I mean late...after 8 PM - and Drew was to the "I'm so tired I'll fuss about everything" stage.  Anthony was gracious enough to volunteer to bathe Drew and get him ready for bed.  I was cleaning the kitchen when Anthony got Drew down from the table to take him to the bath.  Immediately, Drew ran into the kitchen and began to cry because he did not want to go with Anthony.  Finally, with a red face and tears streaming down his cheeks, he huffed off down the hall with his dad.  As I unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher, I could hear the interaction between father and son.  My very patient husband was lovingly trying to move Drew toward the bathroom when he darted back into the living room.  It was at that point I turned to see Anthony standing in the hallway and Drew facing him from the living room.  Anthony did not raise his voice, he did not physically touch Drew.  He calmly told him it was time for a bath.  At that Drew went into meltdown mode.  The strangest part to me was not that Drew was screaming and crying but that through his meltdown, he obeyed his father.  I stopped what I was doing and thought to myself, "Was that a picture of true obedience?" 

What is obedience?  Is it obedient actions without a willing heart or is it a willing heart followed by obedient actions?  I was thrown for a loop.  Realizing that we often learn by example, I wonder what example am I setting for my children.  Demanding obedience is easier than exemplifying it.  However, I want my children to obey out of a willing heart rather than a fear of punishment.  How often do I exemplify this in my relationship with Christ?  Am I obedient to his commands because I fear hell or because I love Christ?  Are Anthony and I modeling mutual submission for our children?  Not as a form of domination or enslavement to one another, but as a form of love and care for each others needs. 

1 Samuel 15, Samuel relays to Saul that God is more pleased with obedience to His commands than with actions that contradict the law that God had laid before His people.  Saul knew the sin he had committed and tried to regain God's favor knowing that he was not truly willing to obey God.  God would rather I obey Him than religious rules/laws established by man.  So how does this relate to a 2 year old?  I choose to raise my children by God's word. Not as a demand they obey but as an example they can learn from.  I want my heart to be that of a child willingly obeying her Father and I want my boys to see that in my actions.  Must say, I love the lessons I learn through my Drew...and soon through my Sam too!  God is gracious to use those He entrusted to me as tools in order to teach me His lessons.

Lessons from a Love Story

I am not much of a reader.  I've never been one to be labeled a book worm.  I'm not accused of spending too much time in the library.  However, over the past year I've found myself picking up books much more often - partly thanks to a coworker who has a passion for reading good books!  Recently I finished the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers.  Her work impresses me.  Not only because her stories are believable, but you can tell she researches her story before she writes the first sentence.  Grant it, they are works of fiction but contain a great deal of historical accuracy. 

The Mark of the Lion is a three book series about lives of individuals and families that are affected by conquests of the Roman Empire under the reign of Vespasian.  The first two books are wonderful reads about a young Jewess and the family she serves after being taken captive from Jerusalem.  The third book - happened to be my favorite - was about the life of a young German warrior and his journey home, physically and spiritually.  Reminder: These books are works of fiction!  However, I found myself caught up in the plights of the characters as they journeyed.  Here are a few things that stood out to me.

1. Stand for Truth. It isn't easy standing alone or even not knowing the outcome.  However, to dismiss Truth for convenience or security is harmful and could be very costly in the long run.

2. Serve Others. Be willing to lay your own desires and wants aside to invest in the lives of others.  I'm not talking about giving up on self to serve others but giving of self to serve others.

3. Seek God... no matter the circumstance, personal feelings or obstacles that seem to appear out of no where!  Because when we seek the Lord with all our heart we will find Him (Jer. 29:13)!

Though these books were a great read, they reminded me of what it really means to fulfill the two Greatest Commandments - first, Love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength; and second, love your neighbor as yourself (Matt. 22:36-40)!  On a scale of 1 to 10, I need improvement on fulfilling these commandments.  I just wonder, how many Christians honestly stand for Truth, serve others and seek God.  If we did, how would our lives be different and how would the lives of those around us be affected?

being mommie...

My sweet 2 1/2 year old informed me this morning that I am his mommie.  I enjoy his enthusiasm as he tells me these things.  I listen, often thinking to myself, "I already know this!" But for him, it is a learning process.  He hears and sees things we say and do, but for him to make the connection is beautiful.  We joyfully sponsor a child through Compassion International and each night we pray for this child and his family in Kenya.  Over the past few days, as Drew prays he has started - on his own - thanking God for our sponsored child.  My sweet boy, he amazes me!  As his mommie, there are so many things I want him to understand.  So much I want to teach him and even more I want to shelter him from.  However, I know that some things he will learn by his own mistakes and trials and much of what I want to shelter him from is as much for his benefit as it is my own.

As I reflect on the relationship I have with my son, I am reminded of my relationship with Almighty God.  He is my Abba Father, my daddie.  So often when I come before Him and share things with Him, He must think, "I already know this child!" Yet He listens, enjoying my enthusiasm at what I've learned - sometimes through His teachings and sometimes through my own mistakes.  My prayer is that as I "grow up" spiritually, that I will not stop seeing God as my daddie.  Our relationship will deepen and change in subtle ways, just like with my children.  But just as I will never stop being their mommie, God will never stop being my daddie!