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| Springtime in South Africa |
"You mean happiness to me..."
What's there not to love about a little Michael Buble* on a warm summer's morning?
And you gotta love the words- "Every moment its a day. Every day seems a lifetime. Let me show you the way, to a joy beyond compare..."
So beautiful. So true.
And so it is, with my relationship with the Lord.
The Darling of Heaven, having a moment with me. The one He adores.
And in this space of an eternal moment, all the hubbub and noise around parenting grows dim and quiet. Calm.
Such is this eternal romance, these alone divine moments with my creator, my friend, my King... His heart, His touch, puts all things in perspective. And then, I brightly and boldly laugh at all the blunders I have made as a parent (and wife and woman).
Believe me, there are plenty.
But in His arms, even my mistakes melt away and are replaced by a warmth and desire to continue in my parenting pursuit. Believing that His guidance will be true to train uprightly these beautiful life breathing gifts -my kids- that he has entrusted to me.
Psa 84:9-12 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed. For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. (A moment in your presence, is better than listening to all the teachings on parenting that one can find). I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
Jesus is saying to you, mom: "Let me show you the way..."
*(Michael Buble-Quando Quando [It's Time])
Extra Questions
So, Liezl, are you saying that reading books on parenting or attending a parenting course is a bad thing?
No, of course not. Reading books and attending parenting seminars (and reading this blog post *wink*) to acquire knowledge and insight is good. But knowledge can never replace our relationship with Jesus.
What I will highlight is that when we get all our input or answers elsewhere, instead of wrestling with God, then we might just be relying on our own strength or someone else's success a little too much. God wants us to ask Him.
Honestly, I have found, that the things that help me to parent SUSTAINABLE (lasting, without being used up), are those things that I have a clear conviction about and has become embedded (written) in my heart. Only a word from God can truly sustain us.
That is why I love being with God and reading the Bible- it doesn't give me specific handles or how-to's, but it does so much more!
For example, lets look at the following scripture:
Eph 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It clearly tells me that as a parent, I can act wrongfully toward my child by provoking them. I can exasperate (irritate, annoy, aggravate, disrespect) my child and that will result in them acting in anger and disrespect. In other words, I have a certain way that I need to behave toward my children. I cannot merely expect my kids to obey me regardless of my arrogant, wicked, disrespecting, demanding behaviour. This scripture deals with heart... because from it flows living (or dead, disgusting, stagnant) waters. Also, parenting has got to do with nurturing (care, investment) and admonition (warning, correction). Parenting is NOT only a discipline thing. Parenting is firstly a nurturing thing, then, as needed, admonition. And nurturing speaks to me of fun, intentional moments with our kids- those relaxed moments where we can teach and train our kids without it becoming anything else than loving them.
See how rich God's Word can be!
And lets be honest, it is far easier to follow someone else's recipe for success than persisting in God, and wrestling with God for an answer.
Extra Questions
So, Liezl, are you saying that reading books on parenting or attending a parenting course is a bad thing?
No, of course not. Reading books and attending parenting seminars (and reading this blog post *wink*) to acquire knowledge and insight is good. But knowledge can never replace our relationship with Jesus.
What I will highlight is that when we get all our input or answers elsewhere, instead of wrestling with God, then we might just be relying on our own strength or someone else's success a little too much. God wants us to ask Him.
Honestly, I have found, that the things that help me to parent SUSTAINABLE (lasting, without being used up), are those things that I have a clear conviction about and has become embedded (written) in my heart. Only a word from God can truly sustain us.
That is why I love being with God and reading the Bible- it doesn't give me specific handles or how-to's, but it does so much more!
For example, lets look at the following scripture:
Eph 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It clearly tells me that as a parent, I can act wrongfully toward my child by provoking them. I can exasperate (irritate, annoy, aggravate, disrespect) my child and that will result in them acting in anger and disrespect. In other words, I have a certain way that I need to behave toward my children. I cannot merely expect my kids to obey me regardless of my arrogant, wicked, disrespecting, demanding behaviour. This scripture deals with heart... because from it flows living (or dead, disgusting, stagnant) waters. Also, parenting has got to do with nurturing (care, investment) and admonition (warning, correction). Parenting is NOT only a discipline thing. Parenting is firstly a nurturing thing, then, as needed, admonition. And nurturing speaks to me of fun, intentional moments with our kids- those relaxed moments where we can teach and train our kids without it becoming anything else than loving them.
See how rich God's Word can be!
And lets be honest, it is far easier to follow someone else's recipe for success than persisting in God, and wrestling with God for an answer.
