Pursuing Wisdom

Dear Lord

Thank you for your Word. 

Thank you that as we read it daily as a family, our children will know the fear of the Lord – and thus, wisdom….

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 

Wisdom will enter their hearts …

knowledge will be pleasant to their soul….

Discretion will protect them…

Understanding will guard them…

And then …. they will walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. 

Amen. 

“For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you….Thus you will walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭2:10-11, 20‬ ‭NIV‬http://bible.com/111/pro.2.10-11,20.niv

Pursuing God

Father, I pray that my children acknowledge you. 

I pray that they serve you with wholehearted devotion. 

I pray that they serve you will a willing heart. 

I pray that they seek You

… and I thank you because there is no doubt that in seeking you, they will find you. 

Amen.

““And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.”‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭28:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

http://bible.com/111/1ch.28.9.niv

Teaching Children Hospitality

We had guest this weekend, my niece and nephew were visiting and I woke up this morning reflecting on the visit.

I noted that as much as  my kids were behaved, the needed a little more help in being amazing hosts.  I d how I spent time in prayer asking God to show me how I can help them learn how to put others first, how to share without being prompted to do so,  and how I can train them to be great hosts so that those who walk in to our gates, will find a place of refuge… which is what our home is … A place of refuge!

And so, this week, we will be focusing on hospitality in our home.

How do you do it?

I found a few resources from those who have gone ahead of me in their homes and I will post them here as I go on this journey of training my kids.

Teaching Children Hospitality.

Praying for our Children … Day 13

Jeremiah 13:11

As a loincloth clings to a man’s waist, so I created Judah and Israel to cling to me, says the LORD. They were to be my people, my pride, my glory–an honor to my name. But they would not listen to me.  NLT

Precious Lord

I pray that my children would

cling to you,

hold on to you,

stick to you,

stand and abide by you,

cherish you,

remain true to you

and have faith in you and only you.

I pray that in their lifetime, they would bring you praise, glory and honor.

I pray that they not only hear your words, but walk in obedience to your voice, serving no other Gods but you.

I pray that they would not depart from you Oh Lord, but cleave to you.

Amen

A mummys Prayer for HELP…

HELP!

Sometimes, dear Lord, it seems as tho’
the children never stop!
They ask and ask, and ask again,
until my ears near pop!

“Mum, fix my shoe,” “Help brush my hair.”
“I want another drink.”
“Come quickly, Mum, I think the cat
has fallen in the sink!”

Demands, demands, and more demands,
Help, Lord, it’s getting tough.
I know that mothers should be kind,
but this one’s had enough!

What’s that, dear God? You mean to say
These children are in Your plan?
To help me learn to grow into
A more mature woman?

Dear Lord, I know You gave and gave,
Had so much patience too,
.Help me to see a mother’s job
Can make me more like You.

By Jenny Hodgkinson
Printed in Above Rubies, #11.

************************

I read this prayer yesterday, and it completely resonated with where I was at.

After a long day, with the kids, they were somehow pushing all the wrong buttons.

KMapple decided to do No.2 in the bath, as I stood right there!! *sigh*!! KKApple was being moody and KMUapple, wanted to touch everything and anything, and I just felt overwhelmed and aaarrrgggghhhhhh.

My realization…

That even in the midst of the chaos of motherhood and parenting, I am to ‘NOT LET MY CHARACTER BE CHANGED OR AFFECTED BY CIRCUMSTANCES AND PEOPLE’

That I am to be a reflection of Christ, even when my children drive me crazy

That I am to be a reflection of Christ, even when I am tired and beat

That my children will be drawn to the Person of Jesus Christ when they are with mummy.

This one only Jesus can help me in, and so to this prayer I say Amen.

Praying for our Children… Day 12

Dear Lord

I pray that kindness, truth and love will never leave my children

I pray that they would bind them around their neck and write them on the tablet of their hearts, so that they will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.

I pray that they will trust you with all their hearts, leaning not on their own understanding.

I pray that they will acknowledge you in all their ways, and that as they do this, you will make all their paths straight.

Proverbs 3:4-6

Amen

Praying for our children… Day 11

Society Finches (Photo credit: dog.happy.art)

Precious Lord

I pray that my children will be kind women and men of God, who are of a humble and broken spirit.

I pray that they would tremble at your word and revere your commands.

I pray that they will acknowledge you in all their ways, so that you will make their  paths straight.

I pray that they will not be wise in their own eyes.

That they will fear the Lord and turn from evil.

That this will be healing to their bodies and refreshment to their bones.

Amen

Praying for our children … Day 10

Precious Lord

I pray that my children would be protected from sinful men, men who will influence them in the wrong way

I pray that they would be protected from sinful paths and wrong choices

That your Holy Spirit would convict them and redirect them and keep them on the right paths – paths of righteousness.

I pray that they will have friends who are founded on your word, and who will have a positve influence in their lives.

I pray that they too will be positive influencers in their generation.

As iron sharpens Iron.. may they have such friends, given by you.

 

Parental Advice

http://bible.us/100/DEU11.18.NASB “You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. Bible.com/app

Know the state of your flocks

Proverbs 27:23

Know the state of your flocks,

and put your heart into caring for your herds.

Yesterday  MMApple woke up and didn’t find his dad home.  He had left earlier.

Lets just say that what followed was half an hour of crying and unreasonable requests from him.

“I want my daddy now!”

Can we call him you speak on the phone?

No! I want my daddy!

and on and on it went on. I choose to ignore him, and that annoyed him, “mummy, you are not talking to me” In my head i was thinking, yes, its very intentional, you are whining!

Let me finish now, don’t look at me that way;-), 

I was here wondering, according to the parenting classes I took, is this a tantrum or whining. How  do i deal with it? Non-rod infraction or rod infraction? (Yes I do believe in Proverbs 22:15… foolishness is  bound in the heart of a child but the rod of discipline drives it far away from him.) 

You see MMApple is 2.5 years, strong willed and a comedian at the same time…so he can annoy you and make you happy in a split second, leaving you wondering whether to discipline him or laugh your head out! He is also opinionated and knows how to clearly communicate his opinion ( MMApple go and close the door! Mummy I will go tomorrow! really? Did I hear right?)

You see, I want mythreeapples to succeed in life, in relationships, in school, at work and in all areas of their lives really. If I am to leave MMApple to go scot free when he defies my instructions and authority, or scream the house down and disrupt everyone’s peace, or manipulate me with his ability to be theatrical, he will lose in the end.  

I am to know my flocks (threeapples) and put my heart into caring for them. Know their strengths  weaknesses, the state of their hearts, their desires, , their likes and dislikes, the stage they are at etal.

Yesterday, I was to my witts end, I had no emotional capacity to handle MMApple, I was frustrated and had one of those ‘im going to throw you under the bed and lock you in the room moments (don’t look at me that way… I know you also have those moments).  But I had to remember I am the parent here and that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! And that I have committed to care for threeapples and bring them up in the way of the Lord.

May you be encouraged as you walk this journey of parenting and may God continue to give us wisdom as we partner with him in caring for His creation.