Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Where's Baby Jesus?

 
While driving around looking at Christmas lights with my children, I often get to enjoy the many "oohs" and "awes" flooding my ears from the back seat.  My son is immensely into Christmas lights and appreciates all the colors and decorations people share with us on our drive home. 

However, on this one particular night, my son was not his normal enthusiastic self. When I asked what was wrong, he simply stated that the houses were all “decorated wrong”!  Not understanding his observation, I quickly looked for strands of lights misplaced, helium decorations that had collapsed, or wreaths that might have fallen off doors only to see nothing “wrong”.  When I asked him what was wrong, he simply stated “Well…There’s no baby Jesus mommy!!”  This immediately brought tears to my eyes as I realized my little three year old son just noticed the most important thing missing from Christmas!

I think sometimes in the hustle and bustle of everything we forget what Christmas truly is about.  Guilty of this myself, it is important that I notice how “wrong” I am to leave baby Jesus out J   What an amazing and perfect gift God shared with us so many years ago.  Let us not forget that God gave His son, and His son gave His life, that each of us might have the true gift this Christmas season, the gift of eternal life.  Let us not forget our “baby Jesus” this Christmas! 

 

Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, Which is Christ the Lord.”

Friday, October 25, 2013

LEARNING TO LIVE YOUR WORDS


Jesus encourages us to live our lives with such integrity that people would simply believe what we say.

Our actions should speak louder than our words. But too often, the opposite is true. When we say we will give consequences for disobedience and then fail to follow through, our kids may doubt the reliability of our words. As a result, we may use threats to convince our children that this time we really mean what we say. "This is your last warning" or, "Next time, you'll get a spanking." I, myself, have been guilty of this very thing. Unfortunately, my threats are often perceived as just more meaningless words.

I need to provide my children with the sense of security that comes when my actions are consistent with my words.

Matthew 5:37

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Yes Landon Mommy Makes Mistakes Too


As a mom I have to remind myself that I'm not perfect and it's okay to make mistakes. In fact,  here are a few that I've made just this week.

1. After telling my child to be careful with their drink and keep them in the kitchen, I spill my drink all over the living room floor.
2. I want my child to get ready for daycare in a timely manner, but I cannot seem to get them to daycare on time, even if he dressed himself just like I asked.
3. I raise my voice when I know I shouldn't.
4. I tell him I will do this or that "later." Later comes, but "this or that" doesn't.
5. I set a limit on how much TV he can watch, but I'm tired because I stayed up too late watching my favorite show.
6. I realize my son was telling the truth after I disciplined him.

Over the past three years of being a mom, I have had to humble myself many times before my children. At first, I would wallow in my mistakes (which is what Satan wants us to do.) It is difficult to admit to anyone, especially your children, that Mommy makes mistakes too. Thank goodness, I have come to realize that I have a great opportunity to teach my children through my mistakes.   For example: how to admit their mistakes, the importance of asking forgiveness, to do their best to correct it, and try not to repeat it. Although I am not proud of my mistakes, I want my children to realize they are not alone in their struggles to do what is right. Mommy understands what they are going through. I want them to come to me and know that I will always love them.

Just as I love my children when they make mistakes, God loves me as well. He will never leave me, He will always help me, and He will always love me. What a great message to share with my kids using my mistakes.

How will you use your past/future mistakes to teach your kids that you and God love them?