A lot of days I get to the part where I drag my heavy body, half-asleep and bleary eyed, to my bed and wonder what in the world I did that day. It’s hard to gauge parental progress when you move from breakfast, to diaper change, to playing outside, to lunch, to errands, to dishes, to changing dirty clothes, to disciplining, to pulling toddler out of cabinets and pantry, to sibling fights, to tantrums, to playing some more, more discipline, more diapers, and so on and so on…you get the picture. But every now and then you get those Holy moments. You know, the ones that God gives you as a sweet gift to remind you…He is indeed at work in the hearts of your children…and in you. Yesterday I had one of those moments.
When Asher woke up from his nap (the fact that he napped was a HUGE victory to begin with), I asked him to pick a book from the shelf, that we’d read it together, and then do a fun art project to help him remember the story. He pulled out our children’s Bible and said, “Mommy can you read me a Bible story?” OF COURSE!
I asked him to pick a story. He picked the story of Cain and Abel. You know the one? The one where Cain KILLS his brother Abel. WOW! That’s a lot for a 4 year old to take in. But you know what? It’s God’s word. And you know what else? We’ve been having quite the challenging time getting along with baby sister and learning to control anger.
So we read the story. I was tempted to soften the killing part by perhaps saying, “Cain hurt his brother really badly”. But I didn't...I just felt like I was supposed to read it “as is”. I shared the story of Cain’s hurtful anger, and how sad God and his family were because of his actions. We read about God sending Cain away from his family and home as a consequence of his actions. We talked about consequences and how he (Asher), too, has to spend time away (in his room) when he is unkind to his sister. We talked about what would make God (and mommy and daddy) so proud of him: practicing gentleness and loving kindness. Although the story seemed a little intense for such a small child, I saw the Holy Spirit at work in Asher...helping him understand that the choices that he makes when he's angry really matter to God. I saw it in his eyes. It was a heart moment...a Holy moment. And I was reminded of this:
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
I spend so much time trying to reach Asher's heart with loads of "talks", but I often forget about how powerful it is to simply read God's word aloud..even in the life of a 4 year old. I'm so thankful the Lord worked in both of our hearts...mine and my sweet boy's. And I'm going to be asking God for more Holy Moments...or the discernment to notice them, and the supernatural wisdom to create them. And I’m praying for you today too; as you go about your daily routine. We need the stillness in our scattered souls to hear God’s voice prompting us to pursue the hearts of our children...by His Spirit.
I would SO love to hear from you today (SERIOUSLY would love it!). So, head on over to the Afterbelly Facebook page to share some of your Heart and Holy moments with your children. We can learn so much from each other...
When Asher woke up from his nap (the fact that he napped was a HUGE victory to begin with), I asked him to pick a book from the shelf, that we’d read it together, and then do a fun art project to help him remember the story. He pulled out our children’s Bible and said, “Mommy can you read me a Bible story?” OF COURSE!
I asked him to pick a story. He picked the story of Cain and Abel. You know the one? The one where Cain KILLS his brother Abel. WOW! That’s a lot for a 4 year old to take in. But you know what? It’s God’s word. And you know what else? We’ve been having quite the challenging time getting along with baby sister and learning to control anger.
So we read the story. I was tempted to soften the killing part by perhaps saying, “Cain hurt his brother really badly”. But I didn't...I just felt like I was supposed to read it “as is”. I shared the story of Cain’s hurtful anger, and how sad God and his family were because of his actions. We read about God sending Cain away from his family and home as a consequence of his actions. We talked about consequences and how he (Asher), too, has to spend time away (in his room) when he is unkind to his sister. We talked about what would make God (and mommy and daddy) so proud of him: practicing gentleness and loving kindness. Although the story seemed a little intense for such a small child, I saw the Holy Spirit at work in Asher...helping him understand that the choices that he makes when he's angry really matter to God. I saw it in his eyes. It was a heart moment...a Holy moment. And I was reminded of this:
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
I spend so much time trying to reach Asher's heart with loads of "talks", but I often forget about how powerful it is to simply read God's word aloud..even in the life of a 4 year old. I'm so thankful the Lord worked in both of our hearts...mine and my sweet boy's. And I'm going to be asking God for more Holy Moments...or the discernment to notice them, and the supernatural wisdom to create them. And I’m praying for you today too; as you go about your daily routine. We need the stillness in our scattered souls to hear God’s voice prompting us to pursue the hearts of our children...by His Spirit.
I would SO love to hear from you today (SERIOUSLY would love it!). So, head on over to the Afterbelly Facebook page to share some of your Heart and Holy moments with your children. We can learn so much from each other...
