Monday, March 13, 2006

Claiming Scripture

I had a reminder this morning about a lesson I had learned long ago. It's about claiming scripture for your children, or even for yourself. The Bible is full of promises that God has given us and we are to claim them.

This morning I had the reminder because my mom had come over to watch the boys and Allie while I took Kimmie and Brittany to church for their Spring Break Camp. While we were talking she told me she had to share something.

Mom told me to grab my Bible and look up Acts 3:7-8. Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

See, my little Benji, he's our youngest, has a couple developmental issues. He was born with 3 Congenital Heart Defects, and it appears that because of that, there is some nerve problems. He has flat feet and bowed legs with a hyper-reflex in his right foot.

When Mom had read the scripture during her Bible Study she broke down in tears and claimed that for little Benji, as do I.

This reminded me though of how we should claim scripture for our children and families.

Last school year, Kimmie was having a really hard time in school and I was talking to a friend of mine that homeschools. She had said she was having a hard time with teaching her children until she read in Daniel 1:17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

This year Kimmie is making Cs and Bs, which is an improvement and she is actually enjoying school. I still claim the scripture for her. God will give her the knowledge and understanding.

When Allie first came to live with us she was constantly afraid somebody was going to get her, Psalms 91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

She still has some fear, but she is alot more peaceful now. She actually relaxes now and is adjusting well.


While we have only claimed scripture in times of need, I am challenging myself over the next month to find scripture for our family and each of the children. I encourage you to do the same. Feel free to share too!


Saturday, March 11, 2006

Confession Time

I have a confession to make. It's rather difficult for me to do, see I like to think of myself being better than I really am. I suppose we all do though.

I remember being without children and at the grocery store or discount store and swaring I would never let my children run up and down the ilse screaming and crying. I even swore my children would be perfect little angels that never back talked and always did as they were told when told.

I also remember saying that my children would have high self esteem and be great in everything they did. I had even said that they would never do anything that would cause me to not like them.

Truth be known? I try to contain my kids when we go to a store, but let's face it I have 6. Even if me and Jeff split them up and one of us stay home it's still 3, it can cause some funny situations. Micah if he manages to convince us that he will walk with the cart and stay with us, quickly turns into the disappearing child. Josh like to swing his arms around and has knocked down countless things, we tend to keep him in the cart from the get go. Benji is so cute he has gotten to where he will ride in the cart until he sees something or is just tired of sitting... Then he like to 'cart surf', he will stand up in the seating area and turn to the back of the cart holding on to the back of the seat. I don't think you should let your little one do it, even if it is fun. They can fall and get hurt pretty badly.

I do have children that I am having to request of them to stay with me, or to calm down, or even not to touch. My children get excited when they go to our neighborhood discount store. All of them, form the 1yo to the 11yo.

Two of our girls have low self-esteem. They don't think they are pretty and they don't like to take care of themselves. We are always after them to brush their hair and teeth. Then the 3rd girl is a prissy. It is so wild to see the differences in them.

I suppose my confession is that, I am not a perfect mother. I do get angry with my children sometimes. But no matter what I love them and I am going to take care of them.

Taking care of your children is so much more than making sure they have a roof over their head and clothes on their back. Just as they need food in their tummies, they need to be fed spiritually. Our children need to know God. They need to have the Word of God in their hearts.


Friday, March 10, 2006

The First Family

After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve. And the first thing he said was "DON'T!"


"Don't what?" Adam replied.


"Don't eat the forbidden fruit." God said.


"Forbidden fruit? We have forbidden fruit? Hey Eve..we have forbidden fruit!!!!!"


"No Way!"


"Yes way!"


"Do NOT eat the fruit!" said God.


"Why"


"Because I am your Father and I said so!" God replied, wondering why He hadn't stopped creation after making the elephants. A few minutes later, God saw His children having an apple break and He was angry! "Didn't I tell you not to eat the fruit?" God asked.


"Uh huh," Adam replied.


"Then why did you?" said the Father.


"I don't know," said Eve.


"She started it!" Adam said


"Did not!"


"Did too!"


"DID NOT!"


Having had it with the two of them, God's punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own. Thus the pattern was set and it has never changed.





BUT THERE IS REASSURANCE IN THE STORY! If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give children wisdom and they haven't taken it, don't be hard on yourself. If God had trouble raising children, what makes you think it would be a piece of cake for you?