Is "good" the very "best?"

Tonight my husband and I were talking about the loss of kindness in today's world. We had been out and about and I simply asked him, "Is being friendly really that hard?" I don't mean it as a judgement against others, but rather as a realization of something I feel we as a people in general have lost.

It made me think of my time spent living in Mexico and Honduras. My heart was remembering how genuinely kind everyone was to us. At the markets, in the streets, at the church, in their homes and in their care of us. It was important to them that they make every effort to extend a hand of kindness to us at any given opportunity.

Now, let us gain some perspective~ When the precious people of these two places were asked what it meant to be rich or have plenty of what you needed. They most often responded with "having a two day supply of food ready," "having at least $300.00," "having good shoes to walk to and from work and the markets," "school for your children," and the most honest being "good with what you have." Meaning contentment, of course.

The other thing I said to my husband was that the children were happy, content and well-behaved. Why? I think it is because families stay together for work, for play, for worship.... The children know their role in the family and work each day to help the family survive and run smoothly. There are also no distractions for these children because they have very little. One child I had the privilege of spending a week with received a lollipop when we first arrived. On the day we left, he still had it in his pocket, because he only ate a small amount each day, so it would last.

Sadly, I am certain this is not a strong character quality I have developed in my own children. We certainly do go with less than some people I know and in some cases more than others, but somewhere we have missed the mark at really cultivating in our children a sense of "pure contentment." Which of course, led us to discussing what more we can do to help strengthen this character quality in our children. I do know that it is definately a choice they can make in being happy and content. It is certainly biblical, "If you have food and shelter, with these you shall be content." (1 Timothy 6:8) So, how have we ended up off the path of contentment?

Distractions. We do many things that are good for our children and beneficial is some ways. Now, why do I choose the things I choose for them? Many different reasons, but the most important should be to honor God and teach them what it means to live a life set apart for His purposes. So many times the "rules of society" get in the way of solid truth-based thinking. We, as the family, need to be training our children in righteousness. This process must start in the home! The job of parenting actually belongs to parents! (I know, what an ironic thought!!)

My husband and I are working in the trenches with our children, because we desire them to grow in their understanding of what it means to live by the way of righteousness. But there are always sneaky forks in the road we sometimes haphazardly end up pursuing. So begins a new journey in this house of aligning ourselves to the path of "pure contentment." I will be sharing thoughts and ways of the process as we journey along, so stay tuned!

Here is my challenge to you! Stop and look at an average day in your child's life and see what might be distracting them. Look for the value in what you are doing and evaluate as necessary. I'm sure that we can all use some time to balance the scales of what our children are doing that is good for them with what is actually best for them!
Let me know how your process is going, I would love to hear from you~

Out of the mouth of Babes...

I just had to share this sweet e-mail from my boys' Sunday School teacher concerning this past Sunday:

Melissa,

You know I had a grand opportunity to visit with Eli and Luke on Sunday. Just the three of us for about 40 minutes.. I just had to share this with you as I am amazed everyday with the 'wisdom" of our children. In no way should you interpret this as anything other than my love (which I have to add is very much!) for what they share with me.....from waffles and cereal to grand experiences.

After much serious discussion about Christmas and who (family) visited on Christmas Eve and who was there for Christmas Day....we played ball.

We tossed the ball from their high perch on the play gym for maybe 15 minutes, laughing about how it bounced off their heads and how I had to chase it on the ground....until Eli realized he was taller than Luke and could bat the ball from him. After a half a dozen misses on Luke's part as Eli bopped it my way, Luke pops himself on the forehead with the palm of his hand, looks at me with those huge doe eyes and says, "....now do you see why I am so frustrated...". I thought I would choke on keeping my laughter in check. Before I could counter a suitable response. Luke spreads his hands wide, looks at Eli and says..."this is why mommy is so frustrated too.."

They are one of the highlights of my day! The excitement in your home has to be simply delightful. Thank you for the opportunity to share their time.

In Christ's name,

Oh! My children never cease to amaze me at their many tries to be "so grown up." My boys are both very verbal, so it is at some point a riot in this house when one of them says something quite unexpected! I love how God sends me laughter at just the perfect moments. How cool is it that He is a God that enjoys laughter and allows us to experience that kind of joy at it's purest level in our children! Thank you God!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

January 5, 2009

Outside my window... stillness in the dark

I am thinking...of my dear girlfriend who just lost her dad

I am thankful for...God's goodness, it is every corner

From the learning rooms...back on track this week

From the kitchen...new recipes!

I am studying...about the great love of Christ shown at the cross

I am creating...a gift for a friend

I am going...to build legos with Eli today, play trains with Luke

I am reading...The Mission of Motherhood, this one takes some in between time to ponder

I am grateful...that my husband gets two days off this week

I am hearing...beautiful piano music, ever so softly

Around the house...projects, legos, stacks to organize

One of my favorite things...the sweet smell of my boys right out of a bath

A few plans for the rest of the week...enjoying my family, piano lessons start, organizing!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...a sweet new blessing to my dear friend Lisa :)

Be sure to check out the other Simple Daybooks at http://www.thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com

Welcome 2009

Intentional.

This is my word for 2009. I was encouraged by the idea of choosing a word to define this year from Ali. I am excited about a fresh start this year. I love the idea of getting to stop for a moment and regroup. So often our lives get going and no matter how well we keep up, soon we are in the revolving door that never slows down, yet alone stops!

We started last month by listing our values and goals, so we now have a plumbline, that is based on God's Word, to align all of our decisions. I cannot tell you how much easier it is to sit down and make decisions for our family and for ourselves.

I have been spending time in prayer and thought as we put our next 6 months together and yesterday I came across this beautiful writing by Ann. So, here are the ways I am planning to be intentional.

Start my day early~ Now this, I have to tell you, is difficult for me, becuase I am naturally a night owl. But I love the early morning and I always find myself accomplishing much more than I ever imagine. Not to mention the sound of the early risers in nature praising their Creator as they rise and begin to find their morning breakfast. I love this sound!

Align myself with my "True North"~ For me this is going to be memorizing and studying the book of 1 John. I also purpose to find verses to be memorizing that will help me encourage my husband and verses that guide me in training my children.

My 6 "Once-a-months"~ I have days scheduled once a month to have date night with my husband, a date night with each son, meeting with my mentor/friend, meeting with my kindred accountability friend and having a Creative Connection night where I get to work on my art and open my home up to other women who love to be creative. My first priority is to be at home in the trenches, where I most love to be spending my time. I have been called by God to be a wife, a mother and a servant for Him. I am really looking forward to growing in each of these areas over the next year.

Servanthood. At my very core, I am most happy serving. I can do this meeting the needs of my husband, caring for my children by teaching, reproofing, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17). I also am a servant as I take care of my home and meet needs in the body of Christ. I intend on seeking out what God has for me in this area of ministry. My home is the base of my ministry to others and I long to use all that God has given me for His glory.

As other opportunities come up, I have strong guardrails to keep me aligned with where God desires. I pray that you have had some time to stop and think upon what God desires for your life in 2009. Each day we are closer to the coming of our Lord and I pray that each of us desires to be found faithful doing Kingdom work upon His return.