Eternal Rest

                                                             Theme for March: Rest. Rejuvenate. Recharge.

                          
Verse:

"Then you will win favor

and a good name

in the sight of God and man."

Proverbs 3:4

               
Mom's Musing:
               When I selected the theme for March, I never expected to be reflecting on eternal rest. My stepfather-in-law recently went home to be with the Lord. Family members are flooding into a tiny town in Virgina from Egypt, California, Colorado, Montana, Italy, and Maryland to attend the funeral.
This man we will be celebrating was a man of integrity. He kept his word, honored his wife, loved his family, served his country and church. He appreciated and savored good food! He was a big presence. His laughter filled a room, his eyes sparkled with mischievousness, he was always ready with story that captivated his audience. The line,"I wonder what Bob thinks about this," was spoken by many family members. He was respected and loved because he had love and faithfulness written on the tablet of his heart.
One of my most treasured memories was of how he would sit down, with each person: grandchildren, his own children, stepchildren, in-laws, and even step-in-laws (me) and ask about their life. He was deeply interested. He took the time to ask and cared enough to remember the details of the conversations.
I took this photo prior to finding out Bob had been ushered home. This vision was a gift from God that gave me comfort. Because Bob lived the life he did, he left his family a sense of peace. Being a man who lives right and finishes well is a blessing to those who are the survivors.
Now this special man is abiding with Jesus. I praise God for him and the blessing he was to my mother-in-law and our family.

Parenting Tip: For those of you with little ones who read this you may wonder how to describe the passage of life to death to eternity with your child. Let your young one know that very sick is different from regular sick, don't be afraid to say the words death or dead-avoid using euphemisms like sleeping. Tell the child bodies are vessels for the soul and the body left behind will be replaced by God with a new heavenly body- a body not filled with pain or disease. Talk about heaven.

God's Kid

Theme for October: Identity
Verse:
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"

1 John 3:1a

Mom's Musing:
Today is Halloween. A day when lots of kids dress up to be someone they are not. Many children identify themselves by saying: "I'm smart, I'm dumb; I'm fat, I'm skinny; I'm tall, I'm short; I'm straight, I'm gay." Yet we are not to be identified by  intelligence,outward characteristics, or behavior. Our identity is rooted in being a child of God. Because we are God's child we have great worth. Never forget he knew us before we were born and he knows us down to the very number of hairs on our head.
If your child or even teen is struggling with self worth issues remind him he is precious in God's sight, created for a special purpose. Max Lucado has a terrific children's book title, I'm Special. Read it to your child if he is possesses a low  view of himself.
Parenting Tip:
Encourage your child to see value and worth in himself  because God created him and loves him.

Shabby Chic

Theme for June: Unity
Scripture Verse:

"Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined,

and every city or household divided against itself will not stand"
Matthew 12:25b

Mom's Musing:
Doing a project with another person can either unify or divide the participants. When my daughter came home from college, we tackled a task together. We shared the job of painting furniture. Her bedroom set (previously mine as a child) was transformed from princess style, white and gold to shabby chic, silver and black. Working, laughing and enjoying each other's company was great fun! Treasured time in the garage with black paint smeared on our faces will be a memory that brings a smile.

Parenting Tip:
Keep your perspective when working on a home project with your child. Remember enjoying the time together is even more important than the final product. Let it be a memory building experience-in a good way!