As you walk along the way...
We are getting really excited about our upcoming meeting and starting to go through Sweet Journey. Hopefully everyone has their book, and if not, will have it soon.
Remember, you are free to continue through the book at your own pace. This week, we hope to discuss chapter 1 of Sweet Journey. We will probably have some time for additional discussion.
Some extra thoughts, only loosely related to chapter 1:
Through the years, we have really been blessed and convicted as we have seen how our children can learn a lot by observing our lives and the things that matter to us. In fact, that has influenced how we have allowed things to matter to us. We would think, "Is this what I want my child to feel is important?" It has compelled us to say "no" to many things we once never really thought about. It is convicting, and we are not perfect, but it has really shaped our lives.
There was a girl whose mother was very much into eastern religion, yoga, and things like that. Her mother spent a lot of time praying to a picture taped on the wall in her room. The girl didn't know much about God, and didn't have much discernment about spiritual things, but one thing she knew: her mother's religion was not benefiting her family in the least. It took her away from her family. It was her escape. It didn't make her more devoted to her family. So the girl rejected it.
What I found neat in the first chapter of Sweet Journey was the reminder that to do what God has called us to do (which for many of us, involves one or more little children), we need to be in the Word. But further: this is not as an escape, not as a sanity break. As we seek to glorify the Lord by faithfully undertaking the tasks we know he has called us to do, our time with him helps us to have the encouragement and strength from his Word. Our responsibilities as wives, daughters, moms, grandmas are not a distraction from our walk with the Lord, but an opportunity to walk with the Lord and to put his Word into practice.
We have heard that the word "train" actually refers to giving a taste for something, especially in the area of foods. Children all over the world are trained by their parents, to appreciate the foods their parents prefer.
The world, however, encourages parents to let their children "develop their own tastes"; this normally means, however, letting the world or their peers develop their own tastes. How strange the world finds it when children are more influenced by their parents than their peers and television!
Remember, you are free to continue through the book at your own pace. This week, we hope to discuss chapter 1 of Sweet Journey. We will probably have some time for additional discussion.
Some extra thoughts, only loosely related to chapter 1:
Through the years, we have really been blessed and convicted as we have seen how our children can learn a lot by observing our lives and the things that matter to us. In fact, that has influenced how we have allowed things to matter to us. We would think, "Is this what I want my child to feel is important?" It has compelled us to say "no" to many things we once never really thought about. It is convicting, and we are not perfect, but it has really shaped our lives.
There was a girl whose mother was very much into eastern religion, yoga, and things like that. Her mother spent a lot of time praying to a picture taped on the wall in her room. The girl didn't know much about God, and didn't have much discernment about spiritual things, but one thing she knew: her mother's religion was not benefiting her family in the least. It took her away from her family. It was her escape. It didn't make her more devoted to her family. So the girl rejected it.
But we were gentle among you,
even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
So being affectionately desirous of you,
we were willing to have imparted unto you,
not the gospel of God only,
but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
1 Thessalonians 2:7,8
even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
So being affectionately desirous of you,
we were willing to have imparted unto you,
not the gospel of God only,
but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
1 Thessalonians 2:7,8
What I found neat in the first chapter of Sweet Journey was the reminder that to do what God has called us to do (which for many of us, involves one or more little children), we need to be in the Word. But further: this is not as an escape, not as a sanity break. As we seek to glorify the Lord by faithfully undertaking the tasks we know he has called us to do, our time with him helps us to have the encouragement and strength from his Word. Our responsibilities as wives, daughters, moms, grandmas are not a distraction from our walk with the Lord, but an opportunity to walk with the Lord and to put his Word into practice.
But it is even neater than that...
Through the years we have seen that the Lord draws the children of believers towards the things of the Lord not only through deliberate instruction, but also by them seeing the things that matter to their parents, especially as parents include them in some way. As children observe and begin to ask questions, they will develop a taste for spiritual things. As we share with them what the Lord is teaching us, things begin to click.
Through the years we have seen that the Lord draws the children of believers towards the things of the Lord not only through deliberate instruction, but also by them seeing the things that matter to their parents, especially as parents include them in some way. As children observe and begin to ask questions, they will develop a taste for spiritual things. As we share with them what the Lord is teaching us, things begin to click.
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
We have heard that the word "train" actually refers to giving a taste for something, especially in the area of foods. Children all over the world are trained by their parents, to appreciate the foods their parents prefer.
The world, however, encourages parents to let their children "develop their own tastes"; this normally means, however, letting the world or their peers develop their own tastes. How strange the world finds it when children are more influenced by their parents than their peers and television!
Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
Proverbs 23:22-26
Anyway, it just got me thinking about how efficient the Lord is and how important our example is.
We look forward to a nice fall day and good fellowship tomorrow!
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