Friday, June 29, 2007

Jehovah Jireh - My Provider

Genesis 22:14 introduces the name of God as being a provider. God is shown as being a provider to Abraham when he was faithful and took his son Isaac up to the mountains to be a sacrifice. That place was named Jehovah Jireh because it was where a God provided a sacrifice.

It was this passage that I awoke with in my heart as an answer to a conversation I had had with a friend just yesterday. As a result of an unfortunate job circumstance my friend was informing me that she and her husband would not be able to use my preschool services for their child. In my trying to encourage her in her situation and well as me in my own family's financial hardship that this unfortunate circumstance had created, I quoted to her, "When the Lord closes one door another will open". To put it another way, God is Jehovah Jireh- My provider.

Now this statement I made was not setting well inside and by the time that I had awaken the Holy Spirit had created in me a desire to find biblical truth to what I had said. Now being biblically correct is always important since a person's relationship with God as their Savior is not always known or evident. I knew that my encouragement should always point to God. I was not sure that I had done that.

I looked in the concordance in the back of my bible for the words where "door, open, close" were used and I found nothing in that context. I thought of stories from the bible that demonstrated this statement that I had quoted and the one story that I remembered was from Genesis 22:1-14. It was the story where Abraham took Isaac to the mountains to sacrifice him. Abraham believed by faith that God would have both he and Isaac return down the mountain after the sacrifice. Now that's faith. It was when Abraham had drawn his knife for the sacrifice that he heard the tugging of a ram in the caught in the bushes. It was a ram that God provided for the sacrifice. It was a moment of faith and testing. It was a moment that God revealed Himself as Abraham's provider.

After remembering the story I planned to read it in my bible after my daily devotion- "Drawing Near" by John MacArthur. I preceded to my devotion dated June 29th and there it was. A whole devotion on "Enjoying Friendship with God" with a Further Study section leading to the book of Genesis 22:1-19. The Holy Spirit could not have spoken to me more clearer.

So, today when my friend brings over my precious little preschool student for her last day, I will be prepared to share a biblical perspective on the unfortunate circumstance that effects both of our families. I will able to encourage the both of us with the beautiful illustration of God truly closing one door and opening another.

I can truly say that God does work everything for good for those that love Him- Romans 8:28.

It was because if this unfortunate circumstance that revealed God's constant love and care for us. He truly gives us all we need, at the time we need it most.





Thursday, June 28, 2007

Dumplings and Tortillas



I did it. Yes, with the help of my kids - we did it. Last night we tried our hand at Chicken and Dumpling using an online copycat version. We simplified it quite a bit by using chicken breast and a little cornstarch to thicken. The kids enjoyed cutting the strips of dough and preparing the dinner.

My mother in love (my husband's mother) absolutely loves chicken and dumpling so it was only natural to prepare a little care package for my husband to drop of to her on the way to work. I called her and she was raving about how good it was.

In return, she sent us one of her specialities - a strawberry on strawberry double layer cake. Oh my, it was delicious. Okay, I did cut it tonight. I'll share with the kids tomorrow.

And then there were the home-made tortillas we made tonight. We were going to stop with just buttered tortillas and a salad but the inspiration was there so we rolled out a full Mexican fare with ground turkey enchiladas, cream cheese black beans mixed with sweet corn and couscous. I did make the salad but in the end we forgot to add it to the table. Well, we'll have it tomorrow.

What are you eating?

If knowing what's in the food you give to your family is a concern here is a a food fact site that's worth looking into.

Since last October we have made major changes in our food purchases and the information on this site, Am. Cancer Society and others of the like really influenced our thoughts on what we were eating. It was last October that we experienced a diagnosis of cancer in our family.

Changing our diet was actually easy, just pricey. The real family challenge has been the exercise factor.


Just take a look at your basic wieners.

Monday, June 25, 2007

A Mother's Ultimate Pain

It's like the anticipated impact of a car spinning out of control toward you on a rainy day. You can feel the burden of the impact in your chest as all the motions, though quick, seem to be moving in slow motion. Your heart pounds in against your chest. The full impact of car has not yet been felt, but you can see, and therefore you mentally and physically brace yourself for the excruiating pain that is forthcoming.

A mother's pain is like that spinning car. All the feelings and emotions are real as your stomach slowly starts to knot up into a thousand balls and your body wanes from the emotional turmoil. Your day vasilates between an operational reality and nonfunctional numbness as you ponder how could your child reject everything you have taught them.

You recount the days when you first felt a flutter in your stomach. That was a welcomed flutter; unlike the knots and numbness you now feel. You ask yourself over and over again, "How could this be happening". It's not death in the true sense of the word, but all the same it is a loss.

I'm referring to the loss of a relationship between a mother and her child. I do believe that as with death it is a mother's ultimate pain. It's a pain that afflicts many during the course of parenting. It's a pain that not many wish to talk about. It's a pain that only the Father above can take away.

Scriptural mediation during this time of growth are: Luke 15:24 (For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found), Proverbs 22:6 (Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it), Psalm 147:3 (He heals the brokenhearted, binding up their wounds).

Sunday, June 24, 2007

A Parent's Toolbox

As as parent of a teenager, 2nd grader and preschooler, I've discovered
that affirmation is a powerful tool in the parent's toolbox. In
retrospect I've also realized that I missed many opportunities to use
my affirmation tool in the early years of my teenager.


A child receives affirmation in complete subtlety; our simple nod of approval suggest acceptance and belonging. Conversely, our lack of affirmation, that simple nod for an effort put forth, never shows up subtly, but instead, usually as a defiance.

As of late, I've learned to look at every bug caught, stroke of color on a
scratch sheet of paper and give undivided attention to the little one
calling me. Using that tool of affirmation is my investment into their
self confidence. It builds their self esteem.


And with any project requiring tools for assembly and adjustments, using my tool of affirmation is never too late when the assembly has been completed, but due to time and wear and tear, my project now requires adjustments. So, as a repairman that comes with tools in hand, my goal is for a completed project, lacking in nothing. I'm encouraged to refocus, refine and restore the loss of self confidence created from missed opportunities of not utilizing my tools properly or timely.


How to affirm? Some ideas or areas to use your tools:


1. Make time to attend activities in which your child participates.
2. Acknowledge your child's effort, even if the job was not done to your liking.
3. Set time aside each day to spend with each child - even if it's only 5 minutes.
4. Enjoy something with your child that they like doing.
5. Listen to their endless talk and ask non-judging questions or interject often.

Friday, June 15, 2007

Tomatoes Please

I purchased 4 cherry tomato plants about eight weeks ago and today I
noticed 4 cherry tomatoes on one of them. Weeks of watering, directing
it's growth pattern and waiting finally showed the fruit of my labor. I
felt as thrilled as a kid just learning to ride a bicycle without
training wheels or a parent holding the seat.

Seeing the tiny tomatoes made me want to be more diligent in my watering,
directing and waiting. It was only a couple of days ago that I looked
from my kitchen window and saw what looked like at least 50 tiny yellow
flower buds offering hope of what was to come. Come, albeit very slow.
So slow that I said to myself, "Why bother". Why bother because the
process seemed so slow.

But, today is a different story. I have all forgotten my earlier disappointment of not seeing the actual tomato and am now feeling like Farmer Brown. In the next few days I'll do more watering, redirecting, organic fertilizing and debugging along with waiting. Hopeful waiting - because I've seen the fruit.

In parenting, though, the fruit does not always show up so soon. I mean, I wished
that I could see my children bearing fruit after only eight weeks of feeding, both physically and spiritually and directing their growth. Truth is, sometimes we don't see their fruit for years to come. But as with the yellow flowers on the tomato plant, holding promises yet to come, I do have God's promise of Proverbs 22:6 that says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it". NASB

So, I'll keep watering, redirecting and waiting for both the tomatoes and my children to show fruit because in both, I have been given hope.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Sagging Pants and Hip Hop

The last two days have been intense to say the least. What in a person's right mind would allow them to go against all codes of decency and self-respect to want to wear Saggy pants. Boundaries have long been set in our home, but with the Summer visitation of my teenage nephew , my son must have had a case of amnesia when he put his clothes on this morning. Not that he needed any motivation to be defiant, it just gave a little oxygen to what has been smothering underneath.

Now, let me not paint a sordid picture of my nephew, he is very respectful, sweet young man. He takes AP classes, makes good grades, is on the football team and makes friends easily. He just happens to have that teenage problem of wanting to fit in, and in today's culture that means that he "sags". Oh, he wears Tall T's to cover it up, but it's still sagging to me. I mean, why could he just not roll one pant leg up, wear different color socks or the starched Levi's, an Oxford shirt with Penny loafers, like we did- those were true fads.


I'm convinced that this sagging thing is not just a fad, but instead, it's a totally affront to modesty, parental boundaries and just plain common sense. It is so powerful that it has branded the Hip Hop sub-culture as the only "dope" dress fare for the really cool or "baaadd".


It's more than just a fad, when in just about any city you can be pulled over by the police, "profiled" for what use to based on ethnicity, but now includes clothing attire. I have done my research here. My husband and I spoke with a police officer, on their beat, with our son while we were doing some shopping. We wanted our son to know how ethnicity, one's company and dress all play together in the eyes of the law. The police shared with our son, better than we could have ever tried to, how they "spot" out possible problem situations. The precursor was almost always how they were dressed or the combination of colors they were wearing. The Tall T's (some language) that my nephew obliviously wears, and my son desires to wear are known for concealing weapons or "five finger discounted" goods. Yes, I do say , it's more than a fad.


Be it an ill thought out fashion statement, my opinion, or as claimed by manufacturers, a result "social economics", it is not what we, as parents, desire of the young in our home to wear.


So, where do we go from here? Ideally I would think mass letters, emails or phone calls would be a good start. My research has determined that they are too large to respond to letters, emails or phone calls. No, that would not work. But, if we as parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends stopped giving these things as gifts or stopped allowing those that we love to buy these things we would be off to a much better start, with a greater economic impact. I feel we are as much to blame in the degrading of our young men as the manufacturers. For too long we have resigned to throwing up our hands and talking to the backsides of our young men as they walk away from our sound judgement. It has to start with us; start with code of dress for our families. We have got to set the boundaries and not cower down and allow those boundaries to erased by the culture.


Some things that may be helpful to ask your children in rhetorical questions or as interactive questions may start like this:

1. Where can you wear sagging pants after graduation?

2. Have you ever thought that someone could come and pull your pants to your ankles?

3. How do you like the stereotype that your sagging brings?; What are the stereotypes?

4. Is sagging okay if you have a tall T to cover the sagging?

5. Who do you think would be hired at a bank, Pepsi cola, Frito Lay, Walmart, Lowes, you, sagging or another boy your age, wearing fitted clothes?

6. How do feel wearing a fashion that originated as prison clothes with a definite gay connotation?

7. Did you know that you cannot enter a court room with saggy pants?

8. What gives you your self esteem? clothes, cell phone?

9. What does modesty mean to you?

10.How are you being identified?

11.When there has been a crime the perpetrator is identified by what he wore, had or physical characteristics. Do you understand what profiling is?

12. Did you know that in some cities, groups of people are profiled by the car they drive, what they have on or the activities they participate?

13. Have you ever stop to think what defines you? Is it your character , your dress, or what you own?

14.What does God want to define us?

15. In the statements, association brings about assimilation, or you are define by your peer group, both equal in meaning; What do they mean to you?

Monday, June 11, 2007

Honoring Your Husband on Father's Day

"Mmmm" Carrot cake is his favorite. When I was growing up it seemed that finances were always an issue, but we could always anticipate our favorite dish on our birthday. Why not honor your husband with his favorite cake on Father's Day. The artofcookies has the best tasting Carrot Cake around Dallas, Texas, ask for Artherene. Get your orders in before Father's Day.


Other notable things that reflect honor on Father's Day could be simply allowing your husband to have a "day off". Letting him have a day without a "honey do" list or any expectations from us can create a refreshed feeling in your husband.


With many plans great expectations often follow. Many times when we plan the "perfect" day for our spouses it creates a sense of unfulfillment for us, that also translates to them, when responses or things don't follow the plan. So let Fathers Day be a day with no expectations placed your husband. I'm sure if the truth be known, and they would tell us, we would find out that an incredible amount of expectations are intrinsically felt by them merely based on gender only.


A handwritten note of affection and appreciation could capture our appreciation and respect for him. Keeping in mind that it is Father's Day, help the kids also write out or draw pictures reflecting their affection and appreciation for Dad. We have created our own cards by recycling cute images from other cards we have gotten throughout the year.

This are all such simple ways to make Fathers Day special for your husband. But, giving daily respect probably tops the the list. When we respect our husbands on a daily basis it makes honoring him on Father's Day seem like a piece of cake:)








© 2007 Cynthia Smith

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Everybody Knows Little Johnny

Little Johnny raced by bumping into me softly, but bumping just the same. He was apologetic. I thought he meant it. Little Johnny passed by me again, still hurriedly, still bumping into me. He again was quite apologetic. I dismissed the clumsiness. I dismissed his apparent lack of learning from his previous experience. After all, he said he was sorry.

... Little Johnny is now much bigger and much older. Wow! Big Johnny just raced by bumping into me softly, but bumping just the same. He was apologetic. I thought he meant it. Big Johnny passed by me again, still hurriedly again bumping into me. He again was quite apologetic.

Little Johnny is much like the Somebody we all know. We all know Somebody. Somebody will always test our patience because of their lack of learning.


Dear
Lord, I prayed for Big Johnny, Somebody and me. I prayed for
all the times your grace and mercy covered Big Johnny, Somebody and me
when we fail to learn from previous experiences. When our remembrances fail to recall your patience and faithfulness toward us despite our shortcomings.

Big Johnny, Somebody and me could really use that prayer.


Thursday, June 7, 2007

Welcome

It's not a coincidence. I truly believe you were meant to be here. Thank you for spending some time with me discovering the small but important things. In this blog I share my thoughts on family, friends, trials and triumphs. You will find links and thoughts that are dear to my heart as I grow daily in being a Godly wife, mother, daughter, grand-daughter, sister, home school novice and friend.





Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Can I help you lint?

If there ever was a time that you knew exactly what you wanted to do as well as knowing what the affect of your actions would produce it was definitely expressed by my 4 year old. Everyone in our household has a specific chore on specific days. This particular day was not my youngest child's day to "lint" but he wanted to. "Mama, can I help you lint?", he asked. In which I replied, "Help me do what?", I asked. "Lint, Mama", he said again eagerly and somewhat confused that I didn't know what he meant. His last attempt to explain it to me made it perfectly clear. "You know when you get the towel and put that stuff on it and wipe the furniture". Oh, yes. He wanted to dust!

It struck me as funny and quirky that the very thing he wanted to do was actually expressed or requested by him as the thing he wanted to get rid of. He wanted to "lint". All my visions saw him whipping a dusting towel around depositing more harm than good with his "linting" technique.

That then made me think of our attempts, yours and mine, to fix a problem or "straighten someone out" all to our dismay that we did not accomplish what we set out to do. I can think of one time to illustrate what I'm saying.

It was in Ms. Meyers' first grade class that we had just completed the reading of a story and now had to be creative and draw a picture of what the story was about. Well, no one at my table felt very creative and I, being the helper that I am, began to draw picture after picture of cows and other animals. I believe it may have been 5 of so pictures. Just as my younger son, I to was too eager to provide help.

What I didn't realize was that my help really would not help my classmates in the long run. We were attempting to comprehend oral stories and following directions.
My "helping", as with my son's "linting", could never be effective.

Is there a cloud of lint floating around you in all your attempts to help a situation?

Welcome!!!

It's not a coincidence. I truly believe you were meant to be here. Thank you for spending some time with me discovering the small but important things. In this blog I share my thoughts on family, friends, trials and triumphs. You will find links and thoughts that are dear to my heart as I grow daily in being a Godly wife, mother, daughter, grand-daughter, sister, home school novice and friend.