Miraculous in a Magical Sort of Way

I am astounded at the ways that scripture changes people and I always want to describe it as "magical". I don't mean magical in a fake, David Copperfield, smoke and tricky way, but magical as in awestruck or overcome with wonder. I think of Ezra when he saw Mickey's castle at Disney World--that was magical for him, and everytime we watch a Disney movie and the castle comes on the screen, he screams, "Mickey's castle" and his face is overcome with the same wonder. That's the way I feel when I see God's word make changes in others or in myself that could not have happened otherwise.

I loved chapter six for this reason. It encouraged me to keep pressing on with our kids, planting scripture deep down whether it seems to be affecting them right now or not. Tim and I were just talking about this last night, in fact, as we were feeling sad about some choices some of our "other kids" (teens from church) are making. We found ourselves getting down, wondering if anything we're doing, with our own kids or our "other kids" is making a difference. When this happens, we always come back to God's promise that His word will not return void. Among other things, of course, our job is to teach them the word and then watch God work His "magic" in their lives. So, we once again resolved to make reading the Bible together a nightly priority rather than the "2-3 times weekly, when we happen to remember" thing it has become.

So, when I read chapter 6 this morning, it was a huge confirmation to me, like God was saying, "You're on the right track. I'll take care of your kids--you just be obedient."

Chapter Five

I find myself reading and rereading the chapters in this book...in the pick up line at school, in the rocking chair during naptime, in the bed at night, and this week, thanks to my wonderful husband, in the massage chair getting a pedicure. He took an afternoon off, I got all three kids in bed for quiet time/nap time and then I headed off with my book. It amazes me how I feel that I need a break and then once I'm gone for ten minutes I am missing the kids and calling to check on them. I love reading about Sally's family and the stories about how she cares for her children. If you want to read more from her, I included a link to her blog in the sidebar.
Several things stood out to me in this chapter. "Often our lives are so overrun with small tasks that we get caught up in checking off the lists of things that need to be done and lose sight of the big picture. From there, we too easily fall into the trap of judging ourselves and our children by external standards of success and cultural priorities rather than by what really matters to God." (p.80-81) For someone who is a list maker/a little ocd/task oriented, this is something I need to remember every day. "I don't just want my kids to be moral. I don't just want them to know all of the biblical rules for behavior. I don't just want them to make it through my home with good grades, no drug addiction and no premarital sex. I want them to leave my home with a hunger and passion to know God personally and to be used by him to accomplish great things for his kingdom. I want them to personally hear God's voice and have his Spirit's gentle touch and impression on their hearts as they read the Scriptures and struggle with the issues of life." (p.80) This is the desire of my heart and I pray each morning will be the focus of my day.
I am seeing my #1 child grow in her relationship with Jesus. She asked Jesus into her heart last fall. Her prayer time is so special and I love to hear her pour out her heart to God. Tonight she read her book "God loves me" to me. This book tells of all of the ways God is faithful and provides for us. I love her precious little voice reading to me...."that is how I know God loves me." She said to me the other night, "Mommy, when I am in my room and my family isn't there with me I am not alone because Jesus is with me. When I go to my room for alone time, I can have alone time with Jesus." Yes my sweet girl....we all need to go to our room for alone time with Jesus.
In the "Something to try" section Sally recommends devotions, prayer, Bible reading with your kids. We have had many different routines with devotional time with the kids through the years. I would really love to hear what you are doing in your family and what you have found that works well for you and your children.

Chapter Four

Okay, so I've mentioned the "turning the corners down" thing that I do when I want to come back to something or something really sticks out to me...well, every corner is turned down in this chapter. I read it again today in the pick up line at preschool and it is so timely for me. The servant mother...that is so where I want to be as a mother, wife, friend, daughter. Yet, I fall short every day. Which is exactly it. I fall short. He never falls short. Sally says in this chapter that we need the Holy Spirit to accomplish this role of servant mother. I must surrender, stop running around tending to the "stuff" of life every day and being so consumed with managing the "stuff" that I miss the huge opportunity and responsibility of winning their hearts in the process. I have waited to post about this chapter because it is hard for me to grasp what all I am learning and all of the ways my heart is changing. This chapter and the things God is showing me about myself and my life have brought me to my knees in tears and repentance. I have gone through times in my walk with Jesus where I am learning things and changing at this manageable pace, when my circumstances are pretty much okay and life is "good." Then there are times like now, when God shows me that big changes are coming and big changes are needed.

Let's read chapters 5 and 6 in the next week, completing part two: A Mother's Heart for Her God