Chapter Six

I must start off by apologizing for it taking me so long to post. There is really nothing monumental that has kept me from the blog. The past few weeks have been a big challenge with my #2 child. He is nearly 3yrs old and we have been experiencing a battle of wills. I won't go into all of the details except to say that I have felt everything from complete sadness to extreme frustration. One afternoon after putting him back in bed continuously for over an hour during naptime I was crying in my room, pouring my heart out to God....."God, please give me patience, how am I to handle all of this, I am exhausted, I don't deserve to be spit on, kicked, hit, yelled at, please help me." I felt this overwhelming sense of peace and knew that God was saying...."I know how you feel...I was yelled at, spit on, beaten beyond anything you will ever know...all because I love you. Don't give up. Come to me, I will give you rest." Our God is so powerful, so awesome and yet He is so gentle and tender. He knows us and wants us to experience His peace. The past three days my #2 has gone to bed at naptime, stayed in his bed and rested. He is happier and so am I.
Now for my thoughts from chapter six...I especially identified with her discussion of thoughts, what we think. Lately at night I will watch some television (I rarely have it on during the day or evening) after the kids have gone to bed and I am just too tired for anymore decluttering, unpacking boxes etc. But with watching the news programs filled with politics, energy crisis, climate crisis, food crisis, gas crisis, teenagers attacking each other, etc. etc. I find that I have a tendency to worry, fear for my children and the future. I will think about these things during the day and worry some more. I am realizing that I am not setting my mind on Christ and am allowing my thoughts to be on circumstances. Not to say that there aren't practical things I can do in light of our world's crises....but where is my hope, where is my treasure?
In the "something to try" on page 118 Sally mentions using music to teach your children. As a family, we love music and love to make worship mixes to listen to for our drive to school. I put a "Hide 'em in your heart Bible Memory melodies" in each of the kid's easter baskets this year. (in the resource list at the end of the book). We are all enjoying listening to them too.
Well, the end of my rambling, disjointed post has arrived. I hope you are all enjoying and learning from this book. I would love to hear from you either by post, comment or email. And congratulations to Jennifer on the birth of her son!