Love In Action

"... let's not merely say that we love each other; 

let us show the truth by our actions."

1 John 3:18

As I teach my kids to be thankful for all God provides, it naturally comes up that others do not have the same things we do. Clean water ... food every day ... a warm bed to sleep in... not everyone has that, and we are thankful we do.

But it doesn't stop there. 

One day, as I explained that we can help others, one of my kids (who is particularly sensitive to spiritual matters) said, "I want to help now"  He pushed  me to discover how we can work to help NOW. 

I love that kid... 

So, our 'love in action' looks like this: 

1: We sell our baking to friends and family

2: With those funds, we buy groceries to give to the local food bank

My son inspects their creation

Ideally, we would then be able to help in that food bank. Looks so far like that won't be a possibility, but we can tour the facility - maybe even on a distribution day - so these young ones can get a better understanding of how they can make a difference and how we can help each other. 


... so if you are close friend or family reading this, you may get a visit with our order form in the next week or two ... (and if we miss you but you'd like to contribute, let me know!) 


I'm excited to share more with you as we bake like crazy, and live love.

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4 Ways to Feed Kids Faith

Munching on peanut butter toast, my five year old watches me read my Bible. He brushes away a milk mustache and asks, “Mom, can you read the real story about Daniel and the lions’ den?” I briefly weigh which is more important – my own study or his – and flip to the story of Daniel.

As a mom who wrestles with how to feed my kids faith, I want to know how I can lead them into their own faith without ‘forcing it down their throat’. How can I pour God’s word into them without it turning into resentment later? 

As I continue to look for ways to pour God’s word and love into our kids, I find a need to stop and consider what we are already doing.

1.     Pray

It’s important to me that our prayers do not become mantras, but are real-time and applicable; about things the kids care about too. ‘Thank you Jesus, for food every day and warm beds to sleep in. Thank you that we could swing from the chandelier today – that was really fun!”

At bedtime, I pray with each child, then for them. I thank God for making them special, that he has a plan for them, and then list specific things I’m thankful about. Ie) ‘Thank you, Lord, for making our son so handsome, strong, helpful, kind, funny….’ My son smiles as he overhears me talking to God about him. Love it.

2.     Read Bible stories

They may have been introduced to these stories through Sunday School or Veggie Tales. Wherever it was, my kids now love to hear about Daniel and the Lions’ Den, Samson, Jonah and the Big Fish, Shadrach Meshach and Abednego. Sometimes we read from kids’ books, usually right out of the Bible. (Usually during my own Bible study time -they always want to do what we’re doing, eh?)

3.     Church Stuff

Attending and serving in Sunday school, church, Mom’s groups and Bible studies provide a sense of community. It shows our kids what it means to be part of a faith family.

4.     Live It 

They see and hear me living my faith. As they watch me struggle, celebrate, sing, dance, cry, pray, help, serve ... it becomes real life for them too. They see my passion for Jesus and become interested.

I let them hear me pray, talk with others about God and faith, and they hear how I speak to and about others… and them.

Their choice between faith or resentment will likely be made based on how real my own faith is. 

  

I have no long term results to point to, but so far this 3 and 4 year old have a history of requesting Bible stories, initiating conversations about how great God is. They’re excited about Sunday school, and are familiar with God’s presence in our family. One morning my son crawled into bed with me and said, “Mom, do you know that God is powerful? He is so mighty.” 

I can’t give my children faith – that is between them and God. But I can pour God’s word into them and deliberately model my faith for them. And I can pray – that they’ll be receptive, strong in faith, and love Jesus with all their hearts. The rest is in God’s capable hands.

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Breathe - Repost

On a cold, blustery day like this one, I like to remember the better days of winter...  

We nestle in white powder snow beneath grey afternoon clouds. I watch her scoop snow into her plastic shovel and dump it into a Tonka truck. My eyes grow heavy as I watch him push a yellow metal loader through snow piles. My shoulders sag beneath invisible weight. My little ones play, unaware it is nap time. I lay on the snow, close my eyes. Loader wheels squeak. Swish-a-swash Swish-a-swash. Snow pants rub as she walks. Snow sprays on my forehead as boots approach and she shovels snow onto my legs. "I'm covering you, mommy!" She laughs. 

The fresh air is cool and moves. It wafts towards my cheeks, then away. It tenderly floats across my nose. A smile crosses my face. Only now do I realize that out here, beneath clouds, I can feel air. In my house, our manufactured temperature lacks the fresh movement only God can create. He didn't just give us oxygen - he made it move. It touches me. It caresses my face, entices my nose with endless scents and, a strong wind even wraps its arms around me.

My son lays silent beside me, inches from my face. I open my eyes and we gaze at each other, smiling. His blue eyes dance with joy. This moment, God is here smiling with us. We're rich and blessed to share this - to lay on soft snow and breathe.

Cosby - Too True

Remember the Cosby Show from the 80s and early 90s? Even in his comedy act, he did this bit about telling his kids to go have a shower.  ... it wasn't just 'go have a shower' It was... 

'Go upstairs to the bathroom, turn the water on. 

Get undressed, step into the shower and stand under the water. 

Wash your whole body with soap. Rinse. Turn the water off ....' etc. 

At the time, I think I just concluded that he thought his children were particularly brainless. But, now a parent, I completely understand. 

This morning my son got his shoes on (good), but was barefoot in them (eew). 

"Oops. We don't wear shoes with bare feet" I said. "Please either put your sandals on, or put socks on." 

... seemed straight-forward to me...

Moments later, he walked into the room like this:

Thanks, son, for putting on your sock.  Good job.