Life lessons......at WALMART.

Change.

Growth.

Those things are HARD for adults to handle.

And lets be HONEST...sometimes we SUCK at it.

Learning to "go with the flow" is not necessarily an EASY thing to do.

It takes TIME.
and
PRACTICE.

And sometimes even when we are "adults" we still struggle with it.

And then you throw in little souls that we were "LOANED" to us by GOD, and it becomes a LIFE LONG JOURNEY.

A journey that we walk together because we are LEARNING together.

This time of year is what the kids call our "birthday season".

They call it that because ALL 4 of the kids birthdays are so close together.

Sheba: Sept. 8
then
Zeek: Oct. 12
then
Shashamane: Nov. 6
then
Malachi: Jan 2

Yes ...I know...
WE WERE BUSY.
LOL

Anyway...
during their bdays they inevitably get birthday money.

And they are always sooooo thankful for the money they get.

BUT....
as they get older things change.

The lessons that they learn change....because they GROW.

The lesson you teach the 5 year old is not the SAME lesson you teach the 10 year old.

or the 8 year old.

This year....
they have all gotten SOME money for their birthdays.

And they all handle it differently.

Zeek likes to HANG on to his....AND he likes to buy things for his brothers and sisters. He LOVES to have money in his wallet "just in case". AND... he is ALWAYS willing to GIVE. He has such a sweet, endearing heart. This lesson has been EASY to teach him....because GOD made him that way. He dosent STRUGGLE with it.

But.........
Then there is Shashamane.
Sweet girl has had a HARD time this year.
She got money but COULD NOT figure out WHAT she wanted to do with it.
She is a little reserved and INDECISIVE about the whole thing.
I took her shopping with her money and she just WANDERED the entire St. Augustine walmart while I walked behind her and said,
"What about nail polish? You love to paint your nails. No? ok."
"What about new CRAFT SUPPLIES? You LOVE to do crafts! No? ok."
" What about CLOTHES??? You LOVE clothes! No? ok."

She COULD NOT decide.
Then........
She started POUTING!
I mean like sad eyes, arms crossed, feet dragging, POUTING!!!!!!!!!

Uugggggghhhhhhhhhh....

If there is ONE THING I can't STAND...it is an UNGRATEFUL child!

I mean seriously....
I am the QUEEN of , "You say your STRAVING??? Come here...Let me show you STARVING!"(Then I get on the computer and pull up some totally scary picture of a REALLY STARVING child . I know...Im weird. crazy. harsh. I wont apologize.)

I think that it is SOOOO IMPORTANT for children to have a REAL WORLD VIEW of life.
They need to know that the life they lived is BLESSED. The life they live is something that is UNIMAGINABLE to MOST children in the world.

They live in a house...not a tent.
They have running water....not a well- 3 hours away.
They have electricity....ALL THE TIME.
They eat 3 meals a day...........not 3 times a week.
They have access to medicine when they are sick.....they dont do without because they are POOR.

They are SOOO EMENSELY BLESSED.
And they should remember it.
EVERYDAY.

I want then to remember that GOD granted them these gifts....they are not to be TAKEN FOR GRANTED.
They are not to be EXPECTED.

Because......
Today is today.
but-
tommorow.....things could change.

Tommorow....WE could be the ones truly STARVING or living in a TENT.

So right there in the middle of WALMART we stopped SHOPPING and had a little "reality check".

We stopped and talked about how It was not RIGHT to be upset because you cant figure out HOW to spend your money...
We talked about how we were going to GIVE THANKS for the fact that we have money to spend at WALMART...when so many are FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIVES!
We talked about how GOD wanted us to be GOOD STEWARDS of our money...so we didnt want to WASTE IT on something....just because we wanted to BUY SOMETHING!
We talked about how it was NOT ACCEPTABLE for her to frown and act that way .....EVER.

simply because......
we are TOO BLESSED.

It was such a TEACHABLE MOMENT and a LIFE LESSON.

We ended up walking out with BOTH some money in our hand, a panda doll, AND....
a lesson that I am sure is not OVER.

Because....
It is a lesson that is a life long journey.
A lesson that takes a while to be IMPRINTED on your heart.
For some of my children, it comes easier that others.
But ..I am determined that NO MATTER WHAT...
It is a lesson that they WILL LEARN.
It is a lesson that will SAVE them from so much heartache and disappointment.


We need to appreciate our BLESSINGS...
and OUR JOURNEYS for what they are...
Even when they come to us in the TOY isle at WALMART.

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:8-10

DAILY Life lessons…for all of us.

 

 

EVERY morning the kids do chores.

Actually, we have a pretty well “set in stone” chore chart.

They do it all…..

they make their beds, do the dishes, vacuum, dust, empty/take out the trash, and even clean the bathroom(sort of).

AND

They feed/take care of ALL the animals (dogs, cats, turtle, chickens, and guinea pigs).

Depending on which day of the week it is, they have different chores.

They don’t always like it ….but they do it.

In the mornings…before school and AFTER a little “wake-up TV” time, they get dressed, they go to the chore chart and they do their chores.

There are a few reasons WHY we have them do chores.

1. We feel like they need to have responsibility. They need to know that there will not ALWAYS be someone around to pick up after you or clean your home.

2. We feel like in the bible we were told that we are  responsible for these young souls.  “Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

3.  I want to release these children into the world to find a partner.I want them to KNOW that they have to help out in THEIR family in order to HELP the unit HONOR GOD. I want my daughters to be JEWELS in their husbands crown, and I want my sons to HELP their wives with the house. (FYI:Jason is THE BEST example, he is actually Mr.. MOM- but better…he actually KNOWS how to clean/take care of the house!!!)

Soooo….

As my children get older I realize how important these chores are.

It teaches them about being part of a family or TEAM and about how sometimes in life JOY can be found in the SIMPLE THINGS.

I want them to know that every time they do a chore they are HONORING GOD thru their actions.

It helps ME(mom) and that is a blessing…

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
~Philippians 2:3,4

I think that this is a LIFE LONG LESSON.

This is something that has to be PRACTICED.

It has to be trained INTO a person.

I mean….

I do chores daily, and have to remind MYSELF that these things that i do ARE for the LOVE of my family and God.

I LOVE having a clean house and a nice yard with lots of animals and ROOM.

I want to have a clean bathroom and kitchen for my children.

I want have a sweet front porch and a garden that yields fruit.

But in order to have those things….I have to HONOR GOD by keeping up with those things DAILY.

And…

I am trying to teach the kids that there is a PLEASURE in those things.

Those EVERYDAY, SIMPLE things.

I pray they are learning……

better yet- I pray that WE are learning!!!!

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Mountaintop experiences don't happen every day, you'll find
that life is usually 80% ordinary and 20% extraordinary. Most of your
life will involve being faithful in the normal everyday routine, but
when God chooses, He will give something that changes your life
forever."..

While were OUT...

I dont KNOW why , but I feel guilty whan I dont update my blog.
I know it sounds silly.
I know it sounds crazy.
I cant help it....I hate the feeling when I go to my Favorite blog and there is NO NEWS!
The funny thing is...I know WHY there is NO NEWS- Because she is BUSY.
Because she has a life and NEEDS a life in order to write all her sweet stories.
ANYWAY...
Jackie and Hailety are here and FRANKLY-I am too tired to write.
So.....I figured we would REVISIT some OLD posts.
Here goes.....Enjoy!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally written on April 16, 2009

Zoo Keeper...For LIFE!!!!!!


Sometimes I feel like were in a ZOO.

Sometimes I feel like I have 4 wild animals that live in this house.

The kids AND I are sick right now and I feel a little HOUSE-TRAPPED!

I feel like they are BORED and am REMINDED of TRAINING....

In times like these I feel like a CRAZY WOMAN trying to just DEAL.
An animal trainer TRYING to train these little souls.

In honor of THIS FEELING, I thought I would remind MYSELF of what the bible says about TRAINING your kids:


Proverbs 22:6
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 13:24
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Proverbs 19:18
Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.

Proverbs 22:15
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

Proverbs 23:13-14
Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.

Proverbs 29:15
The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.

Proverbs 29:17
Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.

This kind of training REQUIRES CONSTANT DILIGENCE...
So much in fact that, lets be honest, sometimes we feel like were failing.
I always struggle with the feeling of "Im not doing enough".
Maybe its actually ME who needs more training....
More training in TRAINING our kids!!!!

A word FROM the wise...from the wise!

I have a friend from High School (Heather Kramer)that is an AMAZING writer.
We always KNEW she was... She was AWESOME writing for out HS newspaper!!!
I read her blog DAILY.
To be honest...Its the ONLY blog I read EVERYDAY.
She always has something INSPIRING to say.
Something that makes you REALLY think.
Her blog on FRIDAY was great...
I couldnt write it better than HER, so I re-posted it HERE.
READ IT!!!! Shes amazing and it will make you THINK!!!


WARNING FROM THE WISE!!!

My mentor, Melodi said something in the comment section below that I thought was so great, I wanted to excavate it and bring it up here for everyone to read.

We were talking about self-control and here's what she said...

I also really pay attention to how my little ones are speaking to each other. They copy me, so it's a good clue to me if I hear them being impatient with one another that perhaps....they've heard that tone in their mom too many times. I actually heard one of the older ones being impatient with a little one today and had to point it out to them. It made me realize that I've reacted in the same way many times before.

Sin is deceptive. What Melodi said reminded me of Hebrews 3:12-13:

See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

I think it's a social norm to be impatient with children...harsh...sarcastic and short.

However, scripture teaches us that as believers, who also happen to be mothers, we're to be kind...patient...loving...gentle...and that God wants to use everything that comes out of our mouths to build others up.

Our children are "others."

I'm always convicted when I read this verse...

1 Thessalonians 2:7
As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.

I'm taking Melodi's words to heart, and listening today for how my children speak to one another.

I think God, in His grace and loving kindness can use what I hear today to make my heart tender...revealing the areas where I've been duped by sin and allowed an ugly tone, impatience or lack of self control to become an acceptable norm. Unfortunately, scripture also lovingly warns us...our children will pick up our sin and begin to wear it as their own (Exodus 20:1-4, Proverbs 22:24-25).

A fork in the road.....

Sometimes I feel like I am the one in "training".
It is SOOOOO TRUE what "they" say about children- "You never understand until YOU have one of your own."
I never really understood the HEAVINESS of parenthood.
I mean...I knew that it would be hard and trying.
I knew that there would be disappointments and long roads ahead.
I never understood how HARD it would be to raise these children.
Especially in a world FULL of DISRESPECT, DISHONESTY, and HATE.
I guess I just hadnt gotten to THIS part.
The part where little boys start to have smart mouths and talk back.
Im not sure how to handle this part.
I feel anxiety comming on.
I am feeling the pressure..GOD'S PRESSURE.
The past three days of a "smart mouth" boy have left me standing with my mouth dropped open.
Its left me RUNNING to the bible for guidance on what to do.
THIS is SOME of what I found:



22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."

25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;

26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.

27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke
while he is young.

28 Let him sit alone in silence,
for the LORD has laid it on him.

29 Let him bury his face in the dust—
there may yet be hope.

30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him,
and let him be filled with disgrace.

31 For men are not cast off
by the Lord forever.

32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
so great is his unfailing love.

Zoo Keeper for LIFE......

Sometimes I feel like were in a ZOO.

Sometimes I feel like I have 4 wild animals that live in this house.

The kids AND I are sick right now and I feel a little HOUSE-TRAPPED!

I feel like they are BORED and am REMINDED of TRAINING....

In times like these I feel like a CRAZY WOMAN trying to just DEAL.
An animal trainer TRYING to train these little souls.

In honor of THIS FEELING, I thought I would remind MYSELF of what the bible says about TRAINING your kids:


Proverbs 22:6
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 13:24
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Proverbs 19:18
Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.

Proverbs 22:15
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

Proverbs 23:13-14
Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.

Proverbs 29:15
The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.

Proverbs 29:17
Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.

This kind of training REQUIRES CONSTANT DILIGENCE...
So much in fact that, lets be honest, sometimes we feel like were failing.
I always struggle with the feeling of "Im not doing enough".
Maybe its actually ME who needs more training....
More training in TRAINING our kids!!!!