Along the lines of intentional parenting, miracles and a little faith … I’ve got some things I wanted to share today:
Scripture
Last week, as I was having the girls write verses on their chalkboard door, it occurred to me … they may not know how to look up scripture for themselves. So we set about having a scripture-looking-up-lesson. I’ve gotta say … it was a pretty cool thing to see my littles searching God’s word for scripture.
A Lesson In Love & Knowing Scripture
The very next day, Wynter had a playdate scheduled after school. So did Piper. Which found CJ and I driving off with only Hunter in the car, when the mom of Wynter’s playdate {are you following this?} asked if Hunter wanted to come along too. We asked Hunter and of course she did. So we got her back out of the car and Wynter had a melt-down. She.did.not want her younger sister honing in on her playdate. In all fairness, we should’ve asked Wynt first. But we didn’t. And we all learned something from it. But because of her behavior, we canceled the playdate and took both girls back home with us.
On the drive home, I was reminded of 1 John 4:7-8. Curt was with me and I told him I’d like to spend a little time with Wynter when we get home. So we get home and Wynt and I go to her bedroom. I take out their bible and ask her to look up 1 John 4:7-8 and to read it to me.
“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God.
Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.
But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
{New Living Translation}
She reads it … and as she gets to the last sentence and starts reading slower … processing what she’s reading and she looks at me and says, “but I know God.” And I was able to explain to her that her behavior didn’t show love and therefore didn’t show that she knows God. It was a great moment for both of us.
But even better, was later that night when CJ said to me, “So … when you talked to Wynter … you just knew what to look up and read to her?” {He had walked into her room while we were reading the verse}. I told him that I did and then explained the verse and Wynter’s reaction to it. He was quiet and didn’t say much. But it was the look in his eyes and the moment of seeing the wheels turning in his head that I loved most.
A Bible
A friend of mine recommended a particular bible for CJ, so I got it for him. I highlighted some relevant things, tabbed it and left it in his office. A few days later, I mentioned it to him. He said he saw it, but didn’t see that anything was tabbed or highlighted. Another few days went by, when I wandered into his office and asked about the bible. He pulled it out and I showed him the things I highlighted and shared the importance of the bible. He was actually excited. Yes friends … excited. And said he’d definitely read some of it.
A Book
CJ’s agreed to let me start writing the book. There’s no purpose in mind right now, other than getting it out of my heart and onto paper. It’s not anything he wants published or shared. So in the end, it may just end up being a family story for our children to read someday. And if that’s God’s will … that’s okay with me. I’m happy right now to have his support for this first step.
This post is linked up with Emily at Chatting at the Sky
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oh my goodness! this post made me cry and get excited! it was like an emotional rollacoaster, but of all good emotions! thank you so much for sharing. wow, God is REALLY working in your home these days. I love it! Still praying…..
That is so very exciting…the word of God is so powerful! Blessings to you!
the book?! the bible?! the wheels turning?! i am in awe of God. (always) this past week as i have been spending time, and praying and reading and digging down into His word (oh! i forgot that i wanted to say hooray for little hands in the bible!) i have come across some mighty stuff. and something that has been right on my heart is knowing that He is working miracles that we cannot yet see, and thanking Him in advance for doing so. gosh i love that. so here i am, thanking God for the progress… that we see, and that we don’t. and wyinter’s a-ha moment… because that is just so sweet. love to you!
So, I’m sitting here at my desk (at work) crying. :-) Thank you, friend. I think this may be your best post ever. Your gentle ministry is doing big, big things. I know it personally, and I can see it alive in your family. Love you so much!
Love how God shows us things through His word! :) He is so good! Blessings on writing your book! :)
that just might be the sweetest little pic of huntie evah! love the way you used scripture to explain that situation to Wynter…such a perfect way to explain how her actions glorify God…even the small things. Love the nudges in the right direction in cj’s world and want to say that your book “just ending up” as a family story for your children could be the greatest gift you could give each of them. To know your story…to know the love & devotion and path/struggles their parents have been through…to know how great you love is for them & the hopes and dreams and love you show for them every day in your decisions and choices…that my friend could be the greatest thing your book could do. I can’t think of a greater gift then knowing your past, what you have chosen for your present and your dreams for the future. Happy writing my friend!
So full of joy for you today my friend. Praying for all of you.
excited, excited, excited!!! all good things, in so many ways!!! bravo on the scriptures in action lesson there mama. teaching them how to actually use the scriptures is so important. when they need answers, and they want to find them on their own they can! you seriously rock. we used to have scripture chases on family nights when i was growing up. total blast! not only to try and be the first to find it, but also to get to know my scriptures so well.
as for knowing the verse instinctively, what a great lesson it taught not just your daughter. first about the value of the scriptures, but also the validity of the holy spirit constantly working in our lives. you knew because you’d been prepared. you know your scriptures well, and are familiar enough with them that the Spirit can remind you of one that would be most useful in that moment. such a beautiful thing. so cool that CJ got to witness this!
congrats on the book. you’re right whether published worldwide or just for your family, that is awesome.
keeping my fingers crossed that he reads the places you marked for him in the bible. and hopefully sooner than later….i’m not very patient when it comes to gifts…same in this case as in gifts on Christmas morning! so i’m hoping for sooner for you and your family. =) have a great rest of your tuesday!
Aw!! Yay!! I love how God works things out and that your husband has given the thumbs up! And THREE cheers to you for being an honoring wife and waiting!!
I have been absent from reading and commenting for a bit as I was up in canada – this I’d a great post to come back to.
What bunch of WONDERFUL RANDOM events!!!!!! A huge YAY on the bible. I still have goose bumps from reading THAT! So incredible!