The Kid had to do a project on a famous American. He chose Thomas Edison for five reasons: (1) he has a book about Thomas which he loves and has memorized, (2) Thomas was an inventor which makes him an automatic hero for The Kid, (3) his middle name is Alva - for some reason The Kid thinks that is hilarious, (4) he quit school when he was seven, which also makes him a hero, then he set up a science lab in his basement, and (5) he’s white. (The Kid is in the minority in a huge way in his class at school and he’s ending February just a little tired of famous black Americans. He says, “It’s time for these kids to know that there are famous white people, too.”)
Well, the teacher in me wants to work these projects my way and the creator-inventor in him has waaaaaay different thoughts in mind. I want him to write sentences; he wants to paint on poster board. I want to tape a filament on cardboard; he wants a whole electrical station set-up. I want him to print the sentences on tablet paper; he wants to use the computer. So we compromised. He gets to type and we don’t build an electric station. I cringed as he taped down the pictures of Edison’s inventions. I think they need to be straight and in some kind of order. He thinks that overlapping and hanging off the board is great. I fought for neatly lined up pictures, even trying to tape down a couple when he wasn’t looking. Finally he said, “This is my project. Let me do it my way.” It took everything within me to just hand him pieces of tape and let him do it his way. When he got finished taping the last picture on the poster board, he said, “Look at this. Now you can clap.”
You already know that while I was handing him tape, God was teaching me. Sometimes it is right and good and needful for me to direct the steps of The Kid, but it is equally important for me to let him spread his wings while still in the safety of the nest. Sometimes I must insist that he obey and do things the way I say, but some things are really not that big a deal. Sometimes I must set aside what I like and let him figure things out for himself. Sometimes being a “hands-on” mom means sitting on my hands while speaking words of affirmation and encouragement.
By the way, I did clap. But I have to confess that after he went to bed I made just a few slight adjustments on the board.....
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Burn the Germs!
Well The Kid is not so excited about it, but it looks like he'll be able to go back to school tomorrow. Since January 25, he has been to the doctor 4 times and missed 12 days of school with walking pneumonia. He is still weak, but I think he's on the mend. (He thinks he's invented a way to make himself feel like he has fever so he can stay home. Bad thing, though, he told us that's what he is trying to do!)
Now I think it's time to burn the germs! I am thinking a gallon of Clorox and a couple of cans of Lysol ought to do the trick! (Although I have been Lysol-ing during this time and it hasn't seemed to do much good.) It might be even better if I could just burn the layer of germs that are probably hiding out in every crevice waiting for me to go to bed so they can come out and party! You know how people burn down brush and weeds in the woods - I'd like to do that in my house! But I won't...not sure how to call the insurance company and explain the damge it'd do!
I was thinking that I probably need to ask Jesus to do this with my life, while I am at it...you know, burn out the stuff that gets in the way of the good stuff growing. So while I am Lysol-ing my house, I think I'll be doing some heart-cleaning, too!
Now I think it's time to burn the germs! I am thinking a gallon of Clorox and a couple of cans of Lysol ought to do the trick! (Although I have been Lysol-ing during this time and it hasn't seemed to do much good.) It might be even better if I could just burn the layer of germs that are probably hiding out in every crevice waiting for me to go to bed so they can come out and party! You know how people burn down brush and weeds in the woods - I'd like to do that in my house! But I won't...not sure how to call the insurance company and explain the damge it'd do!
I was thinking that I probably need to ask Jesus to do this with my life, while I am at it...you know, burn out the stuff that gets in the way of the good stuff growing. So while I am Lysol-ing my house, I think I'll be doing some heart-cleaning, too!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
What Is the World Coming To?
I heard many adults ask this question when I was growing up. I always thought that if they didn't know, I sure didn't! And why in the world would they ask a kid who lacked the knowledge and experience needed to ask such a big question.
Today I was sitting in a class listening to an expert talk about the state of today's family and it made me so sad. Things like "the welfare of kids in MS is the worst in our country" and "last year alone, there were 50 recorded births to 12 year old girls in MS" and "MS has the third highest teen birth rate in the country" and "55% of kids live in a home with 2 parents but not necessarly their biological parents" and "36% of kids in our country live apart from their biological dads."
Add to that that the sense of entitlement our kids are growing up with (I want it and I want it NOW!) and the pervasiveness of media in their lives, and the state of childhood, especially in our state, seems miserable. Who would choose to be a kid today.
Somehow kids have got to be able to have the opportunity to learn that their lives are not meant to be hollow, empty, shallow, or lived in fear of what tomorrow might- or might not- hold. It makes my job seem very important and necessary, but also very overwhelming. More than ever we must be redeeming the time with our kids and teaching them to be doing the same.
Makes me want to say, "Come back soon, Jesus!"
I bet He's shaking his head asking the big question that has no good answer, "What is this world coming to?"
Today I was sitting in a class listening to an expert talk about the state of today's family and it made me so sad. Things like "the welfare of kids in MS is the worst in our country" and "last year alone, there were 50 recorded births to 12 year old girls in MS" and "MS has the third highest teen birth rate in the country" and "55% of kids live in a home with 2 parents but not necessarly their biological parents" and "36% of kids in our country live apart from their biological dads."
Add to that that the sense of entitlement our kids are growing up with (I want it and I want it NOW!) and the pervasiveness of media in their lives, and the state of childhood, especially in our state, seems miserable. Who would choose to be a kid today.
Somehow kids have got to be able to have the opportunity to learn that their lives are not meant to be hollow, empty, shallow, or lived in fear of what tomorrow might- or might not- hold. It makes my job seem very important and necessary, but also very overwhelming. More than ever we must be redeeming the time with our kids and teaching them to be doing the same.
Makes me want to say, "Come back soon, Jesus!"
I bet He's shaking his head asking the big question that has no good answer, "What is this world coming to?"
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Gone Fishin'
Today I had lots of work to do....stuff I'd saved for this afternoon. I knew The Kid and the dad in our house had fishing plans, so I planned my day around that. I'd work longer into the evening and get some stuff done, then they'd come get me and we'd have the rest of the evening together at home.
But they decided it'd be a good thing to invite me to go fishing since it was Valentine's Day after all. My initial thought was that if they REALLY loved me, they'd go without me. But my better judgement took over and so I watched the sun set over the wind-whipped waters of the rez while listening to the little waves slap against the rocks. I sat on the huge roots of a big ole tree watching the two guys I love most in the world thread live worms onto metal hooks.
The Kid looked back at me near the end of our hour-long fishing trip and said, "Hey Mom, have you learned to love fishing yet?" "No," said my head. But at that exact moment my heart filled to overflowing as I watched those two guys sharing one rod and lots of laughs. Without even thinking, my mouth said, "Yes, I think I have."
I was reminded all over again today that troubles, worries and piles of work just melt away -even if only for awhile- when you are with the ones you love best in the middle of creation made by the One Who loves you most.
So if you ever find a sign hanging from my door that says Gone Fishin' - you'd better believe it's probably true.
P.S. They caught one small sunfish. We brought it home to keep as a pet. And that's another blog for another day!
But they decided it'd be a good thing to invite me to go fishing since it was Valentine's Day after all. My initial thought was that if they REALLY loved me, they'd go without me. But my better judgement took over and so I watched the sun set over the wind-whipped waters of the rez while listening to the little waves slap against the rocks. I sat on the huge roots of a big ole tree watching the two guys I love most in the world thread live worms onto metal hooks.
The Kid looked back at me near the end of our hour-long fishing trip and said, "Hey Mom, have you learned to love fishing yet?" "No," said my head. But at that exact moment my heart filled to overflowing as I watched those two guys sharing one rod and lots of laughs. Without even thinking, my mouth said, "Yes, I think I have."
I was reminded all over again today that troubles, worries and piles of work just melt away -even if only for awhile- when you are with the ones you love best in the middle of creation made by the One Who loves you most.
So if you ever find a sign hanging from my door that says Gone Fishin' - you'd better believe it's probably true.
P.S. They caught one small sunfish. We brought it home to keep as a pet. And that's another blog for another day!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Two Tickets....... to the World
Sometimes a child can do or say something so huge that to talk about it seems almost like sacrilege...like it could be jinxed if you talk about it too much or try to read too much into it. But, on the other hand, to not talk about it is to diminish it or act as if it's not so huge a thing after all. And for me not to write about and talk about it could mean that I completely forget it. So in order to preserve this moment for me and for him, I am compelled to write about it here.
The Kid in my house had a huge God encounter this past weekend. He told me about it an hour or so after it happened. It was so big for a six year old that I almost blew it off and chalked it up to the musings of a child who knows all the "church" words and answers. So I had Junebug check it out for me. His response to her, along with some pretty big additional observations on his part, have convinced me that I am truly witnessing the Spirit of God at work in his life.
The kids in our church were invited to "Journey to China" as part of a missions weekend. Three lay people who had been there as volunteer missionaries came to share with our kids. As the kids ate their supper, I prayed with a couple of these volunteer missionary leaders. We prayed that they would speak clearly and that the kids would be attentive and open to God's spirit. I also prayed that God would call out a missionary from the kids that night. While I believed that God could do and wanted to do just that, I knew in my head that it was Friday night - you know, the "end of a full week at school and not a good time to sit and be quiet" time of the week.
As I toured the rotations, I saw what I pretty much expected...kids with ants in their pants and lots of pent-up energy. Of course I paid special attention to The Kid. The most I really hoped for from him was to remember a few facts about China and missionaries there and have some fun at church. At the least I did not want him to interrupt the speakers or keep the other kids from learning. He was paired up with a sixth grade boy who was doing his best to keep him still and quiet. I kinda felt sorry for the preteen getting stuck with him. (The Kid gets NO playtime at school and to say that by Friday he's about to bust is putting it mildly.)
On the way home that night, The Kid says, "I heard the voice of God tonight." I tried to be so cool as I replied, "Oh really? What did He say?" "He said, 'Go tell the Word to the world." "What do you think that means?" I asked in my best educator voice. The Kid's reply was simple, "Go tell the Word to the world." He spoke slowly and carefully ennunciated each syllable. So I ask, "Like be a missionary?" He says, "Yeah, but I'm not so sure about Asia yet." Then I say, "Well you know you can be a mssionary right where you live." He knows that and told me so. I shut up, scared of making too much of the moment or just plain losing it altogether. My flesh really wanted to keep talking it up though so he wouldn't forget. Somehow I knew I just needed to be quiet. God moments require time to think and you can't think if your momma keeps asking all kinds of questions.
The next day The Kid asks what could have been mistaken as a random question. "Momma, when are you going on your next trip?" I was slow, not sure where that question came from, so I told him I was going to Louisianna soon. "No. Your next trip to another country to tell people about Jesus. I need to go too." My reply: "You are too young to go to another country. His words: "God didn't put any ages on who can tell the Word to the World." Touche'! I made that conversation brief by saying I had no plans to go anywhere soon.
The next day was Sunday. There was a global missions fair and he fell in love with China. In fact, at one point I could not find him. I searched and others helped. I found him, sitting in the back of the "China" room, discussing issues related to China, eating rice, and sipping hot tea. He later said, "Did you know China is in Asia? It's not so bad."
On Monday, again randomly, he asked me when the next trip to "the world" would be. I couldn't play the age card, so I laid out the money card. Austin, it costs lots of money to go on a trip. He was totally undaunted! "Well, remember when Miss Mary talked about going to Africa? She said God provided everything she needed for the trip. God will provide everything I need to tell the Word to the world. You just need to trust Him." Touche' again! Or OUCH!
So now I'm searching for cheap tickets to the world. But you better believe I'll be buying two. I will have to go, too....Not to protect him, but to learn from him!
The Kid in my house had a huge God encounter this past weekend. He told me about it an hour or so after it happened. It was so big for a six year old that I almost blew it off and chalked it up to the musings of a child who knows all the "church" words and answers. So I had Junebug check it out for me. His response to her, along with some pretty big additional observations on his part, have convinced me that I am truly witnessing the Spirit of God at work in his life.
The kids in our church were invited to "Journey to China" as part of a missions weekend. Three lay people who had been there as volunteer missionaries came to share with our kids. As the kids ate their supper, I prayed with a couple of these volunteer missionary leaders. We prayed that they would speak clearly and that the kids would be attentive and open to God's spirit. I also prayed that God would call out a missionary from the kids that night. While I believed that God could do and wanted to do just that, I knew in my head that it was Friday night - you know, the "end of a full week at school and not a good time to sit and be quiet" time of the week.
As I toured the rotations, I saw what I pretty much expected...kids with ants in their pants and lots of pent-up energy. Of course I paid special attention to The Kid. The most I really hoped for from him was to remember a few facts about China and missionaries there and have some fun at church. At the least I did not want him to interrupt the speakers or keep the other kids from learning. He was paired up with a sixth grade boy who was doing his best to keep him still and quiet. I kinda felt sorry for the preteen getting stuck with him. (The Kid gets NO playtime at school and to say that by Friday he's about to bust is putting it mildly.)
On the way home that night, The Kid says, "I heard the voice of God tonight." I tried to be so cool as I replied, "Oh really? What did He say?" "He said, 'Go tell the Word to the world." "What do you think that means?" I asked in my best educator voice. The Kid's reply was simple, "Go tell the Word to the world." He spoke slowly and carefully ennunciated each syllable. So I ask, "Like be a missionary?" He says, "Yeah, but I'm not so sure about Asia yet." Then I say, "Well you know you can be a mssionary right where you live." He knows that and told me so. I shut up, scared of making too much of the moment or just plain losing it altogether. My flesh really wanted to keep talking it up though so he wouldn't forget. Somehow I knew I just needed to be quiet. God moments require time to think and you can't think if your momma keeps asking all kinds of questions.
The next day The Kid asks what could have been mistaken as a random question. "Momma, when are you going on your next trip?" I was slow, not sure where that question came from, so I told him I was going to Louisianna soon. "No. Your next trip to another country to tell people about Jesus. I need to go too." My reply: "You are too young to go to another country. His words: "God didn't put any ages on who can tell the Word to the World." Touche'! I made that conversation brief by saying I had no plans to go anywhere soon.
The next day was Sunday. There was a global missions fair and he fell in love with China. In fact, at one point I could not find him. I searched and others helped. I found him, sitting in the back of the "China" room, discussing issues related to China, eating rice, and sipping hot tea. He later said, "Did you know China is in Asia? It's not so bad."
On Monday, again randomly, he asked me when the next trip to "the world" would be. I couldn't play the age card, so I laid out the money card. Austin, it costs lots of money to go on a trip. He was totally undaunted! "Well, remember when Miss Mary talked about going to Africa? She said God provided everything she needed for the trip. God will provide everything I need to tell the Word to the world. You just need to trust Him." Touche' again! Or OUCH!
So now I'm searching for cheap tickets to the world. But you better believe I'll be buying two. I will have to go, too....Not to protect him, but to learn from him!
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