Learning As I Go || Friday Magnify

"Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together."
Psalm 34:3

“No Mom,” my oldest said with raised brows. “I can’t read.”

“Yes, you can,” I told him, matching the brows.

“No, I can’t!”

I pushed aside the paper he was working on, realizing where the disconnect was.

“Last year,” I looked at him, “you didn’t know what those words said. But you knew the sounds, and you’ve learned how to put the sounds together.”

He looked at me.

“Putting the sounds together is reading, buddy.”

“Wait, it is?”

“Yes!”

“So I can read every book now?”

“Sure! You just put the sounds together to make the words.”

The lightbulb went on, and he sat down satisfied.

Well, we have spent years learning letters and sounds. It has been a slow process, and we have been fighting an “I can’t do it” attitude for quite a long time. But I guess I missed an obvious part of the lesson I was supposed to teach. I’m not sure how it wasn’t communicated that stringing sounds together makes words…but somehow, it wasn’t. Or at least, it wasn’t understood! Mental note for all future students: make sure they see the connection between sounds and making words.

My little buddy will start reading books on his own soon enough, and what joy he will have when he does. Someday, he will not be telling himself he can’t. He’ll be enjoying the fact that he can.

And today, I am laughing at myself and how I miss things sometimes! I’m sure it won’t be the last time, either. Isn’t this how parenting is, learning as we go? Praise God He works all things for the good of those who love Him! And I am so grateful that one way or another, my kids will learn what they need to learn. Whether I point out the obvious or not. :)

Wonder on a Trail || Friday Magnify

"Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together."
Psalm 34:3

If you look closely, there are two boys hiding in those trees. Two boys bundled up in warm coats, hats, and gloves for a cold New England winter. Two boys with energy to rival race dogs, ready to explore some local trails.

Behind the camera is a mom whose heart is full and whose fingers are starting to freeze. A mom holding a small dog who would like to be a race dog, but who is restrained on a long lead.

To the side is a path full of rocks the two bundled boys love to pick through. Beyond that are trails with little waterfalls, exposed roots, hidden mushrooms. Joy-inducing nature, delicately crafted by a most amazing Creator.

Down one trail are views of a river, bitterly cold but not frozen yet. A few more months and two boys and their mother and dog will walk down and watch ice chunks floating downstream. For now, they watch birds duck under the water and reappear a few feet away. Giggles ensue.

One boy decides he needs a bathroom, and fast. Three bundled people turn the dog around and hurry back along the trail, hating to say no to the distractions of new mushrooms and rocks to climb and bridges to run across. They make it to the car with little time to spare.

Home again, home again, jiggity-jog. The door unlocked quickly, children and dog scramble out, everyone hurrying to remove bundles. Bathroom door slams.

Mom sighs, takes a sip of cold coffee. Immensely thankful for coats, hats, gloves. For a pocket camera, an energetic group of littles, a place to take in the wonder of Creation. For a home to return to, cozy and warm, to talk about findings and make plans for the next venture out.

What joy this Creator gives!

God's Forgiveness || Friday Magnify

"Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together."
Psalm 34:3

Every now and then I am overwhelmed by the responsibility of being a parent. All of my failings and shortcomings are on center stage, and I am plagued with doubt. How can I do this well, when I feel like a total mess? How will my children grow up knowing the Lord, if I give them a poor example of a Christ follower? I know I’m not alone in wondering these things!

In response to this we often hear that we really aren’t that bad, or that God will never give us more than we can handle. We receive some platitudes and move on. Or, we look at our failures and dramatically exaggerate them and think we are just the worst.

Well, sometimes we moms really are that bad. We do sin, and those decisions have consequences. Other times, we have messed up but the solution isn’t a good ol’ pity party that is nursing our pride. And sometimes, God surely does give us more than we can handle - ever looked at Job, or Nehemiah, or Paul? The point isn’t what we can handle, the point is that God is strong and worthy of glory. We have chances to learn our need of Him, and we see Him strong through our weaknesses.

So as I sit and mull over the week, I’m reminded that He is so good regardless of my shortcomings. He brings me back to the foot of the cross, where I humbly ask forgiveness and am given yet another fresh start. He reminds me that my kids need to see this repentance-and-forgiveness cycle in action; they don’t need to see a mom who pretends to never sin. They need to see a mom who asks her Lord, and her family, for forgiveness and then tries again. They need to see that mistakes brushed under the rug only breed more sin, instead of effectively dealing with them straight on.

How grateful I am for His forgiveness. I don’t deserve it, yet He gives it in abundance. It truly yields the best life. I am grateful for the best Teacher, that I might learn and then pass on this knowledge to my children. I am grateful that I can pray and ask the Lord for help, in my own life and in regard to my children. He is so good!

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered.”
Psalm 32:1

Amen!

Cheerful Givers

“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-8

God loves a cheerful giver, and He has given us mothers ample opportunities to practice and get good at it! When little Susie walks into the kitchen and asks for a cup of water, we have the choice - pour her a glass (or plastic ;)) and hand it to her with a smile, or begrudgingly get up while making a fuss over having to get her something again.

We can give of our time with a cheerful heart. We can use our words to cheerfully give encouragement. We can offer smiles, something that seems so rare but that can be multiplied into great reward. We can share produce from our gardens, cut flowers from our flower beds, jars of homemade tomato sauce or salsa.

Certainly throughout history, cheerful givers have been valuable to society. And I would argue that right now, they are of much importance. The need for cheerful givers is great! As I’m sure you’ve noticed, most people are looking out only for his/her own interests. It throws people off when someone offers help, or gives something with no strings attached. What a light this can be in a dark place!

What’s more, when we have a habit of giving cheerfully, our children notice and begin to do the same things. This is surely a great gift from the Lord, to see our children walking in His ways!

We are often tempted to think, There is no way I can give; I have no means. But we must re-read the passage above. “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” God has given freely to us, and He will be sure to provide us the means to give freely to others. May we get to it!