God's Provision

Yesterday, God reminded me how much He cares for me and the task He has given me. I struggle with feelings of failure and inadequacy when it comes to training my children. But I know my struggle is one of unbelief. I am often convicted of my own sin as I attempt to train my kids to be faithful followers of Christ. Teaching my kids their Bible stories has been one of the greatest faith-affirming blessings of mothering.

I start our school day off with the boys (Titus, 6 yr. and Henry, 3 yr.) by reading their Bible story. The day's lesson was on the twelve spies who went into Canaan. Titus seemed very engaged when I described the faithless response of the 10 unfaithful spies and God's subsequent anger at the faithlessness of the Israelites.

"Now listen, boys, this is a very important lesson for you," my voice grew serious and intense. Titus makes eye contact and gives me his full attention. "You are going to have giants in your life, things you are going to be tempted to think are too difficult for you. But you can be confident that the God who delivered the Israelites from Egypt and did all these miracles on their behalf will also give you the strength to overcome your giants. It was wicked of Israel to doubt God's ability to give them all the blessings of the promised land. Do not be faithless like Israel was."

Titus and Kate usually respond very favorably and seriously when I explain to them why they will need some information for the future. Often during Bible lessons, I do my best to help them see the spiritual applications of God's dealings with Israel, but I don't always get to see the kids use them.

After Bible we proceeded to Titus' phonics. Half way through his page he began to get frustrated and I watched him give up. I said, "Titus, this seems like a giant to you, but I promise you, God will give you the strength to overcome this. God will provide you the ability to do what He has given you to do. God has given you THIS work to do."

Titus straightened up and completed the page with ease and confidence! This is what Christ meant when He said we must be as little children to enter the kingdom of heaven. Titus' belief in God's ability to provide for him is often humbling to me as I grumble and doubt whether I can defeat the giants in my life.

Satan and Satin

Henry asked who Satan is. The kids and I were all in the kitchen making fudge as I explained about Satan. Katie asked, "So is that why that there's a beautiful type of tape called Satan? Because Satan was God's most beautiful angel?" It took me a minute, but I figured out she meant satin. She's been pronouncing satin in her books as Satan apparently.

Titus's Gifting Plan

I asked Titus what he was going to get Katie for Christmas. Without skipping a beat he answered, "A punchin'!" With his finger in the air as if he was having a eureka moment, he added, "I'm going to wake up early and punch her." Ah... I remember some gifts like that from my brothers.

Brotherly Love

Henry and Titus were squabbling so I lectured Titus on the responsibilities of a big brother in regards to Henry. I then talked to Henry about cooperating with Titus and told him not to make Titus' job harder by aggravating him. Henry (3) interrupts me with, "Yeah, but sometimes he bes a jerk!"

Titus came in this afternoon from playing with the neighbor boy. This boy has caused Katie and Titus some concern. He doesn't believe in God, and they don't know how to process this.

Imagine Titus' little brow furrowed and his voice deep with intensity.
"Mom, Josh says he hates God."
"Are you and Katie hassling him about God?" I ask.
"Josh says he hates God!"
I'm at a loss and trust Matt will know how to handle this when he gets home. He's the pastor after all. He better have an answer for this.

A few minutes later I heard Titus saying to Katie, "I wonder what will happen to Josh. Will the ground open up and swallow him?"
His little hands, held flat together, open up to show the earth swallowing someone up.

I think he might be getting something from our morning Old Testament reading, even if it is from the King James.

Titus Learns About Fighting the Devil

This morning at family devotions Titus began talking about how he was going to punch and kick Satan since Satan wants to destroy us. I said, "Titus, God gave us different tools to fight Satan.
God gave us the Bible. To be a strong man of God, you have to know God's word."

Titus responded, "When I grow up I am going to get pinchers (translate pliers) and pinch and pinch and pinch Satan until He is dead, and then I am going to cook him up."

Apparently this is what Titus heard in my explanation, "Titus, God gave us different tools to fight Satan. Blah, blah, blah."

Chasing After Other Gods

Matt is reading through the Bible during our morning family worship. He is currently in Deuteronomy. This morning, after Matt explained our Bible reading to the kids and me, Katie said, "The only reason I would chase after other Gods would be because when I got there, I would destroy them!"