Memoirs of a Moorings

Making God Real To a 3-Year-Old

In Rhyan's 3-year-old class, the kids are learning to listen to God during prayer time. They have circle time where they can state their prayer requests and then they are urged to be quiet and Listen! They are already learning to sit and be quiet to give God a chance to speak to them. Wow--I only wish I had learned that so early on. And I just wish that I had been so smart as to think to teach him that right now.

I am understanding that this parenting thing is quite a learning experience and I can glean quite a bit from those who have more experience than me. I'm also realizing that my three-year-old can grasp some concepts that I thought too lofty for him. So I'm seeking out ways now that I can make him see God as a real and loving God--one who is very concerned about him. It took me years to figure that one out as well. I came across this wonderful article with very practical principles on making God real to my little preschooler.

Lord, help me to take a moment to listen after all my chatting with you. Give me an ear to hear what lessons I should be passing on to my little one so that he'll see you as the loving and caring God that you are! What real life lessons have you parents out there used to help your little ones learn that God is real and present in their lives?

Love the Fun One

My younger sister is the fun one--always has been. So it's no wonder that she's turned out to be one fun aunt to her only nephew. She's the one who buys him the coolest toys I never think to buy and then has a ball playing with him. Yesterday the doorbell rang and he yelled, "Auntie Bobbi!" And ran to the door. "No Rhyan it's the delivery guy." Of course he had a fit when he saw that it really was the delivery guy. Later on that night he handed me his handy dandy notebook and said, "I want to draw a picture of Auntie Bobbi." He can't get enough of that girl. And she can't get enough of him. Happy Love Thursday!

Check out more Love Thursday posts here.

Stepping Stones

This beauty was one of Rhyan’s 3^rd birthday gifts courtesy of his Daddy. The days of scuffed up shoes are gone--at least from non-pedaling and pushing  himself along anyway. That kid can ride AND pedal. Sweet victory. We are two proud parents—especially since he was the only kid in his class not pedaling.

And do I dare type this? The potty train is moving right along. It’s been weeks since we’ve had any wet nights. I’m rejoicing. But the bed is still double sheeted with waterproof liners and that extra set of pajamas is still next to the bed. Just in case.......just in case. Instead of wet nights, he's traded those in for 3am trips to mommy and daddy's bed. Yikes. That again!

Life Is But a Breath

Author BeBe Moore Campbell died today from complications of brain cancer which had been diagnosed in February. What a blow L Not only was I fan of her writing, I got the chance to meet her briefly at a book signing with a dear friend quite a few years ago. Such a sweet soul and such a beautiful (and talented) woman! And she was only 56 years old.

Psalm 39:5: “You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath. Selah.”

Selah—indeed that is a scripture to ponder! Our lives are but a breath. There but for a moment and then vanishing. I’ve been thinking a lot about mortality lately. Specifically the mortality of my parents and what a sobering thought. My father was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago and I’m seeing how fragile life is. How all the memories that were created can flash before you in a blink of an eye. My father is not a believer—yet! I’m praying that before his breath vanishes that he will come to know God and accept His precious gift of salvation. Let us all remember to live out the span of our years with purpose and love. Selah!

Awe and Wonder

Psalm 107:24: “They saw the works of the LORD, his wonderful deeds in the deep.”

Seeing the world through the eyes of a three-year-old can give you a whole new appreciation for God’s majesty. Today dear hubby and I took Rhyan to the aquarium. It was like a magical underwater world for him. He loved every minute of it—and so did I. He even got up close and personal with some birds and wasn’t afraid to feed them. His child-like wonder is contagious. How awesome God’s creations are. Just looking at all of the different fish that live in the deep made me think of just how creative our God is. And His creativity is never-ending. He’s able to do new things in our lives. Open new doors that we’ve never seen. Point us to new trails to be blazed. Give us a renewed vision for our lives. Thank you Lord for awe!

Desiring A Mary Heart

I’ve been turning over Luke 10:41-42 in my head and heart. “Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." I’m struggling with finding balance. Like Martha I’m worried and upset about too many things when all my heart and soul wants to do is sit at the Lord’s feet. And listen. It’s really quite simple in theory, but when I tangle it up with daily life, it gets more complicated than it needs to be.

Instead I listen to the clamour of life around me—work demands, TiVo, household duties, tending to family. And the clutter in our home—the junky linen closet, the den overrun with toys, the piles of laundry, and my desk at home feel like they are caving in on me. I must learn to strike a balance. Prior to working balance was not an issue. Now it is ever before me. Still these words ring clearly: “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.” Only one thing—to sit at the Lord’s feet and listen. I’ve decided that this is going to be my goal.

A few weeks ago I stumbled upon the sweetest of sites: The Holy Experience of Listening. And I read this blog entry titled Unplugged.

My mouse clicks were divinely ordered! I devoured that entry. So that’s what I intend to do, unplug from the daily grind and plug into God!

In preschooler news, Rhyan’s third birthday party was a blast. He didn’t get the nap I expected him to get—so he was a bit cranky in the beginning, but warmed up half way through the party. An extra treat, family came down, including my 85-year-old grandmother for Rhyan’s party. And I got to see a friend from high school who lives nearby who has the most adorable little girls. I offered to trade them for Rhyan but she and her husband were having none of it :-) Pictures are posted to the left in the folder titled Rhyan's Third Birthday. Enjoy!

Birthday Boo-Hoo

Rhyan didn't let me down--he had a meltdown during his classroom birthday party. I should have spoken something positive. I think I'll do that now. Thank you Lord for Rhyan being well-rested and ready for his party on Saturday. We thank you right now for a pleasant day! He was good until I announced that we were going to have cake and ice cream. Then the tears started. Why? Who knows. But by the time the cake was cut and the ice cream scooped, he managed to calm down.

Perhaps it was the threat to shut down the party?? In any event, he enjoyed himself....and so did the other kids. When we got home, I let him open two gifts that arrived early. I just knew he would be excited by the big box that his godparents sent. Inside was a talking Spider Man with light up eyes and a Mickey Mouse coloring book.

The Mickey Mouse coloring book proved to be the hit of the night. After he was able to pull  himself away from the book, I was begged to put together this contraption. I am definitely not good with my hands--that's what my sister is for. Seeing that she is out of town, I was stuck with the duty. Please just act like you don't see the scotch tape on the corner. One party down, one to go.

Facelift

So.......I was feeling very uninspired with the lackluster design of this blog. Searches for a blog designer turned up NOTHING. Until this week when I stumbled across Everyday Mommy's site. My prayers were answered. What a gem that Jules is. I'm digging my new design big time! And an added bonus. She's a God-fearing mommy! Can't beat that. Be sure to check out her site.

The big news in our household......Rhyan will be three years old tomorrow. He's very excited. We are planning a party in his classroom tomorrow and one on Saturday for family and friends. The invitations are sent. And the goodie bags are done. Let's just pray for Zero meltdowns.

A Spiritual Legacy

I just came back from looking in on Rhyan at recess. He was in a trail of kids riding tricycles. And he was the only one NOT pedaling. He was just pushing himself along. No wonder the front of his shoes are always scuffed up! We need to buy that child a tricycle and teach him how to pedal. Training him to pedal didn’t make my list of things to teach Rhyan.

That got me thinking…….what else am I missing teaching him? I understand that I can’t be the perfect parent and that I will miss the mark. But we are in Rhyan’s formative years and I don’t want to miss on the important things. Chalk it up to my first-born A-type personality. I really just want to do right by this kid. I listen to the HomeWord radio broadcast everyday. Today the topic was The One Thing You Need to Build a Spiritual Legacy. They discussed the most-often quoted passage of Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9, also known as “the Shemah” and how it’s crucial for us to impart it to our children. I had to ask myself: am I impressing this on my children? Am I talking about the commandments of the Lord when I sit at home and when I walk along the road, when I lie down and when I get up? Am I tying them as symbols on my hands and binding them on my forehead? Am I writing them on the doorframes of my house and on my gates? I would like to think I am. Sure, I pray with Rhyan, we talk about God, but am I living out my faith before him like the Bible says? Oh, Lord help me!

Picture Day

Rhyans' preschool pics came in today......If only my school pictures had come out HALF as cute as this!