Teaching our children scripture

Recently, I had an a simple but insightful revelation regarding the mission and purpose of being a mother. My role is not to shelter our children from opposition, but it's to equip them. Equip them with the tools they need so when they're face with adversity they will remain grounded.

I'm sure many people may think that we shelter our children by keeping them away from certain things. But the truth is, we keep these things from them not because we are under this illusion that if we do, then they will never be exposed to it. Instead, we keep certain things from them because not only are these things distasteful to us as parents, but we are focusing on building a strong foundation for them.

Right now the foundation is God's word. Why? Because the grass withers and the flowers fall but the word of God endures forever.  (Isaiah 40:8) Everything that they might face, they can know how to deal with it from the Bible.  We have already dealt with life threatening incidents like a car accident that totaled my car with the kids in it,  near drownings with both of them, and death of a dear neighbor. To less dramatic incidents like hurt feelings on the playground and scary dreams. In all these experiences we used scriptures to guide and ground our emotions, to get wisdom from the experience, to share comfort with others and to learn to trust God more.

Their understanding of God's word is amazing! No wonder Jesus said that we must have faith like a child. They not only memorize the scriptures but they apply it and talk about it with one another when they unaware that we're listening. I have chosen scriptures for them to memorize that introduce them to God's love or according to what they're going through. Hey the issues of a 4 and 5 year old may not seem big to us but remember how little they  are. So their issues are big to them and as their parents we are called to address them with compassion just like God does for us. Sometimes David struggles with sleeping through the night so he memorized, "I lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone O Lord make me dwell in safety" (Psalm 4:8). Moriah sometimes struggles with being shy or timid. So she memorized, "and the peace of God which transcends all understanding shall guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus." (Philip 4:7). After they memorized about 4 scriptures, school started and I was so grateful that Moriah's class is also teaching them a scripture a week. So we just teach David those as well:)

We are hoping and trusting that our choices of  movies, songs, family time activities, affirmation, security and love all reiterate God's word and build a firm foundation. So that when they get older and they stumble or wander that they will enough truth in them to see the that the lies of this world might be enjoyable for short time but the joy of Christ is much more profitable and it surpasses them all.:)

~Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Dueteronomy 11:19

~All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16

~Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast in the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. Philippians 2:14-16

David's scriptures on his wall. As soon as I get time to get crafty I will make this look a little more presentable:) but this serves it's purpose for now.

Moriah's and David's bibles that was given to them by their Grandma:)

Autumn's bible that she got on the day she was dedicated. It was given to her from my dear friend Sarah.

 

Scriptures from Moriah's class that we have posted on the fridge.

Autumn's First Sunrise

I remember the days before we had children, David and I used to get up around 5am, go to Starbucks, then to the beach and watch the sunrise.We would read our Bibles and just talk. I also remember the day I said that I couldn't wait until we have children and take them to the beach to watch the sunrise together. I looked forward to starting a tradition with them that perhaps would lead to them appreciating the simple yet magnificent beauty of the sunrise.

We started a tradition of going to the beach for sunrise service on Easter morning. We didn't make the last one though and  I really wanted Autumn to share that with us before the summer ended.

So this morning we headed out the house around 6:15a.m.to catch the 6:49 a.m. sunrise. The kids were elated. They couldn't wait to get into the water, collect seashells and build a sand castle.

Autumn and her Daddy:) I love them:)

The kids playing in the sand.

Autumn cuddling with Daddy:)

 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. ~Psalm 19:1, 4b-5

Family Walks

 

 

Last Friday night as we were going to bed, David (Daddy) told me that he wanted to wake up early the next morning and do something with the family.

I suggested that we go for a walk. A long walk. From our house to the intersection and back is approximately 4 miles. (I didn't Google that distance until just now. Oh my land! That's long!)

So we headed out around 7:30 am. The kids were amped because usually when we go for our daily walks, Daddy is at work. It was nice, and slightly overcast when we started out. We jogged, talked, briefly greeted all the walkers, joggers and bicyclists. Everyone had their own individual water bottle, so we stopped many times for water breaks(even Autumn:)). David taught the kids how to read street signs. We played eye spy in Spanish and rehearsed the kids' weekly scriptures. 

About midway back, the kids started getting tired, so we played Dum Dum by Lecrae and Gold by Britt Nicole on my phone. Music always makes the walks more fun. Daddy also gave Moriah a piggy back ride and then put David on his shoulders. By that time we were able to see the house and the kids got excited and ran home. We reached home around 9:00 am.

It was good exercise and it made me think of the walk that we have with our Lord. How often do we start off with zeal when we first dedicate our lives to Him. Then we get tired for many different and combined reasons. With His mercy, He rejuvenates and strengthens us. He uses His word through songs, the support of our brothers and sisters in Christ and when it gets too tough, He carries us. My hearts desire and prayer is that when we see glimpses of our eternal home, that we will not try to hold on to this world. But instead, get energy, motivation and focus from seeing it in view.

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 3:13-14

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. ~Hebrews 12:1-2

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.~Matthew 11:28

David did it too!! 100 books! Summer project is complete!

 

So after our morning of chores and light play we gathered 4 books and caught David up. Today was actually one of my favorite reading time days. The kids did a really good job being attentive and answering questions. We have a little rule that whoever is reading the book gets to sit in the middle. So David grabbed his four books: I love my Papi, David and Goliah, Big Bug Dug and Rudolph and sat in between Moriah and I.

I noticed so much growth from the first week we started. Now he's beginning to read with speed and I was surprised at some words that he knew that I don't recall teaching him. One of my favorite memories of him during this project is when he read by himself . The first two times we read the book, (a few books we read more than once if they really liked it.) he repeated each word after me and by the third time we read it, he had it on his own. He was so excited!

His favorite thing to do while reading was pointing out compound words. I had taught them about compound words earlier during the project and he got really into it. If the word was football, he'd say "Look Mommy!" He would take his finger and cover up ball and say "foot!" and then cover up foot and say "ball!" But then he would try to the same thing with playing...so yeah we have to work on word endings a little bit more:)

Moriah helped him to record his books on the chart. Once he was done we all jumped up and down and
I squeezed him and gave high fives. Then as soon as Daddy came home from work, that was the first he told him. They hugged and little David was so excited.

His favorite book
When I asked him what his favorite book was he said Rudolph. He said  that's his favorite because it had little words:)  My all time favorite book was No David! by David Shannon. All throughout the book David is doing things that get him in trouble. The pictures are hilarious because these are things my David has done. At the end, his mother hugs him and says "Come here Davey. I love you" Which pretty much sums up our days here at the house.:)

I'm so proud of him. Being a boy and with all that super energy that God has created him with, I know sometimes he would rather be jumping on the bed or playing cars but he was diligent and patient. I think he's off to a good start for preschool!

His reward
He would like to go to the zoo and to the beach. Since Daddy is the super fun one and Mommy is just little bit of fun one, (my kids' exact words:)) Daddy is going to plan their reward day. Will keep you posted!