Mercy, again!

I almost blew it last week. We were standing in a long line for the ferris wheel at the Houston Rodeo. I told the kids they could go together to sit with Grandpa while I stood waiting, and Daniel said, "I want to keep you company." Ok, that's a nice gesture. I will let him.

So we stood there. I was sticky with goo from cotton candy and Dippin' Dots. I was a bit anxious (confessions) about how much (or lack thereof) money we had in our bank account after seeing the receipt from the ATM.

And Daniel was pulling on my shirt. With his sticky fingers. And I was annoyed. "Stop pulling on my shirt," I snapped.

And he kept trying to tell me something, only, he was whispering. At the Rodeo! I couldn't understand him. I told him several times, "You need to speak up." "You need to talk louder, I can't hear you." "Don't whisper; I can't hear you!" I was irritated.

Finally, I heard his sweet comment. "Mommy, when Jesus is in your heart, you always have company."

Ka-pow! The knife pierced through my hard heart and I was humbled. What if I had snapped and snatched away that priceless little thought from my sweet four-year-old? Oh, the mercy of God, that kept me at that moment from spoiling his God-ward thought. Oh, sweet Mercy, don't leave me in my sin. Grant that you would rest on me each moment, and save me from myself and my own wretchedness!

Precious Prayers

God has given me the opportunity to sponsor a couple of women through our church's Step study, which is a very intense 16-week study for people that want to get to the bottom of any kind of issue: abuse, divorce, addictions, hurts, depression, anger, discontentment, you name it. I met with one of my sponsee's today, and as we were finishing up, Daniel came in and wanted to talk (there's a big surprise). We were about to pray, and he piped up that he wanted to pray. So I granted his request, and he led out:

"Father God, thank you for taking away our dirty hearts and giving us clean hearts. And thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross. And thank you that He took the punishment that we deserved for our sin. Thank you for loving us."
I'm sure he's heard these prayers over and over in Little Village (and hopefully at home...by God's grace!). What a joy to hear these words come from his little heart! He has the most earnest praises.

The other night he had the job of doing the "praise" prayer. (We often assign one child to one type of prayer - praise, thanks, confession, and request). He prayed quite earnestly, and when he stopped, he would start again as he would think of attributes to praise God for. "God thank you that you are so good. And thank you that you are so loving. And I praise you that you are so powerful, you can do anything. And you know everything. And you are wise."

And You reveal Yourself to little children. And that's our hope and prayer. That You would take these four little souls and reveal Your goodness and beauty to them, and give them Life.

Out of the mouths of babes...

The other day, Daniel repeatedly asked me if I would do something. I gave him an indefinite answer, not really wanted to commit myself. And he kept asking. And asking. So, I proceeded to give him a lesson on nagging, explaining that asking over and over wears people down, sometime makes them irritated, and then they really don't want to give you want you want. He was thoughtful for a moment, then he says, "God isn't like that."

Astonished, and wondering what his reasoning was, I asked him what he meant. He said something along the lines of, "If you ask and ask God, He listens and answers." I was shocked, and guilty, all at the same time. I am so thankful that the Lord helped him to understand his recent lesson about Hannah, who asked and asked for her precious son Samuel. God is so good to reveal His character and truth to the hearts of children!

Anna and Isaac

Anna is enjoying sweet Baby Isaac.

Flattered by a Two-Year-Old

Monday, I set Daniel up in his room to have "room time" for much longer than normal so I could try to make a dent in some packing. After quite a while, he was ready to be free, and definitely wanting my attention. That's when I heard his sweet voice call from the bedroom, "Mommy, you're brewful (beautiful)." I will say, that's a terrific way to get a spontaneous hug from Mommy!

Toddler Moments

As we were driving home yesterday and I listened to Daniel singing a song, it reminded me of all those precious YouTube videos of tiny tots belting out tunes. But the precious thing about these months with Daniel is that almost every waking minute is full of those moments, that if captured adequately, we would surely win thousands of YouTube hits. Even in the stressful moments, he says the cutest things in the sweetest ways. I'm so thankful that God packs so much sweetness into such little bodies. Even in the frustrating moments, there is usually something to smile about!

Readin' With Daddy

Reading!

This is one thing parents love to see...a child enjoying reading and spontaneously wanting to read to a sibling. Hopefully it's not the last time! :)



Keep at it, Anna!

Note for Anna

I wrote a simple note for Anna's lunchbox today - just an effort to encourage her and express my love to her. She read and re-read it, and every time she gets teary-eyed. Under all that bounce and energy is a sensitive, deeply feeling heart that soaks up that encouragement. I pray that I will give it more!

Spontaneous Reading

A sweet moment waiting for family Bible time...

Duckie

Sweet little Thomas told Kris tonight that he could take his Duckie with him to work tomorrow.

Update: I don't know which was sweeter and funnier: Thomas offering Duckie to Kris or Kris actually walking out the door this morning with Duckie in hand. From what I hear, Duckie sat at Kris' desk all day, and came home to a smiling Thomas this evening.

Appreciation

This evening, as Anna was finished mixing the butter and milk in the Kraft macaroni and cheese, she climbed onto the counter top and reached for our paper plates.

"No, Anna, let's not use paper plates tonight," I said.

"Yes, Mommy, please. You do dishes all the time and I don't want you to have to wash all those dishes. We can use paper tonight," she pleaded.

What a sweet moment! I felt appreciated just then. I pray that she will always appreciate the work done on her behalf, and also understand the joy that comes in serving our great God by lovingly serving others.