Encouraging Chats

Chatting with a friend today about mummy blogs she expressed her realisation that she was parenting in a style that wasn’t her own. Rather she had conformed to someone else's ideal of godly motherhood. I think because we have the word of God to guide us we can easily place pressure on ourselves to be perfect. The bible is clear about raising children.

Proverbs 22:6 “Raise a child in the way he should go; when he is old he will not depart from it” (ESV).

Proverbs 22:15 “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him”

Those two verses are about our role as parents and this one I’ve taught the children because it is so necessary for them to know it.

Proverbs 4:10-13 “Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many. I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.”

And this one’s for the whole family and is kind of a rephrase and addition of Proverbs four.

Ephesians 6:1-4 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honour your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

When I read these passages it’s very clear how we are to raise our children, why we do it and how God honours it. However, because we are all sinful we will always fail in this. It is easy to create in ourselves an inferiority complex, thinking and feeling that all other Christian mothers are “better at this than me therefore I must be like them”.

I was encouraged by my friends words today because I’ve seen this in myself - my over critical analysis of my school lunch making, discipline and craft time (or lack thereof) with my needy toddler. I have recently, after another lost battle with anger and impatience, realised my parenting style it totally consistent with that painful category “completely flawed”. With that, I raise my white flag and push on. There is nothing unforgivable by the powerful blood of the lamb and no sin so great in my life that the Holy Spirit cannot change me. Thankfully, I’m not so strong as to not be bended and shaped by an all powerful God. Thankfully.

South Africa in May

May this year saw us on a two week trip to South Africa for Lyle's sister's wedding. The children were very excited but I think William's age caused him to be quite anxious before we left, poor boy. Emma's excited anticipation was understandable as she remembers our plane flights to the USA but Will was left in the dark somewhat, trying to figure out why exactly he was meant to be excited. That said, he was a champ. I was amazed at the ease of our flights. The children coped beautifully in our travels (read: Emma watched 12 hours straight of Peppa Pig) and over all they did a great job of adjusting to each moment, expected and unexpected. Not to mention all the new faces they were forced to discover. The Lord was good to us on our trip. I was worried about our safety, and worried that the children wouldn't cope with the massive daily changes being out of their environment, but God is truly good and He faithfully answered every one of my prayers.

Overall it was a fabulous trip. I love being in Durban when I'm there. When I'm not all I can think is how comfortable I am in Brisbane and how "dangerous" South Africa is. So, the fact that I say our trip was fabulous is truly something for which I can thank a very kind and gracious God.

Our first flight was around 6am from Brisbane to Sydney. After 2 more planes ('a big one and a little one') we landed, exhausted and safely in Durban.

By the end of the first week we had made our way to Lake Naverone in the Drakensberg. A family holiday destination for Lyle's family (immediate and extended) for many years. Stacey very cleverly chose this location for her wedding.

Enjoying a row in a boat, just the four of us.

Buddy being either jet lagged or intrigued.

Our angels ready for their role in the wedding.

Here's a link to the wedding photos. The photographers are friends of ours - Andy and Lyle went to high school together.

http://www.knotjustpics.co.za/stacey-and-warren-at-lake-naverone-2

The children sat beautifully for me at the wedding, and I let them take photos. I have a feeling I took this one though - Emma managed to cut a few heads off when it was her turn.

Lyle officiated the wedding. Such a simple statement - the whole thing was almighty ordeal for him though. He got SO sick when were at the lake and I really can't believe he managed to stand for the hour he needed too. A very unexpected situation for us but again, God was so kind to allow him good health for long enough to do his part and bless his family.

This was early one morning feeding the ducks. 

Lyle went fishing and caught two trout, one of which we (Lyle and William) ate for breakfast.

The children watched as Lyle prepared and cooked it - such a great experience for them!

The glory of God displayed in Autumn colours!

Of course we made it a priority to see some African animals! Needless to say how great it was to give this experience to our children.  

Isn't this a great photo?! How can giraffe's not be funny?

We also visited Ushaka Marine World in Durban. The aquarium is really well done.

A little lad all tuckered out.

One sincere regret is the serious lack of photos we took of our friends!!! We love them all so much and it was such a joy to have sweet fellowship with so many (but not enough) old faces. We also went to Kerry's wedding - Kerry introduced Lyle and I to each other in 2006/2007 (new years weekend) when I first went to Africa. To join in her wedding was such a lovely highlight, it was so fun that it was the weekend after Aunty Stacey's. It didn't feel like I hadn't been there since 2009 which is nice. I like that there's a couple of countries I can't visit and feel so at home, even though they're not mine.

It was a great time for the four of us to enjoy each other. I certainly appreciate my husband, it was really fun to be all together the whole time. I suppose that's what holidays are about, but this was just a really blessed time by God's grace.

Thankfulness

After our recent family’s trip to South Africa for Aunty Stacey’s wedding, we decided to help our children understand more about poverty and in turn, thankfulness. In Brisbane, it certainly exists but is well hidden. The lesson in mind is to teach them to have thankful hearts for what we have from God and simultaneously encourage their hearts to grow with compassion for the needy and ultimately, the lost.

So we agreed that upon our return we are to have rice for dinner once a week. Rice, and only rice. Although, I realised that because they are only three and five it may be a good thought to add some salt and butter. Yeah OK, I confess, they couldn't care less about the butter and salt, but I really need it!

Little did I realise that my children’s love of rice (and I mean serious love) would preclude this parentally desired life lesson. We have only had two weeks and each night has been very pleasant as they have devoured their salted/buttered rice without complaint - and I think unfortunately without comprehension of the object lesson. A further unfortunate fact is that Emma is having a massive growth spurt and after begging for dessert we gave in and allowed her some rockmelon (cantaloupe) after her plate of rice.

Regardless, we will continue to eat rice once a week and discuss how and why we should be thankful every moment for what the Lord has given us. If anything, I'm certainly being refined by it . . . something for which to be thankful.