The Joys of Toys

This week will hopefully prove to be monumental in our home. We have taken away every single one of our girls toys. Now, this is not something we are doing lightly, but have been talking about for about 3 years now. Every so often when a fight breaks out over a particular coveted toy, we ask "Do you want all of your toys to be taken away?" They knew we didn't mean business--until now.

As one daughter punched the other in the nose over a toy, and the other yelled and screamed in her face, we new we needed drastic measures. Now. As this incident unfolded, I walked into their room (I wish I could say calmly, but alas, I am a sinner, and it was done with frustration--how it would have been better with self-control--I confess this Jesus). I needed to heed the Word in

Proverbs 25:28 that says:

"Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control."

Although I lacked self-control, I did ask for forgiveness and pointed out that I, too, am a sinner in need of the Grace of God. The girls are so quick to forgive---oh to be a child with that child-like faith!

So the story continues:
My husband and I began to gather each toy and put it in the hallway, as quickly and without talking. The girls looked onward with tears as they watched their favorite toys be taken from their place, and put in garbage bags and Rubbermaid boxes. We saved some of their favorite toys, but have discarded SO many! I can't believe how many toys the girls had!! We did not move that many toys here three years ago...so they had multiplied by night and over taken our lives!!

Not only was the issue about the physical fight between our kids, but the lack of thankfulness. The greed factor had crept up, and taken over my precious little girls. So, now, we are looking at the heart issue here. Greed. God's Word says this:

Ephesians 5:5

"For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."

This is our end goal in parenting: to instill in our children a life that reflects God, so they can inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. So they can be with Him in eternity. Greed cannot be tolerated.

But it should not be tolerated in my life as well. How often do I as a wife, mom, child of God have an ungrateful heart? A selfish heart? A greedy heart? Way more often that I would like to admit. Sometimes my relationship with God is like my kids fighting over a toy. I pull, push, do what I have to to get my way. But the difference is God is not a sinner--He does not respond to me with frustration (translation: anger).

He has never sinned, and He is always ready to give me a dose of Grace--but also lets me suffer the consequences of my sin. Because it is a choice to sin, just as it was a choice for my children to punch and yell.

Ezekiel 44:10

"The Levites who went far from me when Israel went astray and who wandered from me after their idols must bear the consequences of their sin."

I pray, Jesus, that you would take this day and allow me to be a peacemaker, a person who shows your love to others, a person who knows that there is a judgment day. Help me live in the reality that being stuck in sin is eternal separation from you and everything good. Help me to teach my children the way they should go as I live out this imperfect life in front of them. Help me choose you. Help me to be thankful for you and all you've given.

Comfort, Oh Comfort

My daughter, 6, has been visiting the school nurse probably about 3 times a week recently. The nurse called me and told me about her regular visits--she called my daughter a frequent flier--I laughed!

The circumstances usually include a substitute teacher, which she did mention when she woke up this morning. Whenever there is a sub, she visits the nurse. When she is bored, or doesn't want to be out at recess, she visits the nurse. When there is too much noise, she visits the nurse. Well, you get the picture. We talk with her about these frequent visits, tell her about the little boy who cried "Wolf," bribe her with a trip to Dairy Queen...you name it, we've tried it. But she is not one for change, and even the smallest thing such as her teacher being out for the day, sends her into worry and insecurity.

This all got me thinking about comfort. On these days where she is needing a bit more attention, the nurse is the closest person she can think of to enlist. Someone knows her by name. She feels special. She gets attention. Someone cares about her, notices her.

Much of this way of thought is not foreign to adults. If we get down to the truth, isn't this the way a lot of us feel? We all want to be known by name. We want to feel special. We would love undivided attention, someone to are about us, notice us.

Often we put our hope in things such as people, career, parenting...to find that connection, to stand out. But, the lasting most real relationship that can give us this satisfying familiarity, is a relationship with God.

He knows us by name, from before we were born.

Psalm 139: 15-16

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

He KNOWS we are special, unique. He made us and called us good.

Genesis 1:30-31

30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so.

31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

We are worth more than anything else he has made, and HE notices us.

Luke 12:6-8

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.

7Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

8"I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.

HE IS GOOD. HE IS THE ULTIMATE COMFORT.