I am reading 5 different books right now. This works for me because I have them stashed in different places for stolen moments. In my purse I have A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson (bookmarked on page 62) and Praying the Scriptures for Your Children by Jodie Berndt. (dust jacket marking page 71). In my car I have a Bible and a copy of Community: Your Pathway to Progress by Andy Stanley (on the last chapter). In the kitchen I have Raising Kids for True Greatness by Tim Kimmel (in the last third of the book). In the family room I have The Love Dare by Alex Kendrick (my husband and I are on Day 5).
Clearly, I have commitment issues with books.
The great thing about this approach is that I always have something to read,whatever my mood. By having them scattered/stashed in different places I am able to turn any 'waiting' scenario into an opportunity to read. Additionally, by reading in small bits I have more opportunities to digest what I am reading.
The disadvantage is that it takes me a LONG time to finish a book these days--and I can't always get any real momentum going.
I am really enjoying Praying the Scriptures for Your Children and recommend it highly so far. I have read different books of this type, but appreciate Berndt's writing style and the numerous Scriptures references at the end of each chapter with blanks to fill your own children's names in. It is a perfect book to carry in your console on in your purse as there are so many nuggets that even reading a paragraph tends to leave me with something to think about. Berndt does a great job setting up why it is important to pray for our children and really provides a framework and tools for fresh, Biblical prayer for our families.
A challenge of Berndt's that I have been trying to take to heart this week is to seek and pray for my children's unique gifts. I loved these two quotes in particular:
"When you ask God to help you identify and appreciate the unique gifts he has given your children, you invite him to show you your kids as he sees them: glimmering diamonds in the rough."
"Praying for your children to recognize their giftedness can help them gain a sense of destiny as they consider the ways God might use them."
I was so challenged by these words, because although I try to regularly tell my children what a great plan God has for them and how I cannot wait to see what he has in store, I fear I spend significantly more time correcting, directing, even nitpicking them. It is such a balance, for me anyway, in training them up and building them up.
I pray that I'll remember that the Lord has ordained each of their steps already. He has designed K, P, and R uniquely with special gifts, talents and abilities intended for His Glory. My job as their mother is not to impart any gifts or talents to them, but rather to love them and guide them to seek God's Will for their lives and their gifts. This takes patience, self control, trust and humility (on my part).
Whew! I am glad I have God in my corner because I could not even begin to imagine doing this without Him.
6 comments:
I just picked up a copy of The Love Dare. So.....you are doing it together? We are but I was wondering how many people do that. In fact, I best go and spend time doing this with my dear man. I would like to get a copy of the Praying Scriptures for YOur Children.
How do you find and decide what books to read? Does someone give or suggest them to you? You always have such yummy ones, deep, fulfililng ones - just wonder how you hear about them....
This is so funny! I just blogged about the same topic the other day and I am also reading Praying the Scriptures for Your Children. I LOVE it!!! Parenting is big responsibility and requires us to dig deep into God's word for wisdom.
I also read a handful of books at one time, but I really like your idea of stashing them in different places and carrying one in your purse. (: Thanks for the tip!
We are reading The Love Dare book too! I love it. I think it is so well written. It is great to work through one thing each day, usually a simple thing, to be more intentional in our marriage.
Kelly S.
I will have to get that book. My daughter is ten and lately it seems that a lot of my time is spent correcting and recorrecting. We have finally gotten into a church that we both really like and we are both growing. I am awed by this and so thankful to God. But, I don't want to be like my mother where everything was all about the Bible and limiting and condemning. (Boy this comment is going all over the place.) I just feel I am correcting her in so many ways. And, I want to show her love and acceptance at the same time.
Hi! I just found your blog today. I just had to comment because the sentence on our role as mothers in "not to impart any gifts or talents to them, but to love them and guide them..." really spoke to me. I sometimes am guilty of thinking that I have this one shot at raising them, and it does get overwelming. Thank you for reminding me that God is on my side and he does have their days and gifts already planned out!
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