Parenting & Home Updates

My precious 6th grader asked me to get up extra early each morning to study Bible passages she selects together...just us girls...in addition to what her father and I have each been doing with both kids already. We began this past Sunday morning, and imagine my alarm when she turned to Song of Songs, a sensual love story between a young bride and her groom (which is also an allegory of the Lord's immense love for His bride, the church).

She read, "You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you." (Song of Songs 4:7) As we talked, she realized that even if we focus on just one small aspect of ourselves that we don't like and then beat ourselves up over that perceived flaw, we are essentially telling God His design wasn't good enough and are rejecting the truth of His word.

It is not prideful to acknowledge that all of God's creation is beautiful, wonderful, and marvelously made. It is prideful, however, to consider yourself better than another or to criticize yourself as a way of fishing for compliments. But to loathe yourself, refusing to believe that you are altogether lovely, is rebellion.
 After reading Song of Songs 4:7 that morning with my daughter and discussing how we must see ourselves as God sees us, it seems fitting that we would finally complete the mirror refinishing project for her room that same day. Now all 10 pieces from my childhood room have been transformed from antique white (turned yellow with time) and brass to bright white and pewter.

While I absolutely believe women should never serve in combat, I am convinced that any mom who has traversed through her son's room barefooted as often I have could navigate through a minefield like a pro.

I love to hear my children pray. Tonight at dinner, our son prayed, "Dear Lord, please help Dad to have as much fun as one can possibly have at a board meeting tonight."