Magic Bullet Parenting

Last Christmas our son asked for a “Magic Bullet.” 

Google Image

You may have one or know how “magical” they are.  Don’t be fooled its simply a glorified small blender that some advertising Genie dreamed up.  Now, don’t get me wrong, my son has loved his “Magic Bullet” probably more than a lot of those who own the Vitamix.

         I was reminded of the “Magic Bullet” after returning from this past weekend’s marriage retreat with Greg.  The location was incredible; the main sessions and the food were fantastic and we especially enjoyed visiting with the other couples.  It was a super sweet retreat.        

         Funny we were at a marriage conference and yet we chose to attend the parenting session even with our children at ages: 23, 21 and 15.  Truthfully I chose the workshop because I respect those who were teaching.  The workshop didn’t disappoint.

         As I took notes, I began making bullet points of those things I thought most beneficial to our parenting.  Here are five of my favorite “Magic Bullets:”

·      The way our children “turn out” has nothing to do with my parenting, but rather everything to do with God’s grace.

·      Most parental problems are marital problems. 

·      The marriage relationship must be more important than our parental relationships.

·      Give assurance to your children, love them, tell them, and affirm them! Be their biggest fan!

And my favorite…

·      There is nothing I’ve done in my parenting that can’t be redeemed!

        

These five “bullets” of truth are giving me direction and blessing me with encouragement.  I think these five truths can be summed up by saying, 

“Producing good children is an act of God’s grace, and my part is to love their father and cheer them on!”

         I recognize there is much more to being a good parent.  Find the “Magic Bullets” you need for your parenting.  Seek them in your personal study in God’s Word, in prayer, in Christian parenting books, and with other godly parents.  Our Savior is so much more than a “Magic Bullet!” for our parenting, He is the “Miracle Projectile!” 

Little Girl Lost

Matthew 5:44

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

She smiled and laughed as most little girls do.  She played with dolls and toys and friends and to everyone else she appeared to be happy.  But inside this little girl was sadness.  Her mommy and daddy were always fighting and the drug abuse had gotten out of control.  So at age 5 this little girl was told she was going to go live with her Grandparents because her Mommy and Daddy needed help...  

For the next two years she lived with her grandparents. Her grandparents did the best they could, but no one could replace her parents, as messed up as they were.  During this time her parents had gotten a divorce...  At age 7 her parents had completed their drug rehabilitation and she was able to move in with her mom.  Although everyone thought moving back in with her was the best idea, this is when the child saw and experienced things no child should ever see or experience.  

During these years the little girl got to see and spend time with her daddy and his new wife and children.  Eventually the new wife came to know the Lord and starting praying for all of them.  Soon the little girls Daddy got saved too.  

I will spare you all the details of the pain and poor decisions this child made as a teen and adult later in life.  But what I will point out to you is this, this child was prayed for.  People reached out to her.  Family and friends and strangers took the time to share the gospel with this child.  This child was me... and I am writing this blog as a living testimony that you are praying to a very real and personal God and prayers are being answered.    

You see, many people didn’t like me because I was covering up my hurting with hardness.  I was your enemy and your persecutor.  I was someone who you wouldn’t have naturally wanted to get close to (Bring anyone to mind)?  Only Christ in people can love the unlovable.  It takes effort on our behalf to reach out to those who may not be so desirable and pray for them...  because of those prayers and people reaching outside of their comfort zone, my life was changed forever and so were many generations to come...

My challenge to you: Who has God placed in your life who has persecuted you?  Who in your children's  lives can you take the time to love who may not be so lovable?  Whose life can you change for generations to come?

My prayer: Lord Jesus open our eyes to see others as you do.  Help us to love the unlovable, serve the undesirable, and pray fervently for the salvation of the lost. 

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.

Matthew 25:40

A Shine Like "the Top of the Chrysler Building" isn't Just for the Play Annie anymore...

My husband and youngest daughter have a Saturday morning tradition.  It starts with Greg parading through the house “YARD SALE!”  The two of them gather their coins and ball caps and head out on a hunt.

They have occasionally called or sent pictures back from a yard sale to ask my opinion if they should buy or not.  One of the pictures I received while they were out one Saturday morning was a large china cabinet.

I told Greg we had no need for such a piece.  He told me it was in good condition with glass all in place and beautiful lined drawers.  He said we could even paint it if we wanted to.  I was VERY hesitant.  When he said it was $25.00, I told him to move the seats in the van and “load her up!”

If they had a particularly successful Saturday the week before, its hard for the rest of us to resist the sing-songy “Yard Sale.”  So we too roll out of bed and join them on their hunt.

On one of those Saturdays we found ourselves at a yard sale when I noticed this.

This old dirty tea pot stuck in the corner, had potential and for $3.00, I brought it home.  I’ve shined it up and now it shines like “the top of the Chrysler Building!”

            I tell you this story, not so you will envy my possessions, or even our ability to find hidden treasures.  I want to remind you that we like the china cabinet and tea pot, find ourselves day in and day out with little ones or big ones, who we kind of just “shake our heads” at.

            Will they ever get it?

            Christ is our Redeemer.  To redeem means:

To purchase back; to ransom; to liberate or rescue from captivity or bondage

Job 19:25 As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,

            Moms, each of our babies (and it doesn’t matter their age) has potential.  God is using us to shine them up.  To minister to them.  To deposit His Truth in their souls.  Their hearts will have to submit and fall madly in love with our Savior.  I am confident that even when we don’t see their potential (or ours) Christ is smiling, knowing He has already “bought us back.”  And it won’t be long before we too, will be shining like “the top of the Chrysler Building!”