August 16 – Psalm 62:1-2

Psalm 62:1-2 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my defense and my fortress; I shall not be greatly moved. One day last week this one pierced me. When was the last time I just waited “for God alone”? No other motive than just His Presence, sitting in silent communion with my Daddy, my rock, my salvation. Sitting until the inner noise is quieted, until my heart is seeking His face. “My heart... Read More

August 15 – James 3:17

James 3:17 Amp But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to ] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned — free from doubts, wavering and insincerity. I had planned on this verse following the July 23 “if any of you is deficient in wisdom” verse, but I forgot! I use it to test any “wisdom... Read More

August 14 – Mom's aside

A few years ago I was the recipient of a habit-training process. Your daddy wanted me to begin putting all the bills that came in the mail each day in a certain spot instead of just leaving them on the counter or desk, like I’d done for years. At first he would ask me each day. Then later he would add something like, “It’s important that you remember.” If I would forget or neglect, he would say, “These bills need to be put in that spot.”... Read More

August 13 – Mom's aside

I learned something when I was at a new friend’s house one day. Her young daughter was sucking on a pacifier, and, when she was done, she put it up on the counter — which she was so young she could hardly reach. Wow. That was a well-disciplined….mom. Because that’s who has to be disciplined in order to train those habits in children. At first the training has to be a constant, every-time thing. You have to be really engaged and focused. But you’re... Read More

Infertility Post Three: Sharing Burdens of Grief

We moved four times in the first seven years of our marriage. Moving while going through infertility treatments had some advantages. Some days, like Hannah in the Bible, I probably looked like I was hung over from crying myself to sleep the night before! When friends inquired, I always felt reluctant to admit that I was still sad about the same thing, and that no, it wasn’t getting any better. Although I had support from long-time, long-distance friends, new communities... Read More

August 12 – Mom's aside

I believe a child learns to say no to himself (SELF-control) when parents have the courage (courage, because, at the time, it’s easier to give in) to say no. When the “no” is given with wise and fair reasons, it gives him guidelines for himself, although I don’t believe EVERY “no” requires a spoken reason from the parent. When whining and crying and pleading produce a “yes,” then you are only training to whine and cry and plead.... Read More

August 11 – Mom's aside

I told you if my comments were from me, I’d let you know. Indulge me while I take a day or two… or four!…to just say my own thing, ok?! The first thing is that, in determining your response to a child’s misbehavior, know whether what you’re facing is rebellion, foolishness, or just immaturity. Accidentally spilling his milk is immaturity, standing on the table and accidentally kicking his milk over is foolishness, and looking you in the eye and... Read More

The Farrier's Visit

Monday evening a farrier came to our house. (Update: I found out on his next visit that he is not, in fact, a farrier. A farrier trims hooves for the purpose of affixing shoes. This guy is a barefoot hoof trimmer. It’s a different style, intended to make the hoof flat against the ground and to help the hoof become calloused, similar to wild horse hooves. I’ve changed his title through the rest of the post. 🙂 ) We wanted to have a whole neighborhood trimming party.... Read More

August 10 – I Samuel 2:29

I Samuel 2:29 There are a few words in I Samuel that are scary to me. God is talking to the priest Eli and told him that you “honor your sons above Me.” For their own sakes, children need to know their place. “God is first in my life, and my relationship to your daddy is next. What they say is important to me. When they say no, I say no. When they say yes, I say yes.” When they see that I am under authority, they will better understand their being... Read More

August 9 – Proverbs 22:6 (Amp)

Proverbs 22:6 (Amp) Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it. Each child is an individual, with his own giftings and bents hard-wired into him from the Lord. Keep your heart tuned to looking for them. Ask God to open your eyes. As in — is he a reason-oriented or feelings-oriented child? When you know that, it will help to train him in a way he hears. Does he learn by reading... Read More