Hey, Pastor John,
I was wondering if maybe people would like to help me with something I’m working on! I guess it was last month that I had a testimony about Jesus teaching me what it means to “be as a little child” and it has continued since then and I’ve been loving it. I asked for it. I prayed about it last month for him to show me what it means. There have been a few more things since then that I’ve learned.
1. The kids had done a few things that just required a “reevaluate what you’re doing” mommy moment and I told them, “All you have to do is love me and obey me.” Thinking about it, obeying me is loving me, so really all the have to do is love me…but that was another moment coming from above through me to them. As soon as I said it, I took it in and knew it was for me too. To know and understand.
2. A situation came up where Timothy felt he could do something without asking. I told him that he is a child and has to ask for everything. That’s just part of what has to happen. If he can go somewhere, if he can talk to someone, if he can eat something, if he can watch something, what time he can go to bed, etc. I heard Jesus in that too, because as adults, we also have to ask. What should we do today? Should I talk to that person? Can I go here? What should I do in this situation?
3. Matthew asked me something and I told him no. He complained about it and
I asked him why he asked me in the first place. If you ask a question, don’t come expecting to hear what will make you happy, instead, be happy with what you hear.
So, all this led to a time last week when I sat down with them in the morning and we brainstormed things children are supposed to do. They each gave really good ideas and of course I added some. Timothy asked what your “flesh” is. I told him that your flesh is yourself without Jesus. We read through them to see if they were things adults should also do, having God as the parent. They agreed that all of them were! I am trying to teach them that if they can learn to do these things now, they will be better able to do them for Jesus later. You said something similar today 🙂
Anyway, I am attaching pictures of the list we made, and continue to add to, in case anyone has any other ideas! I plan to type it up and put it in my house somewhere as a reminder to all of us on just how to be…how to live a good life. I’ve liked looking at the list. I appreciate chances to learn things that can make me happier 🙂 I added the last one today after Coy said it…I love that!
– mind your own business
– obey your parents
– play nicely
– clean you own mess
– ask before you do
– listen for parents’ voices
– stay with an adult
– love your family
– be calm and kind
– use good manners
– ask for help/guidance
– tell the truth
– choose good friends
– be happy
– trust your parents
– be helpful
– apologize and make things right
– be patient
– be thankful
– come when you are called
– keep your attitude right
– listen the first time
– look at who’s talking to you
– take care of people’s hearts
– put other before yourself
– don’t question answers from adults
– stay ready for a “ye” or “no”
– don’t expect things to be given to you, but rather, give
– be happy for other people
– encourage others
– take care of your things, and others’ things
– be slow to anger
– think before you speak
– think, “is it eternal?”
Leah