Teachable Moments

When I was 10 years old, my mom took me to town to buy "the doll" I had been saving up for. This was the doll that I cried for whenever I would see another little girl carrying it. This was the doll that I was going to be best friends with and take care of forever! Oh, how I yearned for that doll!

When I first told my mom that I had to have that doll and how important it was to me, she replied, "You have so many dolls already." She failed to see the social/developmental benefits owning "the doll" will give to her 10 year old little girl. Instead, she reminded me how I always get excited about owning a new toy, pleading to get it, promising to take care of it, and a few days later, I lose the excitement I once had for it. She was right. But still, I promised that this time, it's different.

So saved for it, I did! I begged to be given chores in exchange for money that would go towards my precious doll, my future best friend. It took me an eternity, a whole month!

Looking back, I am so thankful that my mom had the wisdom to do what she did when I was 10 years old. She taught me so much at such a young age, a very impressionable time in my life. At the time, I didn't know I was learning significant life lessons that would influence me the rest of my life.

1. I learned that money didn't grow on trees--I thought all my mom (a single parent) had to do was go to the machine whenever we wanted a toy and she can take out as much as she wanted, as much as I wanted.

2. I learned the importance of hard work--If it took me a month to save up for a doll, I began to realize how much hard work my mom did to provide for us (to feed us, clothe us, and have a roof over us). My mom is my superhero.

3. I learned to appreciate and care for my things--It's amazing how I valued "the doll" of all the dolls I owned. There's something about working hard for it that made me appreciate it more. That doll stayed with me for a long time. I finally donated it when we had a toy drive in college.

4. I learned that working hard for something and giving it your best, develops a sense of pride, a sense of accomplishment within you.

These lessons followed me through college while putting myself through nursing school. Today, it continues to follow me as a wife and a mother.

• Proverbs 22:17 NIV

  [Sayings of the Wise] Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach,

• Proverbs 19:20 NAS

  Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days.

This week had been an extremely busy one, more than the usual. Last Tuesday, I took the boys with me to get a few things at Target. While there, I stopped by the toothpaste/mouthwash aisle. LJ loves to look at the different character toothbrushes and was begging me to get him a Little Einstein one, which he already has at home. I explained that to him and with little distraction, we were off. I'm sooo thankful that at age 3, distraction still works.

As I was about to get into the car, I noticed a box in our stroller's storage basket. It was a box of Crest Teeth Whitening that costs about $30 that I know I didn't pay for. When I asked LJ if he put the box in the storage, he just looked at me like he didn't know what I was talking about. I guess I must have had a worried look on my face when I said, "Oh no!" As I was pushing the heavy stroller back to Target, LJ asked me if I was mad at him. I gave my son a big hug and gently told him, "Oh no baby, Mama is not mad at you". Off to guest services we went.

As I explained to a young man what happened, I noticed that people were looking at me. As I handed the box back, an elderly woman looked at me and said, "I can't believe that you returned back in here with your two boys when you were already out there with the box." I nicely told her, "I didn't pay for it, ma'am". There was another woman who went up to me smiling and said, "That was a wonderful thing you did and a wonderful thing for your boys to witness even though they're young.

• Psalms 32:8 NIV

  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

• Psalms 86:11 NIV

  Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

I share these stories because as a mom, I always wonder if I'm doing a good job raising my boys. I pray everyday for God's grace upon me and for God to continue to guide Leo and I in molding them into God fearing men who love Jesus with all their heart, mind and soul. I pray that every day,when given opportunities to shape their hearts, I recognize them as teachable moments like my superhero did.

LUCAS' First Bike Ride With The Family!

How great is your love for me.
How lavish your mercy freely flows!
Jesus, your only son
He carried his cross that I may live.
You ask of me to lay it all down and follow.
With uplifted hands, I surrender all.

You're all I want
I'll wait for you
Lord, to you, all praise and honor be
You're all I want
I'll wait for you
Your name is above all names
Be exalted in this place
Be exalted in this place.

(Lyrics to one of my favorite songs)

Family Day at Griffith Park, November 7, 2008

Praying for Our Children, The Future

I love this idea by Angie to pray for our children, called 7X7 Seven Prayers for a Day. I pray for my boys everyday but not as specific as this. I'm so excited because this is something that is very important to me. I believe in the power of prayer, especially in the power of a praying mama! I hope that you would join us in this powerful and essential endeavor, praying for our children, the future. Here's the specifics or you can also link on her name above to see her post about this:

The other day I came across a verse that God used to prompt me to write this post. If you are a mom (or have someone else you want to pray for specifically), I hope you will join me as I do this for the next 7 days. It struck me that I need reminders during the day to be praying over my girls, and I decided to choose 7 events in a day that would remind me to do so. Then, I chose verses that had to do with that time of the day (for example: as my kids are getting dressed in the morning) and then I put them on notecards.

Here are the events and verses I chose:

1. When they wake up: "Let the morning bring (child's name) word of your unfailing love, for she has put her trust in You. Show (her/him) the way (she/he) should go, for to you (he/she) lifts up her soul." (Adapted from Psalm 143:8)

2. When they are getting dressed: "Therefore, as God's chosen child, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Lord, help (him/her) bear with others and forgive whatever grievances (he/she) has against others. Help (him/her) forgive as the Lord forgave (him/her). And over all these virtues, help (him/her) put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Adapted from Colossians 3:12-14)

3. While they are eating: "Teach (child's name) the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Teach (him/her) that (he/she) can do everything through him who gives (him/her) strength." (Adapted from Philippians 4:12-13)

4. When they go out of the house: "(Name of child), do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will." (Adapted from Romans 12:2)

5. While they are taking a bath: Lord, give (name of child) clean hands and a pure heart, and let (him/her) not lift (his/her) soul to an idol or swear by what is false. Let (him/her) receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God (his/her) Savior. Let (him/her) be part of the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. (Adapted from Psalm 24:4-6)

6. When they are going to bed: "The Lord Your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, be will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)

7. While they are sleeping: "I pray that (name of child) will do everything without complaining or arguing, so that he/she may become blameless and pure, a child of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which he/she shines like a star in the universe as he/she holds out the word of life-in order that he/she may boast on the day of Christ that he/she did not run or labor for nothing." (Adapted from Philippians 2:14-16)

I feel like God has been reminding me more and more lately that I need to live my life in prayer. For my children, husband, family, friends, country, those in need, etc., etc. As a mother, it has been so pivotal for my children to hear me praying out loud over them, and I want to commit to do this every day (seven times a day!) for the next week. If you care to join me, just copy these verses onto index cards

Let me know if you decide to join me, and please keep me posted (either by comments or emails) if God reveals anything to you/your children this week.

Have a great (and prayer-filled!) week. And may God bless you and your babies richly.