Read more Mommy...

"Our child needs to understand that the authority that we, as parents, exercise over him is delegated to us by God. When we discipline a child for wrongdoing, we do so because God says his action is wrong, not because of some arbitrary standard we have fabricated. Our children are much more open to correction when God's standard, not ours, is held up before them. If the Bible is our authority, our children will grow to understand that 'right' and 'wrong' are based on God's standards, not our own personal standards."
-Pam Forester in her book For Instruction in Righteousness

From the beginning, Patrick and I have tried to teach our children God's Word and train them according to His ways...sharing with them verses such as "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord" (Colossians 3:20) when they have defied us; "Honor your father and mother" (Ephesians 6:2) when they have shown us disrespect; "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" (Luke 6:31) when they have oppressed others...

There are moments in this child rearing journey that I feel we are really reaching them...really working and molding their hearts to an obedience and love for the Lord. This morning though was one of those mornings that, well, let's just say they needed a little more encouragement. It was one of those days where they were really just pushing each other's buttons; fighting over this and that, refusing to listen when I tried to intervene (I think you get the picture). Finally I sat them down with my Bible in hand (and a copy of my latest favorite parenting book Creative Correction by Lisa Whelchel), and we began to read. I shared additional scripture with them that not only I felt they needed to hear...but I needed to hear too. When I thought maybe I had read enough, I closed my Bible and my book, ready to go about our day, when Cassidy said to me, "Read more Mommy". All morning as I watched the girls wrestling on the floor in some ridiculous cat fight, and Brody hooting out the words "poopy head" to everyone he came in contact with, I couldn't help but think, "how on earth did I fail so miserably?" Then God gives me little moments like these...moments like hearing my three year old telling me she wants to hear more about Jesus...to remind me to be steadfast in my faith and patient in my instruction.

She's only three...but gosh is she ever amazing.