Category Archives: Parenting

by

Mother, Where Art Thou?

 

Four Generations 1979

Four Generations 1979

Praying.

I have a vivid memory of walking home from school and getting near to my house  – 600 E. Illinois Street – and seeing my mother rush across the street to be home when my brothers and I arrived.

My mother had been at Cristal Parker’s – our neighbor across the street. They had been praying for their children.

Of all the many wonderful qualities that my mother has – praying for me is the one that means the most to me. I am so thankful to have a mother that STILL prays for me. I had two grandmothers that prayed for me as well.

What a legacy of faith!

On Mother’s Day we as mothers may be asking ourselves – “am I the kind of mother I should be?” We may be hard on ourselves and think ” I am not this way….I am not that way…” making mental lists of our deficiencies.

We women can be so HARD on ourselves.

Yet of all the things my mother and grandmothers did for me – praying for me is of the utmost value.

Paul says to Timothy who he was discipling in the faith – II Timothy 1:3-6 NLT

3 Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.

5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.

Paul mentions the spiritual heritage that Timothy had from his mother and grandmother.

This is the legacy we can leave as well – one of praying for our children and grandchildren. I am so thankful for my praying grandmothers.

Thank you , Mom, for continuing to pray for me even as you reach your 87th year.

This is the legacy I want to leave my children and grandchildren – one of faith and prayer.

“Nana, where art thou?”

Praying.

 

by

Create!

Painting by my Grandmother Svea Anderson Rohner

Painting by my Grandmother
Svea Anderson Rohner

“What do you enjoy about teaching art?”

I had to reflect this past week on teaching – specifically teaching art. The question was easy for me to answer – what I enjoy most about teaching art are the students!

It is really fun and inspiring to see the joy and excitement  – yes, these are high school students – on students’ faces when they master a new skill. When their drawing, painting, or ceramic piece turns out just as they planned, or maybe even better, you can see the pleasure reflected in their expressions.

It is so rewarding to see these students grow as artists, which is another one of the joys of teaching art. I have some of my students for 4 or 5 semesters – Art I through Art V.  I told one of my Art IV seniors today –  as she was recalling an incident in class when she was a freshman – “You have grown into such a lovely young lady!” She nodded and we laughed together. She knew how much she had matured!

I feel such pride and fulfillment with my students even though I know it is THEIR HARD work that brings about success. The best teacher in the world is only effective when the students follow through and do their work.

I was basking a bit in the glow of some of the students’ recently completed art work. I was so proud of them. It caused my thoughts to turn to God and how He views us as His creation.

In Ephesians 2:8-10 ( NLT) Paul talks about the fact that God created us with a purpose.

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

It says in verse 10 – “we are God’s masterpiece.” WOW! I like that. Artists consider masterpieces works of art of highest quality that retain their value and high regard over a period of time. God looks at us that way!

God gets excited when He looks at us – His creation. Unlike my students who must work hard to do good art work, verse 9 assures us that God’s gift of salvation is NOT dependent on how hard we work -it is a free gift from God.

What a blessing to think about the joy God feels when He looks at us – worts and all – and sees His creation. God’s word says He is blessed.

As mothers and grandmothers we also get a glimpse of what God must feel. Aren’t we blessed when our children learn new skills and get excited about what they have accomplished?

The next time you feel pleased and joyful about something your child or grandchild has accomplished –

remember  – God feels that same way about YOU!

You are His masterpiece.

 

 

 

by

Finding Treasure

This winter when our grandchildren were all here, Phil held a treasure hunt for them. He made up clues and even had a map (which I drew) so that they could find the next clue and eventually the hidden treasure.

They had so much fun!

The grandchildren that could read were the team leaders and the others helped once the clues were read. There was one misplaced clue – but all-in-all it was a success.

The treasure was found…

and eaten!

Last week some of the grandchildren returned and Lincoln wanted to design his own treasure hunt. He is in kindergarten and pleased with his new skill in reading and writing. Lincoln asked for “lots of paper, Nana” and began writing clues that would lead from one hiding place to another. The clues needed a bit of help in being “de-coded”. As with many early writers, Lincoln is in a hurry to express himself and doesn’t always leave spaces between the words. Any confusion was quickly cleared up because he knew exactly what he had written.

Lincoln’s clues were short and to the point – yet also effective. All the clues were found by his little brothers and ultimately – the treasure.

Gummy Bears!

treasure hunt 2

I was remembering the excitement that Lincoln expressed about making his own treasure hunt. He would not be able to participate by searching for clues – he was the one who wrote them. Yet he couldn’t wait for everyone else to find the clues and get the treasure.

It made me start thinking about how wonderful it would be if our children and grandchildren were as excited about finding real treasure.

Isaiah 33:5,6

5 The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high;
 He will fill Zion with His justice and righteousness.
6 He will be the sure foundation for your times,
a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

Here the prophet Isaiah tells God’s people the Lord is “a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge”. Now that is real treasure!

I need to start communicating clearly to my children and grandchildren that REAL treasure is from God. Isaiah says “the fear of the Lord is the KEY to this treasure”.

The Amplified Version expands my understanding of “fear of the Lord” this way. It says “the reverent fear and worship of the Lord.” This is the awe that I feel when I realize the majesty of God and His creation. It is the overwhelming sense I have when I understand that God, and God alone is worthy of worship.

I find this treasure when I put God first in my heart and mind – the ONLY place worthy of God.
So – where is my treasure?

Do my children and grandchildren know what I treasure?

Lincoln copied Phil because Phil had made the treasure hunt so enjoyable. What kind of things do children see me do that look enjoyable – that look like I treasure them?

  • shopping?
  • cooking?
  • gardening?
  • cleaning? …(uh, no they don’t see that)
  • using an electronic device?
  • reading?

We must all be intentional in sharing with our children what really matters. I do many things during a day – but what really has my HEART? Do I express the importance of Jesus in all that I do?

Finding Jesus is finding true treasure.