Tag Archives: Parenting

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Summertime!

I still remember the sense of freedom that I felt when school was finished for the year. A whole summer of possibilities lay ahead! These are some of the most endearing memories of my childhood – the times of playing in the creek, piling rocks to dam the Oconolufte  Creek up so we could swim. Building “forts” (my brother Gregg was especially good at this!) with old boards and whatever was lying around in the woods so we could have adventures. We went tubing and threw rocks in the river trying to “skip” them like our father did. We attended Bible School at the Cherokee Baptist Church and made new friends.

All these memories revolve around being in the mountains of North Carolina. My summers as a child were idyllic and I treasure these memories.

Then I married a mountain man and our four children were able to enjoy many of these same activities as children. Each would probably list different things that they enjoyed most about summer, yet I know that they all loved this season and the chance to be “free” from the schedule of school.

We would often meet our family friends at the library for the Summer Reading Program and afterwards eat a picnic lunch in the park. We would plan “Fridays at Deep Creek” where the older kids could tube down the river and the younger ones could play in the shallows with round river rocks. We mothers could visit and supervise the little ones, getting the social interaction with adults that we needed.

Summer also involved chores in the garden. Once when our children were small, someone asked our third child if she was looking forward to summer. Her expression saddened and she replied, “NO, I have to weed the garden”. My heart sank as I heard this. I did not want her memories of summer to be sad ones! We still gave our children chores, but I made sure that they realized that the chores were done first, so they could play, swim, and be with their friends afterwards.

I have sometimes heard mothers of young school children lament the fact that school is almost over  – that summer break was about to start. These mothers are not looking forward to having their children home with them. They see their children’s freedom as interfering with their freedom. This is an attitude that pervades our culture. The attitude that children are a burden and need to be “managed” with as little interference in the parents’ lives as possible. How tragic! These parents are missing out on a wonderful opportunity to build memories that last a lifetime. These years when our children are young and at home go so quickly. (I remember thinking, “yeah, sure” when I was in the middle of those years) Looking back – they did fly by.

Mark 9:36-38 (NIV)

36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the One who sent me.” 

When we put time with our children ahead of our own desires, we are following the example of Jesus. He placed a high value on children. As parents and grandparents we are able to maximize our children’s summer. Young ones will not choose the best activities on their own. We must plan and guide them, considering their preferences such as swimming, playing ball, creating art, building forts, even just playing with favorite toys.

Limiting screen time is important, even more important in the summer. Children learn creativity, problem solving, and build their imaginations while playing. Screen time is usually passive entertainment and is counter productive. Active play helps children develop physically, mentally, and socially.

Have a wonderful, blessed summer building positive memories!!

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Adopted

We received exciting news this month – our nephew and niece adopted a 7 year-old little girl named Priscilla. The parents have a loving, nurturing, godly home already and adding Priscilla will just make it more so. I am thrilled for them, but even more blessed for little Priscilla. She was chosen by her parents, and when she was told who her “forever parents” would be, there were tears of joy all around. My nephew and niece have stayed in our home several times and have always blessed us with their servant hearts and willingness to “go with the flow”.  What wonderful qualities for parents!

I also have a friend who has adopted an infant girl in the past year. This couple too, had a loving, nurturing, godly home and one birth child before bringing a new baby home through adoption. This precious little one had to fight for her life at first and is now thriving in a safe, stable environment.

Two very different situations, yet families blessed by the gift of adoption.

While praying and thanking God for providing a child and families in each of these diverse situations, I was struck by the truth that we as Christians are adopted into God’s family. Paul is talking to the Romans about the work of the Holy Spirit and says –

Romans 8:15 (NIV)

15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.

Several parallel truths gripped me as I read this passage.

  • Adoption by God frees us from fear since we have a loving Father
  • Adoption for these little girls provides security and protection
  • Adoption provides “sonship/daughtership”, we may call God, Abba – Daddy.
  • Adoption provided a mommy and a daddy for these girls
  • Adoption means we are God’s children with His name – Christian
  • Adoption provides a new name for each of these girls
  •  Adoption means we inherit all God’s promises to His children
  • Adoption means these girls will be provided for and inherit from their families
  • Adoption means we will share in Christ’s sufferings AND His glory
  • Adoption means these little girls will face trials AND triumphs together with their new families.   
  • Adoption is eternal. Our Father’s promise is that we will dwell with Him forever
  • Adoption is a life long committment – a “forever family”

Priscilla and “Precious” are so blessed to be part of their new “forever families”. As God’s children, we are part of His forever family. We enjoy God’s presence, praising Him for His faithfulness and love.

I know of several beautiful testimonies of God’s grace and power being demonstrated through adoption. If you would like to share such a testimony on this site, please e-mail it to me and I can insert it into the blog. Send it to nanawoody9@gmail.com – or include it as a comment. This will be a blessing to others.

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Dance Party

I have watched with amusement and wonder as each of our grandchildren has bobbed, swayed, wiggled, and ultimately danced to the sounds of music. This can be music on the radio, a CD, or even a ring tone of a cell phone. After one or two bars of a melody, their little bodies automatically respond and start to move. It’s so much fun to watch!

I’ve observed as older siblings watch a Veggie Tale. The 8 or 10 month old sits up and bobs as the Veggie Tale theme comes on. As soon as Larry and Bob start talking, the little ones lose interest. But, if a song comes on again – they are right back in front of the TV, ready to dance.

This response to music is innate – no one tells these small children to dance, no one teaches them. There is something within us that responds to music – emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It is such a natural, joyful expression.

Music is also a “hook” for long term memory. Think of the songs you remember from childhood. “The Itsy, Bitsy Spider”, “Old McDonald”, and best of all – “Jesus Loves Me”. We hear the first few notes of any of these songs and we can instantly sing along. Knowing this, parents can use music in meaningful ways in the lives of their children. Many children learn their A, B, C’s by singing – “ a,b,c,d,e,f,g,” etc., and learn to count by singing – “one little, two little, three little, etc…”

Music is an effective way to memorize Bible verses. There are many Scriptures that I know because I learned them set to music. There are countless times that God’s Word has come to me in my time of need in a song. This is a blessing as well as an encouragement.

Psalm 150:1-6 (NIV)

1 Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary;
praise Him in His mighty heavens.
2 Praise Him for His acts of power;
praise Him for His surpassing greatness.
3 Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise Him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise Him with timbrel and dancing,
praise Him with the strings and pipe,
5 praise Him with the clash of cymbals,
praise Him with resounding cymbals.

6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord.

These verses from Psalms exhort us to praise the Lord with our voices, various instruments, and DANCING. I have seen this in the three homes of our grandchildren. Each has certain songs they play, DVD’s the children watch, and CD’s they listen to that contain God’s Word set to music. They dance with joy and abandon! These will be verses that the children know by heart and that the Holy Spirit will use to build their faith, challenge them to walk with God, and even bring correction in their lives.

Our children listened to Bill Gaither when they were small. Remember “I’m Something Special” and “I am a Promise”.

What are your children listening to?

Please share songs, CD’s, or DVD’s that your children enjoy that allow them to dance and sing before our Lord. This will give all readers a chance to have Dance Parties of their own. Thanks in advance for sharing.