Tag Archives: children

March 2, 2015 · 9:05 am

Same Big God

He cried all the way to school saying he missed his daddy. Part of me cried with him, because I miss him, too. But, the greater part of me knows that He gives me strength for every single moment. I wept for him, because he doesn’t understand that strength within him. And, then, it hit me. I had shared this scripture on social media this morning:

But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength. 2 Timothy 4:17

I only saw this scripture applying to my life and to yours, although, knowing it is for everyone.

Everyone.

Even for an almost five year old.

And, while Jett may not comprehend the strength within him, it doesn’t take away from the fact that it is there. How many things of God are within me that I have yet to comprehend? That I have yet to grasp fully? Yet, they are still there, and I can activate them within my life at any given moment.

This morning I was reminded that there is no big God in me and little God in Jett. That same power is inside of him. That same God who says you have everything you need to do all He has called you to do, to endure any season, to face any challenge, resides within Jett Takle. That same God has given Jett all he needs to do all He has called Him to do. Even at the young age of four.

And, so my prayer became this:

God, thank You for the gifts that are within Jett. Thank You that Your grace is sufficient within him. Thank You for your strength within him. Thank You that at his weakest, You are strongest. And, right at this moment, he feels Your strength.

In as much as I love my children. I know God loves them even more than I do. And, that same God who has delivered you from your darkest moments, your greatest fears, and your hardest days is the same God who will comfort your little ones, cause them to feel His presence, and give them strength they didn’t know they had.

Rest today in knowing that the same God within you is the same God within them.

….how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. Matthew 7:11

 

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August 1, 2011 · 5:00 am

One Shot.

Sometimes in the middle of raising three children, I stop and think how easy my parents had it bringing up just one.  I’m mean, it was always two adults to one child.  How hard could it have been taking me to my weekly gymnastics that I quit as soon as I started?  Just one kid.  And, a sweet, compliant one at that.  It’s my blog, I can lie if I want to.

It’s not the easiest making sure we invest into each of our children in a way we feel is “enough.”  As a matter of fact, we rarely think it’s enough.  We just trust that God has given us everything we need to accomplish everything we need to as parents.  And, we trust His grace to take care of the rest.  ‘Cause you know….I have one shot at this parenting thing.

One shot at making sure this tender heart stays tender, so he can be the face of Christ to those who need Him.

One shot at showing this smart girl how there are no limits to what her determined, fun spirit can do when it is submitted to His Spirit.

One shot at teaching this fearless, wild at heart, (sometimes spoiled) kid three that God wants to use His adventurous heart for His Kingdom. 

One shot.  That’s it. 

I don’t remember all of the extra-curricular stuff my parents made time for.  But, I do remember the life experiences they turned into discipleship opportunities.  I do remember God always being the center of every single decision.  And, I remember looking at my parents so many times and seeing what the love of Christ looks like. 

I hope that’s what my three remember.  I hope they remember Jesus in our house. 

And, maybe when they are thirty-six years old sitting around a lunch table with Kris and I, they will still be amazed at the amount of Jesus pouring from our lives. 

Just like my parents continue to amaze me.  Even if they did only have one kid.

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December 15, 2008 · 6:00 am

Out of the mouth of babes.


Happy Monday Y’all!  I hope your Sunday Experience was a great one.  The UCO (University of Central Oklahoma) Ebony Gospel Choir performed at Lifechurch.tv.  That choir is where it’s at.  For real. 

Back in the Peach State, my dad is doing a new series called “reDiscovery.”  Yesterday, he talked about rediscovering our youth.  I realize I wasn’t there for the message, but I do read over his messages QUITE.A.FEW.TIMES before the Sunday Experience.  I can hear dad reading this post now.  “Oh, using my notes for your blog, huh?” 

Uh-huh.  I am.

I believe we can learn a lot from children in how we present ourselves to our Heavenly Father and how we do life.  Dad talked about {at least, he was supposed to} several desirable traits children have.  One of those being “forgiveness.”  I was reading Anna the story of Adam and Eve from her Beginner’s Bible the other day.  I finished with,

“It was a sad day when Adam and Eve left.  God sent an angel to the garden.  The angel held a flaming sword.  He flashed it back and forth so no one would go back into the garden.”

Anna immediately responded, “That was mean!”

Most of us would argue that they deserved it because of their disobedience.  And, well, since it WAS God’s decision, we can’t really say He missed that one.  But, Anna’s willingness to overlook other’s mistakes here is what really spoke to me.  How often I can have this judgmental, you had it comin’ to ya attitude.  When in reality, God has called us to be like a child, always forgiving and a springboard of grace and mercy. 

We can leave the flaming swords to Him. 

He is God.

We’re His children.

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December 12, 2008 · 6:00 am

Prayers kids pray.


Our children take turns saying the prayer before we dive into some, I’m sure, delicious meal I’ve prepared.  John Henry not only blesses the food, but he also blesses every ailing person he knows and doesn’t know.  He threw me off Wednesday night when he added this:

“And, I bless that God and Jesus have a good day today in Heaven.”

I feel purr-ty certain they did.

What funny things have your kiddos prayed for?

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November 24, 2008 · 6:00 am

What a mess.


Sunday was a reasonably productive day.  We accomplished many household items that have been awaiting our attention for quite some time.  Most of you know the effort it takes to achieve these self-inflicted projects while simultaneously insuring that the little people are occupied.  Not so much an issue for little person number one. 

But, you know little person number two.

You KNOW little person number two.

Kris thought Anna would best be suited for coloring in our bed while catching some flicks on Noggin.  Daddy gave her the supply box.

school-box-wp

And, later that evening, Kris discovered her creation.

comforter-wp

Oh, I’m sorry.  Can’t make out what this is?

Look again.

comforter-2-wp3

That would be what’s left of our comforter on our bed.

Kris called me into to see what our artist had crafted.  And, suddenly I was ready to chase the Grey Goose instead of the Wild Goose, if you know what I mean.  But, only for about a second.  Or two.

You know what I did?

I laughed. {I can hardly believe it either.}

I couldn’t help myself.  And, I certainly didn’t let Anna see or hear my reaction.  Because, if she ever cuts my draperies I’ll be chasing more than Grey Goose.

I still love that girl just as much with my shredded bedding as I did before her encounter with a pair of scissors.  The same way our heavenly Father loves us when we shred something He has given us or entrusted us with.  He knows we are going to make a mess of things.  Again.  And, again.  But, He keeps on loving us.  He keeps on extending mercy.  And, He continues to wait with arms wide open for us to run to Him and tell Him how sorry we are.  Not because He needs to hear it or because He wants to see our shame.  But, because He wants – He longs – to show us His unfailing love. 

Later that evening I opened my arms wide to a broken-hearted little girl.  And, I made sure she felt my love.  I feel certain she did.

But seriously, have you ever seen such craziness?

For real.

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November 20, 2008 · 6:00 am

Proud Parenting Moments.


Some smart philosopher once said,

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle.”

Of all the lessons we teach our children, this is probably numero uno.  How we treat people comes up in conversation, in some shape or form, every day with my children {and usually between two siblings}.  I try to share Jesus with them, and how He walked out a life of being kind. 

As soon as John Henry got into the car the other day, he said, “Mom, there were some kids being mean to Hunter today.  So, I went and played with him.” 

Oh, how my heart leaped.  I could not have been more proud of my son.  I can’t imagine how our heavenly Father’s heart leaps every time we are kind to one of His children. 

It’s even greater than reading sight words in record time.

Later that evening, I told John Henry again how proud I was of him. 

“God is a good friend,” he responded.

I think he’s getting it. 

And, motherhood doesn’t get much better than that.

Share a moment when you were proud of your child being kind…..or just doing the right thing.

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October 14, 2008 · 6:00 am

Family Vacation


As I was putting John Henry to bed, I asked him what he was most excited about for vacation at the beach. 

“I’m just gonna lay on my towel, practice my reading, and reeee-lax,” he said. 

I’ll be sure he gets a good foot rub, too.  You know, it’s hard out there for a Kindergartener. 

I’ll be taking a bloggy break for the rest of the week as we head south for some much needed relaxation.    A big shout out to Papa Joe and Linda (Mimi to my children) for the family invite. 

I’ll be back next Monday. 

With stories.  I’m sure of it. 

I’m taking “The Shack” and “In the Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day” with me. 

What are you reading?  Any book recommendations?

Love ya.  Mean it.

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October 10, 2008 · 6:00 am

A Lunch Date.


There are days that going out to eat in public places with my three year old are as enjoyable as sitting through a presidential debate. Can I get an Amen?  Or if you’re Sarah Palin, a wink?

Bad joke.  Sorry.

The other day, I had the most enjoyable lunch date with Anna.  And Jenny. 

First of all, we dined at On the Border.  And, you know how much I love my chips and queso.  We talked about girlie things.  Anna commented on how “lovely” the day was and fed Jenny a few of her chips.  But not the queso upon my strong urging. 

There are just those days where the stars are aligned just right.  And, God’s grace seems a bit more abundant.  And, you walk out of a restaurant to the tune of a princess saying, “That was a nice lunch, Mom.”

I think Jenny even enjoyed it.  And, I’m sure she appreciated our respect for safe travel.

 

 

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September 17, 2008 · 6:00 am

Gee Wally. School kids can be so mean.


Monday wasn’t too much of a departure from most of my Mondays.  I dragged myself out of bed and headed straight for the java.

I went to our office and caught up on some accounting.  Do wha?  Dusty, you actually go to an office?  Yes.I.Do.  As little as possible.

But, it was later where my day took quite the turn.  I volunteered in John Henry’s classroom to help his teacher with centers time.  One precious gift from God asked me if I was John Henry’s grandma.  GRANDMA.   I smirked at her as if we were both in the 8th grade and said, “Um, no.  I’m his mother.” 

I know you are, but what am I?

Then, I thought to myself, “Glad I’m not your mother.”  (Sometimes, I tell the Holy Spirit, “Excuse me a minute while I take care of some fleshly business.”)

Then, another little short person stared at my hair.  “That’s funny.  You have brown underneath and blonde on top,” the darling said, as she continued to stroke my hair.  “It’s kind of weird.”

Yeah, well, you’re weird.

Okay, I didn’t say that.  That would just be cruel.  I am the bigger person.  Ahem.

On the way home, I informed John Henry of the two girls he wouldn’t be bringing home to meet the parents.  He understood.

So, how do you handle criticism…or just downright meanness? 

In my case, I put my hairstylist on speed dial, and thanked the good Lord my brother-in-law is Dr. Leiv Takle, ophthalmologist and ocular plastics surgeon extraordinaire.  Looks like I’ll be needing those botox injections sooner than I thought.

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September 5, 2008 · 6:00 am

These small hours.

I have these moments.   Still moments that I honestly hang onto with serious vigor.  You know those moments that you and your spouse look at each other and laugh.  When your child looks in wonderment at her own shadow.  When your son discovers that he can finally snap his fingers.  When you are all together doing nothing but still soaking up the minutes like a sponge.

I had one of these moments last night watching Kris wrestle with the kids.  Listening to Anna tell her daddy that she is “throwing one-hundred different kinds of smoke.”  Laughing at John Henry as he removed his shirt, flexed his muscles, and growled like the Hulk.   

I have these moments.

Where I really, truly appreciate that moment.  Right there. 

I love those moments. 

The Rob Thomas tune, “Little Wonders” from Meet the Robinsons always makes me reflect on those moments.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do and remember that our lives are made in these small hours.

I cannot forget the way I feel right now.

I hope you have a few small hours this weekend.

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