'Tis the Season

A friend of mine encouraged me to take a moment during this busy Christmas season. To sit for twenty minutes. To sit with all lights off apart from the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree. To have a coffee in my hand. To just sit and be still. To sit at the feet of Jesus. To remember that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the father because He is of equal position to the Father and because His work of redeeming me is done. To dwell on the seated Jesus, who right now is interceding for me. He sees me. He knows me. He's praying for me.

She then left me a short voice message of prayer, acknowledging the craziness of the outside world which has came into my home. She spoke the truth of the gospel. She reminded me that Jesus is the wonderful counsellor, the wounded healer, the prince of peace. She said that my family sits in His family tree which is bigger and stronger than me, than my worries, than my concerns, than my fears and failings. She said that I am carried under the refuge of His wings. In Him, I am safe. She said that Jesus identifies with messy family life. She prayed I would be still and know Him today. What a gift of a friend. (Not to self; Be more like Jesus and more like this friend).

So this morning that's what I did. I confess I had tea instead of coffee. It was 6:30am which is cuppa time, cup-of-tea time, not coffee-shop coffee time. Very different things. My twinkling Christmas tree was probably not the most peaceful of trees and I think I actually managed 12 minutes. But I sat. I thought about the mums with little ones, who would love a quiet house as late in the morning as 6:30am. I remember it well. I am grateful for seasons that do change. I thought about the encouragement of Susanna Wesley, pastor's wife and mother of many who put her apron over her head when she just needed a moment to dwell in God's presence. I just sat. I didn't read or sing. I didn't pray even. I was just still, mindful of all the truths that my friend had just prayed over me. And it did me good. It was good for my soul. It was probably good for my household too.

Somewhere in the midst of presents and chocolate and mangers and family and mince pies and school shows and movies and church and candy canes and Lemsip and teacher gifts and ice skating and friends and cards and experiences and shopping lists and placemats and gift lists and turkeys and freezer space and cookies and tinsel and stocking fillers and cranberries and extra chairs and driving around and the weight of it all and the stupid elf, there is Jesus. He is right there in the midst of it all. It does us good to be still, to be quiet and simply know, understand, comprehend, grasp, recognise, that He is indeed God. He is good. He is able. He is Sovereign. He is not just to be acknowledged but He is also to be exalted. It's good to take a moment (maybe more than just one) and sit at the feet of Jesus. And maybe just maybe, another mum could do with being reminded about this too. 

"His name shall be Immanuel; which means God with us." Matthew 1v23

Dumb Phone

Getting ready for the new school term, working out what we already have, what can be passed down from sibling to sibling, and what needs to be budgeted for and bought afresh. We have one starting senior school in a month's time. She is READY! She is suitably nervous and excited about it all. Nervous about the bus route, but excited all the same. Nervous about being judged by new people, excited by the possibility of new friends. Nervous that she will get lost in a big school, excited by all the new places including an actual Drama room, where you're meant to bring the drama!  

Choosing a pencil case was an interesting one. She over-ruled some for being too young, too fun, too out there. But the plain ones were too plain, and not very her. She didn't necessarily want to bring unwanted Yr 7 attention her way, but she didn't want to shy away from her own likes and preferences either. We've watched enough terrible gymnastic shows, to know there is always some mean kid who picks on other kids if they're different to them, or if their stuff isn't the 'right' stuff. Usually, that mean kid gets taught a moral lesson, or we find out their life is sad in some way or they fall off the gymnastics bar and depending on the programme, they get laughed at or shown grace. 

So she went with a pencil pencil case. It looks like a pencil. She thought that it would be really funny on day one, to say 'Want to see my pencil case?' and pull out a giant PENCIL case. She said the ones who laugh, will be her people. I don't know whether to be proud or question my parenting influence. I wonder if she will look at the other pencil cases on display and get an insight into their owners' characters. Knowing her, she might see a more plain one and wonder if they've changed who they really are to fit in, and she will make sure they can be themselves around her. She's a bit like that. 

As parents you have to navigate some of this stuff too. As Christian parents maybe even more so. You want to encourage them to be who God created them to be, with the plans and works He has for them to do. You also want to prepare them for what the world can be like, the patterns the world conforms to. You want to make sure that if they do stand out it's for the right reasons. I remember being mocked many years ago, for carrying my PE kit in a broken nameless carrier bag and that was way before we were in a society where we simply cancelled people or where disagreeing with someone meant you couldn't be friends with them anymore. On the whole, our kids have to deal with a lot more now than we had to. The circumstances that us parents are in, the choices that we make, the beliefs that we hold, have an impact on their lives which they have to navigate. It is important that they are prepared, covered in prayer and to an extent understand (or at least trust) the decisions that we make for them. 

My fresh new Year 7 child will rock up with her new pencil case, her packed lunch in a sturdy bag for Life, maybe from one of the posher shops and a Nokia phone. (Currently in the book she is reading, the criminal has a Nokia phone so that is amusing). A big decision we have made for our children is that they can have a Smartphone in Year 10, which they have to buy themselves. The internet is a wonderful place, and I enjoy my Social Media interactions, but we have decided that access to both of these at a young age isn't what is best for them, or best for our household. There is enough for kids to have to deal with already. We are also quite strong on the content that they consume, from TV and YouTube. And when a Smartphone enters our house, there is a need to warn against the dumb decisions a Smartphone can tempt us to make. Teaching them wisdom as Scripturally based as we can.

They know this will probably be seen as unusual, not the norm. My fresh Yr 7 knows some might mock her for her phone. We may be setting her up for some uncomfortable chats, or decisions to defend. She herself may not like it at times, but that is okay because we are the parents. We are responsible for her until she can be responsible for herself. We don't want to parent fearfully, we want to parent as wisely as we can. I'm sure this decision will be seen as quite extreme by some, but we also believe that extreme decisions at times just need to be made in life, especially when it comes to our children. One of our older ones told me recently that he sees the benefit of our Smartphone decision now, even though he didn't like it at the time.  

We want them to feel safe and prepared for the world outside of Primary school, outside of our home but we also want them to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. We want them to trust us and ultimately trust God. Jesus Himself made choices to go against the flow, to be different to the cultural norm, to love the unloveable, to save those who do not deserve to be saved. And as much as I want my daughter to make friends, enjoy school, and fit in even, I do want her to become more like Jesus and know of His love for her, His best for her.

"Do not conform 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". Romans 12v2

**By using this verse, I am not saying it is God's will to not give your children a Smartphone. It's just a great verse to challenge us to seek more than what the world has to offer us.

Abundant Living

We are coming to the end of the husband being off from work/church on Sabbatical. He has had nine glorious weeks off, which is a privilege, and we are massively grateful for the time he has been given. There was definately a bit of adjustment needed in the early days; learning to switch off when he has been so busy, learning to rest when he is naturally so active. We tried to take the advice of not having a goal to 'maximise the time off', or to make sure we 'hear from God', or even the pressure to 'enjoy it', but instead to just let it happen, to experience the rest, whilst not wasting the gift that it was. 

One of the absolute highlights was a family holiday to Scotland. This was to be our last holiday as a family unit, (before the eldest gets married) and our first time flying together as a family. Our flights, accomodation and car hire were generously paid for by someone, which again we are so grateful for. The excitement of us all getting up early, driving to Gatwick, getting the shuttle bus together, being in an airport together, and flying together was such a treat for me. I loved having us altogether doing something we've not done before. 

We decided that no one was allowed to opt out of anything, so if we went to a cafe, we all went, if we went to Lidl or Co-op, we all went, if we put a family film on, or played a board game, we all got involved. Everything was therefore hectic, and expensive, but I think I had a smile on my face the whole time. We caused havoc wherever we went just because of the sheer volume of us! In any aisle you walked down in the Co-op, was someone I was related to, and always in a raincoat! Before we came to Scotland, we spent holiday budget on anoraks and waterproof boots. Not quite cocktails and ice creams, but very much needed. 

The first 'adventure' was convincing one of the teens, who had suddenly come down quite poorly, not to be sick in the hire car. Unfortunately he then had no choice but to opt out of the first day's rainy walk, and climbing of waterfalls while he slept off a high temperature. When he was well again, he was rewarded with £2.50 to spend in the Co-op, whilst his siblings had £1.25 each. (It was meant to be £1 but they won with an inflation argument).

The scenery was breathtaking; lochs and snow-capped mountains. Each morning, I wrapped up under a blanket, opened the front door to our little cottage, and looked over Loch Fyne. It's always easier to connect with God, if nature is nearby. Of course, the same family tensions are always with you, because it's all the same people just in a different setting, being forced to be together all the time, and board games always bring out the best in people! But Scotland's greenery is spacious, so once you get past the moans and groans, and give out the snacks, the big outdoors served us well. Waterfalls were climbed, lakes were bravely jumped into, dams were built, dead sheep were prodded, tracks were walked, tunnels were crawled through, and hours were spent having fun in the rain. I will treasure the memories of this little gettaway. 

"I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly". John 10v10

You First

A rare moment this morning, I got to read the Bible and have my cup of tea, before anyone else was awake. I could actually set an alarm and do this every morning but we don't need to cover that today. The littlest of the family is usually an early riser, but this morning she seemed to be enjoying a snoozy half-term moment. Obviously no teenagers were awake, and no one had work to get to. 

I thought back to my mornings over the years; tired from broken sleep and early wakes ups, midnight bed changes and bottles of milk, brain fog and toddlers, brothers not dwelling in unity and sisters' early morning singing. I remember the days when my only Bible study was reading the Jesus Story Book Bible to the kids. Yet I also remember it sustaining me, because of the truth within those pages. 

The younger they are, the more drip feeding of the Bible you can pour into their minds and hearts. It is just part of their daily routine; Bible reading at bedtime, Bible truths over dinner, acting out their favourite Bible passages, eating edible versions of Bible stories. 

As they get older, it gets harder to provide the input in the same way. They may not be readers, so they may adapt to hearing the Bible, or watching the Bible. Maybe they will actually enjoy learning facts and being tested on them.They might be more inclined to read Scripture over a Sausage and Egg McMuffin, with a promised lift to school. They may move to accepting books about the Bible, rather than the Bible itself. (Not an ideal replacement, but better than no input) Maybe they will get an App, and set themselves a reminder, which they will then choose to respond to or ignore.

Some of course, may choose not to want to hear more of what the Bible has to say. This is where you hope and pray that the early input you dripped in, has indeed anchored them.

As I read the Bible this morning, I read the following verses from Phillipians 2 about Christ's example of Humility: "Let each of you look not only to their own interests, but also the interests of others... Jesus emptied himself by taking the form of a servant..."

I am forever grateful that Jesus put others' first, that he 'emptied Himself', that He became like a servant, that He obeyed God the father, even to the point of death. Without this, none of the Bible reading for myself or for my kids would even be worth it. Even if we read it all day every day...it just wouldn't count for anything if Jesus hadn't given Himself to death on a cross, so that we can be forgiven and made righteous before God. 

As a mum, I relate to the words "emptied (Him) self by taking on the form of a servant". Now comparing yourself to Jesus can be a little on the 'not-so-humble' side, and it can be a pretty tenious connection. What Jesus has done for us all, is not comparable with what I do for my family. However, we are told to imitate Christ, and in all honesty some times mumming and 'emptying oneself' do go hand in hand. 

I find the balance hard if I am honest. I want to raise children who will take responsibility for themselves and the world around them. I want them to know how to tidy up after themselves, how to cook and clean, how to be ready for life, or at least for school. But I also enjoy serving them, blessing them, doing stuff for them. 

One of the things I have found out about teenagers, is the wobbly balance between wanting to be fiercely independant, but also really needing our help. Part of 'emptying myself' requires me to choose my battles, to choose when to bring things up, when to point things out, when to explain that they spoke rudely, when to remind them about serving the household. And therefore, when to keep my mouth shut, when to just help them in the moment, when to just serve them. 

There have definitely been moments where I have not done this well, when I have thought about my own interests (MAYBE BECAUSE I WAS IN THE RIGHT!!). But over time, and having processed four teenagers so far, I have seen the benefit of choosing to be servant hearted in the moment, and bringing it up later, if at all. This might just be making their sandwiches and washing their clothes, but it's more likely to be, silently helping them find their homework when you told them last night to put it in their school bag, or quietly driving them to the bus stop because they didn't get out of bed when you asked them to. 

I guess in these moments, if I can empty myself and serve their needs, then I am still dripping the Bible into their lives, by my actions instead of my words. (The other thing I have found out about teenagers is, the less words used, the better). In order to empty myself, I do of course need to be filled in the first place, and then re-filled again. I need to keep coming into God's presence and pondering on what He has done for me. Maybe even open up to Him if I have been keeping my mouth shut elsewhere. Jesus knows what it is like to look on the interests of others, and some.

Food For Thought

I help serve the Kids' Ministry at our church, which I just love. Kids are hilarious! They're great company and come up with such fun ways of looking at things. They say weird and wonderful things. I enjoy watching them be kind to a friend in the room, without anyone else seeing it happen. I like all their different little quirks. I like the predictability of what they are going to play with each week, and when they catch themselves doing something new or out of character. I love the sound of them laughing, just carefree and usually happy just being themselves. We can learn a lot from children, and how they do life. 

I enjoy making Bible stories fun for them, in order for them to grasp a little of the lavish and exuberant character of God. I especially enjoy seeing how we can link the teaching, however tenuous, to a food-craft based activity. It is something I have implemented at home a lot, with my own children. I want them to quite literally, "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34v8) 

My favourite go-to edible item, is usually a waffle. They're pretty versitile. You can make a window, a Bible, a harp, an envelope, and a fish to name but a few. I'm sharing them on my Insta page this week. Some of them are terrible, but kids don't seem to mind.

Occassionally, I am stumped for a food-craft to link to the Bible teaching, (and rightly so probably). Last term our theme was, "Jesus, He did what?!",  looking at Jesus' miracles. We replicated the story of when Peter cut a soldier's ear off, and Jesus made it better, with rice crackers (ears), strawberry sauce (blood) and a sword (chocolate fingers). But when it was the story of the woman who had suffered with menstural bleeding for 12 years, we thought it better, to just make toast that week. (Although you could say she was healed by the Bread of Life. See what I did there?!)

This morning was an easy one; the Fruit of the Spirit. I mean it's right there in the title. "...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law". (Galatians v22-23) They had to make a picture, using pieces of cut up apple, banana, melon, peach and pineapple. Some kids were really creative, and some couldn't care less, just munching their way through an A4 piece of paper, covered in fruit. We talked about how plants need light and water to grow. Seeing as Jesus is referred to as Living Water, and the Light of the world, the closer we are to Him, the more these fruits will grow in us. (I also said that children were one of the main ways which cause/help their mums to grow in patience!) At home, we have chatted through Joseph's coat of many colours, using fruit too. It's healthy, and feeds them, as well as 'feeding them' Bible truths, which is of course, really healthy.

One of the kids, during the teaching today was on a roll. He suggested instead of Peacefulness, as one of the Fruits of the Spirit, we should say 'Peachfulness'. Just amazing. He also said we should be full of 'Grapefulness'. Yes!! He really had it all fig-ured out.

Cloud Cover

Last week, I hopped on a plane to Lanzarote. The little mini-break was booked a while back, with a different friend. It was going to be our post-Pnuemonia getaway. We scanned deals for somewhere warm and cheap, with a pool! Only her Pnuemonia didn't go away, so she couldn't come, which was gutting for us both. (I mean, not gutting enough for me not to go. Such the good friend am I). I was either going to head out on my own or grab the sister in law to come with me, which she happily did. 

The blessing of this little holiday was in the nothingness, but that is a whole different blog post!

Where our little apartment was, meant that the sun would rise opposite our balcony. And because we're both mums with bodies and minds wired for the early rise, (despite desperately hoping for a later wake up), one or both of us were up to see it. 

I wrote the following, and sent it to a friend who has experienced her fair share of grey clouds lately, with the hope of it being a blessing and an encouragement to her. I thought maybe it would be a blessing and encouragement for others to read too.

I had the joy of watching the sunrise this morning. I was prepared to enjoy it. I had a blanket over my knees, a cup of tea, my notebook in case I felt inspried and my phone ready to take beautiful pictures. I was a bit disappointed because grey clouds kept covering parts of the sunrise. I couldn't get the photo I wanted. I even looked to the side, over the sea and could see that more grey clouds were on their way, moving quite quickly. I felt God start to speak to me, which if I'm honest, I was a bit annoyed about. Turns out I wanted the nice photo, more than I wanted to actually be inspired!   

I would get a glimpse of the beauty unfolding behind the grey clouds...the pinks, and the oranges, and the occasional hit of bright light. But the clouds kept moving and I couldn't see the full sunrise. Then the sun was just up in the sky. I'd missed all the pretty, breathtaking colours that I wanted to see, to capture and experience, and of course, photograph. 

I felt like God wanted to remind me (and you) of what is happening daily as the sun is rising; the colours, the brightness, the pinks, and oranges, the brightness, the warmth. None of these things aren't there just because the clouds are covering them. In my frustration of it not being what I had hoped for, what I wanted, what I felt I deserved even, I felt God say;

'I am right here. I am in my full glory and power. Can you even grasp the magnitude of that? 

I am in my full gentleness and goodness. Do you know what that means for you? I am all these things, regardless of whether the clouds keep coming. 

My promises, my hope, my victory remain steadfast even when the clouds keep coming. 

The truth of who I am, of what I have done remain true even when the clouds keep coming. 

Regardless of what is on the horizon, I am'.

There were moments of bright warmth, when I was looking at the sunrise. They hit my face, I closed my eyes and it was wonderful. I breathed them in, (which is much easier to do in a sunny country with the kids not around). How often do I think the sun isn't there because I cannot see it or feel it today? How often do I only see the rain, or the grey or the clouds? Does that mean the sun hasn't risen? Of course not. I must  look beyond the clouds even if it is an act of faith, knowing that the sun, the Son is there in all His radiance. He's not dulled down, even by constant clouds that keep coming.

I was reminded of the tomb with the massive stone in front. No one could see what was happening in that dark cave, where death was. The power and the life that was happening, even though no one could see it, was and still is, the greatest power in Heaven and on Earth. Absolutely amazing and faultless. And I have access to that, to Him, every day! He's not dulled down, even by death.

As powerfully as I felt God speak to me watching that first sunrise, still on the second day, I chose to lay in my bed on my phone instead. I know there is no guilt or shame in this, as the mini-break was for much needed rest and recuperation. But I think it's still worth mentioning. It is still a choice to seek Him out each day. 

And on the 3rd morning, I was packing, sorting out the apartment before we were due to fly home, and I nearly missed the sunrise in my busyness. I wanted to see it, I was up early enough, but I got distracted by what needed doing. In God's kindness, a bright ray of sunshine broke through the room, and caught my attention. It is probably my favorite photo of the holiday, because it speaks of His gentle lifting of my gaze to look for His. A wonderful reminder, that He wants to meet with me again today. He wants to get my attention. He wants me to experience His nearness, His warmth, His mercy. A reminder that the Son has indeed risen.

"Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised".  Psalm 113v2-3

A Moment in Time

One of my favourite presents from my last birthday, was a photo album from the boys. (Another favourite was a pen, thoughtfully inscribed with One Pink Toothbrush!!) The boys had replicated photos of themselves from when they were little. I love it. Of course I cried. That was probably their goal. I look at the photos of when they were little, and I can hear their sweet cheeky voices and their laughs. The voices are much deeper now, and they are nowhere near little. 

There was something pretty unique about these four energetic boys, each one different in character but as a unit, as a four, they were just something else. I can probably read through old blog posts and be reminded of the crazy energy they had, and the crazy energy we needed to raise them. Me and the husband were younger back then too which helped. But it was oh so fun!

Recently, I have realised that I have needed to grieve the loss of that special time. (Loss is probably the wrong word. I have friends who have lost a child and what I mean is nothing like that awful pain). I have needed to grieve the change from that special time. I don't quite know where it happened either. They were young, a little unit (not unlike the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), then they had sisters added in, then it was Covid and now they're all taller than me.

Don't get me wrong, I don't love the boys more than I love the girls, and I really love the teenagers they have become. (One is no longer even a teen!) But there was just something particular about that time. As a mum, you get caught up in the season you are in. Or you find yourself in overlapping seasons, like when you have a newborn, a toddler and one starting school. Sometimes there isn't much space to acknowledge that a season of parenting has changed. You can feel it happening to you. Maybe you look around and suddenly see a difference. Or perhaps they hand you a photo album of them when they were little... 

Us mums need to take a moment. Reflect on what was, and what is, and what is still to come. It's ok to have preferred certain seasons, or enjoyed certain ages, without rejecting everything that came before or after. It's ok too, to realise that we endured rather than enjoyed, a season or two. Somewhere along the way, they changed, they grew. Perhaps as mums, we did too.

Parenting teenagers is a whole different skill-set to parenting little ones. Less physical energy is needed, although you do need to stay up late for when they actually want to chat. Less direction is given to them, although you do need to give your advice carefully and wisely. Less planning needs to go into their days, although you do need to guide their choices. Less reactions and consequences are needed immedietly, although your patience needs to grow as you wait. Less time is spent closely with them, although the time you get is precious. 

Mine are less of a group of four these days, each the main character in their own stories, although I do love it when they re-assemble. 

I am thankful that God is patient with me, His daughter, with
my own personal growth, as I walk in relationship with Him. There have been seasons where I have walked further than I should, and seasons where I have depended so fully on him. "And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in me, in you, will bring it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus". (Philippians 1v6)