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.