God Made Moms To Teach Their Children...About God's Grace
3 Principals for Christians Under God’s Grace to Live By.
1) A life of grace begins with mutual acceptance.
(We all are children of God)
2) A attitude of grace requires releasing others to be who they are.
(Freedom begins in God)
3) A commitment to grace means I never assume a role, I'm not qualified to fill. (Don’t judge others)
Be blessed and encouraged today, it's your choice. ~Delphine
2 Corinthians 12:9 -- And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness
Ephesians 2:8 -- For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God
Philippians 4:19 -- But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
One For The Kids
After doing a post on an African-american author whose main characters are brown kids. I discovered more authors that write for our kids. So begins my monthly book selection for brown kids, entitled "One For The Kids".
Keena Ford lives with her middle-school-age brother and mother in Washington, DC. Her father lives in Maryland, and she sees him on weekends. Eric is her best friend, but disaster strikes when he is assigned to the other second grade class. Both children try to convince the other that their classroom is more delightful. Not only does jealousy creep into their relationship, Keena creeps into serious trouble by ending up under the teacher's desk in Eric's classroom.
Keena's proclivity for unintended consequences is given a thorough workout in this wonderful early chapter book. She is a delightful new character. Her thinking processes are revealed to be entirely understandable to young readers, but the repercussions are quite funny. One can only hope that this book is only the beginning of a long and happy relationship with Keena.
Keena Ford lives with her middle-school-age brother and mother in Washington, DC. Her father lives in Maryland, and she sees him on weekends. Eric is her best friend, but disaster strikes when he is assigned to the other second grade class. Both children try to convince the other that their classroom is more delightful. Not only does jealousy creep into their relationship, Keena creeps into serious trouble by ending up under the teacher's desk in Eric's classroom.
Keena's proclivity for unintended consequences is given a thorough workout in this wonderful early chapter book. She is a delightful new character. Her thinking processes are revealed to be entirely understandable to young readers, but the repercussions are quite funny. One can only hope that this book is only the beginning of a long and happy relationship with Keena.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Good Read of The Month
I read this book while on maternity leave back in 2003. It was a real eye opener for me and think it will be for all of those who read it. During my last pregnancy, my husband and I both only worked part-time. I was actually considered a quarter-time employee because I worked a total of thirty-hours per week to keep my benefits. My husband and I made the decision to have one of us become a part-time employee so we could nurture our family more but it worked out where we both could work part-time for a while. Am I am truly grateful for it. With that being said, towards the end of my pregnancy I found out my husband wasn't getting his paycheck on regular schedule because the company he was working for was having some financial difficulties and couldn't pay their employees at weeks at a time, and some employees had to go a month without being paid. Well my husband kept this news from me because he didn't want me to worry. But once he told me, I became worried that I would need to get back to work sooner then the 10 weeks I had requested off. Well by God's grace, I got my ten weeks off and we never skipped a beat in providing for our family because we had been wise in how we managed our household as well as our finances. I'm sharing this story to say, I'm truly blessed to have the husband I have. And because of God's favor and my husband's upbringing, as well as his professional training, life was good. My husband made some smart moves early on in his life, as far as investments, moves that would allow him to provide for his future family no matter if he had a job or not. We are truly blessed to not be in a two income trap situation but we also plan and make the necessary sacrifices in hopes of never having to be. We as a family have been blessed to be blessings to others, and because of that God has remained faithful to our family. I encourage everyone to read this book, it's a eye opener and points out the true reasons some of us are stuck in the two income trap.
Enjoy the read.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Tuesday Tidbit
God Made Moms To Teach Their Children...How To Grow And Live.
An old Chinese Proverb says, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.". We as parents must teach our children this concept while they are young so when they are older and of age to be on their own that they will be able to fend for themselves. Since I have been in the business of renting and working with parents of youngs adults in college, I see many kids not prepared to make their mark in the world because parents have sheltered them and held their hands to long. Not allowing our children to venture out, to make their mistakes and learn from them, to try new things, or to be accountable -- stunts their growth. We must learn to trust God and what we have instilled in our kids to manifest. We so called caring parents are doing more enabling then helping. I read recently in a most powerful book, "that most parents with child(ren) extremely independent, achievement-oriented, and well disciplined by instinct will nurture these traits by not controlling his or her decisions. Instead, they spend more time helping the less resourceful child(ren) make decisions, or they actually make decisions for them. With that result, they strengthen the strong child and weaken the weak." Interesting isn't it. Let's as mothers of brown children allow our children to grown into their God ordained destinies by guiding them with our nurturing love and knowledge by teaching them to walk, so they may one day run. It's important for us as parents to be the watchmen on the walls when it comes to our seeds but it's also important to not allow our watching to cause us to enable them.
Be blessed and encouraged today, it's your choice. ~ Delphine
Hebrews 10:36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
2 Timothy 3:15 -16 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
An old Chinese Proverb says, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.". We as parents must teach our children this concept while they are young so when they are older and of age to be on their own that they will be able to fend for themselves. Since I have been in the business of renting and working with parents of youngs adults in college, I see many kids not prepared to make their mark in the world because parents have sheltered them and held their hands to long. Not allowing our children to venture out, to make their mistakes and learn from them, to try new things, or to be accountable -- stunts their growth. We must learn to trust God and what we have instilled in our kids to manifest. We so called caring parents are doing more enabling then helping. I read recently in a most powerful book, "that most parents with child(ren) extremely independent, achievement-oriented, and well disciplined by instinct will nurture these traits by not controlling his or her decisions. Instead, they spend more time helping the less resourceful child(ren) make decisions, or they actually make decisions for them. With that result, they strengthen the strong child and weaken the weak." Interesting isn't it. Let's as mothers of brown children allow our children to grown into their God ordained destinies by guiding them with our nurturing love and knowledge by teaching them to walk, so they may one day run. It's important for us as parents to be the watchmen on the walls when it comes to our seeds but it's also important to not allow our watching to cause us to enable them.
Be blessed and encouraged today, it's your choice. ~ Delphine
Hebrews 10:36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
2 Timothy 3:15 -16 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Tuesday Tidbit
God Made Moms To Teach Their Children...A Mother's Love
A wise woman shared with me several years ago that what I do for my children should not be for them to love me but because I love them. What a seed she planted in my life as well as my children's lives and all children close to me. This particularly wise woman doesn't have any children of her own but she has nurtured her nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews with this type of love. A mother's love. When you think about God's discipline and His correcting that's just how he does it. He's responding out of His love for us not for Him to receive our love even though I'm sure He desires that from His children. When we make our children eat the vegetables they don't like it's because we love them and know it's one of the requirements for them to grow strong and healthy. When we set a scheduled time for bed, it's not just because we want some down time, it's because we know they need their rest to be productive in school the next day. When we tell them "no" because we know it's for their own good, that's a mother responding out of love for her child. I've had one of my very lovable children say to me on several occasions that they hate having me as their mother because I always tell them "no" and I've always responded I love you more. That same response as gotten me an apology and hugs later. Acting of love is always best. Just a couple of weekends ago I spent a day with two of my active nephews who probably think I'm the worst auntie ever because I try and hold them accountable for their actions. Well after a morning of being disobedient to what I had requested of them, I finally told them their disobedience had cost them the privilege of being treated to something special that day. I explained to them that obedience is always better than sacrifice. Towards the end of our day together, I told them I discipline them not because I'm mean and impatient but because I love them and want only the best for them. I do it because I love them and not for them to love me because in the end, I know they will love me even more for being the one who loved them enough to say "stop it" or even strong enough to tell them "no". A mother's love goes a long way when she's doing it out of love and not just for the temporal sake of love from the ones she's loving.
Be blessed and encouraged today, it's your choice. ~Delphine
Hebrews 12:7-11 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Proverbs 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
Titus 2:4 Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
A wise woman shared with me several years ago that what I do for my children should not be for them to love me but because I love them. What a seed she planted in my life as well as my children's lives and all children close to me. This particularly wise woman doesn't have any children of her own but she has nurtured her nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews with this type of love. A mother's love. When you think about God's discipline and His correcting that's just how he does it. He's responding out of His love for us not for Him to receive our love even though I'm sure He desires that from His children. When we make our children eat the vegetables they don't like it's because we love them and know it's one of the requirements for them to grow strong and healthy. When we set a scheduled time for bed, it's not just because we want some down time, it's because we know they need their rest to be productive in school the next day. When we tell them "no" because we know it's for their own good, that's a mother responding out of love for her child. I've had one of my very lovable children say to me on several occasions that they hate having me as their mother because I always tell them "no" and I've always responded I love you more. That same response as gotten me an apology and hugs later. Acting of love is always best. Just a couple of weekends ago I spent a day with two of my active nephews who probably think I'm the worst auntie ever because I try and hold them accountable for their actions. Well after a morning of being disobedient to what I had requested of them, I finally told them their disobedience had cost them the privilege of being treated to something special that day. I explained to them that obedience is always better than sacrifice. Towards the end of our day together, I told them I discipline them not because I'm mean and impatient but because I love them and want only the best for them. I do it because I love them and not for them to love me because in the end, I know they will love me even more for being the one who loved them enough to say "stop it" or even strong enough to tell them "no". A mother's love goes a long way when she's doing it out of love and not just for the temporal sake of love from the ones she's loving.
Be blessed and encouraged today, it's your choice. ~Delphine
Hebrews 12:7-11 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Proverbs 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
Titus 2:4 Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Thought Provoking Article
Very interesting article I found over at Essence.com. I would be remiss if I didn't pass it on. Read it and share it. It could possibly be describing your life or the life of one of your sisters or friends. Makes us ponder why some of us live our lives the way we do.
Balancing Act: I'm Too Overwhelmed to Find My Passion
by Anonymous, as told to S. Tia Brown
The Cosbys don't have jack on my family. I'm young, Black and very middle class. Plus, I have the three B's -- babies, bling (on the ring finger) and body (yep, still rocking a size 8). I've been happily married for almost a decade. I have the lovely house I've always imagined. I have a supportive church home. I have wonderful girlfriends. When I think about how much God has blessed me, I am truly overjoyed. But, when I think about managing it all one word comes to mind: overwhelmed.
Yes, I've attained all of my goals and desires, but I missed one major thing on the journey: figuring out me. I'm 32 years old and I have a dirty little secret -- I never took the time to determine what would truly make me happy. As ridiculous as it may sound, it is absolutely true. I went to college because society says successful people are educated. I got my Bachelor's degree in Business because it's an evergreen field. I got married because I loved my boyfriend and we'd dated for years. I had kids because I was a wife and my clock was ticking. I got a Master's degree in Management Information Systems because my job -- which I already knew I hated -- paid for it. Do you get my drift?
I epitomize that good 'ole saying, "Do the right thing." But what happens when Mrs. Perfect is ready to do what's considered wrong? At night I lay awake in my bed and fantasize -- in between late-night baby feedings, the now occasional bump 'n grind with my hubby and creating a mental to-do list for the next day -- what my life could be like if I pursued my passion... that is, if I knew what it was. I do know that it's not toiling my life away and crunching numbers for a corporation.
In three years I'll be 35-years-old and I am scared. The little girl in me is smiling; you know the happy, infectious, toothy-grin that is only derived from sincere joy. I love my kids and my husband -- I have to include that caveat before I get to this part. But she is, or was, naive. Sometimes, most times, no, a lot of the times... it's all too much. The fairy tales and sitcoms never tell you that you don't get commercial breaks in real life. I'm always on. Whether I'm in the office, in my living room, or in my bedroom, everyone wants, needs, asks for a piece of me. All I want is a little peace. I need time to think, no better yet, feel.
This year I realized I've spent my whole life analyzing what I should be doing but never invested much time is figuring what I am meant to do. When I said I have one secret, I lied. Here's the other: I am equal parts fearless and chicken-hearted. Maybe emotionally paralyzed is better? I can't imagine asking my husband to let me take off time from work, or even quit -- though we could likely more than afford it -- to "find me." Isn't that for White rich kids? Furthermore, I have no idea what I'm meant to do. I just know I love helping people. I've pondered it all: working for a non-profit organization, event planning, even couples counseling.
Today I'm trying to balance finding the time to learn my true purpose while existing in an ideal that's no longer mine. I want to let go of preconceived notions of success (the picture of happiness and wealth) and redefine them on my terms. Moreover, I want to carve out the time to put my other titles aside -- mommy, wife and employee -- and focus the most important one, "me." I just wish I knew where to begin.
Finding your life's purpose isn't easy -- especially when you have other responsibilities. Tell us where you are on that journey.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
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