Showing posts with label parenting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parenting. Show all posts

Sunday, June 16, 2024

A Blessing for Dads

Happy Father's Day...
I am grateful for the many sacrifices Jim makes
for the benefit of us, his family!
Thank-you 💖

Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, 
bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

I am so thankful to God for my dad who loved the Lord
and instilled the spark of God's love in us when we were but a little child,
and nurtured it, sometimes by great frustration of the child
into something we can look back on, in maturity
and marvel at his wisdom!! 

A photo from a month ago of my grandson and his daddy...
my love and prayers are with young dads esp. who are seeking to
raise children to grow into godly men and women, in an ungodly world.
What a tremendous, sacred calling, dear young fathers, you have!
I pray God's Word is a lamp to your feet
and a light to your path!
Without it we stray and become wise in our own eyes 🙏



God bless the dad who is undeterred
In training a child through the lens/Light of God’s Word

God bless the dad whose ultimate goal
Is nurturing child in both body and soul

…who teaches his children to love and revere
Our Father in Heaven, who loves us so dear

God, bless the dad who hallows Your name
And teaches his children to do the same

And, bless the dad who, when the going gets tough
Still trusts in Your promises to be enough

Who instructs his children with more than mere talk
But, sets by example, the way they should walk

…who faithfully labors and faithfully prays
And shoulders the yoke of his call, by God’s grace

© Janet Martin

I love this excerpt from the book Little Rivers
by Henry Van Dyke


I'm sorry I can't share the whole chapter!


I'm dusting off an oldie this morning, as well;
a poem my son and some of his friends read for a Father's day church service 
around 16 years ago!

Some dads are really, really cool, and some are really smart,
Some dads barely went to school but still have big soft hearts,
Some dads stand up straight and tall and look all sober-like
As if they’ve never thrown a ball or raced on their old bike,
Some dads like to tease and wink and some dads laugh a lot,
I guess, I suppose, it depends, I think, on how many bills they’ve got,
‘Cause dad says, as long as the bills keep a-comin’,
He’ll have to get up an’ keep on a-workin’,
And God bless the dad that keeps on a-hummin’
Even when the bills keep a-comin’

Some dads make lots of money and some, I’ve heard, are broke,
Some say things like sweetheart and honey and some dads never joke,
Some dads work from dawn ‘til dark with little time to play,
Some take their children to the park and some just go away,
Some dads work so very hard so mother can stay home,
Some dads are so very tired, when at last they come,
But, God bless the dad, who at the end of his day
Still gets down on his knees to pray,
And God bless the faithful dad who
Teaches his little ones to pray too

Some dads are really big and tough, while some are short and thin,
Some dads are kinda’ rough and some are gentlemen,
Some dad’s hair is curly and some dad’s hair is gray,
Some don’t really worry ‘cause their hair has gone away,
Some dads drive pick-ups shiny and new, some say any wheels will do,
'As long as it takes me to work and such, and the insurance on it isn’t too much,'
Some dads whistle and some dads sing,
At home some dads feel as rich as a king,
But for one thing I sure am glad,
God knew how much we’d need some dads

Some dads read God’s word every night, some never read at all,
Some dads teach us wrong from right to guide us lest we fall,
And some dads are a little like God, I suppose,
‘Cause through trial and error this dad knows
Though hearts be broken and sometimes need mending,
A father’s love is never-ending,
And God bless the dad whose love never fails,
When the going gets bad, love still prevails,
Thus, for one thing I sure am glad, 
God knew how much we’d need some dads,

Some dads’ sure leave big shoes to fill 
but the One who guides them will be there still,
Someday, when someone says they’re glad 
God knew how much we’d need some dads

Janet Martin

Friday, January 5, 2024

Today Twofer ...Cradle of Eternity and Today's Most Estimable Gift

Yesterday we celebrated the child that turned Jim and I into grandparents!

Happy 7th Birthday, Grandson!


Simply being there may look like nothing much
(dear weary, young mother/parent),
 but, is in essence, everything!

Oh, the efforts that may seem to count for nothing here
 but may count for everything There!🙏🙏🙏
By God's grace, keep on.

Above, we simply see a birthday cake!!
 not the baking of it by Very Sleep-deprived mom 
after children are tucked into bed,
We don't see the many, messy, mundane, oops, 
I mean SACRED interruptions/frustrations
 to bring it to fulfillment!😅💓




Technology/screen-time has many negatives in the development of children BUT
this is one of the best positives; being able to laugh and chat with cousins 
over 2000 kilometers away!!




“Children are not a distraction from more important work.
 They are the most important work.”
– Dr. John Trainer
(according to this site, the above quote is misattributed to C.S. Lewis)

Children are by far the most important work!
because...

Beneath the wide, missing-toothed grin
That six and seven year old sports
Beneath Innocent Countenance 
That Time's Insistence soon aborts
 Beneath the sweet Cocoon of Youth
Trembles an Immutable Flame
As irrefutable as Truth
Unthwarted by denial's claim

This truth kindles a deeper look
At faces that we love so dear
At babies nestled in arm's crook
At hugs, as we draw loved ones near
Because, beneath the part we see
Exists the Thing That Never Dies
The Cradle of Eternity
Has missing teeth and eager eyes 

...a-sparkle with dream-giddy stars
Where footsteps that dash wild and free
Are bearing a most sacred charge
The Cradle of Eternity
Because, the part that melts the heart
With the velocity/Curiosity of Youth 
Cradles the soul, that precious Part
That looks to us to teach/tell the Truth 

© Janet Martin

Eccles.12:1
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth,
 before the days of trouble come 
and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them"—


I began the poem below yesterday...
Inspired in part by this passage
 (which also helped inspire the above poem) 

For He established a testimony in Jacob,
And appointed a law in Israel,
Which He commanded our fathers,
That they should make them known to their children;
 That the generation to come might know them,
The children who would be born,
That they may arise and declare them to their children,
That they may set their hope in God,
And not forget the works of God,
But keep His commandments;...

from this devotion...

from this book...


Before the poem was completed Eagerness arrived to steal the show with sweetness!

when Little Brother noticed Big Sister about to be the 'star',
he, ever-so-full-of -'innocent'-mischief did his thing😂😂😇

Can't you just about hear his very enthusiastic 'CHE-E-E-ESE!!'💖😅

We still managed one without his shenanigans 
(that keep everyone laughing and pulling their hair out!😂😅)


After they left, Gramma needed a nap before
heading out to above birthday celebration!


Today's most estimable part is valuable to know
Though its most vital works of art may never steal the show
It ought to stoke a lion’s roar in hearts of you and me
Because today swings wide the Door of Opportunity

Where what we do with what we have holds more than first appears
The impact of Now’s aftermath fills more than yesteryears
As repercussion of reply unravels in its wake
A footpath forged by you and I, for future feet to take

Today’s most estimable part is sacred to the touch
Though, at first glance its works of art may not appear as much
Beneath the part we see the root establishes the tree
That will, for good or ill, bear fruit for all eternity

Sometimes eternity can feel far off, and quite unreal
Sometimes Impulse can spar and scoff at God’s/time’s/love’s patient appeal
Sometimes, today’s most estimable gift, we hardly see
As God fills up the cup we lift with Opportunity

© Janet Martin

Let's not lose heart by dwelling on
 opportunities lost or missed
but seize the part we build upon;
Now
goodness-glossed and mercy-kissed

Monday, July 17, 2023

No Commonplace Charge (is parenting)

Baby is teething and objects loudly to being put down for long...
Mommy is so weary!🙏

...with these two to keep her on her toes (and knees) besides!

I am no longer parenting little children but
I am grand-parenting little children 
which makes the messages below very relevant to my season of life as well!

***

To leave children without principles is
not to make them free but it is to render them helpless





We have within our keeping a very precious charge
of innocence soon reaping the harvest of its guards
no commonplace appointing from God, is parenthood
a baby the anointing of wonder, pure and good 

we have within our caring, besides child's sweet delight
the onus of preparing the soul-dier for the fight
no commonplace employment is the call they bestow
far more than mere enjoyment of watching Soul-dier grow  

we have within our reaching (for such a little time)
wide flung windows of teaching far more than nursery rhyme 
no commonplace vocation to all whom God assigns
the careful cultivation of very tender vines

What a priceless investment; the training of a child
how soon the world's resistance tests with lures, lie-defiled
no commonplace endurance, a parent's prayers outpoured
For wisdom and assurance established in God's Word

we have within our asking a very present Aid
Who tenders with love's tasking, commands to be obeyed
For this is no small gracing, a child, innocence-wrought
But a Soul-dier soon facing life, armed with what was taught  

© Janet Martin
Link to all four messages in this series below




Saturday, July 15, 2023

No Greater Grief and Joy Have I


I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
3 John 1:4


How often in my own parental joys and sorrows
I think of my patient Heavenly Father, where I, his willful child
need his faithful goodness, mercy, rebuke and forgiveness!




No greater grief has a (Christian) parent than watching a precious child choose the hard
road of rebellion ,(where we all once were, but by the grace of God have been saved!)
No greater joy has the same parent when watching a child
 choose the hard road of repentance, of truth, obedience and faithfulness!

All that I bring to Thee
Is but what you bestow
Nothing have I save love’s reply
Each gifted breath will owe

Forbid that I betray
My Lord and King of kings
As Want uncouth disdains God’s truth
To covet carnal things

Lord, purge all boast but One;
The faith that makes me whole
Through Jesus Christ who sacrificed
His life to save my soul

No greater joy have I
Than Truth that sets us free
With holy awe to keep the law
Of love’s humility/of perfect liberty

No greater grief have I
Than to bear witness to
Emboldened hard, cold disregard
My faithful God, to You

Lord, hear my heartful prayer
Where joy and grief travail
To praise and plead and trust each need
To love that will not fail

© Janet Martin

Dear praying parent! Keep on keeping on!


Psalm 5:3&11-12
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly....

But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

12 Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield.



Saturday, January 28, 2023

Truly Love

Oh, how we love our precious innocent children
who depend on us to honor their innocence 
and teach them what is right
and Who is the one true God!!


Encouraging young parents through 'tough love' 
when training little children reminds us
over and over how parenting our earthly children
reflects a picture of our Heavenly Father as He 'parents' us, doesn't it?!
We sure must test His patience sometimes as we ignore His commands.
What a kind and merciful Father he is!
He took the time to appoint/establish commandments that,
if we obey them will lead to peace and joy!
Sometimes we use 'happiness' as an excuse to bend or break His rules
instead of trusting the love that puts boundaries in place!

Today's scripture reading included the account of Moses
 receiving the Ten Commandments from God...
Imagine what this world would be like if we obeyed them/Him?!


Our Heav’nly Father cares for us: so He sets Ground Rules
And boundaries, to keep in check our bent to being fools
And making deadly choices when temptation’s lure is tossed
To echo 'did God really say’ when innocence was lost
And Eve believed the liar and did eat, and Adam too
One bite began the plight of man that still tests me and you

Our Heav’nly Father cares for us; so, he gave us His Word
A kind, tangible Presence to comfort and undergird
To be a lamp unto our feet in a world dark without
Where logic errs without His Word to vanquish fear and doubt
Where we would stray into the way that seems right but is not
Where the romance of ignorance sets a Death-trap of Thought

Our Heav’nly Father cares for us; He knows that we are prone
So, like all loving parents do, He authors boundaries
To safeguard precious darlings against lurking enemies
Because like children we will never fully understand
The love that cares enough to guard desire with command

Our Heav’nly Father cares for us; He works for our good
How often we do not appreciate Him like we should
And thank him for His steadfast righteousness and truth and grace
To anchor us so that we do not drift from place to place
But embrace the sweet peace we find with awed epiphany
God’s flawless laws and precepts do not bind but set us free

Our Heav’nly Father cares for us; what perfect happiness
To walk, not in the counsel of wicked ungodliness
But in the way where blessing will both console and chastise
Like the tough love of parents who are vigilant and wise
As they train up a child to see choice leads to consequence
And love is only truly love with a commandment-fence

© Janet Martin

Psalm 1:1-5

Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the [a]ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he [b]meditates day and night.
3He shall be like a tree
Planted by the [c]rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

4The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.




Thursday, January 26, 2023

It's Not Easy But It Is Possible


This winter I have committed to sorting through
a lot of long-neglected corners and drawers filled with paraphernalia and plunder
of collections no longer relevant to the season I am in...Older mother!
And while mothering is by no means over, preschool and school children mothering is!
Leaving a lot of hard decisions to be made like
how many old art projects, canvases, folders, sketch-books, keepsakes do I keep?!!


My oldest daughter is at the other end of the spectrum, at the beginning of this journey
 and sometimes the only way I know how to advise her on
how to navigate a situation is because 
though the circumstances may differ the solution is the same for her season as mine;
 Ask God for wisdom then trust Him to provide!
Often wisdom comes through what feels like failure first.
But the important thing is that we don't give up!!
 Keep trying/praying! 



It’s not easy, learning how to fully lean on God to guide
How to trust Him without fretting about if/what He will provide
It’s not easy learning how to yield and say ‘Thy will, not mine’
And to rest in Him untroubled by His unrevealed design
It’s not easy, learning how to sacrifice each selfish choice
Taking God’s Word at His promises without doubt’s vexing voice
It’s not easy to be holy; we need God’s word in our hearts
To undo sin’s dark dominion and to thwart the tempter’s darts
It’s not easy to be faithful if we look ahead too far
But God makes it possible if we trust Him
Right
Where
We
Are

It's not easy, the relying on strength we do not possess 
But as long as we keep trying God unveils His promises 

© Janet Martin

Prov.3:3-8, 33-35

Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4And so find favor and [a]high esteem
In the sight of God and man.

5Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall [b]direct your paths.

7Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
8It will be health to your [c]flesh,
And strength[d] to your bones....

...The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the just.
34Surely He scorns the scornful,
But gives grace to the humble.
35The wise shall inherit glory,
But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

A Gentle Reprimand (mother or not!)


Below, a bit of conversation between my daughter and I
as she lamented some not-so-shining-parenting-moments earlier today💓
(my comments in the blue)



The quote my daughter shared reminded me that we sure shouldn't 
point an accusing finger at anyone
before we have walked a mile in their shoes...should we?💖💕

Until we’ve worn each other’s shoes and borne each other’s cares
And struggled with each other’s dues and prayed each other’s prayers
I think the point that lingers is love’s gentle reprimand:
Instead of pointing fingers let’s reach out a helping hand

© Janet Martin


Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Of Utmost Importance...


Anyone who is blessed with the company of children
in their day-to-day lives knows that much time is spent teaching and training!
Today's teaching moments at Janet's house included
how to crack peanuts from the shell...
(bite softly preferably with back teeth, to crack then pull apart with fingers)



how to hold on to the swing with arms when mittens are too poof-y or slippery


how to peel pomegranate...



how to draw a chicken...


how to take turns to help with the vacuuming...



The end goal of training children is a responsible, respectful adult.
The end 'goal' of an adult is ultimately,
 for better or worse, accountability to the Giver of life,
turning all training of all children into something with an eternal impact!

No wonder Solomon gives us this advice in Prov.22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go,
[a]And when he is old he will not depart from it.

How imperative it is then, 
to constantly reevaluate/reexamine 
our hopes and dreams,
to keep our priorities pure!

Four-season circuits wheel unfazed by centuries
Like chariots of gold and teal they pass through fields and trees...

Time tries our hopes and dreams
While from dawn’s lowered barge
God replenishes mercy-streams
Sufficient for the charge

…to keep, comfort and bless
With Shepherd’s staff and rod
All who seek first His righteousness
And the kingdom/sheepfold of God

Four-season circuits wheel
Unfazed by centuries
Like chariots of gold and teal/silk and steel
They pass through fields and trees

From east to west to east
A feast of shadows spills
Where want is a voracious beast
No fortune-flaunt fulfills

…while hopes and dreams arouse
A surf of smiles and tears
That roll where dust-to-dust soon bows
Beneath death’s wreath of years

How miniscule the stack
Of numbered days of man
That charge the barge that draws us back
To where we all began

How futile zeal defends
Life’s dream-bedazzled splash
If no hope at its halt transcends
Earth’s vault of dust and ash

© Janet Martin


Thursday, December 8, 2022

Book of Now or Where No Today is Commonplace (because of God's grace)


Now is a sequence of little love-letters
unfolding and folding in sacred synchronicity!


My granddaughter's grin yesterday as her mommy surprised her
 with an unexpected visit (aka break for momma) to gramma's house

This morning's poem was penned amidst much Now unfolding, such as
a frustrated and discouraged daughter asking for prayers 
for wisdom and patience as she parents, 
especially a three year old daughter whose endless curiosity and energy
 results in the most unpredictable episodes.
Yesterday said grand daughter watched ever-so-closely as gramma put in her contact lenses. 
This morning while her mommy was busy with baby brother 
she decided to try to clean mommy's contacts!! 
Last week after her mommy glazed some meatloaf for supper, and
was helping Big Brother with some reading,
this opened a window of opportunity
to slather leftover glaze on the stove burner!
Other recent episodes, often harmless but patience trying...
let's see how much toilet paper fits in a drain.
let's get out all my summer clothes because the snow melted!!!
let's use mom's real taco -seasoning in my toy kitchen while I'm cooking!
(and this gal moves faster than the Tasmanian devil in the old bugs bunny cartoons😂😂)
These episodes are most often followed with a very penitent little girl saying
 "I'm thorry, mommy for'...
and then its hard for mommy to stay cross for very long after😅💓

Dear mommies and daddies, don't give up.
After prayer-folded hands, a loving and firm hand 
is the best thing you can give your children!
(Dear older moms and dads, 
let's remember to pray faithfully for younger parents!
because, do you remember the unrelenting challenge 
of parenting little children?!!)
Let's pray they may have the wisdom, the patience
 and the courage to do the hard parenting!

Every stage of Now, no matter how old we are 
seems to run rife with life's challenges/lessons!
By God's goodness and mercy aka grace, we go...


Lessons learned through laughter and tears
Tune tides soon turned to yesteryears
How swift sterling sunrises set
The stage unfurling folds of ‘yet’
Where gold and gray-spun Granting sweeps
Each new today to Bygone’s deeps
With Now, the ink that pulses through
What first we think and then we do
Until we ford that final rift
To meet the Lord who gave life’s gift
Where time’s tatters of touching lie
In stilled splatters where ink drops dry

…in a love letter God will read
Prompting us to pay better heed
To what deed writes before we bow
And God recites our Book of Now
…where, pray above all He will see
The acquittal of Calvary
That began, with Now’s earnest try
Eternity’s thank-you reply
Where no today is commonplace
In hope’s hooray, because of grace
As step by step and prayer by prayer
God folds away time’s sacred stair

© Janet Martin


some 'nows' are as sweet as maple cream fudge, (see recipe below)
being sampled here...

others, not!



(Above, Miss Mischief's Baby Brother who seems to take up a LOT of mommy-time💞💗)

Here is an annual Christmas treat favourite from my childhood;
Maple Cream Fudge recipe...



Proverbs 19:20
Listen to counsel and accept discipline,
 that you may be wise the rest of your days.

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

This Masterpiece of Joy

 Wearying? Yes!


Wonderful? Oh. Yes.💖


It rhymes with miss and kiss; this, masterpiece of joy
That can wear patience paper thin as we train girl and boy
This grin of have and hold always love’s primed prelude
To letting go, as seasons flow through prayers of gratitude

This visioning ahead soon turned to looking back
Time’s hand unraveling a thread that no hand can retract
This thrumming of bare feet and laughter-tickled soul
As innocence tries childhood’s skies until it finds a hole

This best of busyness; this test of push and pull
Of messy Mostly Happiness and Weary Wonderful
This yearning to preserve, from precious girl and boy
A remnant of the days that wove This Masterpiece of Joy

© Janet Martin





 

 

Friday, June 17, 2022

Thoughts About Tots (and their Teachers)


A row of  little shoes, 
Father's Day on Sunday,


...and late last night, tripping over Edison who shouted into the quiet kitchen,
'Hi, I'm Edison, let's sing along with Alphabet Pal!
are all part of what inspired this poem.
By the way, thanks to Edison and other alphabet-repeating gizmos
 Tots can belt out the abc's long before they go to school!
Imagine if we drilled them in eternal things the way we do the temporal...

Deut.11:18-21
Remember God’s Words
18Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds;
 tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
  19Teach them to your children, speaking about them when you sit at home
 and when you walk along the road, 
when you lie down and when you get up. 
20Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates, 
21so that as long as the heavens are above the earth, 
your days and those of your children may be multiplied 
in the land that the LORD swore to give your fathers.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; 
instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

It takes a village of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles,
 teachers, neighbors, childcare providers, etc.
to raise a child, but to train up a child in the way they should go (Prov.22:6
is mostly up to parents (*and grandparents)!

Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, 
so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen,
 and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. 
*Teach them to your children and grandchildren.



They trust us not to lead them into ways they should not go
They look to us to teach them so much that they want to know
This is no small or simple charge that follows you and I
These tots, so full of innocence and never-ending ‘why’

This is no brief commission we can annul when we choose
Once donned we cannot nonchalantly kick off parent-shoes
Tots are not little long; the stars they are trying to reach
Reflected in their eager eyes, see far more than we teach

The agelessness of truth is a beacon that does not dim
It is no shifting shadow that adapts to wish and whim
The manual for moms and dads is pure and undeterred
The sound and supreme counsel and instruction in God’s Word

To grasp astronomy, ecology, geologic worth/girth
Begins with knowing Who created the heavens and earth
The One who designed galaxies and rolling seas and bugs
Creates each little child we shower with kisses and hugs

The abc’s and one-two-threes are important to learn
But better far than shiny stars these tender triumphs earn
Is the sacred retelling of the One who made us all
No nursery rhyme is He who sees all creatures great and small

Children grow up so fast; Past echoes with the strange replay
Of scenes, that in a child’s childhood, we think, are far away
The feet outgrowing shoes, the boo-boos on elbows and knees
Soon fade into the fond, fine fabric work of memories

Children trust us to lead them; oh, forbid we teach a lie
To tots, so full of innocence and never-ending ‘why’
Who look to us to tell about so much they want to know
Tis no small charge to teach them about God who loves them/us so

© Janet Martin

Teaching children is a moment-ous charge
Small choices can make a big difference!
For instance, what books we choose to read to them.


Yesterday was HOT! 
A great opportunity to enjoy the shade with books
while a child delighted and astounded me with her
intuitive innocence!!


I forgot about photos till we were leaving to tackle other important tasks
on her to-do list; like trike😂💖