Each week the kids come home with mini devotions's called God Time. It is great to sit down with Jaret before bed and incorporate these devotions into our nightly routine. As we were talking about contentment, there was a question about the difference between treasure on earth and treasure in heaven followed by a question about why accumulating stuff doesn't lead to contentment. Jaret thought the answers were so easy to these questions and I was proud of him for being able to have a conversation with me about this. He told me how the things we should find important are what God would find important like our family and friends, having a home to live in, because we wouldn't want to live without them. It is reassuring to know that our children are learning that a life spent believing and following Jesus is a life that will last forever.
"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation." ~Philippians 4:11b-12a
In the month of November, the kids will be learning about Forgiveness. This character trait was very timely this past Saturday night for Jaret after learning a hard lesson. Jaret had a brief play date with his friend, McKinley. It ended quicker than planned because they were both fooling around and all sense of logic went out the window with the result being Jaret cracking the screen of the 51" television. Yeah - talk about a hard lesson to learn. Jaret felt very remorseful over his actions, especially since he knows better and knows he would never throw even a small foam ball anywhere near our television. But, like I said, all sense of logic and doing the right thing is sometimes lost on young boys when they start fooling around. Terry and I had some serious talks with Jaret regarding his actions and then going to church on Saturday night where the topic of forgiveness was being introduced just reaffirmed that Jaret needed to make amends with God and also with Uncle Mark and Auntie Shea. I spent some time praying with Jaret that evening and he asked God for forgiveness. Then he told me that he learned about how we shouldn't just forgive seven times but seventy-seven times and he asked me if Uncle Mark knows that story and would forgive him for what he did. Part of Jaret's consequence was of course to apologize to Uncle Mark and Auntie Shea which he did by writing an apology and then giving it to them as he asked for forgiveness. This wasn't an easy feat but he knew that it was something he needed to do and he felt so much better afterward knowing that he was forgiven and loved, despite the wrong he had done. Character building.
"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." ~Colossians 3:13
A couple weeks ago we were wrapping up a series on generosity at church and we were reminded to sow a generous spirit and that in doing so, God does amazing things in and through us. A quote that really spoke to me was, "The life of sin is always easy until it gets hard. The life of holiness, generosity, and trusting God is always hard until it gets easy." ~Mark Buchanan
Pastor Ian's sermons have much wisdom as he speaks from God's word and I find tidbits that I can take and apply to my life. Pastor Ian challenges us to look inwardly...to see if we ourselves are reflecting the character of Jesus in how we live and to see if this reflection is then being reflected back to us through our children. Do we see a compassionate heart, a generous heart, and a for others orientation in our lives and the lives of our children? We are called to living a life of generosity. We were reminded that where the grace of God is missed, our hearts become hardened and we live a life of complacency. A meaningless life is birthed and bitterness is born. Where grace of God is embraced, life happens, generosity abounds, forgiveness flourishes, and lives are transformed. Don't we want to a life transformed? And don't we want that for our children? To live a life of generosity, compassion, and living a life where others are the focus?
As a church community, we are currently focusing on Let Hope In with all our sermons focusing on living a life of hope. This past weekend, the sermon was entitled Indebted. Hope is indebted through gratitude in our lives. We can handle life in different ways - with gratitude, grit, grumpiness. Examples were given that had the congregation laughing as Pastor Ian gave real life examples to see how we would react - with gratitude, grit, or grumpiness. When situations arise in your life, how do you handle them? Our only debt is to live a life of love to others. We can't say we believe and live a life following Jesus but then live a grumpy life. The idea of an others first orientation again was a focus and we were reminded how important relationships are in life. Relationships matter as we are shaped by others in our deep and meaningful relationships. It is key to be connected to others as this circle of connectedness makes us happier beings and helps us to flourish. When we serve one another humbly in love, we will be more delightful and our grateful heart will be evident to all those we encounter. In living this life, we are living a life following Jesus' example.
Life is not always easy and there are often bumps along our journey. But it is how we handle those bumps that matters. We need to have an all-in adoration, such as the heart David had. He had a heart that was captured by God. What captures our hearts and governs how we live? Live a life of gratitude with a heart that expresses joy and adoration from the heart of God. Live a life that worships and praises God in every disposition. Storms will come in our life. Catastrophes will happen and there is no stopping them. But what will make the difference? Where will you turn? How will you survive profound disappointment? Will you remember that God is good and that His ways are higher than ours? What kind of Christ-follower are we becoming along the way in our journey? I try to show gratitude in the way I live my life. But that gratitude doesn't come because everything has been easy. Rather, I choose to show gratitude no matter what the disposition. I am blessed but that doesn't mean I have a blessed life where there have been no trials or difficulties. Outlook. Perspective. Disposition. God promises to never forsake us and therefore I am grateful in this life I have been blessed to live.
We ended our service the other evening with one of my favourite hymns, "It Is Well With My Soul." Every time I hear this song, I am reminded by a wonderful, Christian woman - Winnie Kelm. Winnie and her husband, Harold, were an older couple that Terry and I used to sit next to and worship with at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Saskatoon. Harold was a retired professor who had taught Terry. I remember spending time with Winnie in prayer after service, I remember her words of encouragement, and I remember her voice as we used to sing, "It Is Well With My Soul." Singing this song always warms my heart and also brings tears to my eyes as I think of her. I am grateful for how she spoke into my life and how she influenced me by being such a Godly woman.
Starfall for Kirra and Mathletics for Jaret - Techie Kids
Picture taken on Terry's B-day
Kirra and I worked on a craft to store all her hair barrettes. She is happy with how they turned out.
A short video of Jaret's basketball team (Thunder) playing recently. They lost 25-24 but it was a great game to watch and I was so proud of Jaret's perseverance and determination.
Kirra and I reading, "You Are Special." She loves this story about Punchinello and how he finds his true self through his relationship with his creator, the wood maker. When we first read this story she right away told me she that she thought Eli the wood maker is like God. Love how their understanding can go so deep.
Jaret and I doing our devotions together. Love the time at night where we can spend time in God's word, talk about our lowlights and highlights, and pray together. Special moments that I hope are building him up and helping him to grow deeper in his faith journey.
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