Pauline’s Notebook

My motto, as a parent was really to let my children ‘enjoy’ life, to offer them many things in life so they can delight in what God has made in this world. As a result, my son for example, has (out of his pleasure) done the occasional guitar, swimming and skateboarding lessons. He’s done many things with his dad and as a family - fishing, holidaying, etc. Even his schoolwork has never being too demanding and he’s always ‘enjoyed’ doing his homework.

This year, my son has found that his year 4 school work as increased by two-fold and we’ve both being left quite mentally exhausted by the middle of the week. My son is now resistant to doing his homework and I (as his parent) have being quite stressed at trying to push him to just do the bare minimum homework requirement. Daily tensions have grown and tears have flowed. Life as it seemed was not ‘enjoyable’ anymore to either of us. So, for the first time in my child’s life, he’s experiencing that life is not about doing what he takes pleasure in. Life is not about enjoying what God has created for him. And I was wrong in teaching that to his early stages of life. Infact, I was teaching him to be hedonistic! Reading ‘Desiring God’ by John Piper has reminded me that life is about enjoying God himself and not His creation. My biggest danger (as a parent) is to be hedonistic in putting ‘family time’ above everything else.

Last night, after another stressful situation regarding his homework, I had a discussion with him. What does he want to do with his homework? Does he want me to keep him accountable or leave him alone to do whatever takes his pleasure? He thought about it for a while. He’s decided that he needed to buckle down and do his homework without complaining. He then asked me to keep on helping him and holding him accountable to finishing his homework each week. I am thankful for his response, but I know it’s just the first step. He may not fully understand why he has to do things which are not enjoyable, but my prayer is that he will one day give thanks to our Lord Jesus in all circumstances. I too, need to learn this lifelong lesson. It reminds me of Saint Paul’s exhortations to the faithful believers at Thessalonica, that while we are on this earth, waiting for His return, we need to, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Amen.

Much of what we say, think or do are really to boost our own ego. When we think, we dream of what we want, of what we do not have. When we talk, we are either trying to prove ourselves or we are subtly putting others down in order to prove ourselves better.

I ask myself the question of why we seem to always compare ourselves to others and put people down. Maybe we are craving for what others have and when we don’t have what they have, we then look for the things they are ‘deficient’ in, just so we can have the ammunition to shoot them down ‘just a little’. Maybe it is because we think we are better than others full stop.

The bible is very clear that we do gossip and slander people (2 Tim 3:1-5). But do we really gossip? Do we go around saying “Hey, guess what I heard…?” No, we are crafty people, we would never go around as blatantly as that. But this is how we do it, in our little innuendos. It’s the two or three little words we attach to the end of a conversation that slanders people. It’s when we say things as a response to someone with an “Oh really? I didn’t think she…”.

Much of what we say, think or do are really to boost our own ego. Yet, when we look at ourselves in the light of the cross, we can see that the only thing we put in towards the saving work of Jesus Christ, is our sins. We have nothing to be proud of. We have put nothing into our lives that can give it credit and we have nothing new to give. Even now, as professed Christians, much of what we do or think or say is about nothing - unless we talk about the saving work of Jesus our Lord and Saviour and who He is. Amen.

You can lead a horse to the water but you can’t make it drink. From the beginning of the dawn of time, young people have always taken incredible offence when it comes to receiving advice. I have often heard one say (and I sometimes think it myself), “You can give me advice, but I will make the decision for myself - you can’t make me.”. Well, that is very true, one cannot determine another person’s life or death - only God can. I still consider myself young and I still get advice from well meaning people. As a faithful believer in my youth, what does God say about taking advice?

Why should we take advice from others and embrace it?

1. Because Scripture reminds us that the young are prone to evil desires. Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart (2 Tim 2:22). Let’s face it. We are young and we are proud. We do not like taking advice and we look down on others most of the time. Admit we often have evil desires, repent from it and be humbled.

2. Because Scripture distinguishes those that are to train, and those that should learn. Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it (Proverbs 22:6). A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher (Luke 6:40). Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord (Eph 6:4). Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children (Titus 2:4). If I profess to be young, then Scripture says I am to learn. So, I should adopt the attitude of learning.

3. Because God commands it. Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding (Proverbs 4:1) and also Proverbs 6:20.

4. It will result in us understanding the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God (Proverbs 2). This to me is the ultimate aim for receiving advice. I encourage you to read the whole of Proverbs yourself.

What should be our attitude when getting advice from others?

1. Yearn for it and seek it with gusto! Proverbs 2 tells us to ‘Turn your ear to wisdom’, ‘call out for insight’ and ‘cry aloud for understanding’.

2. Put it into action. He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding (Proverbs 15:32)

3. Do not despise it, but cherish it. He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers (Proverbs 19:8)

But what if the advice is ungodly?

There are two ways to look at it. Either, the advice is infact godly and comes from God, or it is ungodly advice and of the world.

1. First determine if it is your pride telling you that it is not good advice. Are you sinfully judging that person? (Matt 7:1-5). It is very easy, in our youth, to think that the person giving advice or the advice itself is not of any value. Be humbled and take it fully in, examining yourself first rather than quickly fobbing off the person/advice. Once, you have fully examined yourself, then give the advice the litmus test against Scripture.

2. Study the Scriptures. If we are not too quick fobbing off the advice, we are the opposite, we too often go to our friends for advice before seeking God’s counsel first. This can be a danger when all our Christian values are actually formed from man’s sinfulness. We do not realise that this is one of Satan’s schemes. The only way to determine if it is godly advice, is to ask God himself, through prayer and through our daily studies of His Scriptures.

I couldn’t believe how much I was adversely affected by a household appliance that didn’t do it’s job - it bugged me and depressed me to no end - because it just didn’t do it’s job. It was my vacuum cleaner. I had waited for many years accumulating enough frequent flyer points to redeem this vacuum cleaner. Eventually, I had collected enough points and when I got my vacuum cleaner, I was NOT disappointed!! It has great suction and did it’s job well. After a few years of continual use, I recently found my vacuum cleaner was losing it’s suction. Vacuuming then became a pointless chore because I knew it wasn’t really cleaning my carpet anymore. It really depressed me - until my clear headed husband told me that the company who supplies this model would service it for me for a little charge. Now, that my vacuum cleaner is serviced, its like it has a new life and I enjoy vacuuming again - not because I love vacuuming per se, but because it blesses me with more things than I realized.

In the midst of my renewed zeal for vacuuming, I realised that housework is indeed a real blessing (if the appliance does it’s job). Housework or household chores are a blessing because it allows me to ponder and meditate on God’s Word and on Heavenly things as I do my work. No other job will allow me to do that, so I thank God for housework. I thank God that it is a role (though often described as mundane), has it’s godly purpose. Housework enables me to keep my house in order. It also allows my husband and children to take pleasure in their environment no matter what they are doing in the home. And above all, it is a job that actually rewards me by allowing me to spend time with God at the same time!!

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thess 5:18

“.. do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor 10:31

“… then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. ” Matt 13:43

Written by Celz

As I hold a sleeping Emma in my arms, I reflect on the past 10 weeks as a new mother. It has been a huge rollercoaster of emotions- joy, contentment, frustration, peace.. just to name a few. It is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.. essays and exams seem like a breeze compared to motherhood!!

Some days have been so difficult- days (and nights) where I just sit and cry as I hold my crying baby because I’m just too tired to continue trying to settle her. During these times, I ask God to take this hardship away, I ask Him to please please settle her, please give me some rest, please help her feel better. Of course all of these things eventually happen by God’s grace! But they don’t happen straight away when I want them to.. she might not settle til hours after I’ve begun praying that prayer and often I endure hours of endless crying, breastfeeding and exhaustion. Yet I trust that God continues to be faithful in answering my prayers- not in the way I expect and hope for.. but in the way He thinks is good for me.

I feel God has been teaching me this lesson over the past 10 weeks- that what He gives me may not be what I ask for but it is the best thing for me. For the past 10 weeks, He hasn’t given me the perfect baby who sleeps, eats and is happy all the time.. instead He’s given me tough times, sleepless nights and an unwell baby! Why am I thankful for this? Because He’s also moulded me to become more dependent on Him, more trusting of Him and more understanding of how hard it must’ve been for Him to send His only Son to the cross for me. I’ve never been as reliant on God as I am now, I’ve never felt so helpless and overwhelmed.

What good things has He given me? He’s made me more like His Son Jesus.. what more could I want than this?

My favourite Christian artist, Sara Groves writes two songs that contain lyrics that express this. I love Sara’s songs because she writes songs that say it as it is with such honesty. She isn’t afraid to tell the world how she deals with her struggles and often they echo my own and speak right into my heart.

And I feel you here
And you’re picking up the pieces
Forever faithful
It seemed out of my hands, a bad situation
But you are able
And in your hands the pain and hurt
Look less like scars and more like
Character

(From: Less like scars- from the album “All right here”- Sara Groves)

I keep wanting you to be fair
But that’s not what you said
I want certain answers to these prayers
But that’s not what you said

When I get to heaven I’m gonna go find Job
I want to ask a few hard questions, I want to know what he knows
About what it is he wanted and what he got instead
How to be broken and faithful

(From: What I thought I wanted- from the album “The other side of something” - Sara Groves)

I’ll end this post with Sara’s final line from that last song…

“I want to be broken, peaceful, faithful, grateful”

¹But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ²People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. 2 Tim 3:1-5

Challenge #1 for today: Do some of these characteristics define you right now? Should people have nothing to do with you?

¹In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: ²Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. ³For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ⁵But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 2 Tim 4:1-5

Challenge #2 for today: Do some of the noble characteristics above define you right now? What are people learning from you?

A few mums have been asking me what resources we use for our kids at home. So, I thought I might has well put it down here and give them this link every time someone else asks me! LOL!

It’s by no means exhaustive… just a compilation of some of the resources we have at home which we’ve used with our own kids. I warmly welcome others to add to this list! And feel free to borrow ours as well!

I’ll keep adding to this list as our children get older. A lot of these resources are largely due to the ministering of older godly parents whom we have met (actually from other dads to Euge). For their suggestions and role modelling, we give thanks and praise to God!

Aged Newborn to 24 months

I don’t know about your child, but mine couldn’t read at this stage. So, I spent most of my time reading out loud my devotions to them. They get to hear my voice (plus who knows how the Holy Spirit works in them). I would often sing my favourite hymns and spiritual songs to them. I also used the board books like God made…series (when they could sit up and were learning to turn pages). Even though they are bubs, it’s good to get into the daily pattern of expressing the glory of God to them!

For the Love of God by D. A. Carson

God Made… series (board book)

Toddler/Pre-School (aged 2 to 5)

I bought a lot of second-hand/old seasons’ Sunday School resource materials and kinda did a Sunday School lesson with them! I remember once, making paper scrolls to show them how the Bible was written in the OT days and we’d do lots of role playing, eg. Moses standing on Mount Sinai (chair) reading the Ten Commandments! God was always in our daily conversation as our Creator. I also used a lot of Sunday School materials like the Easter eggs to explain the death and resurrection of Jesus. So basically, objects lessons, role playing of Scripture stories, reading nicely illustrated childrens’ books about God, Jesus and bible stories were a big part of this stage of life for my kids.
Creation Globe by FaithKidz
Resurrection Eggs by FamilyLife
The Eager Bible
Read Aloud Bible Stories
The Beginner’s Bible
Hey, Thats Not What the Bible Says
Little Blessings Series : Elena Kucharik illustrated books

Primary School Stage 1 (aged 5+ to 8 )

I still use all the books above but this time the kids are able to read it for themselves. My younger one is currently enjoying ‘Little blessings: Prayers for Little Hands’ and each night she gets to lead us in prayer. We’ve also introduced them to well-known Christians from the past who’ve made a difference for the gospel - people like Jim Elliot and William Tyndale. From the TorchLighters Heroes of Faith Series (dvd’s), after watching Jim Elliot give up his life for the gospel, our kids have asked a million and one questions as to the Why’s and How’s. It’s led us to teaching them the centrality of Jesus, of Scripture and of the importance of telling people the good news of Jesus. My older child, who is now able to read and write quite well, has started on his own devotions using the ‘Real Life Encounters with God with 365 Q & A’. He uses the NIrV and has learned to use the index to find books of the bible and can now understand how the chapters and verses work.
NIrV Bible
Real Life Encounters with God by Tyndale House Publishing
Pilgrims Progress Children’s Edition by Moody Press
LightKeepers Series by Irene Howat
TorchLighters Heroes of the Faith Series on DVD

Euge recently wrote about the call for Christian men to step up in their leadership at home and beyond. Since, I also happen to be preparing a similar topic for our monthly Mums and Bubs group, it seemed appropriate to make this my title. This issue is to address our responsibilities as women in our roles as wife and mother.

When we think of conflicts within our marriage or even in our going out stage, how do you generally picture the female? Do you picture her as the one doing a lot of talking and hand waving? Is she usually upset with the guy for something he did or didn’t do? Women, before we raise an issue we have with our husbands, we need to ask ourselves first 2 things:

1. ‘Should I even be raising this issue with him? Is it an area of godliness I need to address first within myself?’

2. ‘Am I going to frustrate him with what I am about to say, or challenge him in a godly manner?’

The bible gives us an example of how we should not behave as a wife and how we should behave as a wife.

How we SHOULD NOT behave.

¹⁵ A quarrelsome wife is like
a constant dripping on a rainy day; (Proverbs 27:15)

Wives, we should not frustrate our husbands. We should not act in such a manner that drives our husbands away from the home. Your husband should be able to say to you constantly that no matter how frustrating work can be, he treasures the moment when he drives round the corner nearing home, thankful that he can come home to a safe haven. Your presence at home should be an environment where he can feel safe and be heard and understood. Some people would read this and say - this person is telling me to be a doormat. Well, no! On the contrary. I have addressed many ‘disappointments’ I have had of Euge a number of times - disappointments with regards to his commitments to the family, to the home maintenance and to his leadership in the home. These issues are not necessarily wrong in themselves to raise.  Done rightly, they convey the message to him that ‘I lean on him’ - its a godly pressure on him to step up. But, when I do raise these issues with Euge, the question is, how did I do it? Did I just frustrate him or did I challenge him in a godly way?

How we SHOULD behave.

Read Proverbs 31.

The world conveys the message that a female needs to be a super-woman, to be able to offer their husband the acquired qualities of cooking, cleaning and raising the children, even work part-time if necessary. Proverbs 31 is about a woman who recognises her abilities and utilises them in a God fearing way. She works hard and she brings honour to her husband. A man will look for a wife to love just for who she is and not what she can do for him. If he was, he would have just hired a cook and cleaner. Ladies, does your husband regularly embrace you and say ‘I love you’?. A husband who adores his wife will be proud of her for she demonstrates her passions and abilities in the way God created her. She’s enterprising and uses the gifts that God gives her in a worthy manner. She complements him, utilising and recognising the different roles that they have yet also knowing they are equal in God’s sight. She will be pure in heart, hard working, takes care of those in need, doesn’t give in to idleness or idle talk and loves her husband and children (Titus 2). She glorifies God and fears Him.

Please step down and allow your husband to step up

Here is an example. One friend who happens to be a father of 2 growing kids was telling me that they spend a lot of time, money and effort on giving their kids the best opportunities in life - in their education and more. Their kids attend mid-week sport lessons, music lessons and have extra tuition on the weekends. Despite all this, his wife will constantly worry when the kids are not studying hard enough or not getting the same opportunities as the other child down the road. My friend tells me that the root of the problem is that the women gather together (especially those with more time on their hands) and they talk, and they talk, and then they compare. Then his wife feels their child needs to keep up or they’ll lose out. So, she’ll go home and insist that he (husband) needs to pay for this and that. Now, this husband tells me that he’s done his research and found that giving his children certain opportunities may not necessarily mean they will get a desired outcome. It depends on a whole host of factors. But, this did not deter his wife and she will not listen. She says, she is the one who stays at home and so she knows whats best for their kids. She doesn’t step down and so the husband gives in - for the sake of peace. Mums, what message do you want to convey to your children as they grow up with regards to how they view your roles - as a wife and mother and as a husband and father? Your children will watch you in all your decision making - big and little.

Ladies, let me encourage you to consciously step down on certain things to allow your husbands to step up. It takes humility to bite our tongue and it takes courage, strength and trust in our Lord to allow our husbands to make certain decisions. Our world has not taught us this and never will.

(This article was prepared for the Gracepoint Monthly Mums and Bub Group.)

Resources I recommend:

For Husbands

- ‘Looking for Men to Step Up.‘ - an article by my husband, Eugene Hor

- ‘Father Time‘ by Daniel Petre.

For Wives

- Carolyn Mahaney talks from Sovereign Grace Ministries. Free mp3 downloads.

For Husbands and Wives

- ‘Biblical Manhood and Womanhood‘ talk by Dr. Wayne Grudem. Free mp3 download.

- ‘Safe Haven Marriage‘ by Archibald D. Hart

- Marriage Conferences

- ‘How To Get the Family You’ve Always Wanted’ by Martin Sanders

Kenneth was born in August 1911, in a tiny village of Thai Yong where everyone had the same family name of Zou. Thai Yong stands on the top of a mountain in Southern China.

Kenneth’s job was to take the family buffalo out each day to the hills/coal mines to crush the rocks into tiny pieces in order to sell. No one in the family could ever make the buffalo do this, but Kenneth could. The buffalo never refused Kenneth and was very good to him. Kenneth and the buffalo became good friends. When Kenneth got into trouble at home, he would go and talk to his buffalo. Sometimes, Kenneth would sleep on the buffalo’s back, not saying a word.

One day, when Kenneth was 11 years old, his buffalo got into a fight with another buffalo. The other buffalo got angry at Kenneth for trying to stop the fight and put his big horns into Kenneth’s stomach. Kenneth was rushed to Dr. Dale, an English missionary for CIM (China Inland Missionary), who happened to be in the village at the time. Dr. Dale was working as a doctor and telling people about Jesus. Dr Dale saved Kenneth’s life. Later, when Kenneth fully recovered, Kenneth’s mum asked Dr Dale and his family to take Kenneth into their home - as a way of thanking them for saving Kenneth’s life. The Dale family accepted.

So, around the age of 11, Kenneth became a part of the Dale family. He helped in the Presbyterian Mission Hospital as well as in the local Blind School along with Dr Dale and his family. Every Sunday morning, Kenneth would lead eight blind children to church. Every so often, Kenneth would return to Thai Yong to visit his real family. But Kenneth would always go back to help the Dale family in their work of telling others about Jesus and helping people.

Kenneth also traveled with the Dale family to Taiwan, looking after the Dales’ two younger children and helping in the cooking and cleaning. When, the Dales’ children got older, the family decided to return to England. With Kenneth’s mother’s permission, it was decided that Kenneth would also go to England for schooling opportunities.

Together with the Dales’, Kenneth traveled to Hong Kong. And from Hong Kong, they sailed to Japan, then to Vancouver for a short vacation. From Vancouver, they took a train across Canada to St John’s Port and from there, went by boat to Liverpool, England. Finally, they arrived in the Dale’s hometown of New Barnet, just north of London, where they settled.

For many years, Kenneth went to school and worked very hard in New Barnet. He lived and learnt the English culture and language. When, Kenneth finished schooling, Dr Dale felt it was time for Kenneth to return to his hometown in China to serve the Lord. So, at aged 18, Kenneth traveled back to Thai Yong with a lot of luggage including a bicycle. This bicycle created a lot of interest as they had never seen such a thing! But, when Kenneth got back to the village, he quickly realized he did not know how to plant rice or work the fields. He tried to help his mother but could do very little. Even his bicycle, which created a lot of interest, had no use in a village filled with rice fields! Kenneth soon became very confused in his heart. He believed in Jesus but he felt very useless in doing His work.

Kenneth left home and in doing so had also lost connections with his Christian family. He joined the army and later left unhappy. He then worked for his brother-in-law but left unhappy too. Kenneth still believed in Jesus but his faith was weak and he soon forgot he was a child of God.

One day, Kenneth remembered he had family who had now moved to Malaysia. Kenneth asked them if there was a job there. “Yes”, was the reply, “…if you are not too fussy”. Immediately, Kenneth set out for Malaysia, but the problem was getting the money to pay for the trip . He then asked his brother-in-law to loan him the money and as collateral, he gave his bicycle away. This gave him 30 yuan - 19 yuan for the boat ticket to Singapore, and 11 yuan to get from Singapore to Chin Bao, his destination. By now, Kenneth was 20 years old, and once more left his hometown for a far away land but at this point in time, far away from God too.

Kenneth found himself working in a rubber plantation and became very skillful at tapping. Eventually Kenneth’s whole family moved from China to live at this rubber plantation in Malaysia. Soon, the family decided it was time for Kenneth to find a wife. And one was found for him.

Before Kenneth was about to meet his wife, Kenneth found himself quite worried. What if we do not get along? Kenneth thought to himself. Kenneth sat under a tree in front of their home in deep despair. Kenneth prayed to God. It had been a long time since Kenneth prayed. Yet he said to God, ‘If you want her to be my wife, then I agree. If you don’t want her to be my wife, then please don’t make this meeting a success.’ After much praying, Kenneth felt better.

The day came for Kenneth to meet his future wife. His big brother bought him some new clothes and he put them on. Kenneth followed his brother nervously to where the girl lived, across the river from his home. Her name was Chi Jiao. Kenneth thought she was good looking and she looked kind. Chi Jiao sat silently, not saying a word and did not seem to have any objections to the proposal. So, a few minutes later, the decision of a life time was made - even though Kenneth and Chi Jiao had not spoken a single word to each other!

Kenneth and Chi Jiao soon became a family with 3 boys and 5 girls, though one died at birth. Kenneth has since reconnected with his adopted Christian family, now living in Scotland. After the war, Kenneth and his young family worked for the Chinese Gospel Hall in Kuala Lumpur. It was during this time, that Kenneth’s children came to know and love the Lord Jesus as they lived in the community of other faithful believers. Kenneth himself served the Lord driving a mobile bookshop van filled with Christian literature across Malaysia. This van is now known as the OMF van for those who are familiar with the work of the Overseas Missionary Fellowship across Asia.

Kenneth is just one of the many lives God has been working in. This is a true account and this also happens to be my grandfather. My father is the firstborn of Kenneth and Chi Jiao. Our family, generations down, have since been blessed by such accounts and many more - and for this we give thanks and praise to our Heavenly Father! But, my greatest and continual prayer is that God may continue being gracious to my children and to the generations after them - for His glory! Amen.

If you wish to read more about the saving work of Jesus in China, pick up the book “Ten Sacks of Rice” by Penelope Dale, one of Dr. Dale’s children. The story of Kenneth is also featured in this book.

3Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. (Psalm 127:3)

When our baby arrives, our world seems completely turned upside-down. Our lives which was once in relative control, suddenly becomes a host of questions and decision making. Our whole life then becomes consumed by these decision making - from the moment we wake up to the time we rest in bed.

Is it better to breast feed or is it ok to bottle feed?

Should I stick to a routine settling technique or just go with the babies’ demand?

Why is my baby still crying/not sleeping/not drinking enough/drinking too much?

In the midst of all this, it is easy to forget the Creator of our newborn, our heavenly Father. In the Psalms, we are reminded that our baby is a gift from God, given to us and only to us to raise up in this world. However, what we tend to do from day one is we start to look at the world for advice on raising our child. We read books about settling babies, about listening to their different cries, about toddler taming, about healthy eating, about education, about child developmental stages. If we start off and continue to look at the world for advice, then we will maintain the pattern of putting God out of the picture in our family planning.

So where does remembering God leave us in respect to questions like how do I get my baby to sleep? We need to see the divine in the midst of our daily routines. We need to remember the promises in Scripture - that we can enjoy all of life and the blessings He gives us as long as we DO NOT FORGET HIM (Deuteronomy 6:12)

Here are some practical tips I got out of the Deuteronomy 6 passage, just before God’s people entered the Promised Land.

1. Remember how God has led you to your current circumstance (Deut 6: 10-12)

¹⁰ When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, ¹¹ houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, ¹² be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

- Remember how God has brought you here. Think of the specific events that have brought you to your current stage of being a mother. - Give thanks to our Heavenly Father for his work in your lives.

2. Turn to God first in everything (Deut 6: 4-5).

⁴ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. ⁵ Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

- When the baby is crying, pray first for you then for your child. Pray for strength and wisdom in responding to your child’s needs before hitting those baby ‘help’ books.

- Record everything about your child in a prayer journal.

- In your prayer journal, put down your concerns and prayer points for you and your child.

- Go over these journal entries after some time, to see how God has been actively working throughout each day, months and years.

3. Keep His Commandments (Deut 6:6)

⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.

- Keep it simple. Read a Psalm, sing your favourite hymn – anything as long as it is a daily input.

4. Teach our children to turn to God first in everything and to keep His Commandments (Deut 6:7-9)

⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

In Deut 6:13 Moses warns God’s people that others round them will follow other gods – but they should not. In the future, their sons will ask them, “What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the LORD our God has commanded you?” And they are to tell them of God’s amazing work in saving them and so they are to keep His laws and fear Him, so that they might be blessed by it (Deut 6:20-25). We need to do the same.

Conclusion:

Children see, children do. That is the commercial ad recently put out about drinking alcohol. A child sees his father taking out the beer on every occasion, and in time, the child becomes a man and he too takes beer from his fridge while his child watches – and the cycle continues. If we look to the world for advice in everything, our children will do the same. Remember that God is actively working in your lives, even in the daily activities of raising and nurturing your child. He is active in your lives because He gave you that child to raise – it is a gift to you from Him. If we can remember Him now, in our daily routines, we will remember Him also in the bigger decision making as the family grows.

Resource Link:

Biblical Parenting - Giving Kids a Vision for God’s Glory (free mp3 download)

(This article was prepared for the monthly Gracepoint Bub Group gathering.)