Yesterday was full of friends, playing on the beach, sailing, and lots of fun. As evening came, I tossed in a load of laundry and began to tidy up the house. Little Man was sitting on a stool in the kitchen eating dessert as I put away the clean silverware.
He said, “Mom, do we still have to do chores while we’re on vacation?”
“Yes, we need to take good care of our friend’s house, so we still do chores.”
He paused, looked carefully at me, and said, “Then why are you doing mine?”
I cannot tell you how much joy this little boy gives us.
And while I’m on the topic of Little Man, yesterday he came running up the path from the beach crying. When I asked him what was wrong, he answered that he was afraid a rabid rat was going to get him, and he couldn’t stop thinking about the scary foxes in Diego. I held him close and we talked, then I prayed for him. Five minutes later he told me it hadn’t worked and he was still scared, so we prayed again. I told him that Jesus is always with him, and he can say that out loud when he has scary thoughts.
When it was time for bed, Little Man told me he was afraid that in the night, the scary thought about the rabid rat would come back. So I took a piece of paper and wrote, “Jesus is with me” in big letters. He practiced reading it and took it to bed with him; I suggested that he tuck it under his pillow, and anytime he was afraid he could hold it and remember the true words written on it. I hugged him tight and reminded him, “Jesus is always with you.”
Little Man came running into the kitchen a few minutes ago with a big smile on his face. “It worked!,” he said. “What worked?” “The ‘Jesus is with me’ note. I remembered and I wasn’t scared.”
My friend, Lauren, reminded me yesterday about taking our thoughts captive, and she wondered whether it would help Dimples to memorize some specific Bible verses to help with her anxiety. If she doesn’t oppose the idea, I think it would be a great help to Dimples. I also think it would be a good project for me to make some scripture cards for myself to take my thoughts captive. There is power in the truth. I’m sure I’ll write more about this soon.
This is what the Word says:
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
English Standard Version (ESV)
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
We are going to dig clams with our friends this morning, and have plans for a potluck dinner tonight. I also need to do some serious homeschool planning because the first day of school really is going to arrive before we know it.
Thanks so much for reading, friends. I’m so glad you share my life.
Lisa
Little Man makes me smile and smile. What a blessing his words are.
OH, your note-under-the-pillow idea is brilliant. Thank you so much for sharing that; I think we'll be using that right away. Lovely post!
I'm so glad that was helpful. It was surprisingly calming for him.
Just wanted to share with you regarding the scriptures for Dimples- there are 2 really great scripture lullaby CDs that I just bought to play for my foster kiddos at night. Every night my kids struggle and fight against sleep. When they finally do sleep, their minds are filled with unspeakable terrors and nightmares. They don't get much sleep, thus I don't either. I think they must relive their past in their dreams. Anyhow, the past few nights I've started playing these scripture lullabies and the result has been nothing short of miraculous. They fall asleep QUICKLY, they STAY asleep, and wake up in better moods. I've also gotten white boards for the bedrooms and kitchen to write verses about God's love and peace. The kids have started memorizing scripture on accident. :)
God's word is a powerful weapon. Praying for wisdom for you as you walk this journey with Dimples. I've had multiple kiddos so much like her. Grace, peace, and blessings to you!
Thank you, Jenny – those are beautiful ideas. Can you share the name of the lullaby CDs? She will likely think they are babyish, but she might be willing to listen to a mellow worship CD. Any suggestions for that? We've listened to Hillsong Chapel – I should see if that one might work.
The CDs are called "Hidden in My Heart". I thought my 12yo boy would think they were too babyish too, but I told him that Lindsey was going to have some music playing and did he want to listen too? Of course, if one kid got something, the other wanted it too. ;)
As far as other options, Vineyard has some very calming music. Or you could put together your own compilation. Twila Paris and Michael Card have some peaceful stuff too (yes, oldies but definitely some good stuff.)
Jenny, I have the Hidden in my Heart CD's; I should dig them out. Maybe I'll get one of her older brothers to help her make a "going to sleep" playlist and put it on a little mp3 player for her to listen to as she goes to bed. I've talked about doing that before – I guess it's time to actually do it.
Lisa, have you seen/heard Rain for Roots? I haven't listened to it yet, but it's a new CD w/ lyrics by the woman who wrote the Jesus Storybook Bible, and the musicians are super awesome. There's a free sample available on the website. http://rainforroots.com/
Can't wait to see you guys! xo
I will definitely check that out – I love the Jesus Storybook Bible. The girls are excited for Sunflower to arrive.
:-D :-D :-D Sunflower's pretty pumped too.
Steve Green has a great worship CD for children. Hide 'Em in Your Heart Praise and Worship for Kids.
What awesome kids you have. :) All of them.
Thanks, Cat; you too!
Lisa, have you forgotten that when you went to bed at night I would give you a kiss to put under your pillow and one to hold in your hand? Mom
Definitely not forgotten. Little Man asks for a kiss in his hand every night when we tuck him in.
we have a cd recorded by one of my sisters with music she wrote, lullabies and worship mostly, but our voices sound similar, my littles have always requested that to fall to sleep to…i have planned for years to make my own recording of the songs we sing that the littles know to put in their room, this christmas may be the year we actually finish that project…talented or not, i know little ones like to hear their moms sing.