Goin' Fishing

Theme for March:  Rest. Rejuvenate. Recharge
Verse:

"I'm going out to fish."

John 21: 3a

Mom's Musing:
Unsettled. Undecided. Unknown. For my personality,  un places are really hard. I like living in the Non-Un spots-preferring the expected predictable locations.My family is in a waiting place for many big things: school decisions, employment, potential moves, a book contract... it feels like running in place. Lots of energy is expended-going nowhere.
Resting, rejuvenating, and recharging are all needed when hovering over life's ever changing direction. As moms and dads we have all noticed change can bring good things but the moments leading up to the change is where the struggle is most intense. Exhaustion sets in, the world feels heavy.
How do we come to Jesus to get the rest he promises when we are weary? We pray, we read,we seek his face. We camp on His promise of rest. And...we trust.
I love to go running and hiking. These activities refresh my soul, my outlook, my attitude. My best companion for those times is Murphy, my labradoodle. He keeps me company while I talk to God. Murphy's zest for going on a w-a-l-k gives me joy. It reminds me of the simple normal pleasures in the mix of complicated,looming change.
Maybe this is why Peter and the guys went fishing after the crucifixion. They didn't know what to do- frightened by the immediate past, feeling a sense of loss in the present, not knowing what the future held they returned to what they knew. Peace in the familiar. Catching (or not catching) fish was like eating comfort food or putting on an old pair of sweats to the former fisherman. Then Jesus showed up and even made lunch. (See John 21) After this, Peter got his next assignment.

Parenting Tip: When you or your child feel as if change is occurring but there is no immediate direction- find joy in doing a "comfort" activity to receive God's rest. Pray. Teach your child to pray. Lay it all out before Him who holds time in his hand- having the expectation and hope, clarity is coming.

Eternal Rest

                                                             Theme for March: Rest. Rejuvenate. Recharge.

                          
Verse:

"Then you will win favor

and a good name

in the sight of God and man."

Proverbs 3:4

               
Mom's Musing:
               When I selected the theme for March, I never expected to be reflecting on eternal rest. My stepfather-in-law recently went home to be with the Lord. Family members are flooding into a tiny town in Virgina from Egypt, California, Colorado, Montana, Italy, and Maryland to attend the funeral.
This man we will be celebrating was a man of integrity. He kept his word, honored his wife, loved his family, served his country and church. He appreciated and savored good food! He was a big presence. His laughter filled a room, his eyes sparkled with mischievousness, he was always ready with story that captivated his audience. The line,"I wonder what Bob thinks about this," was spoken by many family members. He was respected and loved because he had love and faithfulness written on the tablet of his heart.
One of my most treasured memories was of how he would sit down, with each person: grandchildren, his own children, stepchildren, in-laws, and even step-in-laws (me) and ask about their life. He was deeply interested. He took the time to ask and cared enough to remember the details of the conversations.
I took this photo prior to finding out Bob had been ushered home. This vision was a gift from God that gave me comfort. Because Bob lived the life he did, he left his family a sense of peace. Being a man who lives right and finishes well is a blessing to those who are the survivors.
Now this special man is abiding with Jesus. I praise God for him and the blessing he was to my mother-in-law and our family.

Parenting Tip: For those of you with little ones who read this you may wonder how to describe the passage of life to death to eternity with your child. Let your young one know that very sick is different from regular sick, don't be afraid to say the words death or dead-avoid using euphemisms like sleeping. Tell the child bodies are vessels for the soul and the body left behind will be replaced by God with a new heavenly body- a body not filled with pain or disease. Talk about heaven.

The Zappers

Theme for March: Rest. Rejuvenate. Recharge.
Verse:

"Someone touched me (Jesus); I know that power has gone out from me."

Luke 8:46

Mom's Musing:
Feeling zapped? Tweens and teens are emotional energy zappers. Remember the story of the bleeding woman who touched Jesus's cloak and he felt some power go out of him? Don't you feel like that sometimes? Hey..I can even feel like that from a look or an attitude.

Older kids can drain us. When children are little, physical exhaustion is the issue. Now the issues are the cause of emotional exhaustion. They must be dealt with in a timely fashion or they gnaw away at your energy supply. Also, self-care is very important as kids move through this phase. Rest, exercise, friendships, prayer, and God's Word help ease the burden of being a parent of a young adult. There have been mornings where I didn't want to face the day. I was looking at the storm instead at the one who can calm the sea. Burnout is certain if the child is the focus. As the teen spreads his wings, spread yours.

Parenting Tip: Don't stuff the problems, deal with them as they arise. Don't make a mountain out of a mole hill. Seek support if you feel overwhelmed. Keep your focus on God to maintain perspective.  Give your burdens to him. Pray.

You Deserve a Break Today

Theme for March: The Three R's of Parenting: Rest. Rejuvenate. Recharge.
Verse:

"The disciples went and woke him (Jesus), saying,

'Master, Master, we're going to drown!'"

Luke 8:24

Mom's Musing:
Yah, right. You just read the theme for March. You're saying, "Those three R's..not in my reality." I get it. At one point I had four kids ages five and under. I fell into bed exhausted, praying for uninterrupted sleep. There were times my nights were as busy as my days!
Jesus can relate to that exhaustion caused by the constant needs of others. In Luke 8:22-25, he was so spent he was even sleeping through a squall while crossing a lake in a boat. His motley crew was so terrified, they woke him. Even Jesus had his sleep interrupted - by twelve adult men.

When my precious bundles turned into little waddlers, I became the naked magnet. Whenever I was getting dressed or stepping out of the shower-I had company. I resorted to getting into the car (dressed, thought that detail needed clarifying), securing the kids in their car seats, then I'd apply my make-up while parked in the garage. Everyone was safe and I became presentable to the general public. (Everyday wisdom would say, "Get up earlier." That never worked for me. I'm convinced kids have a sixth sense that tells them when Mom is up and at 'em.)

So..where does rest fit into this picture? It takes a little planning. Have quiet time scheduled each day. Even if your preschoolers or toddlers have out grown a nap, still carve out time for all to take a break-at the same time. For my bunch, early afternoon worked best.

And..somehow it helps me to know Jesus understands my exhaustion.

Parenting Tips: Resist the urge to work while your young ones rest. Rest while they rest. Schedule naps and quiet time so they overlap. 

PS Parental exhaustion and older kids will be addressed in next week's posting.