KIDS' MATTERS

WISTFUL THINKING...

THE MIND OF A CHILD DEEP IN THOUGHT.

WHAT IS LIFE ALL ABOUT?

CAN I TRUST IT?

HOW CAN I KNOW?

Does Sissie have the answers?

Does Grama?

Does Mommy or Ms. Green? 

I wonder.  I really do.  Can anyone guarantee that my puppy won't get sick?  That he'll get better if he does?  Can anyone assure me that I am good even when I don't like to eat green beans?

CAN YOU?

Will you help me grow up knowing life is not a bad place?  That not everyone is filled with hate, anger, bitterness and indifference?  Will you show me kindness, goodness, gentleness, patience, peace and love?  Can I count on you to smile in spite of sorrow?  Rejoice in God's tiny pleasures and blessings?  Will you help me laugh instead of cry?  Will you encourage me instead of criticizing me?  Will you teach me fairness from your justice?  Appreciation by your praise?  Confidence from your validation?  Significance from your acceptance, friendship and love?      

I WONDER.   I REALLY DO.

"...Jesus said, Let the little children come unto me and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Mt.19:14.  Innocence.  Humility.  Honesty.  Pure love, unencumbered by pretense.  Tender sprouts in need of tender care--gentleness, kindness, goodness and love.

"Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." Phil. 2:4,5.  And in that mind of Christ--let the little children come...forbid them not...they need us.  They need you.  They need Jesus.  And you may be the only image of Him they ever see.  Forbid them not.  selahV

This blog is dedicated to Kelton Reynolds.  May all the folks in his little life be a positive influence on his life.  May God grant his parents wisdom and an abundance of the Spirit's fruit.  [copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2007] 

CHANGE ISN'T EASY

IT'S NEVER EASY.  New kid in school.  New home.  New family.  Fears unanswered because fears aren't expressed.  As a grandparent, I try to encourage--undergird the role of mothers.  I want the best for our grandchildren, and the best includes assuring our grandchildren that moms and dads can take care of their needs.

Recently one of my grandchildren shared she thought she'd be moving out of the school limits.  She rattled on and on about how great it would be.  I encouraged her and said it sounded wonderful.  Inside I wanted to cry.  I don't like change.  I'm tired of change.  So much has happened in my lifetime, I do believe I've lived eight lives.  The ninth is the last I'll endure.

While chatting about the prospects of my granddaughter getting some chickens and pigs, we chuckled and talked about washing them with buttermilk.  I'd never heard of that before, but she seemed to think that's what takes away the fine perfume of a pig.  Who knows?  I'm a grama--she's living in a different age.  But there was something in the way she was talking--a tone, her confident matter-of-fact excitement.  It had a hollow sound to the rythym--the beat of her words.  Out of the blue, she injected, "I don't want to move."

I took a deep breath.  What should I say?  I repeated what she'd said, "So you don't want to move, huh?"

"No.  I don't want to be the new girl.  Who's going to pick me up after school?  Who's going to take care of me when mom is working?"  Inside I sighed and pulled up in my daughter's drive.  I whispered a prayer for wisdom.  Part of her fears were founded on truth--part on conversations she'd overheard.  Others were thoughts running rampant. 

"It's scary, huh?"  She shook her head and tears welled in her eyes.  "And you like your school."  I looked at her, and she looked at me; she shook her head.  I willed a strength only God possessed to flow from my heart to hers.  "Baby, you don't have to worry about any of this.  Your mommy will take care of everything."  Her eyes seemed to seek an inward relief, as if searching for a memory.  "You know your mommy loves you, right?"  She shook her head.  "And you can trust her to take care of you.  She will make sure someone picks you up from school, baby.  Your mom will take care of all those things."

I'm certain there are more fears crawling around inside of her mind.  I'm sure she's not sure of much.  Having lost her daddy not two years ago, she's still reeling from grief and loss.  More changes will come.  Life is certain of that.  All I can do is pray everyday and leave her in my Father's hands.  My heart is so full of concern for her sensitive emotions.  She tries so hard to please.  She doesn't want to disappoint, or rain on anyone's parade.  So often she stuffs it all inside.  I'd like to wrap her up in a warm blanket and shield her from all of life's uncertainty.  I can't.  But God is at work...He does not sleep, nor does He slumber.  His eyes are on her as sure as they are on the sparrow.

Change is a difficult thing.  For all of us.  [copyrighted,selahVtoday,2007]