Who Do You Think You Are?

I've been learning a lot from Toy Story recently...Dathaniel and I both have it memorized.  We watch it...a lot.  This morning I was feeding Drayton his breakfast and I heard dialogue I've heard a million times lately (no exaggeration).  Andy's toys have just discovered Buzz and want to know where he came from: 

 

Hamm: So, where you from? Singapore? Hong Kong?

Buzz: Well, no. I'm actually stationed at the Gamma Quadrant, Sector Four. As a member of the elite Universe Protection Unit of the Space Ranger Corps, I protect the Galaxy from the threat of invasion from the evil Emperor Zurg, sworn enemy of the Galactic Alliance!

Mr. Potato Head: Oh, really? I'm from Playskool.

Rex: And I'm from Mattel. Well, I'm not really from Mattel. I'm actually from a smaller company that was purchased in a leverage buyout.

Buzz was from a toy manufacturer as well, but he didn't see himself as a toy.  In his mind, he really was a space ranger.  Hearing this little exchange reminded me of something I heard in a class at HYC this year. 

In Numbers, we get a Biblical account of Moses sending spies into the land of Canaan.  We are all familiar with the story and know that after 40 days of investigating the land, the spies returned to Moses and only Joshua and Caleb believed they could possess the land.  Caleb said "We should go up and take that land for ourselves.  We can easily take that land."  The other men, however, gave a much different report.  They said, "We cannot fight those people!  They are much stronger than we are...The land we saw is full of strong people.  They are strong enough to easily defeat anyone who goes there."  They saw giants and said "We were like grasshoppers to them!"

The report of the majority discouraged the Israelites and they wandered around for several more years.  Moses passed away and then God spoke to Joshua about the promise of the people possessing Canaan.  Joshua then sent two men into Jericho as spies.  Those two spies ended up at the house of Rahab, a prostitute.   She hid them on the roof while the King's men searched for them.  When it was safe, Joshua 2 says "she came up unto them upon the roof; and she said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.  For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.  And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.  Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.  And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the Lord hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee. "

The Battle of Jericho was the first battle in the Israelites conquest of Canaan.  The interesting thing is: the Israelites spent many years living in fear, believing the giants saw them as grasshoppers.  The giants on the other hand, spent years living in fear of the Israelites, knowing they would be fighting a loosing battle because God had already given them the land. 

Sometimes, the situation we are facing isn't our problem.  The way the enemy sees us isn't our problem.  What needs fixing is the way we see ourselves. 

"Hello, my name is child of the one true King."  We have nothing to fear or dread.  Our father is always working on our behalf.

Children in Church

I've watched mothers with small children in church for years.  All of my life actually.  So, of course, the moment I found out a little one was on the way, I decided to do my best to make sure he/she stayed in the sanctuary as much as possible every single service.  Afterall, it had always looked easy when other people did it.

It is NOT easy. 

It is especially hard for those of us involved in ministry.  Some weeks we are literally at the church every single night.  On Sunday mornings, I usually rush into church at 8:15 a.m., with my arms overflowing, already exhausted.  If I'm not praise singing that day, I'll spend the service bouncing and swaying trying to get Drayton asleep, or constantly pulling toys out of my diaper bag for him to play with, or even letting him dig in my purse or diaper bag since that is usually a good source of quiet entertainment.  I wince everytime he cries or decides to babble during the sermon.  I feel like everyone is staring at me everytime he sqeals because he thinks pastor is talking only to him.  I'm sure not everyone is looking, but it feels that way.  I often leave the service wondering what my pastor preached about and asking myself "is this worth it?"  Only to return four hours later and do it all over again.

A few weeks ago my sister-in-law posted on facebook about one of my sweet nieces inviting a visiting child to sit with her and saying "I'll be your friend."  There's another little girl who sits in front of me and at almost 2 years old, claps and raises her little hands to worship.  As frustrating as it sometimes is, things like this further my determination not to send my child to the nursery.  Not because I have anything against the nursery; I think nurseries are wonderful things...most definitely for parents who haven't been raised in church and are still trying to figure out how to walk with God.  My reason for not sending Drayton is that I want him to have respect for worship and the house of God from a very young age. 

As mothers, it is our duty to help ensure that years down the road, the church pews will not be empty.  It helps when throughout a child's life, they feel they are a vital, participating member of their church.

As hard as it is to keep our babies in the sactuary as much as we can, we can't forget that we are doing something really, really important.  Its only a couple years of work and we will be rewarded with children who know that regardless of age, their prayers are important to God.  We will get to experience old, familiar Bible stories all over again through their little eyes and minds.  Do you remember the first time you learned about David and Goliath?  Jonah and the big fish?  I'm sure my heart will leap the first time I see Drayton raise his little hands to worship. 

Personally, I want to be an example to my son of one who wholeheartedly worships the Lord. My prayer is that through watching his dad and I, he would likewise catch the vision. I want him to hear powerful sermons as often as he hears the soft instruction of a Sunday School teacher. 

"Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:  And that their children, which have not known anything, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it."  Deuteronomy 31:12-13

"Then there were brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, 'Suffer litte children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.'" Matthew 19:13-14

Good Gifts

First, I've decided to start blogging again...no promises of consistency though!! :)

Many of you know the attorney I work for just finished up a 2 week trial...I worked some serious overtime in the month of May.  I normally live on a budget (although my husband may disagree, I promise I really do) so I kind of splurged with my overtime check...Here's most of what I bought, minus a few gifts for Father's Day which cannot be shared yet:

a new Cake diaper bag...

a playpen to keep Drayton safely away from the fireplace...

and, a huge canvas print of this sweet picture of Drayton.

Then I realized...all of my purchases had something in common.  In some way, they all related to my little ray of sunshine.  Lots of people told me I would spend less time/money on myself after I had children.  I thought I understood what they meant, but am now realizing I had no idea.  I never imagined giving up my Sebastian hair products so I could purchase more things for my son...or buying him clothes before I buy clothes for myself.  I also never dreamed of filling my newly remodeled family room with a brightly colored playpen and toys of various shapes and sizes.  All of this brings me to this scripture:

"So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him." Matthew 7:11 (NLT)

I realize more now how much God loves us...His chosen.  His children.  We have no reason to ever settle for anything less than the extraordinary.  He carries our baggage for us.  He watches over the paintings of our lives lovingly...and, just like with Drayton's new playpen, sometimes He gives us fences to keep us safe.  Regardless of what is happening in any of our lives at this moment, we can all rest assured we serve a Father who loves to give His children "good gifts."  He will take care of it all.