God's gravy to my mashed potatoes

     As a little girl I remember visiting my grandparents home, George and Clara Beckett, at least once a week. Before we were allowed to touch our food, Pop-Pop would offer the prayer and each of us had to quote a Bible scripture.  The thick aroma of whatever dish Grandmommy had whipped up, was in the air, but you dare not raise a fork until you said your scripture.  I'm sure many of us at times tried to get away with "Jesus wept", but they weren't having it. I honestly can't remember the verse of anyone else except Pop-Pop, which was Psalms 8:1 " Oh Lord, our Lord how excellent is your name above all of the earth".  It's been high school since I've heard his natural voice, as he's in glory now; but I can surely hear him in my spirit.  Even now at 44, when I hear or say that particular scripture I sense a quickening in my spirit.  I remember how he'd smile after reciting the word, which many times led him directly into telling you how good God had been to him.  My God! What an awesome memory!

     A few weeks ago, as I was opening up our Women's Ministry meeting, the Lord laid on my heart to have the women give their favorite Bible verse and to exlain why it was their favorite.  This was an ice breaker exercise, but it quickly became a testimony service of sorts.  The women had to reflect on the Word, locate the exact place in the Bible and write it down on an index card.  I gave them one minute to introduce themselves to one person and give their explanation. After that minute, we introduced ourselves to another sister and so on until we had met everyone in the room. It was interesting to hear and watch the women become bolder in their declarations as they traveled from sister to sister.  Oftentimes we quote scripture because we've heard a preacher say it before and we've just taken bits and pieces of it to fit our lives.  But what happens when we actually hide the scripture in our heart?

     This question takes me back to my grandparent's kitchen table and my own Bible verse.  As a young girl, my scripture before the meal was Psalms 34:1, "I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth".  It wasn't until that women's ice breaker that I realized that I had actually become that very scripture.  As I relayed the story to Stephanie (the 1st sister to whom I recited my scripture) about my grandfather, my heart became full because I had actualized the scripture in my life.  What began at the kitchen table, carried me throughout high school; traveled to college and medical school with me; walked down the aisle alongside of me; was in the delivery room with both of my sons; kept me from the brink of divorce; sat on my shoulders as I cried over bills that I couldn't pay; rejoiced with me as I experienced great triumphs in my life; comforted me as I stood by my mother's bedside; guided me as I walked off the job; sat in the waiting room when Courtland underwent surgery at 4 1/2 weeks old and again when Chandler had ACL surgical repair this past December.  This scripture rises early with me as I do morning devotion and many times dries my tears at the end of the night.  "I WILL BLESS THE LORD AT ALL TIMES, HIS PRAISE SHALL CONTINUALLY BE IN MY MOUTH".  That is my scripture and it is me!!!

    As I recounted the brief story to the sister, I realized how God gives me grace daily to see His glory in most situations.  Although many of the things aforementioned, have brought great fear and trepidation, God enables me to keep a level head and continue to bless Him in the midst of it.  So even in my tragic stories, I am able to see God's blessing hidden just beneath the surface. I understand and do not take it for granted!  It's definitely a gift and a blessing from God and it all began as a little girl.  I didn't know that I was speaking into and over my life as I teenager at my grandparents dinner table, when all I really wanted was the meatloaf and mashed potatoes.  At a young age, God was giving me the perfect recipe to make my own gravy.  At times the gravy was a little lumpy, so He showed me how to "bless him at all times" by using a wire whisk to break up the clumps.  At times, God has had to put me through a strainer so I could get the lumps out of the gravy as I continued to praise Him.  At other times, God said the only way that I could smooth out this gravy was by shaking things up a little, so He mixed me in the blender.  I'm good gravy now!  I've been tested and tried in the fire and I'm still able to praise Him.

    This past weekend, I witnessed the actualization of scripture yet again.  But this time it was not for me...it was for my elder son.  This past weekend as we celebrated my In-laws 50th wedding anniversary, Chandler was given the opportunity to play a FREE round of golf on a $30,000 membership golf course.  The next day, when he began to thank the individual and express just how much he loved the course and enjoyed playing the previous day, he was given another FREE round.  Are you kidding me?  This 16-year old boy was afforded two opportunities to do what he loves to do for FREE that so many adults would just die trying to achieve this.  It isn't luck!  It isn't the fact that he has such a gleaming smile and booming personality, although he is cute (just like his Momma........I'm just sayin').  It isn't the fact that his grandfather is such a great man and makes friends wherever he goes, although this too is true.  Chandler was given this amazing opportunity, because of a scripture that I began praying over both of my sons this past year.  Luke 2:52 talks about the growth of Jesus after his parents lost him and then found him again in the temple.   Jesus was with the elders listening and asking questions as a young boy.  He was curious and people were astonished that this young man understood so much at his young age.  Rather than just take that scripture and say 'good for Jesus', that's a nice story,  I began inserting the names of my boys in that same scripture.

     So it reads like this, "And (Chandler and Courtland) increased in wisdom and stature, and in FAVOR with God and Men".  The Holy Spirit brought this scripture to the forefront of my mind, as I laid in bed early this morning.  God revealed to me that He was blessing Chandler because I chose to stand on the Word and pray it over the boys.  This scripture has become the gravy to Chandler's mashed potatoes.  I am eternally grateful! Courtland better hold on, because he's walking in favor too.

    Why do I tell this story?  Because now it's time for me to instruct my sons, so they will make their own gravy.  Our home will now adopt quoting a scripture before every meal.  I will go through scripture with them individually to help find one that they'd like to share at family meals.  It may change over the years as they get older and experience God differently, but for now I just want to lay a solid foundation.

So here's my interpretation of Proverbs 22:6.................feel free to use it accordingly.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old; he will make his own gravy".

                                                                                           Now walk it out.....

It's summertime and school is out....what are YOU teaching your children?

Everyone knows that during that last week of school, all parties in the house are eagerly awaiting the school bell to ring for the final time.  The kids can hardly sleep at night, in anticipation of the last day and parents are equally excited that the routine gets to switch up just a little.  For one or maybe even two weeks, the entire home moves around in this state of euphoria.  But right about the end of week 4, the eye twinkles begin to fade, it becomes more difficult to wake everyone up and the parents are saying under their breath,  "I can't wait until school starts".

Now for those of you who had planned ahead and had each week filled with day camps, overnight camps, family visits or summer jobs then you already have this thing figured it.  Woohoo! Good for you!  However there are so many of us who had activities planned, but left a few weeks up to chance.  If that's you, just nod your head!  So what have you down with the 'down time'?

During the school year, admittedly so, many parents have it easy.  While we are working, the kids are at school.  Many of them have after-school activities that keep them preoccupied, until we can get home to make dinner.  Then the rest of the night is usually spent doing homework and preparing for the next day.  This cycle continues until Friday night, when everyone in the house is thankful for the weekend and the routine changes slightly. We have grown so accustomed to someone else teaching our children, that all we really do during the school year is monitor behavior and check grades.  Rather than be proactive in our homes, we are reacting to the system.   Just think about it... during the peak hours of the day, someone else is speaking into your child's life.

.............Wait for it................Wait for it..............OUCH ..............That hurt didn't it?!..............

So the summer time exposes the fact that as parents we have to constantly be engaged with what our children are doing.  We have the opportunity to really pour into them by taking them to the library or bookstore in the evening. (Unless you're an educator, you still have to work.  You don't get summers off... I totally get that.)  Do you require that your children read books and then do age appropriate activities like: draw a picture, talk about the book or write a short report?  Do you try to find educational activities throughout the city?  Even if you're on a family vacation, do you still go to  a monument or museum in the visiting city to expose your children to culture?  If you have not done any of this, I encourage you to get started.  THE SUMMER IS NOT YET OVER!

There is still time to really engage with your children!!!  I totally understand that you need a break periodically, so why not barter  daycare services with a friend?  Say something like,  "I'll take your kids for 2 days, while you have mine for the following 2 days".  (That's only one overnight stay.) It's during those times that you and your children have the best of both worlds.  When your children are away, you have a moment to refresh and breathe.  Upon their return, you are fully engaged and ready to teach, love, and spend quality time with them.  The children win on all days.  Remember that they still need a schedule. Be careful not to have too many days when they stay up past their normal bedtime.  Allow them to play video games, but you better make sure that they have equal time going outside, reading, playing an educational computer game or just playing with toys. (Side note: do you remember the days that kids just loved to play with actual toys? Geesh!)  

The point of this message is that we, as parents,  must remember to PARENT.  Parenting is not about spanking or spoiling, but rather about engaging and equipping.  You are your child's first teacher.  They are watching you!

• When you're kind to someone else....your children learn compassion.
• When the cashier gives you too much change and you return it,  your children learn lessons of honesty and character.
• When you apologize, your children learn humility.
• When you make a mistake, your children realize that life is not over even after they mess up.
• When you insure that your kids are still learning throughout the summer, your children recognize that you're invested in them and have expectations.
• When you turn your laptop and cell phone off and talk to them, your children sense that they are a priority.

Notice that none of what I mentioned cost any money, but it does take precious time and intention.  Summertime is not just time off, but rather "all hands on deck", always in a state of preparation. 
Let me encourage each of you to look at your child, grandchild, nieces and nephews, cousins or neighbors as worthy subjects to invest in.  They will become what we show them and expect of them.  If we expect nothing, that's exactly what we will get.

I like the Message Bible version of Proverbs 22:6.--> Point your kids in the right direction—when they’re old they won’t be lost.

Now spend quality time with your little people and walk it out........

If you are interested in weekly engagement and parenting conversations, I am personally inviting you to join my Facebook group, "Parenting on Purpose University".  

Why?  Because there is still so much more that we can learn.   Parenting is not a job, it's a journey!

 

Just a few of our little girls reading at church. 

#girlpower (although I have 2 boys)