Words from a Child's Mouth

I am in awe at some of the things that come from my 5 year old cousin's mouth sometimes.  Not because they are bad words.  But because of what she seems to know about God even though her mom tries to take God entirely out of the picture.

I do not talk much about God to her, as I've said before, I don't wish to start a family rift.  I have talked to her a little bit about my veil and about why I wear skirts and always have my shoulders covered (as she calls it).

One day while in the waiting room at the doctor's, the little one told her mom Mom, you know what I think?  I think when we talk, God is telling us what to say and we are speaking for Him.  Although not entirely correct because we know there is the devil who comes into play and can cause us to say words, I think it is amazing that she would be able to grasp that concept.  Her mom's response?  No honey, you are in control of your words.  While I understand why it is not a good idea to let a child believe that they have no control over what comes out of their mouths, I do not think taking God completely out of the picture was appropriate either.  But then again, my cousin is not a religious person at all. 

Yesterday she asked to see my shoulders, probably the 10th time in two months, and again I told her no because I keep mine covered all the time.  She asked if it was because I didn't want others to see my body and I said yes.  Her response?  That's good, I know some people like for others to see their body but I don't like when they do that!  She continued to say that she likes to keep covered up too and doesn't like for people to see her body.  I can only hope that she keeps that same thinking as she grows up and experiences more and more peer pressure to fit "the mold".

Then last night on the way home from dinner out, my 5 year old cousin tells her mom how God is a "boy".  Her mom challenges her saying that maybe God is a girl.  The 5 year old contemplates this thought for a minute and proceeds to say, No, God must be a boy because He seems like a boy in the book.  Again, for a 5 year old to process that in half a minute?  I was blown away, good thing her mom couldn't see my face because I was grinning.  So amazed at the knowledge of a child who has not been brought up to know God by her parents. 

I don't have my own children yet, but if God allows that to happen one day, I can only hope that my children will speak so freely of God, allowing adults to be amazed at their knowledge and faith in the Lord.

Blessings in Christ,

 

Headcovering in the News

I was searching the internet for new links to add for headcoverings and modest dress and came across this USA Today article from 2006!  I got so excited!!  Crazy, I know, but it is exciting to me to come across an article that discussed Christian "haircovering".  The article did not focus on sects that normally cover, but rather mainline Christians who are choosing to cover and wear more modest clothing. 

This was written in 2006!!  Back in 2006 I hadn't even heard about headcovering except for what I had seen in Amish settlements but I had absolutely no clue why they wore it. 

Here's the story for anyone who would like to read it.  Rather simple article, but I was still happy to see it. 

Blessings in Christ,

 

My Biggest Struggle as a Christian

I've been thinking lately about what my biggest struggle as a Christian is.  As basic as this sounds, I figure it might be forgiving others as well as myself.  It is nothing I am proud of by any means, but I think the first step to correcting the issue is recognizing what the issue actually is. 

I don't know that scritpure states we must forgive ourself, or maybe allow ourselves to be forgiven, but I think that if we don't forgive ourselves we can not truly forgive others or allow God to have complete control over our lives. 

There are so many things that I have done wrong in my life, some I have forgiven myself for and allowed myself to be forgiven for as well as learned the lesson and moved on.  There are many that I still need to allow myself to be forgiven for as well. 

I have many people whom I need to forgive.  It seems that as soon as I think I have truly forgiven the person for whatever it may have been but then the scene comes up again and I need to start all over again.  Sometimes it gets quite frustrating.  I feel that I take one step forward and two steps back at many times. 

There are quite a few people whom I need to ask forgiveness from.  That is not something I am good at, I was not taught to ask for forgiveness.  I was taught to apologize, but not to ask for forgiveness.  It is something of a relatively new concept to me that I am still trying to get myself in the habit of doing.  Although I am sure it will come with time. 

I know everyone has their struggles, but sometimes it's hard to remember that I'm not alone.  That others have struggles as well, no matter how well they can hide them, and that God is always with me, guiding me and teaching me what it is He has for me to learn.

Blessings in Christ,

 

Giving to God

One of my favorite radio stations to listen while at work started their spring pledge drive last Tuesday.  They are a Christian radio station and they have decided not to have sponsors advertise so that those sponsors cannot tell them what to speak of and what kind of music to play on their station.  They are listener supported, hence, the pledge drive. 

The DJs keep urging people to "give ".  To give "sacraficially", to give like little children -- giving in faith, comparing donating to their radio station to the story of the Good Samaritan in the Bible as well as the story when Jesus healed the 10 lepers and only 1 followed Him.  They continually said that God will bless those who give 10-fold.  They asked listeners to give in faith that God would take care of their needs while the DJs of the radio station would sit in front of their computers and monitor how much was being donated.  That didn't make sense to me...  

I'm sure some people think of this as part of their tithe. 

I got to wondering, for those who may be like me and not be a member of a church, or have a church that I attend regularly.  How do you give back to God?  I have in the past donated to food banks and considered that part of my tithe.  But recently I haven't found a cause which I feel led to give to.  Would a radio station be considered an acceptable way to give to God?  If not, how would you follow the command to give 10% back to God?  This is something I have struggled with knowing what to do on...

Blessings in Christ,

Easter

I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter celebration tomorrow!  Such a wonderful thought to realize that those who believe are saved because of what was done for us. 

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Blessings in Christ,

 

Sharing God with Children

My younger cousins are starting to get older now, the oldest will be 5 in about 3 weeks.  She is mighty curious and always asking questions.  Not only does she ask the questions but she wants in depth answers, not just the short ones we sometimes give children.  For a year now she has asked about my veil, "what is it?", "why do you wear it?". 

My dilema is that I know her parents do not believe and have told me before "we are not religious".  How much do I tell her? 

In other subjects, her mom is quite open with her.  My cousin asked what cremation was and her mom answered it.  I wasn't about to be the one who told a 4 year old about cremation...luckily her mom was there! 

But anyway, I digress.  I have told her what it is called, a veil.  But I have side-stepped the question of why I wear it in the past.  If she were to ask me again in the future now I would tell her it is something I believe in.  But I know then there would be "why do you believe in it?". 

Do I tell her why, saying it's in the Bible...which will only bring more questions?  Or I do brush it off? 

I would also love to be able to take her to Church with me one Sunday, but obviously that is up to her parents and I do not see them agreeing to that at this point at least. 

I think if it were not my little cousin, I would have no problem answering her questions because I do it all the time anyway.  But I do not want to step on my family's toes. 

Blessings in Christ,

 

Prayer Request

I don't often have prayer requests, but this little girl could use all the prayers we can offer.

A friend's daughter was burned pretty badly last night.  She is at the closest children's hopsital which I am sure will do a wonderful job of treating her.  But we all know that God is the ultimate healer.  I am not sure the exact level of burns she received and I haven't heard anything today about how she's doing.  But, if you would, please pray for her and the family as well as for her doctors.  I know the family would appreciate all the prayers people can offer. 

Thank you.

Blessings in Christ,