Godly Girls

My pastor's sermon today was about girls. Here are the highlights.

To raise Godly Girls, you have to be crazy (unconventional, odd, different from the world).

A. You have to be specific so they won't be foolish. She will be known by her deeds (Preverbs 20:11) and all deeds start as seeds. 

• Drama (Proverbs 9:13 - 'clamorous' = drama) Instead of drama, value what is important.
• Deceit, exaggerations, embellishments - lies must be dealt with early. 
• Defensive, wanting to fight with you about anything. Don't let her grow up to be a contentious woman (Proverbs 21:9, 19; 27:15-16)

B. You don't want your girl to become provocative. 

• Don't allow her to dress in a way that would dishonor God. 
• You don't want her to be shallow.
• Tell her what true beauty is: Proverbs 31:30 

C. You want your girl to walk in wisdom.

• Affirm her worth, make it verbal; praise the good things you see in her.
• Encourage a servant'so heart; involve her in helping others.
• Develop her God-given talents.
• Teach her money management.
• Teach her to be gracious, not gossiping or jealous.
• Teach her good manners and to expect good manners from others.

So, this particular blog post is just for me to come back and review when I need extra encouragement when dealing with my daughter. 

Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

He's 15

Yesterday was my son's 15th birthday. He and I were at the DDS at 7:30 a.m. so he could take the test for his learner's permit. There we were standing out in 45 degree weather and it struck me that we were doing the same thing a year before, standing out in the cold on his birthday while attending an all day archery class. At least this time we were only outside about 10 minutes before they allowed us inside. I must say that the employees at the DDS were cheerful, helpful and got us through in record time. He had his permit in hand as we walked out the door at 8 a.m. (Yes, he passed.)

Next, it was time for his present. He'd asked for tools and I said I would let him spend $50 on his choice of tools. I took him to Harbor Freight, aka Tool Heaven. He made me walk down every aisle as he scoured the shelves for items. (It was like shopping with my Dad. I had no clue how much alike they were.) As we reached the $50 mark I told him he would have to make some choices. He just smiled and assured me that he brought his own money to spend as well. 

After loading up a variety of tools, we headed to our church to practice driving in the empty parking lot for the next hour. He did a good job so I'm hopeful that he will become a good driver. 

The next stop was a visit with Grammy and Pop to show off his permit, new tools and collect the pound cake he asked her to make for him. Of course, Pop added to his pile of tools. 

Back home I gave him one more gift. It was an officially licensed Air Force t-shirt. You should have seen his face light up! He said it was the best shirt he'd ever gotten. You see, he's currently in the AF JROTC group at school and he has dreams of going into the Air Force. My, but he is growing up. However, he did let me hug him several times yesterday. :)

For my sweet boy-
Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and He shall direct your paths.

Grammy's Magic Touch

It's been one of those mornings. I was ready to go to church. The child was sloooowww about getting ready. The child stepped on a bottle of nail polish (why was that in the floor?). The child wailed about the pain and her inability to put any weight on her foot. The child had still not begun to get ready. What did I do? I called my mom, of course. Why? Because even with ice on her foot, the child was sure she couldn't walk and I was quickly losing patience.

Mom and Dad came over and looked at her injury. Within minutes my mom had her up and ready for church. She could walk again - it was a miracle! It was a 'Grammy Miracle' that apparently only grandmas can do. With just the right amount of petting and coaxing, Grammy turned that child into a compliant little angel.

So I dedicate these two verses to my Mom in hopes that one day I'll also have that magic touch.

Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
Proverbs 31:29 Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.

Ready for a Rainbow

If you live in the southeast, you are tired of rain. I believe this is day 10 of the wet stuff. Many events were canceled this weekend, but overall we've not been bombarded with torrential downpours. I'm thankful that we are not experiencing intensity of the historic flooding taking place in South Carolina. I read that areas around Charleston have seen up to two feet of rain in the last three days. I'm am hopeful that residents there are heeding warnings to travel cautiously.

Although the rain can wash away dirt, provide us water and make things grow, it doesn't invigorate and motivate us like the sun can. It makes me sleepy and a little lazy.  However, when the sun shines again, my energy will increase because God promised us relief from the storms.

Genesis 9:14-15 It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember my covenant which is the between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.

The rainbow is on its way.