life beyond the well…

Tag Archives: Parenting


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Because I Said So

When I was a kid, there were a few times when my parents asked me to do something and I was bold enough to ask, “Why?”  Immediately following the “stare of death” (which caused my short life to flash before my eyes), I heard this response: “Because I said so”.  And that really settled the situation, because for my parents, you really had no option but to be obedient- whether you understood the “why” or not.

As an adult, a former teacher, and a parent- I can now see both sides of this.  There are times when I need my little one to just do what I say- without question (whether it’s because I need for us to get somewhere on time, or I need to make something happen, or because she really just needs to understand that you do what you are told).  At the same time, I do believe that it’s important to understand the “why”- and as much as possible, I try to explain that as well.  It’s a delicate balance, that I haven’t completely mastered but that I’m working on daily.

This morning, I could tell that my little one was not particularly happy with the outfit that I selected for her to wear to school.  Sometimes this results in conversation, other times it doesn’t.  Today, though it showed on her face that she wasn’t excited about her outfit, she put on the clothes without question and we were able to continue with our routine.  As I reflected on that while I was getting dressed, I realized that her response to her discontentment was a lesson for me.  There are many times when God tells me to do things, and my tendency is to wonder why (or ask why, or drag my feet, or mull over when I plan to do it).  If I’m going to be a successful, mature believer, I need to master doing things because God says so.  Though I may not like it, I need to do what I’m asked to do without question.

Obedience is greater than sacrifice, and disobedience oftentimes leads to HAVING to sacrifice.  One of the best things that I can do in my walk with God is to be obedient, and trust that while I may not understand the “why” now, it will be revealed to me later.  And even if it’s NOT revealed to me later, the real test is in my willingness to be obedient to what I’ve been told- because He said so.

Do you struggle with being obedient to the things that God tells you?  Let me encourage you to be obedient- there are some doors that are only opened for you, some blessings that are only received because of your obedience.  Be open and willing to do what He says, because He says so.

Be encouraged!  Peace and Blessings!

 


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Fathering in the Way of God

father blog collage

Left: My dad praying with me before my wedding. Right: Preacherman consoling our little one.

One of the (many) things that I love about Preacherman is that he is an EXCELLENT father.  He truly finds joy and happiness in interacting and engaging with our daughter.  While he (admittedly) spoils her, he is also a wonderful leader for her and our family.  His demonstration of love is consistent and firm.  He strives to teach her in the ways of the Lord.  When you see them together, it is clear that they are two peas in a pod.

For the last few weeks, our bedtime stories have been from a children’s pajama bible.  Samiyah gets to choose four stories (because she’s 4 years old), and we’ll read them together.  Her choices over the past few weeks have been: God Made the World, Adam and Eve, Noah, and Naomi and Ruth.  We’ve read them so much that she has nearly memorized them.  After we read them, we try to include a one sentence synopsis or takeaway that she’ll be able to remember.

Last night, after reading about Adam and Eve, she began to ask questions (deep, theological, 4 year old questions).  As we talked about the serpent and how God felt after Adam and Eve disobeyed, she came to the conclusion that God wasn’t real because she couldn’t see Him in the pictures of her pajama bible.  (Insert parenting panic here).

After overcoming my parenting panic, I said, “Well, you don’t see Daddy all the time.  Does that mean that he is not real?”  She responded, “Yes, Daddy is real!”  I then explained, “Well, just because we aren’t able to see God, that doesn’t mean that He isn’t real.  He’s always there for us in the same way that Daddy is always there for you.  Daddy is your earthly father, and God is your heavenly father.”  At that moment, she took off running to the other room to give Preacherman one of many good night hugs and kisses.  I breathed a sigh of relief.  Crisis averted.  Praise the Lord, I hadn’t ruined my little one’s faith!

Because Preacherman is such a great father, it was easy for her to make the connection between him being there and being real, and God being real.  When fathers are great (and this doesn’t mean without fault or flawless) and truly desire to lead their families in the way of the Lord, it becomes so much easier for their children to trust God.  It’s so easy for me to trust that God is on time, because my dad is never late.  I can believe in God’s consistency because I see that in my dad and in my husband.  I am able to accept that God is faithful and keeps His promises because I have good earthly examples in my husband and my dad.

My husband and my dad have shown me that while good parenting is about the day to day activities, it’s also about love and discipleship and leaving a legacy of faith behind that can support and encourage the generations to come.  For that, I am truly grateful.

Be encouraged!  Peace and blessings!