Sunday, October 24, 2010

God Answers A Call for Help


Reading bedtime stories to my three-year-old girl before she sleeps was part of my evening chores.  During daytime when she got hold of the book she would go through each page and in her own way say the story to herself from the pictures she could identify.  I was busy in my sewing one morning so I gave her the book to keep her from interrupting my work.  After a few minutes, she urgently called me.  “Mommy, please come, I could not find the boy who cut his fingers, lend me your eyeglasses.” I put her on my lap, calmed her with my hugs, and we found together the picture of the boy who disobeyed his father and cut his fingers with a knife. When my little girl was unable to find the picture, she thought of my eyeglasses.  She remembered that every time I read the book to her, I always asked for my eyeglasses so I can see. This simple routine was impressed upon her young minds to use the same solution when similar situation pops up.

As parents, we unconsciously leave lessons or patterns to our children everyday. Whatever we say and do—good or bad, leave an impression upon their young minds that can contribute to the formation of their characters.

I am reminded of two lessons from this experience on how God responds when we call for help. Firstly, in times of problems, sickness, financial difficulties, loss of a job or loved ones, and family problems, God is just waiting to answer my call for help.  Psalm 91:15 (NIV) says, “He will call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.”.  When I cry for help the Lord will answer me.  Psalm 120:1 says  “In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and He heard me.”  (German: Luther 1912).  I have nothing to fear.

Secondly, God provides me with spiritual eyesight by the Holy Spirit (God’s eyeglasses) to see Him clearly in times of trouble.  He provides me His Word (Bible) to where I could listen to Him as He speaks and assures me of His love.  Through Nature He is reminding me of His concern of the details of my life.   Isaiah 41:10  says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, ...”.  I only need to put on God’s eyeglasses to see Him and hear Him speak to me, “My child, do not fear, I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH.”  What awesome GOD I have!http://bux4ad.com/_0929587d.htm

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Two Important Things to Give to Your Children

Once a baby is borne his parents start to set beautiful dreams of what this child shall be someday.  To fulfill that dream parents invest money to support that dream--food, clothing, health, education and other needs of the child.  However, oftentimes when parents focus on earning money more, they overlook the most important investment they can give to their children. One beautiful quotation posted on a wall struck me.  It says, "Ttwo important things to give to your children: Roots and Wings." What does this mean?

Psalm 1:3  says, "He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruits in its season, and its leaf does not wither.  In all that he does, he prospers." (ESV.Bible)  Parents showing by words and example on honesty, obedience, respect, love, courtesy; kindness, sympathy, tenderness, helpfulness, humbleness, self-restraint, and reverance to GOD is giving their children strong roots by which they can grown on and yield beautiful lives that can touch other people's lives.  Good human relationship is the key to prosperity whatever vocation they may take in life.

How can parents give wings to their children?  Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." (ESV.Bible) Child training starts even while the baby is still unborn, one author said.  A pregnant mother with pleasant dispoisition most likely will pass on that disposition to her child. Many mothers can testify to this experience.  A one-year-old baby can be taught to pick up his toy, to obey when Mama says he stops crying and many other simple things he needs to obey.  Children should be given responsibilities at home according to what they can do at certain stage of ages.  Above all, they should be taught to take responsibilities at home of which they are accountable of if they failed to do.  Of course, this training should be administered with much love, understanding and kind consideration when errors and mistakes are committed.  Generous appreciation and encouragements be given to work well done as these will boost the self-esteem and self confidence. When children are being prepared to take their responsibilities while they are still young, they can mount up their wings like eagles at mature age and leave the nest--our home.  No parents wish to have emotional or spiritual invalids but children with giants of minds who will be assets to the world, not liabilities.