Even More Devotions for Busy Moms

A Lesson from Those 10 Lepers

The lepers' story is a familiar one. Most of us heard it when we were young in Bible School or on a Sunday Morning in church. We learned the importance of being thankful to Jesus, and we discovered that it was shameful to be like those other nine lepers who didn't return to show their gratitude to the Great Healer. As I read this story one more time today, I began to consider verses 13 & 14.

Ten men are living outside a village. They aren't permitted to enter the town because their disease has made them unclean. They probably haven't seen their family in some time, in fact except for those who are traveling along the road toward the city, there's a chance they've had no contact with any other humans since their disease developed. Yet somehow, these ten men know who Jesus is. They didn't read it in the newspaper, nor did they hear it on the radio. They couldn't "Google" Him or even talk to the townspeople about Him, yet they knew Him, and they knew His power. They trusted the stories they'd heard about Him enough to call out to Him from a distance (they couldn't get close, they were after all, unclean lepers), and because of the stories they'd heard these men had faith.

We don't often talk about the faith of these men. We seem to focus on their ungrateful nature; however, they did have faith. They called out to Jesus, a man they didn't know, a Miracle Worker they'd only heard stories about, but when this Man of God told them to go show themselves to the priest, they headed for town. Jesus didn't say they were healed; He didn't offer them any words of spiritual wisdom. He simply said, "Go show yourselves to the priest." The men understood that the priests would have to give them permission to reenter society, so they left, and "on the way they were cleansed." They weren't healed before they headed for town; they were healed on their way. Their faith was evident by their trust in Jesus' command.

I wondered today, "Do I have that much faith?" Do I believe that what Jesus said in His Word is absolutely true? Before the miracle takes place, if Jesus told me to head in the direction I planned to go AFTER I saw the miracle, would I do it? Would you? I understand that I am not going to get everything I ask for in life. Not every prayer I pray will be answered the way that I hope; however, what if some prayers are not answered because I wait for the miracle instead of walking in faith? What if I'm spending so much time thanking Jesus for what He's about to do, I never take off in the direction He needs me to go?

Yes, we always want to make sure that we don't take for granted Jesus' gifts to us. We should always remember to be thankful for all He does, but let's not lose sight of the value of faith in our teaching of Thanksgiving.

Leviticus 23

I've been reading the Old Testament of late, and as I read Leviticus and Numbers I reflected on all of the festivals God expected the Israelites to participate in. The year started with the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The Feast of Unleavened Bread was celebrated for a full week along with the feast of the First-fruits. For seven days the people of Israel would do no work and bring their best to God.

Fifty days following this festival came the Feast of Weeks. Today we call that feast "Pentecost." It was a single day feast to praise God for the harvest. At the beginning of the seventh month (about 4½ months later), a trumpet blast marked the beginning of another one day feast for Israel, and then just 10 days later the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) gave them another day of mandatory rest. Finally at the end of the harvest season and five days after the last feast, the Israelites were commanded to set aside seven more days to celebrate the Feast of Booths, a time to remember that their ancestors lived in tents for 40 years as they wandered around the desert.

Just those five feasts offered the people of Israel seventeen days of celebration and no work. When you add to that a New Moon Festival in each of the nation's ten months and three more festivals added after the Jewish people returned from their exile, you'll discover the people in ancient Israel enjoyed at least 27 days off every year. That count doesn't include the Sabbaths the nation was supposed to observe weekly or any kind of special vows or days they may have had.

As I read over and over again the details of these festivals as well as the regulations placed upon the children of God, I began to understand that God wants His People to withdraw from work and come aside to learn more about His love and grace. It caused me to consider how many days I actually set aside to just be with my Heavenly Father.

In the 21st Century, we often feel very guilty when we take time for ourselves, especially moms. If we do have a day off from work, we'll often spend the entire time cleaning, weeding or getting "caught up." For moms who work, even our Sundays have become laundry or cleaning day. But how would your life change if you scheduled into it at least one day every week and another 25 days throughout the year when you did nothing but spend time with your heavenly Father and your family? 77 days a year with no cleaning, shopping or worrying about how much work there is to do. Could you do it?

God knows His children. He understands that our bodies are completely human and must have rest. In His great love for us, He set aside the necessary time for our bodies to recuperate from the daily grind we know as life.

Summer is here. It's the time we think most about vacations. This Summer I hope you'll remember that God created you for vacations. He may have called them festivals in scripture, but our modern day vacations can serve the same purpose. As you plan your Summer with your children remember to include activities that will help you worship your heavenly Father. You don't have to spend a lot of money or go away for days at a time. Take a hike and help your children understand that all the beauty they see is God's handiwork. Visit your local Science Center and explain that God set in motion the law of gravity and the law of conservation of mass. Spend an entire day at a State Park swimming and remind your children that Christ began his ministry being baptized in a muddy river. The possibilities are endless and the memories you will create are priceless.

And in the midst of your busy life, take some time for you. Give your children a grand gift by spoiling yourself for at least a few days of your "Summer vacation." You were created to rest in Christ and without that rest, you can't be all that Christ has created you to be. So go ahead, plan your festivals, give yourself permission to leave dust on your television all Summer and praise your heavenly Father for the example He set by calling the Israelites to spend some time just "Being Still and knowing that God is God.

Yesterday morning my 23 year old called me to tell me she had just finished a Marathon and had shaved 2 seconds off her time. I am pretty sure I was about the second person she called, perhaps the first. It makes me feel extremely good to know that even as adults my girls still like to share their victories with me. I love it that they want me to know what's going on in their lives, and they think of me when they have good news.

Shortly after we hung up, I thought that must be how God feels when we pray. Yes, God obviously knows what's going on in our lives, but I think it must bring Him great joy when He knows we WANT to share our victories and successes with Him. It's not WHAT we tell Him that is important, He already knows all of that. But I believe that God smiles when He sees in us the desire to tell Him everything that's happening in our lives. I feel loved and proud when my daughters want me to know about their day. Why wouldn't God feel the same?

It's so easy for us to get busy taking care of our children, homes, jobs, educations and spouses, we are apt to forget that even in our grown-up, very responsible state, we are still children, God's children. Perhaps you've already begun to realize that your children will never "outgrow" you. You will always worry about them and love them more than a normal human can understand. It's much the same with our heavenly Father. He sees us through the blood of Jesus with eyes that see deeper and a heart that loves greater than even a mother's mind can fathom.

Your heavenly Father is waiting for your call today. He's sitting by the phone loving you, patiently counting the moments until you speak just the smallest word in His direction. He's always listening, always loving and always anxious to hear from you.

Yesterday I had a two and a half hour drive to speak at a church and a two and a half hour drive home. I originally thought I would have someone with me for the drive, but by noon the last of my possible companions had cancelled. I don't really like to drive, and I generally find myself falling asleep when I do. So, I wasn't looking forward to trip.

Once again, though, my Father knew what He was doing. The ride was wonderful. I was able to spend two and a half hours with Jesus, praying, singing and meditating on my journey with Him. Something I wouldn't have been able to do had one of my passengers been able to ride with me.
It made me think about the days when my girls were in school. I often found opportunities to get them in the van with me one at a time. Each had her own special school shopping day, and I'd often talk just one into going grocery shopping. I loved those trips home from the school or doctor or dentist appointments. We sometimes had the radio on softly in the background, but the majority of the trip was spent talking about whatever was important to that particular daughter at the moment.

I believe those trips were a key part of the relationship I now share with the girls. Of course we spent a lot of other time with the girls, but those one on one times were very special to me (and to them, I hope!) I'm blessed that now as adults we can have a great time together, but I wonder if I would be able to say that if we hadn't spent time nurturing those relationships.

My truck ride yesterday with my heavenly Father reminded me of those trips with my daughters. I had a wonderful chat with Him about all of the things that were on my mind, the blessings as well as the things that were troubling me. And although I didn't hear His voice in an audible way, somehow I knew that He cared and loved that I was just spending time with Him.

As moms it's easy to get so busy being a parent that we neglect the most important relationship in our lives. So many people demand our time, our children, our spouse, our boss or teacher, even our pets. And because Jesus is much less demanding, the time we spend with Him is often short changed. It's good for us to read verses like this one from Luke to remind us that even our Savior Himself needed to spend quiet time with His heavenly Father in order to make healthy decisions and be the leader He needed to be.

Motherhood is a very taxing profession, but not more strenuous than leading a group of uneducated men to become the foundation for a New Covenant with the Father. Jesus needed time with God, and we need to follow His example. I know it seems as though you don't have a moment to spare, but I encourage you, the next time you're driving to work or on your way to pick up your children, spend some time with your Father, tell Him everything, laugh with Him and cry with Him. He's waiting because He loves spending time with you.

Photo courtesy of MorgueFile.com

I remember those Spring days when my girls were small. I loved the longer days and the fresher air. The trees began to bud and the grass would begin to turn green. Daffodils and crocuses dotted yards nearby and we would see calves and lambs in the fields; they were so adorable. I loved Spring and all the newness and life that it represented. There was only one drawback to the season . . . my children.

Considering all the rain and the fact that the days aren't yet warm enough to really get outside a lot, I'm assuming your kids are in the midst of "Spring Fever." Much like their parents, children can sense the coming thaw. They know that any day now they'll be able to leave the coats at home and run outside like crazy men. There's something in the air that gives us all the hope that the cold and drear of winter is nearly a thing of the past, at least for the next few months, and that feeling, that hope, can make you want to sell your children! They are probably a little more antsy than usual and don't hear as well, as if they listened perfectly before. I'm here to tell you not to sweat it, it's normal. If you were six, you'd be acting exactly the same way. Like us, they just want to get out of their heavy winter clothes and enjoy the sunshine. They'll be back to normal soon enough, just try not to kill them until it happens.

By now you might be wondering what kind of devotion this is. I was thinking this morning, as I contemplated what to share with you, that in the midst of your children driving you nuts, you might need reminded that God loves you! Jesus Christ is there for you, and His Holy Spirit is just waiting for you to call on Him for guidance, support and power. So here are a few ideas for you to meditate on today and perhaps for the next few:

Did you know that you are the "apple of God's eye"? Check out Deuteronomy 32:9-11 and Zechariah 2:8 and remember that Christians have been grafted into the tribe of Jacob. You are special to God. There is no one who loves you more!

Do you need reminded that God has called you by name, you belong to Him? Isaiah 43 tells us that when we pass through the fire we won't be burned, and when we walk through the waters He will be with us. Our Heavenly Father says that we are precious and honored. Do you feel precious to God today? Take a few moments just for you! Tell yourself over and over that you are precious to the Creator of the Universe, He formed you, He knows you and He loves you!

Psalm 139:13 reminds us that the Maker of all Things knit us together, stitch at a time, in our mother's womb. You are as special and valuable as a handmade, one-of-a-kind work of art created by a master painter or craftsman. There is no one exactly like you, you can never be replaced and there is no substitute for you.

God knew you'd make a tremendous mother. On those days when you feel as though you've blown it in the parenting department (and yes, that happens more frequently the older they get) let Proverbs 23:18 and 24:14 & 20 as well as Jeremiah 29:11 & 31:17 assure you that God goes before you working everything out. He promises that you have a future hope. He guarantees that the children of His chosen people will return to "their own land."

Don't kick yourself during these days when your children are just anxious to work off some of their winter energy. Instead, pray with your children and teach them that the Lord Almighty loves them. And the next time you're watching them sleep, and you're reminded of how you'd give your own life to protect them regardless of their behavior in the hour before bed, remember that your Heavenly Father loves you even more than that. In fact, He did, indeed, give His own life. He loves you that much.

This Saturday I danced with my grandson at my nephew's wedding. I call him "My Little Man." When he was three I would ask him to promise to stay little forever and he would always agree. But at age 7 it's not so easy. He's seen the fun in being older and there's no looking back now. However, I still tell him that he'll always be "My Little Man."

On Saturday I said, "You know you'll always be My Little Man." He smiled shook his head and I said, "Even when you're 35, you'll still be My Little Man."

He grinned big and said, "What about when I'm 23, will I be your Little Man?"

I said, "Yes, when you are 23, you will still be My Little Man."

He replied, "When I'm 70, will I be your Little Man?"

"Yes, even when you're 70, you will still be My Little Man."

And the conversation continued, "When I'm 3000 will I still be your Little Man."

"Yes, even when you are 3000, you will still be My Little Man."

I don't want him to grow up too fast. He's already started to worry about tests. It amazes me how many very young children think about things that I didn't even know existed when I was their age. I'm guessing the information age has given them knowledge that wasn't available when I was young. And not all knowledge is necessary helpful. Adam and Even proved that when they ate from the tree of the "Knowledge of Good and Evil."

Or if it's not the information age teaching them this "wisdom" that seems beyond their years, perhaps it's watching us, the adults in their lives. These impressionable, precious gifts want to be like us! Isn't that amazing? But what are they learning from us? What priorities are we teaching them, what behaviors are we instilling in their young minds?

When I read this passage from Mark today, it made me think about us grownups. I wondered what I DON'T do because I'm "too grownup" or it's "too foolish." Jesus said that the "Kingdom belongs to such as these." "These" meaning the children.

Have you ever noticed that kids don't need an explanation for every fact you tell them? As they get older they will, but young children just take your word for it when they ask you a question. (And on a side note: Always tell them the truth when they ask - the more they see you always tell the truth, the longer they'll trust your answers) Young children have faith in you.

Young children see things in a whole new light! I love watching kids see things for the first few times. I enjoy taking them to a farm or a zoo, a musical or a nature walk. Things that I dismiss as every day, they see with wonder and amazement. Children remind me that God's creation is full of mystery and beauty. They see through eyes untainted by the hurt and pain of the world. So they see clearly the majesty of all our Father has made.

Young children aren't embarrassed to have fun! My brother-in-law and I just grinned at each other watching the 12 and under crowd on the dance floor Saturday. They looked like they were having a blast. They didn't get even ONE of the dance moves right, but they were out there having a great time! When was the last time you danced like no one was watching? Or better yet . . . When was the last time you CARED if someone was watching?

Young children smile, dance, run and laugh. They create, trust, hug, and love. They see, feel, care and cry . . . all without shame, all without inhibition. We can tell when our children start to mature, because one by one they begin to be self-conscience about these things. And if we're honest, we'll admit that there are times we wish we could be just a little more childlike. We like to play in the rain and get soaked from time to time. We enjoy laughing until we need to change our clothes on occasion. We love to dance with friends and not worry if every step is correct. And we'd love to just have some time to crawl up on Jesus' knee and let Him hold us.

I have a painting of Jesus and the children. It's more modern than you may have seen before, but it's wonderful. The children are a multitude of races and economic states. There are kids who are smiling, kids who look frightened and at least one who looks lost and afraid. When I look at it, I see a picture of me with Jesus.

Jesus wants us to come to Him as a child, honest and open, with all of our fears and failures showing. He doesn't need the cleaned up, grownup version of me. That part of me won't sit on His lap or fall at His feet. That part won't ask a "silly" question or sing His praises at the top of my lungs with the radio. No, that part of me will smile and be very proper, it won't let the tear of hurt be seen, it won't be too loud or yell because it's mad. That part of me doesn't know how to be real and transparent before my Savior.

That's why Jesus said, "Anyone who won't receive the Kingdom like a child will never enter into it." It's not that we aren't allowed; it's that as our "adult selves" we may come to the door of the Kingdom, we may even go in and stand against the wall, but unless we enter as a child, we'll never experience the beauty, the fun, the abundance of life that Christ has for us. We'll always be reserved and miss out on all the Kingdom has to offer.

So this week I challenge you to remind yourself daily that you are God's child. I pray you will take a step toward allowing yourself to have more fun and laugh louder and bigger. I encourage you to eat hot dogs on paper plates for dinner one night so you'll have time to play a game (that's what a kid would do). And don't do it just for you, do it for your kids. As you teach them to be responsible adults (because we do still have to be that, too), teach them with your actions to never stop being children . . . children of a living and gracious God . . . children who will be ready to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

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Today I was listening to KLOVE (Christian Radio) and heard the beginning of Francesca Battistelli's new song, "This is the Stuff." It starts out

I lost my keys in the great unknown
and call me please 'cuz I can't find my phone
This is the stuff that drives me crazy,
this is the stuff that's getting to me lately . . .

It's such a real song for us moms. Every day there is "stuff." Something is always lost, if it's not our keys or phone, then it's the kids' DS or shoes or perhaps our spouse's wallet or favorite jacket. And if we happen to have a day when we can find everything, then the car won't run or the washer overflows. It's always something. Can you relate?

I remember when I first asked Christ to be my Savior and committed to live for Him. I was still a teen, but for some strange reason, I thought life would change. I had somehow got it into my head that salvation would make things easier. I didn't read the Bible much back then. If I had, I'd have probably been a little more aware of the fact that Christ never promised "easy," He only promised "worth it."

It's kind of funny that song would have been playing first thing this morning because I'd just been thinking about one of the last discussions Christ had with His disciples here on this earth. In John 14 Jesus promised the disciples peace, but "not as the world gives." He promised to send a "paraclete." That's a Greek word that's used in the original translation of the Bible. We obviously don't use it much. OK, we don't use it EVER, but it's a great word! (and fun to say!) It's translated half a dozen ways in different versions of the Bible and every single variation is correct. That's why it's such a great word!

Jesus told His disciples He was going to go to heaven so He could send us a Paraclete, the Holy Spirit. Read your version of John 14:16. It may say advocate or counselor, comforter or friend. The New Century Version says Helper and the Amplified expands the word to mean Intercessor and Strengthener. The good news is The Holy Spirit is all of that and more. The word paraclete includes "the one who consoles," "the one who calls you" and "the one who sets you free."

I was thinking about all of that this morning when "This is the
Stuff" began to play on the radio. It made me smile. If Christ saw the need to send me a paraclete, why would I have ever assumed life as a Christian would be the easy road? Obviously Jesus knew it would be anything but, so He made arrangements to give us some help, He sent us a paraclete.

And I think that of all people, moms probably need a paraclete the most. After all, it's not very often dad who has to find the lost sock or get up in the middle of the night with the nightmares. Mom is usually the one expected to have all the answers and the great advice, and Mom is supposed to read minds when teenagers don't talk. It's mom who folds the clothes while she watches TV, and mom who sees one more thing someone forgot to do on her way to bed. Mom is responsible for stretching the budget and for some reason most of the household responsibility falls on her whether she's blessed to be able to make a career of the calling of motherhood or not. Yep, mom, you need a paraclete.

Most often, though, we try to do it on our own. We learn quickly, perhaps from watching our own mother, that what we don't do probably won't get done. And that's why we so quickly burn out. Our Father didn't create us to do it on our own. He's sent a Helper, a Counselor, a Guide. The Holy Spirit wants to lead us and help us and most of all give us peace. But like His two counterparts, the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit is a gentleman. He will not force His way someplace He is not invited.

I'm guessing if you're reading this, there's a good chance you've already asked Christ to be your personal Savior. You probably already know that being good isn't enough, we have to humble ourselves to accept Jesus' death on the cross as payment for our sins and commit our lives to Him. And when we do that, Ephesians says we're "sealed with the Holy Spirit." But there is more than just that "sealing." I have discovered that when I ask the Holy Spirit to help me and lead me (and then let Him do it), there is a peace and a joy in the midst of the "stuff." And somewhere deep inside I know that as good as it is today, there is more, an even better life, love and joy that I will receive every day I let my Paraclete lead.

Listen to Francesca Battistelli's song free (up to 25 songs per month)http://www.rhapsody.com/francesca-battistelli

Kneading dough can be a very relaxing endeavor. Push and roll, push and roll, turn and smash again. It's a nice quiet task that allows us to take out our frustrations and feel productive at the same time. However, the purpose in kneading is isn't to relieve stress. We knead to work the yeast, to get the leaven all through the dough so that it will raise properly. And for some reason the kneading also causes the yeast to work better.

I have a sugar cookie recipe that came from my husband's grandmother. It's a family favorite because these cookies are the lightest and fluffiest you've ever tasted. One of the secrets I've discovered for very light, yet thick cookies is letting the leaven sit in the dough for a long time and then kneading. It's just baking powder and baking soda, but the longer the dough is in the refrigerator (or freezer) and the more I knead, the better the cookies.

Jesus said to beware of the yeast, the teaching, of the Pharisees. I wonder if He compared it to yeast because the more a teaching is presented and the more we ponder a teaching, the better it works into our very fiber. Think about it for a moment. You probably have things you do in your life simply because they were "kneaded" into your life on a daily basis. Perhaps you comb your hair the way your mother did, or use hand gestures like your father. Each of us has quirks, knowledge, habits and even hang-ups that are harbored way deep inside of us because our parents "worked" them in, generally the kneading was done very subtly and often without a thought that their words and actions would affect us for the rest of our lives.

As we raise our children, we need to be aware that our "teaching" is like yeast. Everything we do, every word we speak is similar to leaven being measured into the dough. And each time we repeat the action or word, we are kneading. If we yell more than necessary or speak judging toward others, we are kneading that behavior into our children.

Jesus didn't tell His disciples that "yeast" was bad. He simply told them to guard against the "yeast" of the Pharisees, teachings that sounded like something God might say, but weren't really from His Father. As you go about your day, consider the kind of "yeast" you are mixing into the soft, pliable minds of your youngsters. Is what you are teaching them from Christ or from the world? Are they learning how to love God and others or how to help themselves?

We have an awesome responsibility "raising" these children God has given us. So take a minute to check out your brand of yeast, and have some fun kneading the dough!

Through Him and for His name's sake, we received grace . . . to call people . . . to the obedience that comes from faith. Romans 1:5

As moms, one of the things on our top ten list for our kids is obedience. We want them to learn to listen to us, their teachers and other adults in authority. As Christian moms we pray we can teach them to also obey Jesus Christ and learn to follow God's Word. We teach them lessons from the Bible and help them understand the differences between living for Christ and living for the world, but as I read this short introduction to Romans, I wonder if our instruction is a bit misguided.

In these first five verses, Paul shares a truth that has been proven time and time again. Throughout history it has been shown that humans armed only with the rules and the guidelines needed to follow them will fail every single time. Adam walked with God and a short eight generations later, the One who had created mankind felt the need to start over again. David was a man after God's own heart, yet several of his sons who were good at offering the proper sacrifices "fell short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) What if the problem in every instance of failure is the motivation to follow the rules instead of live by faith?

It's important that our children learn to follow the rules, but no amount of legalism will help your child to have life abundant. Even if they manage to grow up to be "good people," without faith in Jesus Christ, their lives will be hollow and empty, and eventually following the rules will get too hard. I think that's why so many politicians and lucrative businessmen end up in scandalous affairs and resort to alcohol or drugs.

On the other hand, our children's futures will be completely different if they are taught to live by faith instead of the rules. Paul tells us that obedience comes from faith. When we have true faith in Jesus Christ, we naturally obey. We WANT to do the righteous thing. The Spirit within us leads us to be the kind of person Christ would be proud of. Unfortunately, while it's much easier to live by faith than by the rules, rules are much more easily taught. It's easy to put a list of "do's and don'ts" out there to follow. With that list we can even tell them, "Do as I say, not as I do." But teaching faith requires our living it out.

Teaching our kids to have faith in Jesus will mean allowing them to see us vulnerable from time to time so they can witness the way we lean on Him. During those times when we feel like we can't go on anymore, we often shield our children from the heartache. We don't want them to grow up too fast, and when they are very young, some of our pain may need to be kept to ourselves. However, as they mature, it will be good for them to watch us lean on Christ during times of crisis. It's healthy for our kids to see us cry, read scripture, call our godly friends and use worship and study to get us through the hard times.

Faith will be learned as we allow them to see nothing has priority over worship. As we walk into the 21st Century, we see how easy it is to allow our calendars to fill up with things that take away our time with our Father. From birth your children will learn your true priorities by what you do. If you say going to church is important, but only attend once or twice a month, they'll understand that God is only important when we have time for Him. On the other hand, if they witness you rising 15 minutes early to read your Bible and understand when you're in your prayer time they shouldn't disturb you, they'll begin at a tender age to see how vital faith is to a life worth living. More than that, when they experience the peace and love you receive from living out your own faith and being refreshed by His presence every day, they will think it only natural to incorporate worship, study and prayer into their own lives.

Faith will continue after they move out when faith is part of their daily life. Little things like real prayer before dinner, the entire family attending Sunday School and talking about the Bible as part of everyday conversation will go a long way in helping them develop that faith that produces obedience. Obedience, not only to their heavenly Father, but to their earthly parents, too.
While there is no guarantee that living your faith in front of your kids will keep them from rebelling in their teens, I'd say the odds of having a responsible sixteen year old in your home skyrocket when he or she has learned to love Jesus rather than follow the rules.

So, this week worry less about the rules and more about your faith, learn to live with a couple of dust bunnies if it means you have 10 minutes more to pray, give up all the things you "have to do" for the sake of what Christ calls you to do. The peace you will find and the lessons you'll teach your children will be worth it.

This morning I began my day thinking about my grandchildren and how I can help their parents encourage them to be good. What kind of positive influence can I be, what can I say, what kind of reinforcements can I give them? As I posed those questions to myself I felt God calling me to the end of Genesis 1.

In Genesis 1, as most know, we read the description of God creating. The chapter ends with these few words: "God saw all that He had created, and it was very good." (Genesis 1:31a) Everything that God created was and is good. My grandchildren, my children, your children, all of them are inherently GOOD just because God created them, and more than that, according to verse 26 in that same chapter, He created them, us, every human being, in HIS image.

This made me wonder, how might children everywhere change if they were told daily that they are good? Not because of the way they behave, but simply because they are creations of the Almighty, Sovereign Master of the Universe. How might their self-esteem and demeanor change if they realized they are good creation that sometimes misbehaves?

I learned long ago that humans everywhere tend to live up to the image given to them by the authority figures in their life, whatever that image may be. A child, or even an adult, when called "bad" often enough, will indeed be bad. If we are convinced we can't, then we can't. It doesn't matter that given the right nurturing and opportunities we each can probably do much more than we believe. If we have that word imbedded in our brain often enough, we will believe it, and anything we believe strongly is a truth in our life whether it is a truth from God or a lie from the devil.

Fortunately, God calls us clay. (Isaiah 64:8) That means we can be remolded. We can be remade from a misshapen pot into a valuable vessel. As adults, if someone has spoken untruths into your life, and you've believed them, your shape and outlook can be changed by replacing those negative words you've heard with positive ones. Find friends and groups that will help reshape your thinking. Read books, especially the Bible, that will help you see the truth. The truth is you were created in the image of the Living God, and He has hand carved you into something absolutely wonderful, something useful and of value, someone who can go further, dream bigger and achieve more than you ever thought possible.

The beauty of this discovery is that you can help mold the clay that is your child. You can speak positive words into his life. You can help convince her that she can do anything. You have the power to help your child believe at an early age, he has been created, she has been formed in the image of the Omnipotent Creator. How will the demeanor of your child change once they are convinced that although they misbehave and often will have to apologize or even be disciplined for their actions, God Himself says they are "very good."