Lately, I've been spending some of my devotional time following Rebekah Jones' Heaven is Calling Bible Journaling Video Series. The videos are great...part art lesson, part devotional...love it. If you have any interest in Bible Journaling I highly recommend it.
The 1st and 3rd lessons were both based on 1 Samuel. In 1 Samuel Chapter 1, Hannah, calls out to God with her pain and desires for a son; in 1 Samuel Chapter 3, we see that she has been given a son and that he is serving under Eli in the temple.
Several things stood out to me--as a mom--as I read through 1 Samuel 3:1-10. First, Hannah was a woman who kept her promise. After having her prayers answered by our good Father God, she gave her son back to the Lord. He was raised in the temple in the service of God, even if he may not have known him yet...train a child in the way they should go Proverbs 22:6); we don't have to wait until our children understand! Let them see and follow.
Though Eli and Samuel lived during a time when visions from the Lord were few, that did not stop them from ministering. Steadfastness of heart and hand is something I desire for my son...that he will not be blown about by every wind (Eph.4:14) of teaching or emotion.
When the Lord called to Samuel, who mistook Him for Eli, Samuel still responded...immediately...three times. Obedience without pause. May I be so responsive to God, and may I train my son to be the same. Finally, when Eli realized that it was the Lord who was speaking, he gave Samuel instructions as to how to respond. And although Samuel had never communicated with God before, he trusted.
May I be like Hannah...and Eli...as I raise my son to follow the Lord.
I know that's a take-off on a line from a song, but I can't even remember the rest of it; nor do I have any sense about the artist. Isn't it funny what little things stick in our minds?
So...it's that time in our house. Our little man is ready, though cooperative some days and stubborn others. What toddler isn't?! I know he would respond to candy as an incentive/reward, and we may use that as we work on...#2...but he already has enough of my sweet tooth so I decided to start with stickers on a sticker chart. Two nap times in my craft room and I think we're all set!
It's hard to see in the photo, but there are little dotted lines through all the squares, like a road. One sticker per try, two for success! And we are prepared to sit and wait if need be :)
Here goes!!!
So forgive me if this is a little
too personal…but it's too funny not to share! I have recently taken to locking the
bathroom door when I'm using it...a little privacy goes a long way with a
curious toddler! I guess I was in there a little too long the other day,
because I started hearing noises outside the door. Little man had climbed
up a chair to get to our key rack, and was now trying to use the keys to open
the bathroom door and get to his mama! I chuckled and explained that the
door locked from the inside and I would be out soon...but 'soon' wasn't soon
enough I guess. Not a minute later his sweet little hand pushed the key
under the door so I could let myself out and "pay car truck!" with him. I love
him so!
