I grew up in a low income family. Money was tight and luxuries were things you only saw on TV. Birthdays and Christmas were special occasions but never delivered presents like other children talked about at school. I always had food, a roof over my head, and clothes on my back. In my parents’ opinion I had enough and I cannot say I disagree with that observation.
However, I worked hard to rise above that, and I stand today, better off than I was. My children want for nothing and they have never seen the struggles I endured as a child. They have countless snacks in the kitchen to choose from and clothes bursting from their closets. They have multiple pairs of shoes to wear and an electronic device around every corner. The stuffed animals take over their rooms to the point that the only place left to hang them is on the walls. Each time a new toy was presented, it brought huge smiles and polite thank yous.
All sounds picture perfect right? Wrong! Now I am faced with the dilemma of, if I spoil my child they will develop a sense of entitlement and be awful human beings. How is this fair? I want to shower my children with material things and allow them to enjoy all the things I could not. I dreamed of providing my children with a better childhood than I had, and am finally able to provide that kind of lifestyle. How can that be damaging? Late one night, after the kids had gone to sleep and the house was calm, I pondered just that. How do I spoil my children without having a negative impact on their development?
Then I realized, if you don’t have hard times, you cannot truly appreciate the good. If you do not struggle from time to time, you fail to see when times are easy. It is under the pressure of sadness that you reminisce on just how good it once was. If all you know is good times, the first little disaster could be detrimental. How can a child know how to deal with chaos if they have never seen it?
The epiphany changed my way of thinking and gave me a completely different perspective. My childhood may have been tough but my experiences taught me a lot and empowered me to provide better for my children. Not better material possessions but better everything else. Better communication, better problem solving, a more stable environment, emotional regulation, and a safe place to talk. More quality time together, more late night movies, more understanding and empathy.
I realized I was so busy trying to fill the void with earthly things, I failed to notice what matters the most, to raise Christ-centered, confident, morally guided, independent children who are capable of making informed decisions. My children will not remember the presents they received for their 12th birthday, but they will remember the skills and techniques I teach them to navigate the world. The knowledge I share with them essentially becomes the basis for every decision they will ever make in their entire life.
I will not always be here but my words will echo in their minds forever and be passed on for generations. I want those words to ring louder than any doubt that may be in their mind and last longer than any troubled times. I want my children to value time well spent with an aging relative or the kindness of helping someone that they could never repay the favor. I want them to experience the joy of giving to a needy person and how a simple act of kindness can change a person’s whole week. I want them to stand tall on their beliefs and never back down from a challenge. I want them to know that material things rot and fade away but memories and knowledge last forever. I want them to put God first and live life honoring Him, I know all else will follow.
Since then, my focus has changed drastically. Now I strive to equip my children with the knowledge and resources they need to survive in this ruthless world. I teach them how to grow their own food, how to manage money, how to maintain a bank account, how to take responsibility for their actions and how to live a Godly life. I teach them useful skills that traditional schools never speak of and the best way I have found is to lead by example. We are the first line of defense for our children but they also must fight for themselves. The question is are we sending them to battle clothed with the armor of God and a mighty sword in their hands? Or are we sending them naked and armed with butter knives? The choice is ours as parents to make but theirs to reap, choose wisely.
If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be, and why?
If I could be someone else for a day I would choose to be my husband. I would like to be him so I could truly see myself from his perspective. I am told often that I do not see how beautiful I am or just how amazing I am at being a mother. I think if I could see from his eyes I could see what all the fuss is about. I would also see the world from his view and be able to better understand his thoughts and emotions. Doing so would cultivate a deeper and more meaningful connection. How amazing it would be to see the world through my husband’s point of view.
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins. 3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: 5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. 6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: 7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. 8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. 9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! 10 Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. 12 Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? 13 Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? 14 With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding? 15 Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. 16 And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering. 17 All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity. 18 To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him? 19 The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains. 20 He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved. 21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? 22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: 23 That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity. 24 Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble. 25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth. 27 Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God? 28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
I’ll6 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
I’m 1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. 14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. 34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool. 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
No books. That’s what her mother told her specifically. No books on the family trip. Her mother didn’t have time for her shenanigans, and it would not be tolerated. Any mishap would be treated with dire consequences. It will probably be the last one she tags along on as a kid. In one year, three months, and 7 days, she will be 18 and living her own life. You would think a parent would be happy to see their child reading, but Lilly isn’t your everyday child. When she reads, she occasionally teleports herself right into the story. Oh, how shocked her mother was to call out her name that day and get no response. Frantically, her mother searched and searched for her beloved daughter. She called the police, but they required a 24 hour disappearance before they could formally do a report. How ridiculous! A 10-year-old could seriously get themself in trouble within 24 hours. At the end of the day and with hope dwindling fast, she returns to Lilly’s room to feel the essence of her daughter. In between her bone shaking cries, she hears a tiny “Mom”. Her mother holds her breath, her ears straining to hear. ” Mom, down here, help.” She searches the room in haste but can’t pinpoint her location. ” The book mom, the book!”. Her mother looks down at the book and sees a miniature 2D version of her daughter failing her arms and jumping up and down on the page. Her mother takes the graphic novel in her hand and gasps. “What are you doing in there? How did you? Get out of there right this instance!” ” I can’t, I don’t know how.” Her mother faints, crashing hard onto the floor, the book tumbling beside her. It lies open beside her and Lilly cries in hopelessness. It took her mother almost a week to find the right person to extract Lilly from the book. That is, after she came back to consciousness, the second time. After that, she made Lilly swear she would never do it again. But how could she stop something she didn’t even know how she started? Her mother even tried banning her from reading altogether, but the longing always drew her back in. She would steal her brother’s books from his room, or snatch a discarded newspaper on the way home from school. Anything that had more than a few paragraphs she would stuff away and hide. Then secretly read under her blanket at night while everyone else was fast asleep. It has happened a total of 5 times since then. Each one a different story. One moment she’s reading so fast the words form a movie playing in her mind effortlessly. Then, she forgets she is reading as the movie plays out letter by letter, scene by scene. The next moment she is right there in the story, literally. The feel of the grass, the smell of the air, the sting of a bee, the taste of hot buttery sweet rolls. Each time her mother has to run and get their dear friend George to pull her back out. It really is amazing how she was capable of finding such a man. How do you search for a profession of pulling people out of books? Need a car pulled out of a ditch, no problem. Call a tow truck. Need a tooth pulled, easy peasey, call a dentist. Need a 10-year-old little girl pulled out of a fictional book and made big again. What would follow? Apparently, that answer is a bibliopegist. Who knew? He seemed appalled when Lilly praised her mother for her accomplishments of finding him. “I fix books. You are not supposed to be in that story, therefore you broke it. It now needs fixed. Why would you not think bibliopegist?” She found him really snarky, but was grateful for his help. Especially when it wasn’t a single occurrence. Now George shows up for thanksgiving dinner and has become an integrated part of their family. Every Christmas he shows up with elaborate wrapped books in shiny wrapping paper. All hand bound and engraved with intricate detail. Each one tailored to each person’s personal taste. At least Mom doesn’t faint anymore. That hasn’t happened since the first one. She does get very angry and revokes her privileges to the car. She hates it when her mother is angry. Her mother is all she has. All she wants to do is make her mother happy and proud. ” Wow, what is this place?” Lilly asks. She stares down at her new attire. Gone is her purple polka dot pajamas, only to be replaced by a form fitting gray bodysuit. She scales up the massive infrastructure that stands before her. Floor after floor climbs higher into the sky until the top becomes unseeable in the clouds. ” Oh no, oh no, oh no, this can’t be happening! Mom is going to be so mad. I’m going to be grounded until I’m 18. I promised I would never go into a story again and here I am. Go back, go back!” She pleads as she desperately tries to reverse whatever craziness this is. She looks around, searching for a way out, hoping she can fix this before her mother comes looking for her. “Fantastic, you are early. I like when people are early.” Lilly turns to see a woman many years older than her wearing the same outfit approaching her. “Ummm, hi.” “Follow me and we will get started.” “Started on what exactly?” ” It’s your first day at your new hobby, right? Let me show you around and start your training.” Lilly stares at her perplexed ” No, that is not right.You have me confused with someone else.” “Nonsense, you are just nervous. Follow me. I don’t see anyone else standing here waiting for me.” “I really need to go.” Lilly tries to pull away, but the strange woman has a death grip on her arm. Her smile is intense and mincing. She forces Lilly to follow. Just inside the double door, the woman stops. “Welcome to the entertainment industry. Today you will receive your itinerary which you will follow precisely. Lilly glared around at the lobby before her. Grey and white seem to be the only colors that the interior designer knew existed. A huge reception desk lines one wall with overstuffed chairs positioned randomly around coffee tables. She follows Lilly into an elevator. Inside, the buttons cover every available wall. ” Each floor is a different leisure pursuit. You will be on floor 55. You will be assisting our team of 15 people in crafting the finest automobiles known to namkind.” “Namkind, 1000 floors in a building, what kind of world is this? She thinks to herself. Obviously, she assumes I am here to start a new position for a job. This is insane. I have to get out of here. Why would I pick such a weird book to read? I knew better than this. I will just go along with it until I can sneak away unnoticed and figure out how to get back home.” The elevator stops at the 55 floor and the doors open to an industrial shop floor. It appears to be massively big despite being inside of a skyscraper. Machines with fencing encasing them line up one after another, row after row with robot arms in the middle. The noise of compressed air and the machining of parts fill the air. Self driving carts buzz around premeditated locations and deliver various parts to different locations. Robots lift, tighten, torque, drill, and lathe each product into its destined place. People wearing gray bodysuits bustle around like clockwork, operating everything that cannot be achieved by robotics. “Wow, this is a cool job.” The lady’s face turns anger with disbelief. “What did you just say?” She smacks the close elevator door button a little too hard. “You’re lucky no one heard you say that.” “Say what?” “Are you psychological? You will not speak of such obscenity or you will be banned from your hobby forever.” “I do not understand. Will I not get paid for doing this work?” The lady puts a hand over Lilly’s mouth. “This is your last warning. Yes, you are compensated for the time you spend doing your hobby.” “This is not a hobby. A hobby is something you enjoy doing in your free time, and can often be done with family. You are not paid for doing recreational activities.” “I have family members that have hobbies here and I assure you I thoroughly enjoy my hobby.” “No, no, this is an obligation. This must be done to obtain food and shelter. Hobbies are done by choice. They are fun and creative. Not this. You guys have it all wrong.” ” I assure you, I am rarely wrong. I also choose to be here every day and typically have a wonderful and pleasurable time doing my avocation. It’s not like I am handcuffed and dragged in here daily. I arrive at 4:00 AM. Indulgence of the pastime begins at 4:30. I play until 7:30 PM, where I go home, eat, shower and go to bed.” “15 hours, you’re kidding me. How do you have time for a life or a family?” “Why are you acting like this is a foreign concept to you? This has been a reality for a very long time. Are you broken or something? You know what, maybe you would be better off in the pillow stuffing plant. Surely I can get Janet in scheduling to alter it.” “How do you have time for anything outside of here?” “What more does one person need? My hobby family is here and I love my hobby.” ” What about kids? I am sure the ummm captains would not want you to copulate here.” ” Don’t be ridiculous, that is always scheduled promptly after the evening shower and no longer than 30 minutes. Everyone knows that. Once the mother becomes pregnant, she works until going into labor. After delivery, she has 16 hours to rest before she is asked to join the team again. The child is promptly placed into leisure camps throughout the day to prepare the next generation to be expert hobbyists. Once they are grown, they choose their choice of entertainment. Then death. Surely that answered all the questions you could possibly have.” “How does one find a spouse with so little free time?” “The same way you plan to,I would say. You have a program on your phone that instantly matches you to possible suitors. Once you select one, you meet after the evening shower and decide whether to have babies or not in 15 minutes or less.” “Birthday party, how do you do birthday parties?” “Well at our entertainment stations of course. We are all family here, we celebrate together.’ “That’s not even enough time to get 8 hours of sleep.” “8 hours, that’s preposterous, who sleeps 8 hours.”
Lilly’s mouth gapes open in disbelief. ” Oh dear, you really are broken.” “I’m not broken. Stop saying that.” “Okay, how would you like me to refer to your complete lack of understanding of the simple happenings of everyday life? Are you not from here? If I am not mistaken, other countries have similar structures. Yes, I am positive Acirema is not the only one that has and maintains hobbies.” ” This is pointless. Can you direct me toward the restroom, please?” Lilly slips inside a gray and white toned bathroom. She frantically looks around for a way out, but it’s all concrete walls with no windows. “Wait a minute, if I am old enough to have a job, I must be an adult. I can just walk right out of here.” Despite the realization, the idea still makes her heart race. She is not accustomed to being a person of age and not under her mother’s rule. In a three two one countdown, she bursts through the door and runs as fast as she can past the old lady. The old woman anticipated her move and sticks a foot out, tripping Lilly. She flies through the air and crashes hard to the marble floor belly first. Quickly she jumps back to her feet and locates a stairwell. She begins to descend the stairs as quickly as possible, hoping she can be faster than the elevator. 55,54,53,52, she counts each floor as she passess it. After what seems like an eternity, she reaches the bottom, legs burning and breathless. She paused for a second to catch her breath. Then she busts through another door and races across the lobby floor, passing the receptionist desk to her right. The double doors that the lady forced her through are right in front of her. Just a few more steps and she can get out of here and get home. The taste of freedom lingers heavily on her tongue. She glances behind her to see if anyone is following just as she reaches for the door. A glimpse of the old lady emerging from the elevator appears in her. Smack, the side of her face and the front of her body smack hard against the locked door. The force of impact clatters her to the floor and glass shatters around her. She opens her eyes, and she is in her own bedroom on the floor, dressed in her purple polka dot pajamas. The glass is gone, the building vanished, the old lady vaporized into nothingness, yet the emotions of the dream still lay heavy on her. So heavy she sits on the floor for a moment, breathless, her arms wrapped around herself in a tight hug. “It was a dream this time, only a dream. I’m not in trouble.” Lilly says aloud, hoping to solidify reality. She picks herself off the floor and climbs back into bed. “Rise and shine, sunshine. Time to pack your back. We leave in an hour. Remember, no books.” “Sure thing, mom, no books I promise.”
91 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
Once again I realize the age of the video but I enjoy pastor Dennis and Arnold’s teaching. They always teach verse by verse and chapter by chapter allowing the reader to have a better understanding of the Bible.
I knew that I wanted children from a young age. I would often fantasize about what my domestic life will be like. I would picture the different ways my house would operate and function. The family trips we would take and the joys of being an adult, free and unrestricted. One scenario after another filled my head as to what my future may hold. I was also aware that my older brother, and only sibling was unmistakably jealous of me.
When my son was 6 years old the joyful news of my pregnancy finally came. I was pregnant with a little girl and began counting down the days until her arrival. During that exciting prenatal phase I was saddened by a thought. My little boy’s whole life was about to change and he had no idea. He was no longer going to be the center of attention. It will no longer be just him, mommy and daddy, someone else would suddenly come first. How was he going to cope with all these changes? How was it going to affect him?
My heart silently broke as I struggled with the changes to come. My belly grew bigger and so did my reality. It was already happening, I was already forced to tell him no. No mommy can’t get on the floor to play with you anymore. I will again another day far in the future. No mommy can’t play tag right now, or jump on the trampoline. I scramble to make up for lost time and find new ways to spend time with him, if only to try and delay the inevitable.
I had to find peace. I searched for some kind of understanding. I knew I was not the first woman to have multiple children, surely I could handle this mountain before me. I prayed for guidance and strength to subdue my insecurities. I hugged my son tight praying he never felt unloved or less than and was determined to not fuel animosity between siblings. I didn’t want my children to have the relationship my brother and I had. I was determined to create a different outcome.
Then the day my daughter was born came to pass. I saw pride swell in my son’s chest for the first time. He put the title of big brother on and wore it with great regard. I watched him age a couple years right before my eyes. He cried when he was forced to leave the hospital for the night and return home with his father. I knew at that moment my little boy would do just fine with sharing mommy and daddy.
I was still worried about the same thing when I received the surprising news of my third pregnancy. It sent my mind into a whirlwind of what if’s and how do I’s. She is now four months old and it is almost as if she has always been a part of our family. Part of me struggles to remember a time when it was just two kids needing my attention. It is funny how a new reality settles in with each closing chapter of life.
I am so grateful that God made me a mother because there is no other job quite rewarding. I do my best to ensure each child receives quality one-on-one time with each parent, every week. Some days I fail and others I succeed, but I always try. I try to listen to their never ending stories and take interest in whatever has their attention at the moment. I try to make time to hear the little things, that way they will run to me for the big things later. It may not seem important to me but listening with earnestness can help big problems seem so small.
My son is now 11 and my oldest daughter is 4. I am overjoyed as I watch them play and laugh together. Their relationship is like none I have ever witnessed. They always think of each other, ensuring the other is never left out. They are always together planning and preparing for the next activity. It warms my heart to know that no matter what happens to my husband and I, my children will always have each other. I have never seen the jealousy between them that I often see from my brother. I suppose I will mark that as a success in my parenting book.
