The Brokenness of Humanity Explained to a 7 Year Old

Earlier this week, the three littles and myself went to Meijer for a few things. As we were tumbling out of the vehicle, my seven year old asked me a very serious question. "Mom, did you know that everything on earth is in danger because of humans?"

How come the serious questions always come when you are the least prepared?

Instantly what came to mind was "Amanda, quick! Explain the plight of the eco-system as it relates to original sin -- this is a great teaching moment." Right. Got it. Problem: I've completely lost my ability to articulate, to have clear thoughts and to draw lines between conclusions and concepts.

"Well, yes, I did know that. Remember when you used to read your old children's Bible at night? Your favorite story was about Adam and Eve, remember?" So I rambled on about how after God had created Eve to be a companion for Adam, He gave them mandates to 'subdue and multiply.' How God had told them that they eat of any tree except from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. If they ate of it, they would surely die.

"Mom, that's not what I'm talking about." "Well, hold on, I'm getting there." I'm clicking Viv's car seat on top of the grocery cart, pulling Cameron out of the video cart, instructing Carter to sit on the bench with little brother.

I explained how Adam and Eve's decision to disobey God had introduced brokenness and sin into our once perfect world. It was because of their sin that we would have to experience death, hurt, sin, etc. I tried to draw a line from there to pollution to mismanagement of the world's natural resources.

"Mom, that's not what I'm talking about."

Maybe I should have just said, "Really? Tell me more!" I was so excited to have this big, teachable, memorable moment between us that I might have forgotten that he is 7 and a half and not 12 or 14. I think it might have been more important to let him talk and share about his day and what he learned at school.

Biggest takeaway: talk less, listen more. Both in my relationship to God, husband, children and others.

More from the parenting study, 'Raising Responsive Children'

Biggest takeaways from todays' lesson to follow.

"From infancy, input from the outside continually shapes how our children perceive themselves. They aren't wrapped up in who they think they are, but in who they think others think they are, and parents are their most influential 'other.'

and

"Charles Boyd 'tells us 'You are a mirror your child looks into every day, and you reflect back to her what she will come to believe about herself.'

and

"Every time we interact with our children we send a message that conveys what they perceive we think of them - that they're smart or stupid, untrustworthy or reliable, capable or inept, fun or dull, lovely or unlovely. Good or bad, our messages will remain in their database, and there's no 'delete' button we or they can hit to remove the unwanted, unhelpful, or even unintentional input. Because God knows our kids, He can help us with the healthy messages crucial to shaping a healthy concept of themselves."

(all bolds and italics mine for emphasis)

I'm so grateful to serve a God who can use even me. I'm ever more grateful that he can take my mistakes and use them for His glory. I'm happy to know that all things work together for the good of them that love Him.

Lord, help me to see my children through Your eyes. Help me to see the individual uniqueness that you have given them to allow them to become who you have created them to be. Help Jeff and I to send our children good messages that let them know that they are loved, valuable, special, beloved and a part of Your perfect plan.

World's Smallest Tornado

My sweet little Cameron is one strong-willed little tornado. Today, I found myself wondering if we might be able to apply to the Guinness Book of World Records for the number of time-outs in one day. This boy is such a cheerful, sweet, lovable, likable little guy. He seriously is a tornado, tho. Currently Daddy is out at Menard's purchasing two new mini-blinds to replace the ones he has destroyed within days of each other. Yes, Cameron thought it was interesting to see how the blinds broke in half with one quick karate chop or kick. And the vertical blinds, well there are two sections missing in those. Yesterday he scribbled on the wall with pencil. He knows these are unacceptable behaviors.

Do you think this boy is a little bit jealous of the attention baby sister is taking away or what?

Self talk.

We all do this. I have this constant, internal narrative throughout the course of my day (and sometimes night.) I am forever beating myself up internally for how I could have done something better, been more creative, more patient, more thoughtful, more intelligent or just . . . better.

I participate in a women's Bible study at church on Tuesday mornings and currently we are doing a study from the Following God series entitled, Raising Responsive Children. I think that this study, so far, has been the richest we've done in a long time. The author drops pearls of wisdom in every paragraph and margin.

"If we perpetuate the mindset of 'never good enough,' that's exactly what we become, and it's only a matter of time before we see that same pervasive wave of dissatisfaction in our children."

It's one thing when we choose (sometimes unintentionally) to beat ourselves up. But to pass that along to my kids? No way. I want so much more for them than this.

And what does this say to my Creator? Thanks, Lord, but You could have done better? Oh, Lord, help me to love who I am that You have created. Help me to keep growing into the woman in Christ that you have created me to be!

Talking with some girlfriends around the holidays, one of my favorite people Robyn was sharing some of her excellent advice about parenting. My favorite admonition that she gave was to be encouraged in knowing that 'you are the best parent for your child. God put them in your home on purpose. ' He choose me! For these incredible kiddos! ME! I feel so honored, so privileged and sometimes so unworthy to hold such a noble position.

Back to the starting point. I am deciding right now to choose to change my self-talk. I am going to learn to appreciate the gifts, talents and abilities that my Father has endowed me with and use them to fulfill His purposes. I want to honor Him with my self-talk and model that for my kids.

Thanks for bringing this lesson to my attention, Lord.