Lily is 8 years old. She is kind, outgoing, beautiful, funny, creative, talented, and independent...everything I ever wanted in a daughter. I find it amazing how God redeems every aspect of our lives that we submit to Him. See, when I found out I was pregnant with Lily, I was 20 years old, not married, shocked, and scared. The pregnancy was emotionally, the hardest thing I've ever been through. I was terrified of the thought of having a child and there was a huge amount of guilt and shame that burdened me, until God set me free years later. So, while in the midst of the pregnancy, I was living in despair, God redeemed the situation and gave me the wonderful gift of Lily. God is moving Lily and I to a new place in our lives...homeschooling. As we move on, I am looking back over the past year thinking about what God has taught me through Lily and also what God has taught Lily...yes, I know God is training up Lily even at this young age. About a year ago we moved to Baton Rouge and put Lily in a public school here (quite scary to some parents). But at the same time, I knew it was what God wanted and that it would be "training ground" for her as well. Lily has been the minority at this school and while she has learned to open her heart all types of people, it has also brought trials of prejudice against her. I have so admired Lily this year though. I have learned from my eight year old the true meaning of forgiveness. While she has struggled with being called names and made aware of her difference of race, she has chosen to forgive immediately and harbor no bitterness. At the height of the events at school, Lily came home crying one afternoon because of the constant criticizing and belittling from one little girl. I went to talk to her teacher the next day and the girls were sent to discuss the problem with the guidance counselor. The girls left the meeting agreeing there would be no more bullying. So, Lily came home that day excited and wanted to go and buy the other little girl a present! We sent candy instead, but the fact that she could just drop the whole situation right then and there amazed me. It is no irony that this is a situation I struggle with often. Matthew 18:3 says, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Never underestimate the children in your life, God's plans to use them, and to teach you. God has also been using Lily to serve and giving her a heart of compassion for others that may have special needs. The school has a special education program and Lily comes home telling stories of how she helped a blind boy with his project in art class , defended another little boy with downs syndrome on the playground, or how another little girl who reads braille always chooses Lily as her partner because Lily helps her. Lily actually teared up this morning on the way to school saying, "I won't be able to help anyone anymore." I know we will have opportunities to serve, but what a heart of compassion! This is the heart of a servant, the heart of Christ. Now I don't say all this to make you think my child is perfect or that my parenting skills are wonderful. Believe me, we have our struggles and I mess up way too much. But I say this as a testimony to Christ. I give all the glory to Him and His faithfulness in our lives and the lives of our children. Exodus 20:6 talks about how God shows His love to the generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments. How good and faithful is God! Not just to lead us but to lead our children as well. And even further, to teach us through our children.
"Let the little children come unto me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Mark 10:14
Saturday, December 12, 2009
The Kingdom of Heaven Belongs To Such As These
Lily is 8 years old. She is kind, outgoing, beautiful, funny, creative, talented, and independent...everything I ever wanted in a daughter. I find it amazing how God redeems every aspect of our lives that we submit to Him. See, when I found out I was pregnant with Lily, I was 20 years old, not married, shocked, and scared. The pregnancy was emotionally, the hardest thing I've ever been through. I was terrified of the thought of having a child and there was a huge amount of guilt and shame that burdened me, until God set me free years later. So, while in the midst of the pregnancy, I was living in despair, God redeemed the situation and gave me the wonderful gift of Lily. God is moving Lily and I to a new place in our lives...homeschooling. As we move on, I am looking back over the past year thinking about what God has taught me through Lily and also what God has taught Lily...yes, I know God is training up Lily even at this young age. About a year ago we moved to Baton Rouge and put Lily in a public school here (quite scary to some parents). But at the same time, I knew it was what God wanted and that it would be "training ground" for her as well. Lily has been the minority at this school and while she has learned to open her heart all types of people, it has also brought trials of prejudice against her. I have so admired Lily this year though. I have learned from my eight year old the true meaning of forgiveness. While she has struggled with being called names and made aware of her difference of race, she has chosen to forgive immediately and harbor no bitterness. At the height of the events at school, Lily came home crying one afternoon because of the constant criticizing and belittling from one little girl. I went to talk to her teacher the next day and the girls were sent to discuss the problem with the guidance counselor. The girls left the meeting agreeing there would be no more bullying. So, Lily came home that day excited and wanted to go and buy the other little girl a present! We sent candy instead, but the fact that she could just drop the whole situation right then and there amazed me. It is no irony that this is a situation I struggle with often. Matthew 18:3 says, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Never underestimate the children in your life, God's plans to use them, and to teach you. God has also been using Lily to serve and giving her a heart of compassion for others that may have special needs. The school has a special education program and Lily comes home telling stories of how she helped a blind boy with his project in art class , defended another little boy with downs syndrome on the playground, or how another little girl who reads braille always chooses Lily as her partner because Lily helps her. Lily actually teared up this morning on the way to school saying, "I won't be able to help anyone anymore." I know we will have opportunities to serve, but what a heart of compassion! This is the heart of a servant, the heart of Christ. Now I don't say all this to make you think my child is perfect or that my parenting skills are wonderful. Believe me, we have our struggles and I mess up way too much. But I say this as a testimony to Christ. I give all the glory to Him and His faithfulness in our lives and the lives of our children. Exodus 20:6 talks about how God shows His love to the generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments. How good and faithful is God! Not just to lead us but to lead our children as well. And even further, to teach us through our children.
"Let the little children come unto me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Mark 10:14
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment