Helping Our Kids Recognize God's Love

 

…God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:5b

Valentine’s Day conjures up fun childhood memories like: red and pink construction paper hearts, paper-lace doilies, lollipops and chocolates. Oh, and remember taping heart-shaped mailboxes to our school desks?

I treasured every classmate’s Valentine’s Day cards as if they were meant just for me, ignoring the fact that every classmate got the same or similar message. I’d read and re-read every card and tack each one to my corkboard above my bed as a reminder of their affection.

Holding my newborn son, I wondered how I could ever communicate God’s affection for him. It wasn’t as easy as sending him a red heart on Valentine’s Day or giving him a heart-shaped box of chocolates. Of course I would show him God’s love through my own affection and care, but how would he concretely know the love of an invisible God?

(To read on, click here.)

Pausing for Thanksgiving: Shoebox Letters

"Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord." Psalm 102:18

Tucked away up under the eaves sits an army-green footlocker full of early courting mementos and shoebox letters. 

We lived eight hours apart that first year, a decade before desktop computers and cell phones, so our affection spilled across blank pages at least three times a week.

 Those personal, hand-written words expressing emotions, drawing visions of our future now lay stacked atop one another--hidden treasures for future generations.

David, the shepherd boy and king, poured love-words out. Long days and nights spent in solitude--watching, feeling, expressing--living life. David's psalms, heart-cries, gratitudes to God, the creator of everything--stored away.

Opening Psalms today, I felt like a child discovering his hidden treasure of shoebox love letters to God. His raw affection poured out for all to read--uncontainable emotions, hopes, dreams, and prayers. His letters written not only to his audience of One, but "for a future generation, that a people not yet created (you and me) may praise the Lord" (Psalm 102:18).

Envisioning the eyes of future generations combing my words is something I often ponder as a writer. My shoebox love letters tell the story of courtship meant only for my family's eyes. I imagine our children, grandchildren, maybe great grandchildren giggling and crying over them as our story unfolds in their imaginations.

Yet, I wonder of my other writings--my public words. What do these words tell of my heart? Do they accurately tell my love story between me and God? Do they move the reader to worship? Do they bring glory to God?

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

It's been a privilege meeting some She Speaks writers this summer through Proverbs 31 Ministries. Their words move my heart to worship and praise God every time I read their blogs. I'm excited to host a few of them right here on Dawn's New Day throughout November and December.  Our first guest post will be this Thursday, November 10th by Heather Albondi. I know you'll be blessed as she pauses for thanksgiving.