Do everything without complaining

Yesterday I was listening to a message on the radio. As a side note, the preacher touched on complaining. He said that people who complain are people who do not understand the sovereignty of God. He used Joseph in the OT as an example. His brothers sold him into slavery and while in Egypt he spent years in prison after being wrongfully accused. Yet, he is never seen taking revenge nor complaining about his circumstances.

I've been contemplating the preacher's view of the sovereignty of God. Ultimately, God knows what's happening in our lives and why. He knows that ALL things work together for the good to them that love God. I really needed to hear this. I'm always trying to teach the kids not to complain, since they whine at the drop of a hat (Seth literally would!).

Yet, I wonder how different their attitudes would be if I were a better example. I try to imagine myself not rolling my eyes every time the kids call my name, because they want something. What would it be like if I didn't yell at them when a drink was spilled? Couldn't I just graciously accept the spilled drink instead of complaining through my upset attitude? Even discipline would be so different. Usually I get so frustrated when they disobey. I frequently remind them that they "never obey". That doesn't seem like a complaint free behavior. Oh, and housework... I can't help but hang that one over their heads. Complaining about the mountain of laundry and sinkful of dishes, the toys all over the place and my inability to keep up with it all comes through on a regular basis. Imagine if I could just grasp the concept of the sovereignty of God during those daily moments. I guess I have a lot to learn!

Projects

Does this look like the face of a scientist to you?

A mad scientist perhaps, but a scientist (in the making) none the less. Ever since Tabitha's science fair, Seth has been talking about projects quite frequently. I didn't realize how thoughtful his little mind can be until one day...

I was exhausted and I needed to sleep. I dozed off on the couch knowing full well that Seth was making a mess. He kept talking about his project and I knew there was water involved. When I woke up I asked him to clean up his mess. I was in no mood to find out more about his project.
The next day, however, I remembered and so I asked him what exactly he did the day before. He brought me the white piece of chalk and told me that this piece was the only one that didn't change color. His experiment: he kept filling up a little play teacup with water then individually dipped each piece of chalk in. He noted whether the water changed color or if the chalk changed color. All of them did, except for the white piece and I believe all of them made bubbles. After each "test" Patricia (I suppose she was the lab assistant) graciously dumped the cup of water on the table.
I must say that I was quite impressed with his science abilities. Science is not one of Tabitha's strong points, so it's nice to start seeing areas that Seth is better at.

Having four kids ages five and under sounds like a lot.

Tabitha's first word

Yesterday something finally clicked with Tabitha in her endeavor to read. I have tried over and over to teach her to sound out words. Well, the concept sunk in at long last. She was able to totally sound out a word without any help from me. I chuckle at the word she chose: smack.

Pilgrims and Indians

The following conversation took place during lunch yesterday:

Me: So, Tabitha, at school did you learn about pilgrims?

Tabitha: Yes.

Me: And who else?

Tabitha: Indians! 

Me: Ahh. And are these Indians from India?

Tabitha: Yes.

This was followed by a half an hour dissertation from mommy that included, but is not limited to: how the peach people killed a lot of the native Americans and made them move; why Mexicans are tan, but Cubans are not; and why the land sections, called reserves, don't have to follow all the laws of America. The kids kept asking, "then what happened?!" I'm glad they love to learn, but I know most of this goes right over their heads.

"You are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28

Picture post

Not a very good picture, I realize, but it was our first snow. It snowed for about a half an hour and about 30 minutes later it melted.

My big eyed Patricia.

Tabitha with her "sea turtles" science fair project. 

Seth trying to do an angry face. No, he never really could make one. Patricia loves to give us her angry face. She'll say, "Seth, Seth" (all smiles) until he looks, then she gives him the angry face. I couldn't get her on camera, because she insisted on saying, "cheese". But have no fear (or maybe you should), because the last picture, we have Tabitha demonstrating to Patricia how she should give an angry face.

What do you think? Are you running the other way? Seconds before and after she was laughing.

My thoughts

"The city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." Revelation 21:23

This verse speaks of heaven. Imagine how bright heaven will be and the only light will be from the Lamb, Jesus Christ Himself. I think of this passage sometimes on sunny days. I am convinced that the Lord gives us plenty of symbols in our day to day lives to try and understand heavenly concepts.

Daytime is like heaven. The sun is so bright you can't even look at it without damaging your eyes. So, if daytime is like heaven, then what is nighttime like? Well, when we see the moon, it's not actually light from the moon, rather it is reflecting the sun's light. I imagine nighttime to be earth, which is dark with sin. The moon is Christ's presence on earth. Sometimes it's more visible than others (full moon verses crescent moon). An amazing thing for me to ponder is the stars. Jesus Christ, speaking to His disciples, said, "you are the light of the world." Imagine how dark the night sky would be without stars? 

Well, I think the Bible gives us a glimpse of what it will be like. One day Christ Jesus will come back to the earth and bring all believers with Him back to heaven, more commonly referred to as the rapture. Many, many Christians look forward to that day. So, according to my thought process, it will be like nighttime without the moon or stars. Listen to these verses in Amos: " 'Behold, the days come,' says the Lord God, 'that I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. They shall wander from sea to sea and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the Word of the Lord, but shall not find it.' " Chapter 8 verse 11, 12