Saturday, July 24, 2010

Martin Luther


Our natural reason looks at marriage and turns up its nose and says,

'Alas! Must I rock the baby? wash its diapers? make its bed?

smell its stench? stay at nights with it?

take care of it when it cries? heal its rashes and sores?

and on top of that care for my spouse,

provide labor at my trade,

take care of this and take care of that?

do this and do that? and endure this and endure that?

Why should I make such a prisoner of myself?'


What then does Christian faith say to this?

It opens its eyes, looks upon all these insignificant,

distasteful and despised duties in the spirit,

and is aware that they are all adorned with divine approval

as with the costliest gold and jewels.

Its says, 'O God, I confess I am not worthy

to rock that little babe or wash its diapers,

or to be entrusted with the care of a child and its mother.

How is it that I without any merit

have come to this distinction of being certain

that I am serving thy creature and thy most precious will?

Oh, how gladly will I do so.

Though the duty should be even more insignificant and despised,

neither frost nor heat, neither drudgery nor labor

will distress me

for I am certain that it is thus pleasing in thy sight.'"
--Martin Luther qtd. in The Shaping of a Christian Family by Elisabeth Elliot, p. 87

Monday, July 19, 2010

Redeeming Time

The weekend paper claimed that
90% of teenage boys and
75% of teenage girls
exceed the two hour daily recommendation of TV viewing time.

Add to that texting,
social networking pages,
computer games
and web surfing
and many hours per day are spent in non-real interactions.

How incredibly sad.

Forming healthy patterns in the toddler years,
of a balanced day,
of including time with others,
time outdoors
and time alone
in real pursuits
is more crucial than ever before.

Holidays filled with outdoor hobbies,
picnics and fun activities with other families
are an enjoyable and helpful aspect of this foundation.

Think ahead and see the importance
of what your 'everydayness' is planting for the future!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Free Books


Good morning!


It has been on my heart to donate some Terrific Toddler books

to those who may not be able to afford them.


Do you know a playgroup, mums group, church , school, course,

communinty that could benefit from them?



with details and a mailing address.


Enjoy the gift of this wonderful day!!