on cinnamon rolls, teaching our children, and actions that speak louder than words

Monday, monday...

was a very lazy day around here. 

We needed a break after going and going at nearly 90 miles an hour the past few days.

But among all the things I did not get accomplished so far, I did make homemade cinnamon rolls with the kiddos.  Astair and Legend were so into it that I had to hop around the kitchen just to keep one step ahead of them.

I found an easy recipe for no yeast cinnamon rolls here.  Nothing fancy, just simple and fast.

Astair loved rolling the dough, I'm surprised they weren't paper thin.  She's a natural little baker, unlike her mama.

I've been reading some great books on parenting/schooling lately.  Trying not to overload myself  with reform  (I tend to do that).  I think I'll pick one or two areas each week to work on, such as patience and  diligence in discipline and an attitude chart for my oldest.  I love the idea of studying one virtue every two weeks and focusing on that together as a family.  And although there is so much wisdom to be gained from other sources, I want to be careful that I take from them only what the Holy Spirit impresses on my heart and what the Word of God confirms.  

I'm in God's classroom right now and I'm studying how to be a better teacher to my children.

They're at an age when wordy explanations and discussions are miles over their heads and that is the way I love to communicate.  Important concepts are getting lost in translation and Jesus is drawing me aside and saying,  "Watch how I do it."  And he invites the little children into his lap to hold them and to bless them and he stops what he is doing, his very important teachings and healings, and he just sits with them.  Enjoys them.  He models love and affirmation, His very attitude tells them "You are important.  I respect you."  And His actions are what they hear louder than any sermon on the mount.  (Luke 18: 16)

My actions are teaching my kids more than any words I speak.

That is a sobering lesson to learn.  And has me running once again to Jesus' side.  It has me willing to face whatever discomfort He might put me in, so that all the dross can be burned away and my outward life will reflect the inner calm He wants to give me.

On the blackboard in my God's classroom, He's written this verse down for me to memorize:

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has give us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."  2 Peter 1: 5-8

In increasing measure.  I never graduate from God's school of learning.  It's an eternal enrollment.  

I'm learning right alongside my children.  And along the way, His word has given me the best tools for helping shape my children's character.  God bless the dear woman who compiled most of them together all on one chart:  Wise Words for Moms by Ginger Plowman.  This is hanging on my pantry door and I refer to it constantly.  The picture below is blurry, but believe me when I say it is an excellent source of wisdom!

And the more I apply these to my own life, the more fruit I will see in my ministry at home  (even though it may take years of gardening before I get to enjoy the fruit of my labor!)

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  Galatians 6:9