Gift giving can be a tricky endeavor. We don’t want to spend too much money, but we want to find gifts that are meaningful and personal. We don’t want to spoil the kids, but we want to give them treats because we remember how much fun we had opening presents as children. We want to bask in the twinkling lights and all of the sights and sounds of the season but not forget the Reason we celebrate. It’s a balance; don’t you think?

I appreciate hearing the kids pray as they take turns before bedtime and ask God for things like helping us all not be greedy and thanking him for sending Jesus. Yet, on the same token, they have written extensive wish lists asking for everything from snow to a pet owl (alas, Hedwig) to a grappling hook (thank you, G-Force).

How do we find balance – and, better yet – how do we instill that balance in our kids?

The famous ask-seek-knock passage of Luke 11 lends some insight to this question. Jesus asked his followers a few questions that seemed like no-brainers: If your son asks for a fish, would you give him a snake? If he asks for an egg, would you give him a scorpion? In modern-day terms, perhaps we could say that if your son asks for an mp3 player, would you give him a table saw? Of course not! We want to give our kids gifts that are age-appropriate and reasonable.

Jesus continued the analogy by explaining that if we (despite our sinful nature) know how to shower our children with good presents, how much MORE will our heavenly Father (who is perfect) be willing to give us his Holy Spirit. He doesn’t offer the Holy Spirit because we’ve written it down on a wish list. Nor does he offer his Spirit because we saw a commercial for it and won’t quit begging him for it. He offers his Spirit because it is part of himself—his forgiveness, his grace, his mercy, his comfort—that he willingly and lovingly gives to us.

We find balance when we remember that giving of ourselves is more important than anything we could wrap and place under the tree.

Thank him today for his justice and righteousness. He is the Lord Almighty and is worthy of our praise and devotion.

Just think: we have forever, and ever, and ever to spend in the presence of God someday!

The holidays are nice, but they can be chaotic and even depressing, at times. Turn to the Prince of Peace today with your worries.

Do you read music? I took one music appreciation class for a required “art” elective in college and learned the basics, which I promptly forgot. I also took guitar lessons for a while and learned a few chords. I know that when the notes go up, the music is higher (and down, vice versa, LOL), but all in all, I do not know how to read (much less write) music.

For that reason, it amazes me to hear the boys playing instruments. Just this morning, No. 4 allowed No. 3 to sit on the bench with him while he played piano, and I overheard No. 3 remind him, “Don’t forget to press A & G together,” and I thought how cool it was that the 7yo understood, while his *cough, cough*-year-old mom didn’t.

(Speaking of *cough-cough*-years-old, if the expected lifespan of my demographic is 80.5, then “middle-aged” is only 40!)

In addition to taking shop classes and learning more about mechanics, plumbing and IT (for practical purposes, not necessarily a career), I would have paid more attention to learning to read music.

Give honor today to our Everlasting Father. He loves you unconditionally as his precious child.

He’s our Mighty God! A familiar children’s song says, “There’s nothing my God cannot do!” Do you believe it in your heart of hearts?

Having kids is like …
being back in school! Homework
is not just for them.

Perhaps I’m having a “senior moment,” a “brain fart,” or whatever you want to call it, but I don’t remember my parents having to be responsible for much of my schoolwork. I remember having a spiral notebook that had to be initialed once a week for 6th grade Science, but other than progress reports & report cards, I don’t remember them being directly involved in my day-to-day schoolwork.

Now that I’m a parent of two intermediate schoolers and three in elementary, I feel like I’m back in school, myself! (Well, I am back in school, myself, but that’s beside the point.) I appreciate so very much the after-school effort that my mom makes with the little three to practice spelling words & weekly Bible verses, because I am obviously dropping the ball.

My eldest came home with an awful progress report, and I feel partly responsible. Yes, I know that it’s his responsibility, and he will have to own up to it. Unfortunately, it looked like he may have had learn the really hard way by potentially being unable to perform at his first big Orchestra concert later this week because of one failing – yes, failing! – grade. He’s always been pretty reliable and independent, and although he’s forgotten a few things here and there, his grades have always been good, so I was utterly shocked.

As it turns out, his teacher informed me this morning that the progress reports were printed before he made up some missing assignments last week (did I mention he has forgotten a thing or two here and there?), so he has a mid- to high-B rather than a 55!! Goodness gracious, son – you nearly gave me a panic attack!! He’ll still be grounded as a reminder to not let his work slide, but at least he can perform at the concert. He was in tears when he realized that you can’t play with a failing grade.

I’m so relieved that it worked out, but it still saddens me that I have been so focused on the younger three and their escapades (mostly behavior, but also book projects/crafts and other assignments) that I’ve not given enough attention to the older two. I just feel like a crummy parent right now. 😦