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. 😦

Jesus is called our Wonderful Counselor. Do you go to him first with your concerns, or is prayer your last resort?

Let’s use Isaiah 9 as a prayer guide this week to give thanks to God for sending us the gift of his son. What does Jesus mean to you?