I’ve been seeing the increasingly popular pirates theme at birthday parties, especially for little boys. I have always wondered about this. I know the pirates theme is popularized by the movie “Pirates of the Carribean” nowdays, but prior to this movie, it was already a common birthday party theme. I just find it odd because as far as I know, pirates are bad people.  Pirates steal, rape, and kill. So, why do people want to have this kind of birthday party? Why do we want our children to emulate this kind of behavior? I just find it odd. This is my random musing of the day. Am I being too weird? Does anybody feel this way or am I all alone on this?

Earlier, Lois posted on how some veer away from having children, or having more children, because they view children as “hard work.”

Beyond the point that Lois made, that children are to be viewed as a blessing, it seems equally important to ask, “What’s wrong with hard work?”

I fear we are too unaware of our tendency to choose the easy way through life. Yet even a cursory examination of not only Scripture but the ways of the world reveal that a life of integrity and prosperity requires diligent industriousness — not minimal effort. The book of Proverbs has only rebuke for the sluggard and praise for the diligent. And for the follower of Christ, it is not the broad path but the narrow way which is the path of salvation. Not because “hard works” earn us any merit before God, mind you. Rather, I think it’s more commonly because the path of righteousness is scarcely ever the “easy” path in this sin-tainted and God-disdaining world.

Now, don’t think I’m suggesting that the most difficult path must necessarily be the most holy one, nor vice versa. Nevertheless, I think it’s a good idea for us to be wary of that self-pleasing leisure-oriented mindset that moves us toward mere comfort, toward ease… and away from need, from “going outside the camp with Jesus,” bearing reproach. Our fallenness so easily prejudices us from God-glorifying but challenging pursuits, if we are not familiar enough with our deceitful hearts.

May the hope of the gospel keep us from neither loving leisure above doing great things for God, nor seeking God’s acceptance through doing hard things for God. Rather, let the joy of the gospel free us from a need for the amusements and distractions that intoxicate our surrounding culture, and inspire us to do even “hard work” in actions that magnify the worth and sovereignty of our Savior.

I am resolved to speak tenderly to my children, especially when they disobey. This morning I had a semi-quiet moment while I was outside hanging the diapers. I prayed for God’s mercy to help me through the day, especially in the area of speaking tenderly to my children. Throughout the day I prayed for more mercy and grace.

It’s become more and more apparent that I don’t speak to my children with tenderness, especially when they are being disciplined. I find myself raising my voice and even though I can’t see myself when I’m angry, I’m sure I don’t look very good right there and then. Perhaps in the midst of my anger, I should stop and look at myself in the mirror so I can see how ugly or scary my expression is. I don’t think anyone looks good when they are angry, yet this is what my children see. I don’t want to model this for my children as they are learning how to be little gentlemen and ladies.

A while back when my husband was apologizing to my older child for speaking harshly to him, my son looked at him and quoted Proverbs 15:1, “A soft answer turns away wrath.” That was very sobering. He actually understood that verse and applied it well. Thanks to the My ABC Bible Verses book we’ve been reading to him. We desire to raise up our children to be godly people who fear the Lord and we must first model this for them.

Several weeks ago we ran into an acquaintance of mine at a restaurant. Upon finding out that we have four children, his eyes opened wider and exclaimed with the following: “Four? That’s a lot of work! I only have one and he’s a lot of work already. Man, I feel for you. I really feel for you.” What he was conveying was that he felt sorry for me because I have a lot of work cut out for me. In my unsanctified way, I responded with displeasure: “Don’t, please don’t. Don’t feel sorry for me.” My husband then replied with a more gracious response, “Children are blessings and why would we not want God’s blessings?”

It is very common nowadays to encounter people with a negative attitude towards children in the name of hard work. Hard work equals pain which means it’s to be avoided. In my experience people with fewer children tend to express this negative attitude more frequently than people with more children. Recently a mother told me that she is limiting her family size to two children because they are a lot of work. Since she wants to enjoy life, two is just enough. This saddens me because people seem to be blinded by the fact that children are blessings from God. Do they not know what Psalm 127 says?

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate

We need to look at our children as blessings, not merely as hard work. There is much to enjoy in life with them. I also acknowledge that they are a lot of work as I know this intimately well with my four little ones. My life with them is like a farmer and his field. It is a lot of work to sow seeds and tend the vegetables, but when the harvest time comes, it is a sweet reward. What’s more is that food tastes better and sweeter when you are the one who tended the field knowing that a lot of sweat and hard work went into it. Likewise, motherhood is hard, but do it well so you may reap what you sow. I await for the day when my children arise up and call me blessed (Proverbs 31: 28).

While our family was driving on the road one day and heading towards some railroad tracks, we saw the railroad crossing gate coming down and the bells began to ring. My boys are huge train lovers so as soon as we heard the bells ringing, everyone in the car got excited and looked on with anticipation. Daddy rolled down the windows so we could hear the bells more clearly. So there we were, sitting in the car eagerly waiting for the train to come. In that short period, I found myself waiting for the train with the same excitement as my boys. But then… no train came though the crossing was still down and lights still flashing! When the train didn’t come as quickly as I had anticipated, I doubted and wondered with disappointment. But then it came, and when it finally came, my heart leapt for joy and I actually felt the adrenaline rush. After it was all over, I giggled and sheepishly told my husband that I got excited over watching a train go by.

I then remembered that I had posted a blog “A Sense of Wonder” a while back talking about the innocence and beauty of a child’s sense of wonder and awe. Now that I’m an adult, I often don’t have the same wonder as my children. However, I found myself being able to recapture that childlike wonder and excitement when I saw the train this time. It was with much joy and delight when I looked at things through the lens of my children. Simple joy is good. I am blessed!

One would think that after several babies, I’d have the “been there, done that” outlook when it comes to appreciating a new baby. After all, we have already been through all the baby developmental stages. Contrary to the notion, having a new baby still amazes me. When the baby smiles or imitates, my heart melts. I have said so many times in my heart that I don’t deserve such an amazing gift from God. Calissa is just so perfect and sweet.

I had a tough day. It all started early in the day and persisted throughout the day, but praise God that the day was redeemed via a nice and calm family dinner at Black Angus. After coming home, Calissa and I rested on the bed together. I stared and admired her long and hard. I’m still amazed and still feel undeserving of this precious blessing. Her smile makes me forget how bad my day was. Perhaps this is how God tells me that my toil as a mother is not in vain.

Last week I found my four-year-old wearing his backpack around the house with lots of enthusiasm. He then told me that he was going “off to college!” I have no clue where he got the idea of going to college. We’ve never talked about him going to college. After all, he is only four!

I asked him, “College? Where are you going to college?” He eagerly answered, “At home!” By now I was quite amused because he knew that we homeschool so of course going to college at home is the natural progression.

He then took off his backpack and started to pack it with trains and train tracks. He matter of factly said his teacher told him to pack these items. With much curiosity, I asked, “Who is your teacher?” He looked at me and smiled, but didn’t want to answer. I poked a little and asked him again. He sheepishly smiled and said, “You are!” I was happy to hear that.