ah-ha! she got it!

I've said it before and I'll say it again.  Becoming a parent has been extremely instrumental in growing my relationship with God.  It has opened my eyes to how He loves me as His child.

The other night I had an experience with my own kiddos where I felt so proud/relieved/excited that my kids actually got something that I have been "preaching" for years.  And it made me chuckle to think that God probably has the same  kind of moments with all of us.  The elation of your kids finally "getting it".

I've even been able to recognize recently a few times where a message had finally sunk in for me.  You conceptually understand something but it is only later that hits home and you are able to put it into practice.  Although where God's concerned it happens at the time of His choosing and not by happenstance :)

Self-Acceptance has been a big one for me.  I struggled a lot with the negative parts, you know the sinner in us all.  I kept trying to earn God's grace.  Be good enough to deserve His dying for me.  It's not that I thought I could live a perfect life but I remember praying "Lord, please just let me get through one day with out letting You down in some way. One day."  Well that is never going to happen.  It just isn't.  We are broken, sinful beings and we can't change that.  Accepting that you don't deserve grace and you never will (even for one day) is when the enormity of what Jesus did finally permeates your soul.  His mercy is ours not because we are good but because He is good.  Have I heard all this before?  Sadly yes, but I tried anyway.  It has finally flooded into all the corners of my heart and I now live with a recognition and acknowledgement of my brokenness, an unending gratitude for His merciful rescue, and the certainty that I am loved far beyond my short-comings.

Have you had an ah-ha moment like this where a concept has finally sunk in for you?  Do share!

Caught Ya

"Stop that!"

"Don't hit your brother!"

"Why can't you two just get along?!?"

That was the sound of my house not too long ago.

My boys are quite competitive and often have difficulty getting along.  

I was desperate to find a way to encourage them to treat each other with a little kindness

...and less like butting rams.

I came across this little gem on Pinterest and decided to give it a try.

via

I wanted the boys to focus on the good behaviors they have.
When the jar is full, they will get a small reward.
It's not so much about the reward but it's a tangible way to
let them know they are behaving well, and it is reinforced right then and there.
It has also helped me to focus on all the good they do!

I'd have to say that for the most part it is working well.  Now we just need to work on being humble...
often when they do something good, they ask if they are getting a noodle
(I use raw noodles for each "caught ya" moment to fill up the jar).

Parenthood has done wonders for me to better understand God's love for me.
I often marvel at how he could possibly love me so much in light of all my sin.
But the way I love my boys even when they are not
at their best helps me to have a little better understanding of
God's patience and never-ending love.

I bet God has a caught ya jar for each of us, 
storing up all our good deeds for our ultimate reward in heaven ;)