Friday, August 26, 2011

Delighting


Jakey started 1st grade at a new school yesterday. Last night was our first PTSM meeting. PTSM is like PTA- but it stands for "Parent Teacher Support Ministry". I like that. School is not "school" it's a ministry. And, if you've ever been involved in private schools, co-ops or homeschooling- you know exactly what I mean.

I was expecting a regular sit down-read the minutes- principal make some nice comments- pass around a volunteer sign up sheet- type of meeting.  I was very surprised. The pastor of the church came to the meeting and gave one of the best 15 minute, most convicting, passionate and love filled exhortations. EVER.
The seromon had four points to parents and I really want to share them with you.

  • DELIGHT- Relish the moments. Your children are more than laundry pile makers, orthodontic bill stackers, food eaters, mess makers. When was the last time you TRULY stopped and delighted in your children?
  • DISCIPLE- It's our HOLY OBLIGATION to disciple our children. Lead, guide, direct, nurture in the admonition of God. You disciple by demonstration. Discipling is done through scripture and love. It's different than punishment and judgement.
  • DEVELOP- train our child way they should go. Develop character, respect, honor, loyalty. These things are developed and cultivated in our children. Sometimes it takes punishments to "develop" character.
  • DISCIPLINE- Pastor Callahan made a distinct difference between "Disciple, develop and disciplining" our children. Discipline. You cannot love your children and NOT discipline them. 
Another wonderful thing from the meeting last night is that Pastor Callahan "made up" his own motto- inspired by I Corinthians 13.

Now abideth school, church and home, but the greatest of these is home.
Gentle reminders for an overwhelmed mom on the go. Delight in the Lord. Delight in your children. Delight in the small stuff. Delight in the mundane. Delight in their very presence and being. Sounds easy. But life comes at us so fast, harsh and unyielding. 

  

      
Wednesday night was our last night of summer. I told Jakey I would take him out to dinner for ANYTHING he wanted. He chose SHRIMP! So he and I headed out to a seafood restaurant. He talked about SHRIMP the WHOLE way there...how yummy, good and wonderful it sounded. He asked if he could get it fried and boiled. He asked all about catching shrimp.Cleaning Shrimp. Cooking shrimp. Have people ever had shrimp as pets? How big does a shrimp have to be before its not a shrimp anymore? Have shrimp have ever been trained to be in the movies? We talked about every aspect and angle of shrimp imaginable. And when we got there- the "little shrimp" ordered cod-fish. LOL. Isn't that the way things go? But ya know what? I was DELIGHTING in my little man. It was just him and I. 
 DeLIGHT yourselves in the Lord and SHINE all your light!  :) 

Love, Cass

2 comments:

  1. I love what the pastor had to say. That's good stuff. :) Congratulations to Jakey...looks like he's going to like 1st grade.

    The shrimp story makes me think of Forrest Gump. LOL And funny that Jake ended up getting cod-fish after all that. LOL What a fun night with your 1st grader though. He sure is growing up. Don't cry.

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  2. This is a wonderful post! I love all the D words. ;)

    Such sweet pictures too!

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