Rebekah's Insights

Thursday's Thankfulness

Today I am (especially) thankful for my dear little children.

I awakened not feeling well, but this was to be our (dreaded) weekly shopping day. It is not that shopping day is without its enjoyable aspects, but it makes for a very long day and the children get so tired out by the time it’s done. I drive 40 minutes in to shop for groceries and other things as needed, take the children to the beloved library, and we also meet Daddy for lunch. Today I needed to make a few other stops, as well, so it was going to be particularly grueling. I considered not going, but it would set us back in several respects if I didn’t go, so I went anyway.

So we had lunch, picked up a few miscellaneous items, went to the library and met some friends. Next on to grocery shopping, when I realized I REALLY was sick and we needed to cut activities short, finish shopping, and get home. By 5:00 it is fully dusk around here (we are fast approaching the time when we will enjoy a mere six hours of daylight per day.) So I brought all the groceries in and put them away and just sat down feeling sick and wanting to rest for a few minutes before heating up dinner.

When I told Liam I didn’t feel well, he stopped what he was doing and said, “Do you want me to hold you, Momma?” So he gave me a hug and rubbed my head. Aine came over and patted my cheek! They were so tender with me! Then they followed it up by getting back to playing –with Liam “making tracks to great destinations” and Aine putting a box on her head and serving more tea. They really energized me enough to go heat up dinner! What little blessings!

Well, think when the kids go to bed, I will soon follow after. Have a good evening!

One of the differences I have noticed here is the lack of emphasis on observing Hallowe’en. The stores are not all draped with webs, crawling with spiders, nor startling you with cackling soundtracks upon crossing the threshold. I have really found it a refreshing change! It has just been…harvest time. Trees are magnificent shades of russet, brown, and gold—as is the ground beneath, due to the furiously falling leaves. The air is crisp (yes, that’s the romanticized form of the words “BRRRR-COLD!”) and I have this recurring urge to cook/bake with apples, root vegetables, and squash. I have really enjoyed the season without Hallowe’en overshadowing everything.

Now, just to be clear, I do not CAMPAIGN against Hallowe’en, nor did I mind my children being invited to a costume party (to which they attended as THE most adorable little chicken and Tigger, incidentally.) I also don’t believe that most people I know are celebrating Satanic phenomena or anything—they just have fun with the costumes, candy, and attached childhood nostalgia. However, I just personally cannot feel peaceful about observing a sinister or spooky holiday. I am reminded of the eighth verse of the fourth chapter of the book of Philippians,

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”

Now this verse is obviously about far, FAR more than whether or not to observe Hallowe’en—it’s about evaluating ALL of the things upon which I spend my time and energy. But on THIS day, THIS is what it brings to my mind and so… the children do not know about Hallowe’en. Liam knows nothing about Trick or Treating. He thinks he dressed up as Tigger because…well, he LIKES to act like Tigger most days anyway, so it’s fun to dress up as the bouncy fellow once in a while. Our candy consumption will be no more or less than usual. (Yay!) In most ways, October 31st is just another day for us. Most ways, except for one.

Though many Protestant Churches officially celebrated Reformation Day this past Sunday, it was actually on October 31, 1517 that Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of Castle Church in Germany. So along with many others, I choose to remember THIS on this last day of October. In very simple terms I explained to the children what Martin Luther accomplished with that act—standing for his convictions that were based not upon traditions or popular thought, but on God’s inspired Word. His Word by which we are able to determine “whatever is true, whatever is honorable…”

2 Timothy 3:16, 17, “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

As Liam colors a picture of Martin Luther, his understanding is very slight at this time, and Aine just wonders about how many little pieces of paper she can tear it into! :) But as they play, I PRAY! I pray that I will live before my children, teaching in word and deed the Truth of the same Holy Scripture that compelled Luther to write his Ninety-Five Theses hundreds of years ago. It is this same Holy Scripture that I return to day after day for reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. I pray they observe the joy that comes from salvation and abiding in Christ. I affirm, as did Luther, that this salvation is afforded to me through FAITH in Jesus’ atoning work on the cross, not through any good works that I manage to commit by His immeasurable grace (Ephesians 2:8,9.) This new life of abiding in Christ means worshiping God, praying to God, and reading God’s Word in personal relationship with God through CHRIST alone as my MEDIATOR (1 Timothy 2:5.) To God be the glory!

These are the things I purpose to remember and teach my children EVERYDAY—but I've taken time to refocus especially on this 31st day of October. I celebrate not only “Reformation Day,” but more importantly the daily reformation of my heart.

Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Being the youngest child, grandchild (for my wave), and slightly immature, its funny to raise the children and try out different techniques, than were used on you or were use to, and see how the children change through time. Liam has gone from never wanting me to do anything, to actually smiling and wanting me to help. Aine, in little over a year, has gone from only a "Daddy's girl" to wanting mummy sometimes. Through the grace of my wife, I have gone from getting annoyed and mad at the children when the do irritating things to explaining things to them. It really seems to make the difference, but just getting mad is always easier. To terrify is easy, but to embrace in love and understanding is a trial.

I was always better at being the executioner than the impartial judge.

If you know us, you know that we are currently living in the UK. One funny bit of info that most people don't think about, is the UK is at the same latitude as the Scandinavian countries (like Sweden and Norway). This means , when the Earth's tilt is away from the sun, we get less sun light in the "winter months." This is definitely taking some getting use to, even though it will get darker earlier. Right now the sun is setting around 1800 BST. I see why the British really don't care much about daylight savings time, like they do in America. Anyway you slice it, it gets dark here early. I can not wait until December (two months from now).

For all those at home, surfing the web and asking yourself, "When is Big Willie ever going to get going with this website?". Well, never fear, 'cuz I am back in action. The hard part was catching up with all of the pictures and working with some of the new software that I have. I should be able to keep up with things for a while.

One thing we changed was a little blog formating. You will notice that the right side bar is different. I realized that the old way was too cumbersome. If you would like to get an ID and blog with us, feel free! Just go on the right side under "Misc" and click on "register". As with most things on our site, nothing is automated. When you register, it will take a day to set up your account. Then leave us some encouraging comments:)

You can also notice that we have been leaving blogs pretty regularly for everyone to read.

Catch you in the funny papers.