Elisha Cooper, children's book writer/illustrator, spoke to a group of older school children about the craft of book-making at our library today. He drew for the children and shared how he created wonderful books about dogs, cats, and ordinary things. My daughter, (budding illustrator that she is at 8 years old), and I were thrilled to join the listeners. He shared how one of his art teachers had him attach his paintbrush to a long pole and paint from about 8 feet away. He said, "It helped me learn to use my whole arm." It changed the way he painted. I kept thinking about this as he went on to answer questions from the children. From that distance, his perspective would shift; he would have to look at the whole picture while working on just a part of it.

I need to do this in parenting my children. I need the "whole picture approach." I need to avoid the tunnel vision. I need to "paint from a distance."     for more, click here.

Yes, We Can

As a momma, I am often my own worst naysayer. Or as I like to think of it, there are little naysayers in my head telling me what I can’t do. These little guys remind me of small yellow minions who aren’t quite getting it right. I try to keep them in line, but every so often, they run rampant, telling me “you can’t write, you can’t parent, you can’t “wife”, you can’t…..While “staying positive” sounds good, have you ever tried to pin down one of these minions?

As a family, we watched “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” last night. My mind was still on my self-doubt as I cuddled my boys. “There is no try, there is only do or do not.” Yoda’s voice to the young Luke reminds me of this struggle we all face. I can’t simply “try” to be a good momma, I must succeed.

 Thankfully, I do have the force. No, not the mysterious mitachlorians that abide in everything and hold us all together…blah…blah…blah…and no “freeze-ray” to get my coffee in the morning. I mean the real force of the Holy Spirit available to me as a Christ follower. That mysterious voice that says, “This is the way, walk in it (Isaiah 30:21).” It’s the part of me that tosses scripture arrows at the minions. Yes, I am one of those. I apply my Christian worldview to everything from minions to Star Wars, to life in general.

 Scripture shows up everywhere. “Let your yes be yes and your no be no (Matthew 5:37),” and the ever encouraging “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).” My own understanding, often minion-filled and full of wimpy “I’ll try”s….can be overcome. My children must know this reservoir of the force is available to their young Christian lives as well. My husband recently reminded me of this wonderful song. “Yes, we can.” So the next time the minions of “you can’t” are wreaking havoc in your life, fling a few arrows and enjoy the music. Yes, We Can

The OMG phenomenon. It bothers me. I probably shouldn’t be shushing little kids at the park but one young lady’s repeated use of OMG almost pushed me over the edge recently. I admit it, I am one of those moms who feel language is of utmost importance, but this phrase irks me in so many ways. I asked my friend what she thought, “Oh, I hate it,” she replied, “but you can’t parent other people’s kids.” Yes…but…what if this little girl was wandering the playground repeating the “f” word. Surely, then, some well-meaning adult would have explained the inappropriateness of her words, or as some of my relatives would have shouted in my childhood, “Hey you! Watch your mouth!”

Yet, we are so tolerant of OMG. Does its prevalence somehow make it more palatable? It’s not so bad, after all, right? I suppose I should be happy they are at least thinking of God. After all, I am not overhearing cell phone calls with people saying, “oh my Buddha,” or “oh my Allah,”. See, even the heathen OMG users know who’s in charge, right? I mean everybody uses it. (My mother’s sarcastic voice from my teenage years announces in my head, “and if everyone jumped off a bridge, you would to?”)

Is no one willing to call it a sin? In today’s Christian community, that’s judging, right? And judging is wrong, right? The book of Titus is a call to follow truth, regardless of what is going on in your society. Titus 1:16 states, “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.” I think when Christians use OMG they are denying God with their actions.
I have yet to find a good op/ed piece critical of the OMG phenomenon. Perhaps I am reading in the wrong circles. Perhaps I just need to “get over it.” Sigh.

I talk to my children about it. That it is really God’s name and names are important. My seven year old says, “Well, I wouldn’t like it if people kept saying, “oh my Mark!” I would think they were talking to me even if they weren’t talking to me. That would bug me.” Yes, it’s inappropriate speech, but more than that, it’s WRONG, especially according to the standard of the God I serve. It’s sinful to use God’s name is such a crass, disrespectful manner. (oops, I used that S-i-n word again. That makes my “I’m a Christian, I love everybody” part of me cringe). “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.” Exodus 20:7, also known as the second commandment. Apparently, society at large has also outgrown this commandment while I choose to keep it and have my children keep it as well.

Think of when Jesus cried out in agony, “OMG, why have your forsaken me?” We have so cheapened his Father’s Holy name. Even the classic hymn, “OMG, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the works Thy hands have made…” has been polluted. God’s name should really be reserved for God. Please consider who OMG refers to and regard him with reverence, especially if you profess a faith in Christ. Thanks.

Featured Parenting Article of the Week
Five Building Blocks to Discipline