Equipping Moms for Faithful Living
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Kimberley Payne, Janis Cox, Janet Stobie
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by Janet Stobie
One of the reasons I often here for having your child baptized is, “We don’t want our child to miss out. We’ve heard that our child can’t go to heaven if he/she isn’t baptized.” I don’t think that baptism is a special magical ritual that will somehow qualify a child for eternal life, or give protection from bad spirits.
Still, I believe that God acts in Baptism.
Baptism is one of the few times when an entire room-full of people is smiling and thinking loving thoughts about this one particular child.
For just that few moments, during Baptism every person in the room is open to being God’s instrument of love for your child.
When I baptize a child, I always walk around the church stopping at individuals so they can reach out and touch the child. I want this baby to receive as much of God’s blessings through the people of the congregation as is possible.
God’s Spirit is with us from conception.
I believe, during Baptism your child receives an extra dose of this wonderful thing called God’s Spirit. The child will not die, or be led astray, or be without God, if he or she is not baptized. But the child misses out , misses out on this opportunity, this special experience of God’s Spirit, an extra gift. I am sure there are times in other religions that are similar. I only know about Christian Baptism.
Baptism is not just a group of humans performing a pleasing ritual.
God does act during Baptism through the people in attendance who willingly become conduit for God’s Spirit.
Baptism is a ritual of belonging. Through Baptism we become members of the Christian church. We don’t earn it or deserve it. We just come with our request. God loves and accepts all of us.
It’s your decision as a parent, whether or not you’ll bring your child to the church for Baptism.
by Janis Cox
God has put so much on my heart and into my mind. I want to do so much. But I also know when I have to say STOP. I learned 7 weeks ago what a Sabbath Rest is and how it could help me. I stopped blogging for 1 week. When I came back I felt re-energized and ready to tackle it again.
So this week coming up is my 7th again – and I know it is time. I must work hard to get everything planned and ready but then I can take it off – leave it and go away from this computer as much as possible.
The timing is perfect. Family and Faith Matters have 3 tables, Kimberley Payne, Janet Stobie and myself, at a homeschool conference in Barrie. We will be meeting homeschool moms and showing our children’s books. A time away; a time to pray with friends; a time to meet and be social.
This week I have been preparing Stuffed Tadeo Turtles to sell with my books. They take time but I love sewing them.
Janis, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. She has published two devotionals and a number of articles for magazines and a Bible study. She is owner of Under the Cover of Prayer and moderates the site. She is also a contributor to a group blog called Family and Faith Matters. Janis has completed a children’s book called Tadeo Turtle. She is the author and watercolour illustrator. Word Alive has published Tadeo Turtle. See more information at Janis’s Website.
I had to lie on the ground in a ditch along the road to capture this photo. It’s one of my absolute favourites.
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by Janet Stobie
The Baptism ritual symbolically washes us clean of our sin.
What sin has this beautiful child, possibly only a few weeks old, committed in her/his short life?
Is this baby even capable of willingly doing something wrong? I believe Baptism is a lifelong sacrament. As your child matures, there will be times when he will refuse to pick up his toys, or make his bed or finish his homework. There will be times when she will abuse the earth by not recycling or composting. There will be times when she says something mean to a brother or sister or friend.
The cleansing waters of Baptism are not for just one day, but for all of our lives.
Usually our childish mistakes have few lasting consequences. As adults we can make decisions that harm ourselves and/or others. Eg. Drunk driving, bullying in the work place etc.
Baptism says that God’s forgiveness is with us throughout our entire life.
The hope is that this baptized child, raised in the faith, will always know that she/he can come to God at any time, truly repentant, wanting to change, and God’s forgiveness will be ready and waiting.
Again it’s not just the baptized that receive God’s forgiveness.
God’s forgiveness is for everyone. With Baptism the child has been clearly given the message of forgiveness. The church has set up an environment of parents, god parents, and an entire congregation to reinforce that message as the child matures.
Wanting to save the world can feel overwhelming, especially in this past year. We have experienced so many major world catastrophes; where do we even start?
There are days when I think that I can’t possibly be of help. I’ve got my own problems. But then my spirit is checked and I am reminded of small things I can do.
As I write this, I am sure there are many more things that I can do – donate my money, my possessions, and my time – for worthy causes. If I think, “I can’t possibly make a difference” and hold onto my money, hoard my possessions and keep my time to myself then, yes, it is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Click to tweet However, if every day I do something, anything, to help in a small way, then, yes, it will make a difference.
I remember hearing a story about a man who walked to the beach every morning and spent an hour throwing back starfish who had been beached. One day, another man came along and chastised him for doing this. He said, “Old man, you can’t possible make a difference here. Look at all the thousands of starfish. You’ll never be able to help them all.” The old man continued to return the starfish to the sea as he responded, “You may be right. But it does make a difference to this one.”
Think about how you may make a difference today – no matter how small.
Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice (Psalm 112:5 NIV.)
How have you made a difference?
by Janis Cox
“As Mother pushed Connie, almost two, in her stroller, the child stuck her foot out and dragged the toe of her shoe along the sidewalk. “No, No, Connie.” The girl put her foot back onto the tray but, a few minutes later dragged it again. Each time that happened, Mother said, “No, no, Connie.” Finally, in a temper, Mother reached down and slapped the child’s leg. “I said to stop that!” she yelled. Connie kept her foot in place for the rest of the stroll” (Children the Challenge, Rudolph Dreikurs).
We are told in Dreikur’s book, Children the Challenge, that the child has provoked the parent to anger. We get upset with a behaviour and we “shoo flies” with a barrage of little “nos”. This is an ineffective training method as it provokes an unnecessary response from the parent. This is not a response we want our children to emulate.
The child figures out that he can keep doing something until the top blows. Instead, in order to get the child to comply with what we wish we have to give that child our full attention from the beginning. For instance Connie’s Mother can stop pushing the stroller every time she drags her feet.
This will be more effective than a repeated “no”.
Dreikurs talks about logical consequences for actions that are inappropriate. If your child is late - then leave even if it is without breakfast. Don’t make a big production of “hurry up”.
Children become “mother deaf” if we consistently nag (This is the same statement for husbands too).
(tweet this)
“If we want to influence our child’s behavior, we need to watch our own. Is what we are doing bringing desired results, or are we merely brushing aside an annoyance?”
The book Children the Challenge was written in 1964. However, I used this book and attended a study at my church using this book while my children were small. I know that it changed how I viewed my relationship with my children. My anger had arisen from frustration with their actions. I learned that I could still remain me (a relatively calm sane adult) if I didn’t let the children’s actions bog me down.
This book is still available in an updated version. I am not affiliated with anything concerning this book. I will be writing more from this book in the future. I found an old copy in a used bookstore. I lent my first copy out and don’t remember where.
What are your thoughts? Do you get into the battle with your children – or can you remain the sane, wise adult?
Janis, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. She has published two devotionals and a number of articles for magazines and a Bible study. She is owner of Under the Cover of Prayer and moderates the site. She is also a contributor to a group blog called Family and Faith Matters. Janis has completed a children’s book called Tadeo Turtle. She is the author and watercolour illustrator. Word Alive has published Tadeo Turtle. See more information at Janis’s Website.
This bench is located in my neighbour’s front yard facing their home. Not sure how long it’s been there but doesn’t it look like the perfect spot to sit and enjoy a good book on a warm day?
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Each Friday we hold a Family & Faith Friendly Foto Community. Please check the rules of this community if you are here for the first time. Feel free to add your link below about your photo. And we all love comments!
After you link please go to the blog that is in front of you and comment on their site. Words of encouragement mean so much to each of us.
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KIMBERLEY PAYNE
JANET STOBIE
JANIS COX
Author Illustrator Janis Cox Kimberley Payne Janet Stobie Under the Cover of Prayer
