Lorna, Emily's preschool director, once said during a parent orientation that we shouldn't leave or greet our kids with phrases like, "Be good." or "Were you a good girl today?" Of course that is what I was currently doing, so it perked up my ears when I heard that. She suggested saying something positive, loving and specific. It is a great point. What we leave our little ones with for the day and then pick them up with matters. I have heard three parents lately who really blew my socks off (how's that for a dorky phrase!)
A few weeks ago I was walking behind a father and son on my way to drop Sarah off at kindergarten. The boy was probably in 3-4 th grade. He was carrying a huge presentation board, and obviously had a big day ahead of him. A few houses before the crosswalk, the dad stopped, turned his son toward him, put his hands on his shoulder (cue Leave it to Beaver theme song) and said, "Son, just remember, I am always so proud of you." It was so beautiful! Yes, I teared up, if you are wondering. What an awesome thing to say to your son as he heads into school.
Last week, I overheard a mom and son who were running past me on the way toward the crosswalk. The bell had already rung and he was going to be late. Although he was late, they were laughing and running hand in hand. (not doing my normal "RUN, RUN, RUN SARAH WE ARE LAAAATTTTEEE! routine). They parted at the crosswalk and the mom yelled some cute phrase about loving him, but his response is what caught me. Mind you this boy was 10 or 11 He stopped in the middle of the street and yelled back, "Crazy mom, you just remember you are the best mom ever and I love you!" Can you imagine! What a great way to start off the day. I literally watched that mom's face break into the most glowing smile I have seen in a long time. Her son didn't just whip up those parting words on his own, he has surely grown up in a life of being told that he is loved.
On the other side of the spectrum, on Monday I heard a preschool mom ask the teacher how her son had been that day. The teacher said he had been fine. The mom then said to the son, as they were walking toward the door, and said, "So, you weren't evil today huh?"
Oh that poor little guy, it broke my heart.
Hearing all those examples, has made me try to stop and be more intentional with my farewells and greeting for the girls. How do you drop off or pick up your kids? Do you have any little traditions or greetings in the morning or afternoon? I would love to hear your ideas.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Little good byes and hellos
Irish Soda Bread
This weekend the girls and I will bake a few loafs of Irish Soda bread. My grandmother's family came from Ireland, and my mom always made a few loafs of this bread in the days leading up to St. Patrick's Day. It is a great bread to have with a cup of tea. I like it toasted with butter for breakfast. Yum!
Here is my mom's recipe. It makes two loafs.
4 cups flour
1 tsp salt
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter
2 cups raisins or currents
1 egg
1 3/4 cups buttermilk (I buy dry buttermilk powder that you can keep in the fridge)
Combine first 5 ingredients, add butter, add raisins, beat egg and add to mixture.
Divide dough into two halves. On a floured surface, form dough into a rounded loaf. Cut a cross into the top of the loaf. Bake loaves on a cookie sheet at 375 for 35-40 mins.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Family Lent Devotion - Week 3
Week 3: Jesus’ ministry begins
Introduction: Can you imagine getting up right now, leaving everything, and walking out your front door to follow Jesus? Sounds crazy right? But that is just what many people did when Jesus was alive. They heard Jesus speak or saw Him perform a miracle, and they instantly left their lives behind to follow him. Last week we learned about Jesus’ baptism. Soon after his baptism, Jesus began his ministry. As his ministry began to grow, he was not alone. He was calling men to be his followers. Jesus had followers from all walks of life. In today’s reading, we will read about Levi the tax collector, better known as the apostle Matthew.
Reading: Luke 5: 27-32 The calling of Levi
Discussion Questions:
1. Jesus calls Levi, a tax collector, to follow him. In Jesus’ time, tax collectors were not popular people. In fact, most people hated them! But, Levi sets a great example. He got up, left everything and followed Jesus. Levi even holds a banquet so that his friends can come and meet Jesus. God wants us to help our friends to meet Jesus too. If you could host a banquet celebrating Jesus, who would you invite to it and what would you share with them about Jesus?
2. It’s easy to think that there are people more qualified than us to teach people about Jesus. What about pastors, elders, teachers, they all know more right? What can we learn from the example of Jesus picking a tax collector to be one of his followers and later an apostle?
3. Reread verses 31 -32. What type of person did Jesus want to follow him? Do we need to be perfect to follow him?
Prayer: Close your devotional time in a prayer. For example:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this time together to learn about your son Jesus. Thank you for the example Matthew gives us. Help us to remember to share Jesus with our friends, co-workers and classmates, just like Matthew shared Jesus with his fellow tax collectors. Thank you Jesus, for coming to save everyone, not just people who are perfect or righteous. Thank you for coming for us. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Pete's chocolate cake
