Embracing Him

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11)

Last week Sweet Pea attended a fantastic preschool Vacation Bible School in a neighboring town. During the three day program, she explored the stories of Daniel, David, and Jonah through stories, crafts, games, and reenactments.

These three Bible greats are not unfamiliar to Sweet Pea. We’ve read many, many, many, many stories about Daniel, David, and Jonah. She’s also watched the Veggies Tales bring these stories to life in two videos we highly recommend: Heroes of the Bible-Lions, Shepherds, and Queens (Oh My!) and Jonah.

The energy generated by VBS is swirling around inside our home. Sweet Pea has found a new use for her jump rope. It has morphed into a slingshot which hurls imaginary rocks with amazing accuracy! Here at our house, giants are falling daily as Sweet Pea swings her jump rope about and shouts, “I am little, but God is big!” In addition, our day must now include a daily showing of Jonah and daily playing of her new favorite song, Belly of the Whale by The Newsboys.

JT and I are thrilled that Sweet Pea had such a great time at VBS! We’re glad God has given us an opportunity to help her hide the Word in her heart.

Do everything without complaining or arguing (Philippians 2:14)

I don’t know who invited her or how long she plans to stay. The Whining Fairy has stopped by the Thorpe household and hasn’t gone home yet. She has waved her wand over my precious Sweet Pea and has transformed her voice into a high pitched one rife with complaints.

On a recent Sunday morning, Sweet Pea spent several minutes whining because we would not allow her to wear flip flops to church. Two days later, as we prepared to head off to swim lessons, shoe selection set off another whirlwind of whining because Sweet Pea did not want to wear the flip flops to the pool. Instead, she wanted to wear her dress shoes. (Yes, the same dress shoes she didn’t want to wear a couple days before!)

In order to deal with Sweet Pea’s whining in an effective manner, I’ve taken the matter to the Lord in prayer. Because He is so loving, merciful, and kind, He is answering my prayer and leading me to some valuable information that will help me combat this problem.

At the same time, God has given me some food for thought. Often when I take the annoyances of others to God in prayer, He reveals an area of my life I need to improve. (How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:4)

While praying about Sweet Pea’s whining, God reminded me of some of my own recent grumbling sessions, convicted me regarding my improper attitude, and showed me how my complaining was a sign of ungratefulness based in a lack of faith and a lack of focus.

When I complain, it appears that I am unappreciative of the people and things God has placed in my life. When I complain, it reveals that I don’t fully trust God and have not given Him total control of my life. When I complain, it shows that my focus is on situations and not the Savior. Instead I must show my appreciation to God by fully relying on and focusing on Him.

Sweet Pea may not stop whining tomorrow, but I’m determined to stop complaining about it today. Instead, I will view this challenge as an opportunity to grow in Christ. This, too, shall pass!

Photo: Courtesy of frotzed2

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. (Genesis 9:12-13)

Today, it had been raining on and off all day long. One minute the sun was shining brightly and the next minute dark clouds rolled in bringing a torrential downpour. As I was feeding the girls their lunch I thought, “I wouldn’t be surprised to a see a rainbow some time today.”

A few hours later when JT came home from work, he made a beeline straight to Sweet Pea saying, “I have something to show you!” I knew even before he whisked her onto the porch that a rainbow was waiting. I grabbed the camera, followed them out to the porch, and snapped several photos.

This was the first time Sweet Pea had ever seen a real rainbow. (Too bad Sugar Plum went to bed early and missed it!) A few minutes later the rainbow faded and Sweet Pea was quite sad. I explained that rainbows only lasted a short while and were special gifts from God. JT explained that she could look for another rainbow the next time it rained.

As Sweet Pea completed her bedtime ritual with her father, the skies turned dark again and the rain came down. A few minutes later, the sky cleared and the sun peeked out. Though I doubted we’d be blessed with another rainbow, I ventured out to the porch and looked to the sky. I was surprised to see another beautiful rainbow.
Immediately I bolted up to Sweet Pea’s room and interrupted JT’s reading of her bedtime story. I yanked up the window blinds and said, “Look, there’s another rainbow!” Sweet Pea ran over to the window and jumped for joy shouting, “Another rainbow! Another rainbow!”

Tomorrow, the girls and I will revisit the story of Noah through story and song. I think this time the story will have special meaning for Sweet Pea since she’s seen a rainbow up close!