Parenting Example

Reading for this week's bible study. Psalm 123:1: I lift my eyes to You, the One enthroned in heaven.
Our God is authoritative, sovereign and full of Charismatic! He is the King of kings, Lord of lords, enthroned in heaven. So we have to look UP onto Him. And yet he is humble and meek. How lower can He be for Christ was born to a carpenter in a manger in the little town Bethlehem? He healed the sick, ate with the sinners. He lived among them. He never give us everything we ask for. Otherwise He is just a functional god whom we can manipulate. He disciplines us when he says 'no' or 'be patient and wait', or 'let's do it another way'.
I just realize that our Lord has set a perfect parenting example for us. Good parents should be leaders of households, whom the children can look upon to for guidelines and examples. But it doesn't work if we only remain as 'authorities' to our kids, then we are only dictators. Kids also need us to be their close friends with listening hearts. We sometimes can give children freedom of choices, but in some circumstances we know it's for their sake when we say 'no'. A parent had taught me a good way when we need kids' attention: stand in front of them, and tell them 'eyes on me' --- look upon me! Isn't that what the Lord requires us to do? --- 'To lift your eyes to me'. Children do need someone whom they can look upon to, although they do always want to look eye to eye with us (annoying moms and dads). But they really need guidance when they fail and hurt, and despaired.
To praise that we have a Lord that we can always look upon to. To pray that we can be the parents our children can look upon to!

Treasure this moment

Sometimes I really wish my kids can grow up FAST, can't wait for them to become mature and completely independent. So I can be 'free'!
On Monday, I wrote a note to John-John's teacher to give him permission to attend Joshua's birthday party in another class. When I picked him up after school, Mrs. Bowman told me that he presented the note at 11am with tears in his eyes because he forgot the note early morning, and thought that he had missed the party. I pictured his 'sad Sam' face, so innocent, helpless, and huggable!
In the blink of an eye, he will be in kindergarden next year. I want to treasure these days. Do and John prepared themselves for bed last night. Great work! This morning, they got up before us, and changed into school clothes. I rewarded their good work with a small pack of Pokemon cards for each. They were so delighted! At this age, they are so easy to be satisfied. Just want to hug them, hug them and hug...