Friday, August 15, 2008

Goodbye Chicken Pox!


Over the past month our two girls experienced bouts of chicken pox; we elected not to give the girls vaccinations for the pox but allow them time to get it on their own and ensure life-long immunity. We are glad they both got the pox at a young age; in fact, young enough that they both may not even remember it.

Luke was vaccinated at his first birthday and ended up not getting it; he did well encouraging his sisters and hanging in there with our house bound routine. We were particularly thankful that the timing of the pox came when we had several out of town family visitors in our home; Aunt Erlina and Grandma and Grandpa Bowers were here for seperate visits during our pox outbreaks.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Foolishness vs. Wisdom

I don't need to teach my children to open their mouths and reveal the grotesque nature of food half chewed, become acquainted with bodily noises and use them to gain their peers attention, or use harsh words or even fists to win a fight with a sibling. God's Word reminds us that "foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child..."; in other words it will be our childrens natural inclination to chase after silly, foolish things. God's Word also remind us of the seriousness of this inherent desire to run hard after foolishness: Proverbs 16:25 says that "There is a way that seems right to man, but its end is the way of death."

In our home we are running hard after wisdom! God promises to give wisdom when we ask for it; like a father delights in giving good gifts to his son. Where on earth can we find this type of wisdom that rebukes the folly of the soul left to itself? God's Word give us a narrow road for acquiring such wisdom; it starts with fearing the Lord (Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever). Reading God's Word, meditating on it, memorizing it and applying it to every day life through the power of the Holy Spirit cultivates such wisdom (Psalm 119). Thirdly, God help us to be righteous parents who walk in integrity so that our children may see a godly example (Prov. 20:7).


Some may say, let kids be kids; these are normal stages they all go through. I agree with only half of that; these are normal stages of sin manifesting itself early unbridled by social norms and mores and devoid of God's Spirit in their lives. It is never too early to input godly wisdom that debunks the cultural low expectations for children. Proverbs 20:11 reminds us "Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right." By God's grace and mercy may Luke, Noelle and Taryn follow hard after God's wisdom at an early age.