For His Pleasure

by Becky Wyand

1. God is Faithful

            At this time of year we often feel overwhelmed or even discouraged.  How good it is now to rest in His promises, to be reassured of His goodness.

            Psalm 37:23-25 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young and now am old: yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”

            Try this: a) When a discouraging thought pounds at your mind, refuse to entertain it.  Require yourself to replace the discouraging thought with a thought of value.  Example: You wish your husband would help with the bedtime routine, but he is usually too busy.  Discouraging thought, “He never helps. In fact he doesn’t help with anything.”  Replacing thought, “I will look at what he does rather than at what he doesn’t.  I’m glad he has a job that provides for us.”

            b) Realize that our loving savior very well understands the situation you are in right now.

2. Training

            This is the season for giving.  We can use the season as an opportunity to teach giving and to see examples of it in our daily lives. While learning to give is a great virtue, it is the full and complete surrender that God is seeking of us. That full surrender is what makes Jesus’ example of giving so valuable.

3. Methods

            Take advantage of your holiday schedule to use the storytelling method of teaching.  a) Make up stories that include your own family’s traditions.  b) Tell old favorites over and over and discuss what makes them classic.  c) Read aloud together on a variety of unassigned topics and challenge each other to accurate retelling.  d) Use a favorite read-aloud book and go beyond the author’s boundaries and imagine what might have happened.

4. For His Pleasure

            Begin thinking of what changes may need o occur in your home in the New Year, for God to receive pleasure.  Be specific. Start with a daily routine, as bedtime.

            As we grow in our understanding of God’s nature we begin to see that doing things for His pleasure also gives us greatest success – that is His love plan.

5. Academics

            If your schedule is crowding out the daily routine of school, take advantage of what you are doing to improve thinking and academic skills.

a)      As driving in the car, read aloud a great book or listen to biography tapes.

b)      While working together in the kitchen, review Bible verses or discuss word meanings.

c)      While waiting in the doctor’s office, read together or discuss how a rocket works.

d)      While cleaning the house for company, play some GREAT music.

e)      While sitting around the fire, have older children explain or teach something.

Have a truly holy holiday.