Teaching kids about Jesus

When my son started to talk and communicate i felt it was the right time to start teaching him about Jesus.

I kept asking myself....Okay, but where do I begin?
And how do I explain such a big topic to my son?

I started looking for books, pictures, coloring books and so on. It all looked nice and impressive, but I just couldn't find what I felt was right for my little son.
And so I kept looking.

One day my husband told me to simply talk about Jesus in every day life.
I wasn't convinced, it cannot be that easy. I wanted something physical that I can hold in my hand and teach my son about Jesus from it. 

Time went by and I still didn't find anything I was happy with. I decided to give my husbands ideas a go. Every day I would tell my son about the wonderful things Jesus gave us, and saying thanks for everything around us. I explained to him that everything we have is thanks to God. 

Just the other day, was the day when I realized that it's working.I was one happy Mamma.

We were standing outside and out of the blue he said, "Look Mamma, look at the big moon." Before I could say anything else, he said to me:"Jesus gave us the moon, and he gave us those trees, and our car." On the outside I almost didn't know what to say, on the inside however, my heart was jumping from Joy. I felt so proud of him and happy. He said these things with such confidence, it really made my heart smile. 

So my friends, the best way to teach our kids about Jesus is to live God's Word. Be the living bible. Be the gateway through which your kids will learn about Jesus. By doing and saying good things, kids will learn what God is about. It's one thing to teach your child a piece of bible verse and another to teach them how to live it. 

And you better start early, before the world will teach them everything that God isn't.

Here are some ways to teach you child about Jesus in simple, every day life.

1) Pray out loud.
Pray for simple things and keep it short. For example if you are struggling to find something. Simply say it out loud, 
"God, please help me to find my keys."
It will teach your child to talk, pray and rely on God.

2) Be thankful
Everyday, wherever you are tell your child that God gave us everything that we have. 
For example, when walking past a flower, say "Look, God gave us this beautiful flower to enjoy." Or God gave us this warm and cosy home to live in. Remind your child to be thankful everyday for even the most simple things.

3) Tell your kids that God loves them.
Remind your kids everyday of the amazing love that God has for them. Now, we know that God loves us so much He gave us His only son. 

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life John 3:16

But that might be a little bit difficult for the little minds to understand. Instead, tell them that God loves us so much that He gave us a brand new day and He gave us rain and so on.

4) Jesus is all around us.
One day my son was a little rude to me. And so as calmly as I could I told him that it was ugly what he did and he mustn't do it again. The stubborn kid he is, he carried on. So once again I said, don't do that it's ugly. But this time I added that Jesus sees everything he does and says. 
He stopped. He looked around him. He looked rather confused.
So I felt that this is my gap to explain. 
I told him that Jesus is all around us and sees everything we do and say and think. We must always remember that God gives us so much, so we mustn't break His heart by doing ugly things. 

5) Remind them to pray and pray with them.
This is very similar to point number one. But here I want to emphasise to start teaching  kids to pray. And the best way I feel is to tell them to have a conversation with God. Asking for help, saying thank you, just a simple and honest conversation. As they get older you can teach them how to say the Lord's prayer.

My friends, I hope this was helpful and that it will inspire you to teach you child (no matter how small) about God. Keep it simple so that kids can mainly focus on what they are doing and not how.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for trusting us with such beautiful children. Forgive us if there are days when we loose our patience. Please give us the strength to raise them in ways you see pleasing. Help us raise them to be God loving children.  Use us as tools in molding our children to be God's soldiers. Please Lord, keep them safe from the wickedness of the world and help us keep them on the right path.
In Jesus name, we pray. Amen

Bucket lists for Mom's, Dad's and their kids!

Hello Moms and Dads,

Spending quality time is just so important for our kids. It builds their character, teaches them to explore, it creates a special bond between the two of you and there just so many more reason's why quality time with your kids is so important. 

We cannot deny that lives have become more fast paced and working hours became longer. But we cannot forget the importance in building our children characters, teaching them the good things about life before the world teaches them the bad stuff. Through our rush and busy schedules, it's sometimes difficult to think of fun ideas to do with your kids. 

If your a mom of a boy it's sometimes difficult to think of ideas to do with your son that he will also enjoy. And dads, don't you often feel lost as to what to do with your daughter without her feeling like shes your son? 

Now being someone that always makes lists, to do lists, shopping lists, checklists and so on. I don't always get to finish it all the way to the end. Hehe. But hey, the thought is there. 
So I decided to create these two buckets lists for moms with boys and dads with daughters. It's easy and fun stuff to do either at home or outside the house. Whenever you do these things with your kids, you need to let go. You need to go to their level and simply be a kid again. Use this time to learn about them and teach them new things. Create a bond no one can take away. 

Be silly and have fun.

Dear mom's and dad's, don't wait for time to come up to play with your kids, make time for them. It is the greatest gift that you can give them. The memories that will come from these moments cannot be erased from their minds. These moments will teach them what it means to be a family and it will build a solid foundation for their future. 

Below is two bucket lists. If you wish to edit it, let me know and I will send you a blank one.

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Have a blessed day !

Love is not gone, it has changed.

Hi All,

Many people that have divorced or their relationship has been broken apart, often say that the reason for that was that the love has disappeared.

Than I began to wonder, how something so powerful, that bought these two strangers together can just be gone. I never had an answer for that until I've realized something from my own marriage.

We all have to accept one thing in life, we are all going change throughout our lifetime. Now, change isn't an easy thing. Some people adapt very well, some don't. You see my friend, God throws different situations at us to shape us for a purpose that He has designed for us. Some people change for the good and some for bad, and that is all from the choices that they make in their lives.

Now when your in the process of changing, you flesh becomes weaker and it is a perfect opportunity for the devil to step in and so do some damage

Do you see my friend, just how important is faith in our Lord?

The devil will do it's utmost best to make you believe that the strong love between you and your partner is gone. In the meantime, it is still there. It is busy changing with you. The devil will blind you and tell you that love is no longer there by tempting you with lies, lust and pornography and so on.

Unfortunately our flesh isn't strong enough to fight the devil, so I'm going to ask you this again.

Do you see my friend how important is our faith in our mighty Lord? 
He is our only Savior, the only who can save us from the hands of the devil. The devil will use any weak point in your life, put a small wedge and slowly it will destroy it.

So before you say love is gone, ask god to help you revive the love that once was burning bright.

I had these doubts in my head once before. Doubts of, is our love gone? Are we just living together and past each other? That is when I got down on my knees and begged God to help me. To save me from the thoughts. And so I prayed, and i prayed and I prayed. I refused to give up. I refuse to allow the devil to take over my life and my marriage.

Than I slowly started to see God's work in my life. He showed me that the love is still there. Its burning very dim, but it's there. follow me and I will help you brighten it up.
Every situation in your life will change you , it will mold you. You need to accept it my friend, the sooner you do that. The sooner your love with your partner will adapt with it. But if you will keep on living in the past, you will feel like that love is gone.

I feel like I have fallen in love with my husband all over again. And I give all my thanks to God. I have accepted myself and him for who we have become. I love him for who he is now and for who he was or for who I want him to be.

So my friend never give up on love, No matter how dim it is shining. Fight for it! Beg God to help you. He is the only one who can help you through it.

I really hope that I have managed to express myself correctly. Sometimes it's not easy to find the right words to explain how you feel. My wish is that this story will touch many people, men and woman. And that it will revive that dim light or even save a marriage.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for being my Savior. I have learnt that without you it is just not possible. I pray that those who are lost and weary will turn to you for help. Help them Lord to ignite the flame that once was burning so bright.
In Jesus name, I pray. Amen

Family time, without the extras

Hi All,

I can't say it enough how amazing our God is.
By totally surrendering myself t Him I an enjoy His help in my life. Our flesh is not strong enough to fight the ways of the world.

Why I'm saying this, is because of what happened this morning and last night. As I was lying on the couch with my son next to me. Who was busy falling asleep. My husband was lying on the other couch and my mom and the other one. It was load shedding, and I must say the one benefit of it is the silence. I was busy playing some soft music on my phone and while I look up I see my my husband and my mom in law both on their phones. 

Now you might think, hey, there's nothing wrong with that. I mean it's load shedding, nothing else to do right? Well I also thought so as we did play with our son earlier on caught up on our day at work and so on. But. The devil doesn't destroy a family over night. 
So this didn't bug me, well untill this morning.

This morning I have received an email from a friend of mine. She asked me if she can contribute something towards my blog. So I said sure, I love other peoples stories and input. I wasn't expecting what she was going to write. She also said that this is not something she usually do but she felt like she had to share this with me. Thank you Alice for this message. And I hope it will also touch other families.

Here is what she has wrote to me:

I always had this thing in my mind... and at one stage we did implement it at home.... 
but then again... last couple of months we didn't .... 

I started doing this thing at night what I call 
"NO phones at Home" 

When we get home... myself and Denzil puts away our phones.... 
this helps with spending time with Ronaldo, also communicating with each other. 
I saw now again in the past couple of months, where we slacked again, and DID NOT do it, 
how we live "past" each other at night. 

We sit on our phones / messaging... facebook... emails.... etc... 
and we do not talk to each other. 
Also I can see the effect it has on Ronaldo. When we are on our phone constantly, Ronaldo would 
always ask to look at photos or videos on my phone / or Denzil's phone.... 
not necessarily because he wants to look at that, but to get our attention and "take the phone away from us" 
if you understand what I mean. 

So in the past, I said to Denzil  "no phone at home" until Ronaldo goes to bed, then the phones are allowed to 
come out. 

I think this is a great idea for any household, and might help people to communicate better, and spend time 
together as a family, talking, and not being on your own "busy" with your cellphone. 

So you probably have put the two together, didn't you?
Now tell me my friend if God isn't real and amazing, than I don't know. He has used my friend to warn me on the effect of phones, Tv's and tablets on a family. God doesn't want to see me family suffer, so he used someone else to warn me in advance. 
Now that my friend that is God that cares.

And what would have happened if I ignored this warning?

Me and my family would carry on using technology during family time. Unaware of the damage it's doing on our family until it's to late. 
Eventually....my son will be grown up, and what do I actually know about him, his character and the type of person he is.
Eventually....my husband will be someone I just live with. There will be no connection, just two people paying the bills and caring for their child. 
Eventually....I would be thinking what happened? How God allowed this to happen?
In the meantime, he warned me, but I didn't listen.

Dear friends, my wish and prayer is that none of you will ever have to wake up one day and realize all the damage that has been done. My friend, don't allow cracks to form in your family. It is devils opportunity to make the crack bigger and than eventually destroying the family.

I'm not saying we must leave out all the technology out of our lives, after all I'm using it to share this message with you all. What I'm saying is to minimize the use of technology and allow family time where you learn about your kids and your husband or wife. Quality family time with no distractions.

Here are some ideas and suggestions:
* Take an hour, two or even until kids are in bed. And devote that time to family time. Put all cellphones and tablets away. Play, talk and learn about each other. Create a bond nothing and no one will break.

* When using technology with and around your kids, put it to good use. Read a bible verse out of it, play an educational game or play gospel music. 

* Make a family pledge of no use of cellphones and tablets during family time. Let every member of the family sign it and hang it up on the wall. So that it will be a reminder to all about the promise they have made. 

* Make it exciting for your kids and yourself to leave out the cellphones/tablets. Play some fun games. Play games where you have to guess things about each other. Go for a walk. 
Ideas are endless. 

Also, don't forget to explain to your kids why you have created this no cellphone/tablet time. Let them understand and be part of this family decision. Use this time to learn about your child and your child learning about you. Build your child's character and listen to him/her without any distractions. Allow them to feel as if this is their safe place, where they can be themselves and express themselves how they want to.

Dear Lord, 

I pray that more and more families will implement this idea. And spend family time together and bond to be a strong family. It's not always an easy process. Especially in the world we live in. I pray that those families that are in trouble, that You will give them strentgh Lord, that You will help and guide them closer to You.

In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Dear Weary Momma

Dear Weary Momma,

I am writing this to you, beautiful momma, to let you know that God loves you. He loves you so much that He trusted you with one of his little angels. He loves you so much that He gave you strength to carry that little angel inside of you for nine months. He loves you so much He designed you to feed your newborn out of your body.  

NOW THAT'S LOVE 

NOBODY SAID IT'S GOING TO BE EASY
God has never promised us an easy life, or life without troubles. But He did promise that He will always be by our side. Step by step, guiding us and molding us to be Mighty Moms.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this worl you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

So dear momma, don't be too hard on yourself. YOU ARE ENOUGH

Those days when you feel overwhelmed by motherhood, life and marriage/ Just remind yourself of has created you.

"I will give thanks to you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works, and my soul knows it very well." Psalm 139:14

There will be days when you feel like you are not good enough, or you're not a good mom. I've been there, I felt the sadness in my heart that I'm not good enough.

BUT DEAR MOMMA

Faith has saved my heart. YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH

Find your peace in Him by placing all your worries and troubles in his hands. Enjoy the strength that come from a peaceful heart.

IT'S OKAY

Dear momma, it's okay to shed a tear.

" for the lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes. Revelation 7:17

Tears are messages to God telling Him that we need Him. We need Him in our lives to strengthen us and give us peace. To direct us in the right path. This road motherhood my friend, it ain't easy. But with God it's possible. 

Dear momma, it's okay to fall down on our knees.

"Don't panic. I'm with you. There is no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'm your God, I have a firm grip on you and I;m not letting go." Isaiah 41:10-13

"The Lord sustains all who fall and raises up all who are bowed down." Psalm 145:14

"though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds the righteous." Psalm 37:24

Dear weary momma, why I know you'l be okay? Because I'm a weary mom too. 

I too have days when I feel I'm not enough 

I too have days when I feel like giving up

I too have days when I feel overwhelmed 

I too have days when I want to run and hide

I too have days when I hit rock bottom

But this too shall pass, how I know this? Because I went on my knees and I begged, and I prayed to God to lift me up. I cannot do this on my own. 

And He did what He always promised. He lifted me up, forgave me and showed me His love. So dear momma, give your heart to the Lord and he shall bring you through it and make you stronger than you have ever been before. 

Allow God to use you, so that through you your children will learn about God. Let your kids see God through your words and actions. No matter what circumstance you are facing there is always HOPE. It's a gift God gave us. 

If you ever feel like no one sees all the mundane, boring work you do. You are very wrong momma, God sees everything you do. Every time you stay up at night for your kids when they are sick, every time you wipe away snotty noses...He sees it all. 

We need to stop pretending that we got it all together. No one has it all together. The beauty is that we don't have to have it all together, because Jesus holds us together.

If you want to be everything, everywhere for everyone...

STOP dear mom STOP

Remember the main job that God has asked you to do. TO BE A MOM. 

A God loving and fearing mom. You have been given this responsibility to raise a child, that will love and at the same time rejoice in the name of the Lord. 

Dear momma,

I am going to end this letter by saying you are loved, your are enough. And you are not alone. We all go through the hardships of mother hood. Love your child like you love God. 

I have so much to learn still. But that's okay, cause God isn't finished with me yet. He is working on me to become the most mom I can be. One thing I can also tell you, do not ever compare yourself to other mom's. God has made you unique and He gave you this little angel cause He knows the kind of personality and character you are. Be yourself, be happy and content with yourself. 

Thank you so much for reading this post. Be sure to come back and read some more from my journey of me finding myself and learning to be a better mom. 

Never forget....you are loved Mighty Mom.....