Sibling Love

 

Source: Dark Silence in Suburbia

It seems I'm adding new Pinterest boards at such a rapid pace these days, it's surprising even me. Since joining in February, I thought I'd settled in this summer with about twenty-five or so, but there has been one thing after the other that has come along and each time it's like I feel somewhat constrained to start another one!

Just a few days ago, it was the "Playing Mommy" board and yesterday, well, someone repinned a photo which has been on the "Beautiful Children" board for quite a long time. A thought has been playing around in my mind for a month or so, but when the above picture was repinned, it pushed me over. Hence, once again a new board for SG.

Now what do you see in this picture? In my opinion, what stands out most is the sibling love, manifested in care and protection of the older for the younger. In this particular instance, it's two brothers who have a need and a great one at that. We don't know the circumstances behind why they found themselves in that situation, just that it's there for us to see. But for me, while I see the need, more than the need itself, and overriding it, I'm seeing, and feeling, the love. And thus, today, the board called "Sibling Love" is born.

Some of the pictures pinned on this board will be needy children, but some will be children in a comfortable and loving home situation with two parents. Some may be in a loving one parent home. But some will not have parents at all. And what better time to remember children like these than the week coming up on "Orphan Sunday."

These two children, the cover picture for the new board, are here to represent two things: One, the brand new board displaying love between brothers, sisters, brothers and sisters. Two, a needful reminder of the orphans, some of them even finding themselves struggling to live on the streets, homeless. May God have mercy on them, but even more, may He impress on each of our hearts a desire to find ways to help.

Lovingly,
Maxine, a/k/a Nanna

The Roots of a Family Tree

"The roots of a family tree begin with the love of two hearts." (source not known)

I just posted this photo and quote at the HCG Facebook page because after seeing this quote, it reiterated for me how important this truth is. As we think about the spiritual and moral growth of children, I daresay we can feel fairly confident that this best happens in the confines of a loving and caring marriage of the dad and mom. And the hope of a child having a good family tree, a subject we touched on not long ago, starts with good marriage. Now that's a precious truth indeed.

Praying all dads and moms will nurture their married relationship first and give it their top priority. It was ordained by God you know.

Maxine, a/k/a Nanna

Bring Them to Church

VII. Train them to habits of diligence, and regularity about public means of grace.

"Tell them [your children] of the duty and privilege of going to the house of God, and joining in the prayers of the congregation. Tell them that wherever the Lord's people are gathered together, there the Lord Jesus is present in an especial manner, and that those who absent themselves must expect, like the Apostle Thomas, to miss a blessing . . .

"See to it too, if it can be so arranged, that your children go with you to church, and sit near you when they are there. To go to church is one thing, but to behave well at church is quite another. And believe me, there is no security for good behavior like that of having them under your own eye. . . 

"Be not cast down because your childen see not the full value of the means of grace now. Only train them up to a habit of regular attendance. Set it before their minds as a high, holy, and solemn duty, and believe me, the day will very likely come when they will bless you for your deed." 

~ From The Duties of Parents, J. C. Ryle
(See our first post in this series)   

[Much of what Mr. Ryle says in this section can be applied to those who have small children and it's not too much of a struggle in these situations. But the applications to those who have teens are what struck me most. Hope you can all read this.]

Grandma Walton

(Photo from Wikimedia Commons)

I've been having a Waltons re-watching marathon, having recently seen all of Season 3, grabbing bits between household duties. It's been totally enjoyable. Something made me think about a favorite episode from Season 2, which I looked at last night. It's episode 12 of that season, about Grandma being bequeathed the "huge" sum of $250 through the will of a deceased old friend.

You know I always look for lessons from most of these old shows and movies and such is the case here. I'm not saying everything is perfectly sterling in these Walton stories. In fact, some of them are frankly accurate regarding human failings in the midst of otherwise wholesome family life. But all in all, I think the quote found on the back of the book we have here entitled Goodnight John-Boy is a true one:

"For nine years The Waltons entertained America and the world. But this television series was more than just entertainment. Each episode combined wonderful stories and 'teachable moments' in which adults and children alike learned the importance of honesty, hard work, respect, responsibility, and kindness."

Going back  to the episode mentioned above, we see the touching story of Grandma, who receiving this bequest, made a listing of how she intended to spend the money. I won't detail it all (please watch the episode), except to say the bulk of the money was to be applied to John-Boy's education. When news came shortly after that Grandma's friend had died indigent and therefore there actually would be no money coming, of course the dear old soul was devastated.

The lessons in the episode are multiple, but at this point I just want to focus a brief moment on that which touched me most. It was the love between this grandmother and her eldest grandson. First, I love how he responded to her when he first found out she wanted to give so much of the bequest to his college fund and her words that she wanted to give something to him. "But Grandma," he said, "You've been giving to me all my life." Oh my. What words. Then, in the aftermath of her bitter disappointment that she wouldn't be able to do this for him and her feelings that she had ruined things for him (because of the bequest, they had felt they could  use the money previously set aside for him for a needed hot water heater), he cared little about that. He cared about her. We see him going to her room and helping her smile again by voicing, among other things, something so poignant: "I always felt that this family was rich, and we never had any money." *sigh*

Now tell me, grandmothers. Do you, like me, want to follow in the tradition of Grandma Walton, who thought first of her family in hard times, but also first of her family in perceived good times? I know I do. In another story I remember John-Boy saying, "I cherish you, Grandma." Oh may we follow in this woman's footsteps in her care and generosity that made her deserving of those words.

Maxine, a/k/a Nanna

Ten Terrific Birthday Traditions

Source: creativewithkids.com via Alissa :: Creative With Kids on Pinterest

Gardening With The Kids

Some links for you about gardening with your kids. We highly recommend it! The article at our website should be a real help.

Happy spring! Trust us, it's here.

One Hundredth Day Project

Just wanted to share my granddaughter's 100 day project they did in their homeschool yesterday. There's lots of ideas floating around for these projects, and this is another one that she, mom, and little sister did together. They thought up the idea themselves, and it's a basket of flowers with one hundred things she's learned so far. It's also a basket of blessings if you ask me. What a fun project it was!

Maxine a/k/a Nanna

Duty of Fathers

If you fail, father, to teach your son to fear God, the devil will teach him to hate God. If you fail to teach your son to guard his mind, the devil will gladly teach him to have an open mind. If you fail to teach your son to obey his parents, the devil will teach him to rebel and break his parent’s heart. If you fail to teach your son to select his companions, the devil will gladly choose them for him. ~ John MacArthur

More here....

Little Girl Sweetness

The Lord has blessed us with girls. Seems God has determined we have a lot of the female gender for offspring here. So, after raising two daughters, we now have three granddaughters, pictured above with their "Auntie Nee," our younger daughter. SO any article directly speaking to raising girls in today's society gets my immediate attention. And this article did, so I thought I'd share with no further comment except to say it's well worth reading.

Oh and by the way. Today is our youngest granddaughter's birthday. One whole year of life. Happy birthday, Gracie!

Children Need Parents

So true. Boys and girls need parents who will not only guide them from physical dangers, but physical. May the Lord give guidance and strength to Christian parents, especially in our day.

Credit for photo given to "Training Children With Grace and Truth" on Facebook.

Help for Family Worship

If you are on Facebook, I thought I'd recommend this page which may be helpful to your family. Especially if you're often looking for help and resources for family worship.

A Heritage from God

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD; and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3

My precious grandchildren, shortly after the birth of Sariah Grace.

Enjoy your children and grandchildren;  remember to teach them Jesus.

For His glory,

Maxine