Exploring Our Children’s Potentials

Levi.

6 years, 7 months.

Started tennis lesson, twice a week, two hours each, since last year, in April 2012.

Sometimes he’d also join Daddy and his tennis sessions. Even when he’d just sit around and pick up tennis balls around the court.

I guess, tennis somehow becomes that little something that he and Daddy get to share together?

…

Here’s a little confession.

When I was in my teens, I wanted to be TWENTY years old so badly.

I wanted to be ‘an adult’, and NOT seen as a ‘little girl’.

I wanted people to ‘listen’ and appreciate my thoughts and what I had to say.

(Being the youngest out of four kids doesn’t help, you see)

…

When I started working and was in my early twenties, I wished I had more grey hair.

*Yes, seriously. What a wish!*

I wanted to look more ‘mature’ in the eyes of my colleagues and clients.

And also, because I thought those strands of grey hair would add ‘weight’ to my performance as a young manager.

…

NOW.

I’m in my mid thirties, and I have three kids.

Children call me ‘Aunty’, and younger friends call me ‘Jie-Jie’ (read: Big sister).

And, more and more strands of grey hair just keep on popping everywhere!

So.

Do I wish that I’m younger now?

Actually, no.

I’m fine with my age.

*Really*

I’m in my mid thirties, and I have three kids. Children call me ‘Aunty’, and younger friends call me ‘Jie-Jie’.

I accept this natural aging process, and I do appreciate the added ‘weight’ people naturally give to me (Thanks to me being a mother of three and those grey hair, I guess? =)

BUT.

Having said that, when I think of how I’ll be THIRTY SEVEN in less than 3 months … frankly, I still – till today – feel, ‘Really? Like, I’m going to be FORTY soon! I don’t feel like I’m 37!’

(You see, when I was in my twenties, I used to regard those who’re in their mid or late thirties to be ‘old’! Haha!)

And.

When I casually mentioned to Wilson the other day, ‘Can’t believe I’m called an ‘Aunty’ now!’, he replied, ‘But you ARE an Aunty.’

*Tsk, haiyah, okay lah, thanks*

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Btw, anyone else feels the way I do? =)

*wave hands*

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And oh, one more thing. One most important thing.

I do hope as I get more grey hair, I don’t stop learning, exploring, contributing and striving to be a blessing to others, and as long as I’m still given time and age, I hope and pray that God gives me *much* more of His wisdom, patience, strength and perseverance.

‘Cause, that’s the more important part of ‘being older’, yes?

Have a wonderful week ahead, everyone!

[Loving our sunrise view. 05.50am. Jakarta]

 
The Lord loves us very much.
So we haven’t been completely destroyed.
His loving concern never fails.

His great love is new every morning.
Lord, how faithful you are!

I say to myself, “The Lord is everything I will ever need.
So I will put my hope in him.”

Everyone, meet my grandpa.

He’s 92 years old, and he checks stock exchange rates on his iPhone 5, reads the news and checks his emails on his iPad, everyday!

Yes.

At NINETY TWO years old, he is *still* willing to try out totally new gadgets.

Which to me is like, WOW!

(Of course he does sometimes frowns, looks at me and says, ‘So complicated!’, when he can’t get the info he wants on his iPhone, haha!)

…

… he doesn’t use many of the iPhone’s functions, and he does need some extra time to understand how his iPhone works, BUT … the point is, at THAT age, he’s willing to learn!

Frankly, I’m amazed at how he’s not fearful of new technology.

(Because generally, the older one gets, the more resistant he or she is towards change and unfamiliar things, yes?)

My grandpa doesn’t use many of the iPhone’s functions, and yes, he does need some extra time to learn and understand how his iPhone works.

BUT … the point is, at THAT age, he’s willing to learn!

Which makes me wonder :  Will I be fearful of trying out completely new stuff when I am older, like … much much older?

Will YOU, you think?

…

In fifty years time, perhaps we can simply blink our eyes to ‘drive’ our car. 

In fifty years time, perhaps we can simply blink our eyes to ‘drive’ our car. Perhaps our watches can function as phones, and perhaps we can have robot helpers working for us at home.

Honestly, I totally have NO idea how ‘strange’ things can possibly get in decades to come!

But, I hope, like my grandpa, I won’t be too afraid to learn new, unfamiliar things.

I hope by then, I still keep on learning. Even new stuff.

One of the many things I appreciate about the father of my children is:

He does not allow his children to be disrespectful towards his wife.

I mean, if it ever happened while he’s around (eg. Daughter talking back in a rude tone), he would step in, rebuke and firmly speak to her on my behalf (and as much as I’d most likely be feeling mentally exhausted or angry by then, in my mind I’d go ‘YAY! That’s my husband!’  Hehe)

And so, yes, I am thankful for that.

Because, really … to me, it is through such seemingly simple actions done by husbands for their wives that the children get to learn how :

1. Husband and Wife – their father and mother – are on the same team, ie. Do not play your parents against each other.

2. Husbands support and protect their wives (and vice versa), ie. Mom and Dad’s relationship is important.

3. It is important to respect your mother and father who love you so much.

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I thank God mine share the same faith *super crucial, if you ask me* and we do share many, many similar values and life philosophies too

Here’s one other thing I feel I should also say, … no husbands are perfect.

Mine definitely has flaws, and we do occasionally differ in opinions and thoughts.

But, I thank God mine share the same faith *super crucial, if you ask me* and we do share many, many similar values and life philosophies too.

We both are very far from perfect, but we both are willing to support each other and learn to be better in whatever we do.

And THAT, to me, is something I truly appreciate.

Something, that the children can see, observe and hopefully appreciate too.

Today I am reminded how

Christ could’ve ordered tens and thousands of angels

to stop the mockery, slander and the pain of dying on the cross.

But HE chose to keep silent,

bear the pain,

and die alone,

For you and for me.

…

Thank God for His love, mercy and grace.

Have a blessed Good Friday.

Now that I have three kids, the eldest being a nine year old girl, I can really see how Dads somehow play with the kids … differently.

At least, I know the father of my kids does.

He tickles more.

He wrestles.

He swings the kids (while I would sometimes say… ‘Careful with the arms”)

And oh, he tells great, imaginative bedtime stories too (while I tend to go with … errr, book reading)

…

Thank God for involved and supportive Daddies.

Because while they are not perfect (there’s none anyway), their positive involvement and presence do make a huge difference in their children’s lives.

Do you pray FOR and WITH your children?

As parents whose faith is in Jesus Christ, we believe the term ‘prayer’ is  not just about  ‘saying a little prayer just before your mealtime’.

It’s way more than that.

… we don’t want our kids to come and talk to us ONLY when they need money from us, yes?

It’s about a relationship with God and communicating with Him.

Like, we don’t want our kids to come and talk to us ONLY when they need money from us, yes?

I mean, obviously, we parents would love it if our kids openly and freely come and talk to us about anything. The more they share and communicate with us, the stronger the relationship. Naturally.

…

Recently I came across this article on making prayer a natural part of our everyday family life!

Indeed, prayer should never be a ‘religious routine’.

(Again, it’s like … we’d want our kids to come and talk to us because they themselves want to and because they love to talk to us, not because it’s simply part of the ‘routine’ that they ought to do everyday, which can be very much like a ‘chore’)

Anyway, I’d like to share some of its points with you today.

Here they are:

1. Help your children to become aware of answered prayer

Tell them about the times in your life when God has answered your prayers. Encourage them to share when God answers their prayers-even if His answer isn’t what they wanted or expected.

When you have other believers, ask them to tell you about answered prayers they have experienced. Point out God’s answers to your children’s prayers, even the smallest requests

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2. Help your children to see the beauty of God’s creation and thank Him for it.

When you see a beautiful sunset, or when you spot cute butterflies at a garden … don’t miss opportunities to appreciate and share His handiwork around you.

Take some time to point out these out, and … thank God for them right there and then.

…

3. Whenever you see or hear about someone in need, take time to pray about it with your children.

It could be something on the news or in the paper, or something you come across during the course of your day.  Teaching them to pray when they see an accident or when you pass a homeless person could have a lasting influence not only on your children, but on those who are prayed for.

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4. Teach your children to prayerfully start their day

Each of us needs to be aware that we are in a battle everyday (battling our selfish needs, our sinful nature, temptations from the devil, etc), and that it’s only when we rely on God’s help and strength that we can sail through each and every one of those days  and tough moments during throughout the day.

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I’m btw only listing four out of the fifteen points in the article.

(Click HERE to read the article)

As I read the article, I felt … I’m SO far from the standard God places on me as a parent who’s also believer in Christ.

I need to teach and walk my talk more consistently.

I need to NOT rush the kids’ bedtime, and instead … spend more quiet time with them, reading the Bible together and praying with and for them.

And, I need to be better in parenting my children according to God’s ways.

…

I hope the article can be a blessing to you just as it has been to me.

And, may God help every one of us to become better parents to our children too.