It has been pouring like clockwork almost every afternoon for a week (maybe more!) now. And many rainbows have been sighted. Unfortunately not by us. So after yesterday’s downpour, we scurried to the window to look for the arc across the sky .. and finally caught sight of one. In real life.

The boy’s only encounter with rainbows thus far are probably the reflection of light in prisms or the purple dinosaur’s rainbow to illustrate colour. I doubt he really knew what he was supposed to be looking at when I pointed excitedly up in the sky at the ‘rainbow’.

Beyond a lovely array of colours and a scientific explanation of how and why rainbows form, we remembered the promise God made to Noah (and us all!). And sang the children’s ditty.

It rained, it rained for forty nights and daysies, daysies,
It rained, it rained for forty nights and daysies, daysies,
Almost drove poor Noah crazy, crazy,
Children of the Lord.

The sun came out and dried up the landy, landy,
The sun came out and dried up the landy, landy,
Everything was fine and dandy, dandy,
Children of the Lord.

You know those leashes that you sometimes see used on children? I have not gotten one for myself / Jayden because I cannot shake the feeling that they are so harsh but I thought this line from Max Lucado’s 3:16 good to share.

The strap serves two functions, yanking and claiming. You yank your child out of trouble and in doing so proclaim, “Yes, he is as wild as a banshee. But he’s mine.”

He uses it as an illustration that God’s love is a kind of love that won’t let go of the object of love. I must admit, after being a parent, all these illustrations take on a deeper meaning, A completely new dimension even.

And yes, I am still ploughing through the book. Enjoying every word.

I finally managed to start on my latest book acquisition, 3:16, late Thursday night / early Friday morning, and have been chewing on it since. I only managed a chapter but the insight into being born again still lingers long and hard.

BORN l AGAIN
Born : God exerts the effort.
Again : God restores the beauty.

Max Lucado writes, “We don’t try again. We need, not the muscle of self, but the miracle of God.

Maybe it is the illustration he used. How apt even as we prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day later (grandma’s day rather). Born again. As he writes, in the act of birthing, the child does no part. He ‘appears’. The effort is on the mother. Used in the sense of being ‘born again’, we return to the original giver of life – God. He paid the price.

Wow.

Its our hope and desire, that Jayden would one day make this decision himself. To be born again. Not by men. Not by might. But in Christ alone.

God did say to Noah one day,
“Noah, I need someone to help Me.
Build a boat that can float,
And fill it full of many animals.
Take tigers and bears, chimps and hares,
Lions, monkeys, pigs, and horses.”

God shut the door, and it did pour,
Raindrops falling from the heavens.
Stormy skies — floods did rise!
But God saved Noah and the animals.
There were storks and cats, turtles and bats,
Chickens, elephants, and rabbits.

After many days, the sun’s bright rays
Began to dry up all the water.
And up above hung a sign of love
Written by God upon a rainbow!
Through the door they did pour,
Bullfrogs, hummingbirds, and eagles.
Geese and dogs, mice and hogs,
Lizards, kangaroos, and seagulls.

Not keen on the free to air channels, I have switched to dvds for Jayden. Nevermind that he might be far too young to understand every word, at least they are wholesome shows. And I have control over what he watches.

He is now on The Beginner’s Bible series and we are thinking of getting the Hermie series as well. Both are by Innoform Kids. The above lullaby / poem is from The Lullaby Bible and can be sung to the tune of All The Pretty Little Horses. These two, book and dvd work together to form a nice set that complements each other.

Parents want their children to love them, and that is why some parents find it really hard to discipline their children. But we need to risk our children’s displeasure. Strong-willed children, especially, need a ’strong-willed’ parent to give them consistent, loving discipline.

The book of Proverbs, a great source for practical, parental wisdom, says, “If you refuse to discipline your children, it proves you don’t love them; if you love your children, you will be prompt to discipline them” (Proverbs 13:24). Do your children believe that your discipline proves you love them? They may be angry about being disciplined, but they will eventually understand that you were truly loving them in your discipline.

Proverbs says. “A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but discipline will drive it away” (Proverbs 22:15). What sort of discipline should we use? The discipline of teaching. “Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it” (Proverbs 22:6). Some parents refuse to discipline. opting to try to always be patient. But being patient with your kids doesn’t mean being patient with any action or attitude, but to patiently see that your children do the right things, have the right attitudes, and make the right choices.

The bible also says that physical discipline may be needed at times. “Don’t fail to correct your children. They won’t die if you spank them. Physical discipline may well save them from death” (Proverbs 23:13-14). Today there are many who would dispute this particular aspect of discipline. May I at least plead for punishment that will hurt enough to be effective. But while spanking is at times necessary, punishment need not always be physical – discipline such as taking away certain privileges can be just as painful.

All discipline should have the good of the child at heart and should not be an opportunity for you to vent your anger, frustration, or disappointment. The desire to raise a child in the fear of the Lord comes first. And the bible gives this promise: “Discipline your children, and they will give you happiness and peace of mind.” Proverbs 29:17.

Taken from a devotional in the Daily Study Bible for Women by Jill Briscoe. Verse citations from NLT, emphasis mine.

As the days go by, you can see the cheeky side of Jayden being revealed. While much leeway is still being given for his naughtiness, there will come a time that discipline is needed. Already we are discussing the purchase of the rod / cane.

Sometimes we think children remain children. Forever young and not aware of what they are doing. “They don’t know!” How would they know if we do teach? And really, they do understand. Children learn amazingly well through mimicry. They see and they follow. They assimilate information like a sponge. Just what sort of water would the sponge be soaked in? Clean sparkling water that flows from the river of life, or dirty water that is fit for the pigs?

In Jayden, even at 15 months, he has learnt some do’s and don’ts. He has learned to associate the rod with discipline. With something he should not be doing. Yet after that he knows we still love him. With a great big hug to ease the pain. (Ok it was a gentle touch, he is small. More of a conditioning really).

So Jayden got new toys. Two in fact. We like to think he is starting young in making a joyful noise though right this moment, the emphasis really is on NOISE.

Guess what instruments he got?

We attended a meeting on Thursday at pastor’s home and he remarked, “we don’t have much but we sure have a lot of bibles!” We realised that the same can be said for us. Its a little insane to count how many we have amassed between the two of us. Especially that they are now consolidated with us staying together after the wedding.

Heh.

I am now using Daily Study Bible for Women and flipped to Proverbs 3 and got stuck enroute to Proverbs 31 (so what’s new!).

The word for the day?

Proverbs 3:5. An excerpt from the day’s devotional reads…

Commit all your relationships – especially your motherhood to Him and confess your need of divine help. I have a vivid recollection of a mothering habit of my own mother. I would many times find her on her knees at her bedside. Once I asked her, “What are you praying about today?”

“What I pray every day,” she replied. “Make me a good mother.”

God answered her prayer. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. God is the only one who can help us when we find ourselves in the middle of a tough day with our children – running out of motherhood.

On 9th Dec 07, we infant baptised Jayden. The name ‘Jayden’ was chosen for the meaning ‘God has heard’ and is said to have its origins as the Hebrew name, Jadon. In the bible, Jadon assisted Nehemiah in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem (Neh 3:7). We later learnt other sources have said that there is no link between the modernised ‘Jayden’ to Jadon and that its meaning is supposed to be ‘thankful’.

Whatever the case, through the rites of infant baptism, we pledged to bring Jayden up in the Christian faith and teach him the bible so that in due course, he can make the decision himself.

As I was busying myself just before bed, fussing here and there, I returned to the bedroom to find father and son bonding. Vern was saying a prayer over the little one, asking for the Holy Spirit to come upon him and be beside him. He shared the meaning of his name, “God has heard”, as Jayden cried. Vern said, “mummy and daddy do not understand your cries. But God does. Like why we chose your name dear Jayden, God has heard your cries and He will answer. You can tell them to God. You need to stand alone now because we cannot be with you all the time but remember to ask for the Holy Spirit to come, and He will always be with you.”

Its been an amazing, roller coaster journey so far. With Jayden and breastfeeding, its a whole new ballgame. We are not doing too well on the breastfeeding front. Although its natural, its not exactly instinctive to mother or child. Thanks though to everyone for your encouragements.

I am reminded of what happened on Friday. I was complaining on the inside as to how things were simply not going how I planned it (funny, same like my breastfeeding experience at this moment)… and the Lord just chided me gently. He reminded me how this whole journey of pregnancy to the birth of Jayden is like a faith journey together with Him. How faith is reallly believing in the things that are unseen. He asked me to surrender and to trust in Him… and those in whose hands He has placed me in.

Now, even as I am expressing breastmilk, I am listening to the songs we played during the delivery. I am drawn yet again to this… I pray this on every child… and his / her parent.

Hold On to Jesus…
You’re a little piece of heaven
You’re a golden ray of light
And I wish I could protect you
From the worries of this life
But if there’s one thing I could tell you
It’s no matter what you do
Hold to Jesus
He’s holding on to you

The world will try to tell you
That might is more than right
That beauty’s on the outside
And being good’s a losing fight
But remember what I’ve told you
Because the world will make you choose
Hold on to Jesus
He’s holding on to you

Hold on to Jesus
Cling to His love
Rest deep in His mercy
Whenever things get rough
Don’t lose sight of His goodness
And don’t ever doubt this truth
That when you hold on to Jesus
He’s holding on to you

Hear me dear Jesus
Rock this little one to sleep
Keep him (her) close when he’s (she’s) scared
And give him (her) grace when he (she) is weak
I know he’ll (she’ll) stumble
But I know he’ll (she’ll) make it through
If You hold on to him (her) just like
You said You’ll do
Hold him (her) Jesus
So he’ll (she’ll) hold on tight to You.