We missed each of you at last Thursday’s MOPS meeting on 9/27/12 and hope that whatever may have ailed you, your children, or whatever obstacle arose, that you now are well on your way back to your normal and healthy routine and self.
Our time together was filled with deep spiritual and practical insight and advice on whom we are as women of faith and mothers.
Judy’s devotion centered on the following verse John 15:5-
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
When vines have overgrown and feed into/take over spaces
they should not, they often cause problems and are unsightly. In order for a vine to be healthy, they need
to be trimmed, cut back, groomed and loved.
Boundaries need to be re-established for a vine to flourish. This is exactly how our relationship with God
should be. He is the strong, rooted,
sturdy vine, and we are the branches and growth. What do our vines look like in our own lives,
and what is hanging on the edges? Are we
willing to cut out those vines and branches that are wandering into spaces they
should not? We are reminded to trim our
vines back, come back to God to be nourished and fed.
Kristin Jones, accomplished mother of seven (three of whom
are in our MOPS group!), reminded us that in order to “Train the Heart of a
Child” we must GAIN the heart of our children by being attentive, understanding
and empathetic. Training them how to
think will come from what is in their heart.
QUESTION: How then does one train and gain the heart of their children?
ANSWER: By Tying Heart Strings!
“Tying Heart Strings” comes from building a bond within a family and using strings of mutual love, respect and honor that weaves one’s family together. Selfishness, stubbornness and indifference can cut heart strings and break familial relationships. But, before we can even tie or re-tie heart strings, our own hearts as mothers have to be surrendered to God. A mother is a window to God. We are modeling God for our children! This is the first relationship and experience our children will have with God, and must be in place for us to gain the hearts of our children.
Some ways in which we can tie or re-tie heart strings, if they have been cut:
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Look at your children with PLEASURE, lots of eye
contact and smiles
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Show AFFECTION;
hugs, kisses, touch
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Enjoy your children’s company. Invite them to places where they do not often
go. Show them they are important and
that you want them to share in your experiences
-
Sit on the floor and just PLAY
-
Take outings and create adventures for and with
our children
-
Encourage them to build outside projects (like a
fort) and see what they have done and accomplished. Fly a kite together, set up
bird feeders, etc.
-
Teach your children to do things around the
house. Have them help you with your
daily tasks. This gives them a purpose
and sense of accomplishment.
The goal is for our children to feel a special connection with us,
that which is filled with great delight and satisfaction.
Thank you again to Mrs. Jones for her words of experience and encouragement, and always to Judy for her mighty prayer and devotional.
Our next MOPS meeting is Thursday, October 11th at 10 a.m. We will meet in PIRTLE HALL (first floor) across the hall from the nursery. Demetrius Hill will lead us in “Self Defense 101.” Come comfortably dressed. Food will be provided by the RED Table.
Have a wonderful week and see you on October 11th!
Debra Bochow
Discussion Group Coordinator
