"In prayer, it is better to have a heart without words, than words without a heart… ." What a profound statement, for me anyway.
Since my husband gave his life to the Lord nearly 2 years ago, there have been many times where I have had to explain to our children how and why, Mommy and Daddy serve/worship God differently. Let me tell you, it’s quite a heavy topic to get into at this stage of their short lives, when as a parent, you are trying desperately to portray life in it’s simplest forms, and Moms and Dads are still striving to present a “united front”, and where…..if there was such a thing as a “bosberaad” for families, the vision and mission statement for the family would be clear and uncomplicated.
But with our family, this was not meant to be….we both have a slightly different take on “the bigger picture”, but I guess that makes life more interesting. Nick has found his way, while I still have a lot of questions to ask, but the main thing, is that we both believe there is a God. I pray at any time of the day, anywhere, and sometimes I think, anyhow, because I never really know what’s going to be in my heart, and when! So, the best story I could come up with to appease our children, was that Daddy says prayers with them at night because that’s when he likes to pray, but Mom, well she just prays all day you see (coz she has to! LOL!!), and because she often feels closest to God, when she’s alone with him in the car, or sitting on the lawn under her favourite tree, or drinking herbal tea from one of her “happy tea cups”. That’s when it’s quiet enough in her head and her soul, for her to share what her heart knows and needs to say with God, and when she remembers to say thank you for keeping her safe on the roads, and for giving her the gift of nature’s beauty….they got this.
When I read the message above, it just seemed to gift wrap my philosophy so beautifully, in a way that I will share with my two, to remind them that, to feel restricted or pressured to pray at a certain time or in a certain place, or in a certain way, may mean that your words will be empty, and to therefore encourage them to rather focus on saying your prayer when the time and place are right, so that the words and thoughts you share are straight from the heart and soul…..
Since my husband gave his life to the Lord nearly 2 years ago, there have been many times where I have had to explain to our children how and why, Mommy and Daddy serve/worship God differently. Let me tell you, it’s quite a heavy topic to get into at this stage of their short lives, when as a parent, you are trying desperately to portray life in it’s simplest forms, and Moms and Dads are still striving to present a “united front”, and where…..if there was such a thing as a “bosberaad” for families, the vision and mission statement for the family would be clear and uncomplicated.
But with our family, this was not meant to be….we both have a slightly different take on “the bigger picture”, but I guess that makes life more interesting. Nick has found his way, while I still have a lot of questions to ask, but the main thing, is that we both believe there is a God. I pray at any time of the day, anywhere, and sometimes I think, anyhow, because I never really know what’s going to be in my heart, and when! So, the best story I could come up with to appease our children, was that Daddy says prayers with them at night because that’s when he likes to pray, but Mom, well she just prays all day you see (coz she has to! LOL!!), and because she often feels closest to God, when she’s alone with him in the car, or sitting on the lawn under her favourite tree, or drinking herbal tea from one of her “happy tea cups”. That’s when it’s quiet enough in her head and her soul, for her to share what her heart knows and needs to say with God, and when she remembers to say thank you for keeping her safe on the roads, and for giving her the gift of nature’s beauty….they got this.
When I read the message above, it just seemed to gift wrap my philosophy so beautifully, in a way that I will share with my two, to remind them that, to feel restricted or pressured to pray at a certain time or in a certain place, or in a certain way, may mean that your words will be empty, and to therefore encourage them to rather focus on saying your prayer when the time and place are right, so that the words and thoughts you share are straight from the heart and soul…..
How true. Your explanation to your children on your different beliefs is probably the best explanation you could give. It is not running down either of your beliefs.
ReplyDeleteI never thought of your reasoning, but it certainly makes perfect sense.
oh berel - just submit man girlfriend - cross over - join us !!!!!!!!!! tee hee
ReplyDeleteGOD ADORES YOU JUST AS YOU ARE. your kids are bright and i am sure appreciate you explaining your differences - i have and always will respect you - and your thoughts and views that fascinate me - at the end of the day - GOD gave us all freedom of choice. BIG hugs, linda
I like that phrase "free agency" or "freedom of choice" and at the end of the good and not-so-good days, each of us, individually, are responsible for what WE did during that day - I don't know what your thoughts are on religion BUT I certainly agree that praying all day and/or every day or during the day or at night or whenever ... is all good ....
ReplyDeleteWell done on the perfect way to let your kids know what you're both about wihtout making the issue confusing ...
Love, Tracy
GF, the photograph just stuns me, but that is me....religion, we think the same gf as in so many things, but that photograph WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete