free range kids

Ever heard of this? Letting kids do things unsupervised. The concept makes me slightly nervous and I'm not even a parent but at the same time I think, bravo! I do think that kids are overprotected and babied so much that they don't grow and mature into being self-reliant and independent individuals. Is it really loving to do everything for them? I've observed this year that the kids who don't have responsibilities at home and are overly protected and mollycoddled, often are behind at school because they don't take responsibility for their own learning. They are so used to having someone do everything for them and with them that it almost seems impossible for them to advance in learning unless I am there with them every step of the way. And that's not going to happen!

Kids need to pack their own bag for school, dress themselves, carry their own bags, make their bed, set the table, feed the dog, fall down, get up, dust themselves off and keep going, get messy, get dirty, and have fun!

I grew up on a 25acre property adjacent to a nature reserve and my brothers and I would take off on our bikes and play for what seemed like hours and hours and would come home when we hear Mum's whistle. I swam in the dam, went puddle riding, climbed trees, made forts, explored and I'm ok. Exposure to dirt, the elements, the wilderness... by myself. I remember I was the one who became scared and worried, not my parents, of walking home from the bus stop after seeing on the news reports of a girl who was kidnapped walking home through the bush, just like we did.

It makes me wonder; if the statistics referred to on this website are true in regards to crime, then could the reason we are so much more afraid is just from hearing about it more these days through newspapers, radio, internet, news, and even the numerous criminal shows on TV? Advances in technology leading to globalisation means we are more connected to events happening all over the world. Much more so than 20-30+ years ago. We are seeing, hearing and reading seemingly innumerable reports of terrible, awful things that are happening to children but I don't think it's because the world has become more dangerous, it's just that it's more easily reported from around the world.

who am i?

Finally took that Myers Briggs personality test and according to it I am an Idealist , INFJ (Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging) and counselor.

Seemed somewhat accurate from my perspective.

And then there are Myers Briggs Prayers. Here are the ones that made me giggle because they are so me:

* INFJ: Lord, help me to not be a perfectionist. (Did I spell that correctly?)

* ISFJ: Lord, help me to be more laid back and help me to do it EXACTLY right.

* ISFP: Lord, help me to stand up for my rights (if you don’t mind my asking).

Has anyone else taken this test? What are you?

where's my older woman God?

Much to think on and be challenged by here.

loneliness

When someone can express with such eloquence and beauty what you have been experiencing and learning, it seems more prudent to link to their post, than attempt to write it yourself.

god's plan

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:28-39

I've heard people using the first part of verse 28 out of context - being a Christian does not equate to an easy life full of good things according to this world. Good, according to God's purpose, is to be made more like Jesus. Jesus did not have an easy life full of good things when he was on earth. Life will have trials, pain, suffering and temptation. Understanding and truly knowing God's love me helps me to see his sovereignty and will when things are hard or not going according to my plan. I was called according to His purpose: foreknown, predestined, called, justified and glorified. And nothing can separate me from the love of God. He loves me and knows me - and what is good for me: to be like Jesus.

I've noticed this year, which has been incredibly difficult for me at work and healthwise, has also been a year where I've seen the most growth and maturity as a Christian than I can ever recall. I can see the way God is working in me to depend on Him, to draw strength from Him and to vividly see the abundance of blessings He gives me. I'm not in constant awareness of this, such as earlier this afternoon, I felt despondent and depressed about life, but I remembered these verses which I studied recently with someone.

God loves us so much He only wants good for us which is to conformed to the likeness of Jesus.
We should rejoice in our suffering!

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 5:2b-4

Epiphany #2

I have nothing to prove. See here.

Epiphany #1

Busyness is NOT next to godliness. See here.