Nine Things to Do When Taking Care of Boys

Hello, this is the long-absent Esther here. I have thought about writing these last four (or has it been more?) weeks, but somehow I never took time for it and so the long silence started. I’m sorry I didn’t write—and did miss it—but sometimes life takes priority. I do have ideas for things to write about—it’s just the writing them down that I have problems with. So I’m sorry, and I hope you’ll forgive me.

Now…onto today’s topic: Taking care of boys. I have six brothers, and each one is unique in the things he likes to do—all of which are great and beneficial to the whole family. Last night, I got to wondering what would happen if (for some unforeseen reason) they had to go spend some time at a friend’s house. Would they go crazy? Or drive a friend crazy? So I thought I’d draft up a little list for things people could do with boys (especially if they’re younger—3-6 years old or so) to keep them (or themselves) sane. Of course, some things would have to be for older boys, but I think this is a fairly general list of things anyone could do that any age would be able to participate in.

1. Make sure you have lots of food, for meals as well as for 1-4 snacks in-between meals.
2. Never just say “get outside!” if they’re bored. Give them something to do outside (pick up apples, feed the cat, mow the yard [that’s for older children, of course] etc.)
3. Make sure you have an ample supply of toy animals, wooden blocks (assorted sizes, preferably), toy farm machinery, and a good assortment of cars and trucks. Bonus points if you have masking tape for making roads on the carpeted floor.
4. Have a plan for something you can make together if it’s rainy or cold outdoors. Cookies are always a hit, and generally can be made with the help of everyone (little ones love pouring things in—especially if they get a taste now and then). Be prepared for a more-than-messy kitchen.
5. Make sure you have an ample supply of children’s books. Ones about farming, animals, machinery, and adventures (with lots of pictures) are generally hits. Be prepared to read until your voice is past being worn out.
6. Having several good games is very helpful in keeping them occupied (especially if they take a long time to play).
7. You are the best person in the world if you have Lego for them to play with. Especially if you have instructions for building things they haven’t built before. They will just about be in heaven.
8. If they are older boys, give them a hammer and some nails. Put them to work, and they’ll be happier.
9. I suppose this shouldn’t be an option, but if all else fails, make sure you have a good supply of clean videos to watch. That will keep them occupied for a while.

I know this isn’t an exhaustive list—there are many things I could add to it. But I think it’s a general one. And this wouldn’t apply only to someone taking care of my brothers. It also applies to me, and is something I put in practice whenever needed. Brothers are lots of fun to grow up with and take care of, and it is an awesome responsibility we have as big sisters to be a positive influence on their lives.

Now—I’m curious—what would a list like this look like for sisters?

Many blessings,
Esther

7 Ways a Daughter can Honour Her Father

In the society we live in today, the father’s role is increasingly being attacked, abused, and misused. Even the role of men in general is being undermined, and this is something that I find very disturbing—especially when I see people whose lives have been damaged as a result of men not getting the honour they deserve.

So I’ve decided to put together a little list of some of the ways you can honour your father—just as Ephesians 6:1-3 says.

“i <3 You” by DaDooDa is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

1. When you are making yourself a cup of tea or coffee in the morning, offer to make your dad one, too—especially if it is his day off. I know my father appreciates it!
2. Ask your mom what your dad’s favourite meal is, and make it for the evening meal. This is one way to serve your entire family (your mom gets the meal off, after all!), and even if you accidentally burn the food a little your dad will appreciate the effort! Or, if you don’t feel confident enough with a whole meal, make his favourite dessert!
3. Help him with his projects. Is he renovating a part of your house? Then ask if he has something you can do to help! Sometimes, I don’t even have to offer—Dad just volunteers me. :)
4. Obey him promptly. Has he asked you to do something for him, even if it is something that doesn’t really have to happen right away? Get it done as soon as possible. He might not thank you for it, but that is a way you can honour him.
5. Pray for him. I don’t do this one enough! Pray Numbers 6:24-26 over him. Bless him with your prayers—even if he never knows that you pray for him, I know he will be blessed.
6. Send a note with your dad in his lunchbox! We’ve done it a few times when his birthday comes around, but I know this is something you could do at any time of the year. Send him an encouraging poem, Bible verse, or quote to find when he opens the box for his lunch! What a fun surprise.
7. Never talk bad about him, no matter what circumstances you find yourself in. Tearing him down doesn’t help you, and certainly doesn’t help him or his reputation.

Your father is a precious gift. I suppose you could say that you are his gift, but in a way he is a gift to you as well—not all girls are privileged to even have a father! I know my dad is a wonderful dad—I couldn’t even start explaining all the things he does for me! And although I know it isn’t Father’s Day, I want to say—thank you, Dad.

Honour your father—in every way you possibly can. He’s worth it.
~Esther

When God Lifted Us Up—Part 2

From last time: Tall drifts rose out of the swirling white blackness. We could feel the car actually being lifted up over the drifts. I remember feeling amazing elation and joy at seeing how God was helping us get home. Then Mum gasped. We had reached “the” gully. Down at the bottom, a black shape loomed. It was a car, stuck, the wheels buried in snow. We were headed straight toward it, and Dad had no way to stop us. Even if he did turn the wheel, it would not have made a difference because of the slippery conditions. We were headed toward a terrible accident.

Spring, after the winter this happened. Two of my brothers
are there, beside the car that God lifted.

Then the unbelievable happened—the car came close to us, and we suddenly swerved around it. Dad had hardly any control of the wheel then. It was God, pushing us around the car. That night, we safely got home. It was a miracle. We should have gotten stuck or hit that car. But God was there, in a very real way. He was caring for us.
 
Some friends of ours had sat up that night, knowing the conditions outside and waiting for a call from us to tell them to bring their four-wheel-drive truck to pull us out of the snow. We called them that night, and they were surprised to hear we had gotten home safely. But we knew that it was because of God that we had gotten home safely. Someone was praying for us, even though we don’t know who. All we know is that we trusted that God would take care of us, and He did. He sent His angels to lift us over those drifts—actually lift us off the ground. We were airborne over those drifts.
 
This is something I will always remember. God stepped in in a very real way to help us that dark night. I’m reminded of two verses that relate to this. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” And 1 Peter 5:7 reminds us that we should be “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
 
Are you facing a time in your life when you’re not sure what God wants you to do? Trust Him. Cast your care on His shoulders. Tell Him all about it. You aren’t alone.

 

Stay close to Him,
Esther

Also in this series:

• When God Lifted Us Up—Part 1

When God Lifted Us Up—Part 1

The night was dark. Strong wind whipped the snow into deep drifts as Dad fought to keep the car on the road. Snow fell quickly all around us, sometimes coming down so fast that the windshield was completely covered and we couldn’t see a thing through the windows. It was just a blinding whirl of white outside.
 

‘fence’ by jenny downing on Flickr

We were on our way home after a wonderful night of fellowship with our church family. The usual half-hour drive from our house had been converted from fairly pleasant to pretty scary for us four children. Snowstorms can be dangerous, and we were in a bad one. One thing was certain—the snow was getting deeper by the minute, and we still had a ways to go to get home. We had not reached the gully yet where the snow always piled the deepest and was the most dangerous part of the trip. Every winter, quite a few cars ended up becoming stuck in that area—and in the small station wagon only 15 cm (6 in) or so off the ground the chances of us getting through safely seemed pretty flimsy.
 
I’m sure Dad and Mum sent many prayers heavenward that night. I was only six or so, so I can’t remember if they said anything verbally. I just remember being scared stiff every time we slipped a little, wondering if this was the time we’d have an accident that could end our lives. Suddenly, Dad began singing. I don’t remember what we sang that night, but soon the car was rocking with music. I remember we sang a song about angels protecting us. We probably sang quite a few songs, but even about ten years later I remember the joy that filled us as that little white station wagon battled it’s way through the drifts. We knew God was in control, and we trusted that He would take care of us.
 
Tall drifts rose out of the swirling white blackness. We could feel the car actually being lifted up over the drifts. I remember feeling amazing elation and joy at seeing how God was helping us get home. Then Mum gasped. We had reached “the” gully. Down at the bottom, a black shape loomed. It was a car, stuck, the wheels buried in snow. We were headed straight toward it, and Dad had no way to stop us. Even if he did turn the wheel, it would not have made a difference because of the slippery conditions. We were headed toward a terrible accident.

 

…and I shall return next Sunday with part two.
Have a great week!

Stay close to Him,
Esther

8 Ways to help your Family

Source

My family means a lot to me. They do a lot for me, too. When I think about it there’s actually a lot I could do for them, even just simple things like giving Mum a cup of water when she’s thirsty (Matthew 10:42). I sometimes wonder if that isn’t the way Jesus worked—doing the simple things for people, and just acting the part of a servant (John 13:4-6).

He helped people bodily. He also helped people spiritually. Wherever He was, He tried to show how good God is to the people He was ministering to. How loving, how kind, how generous God is. He was trying to show them. And as Christians, we are to imitate Him. Here are some of the ways I’ve found helpful when I am trying to help my family:

1. Do the jobs they don’t want to do. (Like cleaning out the trash containers. Or washing out your brother’s muddy clothes.)
2. Surprise them. Maybe you could wash a window or two, to surprise Mum. Or perhaps she’s busy in the garden—maybe you could get dinner going if you know what’s on the menu.
3. Love them. I think this one’s pretty important. Showing them love in every area is very crucial. To show your family love, maybe you could make a favourite recipe. Or pick a few flowers to put in the windowsill. Or listen, really listen (not with just half an ear!) to what a sibling has to tell you. I have a hard time doing this, especially when I’d really rather get on with my project.



Love them—what precious jewels your siblings are!
Source

4. I’m sure you’ve read through the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10) before, and are fairly familiar with the verses. One idea I’ve had lately was to go through the Beatitudes and pick one “blessed” for each day. For example, on Monday maybe I’d pick mercy. I’d try to find ways I could show mercy to my siblings that day. Then, on Tuesday, maybe I’d try to be a comforter. Or a peacemaker. You get the idea. :)
5. Pray for them. If there’s one thing that will shake the gates of heaven, it’s prayer. Maybe you have a sibling who seems to be struggling with something, but they can’t talk about it. Maybe one of your siblings is trying to figure out what they will do with their life. Whatever is going on, we always can and will profit from praying and being prayed for!
6. Encourage them. If you see something they’ve done lately that really impressed you, or have noticed something in their lives that was uplifting for you, tell them! I’m sure they would be glad to hear what you think. :) You could also slip a note into their Bible with an encouraging verse on it, and let them be mystified as to how it got there. :) You never know what something like that could do! :)
7. Support. Tell them you’re praying for them. Help them when they come to you for help. Be the kind of sibling you’d love them to be.
8. Appreciate them. Accept them for who they are, even if there are blaring faults that are really annoying in their personalities. The more you accept and appreciate them for who they are, the closer your relationship will be.

These are just a few of the many different things we can do for our families. I’m sure you could add your own thoughts to the list. :) It’s a great privilege to have a family, people who understand you and love you. I praise God for my Godly parents and wonderful siblings. May we ever grow as we learn to live the Christian life and follow Him.

In Christ,
Esther