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Thursday, December 11, 2008

Naughty or Nice

My little girl Alivia has been sick all week and home from school. I wish I had the desire and smarts to home school her, but I'm afraid she'd lose all intellect. So, unless God clearly spells it out for me by sending Moses down to hand deliver a message she will remain in the school system...for her sake.


Anyway, I worked an overnight shift the other night and in the morning after we dropped Aaron off at school Alivia shared with me.


"Oh Mom, last night I slept in your bed and in the middle of the night I woke up and I heard Daddy praying over me."



Life is hard...married or single.
I shared in my last post that I'm doing the Love Dare book from the movie Fireproof right now. I love how in the middle of hardship, God gives me the words of a child touched by her Daddy's desire to be the godly man in her life.
Thank You sweet Jesus.
I so needed to see the side of him that I often ignore because I am focusing on what he lacks...in my eyes.



On a different note, the other day sweet Alivia asked me out of the blue...

"Mom, have I been good?
This year?"



What?


"Have I been good this year?"



Then it dawned on me...she is wondering if she is on Santa's naughty or nice list.
Great opportunity for me to share with her that no matter what we do God never has a Naughty or Nice list He keeps about us.
For when we ask Him to forgive us, He does just that without holding it over our head in the future.
He forgives us and moves forward hoping we follow His lead.
When we are naughty...He is nice.



Keep focused on Christ as the "holiday" season approaches.


The birth of a King is much to celebrate!

~Many Blessings~


22 comments:

Amy said...

Amen!:)

Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus!

Merry Christmas, Lelia!

God Bless,
Amy:)

Mel said...

wow i never thought about God never having a naughty or nice list!!! What a great lesson.

Unknown said...

Wow.. you think faster than I do!! What a wonderful time for a lesson on the love of God! Such a great contrast. I'd never thought of it that way.. You're smarter than you think!
hugs,
Jean

Darlene said...

This is a sweet post. I have been considering starting the Love Dare. My husband works out of town through the week so I am not sure how it will work. I am praying about it. I love the movie Fireproof.
I like what you said to your daughter about the list. Great thinking!!!
Sweet Blessings,
Darlene

Runner Mom said...

I love this! I hope your baby girl is feeling better soon. How precious of Gene to pray over her during the night!
Love you,
susan

LynnSC said...

Great words Lelia. My youngest has been home sick all week too. Not that I have the smarts... but this is actually the first year that she has gone to school... we have homeschooled for the past 6 or 7 years. I have so loved the past few days. It has also been a blessing to me that she has wanted to be in my lap the whole time.

Oh... to wake up and hear her dad praying over her!!! That thought brought me to tears. WOW!

Thanks so much for sharing your life with us. Hope your little one feels better soon.
Lynn

mariel said...

great post...I, too, often 'remember' my dear hubby's faults rather than his 'blessings'! Praise Jesus, he remembers my blessings more! What a good man!

Carol said...

How beautiful that is that he was praying over her that night, and that she got to hear it. Not just a good night prayer, but a prayer deep from in his hearts desiree for God to cover his little girl. And how gracious is our God that He let you know that Gene had done that.

I'm sorry Alivia is sick, I too have the desire but sadly not the knowledge or ability to homeschool. Some times I can hardly help with her homework. Oh well.

Great answer to the list question too.

Love:)
Carol

God's Girl said...

Oh how funny... my 4 year old just asked me the same thing and we had a very similar conversation.

May the Lord bless you and all that you do.

Julie

Jill Beran said...

Good words, I think I'll have a similar talk with my little ones! And isn't it great when God uses our little ones to remind us of His work and ways. I just had a post about that - I'm amazed how He can even speak thru a 5 year old! Blessings, Jill

HisPrincess said...

So releived that God doesn't have a naughty and nice list!

How amazing is our God? Truly amazing.

Yolanda said...

I'm telling you, that Girl is priceless, just like her Mommy!

Talking about price, Christ paid it all....something I had to write about today.

Love ya!

Laura said...

Amen, Lelia! That Alivia is something else, isn't she? I love hearing stories about your little girl. She makes me smile!

Blessings, friend! We are covered in snow here in WV, so I am enjoying a lazy day being snowed in!

Hugs,
Laura

Laurie Ann said...

Praying your sweet little one is on the mend soon. How precious that she heard her daddy's prayers. What a wonderful opportunity to share with her about God keeping no records of our wrongs! I'm so glad you seized it!

Paula V said...

Beautiful, Lelia. I'm just in awe of how God works and speaks to us through even the littliest of ones. God indeed encouraged your heart and shifted your focus by seeing a glimpse of your beloved man. How wonderful. That blesses my heart.

Your Alivia is precious.

Isn't it grand that God doesn't have a Naughty or Nice list. He just has a Book of Life and praise the Lord our names are written in it!!!
Love you, sweet one!
Paula

StitchinByTheLake said...

God knew you needed a reminder of the goodness of your husband and sent you the perfect one. He always knows how to calm our hearts. :) blessings, marlene

Pamela (His maidservant) said...

How true...I choose Jesus over Santa any day!

And you know you have an awesome husband but I have to say it. You are blessed-even in those bad days. Remember this post the next time its one of those days!

:-)

LOVE, MERCY AND GRACE...GOD'S GRACE said...

Good contrast with the Naughty and Nice List...and Thank God He doesn't have one!!
How sweet for your little one to hear her Dad praying over her...

Anonymous said...

Marriage is soooo hard, isn't it??

We (my husband & I) saw the movie Fireproof. And I want to get the Love Dare book. I have MANY things to "fix" in myself that would be an encouragement to my husband and allow him to become the head of our home. It seems as if I have taken over that title. hmmmmm....

I love how he was "caught" praying over Olivia...she will never forget that!!

I miss our book study--looking forward to January.

be encouraged today--know that you are loved!!

Kim

Isabel said...

I love it!! I love that God sends us just what we need when we need it (not a moment sooner or later). For you, to "see" that sweet side of your hubby. For her, to know that God's list isn't Santa's list and His love is unconditional. Oh! What great moments. Thanks for sharing.

Hope everyone is healthy for Christmas and can celebrate together!

Love,
Wendy

MaryLu said...

What a sweet thing for your daughter to hear Gene praying for her. I'm sure that just warmed your heart.
Didn't you just LOVE Fireproof? Fabulous movie. I want my own copy!!
That headache book is just what I need right now, miss you. Pray for our family, financial stress. Love ya.

Leaon Mary said...

Hi Lelia,
WHAT A WONDERFUL THING FOR A CHILD TO AWAKEN TO HEARING DADDY PRAYING FOR HER. ~WOW~

What a great insight into the naughty nice list. That's one I'll keep in my heart beyond this Christmas season!

Blessings,
Lea