One more before I take off: E.'s haircut.

Officially, my internet fast begins Sunday. I didn't think I'd have anything to write about between now and then, but today...
Elijah cut his hair!
I was on the phone in his room. One minute he was in there with me, playing, and the next minute he was gone. I didn't think much of it. He's free to roam the house.
But, then I noticed, things were.... quiet.
Mothers of toddlers know to leap into action when things get quiet.
I saw the pile of hair first. Then him.




I know it happens to the best of kids, maybe all kids at some point during childhood. Either they cut their own hair, they get gum stuck in it or something.
A drastic haircut is almost a rite of passage.

Elijah has beautifully curly hair. At the mall today, 2 different people commented about his beautiful curls. Its not uncommon. Here's a good shot of what his hair typically looks like. Cute, right?

I just gave him a great haircut last weekend. You can see in my "humility fail" post his hair had just been cut. A day or two after those pictures were taken, his cute little curls returned.

I have to admit I was bit emotional. I didn't cry, I didn't even come close, but I am sad. I tried to even it all up. It is so short, so uneven, a terrible haircut. It hasn't been this short since he was less than a year old.

I told Gabe he looks like an orphan. He said, "I don't get that... what is that supposed to mean?"
I just meant it looks like no one loves him enough to be bothered with a proper haircut.

I tried not to make him feel self conscientious about the whole thing. After the repair cut, I took him to the bathroom. I said gently, "E. are you ready to see your hair?", trying to prepare him for the shock. He's never seen himself this way, hair so short, curls gone.

I lifted him up to the mirror.
"It's all gone!", he said cheerfully and turned away from the mirror.



He could care less.
My goodness, the total un- self consciousness of this age (or this child, I don't know which).

What he looks like, is so the least of his concerns.

I could learn from him.

Resting my Mind

Just wanted to say that I am taking a brief break from blogging and the internet, in general. I will be back when the time is right. For those who email me, I will still be checking email once a day, after the children are in bed.

Love,
Liz

Don't mind us, we're new here: Humility Fail.

First sad, then mad about the news that he is not in charge.
Anybody else concerned about this child's need for power, of late?



Have you ever visited the Fail Blog ?*(see note at bottom)*
I find myself thinking in terms of this blog all the time now. Forget to Iron Gabe's shirts? Wife Fail. Burn the chicken? Dinner Fail.

We went to church this morning. It's a church we have been visiting for a few months. We really like it in so many ways, but we are still trying to determine our place there ( or where?).

During the children's teaching this morning, Ms. Sue, the children's leader was teaching about Proverbs 3:5-6--
Trust in the Lord with all of heart. Lean not on your own understanding,
In all of your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

She was particularly emphasizing the "acknowledge" part; trying to teach the children what means to acknowledge God, to give Him the power and authority in your life over all matters.
She was doing that by teaching them that we should allow God to be "in charge", because He really is, anyways.

Numerous times throughout the teaching she mentioned God being "in charge".

"So kids, who's in charge?", Ms. Sue opines, trying to teach about humility and trust.

Each time she said it, E. would announce loudly, "I'M IN CHARGE!"

Me, blushing and looking around at the patient smiles from our fellow church goers, would whisper, "E. please be quiet. No. You are not in Charge."

"I'M IN CHARGE!", E. announces again and again with gusto.

Later, I tell him, you know, "Really, Mommy and Daddy are in charge."
Daddy says, "Really, I am in charge."
I say, "Really, God's in charge."
E.'s response?, "I wanna be in charge of God."

Great. Just great. A little insurrectionist in out midst. Humility Fail.

Is it okay that I find (a little) humor in this.....if I promise that I will work with him on this until he understands that he can't be in charge of God, or me or Gabe?

*(View at your own risk: can be sort of questionable humor at times. Sometimes totally innocent, too. If you're worried, there is a G-rated section, look for that.)

Oh my!

Gone too far.

We have many parenting challenges.

One in particular stands out as a real issue for concern- E.'s penchant for running away in public places.

Our concerns are obvious, I'm sure, to any sound adult...
he could run too far,
I might lose sight of him
or him of me,
into traffic,
off a large precipice,
someone could take him, harm him.

As his mother, who loves him beyond all measure,
I will not rest, I will not be satisfied until I know that when I say "STOP",
the child will do so, not run headlong, giggling, in whatever direction I am not.
Can you relate?

If he begins to stray too far while we are out and about, I chirp: "Too far. Stay together."

If he ignores me and runs on, when I catch him,
I will stress with fervor that
God gave me a job when he put you in this family
and part of that job is:
"to do everything in my power to see you to adulthood safe and sound. It is my job to keep you safe and
if you are not with me, you are not safe."

My good friend J. posed an interesting question to me today: What is the Lord trying to teach us through our current parenting challenges?

I asked the Lord to show me and ....

He tenderly moved my heart and in my mind's eye
I saw E. running from me,
I was calling after him but
he ran on and I feared for him:
Why can't he understand that I only want the very best for him? I love him and I want him to in be in perfect peace. Not hurt, lost, scared, confused or worse.

I was convicted...
I am running, I've gone too far.
My Lord, My Good Father
is calling me.
I am dashing, giggling away.
I hear Him,
Come back, child. If you are not with me, you are not safe.
Come back, child.

I need Him to bring me back, to find me. I am out there, kind of lost.

I have gone astray like a lost sheep;
seek your servant;
for I do not forget your commandments.
Psalm 119:176

I know I have a Savior who not let me remain lost.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left,
your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,
"This is the way; walk in it."

Isaiah 30:21

He loves me and wants me to be in perfect peace.

You will keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3

Despite my utter faithlessness, He will always be faithful.

But You O Lord are a compassionate and merciful God,
You are patient,
always faithful and ready to forgive.
Psalm 86:15

Like a child, I am trusting that He will find me right where I am...
kind of lost out here somewhere.