Yeah!!!

On Sunday, Jeshua finally attended the toddler ministry on his own!

I am so proud of him! He was there from 11.30am-2pm as the sermon in main service was long.

He didn't experience any separation anxiety or insecurity. I checked with the teachers. He did not cry at all. He understood that I will be back to fetch him.

That was the first Sunday I attended the main service with my wife in New Creation.

If this works for toddler ministry, it will work for childcare too.

Wow!

Two nights ago, Jeshua surprised both my wife and me.

He could literally remember the Thomas storybook sequence by sequence and word for word.

We tested him with another storybook and he could complete the sentence whenever we read halfway.

Is that super memory or something?

We didn't ask him to memorise. We simply read the stories a few times to him.

When I tested him with the Bible, he couldn't really remember. This made me realise that I shouldn't read a different passage of Scriptures each night with him. Instead, I should repeat the same passage a few times. That will empower him to remember the Scriptures clearly.

Here we go!

The Father's Protection VS Providence

In the world's perspective, providence comes first. We work hard to provide for our family so that they can have a comfortable and good lifestyle (Not necessary a good life. Because many rich families are living broken and wounded lives.)

In the kingdom's perspective, protection comes first. We work hard to protect our family so that we build a loving family.

God's first command for Mankind is not, "Provide for your family." Instead, He said, "Tend the Garden." Tending the Garden includes stewardship of whatever Adam had been given and the first thing Adam was given is family (Eve). As he took care of the Garden, God continually provided for him and his family. But when sin came in because he failed to protect his family, he was cursed and ended up toiling all his life to provide for his family. The equation went upside down. Thank God that Jesus had come to redeem us from that curse.

Yet the world continues to get it upside down, which is the subtle lie of the enemy. "Work harder to earn more money so that you can provide a good life to your family." (That is obviously going back under the curse.) Well, many rich families do not have a happy home. Their children are wounded. They have a good lifestyle but not a good life. Because their parents are spending a lot of time providing instead of protecting.

True wealth is not about having more and more money to provide for the family. True wealth is having more and more time to protect the family.

In the world, success is measured by how rich your family is. But in the kingdom, success is measured by how STRONG your family is.

Separation Anxiety?

There are two schools of thoughts:

1) Leave your toddler to cry until he gets used to it. Then he will learn to be independent and grow up fast. Good for parents too - because it saves the time, energy and trouble.

2) Don't leave your toddler alone to cry. Shower him with love so that his security is strong. Talk to him until he is ready to let you leave him. Bad for parents - because it will take much time, energy and patience before the toddler gets comfortable to be alone.

My wife and I choose the latter option. Our Heavenly Father said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Security and love is the priority in the life of a toddler. We don't have to make him grow up according to our expectations. We have to stop comparing with what other toddlers are doing. Just because they can do more does not mean they are more secured on the inside. Our role is to impart love, security and confidence in our son.

Leaning On Him

Jeshua was unwell last Thursday and Friday. I kept him at home to take care of him.

On Friday, as he was going to take his usual nap in the afternoon, he said, "Papa, I want to lie here." He was pointing to my chest. He fell asleep on my chest.

The feeling of having my son leaning on my chest is awesome. No wonder Jesus loves it when we lean on His bosom.

God is most delighted when we simply lean on Him and rest in Him.