Because I Love You

In a few short weeks, we're going to have several visitors ~ some just staying a few days and another staying for a couple of months.

I decided I had better organize the stacks of vintage books I've been collecting to use for some of my whimsical collages and 3D paper art creations.

Well, in the process I came across this Max Lucado book called Because I Love You and as I sat there on the carpet, I read the whole book!

I won't give the story away but suffice it to say that the story and how it made me think of God's love to me personally, brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart!!

If you have young children or grandchildren, read this book to them and if you don't, get a copy and read it to yourself --- trust me ... you'll be blessed :)

In the Nuture and Admonition of the Lord

Something To Treasure by Jean Monti

"Let no Christian parents fall into the delusion
that Sunday School is intended
to ease them of their personal duties.

The first and most natural condition of things
is for Christian parents
to train up their own children
in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

Charles Haddon Spurgeon *The Spurgeon Archive*

Childhood's Garden

Growing Seasons by Jean Monti

"There is a garden in every childhood,
an enchanted place where colors are brighter,
the air softer, and the morning
more fragrant than ever again."

~ Elizabeth Lawrence ~

by Eloise Wilkin for Little Golden Books

Childhood Is . . .

Artist ~ Donald Zolan

CHILDHOOD is a time for leisure ...

• a time for golden hours in the sunshine
• for lying on one's back in the green grass to watch the clouds form countless images against the blue, blue sky
• a time to run a stick through the mud
• to watch a pollywog become a frog
• to count the slats in a neighbour's fence
• a time to disregard time, for a child needs only the *right now*, *the soon* and *tomorrow* to guide him
• A time to climb a tree and be higher than the tallest adult
• to marvel at the message of gladness which spring brings, or the hush of winter's snow
• to marvel at the daisy's petals, chanting the words, "He loves me ... he loves me not."

Sisters by Susan Rios

CHILDHOOD is a time for growth

• a time to be extra sensitive to the wonders of the world ... to take pleasure in its beauty
• A time to grow at one's own speed
• to make new friends and to sort out new and conflicting ideas
• to explore the world inside the backyard fence and to embrace the universe within the sandbox
• a time for reflection and privacy
• a time to master tying a shoelace or skipping rope or riding a bicycle
• a time to glimpse wisdom beyond the years, to glimpse the man or woman that is to be.

Something to Treasure by Jean Monti

CHILDHOOD is a time for love . . .

• for loving and being loved
• a time to be loved for the child's sake alone; not just because of what he means to his parents or what he has done or has not done, but because he is ...
• a time to kindle the love which expands itself to include everyone and everything in a child's big-small world
• a time to love boldly and to have a best friend every day
• to say "I love you so much it hurts."

A time to love with such intensity that there is no doubt in a child's mind and heart as to whom he belongs, and yet to love patiently and tenderly as well, tasting the sweetness of it ... for if a child does not love, then he is unlovely ... and if he does not learn to give love and to receive love, he will be nothing.

CHILDHOOD is a time to be guarded and guided and nurtured by all parents so that it belongs to the child."

by Mary Hemeon Adkins

Blessings,

When Children Cry

A mother does not hear
the music of the dance
when her children cry.

~ A German Proverb ~

PHOTO CREDIT

I read this last week in my used book of prose
and can remember how true it is!!

Blessings,

Tucking the Little Ones In

Bessie Pease Gutman

"The clocks were striking midnight,
and the rooms were very still,
as a figure glided quietly from bed to bed,
smoothing a coverlid here,
settling a pillow there,
and pausing to look long and tenderly
at each unconscious face,
to kiss each with lips that mutely blessed,
and to pray the fervent prayers
which only mothers utter.

~ Louisa May Alcott from Little Women, 1868 ~

As I read this quote from a little 2nd hand treasure that I recently bought, so many similar scenes danced across my mind as memories flooded in . . . of times that I tiptoed into dim, quiet rooms and stood transfixed by the soft breathing of sleeping children, nestled safely in their beds.

I would stand by their beds and listen, knowing all the while that those days would all too soon be memories as time passed and their lives moved on.

After a time of silently praying for them, I would smooth the covers and their tender brows, then plant kisses on soft, warm cheeks, tiptoe out and gently close the door.

I'm sure many of you have similar memories that keep you company when you are in a reminiscent mood such as can be brought on by a quote such as this :o)

Blessings,

Brotherly Love

I had such a delightful time with my grandsons
while on my trip from early April to early May.

Blessings,

Joy in Simple Things

My older grandson's latest enjoyment

comes from the stairs in their *new-to-them* home!

He didn't have them in his previous home
so running up and down
and climbing through them as in this photo,
are now his newest and most exciting activity :o)

His little brother smiles *JUST BECAUSE*
and that is so sweet and precious!

May your weekend bring smiles to your heart :o)

Brotherly Love

~ My 2 darling grandsons ~

A brother is a friend God gave you;

A friend is a brother your heart chose.

Proverb

Heart Hugs by Kathryn Fincher

Children Once Again

Snowy Adventure by Donald Zolan

"Winter came down to our home one night
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow,
And we, we were children once again."

~ Bill Morgan, Jr. ~

A True Scientist

Curiosity by Consuelo Gamboa at AllPosters

A young child is, indeed, a true scientist ~
just one big question mark.

What? Why? How?

I never cease to marvel
at the recurring miracle of growth,
to be fascinated by the mystery and wonder
of this brave enthusiasm.

~ Victoria Wagner ~

When I read quotes like this, memories flood my mind and heart of my children and their childhood days!

Days when they were just like this ~ asking question after question and always wondering about the great big world around them.

I tried always to use their questions as stepping stones to applying the Bible and its principles to their little everyday lives so that they would learn about God while learning about His marvellous creation.

Special times ALWAYS bring back special memories, don't they!!

The Mother & Homemaker

My days are days of small affairs

Of trifling worries, little cares --
A lunch to pack, a bed to make,
A room to sweep, a pie to bake,
A hurt to kiss, a tear to dry,
A head to brush, a bow to tie,
A face to wash, a rent to mend,
A meal to plan, a fuss to end,
A hungry husband to be fed ---
A sleepy child to put to bed.

I, who had hoped someday to gain
Success -- perhaps a bit of fame,
Must give myself to small affairs,
Of trifling worries, little cares.

But, should tomorrow bring a change,
My little house grow still and strange ---
Should all the cares I know today
Be swept, quite suddenly away,
Where now a hundred duties press
Be but an ache of loneliness,
No child's gay ribbon to be tied,
No wayward little feet to guide;
To Heaven then would I rise my prayers ---
"Oh God, give me back my little cares."

~ Author Unknown ~

Jesus Loves Me by Kathryn Fincher

I am now in that period of my life where my children are grown and 2 of them are on their own and I have 2 tiny grandsons.

This is a poem that I had written down while our children were all young and read many times, reminding myself that those wonderful, hectic, busy, amazing days of little feet running around the house and little hearts to guide, would be over sooner than I realized and that I should treasure every single moment.

I wish I could say that I always did, but alas, there were times that I complained and times that I was frustrated and tired.

Thankfully, there were more times that I was amazed, filled with wonder, overjoyed and humbled to be a part of something that has eternal results!

Crown of the Aged

The Sweetest Flower by Alan Murray

The Grandchild

With strong pink fingers
Closed tightly around yours,
The circle becomes complete.

As you gaze adoringly
Into your new grandchild's eyes,
You can see your own child
And yourself.

You take a step back in time
To the day this child's parents
Was first held so lovingly
In your own arms,
And the love you felt then
Sweeps over you afresh,
Bringing a wave of nostalgia,
A mist of tears
And torrents of love and joy.

This child, your crowning glory,
Loved for itself and for the love
You have for own child,
Is a blessing from the LORD
And a crown of delight.

© Glenys Robyn Hicks, 1995

~ Dedicated to My 2 Grandsons ~

Heart Hugs by Kathryn Fincher

"Children’s children are the crown of old men."

~ Proverbs 17:6 ~

I fell in love with this delightful poem! I can't say that I'm aged just yet . . . but according to scripture, grandchildren are my crown :o)

What a blessing and privilege from the Lord . . .

May my heart be for their young souls and may I keep them held up before the Throne of Grace, as I pray for their salvation while young and tender in years and for their preservation as the years of their lives pass by!

The Magic Spell

Melinda Byers - Words of Wisdom

Have you ever told a story
To a little child of five
And watched her eyes grow bigger
As the drama comes alive?

Have you ever felt her quiver
With excitement and delight
When the wicked king is vanquished
By the good and noble knight?

And when the story's over
Do you wish you needn't leave
This lovely land of fantasy
This world of make-believe?

Well, that's because,unknowingly,
You've cast a magic spell,
Not only on the little child,
But on yourself as well :o)

~ Alice E. Chase ~

This was often how my children felt when we read stories together and it's often how I still feel as an adult, curling up in my favourite chair, either reading a new story or an old familiar one!

Some books are so real that you feel a part of them :o)

Does anyone else remember the magic of stortelling to a child or the feeling of becoming one with a book they have read?

Blessings,

Days of My Youth

Jessie Wilcox-Smith

I'll never forget the days of my youth.
When the waves rippled between my toes,
taking the pink and silver grains of sand
back out to the depths of the sea.

There was a peace then;
an indescribable feeling of immortality
in the ebb and flow of the tide,
and the seemingly endless stretch of beach and sky.

Now as I gaze out upon those same sparkling waters,
I realize that youth is never left behind,
but is carried always, gently, in the heart."

A Moment in Time by Susan Rios

~ Hetty King from her novel *My Home is the Island*
on The ROAD TO AVONLEA episode 'Memento Mori'

Although many dear ones who were an integral part of my youth are no longer living, I treasure memories of days gone by ~ all those special moments that are forever etched on our hearts as we get older :o)

One day, I will no longer be a physical part of my loved ones' lives and I pray that they look back and remember that ~ ~

Having a truly joyful day is
when we take the time to savour
the little blessings throughout its moments,
for each is a gift from God.

My Little Blankie

This has been my favourite blankie,

Since the day that I was born.
Even though it's dirty, thin and frayed,
And just a little torn.

Mommy tries to coax me,
To let her wash out all the grime,
But I sneak it out from the laundry,
Just in the nick of time!

Saved from suds at least for now,
it goes everywhere with me.
It has my smell and the feel I love,
It's my bedtime security.

Someday I will be brave enough,
To give my cherished blankie away.
Then you'll say how big I am,
And how that will be such a great day!

Long after I have grown up,
In my scrapbook I will see,
Pictures of that treasured blanket,
That was so special to me!

~ Author Unknown ~

All 3 of my children know what it is to have had a special treasure that gave them a warm feeling of security in their little world.

This Fisher Price bunny, called a SMOOSHIE, was my daughter's and she loved it just like the Velveteen Rabbit was loved ~ until it was worn and *fragrant* :o)

Did you or your child[ren] ever have a beloved childhood treasure that they could not do without?

A Labour of Love

We built our own home in 1987 with lots of help from my father-in-law, my husband's brothers and 1 of his brothers-in-law.

We moved into our new house around Thanksgiving, a very appropriate time because that's exactly how we felt toward the Lord, for we never expected to *own* our own home!

Our sons were almost 8 and almost 5 and my husband knew how much they would enjoy their own little place in the backyard to use as a fort or a place to have a sleep-out.

He used pieces of siding that were left from building our house

and added steps and some openings for windows.
Here's a different view showing how it's set near the woods.
This winter photo shows the size and shape better
since the trees are almost bare.

The boys thoroughly enjoyed it for a few years,
but it wasn't until their sister
was old enough to discover the playhouse,
that it was really put to use!

When she began using it, the two of us decorated the inside
and although I'm not a sewer,
I used several tea towels to fashion simple curtains
for the plexi-glass windows
that my husband had put in by that time.

Even when she reached the age where
*pretending with mommy*
was no longer interesting to her,
she still used it for many years, along with her friends.
Tea Party by Sandra Kuck

I have years of special memories
of my daughter and I having tea parties
in her little playhouse on rainy afternoons,
content to sit and chat and pretend ...

The little playhouse now holds our lawn mower during the winter
as well as a few other items that need storage,
but I will always treasure the memories
of the special times
my daughter and I spent there.