Capture Your Child's Heart

I was driving home from Zumba the other night, listening to the radio, and I was reminded of literally the best parenting advice I have ever been given. This little piece of advice can spill over into any and all situations. It is simply "Pursue your little ones heart, until you take it captive".

Sometimes a person is blessed with a child whose conscience guides them. And those children will be compliant with you when you are there as well as when you are absent. But most times our kids have sinful natures that win the battle between spirit and flesh. Well, when our little sweethearts love us and remember our kindnesses, they are more likely to respect and obey us whether we are present or not. So, if their sweet little hearts are devoted to us, the things we teach them will reach places they wouldn't normally. And when they go, they will take the values, morals, and spiritual teachings with them. And the day will come when they go.

The Bible says that we love God because of His kindnesses, and because He first loved us. God pursues us and pursues us. And even when we act like a wayward wife.... He pursues us some more. So when can spank, fill out charts, yell, reason, ground, and create the most structured environment on earth, and if we do it all without the goal to captivate our child.... we are just a resounding gong to them. As much as having a child with a "perfect" outward behavior sounds wonderful, it is all useless if we haven't reached their inward parts. This isn't to say, ditch all discipline! Sometimes the kindest way to respond, is with a good ol' fashioned swat on the toosh! But with every act of discipline the Holy Spirit needs to be there along every step of the way to guide us and fill us with His Fruit. I was told once by a very wise mommy, "Camp out in Proverbs when your kids are little." (Meaning memorize as many Proverbs as you can, and integrate them in your parenting decisions ) And also "PRAY!"



Now I must include that the final goal is, of course, that they would be captivated by their Father in heaven. But we have been given the opportunity to play an integral part in that. And because we have been given the exact children we were supposed to. Or in other words, our children have been given the exact parents they were supposed to, we can be rest assured that we are the right ones for that amazing job! I have felt much conviction from this message. Pondering my every action, "Am I driving them away from me? Or drawing them near?" And there are definitely those moments that I know I have messed up. But I have also been encouraged that parenting can be dissolved into such a simple goal, just capture their heart..... their precious little heart.

"Clean Your Fridge Out" Spaghetti Sauce (and hide some veggies so kids eat 'em)

I sneak a bunch of veggies in this sauce! And no one is the wiser....
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1Tbsp Dried Oregano or several sprigs of fresh
1/2 Tbsp Dried basil and thyme or several sprigs of fresh
1 tsp red pepper flakes
2-3 Carrots
2-3 Celery1 Onion
4 Garlic cloves
2 Zuchinni1
Red Bell Pepper (or any color, but red makes the sauce redder!)
2 Cans of Italian Stewed Tomatoes
1 Can of Tomato Paste
1/3 Cup Red Wine
1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 Jar of good quality Spaghetti sauc
e2-3 Cups of Beef Broth (veggie or chicken would work)
2 # Ground Beef or Italian Sausage (or both!)
Salt and Pepper (no salt with Italian Sausage... or to taste)
Process all veggies in food processor until well blended and like a sauce. Heat oil and add herbs to oil. Add veggies and cook for a several minutes. Blend can of tomatoes in processor and add to pot. Add the rest of the ingredients except meat. Meanwhile brown meat in separate frying pan and add to sauce when no longer pink. Cover and let simmer for 1-3 hours. Salt and Pepper to taste... and Yum! I make this last for a spaghetti dinner and a lasagna.