Christine Simon »

Christine Simon

Motherhood and Fear

Devotional, Parents, prayer, Reflection No Responses »

May 072013

Most mothers (including myself) have had to deal with fears when it comes to our children. It is a very common emotion from the very moment you find out you are pregnant and especially when you first hold your baby in your arms. Our fear comes in all shapes and sizes and can hit us in any place or moment. I remember right after my oldest was born, I struggled with some of the worst fears I had ever experienced in my life. I couldn’t stop thinking about what “could” happen to him. I find that now my fears come when I wake in the middle of the night and start to think about something going on in one of my children’s lives. It is a real downward spiral from there if I don’t stop and do something about it quickly.

The only way I have found to combat these fears is to pray and to meditate on scripture that helps me fight this battle against fear. A few verses that I find myself running to are:

“In the night I remember your name, O Lord.” Psalm 119:55

“For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6

Fear is defined as “a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.” Most of the things I fear are of the imagined kind but the emotions I feel are no less real than if there was a true danger about to occur.

Then sometimes our fears are realized and we are faced with the reality that we live in a sin stained world. I’ve faced fear when losing a child in a crowded Disney World at closing time, fear at losing a toddler at a park near a lake, finding out my child has type 1 diabetes that will affect her the rest of her life, fears when my teenagers drive around in the car late at night and many others. Life is full of times when we face fear straight on and need to trust Jesus with them.

I recently ran across a few short blogs on Girltalk and thought I would share a few with you. All of them deal with the fears we face as mothers. And all of them spoke to my heart and encouraged me to listen to Jesus’ words “Do not be afraid.” John 14:27

Sparrows and Sovereignty

Remembering the Big Picture

Family, Parents, Reflection 1 Response »

Apr 302013

I have been thinking a lot lately about what Bissy Crosby shared last Wednesday night at the Moms Seminar: Remembering the Big Picture. I’ve also had a few moms who couldn’t be there ask about it, so I thought I would share my notes with you.

Bissy described that we either live in need of HELP or live filled with HOPE. We obviously want to live daily with hope as our anchor and yet for so many of our days we are in need of help. She said we are guaranteed a troubled, weary, anxious heart (one that needs help) when we do the following things:

1. Neglect our personal relationship with Christ.

2. Determine to neglect God’s word. Can’t find the time in a day to read the Bible.

3. Decide problems are everyone else’s fault.

4. Don’t practice reflection or confession.

5. Rush to worry about problems or challenges and stay away from prayer.

She pointed us to Psalm 90 as a way to help us remember the big picture. In verse 12, it says “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” And she shared one question that helps us remember what is most important: Is this __________ going to matter in 10,000 years? (You fill in the blank.) Will this minor issue with my child matter? Will the clean house matter? The real answer that will matter is “Are they a child of God?” And have I invested my time each day so that my children will have every chance to be a child of God?

God is the one who brings our children to himself and changes their hearts but are we leading them to Jesus as we parent? Does how we spend out time each day reveal our need of HELP or our deep trust in finding our HOPE in Jesus?

One practical idea that Julie Geyer shared with us is something that can help us remember the big picture. She has created a simple jar for each of her children. In each jar, she has placed a number of items that represent that child to her. For example, for one child she placed googly eyes because she has an eye for the creative. She has placed the number of items that represent the number of weekends that each child has left in their home. And after each weekend, she takes an item out of the jar. This has helped her “number her days” that she has left to influence and guide that child to Jesus. She shared that she made a jar for her oldest son who is already out of the house. She has placed a short pencil with no eraser in this jar to remind her that his days are gone in their home and that she can’t go back and erase the past. This also reminds her to pray for him because God is not finished writing his story in his life.

I was especially moved by this idea since I am counting down the weekends with my oldest son who will graduate this May. I’m not sure what season of life you are in, but the saying is very true that days go by slowly, but the years go by quickly. May we be mothers who determine to keep the “big picture” in front of us daily and lead our children to Jesus.

If you attended the seminar, I’d love to hear how you are applying what you heard last week.

Books that have made me think, laugh and pray

Book Review, Parents, Reading, Volunteers No Responses »

Apr 022013

Reading is a huge part of how I like to spend my free time. I love to get lost in a book. I’ve read several books in the last few weeks and thought I would share them with you.

Sparkly Green Earrings is a humorous true story written by Melanie Shankle. She shares her life from trying to get pregnant, actually being pregnant, having a baby and being a mom. I laughed out loud several times as I read this book. As a mother myself and close to her age, I personally related to so much of what she wrote about. This book, which was sprinkled with scripture, made me think about all the ways parenting shapes us and why I do some of the things I find myself doing as a mother.

What Alice Forgot is a fictional story about a woman who falls at the gym and loses her memory. She actually loses 10 years of her memory so she does not remember having her three children or that she is in the process of getting divorced. She still thinks and feels like she is 29 years old, happily married and pregnant with her first child. Although not a Christian book, what I found interesting was the truths this book revealed about how much time really does change us and how the people we meet and the decisions we make shape who we are and what we become. As I read, I kept reflecting on who I am now and what I used to be like 10 years ago – with my children but also in my marriage. We really do change over time. This book also caused me to pray. I prayed that God would keep me from hardening to the things that happen to me in life.

The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert is a true story about a woman who used to be a leading lesbian professor who becomes a Christian and over time her whole life changes. Keith wrote briefly about it here. In light of the recent ongoing debates on gay marriage, this book was an eye-opening picture into the life of someone who God has dramatically changed. I found myself amazed at the way God not only changed my life 27 years ago but at how he works in so many different ways to redeem someone and accomplish his will.

Scouting the Divine is filled with insight and stories that engage the mind and the soul. Margaret Feinberg shares of her search for God in wine, wool and wild honey. Each chapter tells of her time spent with someone who lives day by day as a shepherd, a vintner, a bee keeper and a farmer. Each person she meets shares their thoughts on bible passages and what they mean to them in light of what they do. I learned a lot that I didn’t know before and it gave several passages new meaning to me.

These books have all made me think, laugh and some have caused me to pray. Do you have any book recommendations?

What does it have to do with me?

Devotional, Easter, Reflection No Responses »

Mar 192013

I’ve spent the past 52 days reading through a devotional by Paul Tripp called Whiter than Snow: Meditations on Sin and Mercy. In a lot of ways, these devotions have prepared my heart for Easter even though they are taken from Psalm 51. I wanted to share a few parts that have been meaningful to me and hopefully will encourage your soul as you prepare for Easter.

Day 27 “Every sin is vertical, no matter how thunderous the horizontal implications of it are. It’s God, for whom and through whom we were created to live, whose boundaries we step over, because we don’t love him the way that we should.”

My sin is first and most importantly against God. I step over his line every day and in many ways as I deal with my family, friends and co-workers.

Day 29 “Iniquity is best described as moral uncleanness. This word points to the comprehensive nature of the effect of sin on us. Sin is a moral infection that stains everything we desire, think, speak, and do…Sin is best defined as falling short of a standard. In our moments of best intention and best effort we still fall short. We’re simply unable to reach the level of the standards that God has set for us.”

My very nature is sinful, not just my actions. Every think I do is tainted by my sinful thoughts and attitudes. This can be discouraging at times but also is a good reminder that even when I think I’m doing well, I am still falling short and in need of a Savior.

Day 35 “What does it have to do with me, this private dinner in a rented room? What does it have to do with me, this basin unused with proud men at the table? What does it have to do with me, this dark garden echoing with painful prayer? What does it have to do with me, these three asleep, with a friend in torment? What does it have to do with me, this kiss of death with soldiers as witnesses? What does it have to do with me, these trumped-up charges by jealous men? What does it have to do with me, this bruised and bloody back? What does it have to do with me, this crown of thorns with flowers removed? What does it have to do with me, this Roman ruler washing his hands? What does it have to do with me, this dirty bloody man nailed to a tree? What does it have to do with me, these criminal companions hung on either side? What does it have to do with me, soldiers gambling for the clothes of the accused? What does it have to do with me, sword to the side to finish him off? What does it have to do with me, this scarred corpse placed in a borrowed crypt? What does it have to do with me, these women surprised at the body gone? What does it have to do with me, this story so removed, so long ago? What does it have to do with me, this one wise and suffering man? What does it have to do with me, Palestine graced, hope rejected? What does it have to do with me? This story is my story, each chapter is for me. This unattractive man of humble beginning and ignominious end is the Hope fo the Universe. Mercy is what it has to do with me; it is what the sin struggle of my heart, like the heart of David, requires.”

So what does Easter have to do with me? These questions reminded me that it has everything to do with me. I need a Savior. I need to be rescued from my sin. I need what Jesus did for me on the cross. I need a Redeemer who lives.

Day 36 “And so the whole redemptive story marches toward Immanuel, the Redeemer who would destroy sin’s dominion in our hearts by making our hearts the place where he, in his power, wisdom, and glory, would dwell.”

Praise be to God for Jesus!

My personal prayer

Parents, prayer, Reflection, Volunteers No Responses »

Feb 192013

“Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 This verse has been my daily prayer for the past six weeks. Let me explain why.

Our small group started a short study in January by reading a book called My One Word by Mike Ashcraft. The book explains the process of picking “one word” to focus on for the year instead of picking new year resolutions that rarely last. The idea is to ask God to help you select a character quality that you would like to see developed more in your life and then commit to focusing on what God wants to teach you through this “one word”.

After a few weeks of making my list and narrowing it down, I selected the word “patience”. It’s a long story on what led me to this word but let me tell you it did involve a few weeks of seeing impatience in my life and relationships. I did a word search in the bible to see where this word was used and then selected Colossians 3:12 as my verse to go along with my word. And then I started praying “God clothe me with patience today as I live, work and serve. Give me patience as a mother and a wife. This is what you want for your chosen people, so please give me patience in all that I do today.”

Not even a week later, God gave me a picture that I won’t quickly forget of what it looks like to NOT be patient. I was meeting with two women about ministry stuff at Kaldi’s. I decided to get hot tea instead of my normal iced tea because it was unusually cold outside. I took off the lid and let it cool a little, then promptly put the lid back on and took a big swig. And… I burned my mouth and tongue very badly. It was so burned that I couldn’t taste food for almost a week. It was awful.

About a day later as I was praying my verse, it hit me that I wouldn’t have burnt my tongue so badly had I been “patient” and waited for the tea to cool down. But an even stronger thought came through after that. When I am impatient with people or with situations, I burn others with my tongue. It leaves a bad taste for others and it lasts much longer than the moment. Just like my taste buds were affected by my impatience, so my relationships are affected by it. This image made a memorable impact on me.

So my personal prayer for 2013 is for God to clothe me with his patience throughout my day with all people and with all situations. It’s for sure not an easy prayer to lift up but one I’m confident that God will answer as my day is filled with the unexpected and filled with people that don’t always do things the way I would.

Ironically, the next two verses in Colossians 3 are about “bearing with one another” and “putting on love” which are related to “patience” and especially to how I should deal with people. I might already have my “one word” for the next two years.

Creative Family Prayer Idea

Christmas, Family, Parents, prayer No Responses »

Feb 052013

I was talking with my friend, Tammy Bukowski, recently and she was sharing about a prayer idea she and her husband, Brock, were doing with their kids. I asked her if I could share it with you. This is in her own words:

This year our family started a new tradition. We received many Christmas cards this year celebrating Jesus and family. Generally I look at each card, marvel at how the children in each family have grown and then add it to the card pile that will be moved from space to space until it reaches a drawer for the year.

This year I wanted to try something different. As each new card came in, I added it to an O ring. After Christmas, instead of retiring the pile to a drawer, we began to get the stack out a dinner and talking about a family. That family became our prayer family for the day.

Many times the kids do not know the family that we are praying for. When that happens, the person with the connection to the family shares what they know about the family. This has brought about many opportunities to talk about different family dynamics. As a family we have prayed for non-Christians to know Jesus, the blessing of adoption, new friendships, old friendships, that families will grow in their love of Christ, and new birth. A politician, Veritas leaders, old preschool buddies, and out of town family promise to be the focus of our discussions next week.

I love to see Christ working through my children’s hearts as they step outside of themselves and excitedly ask who the prayer family of the day is. Bowing our heads together as a family to lift up others, pray for their needs, celebrate their successes brings us closer to Christ. It is so easy to become wrapped up in ourselves and what we have going on. This is one way our family uses to step outside of that.

Some Interesting Reads

Family, Parents No Responses »

Jan 292013

I thought I would share a few recent blog posts and articles I’ve read that might be interesting to you as a parent.

A Week at a Time was posted on the Orange Parents blog recently. Wow, this one hit me close to my heart since I have one that is only 17 weeks away from week 936. I’m one of those older parents telling the mom at home with young children that it goes way too fast and to enjoy those little ones while you can. I have three others at around week 572, somewhere in the 600′s and around 858. I’d probably add one that says “hugs you all the time because they want to” between week 30 and 60.

Of course, then I read this post on Girltalk blog called Just Choose One and How do you focus on One Thing? and remember well the years where every day was spent training a child and responding to an issue at hand. And I thought “Will this child ever be potty trained?” or “Will this child ever come to me when I ask?”.

Another one of my favorite blogs right now is by Tim Elmore called Growing Leaders. He recently wrote four blogs on teaching kids to value work (part 1 part 2, part 3, part 4). Keith and I have been discussing how we will approach this with our now 13 and 10 year old boys. We feel like we had some success in this area with our 17 year old but each child is different.

As we are preparing for our upcoming Legacy Parent Lunch on February 10, Keith and I have been discussing how so much of what we want for our children when they are older is built upon what we teach them when they are young. Each year and each lesson builds on the next. I read a blog a few weeks ago called How is Obedience a Gateway to Understanding the Gospel? that shares how training comes before teaching.

Okay, let’s end on something fun. I found this Minute to Win It game yesterday while planning for my 5th grader’s last Valentine’s Day party at school. I think it would be a fun family night game to play together (especially if you like candy) but also for those of you who are looking for a last minute party idea.

God’s Word is Alive and Active

Devotional, Parents, Reflection No Responses »

Jan 152013

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

I have found that when I read God’s word and meet with him each morning that I am amazed with the specific, pointed ways the word of God speaks directly to my life and my situations. Here is a recent personal example:

I come into the kitchen to make breakfast for my two youngest and my teenage daughter is sitting at the counter. I notice that she has made eggs for herself but hasn’t rinsed out the pan so they are slowly crusting over. I remind her that it would be helpful if she could rinse out the pan so that when someone else need it, it is easier to clean. When she walks away I notice that she doesn’t rinse out her dishes either. So right before she walks out the door, I say (she would say I yelled), “Could you please rinse out all your dishes when you are finished?” An argument ensues to the point where she is walking out the door and I’m slamming it behind her. I think to myself, “Nice way to send your daughter off for her day.”

My morning routine continues as I take my 7th grader to school, then come home to read my bible before I take my youngest to school. So then, this is what God has for me as I open my Praying the Bible for your Children:

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1

Heavenly Father,

How easy it is for parents to become clanging cymbals in the ears of their kids! I feel that I love my children so much it breaks my heart some days. But You remind me that love is more than emotion. It’s possible for me to discipline, to teach, and even to provide – all without love. Guilty!

Today I pray that none of my efforts will be wasted because every aspect of my parenting is backed up by the true qualities of love:

When I feel tense and short-tempered, help me to take a deep breath and remember that love is patient (v. 4). Guilty again!

When I am wrapped up in my own to-do lists, remind me to take time to pay attention and be kind to my children (v. 4). Ouch!

When I am tempted to compare my kids with other people’s kids, help me to remember that genuine love doesn’t express itself through envying – or boasting, either (v. 4).

When i discipline or reprimand my kids, help me to check my tone of voice and my expression, remembering that love is not rude (v. 5). The sword goes deeper!

When my kids argue, beg or whine, remind me that love is always slow to anger (v. 5). And penetrates within!

When I’m at my wit’s end and tempted to give my kids a quick rundown of all the things they’ve done wrong the past few days to bring me to this point, remind me that love doesn’t keep a record of wrongs (v. 5). Right at my heart!

This devotion continues but at this point I’m on my hands and knees confessing my selfishness and lack of patience with my daughter. The word of God is alive and active right then. It pierces sharp into my heart and judges my thoughts and attitudes.God knew what I needed to hear that morning.

This is not the only time this has happened to me. It happens a lot. When I read God’s word, I find that it applies to all of my life. Sometimes immediately and sometimes it is just storing up for a day when it will be very timely. And as a parent, I have found that God’s word is almost always relevant to some situation in my day.

May you find that God’s word is alive and active in your life this year!

Love Shared Across the Miles

Pistis Partnership No Responses »

Jan 022013

Crossing Kids began a partnership in 2007 with Pistis School to help educate the children of students working on ministry and theology degrees at a seminary in Nairobi, Kenya.

Our goal with this partnership is to help children in Crossing Kids learn that their giving and serving can be a part of what God is doing in the world. You can read more about our partnership here and here.

Each week we collect an offering in our Preschool and Elementary Large Group times. I am excited to announce that in 2012, children in Crossing Kids have given approximately $541 towards this partnership. This money allows Pistis to continue to purchase curriculum and supplies that they need to help the school operate.

Another special way we have helped children learn about this partnership is through writing letters and cards back and forth. We just received several letters and I thought I would share a few with you.

We also received a short update from the Byerly family in November that included some pictures of a recent program the Pistis kids participated in.

Last Friday, the students presented their talents in the chapel. I think all of the parents were choked up, as several students stood before the crowd to give their testimonies and talk about their emotional, physical and spiritual journeys of growth. Some of the kids have really been through some significant traumas, so we were all so proud of them as they spoke their stories. We also had some truly fantastic pianists, guitarists and singers, as well as artists and public speakers. I never would have imagined these kids growing up to be such leaders so soon. They speak with confidence and courage, and help one another along. A real blessing for me to be a part of.

This next Sunday, January 6, K-4th graders will get a chance to read more of these letters as they talk about how the wise men traveled over many miles to show their love for Jesus by bringing him gifts. They will also make giving banks to take home and begin their collection for Pistis School in 2013.

Join with us as we pray for our friends in Kenya. May God bless them in 2013!

Giving Good Gifts

Christmas, Family, Parents, Reflection No Responses »

Dec 182012

If a child asks his parents for a fish, will they give him a snake? Of course not! If people, who are not perfect, know how to give good gifts to their children, won’t God, who is perfect, do a much better job of giving good gifts to his children when they ask him? Matthew 7:10-11

This is a funny time of year as a parent. We ask our children what they want for Christmas and we do whatever we can to get them what they want. Well, everything within a reasonable price range, right? This year, when I asked, I didn’t get very many ideas from my four children. I was actually a little shocked and puzzled. What do I get for them if they don’t have anything they want?

This started me down a two week process of trying to discover how to give gifts to my children that will last and will be meaningful to them. And to help me have a proper perspective on the giving of gifts. I’ve been searching for ideas from people and other resources. I wanted to share a few things that I have found helpful.

The Gift of Simplicity and Giving to Others

One friend offered up this idea she found on a blog that she is trying with her children this year. She asked them to give her an idea for these four areas: something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read. And basically those four gifts are all they will be getting under the tree. Her reasoning is to simplify not only what she buys but also help her children focus on more than what they will get for Christmas. And the rest of the money she would normally spend on gifts, she would offer to each child to give away to someone else in need. The catch is they get to help pick how that money is spent or given. So instead of the decision being in her hands, they get to think, pray and decide on where that amount of money will go.

A Gift to Remind us of the True Gift

Another idea I ran across came from an old devotional I had from Group Publishing called Family-Time Devotions. You start by placing a wrapped gift on the dinner table (can be anything that you have already purchased for someone in the family). Pass the gift around the table and encourage each family member to guess what’s inside and explain why that’s the object guessed. Then say, I wonder what is in this present? Does anyone want to open it right now and see what’s inside? (don’t open it though)

Let’s read Luke 2:15 and see what it has to do with this present. “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’” They couldn’t wait to go see the gift.

We’ll wait until Christmas Day to find out what’s inside this present, but now we know how the shepherds must have felt. They heard about this wonderful gift God had given all mankind, and it was just minutes away in Bethlehem. They wanted to go see for themselves!

Ask: If you’d gone with the shepherds, what do you think you’d have seen? Why do you think Jesus was the most special gift?

The Gift of Time Out

Most children understand the concept of “time out”. So create your own personal “time out corner” this week before Christmas. Choose a sunny window seat, a large closet, or anyplace that affords a little quiet. Put yourself in “time out”, take along a Christmas card with a beautiful nativity scene, a special Christmas poem, your journal, your Bible, some music, etc. Quiet your heart and ponder the message of Christmas. Invite your children to find their own “time out” place to think about the wonderful gift God has given us at Christmas. It’s amazing what 5 or 10 minutes of quiet reflecting can bring out of your children. (This idea is from an advent calendar called Making Christmas Meaningful)

“God loved us all so much

He gave us His only Son to save us.

The angels sang,

The shepherds saw,

The wise men came to bow.

God knew everything we needed.

So He gave us Jesus,

The greatest gift in all the world,

Is with us now.”

-The Greatest Gift

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