The term "first world problem" reminds me that my frustrations are such small matters in the grand scheme of life. My family has food to eat, a nice home and stability. But yet I still feel frustrated today.
It's Saturday, the day for cleaning our home. Back when I was home full time with small kids we did the cleaning together on Mondays. It was a good system because I had complete control and a low bar for how much they would help. The house got clean.
Now, I work part time and yes, I could do all the cleaning which in the short term would be easier for me. My house would get clean and I wouldn't have to fight with my family. However, I HATE the entitlement of the current generation of kids so I expect my boys to clean.
We have figured out that I become very unpleasant when delegating cleaning tasks. My husband has taken this from me. He assigns the jobs on Saturdays and boys do them. I've had to choose to let this system be the best it can be and not become a she-dragon.
Small caveat: when the house has to be clean I give myself permission to do it so I know it gets done well. Not a perfect system but it works well enough.
What's unfair is I'm the only one who cares if our house gets clean. Why is that my job? We have 2 indoor dogs. The dog hair is obvious but somehow only bugs me. Oh well.
Saturday, February 17, 2018
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Church Music
I love music. I love church. Hence, it stands to reason that I love church music.
On Wednesday nights I teach the 1st-6th graders of our church. I have a 20 minute block with the younger and then a 20 minute block with the older. My goal is to teach them to worship through music.
I teach one hymn a month and one modern song a month. The hymns come from the Hymn Treasures curriculum and I use the Getty Kids Hymnal: In Christ Alone for the second song each month.
20 minutes isn't much time, but I've found that longer than that and behavior begins to be a problem for the kids who don't love music.
Last night we wrapped up "Victory in Jesus" and "Across the Land". I love, love, love "Victory in Jesus." We actually sang it congregationally at my wedding to honor my grandparents who had passed on. I enjoyed teaching the rich lyrics to the kids. I love passing down our beautiful musical legacy to these kids. "Across the Land" is also a good song that celebrates God's creation.
Last night I let the kids play instruments as we practiced our songs. They had worked hard all month to learn these songs so it was good to let them have some fun. And, I've been fighting a cold so my throat wasn't up to a whole lot of singing with my guitar.
Next week we begin with "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us." I love Psalm 23, but I'll admit this isn't one of my favorite hymns. I actually debated whether or not to teach it. I decided to do it because of the rich, beautiful truth of God being our shepherd and we sang it in "big church" not too long ago. It may not be super fun, but it's a good song to know. That said, I decided at the end of the time, we will sing "10,000 Reasons" as a reminder of how thankful we should be for all our loving shepherd has given us.
It's tricky teaching kids these days. They want to be entertained and my own 3 boys don't love the music time. I have to remind myself that part of teaching kids is what I call the "meat and potatoes" truths of the bible. For my 20 minutes it might not all be bells and whistles and fun, but they're learning the truths that grow our faith and knowledge of who God is.
On Wednesday nights I teach the 1st-6th graders of our church. I have a 20 minute block with the younger and then a 20 minute block with the older. My goal is to teach them to worship through music.
I teach one hymn a month and one modern song a month. The hymns come from the Hymn Treasures curriculum and I use the Getty Kids Hymnal: In Christ Alone for the second song each month.
20 minutes isn't much time, but I've found that longer than that and behavior begins to be a problem for the kids who don't love music.
Last night we wrapped up "Victory in Jesus" and "Across the Land". I love, love, love "Victory in Jesus." We actually sang it congregationally at my wedding to honor my grandparents who had passed on. I enjoyed teaching the rich lyrics to the kids. I love passing down our beautiful musical legacy to these kids. "Across the Land" is also a good song that celebrates God's creation.
Last night I let the kids play instruments as we practiced our songs. They had worked hard all month to learn these songs so it was good to let them have some fun. And, I've been fighting a cold so my throat wasn't up to a whole lot of singing with my guitar.
Next week we begin with "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us." I love Psalm 23, but I'll admit this isn't one of my favorite hymns. I actually debated whether or not to teach it. I decided to do it because of the rich, beautiful truth of God being our shepherd and we sang it in "big church" not too long ago. It may not be super fun, but it's a good song to know. That said, I decided at the end of the time, we will sing "10,000 Reasons" as a reminder of how thankful we should be for all our loving shepherd has given us.
It's tricky teaching kids these days. They want to be entertained and my own 3 boys don't love the music time. I have to remind myself that part of teaching kids is what I call the "meat and potatoes" truths of the bible. For my 20 minutes it might not all be bells and whistles and fun, but they're learning the truths that grow our faith and knowledge of who God is.
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