#I also might just be sleep deprived - hard to tell when you have cfs so you're just a tired person in general all the time

[little-paper-man]

눈_눈 siiiiiiigh I wanna finish the next chapter of Odd Moments but There's An Issue that my brain knows there's there that's funkin' with flow but unfortunately the brain Does Not Know WHERE The Issue is so it means leaving the chapter be for like a week without looking at it at all so I can look at it with fresh eyes. Is it the pacing? Is it a random sentence that doesn't make sense for the narrative? A plot hole somewhere? Fuck if i know right now

[leonvalleyarticles]

To My Fellow New Parents

My wife and I just welcomed our newest son into the world, and I couldn’t be more proud of her and her hard work and tremendous effort. God has truly blessed this unworthy man beyond anything he deserved or had any right to expect. For that I thank Him, and I thank you, my brethren, for your support and prayers during this eventful week. As many of my fellow new (and old) parents already know, it is an experience like no other. It’s amazing and wonderful and exciting and terrifying and surreal all at the same time. It’s hectic from the get-go, to be sure, but for all the crying and fussing, sleep deprivation, dirty diapers, and headaches, it is a great blessing, joy, and privilege to raise little ones. In Jacob’s words, “They are the children God has graciously given me” (Gen. 33:5). Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate (Ps. 127:3-5). As I reflect on this awesome responsibility, there’s a number of biblical texts that come to my mind that I wish to share with my fellow new parents in hopes that they will find encouragement. He that reproves a boy concerning the beginning of his way, even if he becomes old he will not turn away from it (Pro. 22:6). From day one, there will be people who’ll tell you to expect less of your children. Don’t listen to them. They mean well, of course, but your children are not their children; they are your responsibility and God has entrusted them to you. You must train them up in the way they should go–in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). There’s nothing wrong with seeking advice. Every new parent needs it, and I’ve found that, with each of my three children, people quickly line up to give me counsel about how to raise them and they attempt to set my expectations for me. Please understand–I think you know this already, but I’m going to say it anyway–please understand not everyone lining up to give advice is qualified to give it, even if they’re parents themselves. Be highly selective and discerning when implementing counsel from others and, remember, there is no Counselor like our Heavenly Father. The wisdom of His Bible is more than sufficient for all aspects of life, including rearing children. Speaking of: These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up (Deut 6:6-7). There’s enough worldly philosophy and psychobabble floating around about parenting to make one nauseous. It’s easy to get swept up in trendy nonsense like “never tell your kid ‘no’” or “love your kids enough not to spank them” or “just let them find their own way”. Please, make it stop. Indispensable to our success as parents is the Word of God, not the musings of Dr. Spock and his spiritual successors. On this point we should remind ourselves that teaching our children to love and obey God is futile unless we love and obey God ourselves. Notice, “these words shall be on your heart” is followed by the command to teach our children. Take for example Abraham who was chosen by God to, well, just look at the verse: “For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just..." (Gen. 18:19). God entrusts your children to your specific care. He wants you to know that kind, firm correction will train your children to obey Him. Theories on "correct" discipline change every few years - the Bible never changes. If children do not obey, they must receive correction. The Bible teaches this should be done by using a rod of correction. "The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother" (Pro. 29:15). Often parents (myself included) become weary disciplining young children. It can seem at times a typical day consists of constant scolding and correction. Parents wonder if they have ruined every chance to enjoy a loving relationship with their children (that’s worldly philosophy butting in). We may be tempted to give up, throw in the towel and say, "Only God knows what to do with this child." It’s at times like these we need to preach to ourselves and remember that, yes, God does know what to do, and He’s revealed it in His Word, so don’t give up! Stick to His plan! Consistent, loving correction trains children in godliness. God knew Abraham would raise godly children and God blessed him. By applying God's standards, we too can receive God's blessings as parents. 3. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her... (Eph. 5:25) This might seem like a strange place to end, but it can be very easy for relationship priorities to get rearranged with the arrival of children. Children demand a lot of our time, but our love and dedication to them cannot trump our love for our spouse. This point makes a lot of folks uncomfortable; it establishes a kind of hierarchy of relationships. Bear with me. The fact is the Bible sets these relational priorities for us: “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” This is one we easily get. All of one’s heart, soul, and strength is to be committed to loving God, making Him the first priority (Matt. 22:37-38). A married man is to love his wife as Christ loved the church (Eph. 5:25), thus our spouse is second to God. Christ’s first priority—after obeying and glorifying the Father—was the church. The principle carries over for the wife as well (cf. Eph. 5:22). A woman’s husband is second only to God in her priorities (cf. 1 Cor. 7:32-33). If husbands and wives are second only to God in priority, and they are one flesh (Eph. 5:31), it stands to reason that the result of the marriage relationship—children—should be the next priority. Thank you for bearing with me. The point is we should be careful of using our children as excuses for neglecting these relationships that should take priority. Let me give you a big, fat for instance: if we find ourselves saying things like, “Well, I sure want to go to church, but my newborn was up all night and I’m super tired, so I’ll just take the day to rest” or “Ya know, I wish I could make it Wednesday night, but little Johnny’s bedtime comes awful quick”–then we’re making excuses. I use attendance examples because those are the ones I here the most. So let’s quit it. We’re choosing our children’s comfort or our own comfort over being present for worship in the assembly. Now why does that sound so terrifyingly familiar? Oh yeah, because it’s in the Bible: “Why do you kick at My sacrifice and at My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling, and honor your sons above Me?” (1 Sam. 2:30). We can make the same mistake with our spouses, neglecting them and refusing them attention by claiming our children take up too much of our time. If we treasure anything in this life, it holds a special place in our hearts, and we make time for it. Putting your spouse first does not diminish the love your children receive, it enhances it, but that’s another study for another time and I’m out of room. So fellow (new) parents, let’s challenge ourselves to do things God’s way: withstand naysayers who say our children “can’t” obey, train our children to love and obey God, and encourage each other on this great journey.