Wednesday, March 26, 2014

WOYWW: Teach Your Children

Here is my desk this morning.
On the WOYWW stand is a postcard for
Art in the Park,
which I joined last Sunday.

Here is my part of the "Sheer Joy" booth
of the annual Art Fair.
I was quite happy selling my canvases 
and prints, and talking to a lot of people,
encouraging them not to give up painting!

 Today my reading was from the 
4th Chapter of Deuteronomy.
"Take care and be earnestly on your guard
not to forget the things which 
your own eyes have seen,
nor let them slip from your memory
as long as you live,
but teach them to your children
and to your children's children."

 Whether we intend to or not,
we will teach our children
our values, priorities, attitudes, work ethic,
the way we treat others, the way we handle money, etc.
So it's a good thing to be
intentional and purposeful about it.

It is 40 days since my mom 
left us to transfer to our Father's home
in heaven, and I remember 
the unique way she brought us up.

This will seem extreme and absurd to most of you,
but it was a rule in our home to have a chaperone
when we went out on dates.
I have 3 sisters and once, none of them
wanted to come out with me.
So I brought my dad!
I found it hilarious,
and my date said,
"Why did you do this to me?!!!"

I got married at 37 years old.
We had a double wedding with my sister Meldy,
after our double dates with our spouses to be!
What I got from this was that
we were precious, and my parents
wanted to take care of us very well.
My mother actually told Meldy's husband-to-be,
"Don't go after Meldy if you like
a girl who has been around."
And he stuck around even if he thought
it was so archaic to be chaperoned!
Meldy and I got the very best husbands!
And so did my sister Peggy,
who was chaperoned even after she was widowed!

 "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your Word." 
Luke 1:38

How could Mary, 
after receiving the most mind boggling,
shocking news that her life was 
going to be turned upside down,
be so calm and unruffled?

I've never experienced anything 
half as earth shaking, and yet many times
I have been anxious and filled with questions.

JC Ryle writes-
"Faith never rests so calmly and peacefully
as when it lays its head on the pillow of
God's omnipotence."

 I guess we may be anxious sometimes 
about the way we are bringing up our children
After all, there are so many factors to consider.
We may be intentional and purposeful,
and do the very best we can,
and still something goes wrong!

Like Mary, we need to really trust in God.
That after we pray and study His Word
and obey what He says in it, 
the very best we can do
is leave it to Him.
After all He promised that
He would finish the work He has started
in each and every one of us!
(Philippians 1:6)




Blessings!
Patsy



25 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:14 AM

    That is a great promise...that He will complete His work in us. Thanks for sharing and linking up for Testimony Tuesday!

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  2. Beautiful post! It;s a blessing to visit your desk.
    thanks for sharing.
    robyn 6

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  3. I so enjoy your art work. Thank you for sharing.
    April #14

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  4. Beautiful post Peggy and thanks so very much for sharing it, love the images, happy WOYWW, Shaz in Oz.x #15

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  5. A very thought provoking post. Well done on top spot this week, and loved the photo of the Sheer Joy booth... Helen 11

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  6. What a great time you must have had at Art in the Park, sharing your art and what a ,overly idea for your Dad to act as chaperone all those years ago.
    Ann B
    31

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  7. Looks like you had a great time at the Art in the park.
    Happy WOYWW
    Sandy #25

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  8. What a lovely blog post... I love how much your parents cared for you and that you are happy in marriage and your art work is amazing and how lucky the people were to be able to buy your artwork
    Jackie 24

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  9. Oh Patsy, you look as if you were really enjoying having a stand at the Art Fair - how lovely to be able to browse and buy your art!

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  10. Great workspace thanks for sharing xx Jan (64)

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  11. your art work is so lovely, thank you for sharing with me
    Toni #57

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  12. Anonymous7:15 PM

    Lovely as ever. I wish we had a good art fair round here - or maybe I don't! I can feel the pennies flying away even thinking about it :)

    Happy WOYWW!

    Mary Anne (22)

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  13. Love that beautiful handmaid - what an inspiration! Happy WOYWW! Sandy Leigh #66

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  14. Gorgeous paintings!! Awesome that you sold some at an art fair too!!
    xxDaniella#2

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  15. As always a lovely and inspiring post.
    Happy WOYWW!
    Tertia #67

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  16. Happy WOYWW... Love your desk full of artsy stuff. I have just started doing an art journal, my first one and I am enjoying it. TFS!
    hugs, Kimmer #91... last , but not least AGAIN.. LOL

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  17. Oh Patsy - I LOVED YOUR STORY!!! It is unusual, but it's so beautiful to see how seriously your parents took the Lord's instruction to raise our children in the ways of the Lord and to PROTECT them. I am always so inspired by you, your testimony and your art.

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  18. Patsy, like always a beautiful post, I really love your art and your story, gosh now that is being strict. This goes to show how much they loved you all. I thought I left a comment here last night but can't see it. Sorry I am getting back to you so late, work got in the way.

    Happy WOYWW
    Eliza & Yoda 19
    Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment.

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  19. beautiful post my friend. God bless and Thank you for sharing your lovely blog at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop xo

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  20. Love this so much...thanks for sharing on the Thursday Blog Hop...Blessings!

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  21. Great post. Thank you for sharing your story. Reminded me of a documentary I saw this past week on purity ceremonies where the father/ daughter relationship was the key focus. Very cool! Creative Blessings! Kelly # 77

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  22. Patsy,
    I find your cards to be tender hearted and so maternal. I love that you were chaperoned. 40 days, it seems just like last week sometimes. Thank you for joining us this week at Word Art Wednesday. Blessings, Carole

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  23. Wow! You are a very talented artist...thanks for sharing..

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  24. Beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing with TWW.
    Blessings.

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  25. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing not only your art but your heart with us at Word Art Wednesday!

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I am so glad you dropped by! You are a blessing!
:^) Patsy