Special Poem from early Pilgrim, Anne Bradstreet

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In Reference to her Children



I had eight birds hatcht in one nest,
Four Cocks were there, and Hens the rest.
I nurst them up with pain and care,
No cost nor labour did I spare
Till at the last they felt their wing,
Mounted the Trees and learned to sing.
Chief of the Brood then took his flight
To Regions far and left me quite.
My mournful chirps I after send
Till he return, or I do end.
Leave not thy nest, thy Dame and Sire,
Fly back and sing amidst this Quire.
My second bird did take her flight
And with her mate flew out of sight.
Southward they both their course did bend,
And Seasons twain they there did spend,
Till after blown by Southern gales
They Norward steer'd with filled sails.
A prettier bird was no where seen,
Along the Beach, among the treen.
I have a third of colour white
On whom I plac'd no small delight,
Coupled with mate loving and true,
Hath also bid her Dame adieu.
And where Aurora first appears,
She now hath percht to spend her years.
One to the Academy flew
To chat among that learned crew.
Ambition moves still in his breast
That he might chant above the rest,
Striving for more than to do well,
That nightingales he might excell.
My fifth, whose down is yet scarce gone,
Is 'mongst the shrubs and bushes flown
And as his wings increase in strength
On higher boughs he'll perch at length.
My other three still with me nest
Until they're grown, then as the rest,
Or here or there, they'll take their flight,
As is ordain'd, so shall they light.
If birds could weep, then would my tears
Let others know what are my fears
Lest this my brood some harm should catch
And be surpris'd for want of watch
Whilst pecking corn and void of care
They fall un'wares in Fowler's snare;
Or whilst on trees they sit and sing
Some untoward boy at them do fling,
Or whilst allur'd with bell and glass
The net be spread and caught, alas;
Or lest by Lime-twigs they be foil'd;
Or by some greedy hawks be spoil'd.
O would, my young, ye saw my breast
And knew what thoughts there sadly rest.
Great was my pain when I you bred,
Great was my care when I you fed.
Long did I keep you soft and warm
And with my wings kept off all harm.
My cares are more, and fears, than ever,
My throbs such now as 'fore were never.
Alas, my birds, you wisdom want
Of perils you are ignorant.
Oft times in grass, on trees, in flight,
Sore accidents on you may light.
O to your safety have an eye,
So happy may you live and die.
Mean while, my days in tunes I'll spend
Till my weak lays with me shall end.
In shady woods I'll sit and sing
And things that past, to mind I'll bring.
Once young and pleasant, as are you,
But former toys (no joys) adieu!
My age I will not once lament
But sing, my time so near is spent,
And from the top bough take my flight
Into a country beyond sight
Where old ones instantly grow young
And there with seraphims set song.
No seasons cold, nor storms they see
But spring lasts to eternity.
When each of you shall in your nest
Among your young ones take your rest,
In chirping languages oft them tell
You had a Dame that lov'd you well,
That did what could be done for young
And nurst you up till you were strong
And 'fore she once would let you fly
She shew'd you joy and misery,
Taught what was good, and what was ill,
What would save life, and what would kill.
Thus gone, amongst you I may live,
And dead, yet speak and counsel give.
Farewell, my birds, farewell, adieu,
I happy am, if well with you.

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Last modified: February 26, 2002

B

I was reading this week about teenagers, since I will have some soon :), and I came across this interesting quote: "Low-control and low-acceptance parents produce teens with a variety of problems, including delinquency and chemical dependency. Parents who are high in control and low in acceptance (authoritarian parents) have children who are socially inadequate and lacking in confidence. Parents who are low in control and high in acceptance (indulgent parents) have teenagers with high impulsivity, low responsibility and low independence. Parents who are high in control and high in acceptance (strict but loving parents) have teenagers who are independent, socially responsible and confident. According to this research, the ideal family is one in which the message children receive from parents is: "We love you, but you must do as we say." ----from Reviving Ophelia by Mary Pipher.

I like the way the different parenting options or styles are described. And of course, I want to shoot for being in the category of "strict but loving parents.' For me, the issue comes down to authority. The kids need to know that they are not the boss. They need to know that mom and dad are in charge. I think each of them will try to have their own way and do their own thing if they are not 'checked' by their parents. There have to be rules. There have to be boundaries. The kids have to have responsibilities. The exact rules, boundaries and responsibilities will be different for every family, but they need to be taught consistently. For me, this has been the hardest thing about being a parent. Being consistent. I am not very good at it. But that's where God's grace comes in. I admit my weakness and fault, and move on, starting another day doing my best to be a 'good enough' parent. And, believing that God will fill in the gaps where I fall short. The parents' job is enormous emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. But we do not have to carry the load alone. I am thankful that I know that God is with me, helping me daily to do the things that I need to do. He is my strength. Daily I need to come to him and find direction and grace for my course. I know that my job is to train up my children to seek and desire Jesus. To love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. I strive (by the strength of the Holy Spirit) to teach them by example.


"We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me." Colossians 1:28-29

A

Where do you start when you tell a friend about Motherhood? I like the saying that when you give birth to a child, it is like taking your own heart and letting it walk around outside your body! Simultaneous pain and immense joy!!! This little person is part of you, but also separate from you. And you love him. Instantly. Even more than you love your self. Or your sleep. Or your latte. You can't wait to kiss his sweet cheeks. You wonder who he will be, what he will be like. You pray for him. Sing to him. Read him stories. You pour out your life so his fills up. All the things that mattered to you before start to pale in comparison to him and his life.
I think the most important principle to start with, in beginning motherhood, is that this child is a gift from God, on loan to you, for you to love, shape, nurture and point to God. Oh yes, there are many things that motherhood will require of you, but start here. God wants you to know that He loves you. And he loves this baby boy even more than you do! And He chose YOU to be his mommy. All of the characteristics and qualities and talents that he will develop will be nurtured through his relationship with you. Let him see Jesus! Consecrate your life to God each day, so that your life is an act of worship. It is a prayer that your child watches. It is a hymn that he hears. It is a lifestyle that he is immersed in from day one. I can't think of a better blessing than to have parents that love the Lord and seek Him first.

"whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" 1 Corinthians 10:31

I was struck by some good quotes from Oswald Chambers this morning: "Its one thing to go through a crisis grandly, yet quite another to go through every day glorifying God when there is no witness, no limelight, and no one paying even the remotest attention to us." And, "If you are properly devoted to the Lord Jesus, you have reached the lofty height where no one would ever notice you personally. All that is noticed is the power of God coming through you all the time."
The first quote just reminds me of the 'everyday-ness' of living the Christian life. We should be loving Him and serving Him and living for Him all day every day, even when nobody is watching. The best evidence of our faith is living this love out day to day. There are no kudos or rewards. No fanfare. No encouragement on some days. No pat on the back or 'way to go;' only the affirmation of that still, small voice, reminding us that 'this is the way.......walk in it.' Jesus is always with us, and He is noticing the small things we do because we love Him.
And the second, food for thought for those of us who struggle with our identity, comparing ourselves to others, or wanting recognition. It is a reminder that we need to become less as He becomes more. We should want to be known for the love of Christ working in our lives, not for any goodness in us or what we have done. It's all about Jesus. That kind of simplifies the issue of who we are, how we measure up to others or what kind of applause we get for our efforts. If it's all about Jesus, then all that matters is that we are found in Him, and we find ourselves and all of who we are, in Him. If it's all about Jesus, it doesn't matter if we are not as smart, organized, creative, funny, or social as the next person. We won't be comparing ourselves to those around us. We will be living for an audience of One. Only Jesus. And we will find out how He can use our strengths for His glory, and how he can work through our weaknesses so that He might show Himself strong in our lives.
It's all about Jesus.

New Pictures of Oldies but goodies!

I haven't posted pictures in a long time, so I dug some out and got going! Fun to scroll through some of the year's memories. I haven't kept up very well since my car accident in November, but thankfully I am recovering and getting back to normal! What have we been up to? Lots of wonderful things. And sometimes TOO many wonderful things! We are into year 3 of homeschooling, and enjoying all the family time and opportunities to grow and work together. We are loving our Tapestry of the Desert Co-op that we are in for our History studies. Right now we are studying the renaissance and reformation.......great stuff, and I am learning right along with the kids! Jonah and Benjamin are playing basketball this fall, and Amberly is continuing with her horseback riding adventures and is also keeping up with her dance class. Looking forward to more fun family times as the Holidays approach :)
Have a blessed November and December, friends!
Love, Jodi

More fun with the Scotts

We got to visit CA again in September for Amberly's birthday weekend. We went on a 'field trip' to LEGOLAND. Woohoo!!!

Visiting Liz and Laurie in Eastern Washington

I got to go up and visit Liz and Laurie in late August for my Birthday weekend! What a sweet time of catching up! Love these girls!!!!!!