God is always working

God is always working. What a comforting thought.

God isn’t a creative cosmic being that is drinking lemonade as he watches humans on earth like it was just a movie. Nope. He is working and moving on behalf of his adoptive children. We are actually assured that God works all things out for the good of those who love him. (Romans 8:28) God is engaged in circumstances on earth. He is interested. He cares. God never sleeps. Psalms 121 verses 3-4 remind me that God won’t let my foot slip because He is watching me. God is not “slumbering” or sleeping. Instead, He is watching over me. God is always working.

Either at school or at church (or maybe both), sometime in the last couple weeks Jairus has heard the phrase “God is always working.” I know that because he has repeated it at least twice in conversations with me or his daddy. (I am pretty sure he didn’t come up with that phrase on his own…he is a mimicker.) But much to our surprise, Jairus said the phase with a negative connotation. And I am 100% sure that isn’t how it was used in the context he learned it.

The best example was last Sunday morning when we were pulling into church. Jairus and Joe were talking about how the church was God’s house. As we were getting out of the car Jairus said, “Yea, but God is always working.” (negative connotation)

That is when it hit me. Jairus has grown up with Joe working from home. And as a teacher, I often do work from home as well. I couldn’t even begin to count the number of times he has heard us say “Jairus, I’m working” when he has requested a game, or a book, or to go outside, or….the list could go on and on. Not that we abuse him or he is neglected by any means. But, there are times when we can’t or don’t meet his immediate need. And what “excuse” or phrase do we use? “I’m working.” So, I figure that to Jairus, the idea of a God who is always working isn’t very appealing. I mean, who wants a God who is too busy for you? Who wants a God who has other things to do all the time?

This was just a good reminder that as parents, we have a huge impact on Jairus’ world view. How Jairus views God and his foundation of faith will be largely influenced by us. I am not afraid that we have scared him for life, or royally messed up. It was just a reminder, that is all.

And it made me thankful that we don’t have a God who is always working….that is too busy for us…that is distracted. Instead, we have a God who loves to listen to us, read books with us, spend time with us, and the list could go on and on!

Tickle button

Wednesday night I really needed to get some work done. Paying bills, balancing the check book, and school work filled my evening schedule. Jairus came into the computer room to visit with me and distract me. I took some time to tickle and wrestle with him. After about 10 minutes of laughing, I told Jairus that I had to get back to work and so “my tickle button is off.” Without missing a beat, Jairus walked up to me, gently touched my wrist like it was a button, and said “it’s back on.”

So guess what, we tickled some more. How can you say no to that?

Do that again

So, Jairus is a kid who likes repetition. If you know Jairus, you know that. Well, almost daily we end up playing some type of little verbal volley match. This morning it was kisses. As we snuggled waking up I gave him a kiss, he kissed me back, I fake kissed him and he returned it. Over and over we did this. The other night he wanted juice to drink, but it was kinda late, so I told him he could have water. He said “no juice.” I said, “no water.” “No juice” Jairus responded. “Water” “Juice” Waaattteerrr” “Juuuiiiccceee” If I whisper, he whispers. Whatever tone I use, he repeats. Jairus will do this game with me lots. It is cute and entertaining for a bit…but eventually, I tire of it. Jairus on the other hand, doesn’t. When I stop he sweetly entreats me “let’s do that again!” Oh my!

Eight

This last month Jairus and I have gone to a few basketball games at school. I could have made money on funniest home videos if I had a video camera at the middle school games a few weeks ago. Jairus enjoyed cheering for the eagles, as always. But the best part of the evening was watching Jairus’ keen sense of observation. From our front row seats (where Jairus could run around on the floor/sideline) Jairus had an eagle eye on one referee. I tell you, when the referee called a jump ball, Jairus immediately threw up his hands too. He pretended to hand kids the ball, he signaled free throws, he even ran backwards. Whatever the ref did, Jairus was just a second behind him. It was funny and surprisingly drew attention from many people in the crowd. Jairus was entertaining.

At home Jairus sometimes runs back and forth in the living room “playing” basketball. Recently he told me that he is number 8. I asked him what he means (b/c his favorite number is 3). He pointed to his back and said “here, number 8 here.” At the last game I checked, and the eagles do not have a number 8 yet…maybe in 10 or 12 years! :)

Green

If you spend much time with Jairus, you will quickly learn that green is his favorite color. It comes up with almost every conversation – from what he wears, to what he eats, to what toys he plays with and the list could go on. But what is also pretty cool is that he is curious to what YOUR favorite color is too. He will ask and more impressively, he remembers.

His teacher told me that EVERY TIME they do something with colors at school, he tells them that green is his favorite color, purple is mommy’s favorite and orange is daddy’s favorite color.

He can tell you that yellow is Mamaw’s favorite, but blue is both Papaw’s and Uncle Tony’s favorite. Actually blue is a popular favorite color. It is claimed by Deron, and a couple guys who work with Joe. Actually, Matt and Don didn’t know they needed a favorite color until Jairus was in the office and asked them. Matt had Jairus guess. Jairus correctly guessed blue. Surprised, Matt asked Jairus how he knew that. He responded, “Your shirt is blue.” Ah yes, good logic.

Tuesday will be a busy day!

It was Friday night and Jairus was told that he needed to take a bath. His response: On Tuesday... I’ll take a bath on Tuesday. Later in the evening he was instructed to pick up his toys. His response: I can pick up toys on Tuesday. A few minutes later, he was told it was time to brush his teeth and guess his response…. “on Tuesday.” Funny! We did get him to take a bath, pick up toys, and brush his teeth on Friday, but it just a bit more consuming.

So Saturday morning he started again! Anything he was asked to do, he said he would do it on Tuesday. It was so funny! At one point I said, “Oh, it is Tuesday now.” Jairus looked straight at me and answered “no its not!.” :) Oh smarty pants!

Tuesday will be a very busy, busy day!

Problem Solving

This story starts last night when Jairus and Joe returned home from Dallas. As I was helping Jairus out of the truck, I asked him where he had been all day. His response: “Playing with Mamaw.” I proceeded to ask him what they played. “I helped Mamaw play Bubbles on the computer,” he answered. Interesting. I have no idea what he is talking about, but sounds nice. Then our conversation moved on to dinner and other mundane items.

As I was checking facebook and playing Sudoku this morning (I could do that since we were home for an “ice” day), Jairus asked to play Bubbles on the computer. Since I had no idea what he was talking about, I told him “not right now.” A bit later, he asks me again. I told him that I don’t know what that was and explained that next time we see Mamaw we’ll have to ask. “Well” he says (which BTW, that is his recent favorite word and he says it like a true southerner…Weeelllllllllllll) as he trots out of the computer room. He quickly returns with his own camera and then SHOWS ME PICTURES that he took yesterday at Mamaw’s of the Bubbles game!


Now is that good problem solving or what? Unfortunately I still didn’t know what it was. Looked kinda like a tetras game. By asking Mamaw we learned that it is called Aqua Bubbles. Good news – I have now googled it! :) But now he wants to play green ovals. Looks like I have a problem to solve! :)