Ginger Plowman Conference

(Please click on the Title to link to Ginger Plowman website...great resources for Moms!)

This past weekend I had a wonderful time attending a conference taught by Ginger Plowman. She has written a couple books titled "Don't Make Me Count to Three" and "Heaven At Home".
I was able to go with a friend of mine and a few other ladies from our church attended as well.
It was such a good time of gathering with friends! I think we all received once again, much needed Godly encouragement on parenting our children for the Lord.

Though the teaching in our church for parents is excellent...Ginger's teaching was also very good, very practical, full of scripture, and she shared numerous examples of how to implement God's Word into our parenting, especially in every day circumstances. I was aware of areas in my life and my kids lives where there have been evidences of His grace, and yes, I was aware of areas I needed to grow in.

I was however, very spurred on to grow in the area of using scripture throughout the day with my kids. Not in preaching to them but in a teaching way.
For the past year or so, my heart has been yearning for more of God's Word to penetrate my heart more deeply, more intimately, and to really make it more a part of my everyday life and my kids lives.

I was convicted to begin thinking more wisely about the hearts of my children...drawing them out even more...asking those probing questions consistently. Using a specific verse or verses to aid in asking those questions. To help them learn how to evaluate their own hearts not always giving them the answer (biblical answer). For example, I chose to use one of Ginger's tools the other day, in asking probing questions of one of my kids. It matched one of Ginger's examples to the T, so I decided to do what she did. It goes like this...

I'm in the kitchen cooking lunch...when all of the sudden...piercing screams come running down the hall. Of coarse I don't panic because this can be a frequent happening in our house. So I calmly walk down the hall to where the screams are somewhat fading. As I look at one child I say to him calmly, "Son, are you having fun?"
His answer, "U huh."
Then I look at our daughter then back to my son, "Do you think she is having fun with you?" Answer, "Uh-huh".

Really??
As I look at him I am thinking, OK, these questions are not working well. So I try again.

"Son, what is she doing, Laughing or Crying?" Answer, "Crying and Screaming"
"That's right she is crying and screaming."

"Now, do you think she is having fun?" Answer (said with sad eyes), "No Ma'am". " Well, God says in His Word in Proverbs 6 "One of the seven things God hates is one who stirs up trouble. God gives joy to those who promote peace. OK?" Yes, Ma'am"
So how can you show kindness toward your sister and play with her peacefully?"
Answer,"Asking her to forgive me?" "That is one way start."
Then we talked a little more. Normally I would correct or discipline for this kind of situation, but not necessarily draw them out that in depth.

Yet, he was then able to understand, "my sister really isn't having fun, I am delighting in annoying her, and I am not being kind to her."
After that it was like a light bulb that went on for both of us. It really helped us both to think through what he was doing, was it pleasing and obedient to the Lord, and to learn a new way to promote peace.
For me, using this tool of asking questions was helpful in that I did not just give the answer of what is right or wrong like, "You may not chase your sister-that is sinful and unkind" but rather helping my child to think through biblically and "taking off sin" and "putting on righteousness". I was very excited to actually practice this.
Sometimes it can be so easy to quickly go through the motions of correcting, even if I am doing it with the right heart attitude, that I don't see the opportunity to embrace the moment or opportunity to draw them out even more/show them more in depth God's Word.

I know Mom's, who are wiser than I, have already grasped hold of this. How I seek to learn from you!!

This conference was such a great reminder to persevere in teaching my kids more of scripture and teaching them that "All of scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. That the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16, 17