1 + 1 = 1...or Jack + Jenny = Sophia

It's amazing how God has opened up my mind to different things now that He has blessed Jen & I with Sophia!  For instance, I've been reminded by Him that Sophia is the perfect illustration to point out Genesis 2:24 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Or, as I like to understand it 1 + 1 = 1.  If a husband and wife split than they are splitting their child in two.  Now many of you know that fact.  But, remember when there is turmoil in your relationship that there is inner turmoil in the heart of your child(ren).  For they see you fight and wonder what is wrong.  They want to experience peace and will do what it takes to find peace.  I believe that this is why some children take on the role of peace maker.  Because, if mom and dad aren't at peace than they can't have peace even if they don't fight in front of him/her.  A child can sense when mom & dad aren't happy with one another.  And the longer this goes on the worse it gets for the child.  That is part of the reason why I believe that God tells us, 

“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:26–32, ESV)

Anger alone is not a sin.  It is how we express our anger that can lead to sin.  Especially fathers need to be on constant guard regarding how they express their anger to their wife and child(ren).  We need to be men that know how to build up.  It is easy to tear someone or something down.  But, it takes skill and patience to build up someone or something.  So I would like to encourage everyone, but especially fathers, to meditate on the final verse of this passage.  This is the key to saving not just the sacred relationship of husband & wife, but to having a home of peace and a child who is at peace knowing that mother and father are united.  That mother and father are one.  And as a result, that he/she is one.

One of the ways that I do this is that I sing hymns to Sophia.  I do this especially when she is fussy at 1 A.M. and I'm tired and all I want is a quiet baby and to fall asleep or when she decides to make the changing table into a slip and slide while trying to change her diaper. -- I find that when I sing these songs to her that it often soothes her.  Even when it doesn't help her much it calms my spirit and helps me to be at peace.  The lyrics refocus me on God and not the current situation.  For if I focus on God, He reminds me that this to shall pass and that I can find joy in any situation...even a slip and slide changing table.

Mothers, Jenny takes time when she is feeding Sophia to pray to God and just spend time with Him.  It is during these times that she takes advantage of to find strength in Him.  You can do it at almost any time.  The important thing is that you do it.  When she is resting we tell one another about the time we spend with God and in so encourage one another.  These are all different ways to fill your home with the Spirit of God and the peace which He offers us.  If you and I do this, then we won't have to worry about 1 + 1 = 1/2 & 1/2