Seriously? Where’s The Manual?!?

You know.  THE manual.  The book with all the answers on how to raise your kids. Raise your hand if you’ve joked that it is preposterous that the hospital checks you out with your newborn but neglects to include the owner’s guide!

Really. Because even my new blender with one simple on and off switch came with a 12-page instruction guide.

Rarely a day goes by that I don’t hear some version of the comment ‘I don’t know how you do it with so many kids.’ For the record, I don’t believe four is so many children. You know, compared to the Duggers.  I do acknowledge, however, that four Littles may be a slightly larger number than average.  But, it’s all I know.  So I deal.

And here’s how I do it — I have the manual.

Say The Manual 5 times, fast!

The Manual

tha Manual

thammanuel

ammanuel

Immanuel

And there you have it folks.  Immanuel.

The combination of two Hebrew words El – meaning God and Immanu – meaning with us, Immanuel literally means God with us.

The Bible is God’s living word.  Even 2,000 years after He sent His Son Jesus to live with us, God’s word is alive and true.  The Bible is the ultimate instruction manual.  Not just for parenting, but for every aspect of our lives.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll share some very real life experiences and how I turn to scripture and prayer to guide me.  Wondering if a book as old as the Bible can really be relevant in your life today? Here are just a few of the upcoming posts in which I lean on God’s truth to show me the way:

This job would be great if it weren’t for the kids

I’d lose weight if I’d quit eating my words

It’s easier to have 8 children in the house than 4 (and other ridiculous theories)

I hope you’ll join me as we explore The Living Word together.  Be sure to subscribe to the blog so you won’t miss a post! And follow me on twitter.  And if there is a particular parenting issue you are struggling with right now, let me know so I can include it in our series.  Whatever the issue is you are not alone.

Thanks for joining me…I’ll be back soon. Promise.

Oh and the picture up top is actually a photo of my Bible cover.  I get so many comments on it I’ve actually saved the tag so I can tell friends where they can get one too.  You can choose from several Bible covers at Threads of Hope.  Handmade by women in Peru, the proceeds help these crafters towards their greatest needs – caring for their children in the areas of housing, education, and healthcare.  Sound familiar?

And the second photo is my Bible opened to Matthew 1: 23

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son,

and they will call him Immanuel” – which means, “God with us.”

Blessings,

Kristin