How a Little Engine Could, and You Can Too

Have you found yourself tackling some difficult situations in your life? I assume that since you are a human like me there are some frustrating things in your life that require hard work to overcome. Often the hardest step of overcoming a challenge is the first one–getting the right mindset about your situation. The second hardest part is being consistent! Pushing ahead, day to day, faithfully following through, knowing you will eventually get where you are hoping to be. 

Our hero of the day is the Little Engine That Could. 

His first step was his mindset. 

It was, like the man on the moon, the first step that was a great leap beyond all others. Unlike his predecessors, Little Engine tackled his challenge with hope. The biggest difference between Little Engine and every other train was this mindset. 

I think I can. 

Next, he had to follow through. Push ahead, keep going, not give up, keep on keeping on! Little Engine maintained his hopeful mindset to push over the high mountain with his heaviest load. 

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. 

Faithful follow-through is a rare quality that produces good fruit. God’s faithfulness gives us hope and security in every circumstance. He is reliable, trustworthy, consistent, and always good. His faithfulness ensures that we will see His promises fulfilled at the end of our story. 

The Bible says that our faith is a substance; it’s the steam of our engine, the proof in the pudding, the life in our work.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

That faith in the living God compels us ahead, solidifying us to follow through to completion. Faith is an important part of being faithful. We hold onto truth, setting our eyes on a goal, and press forward because we know that the outcome is worth the effort. We can press on because we believe in what we are called to do, and that even though the road is hard, the outcome is worth our effort.

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. 

As I step into homeschooling another year, I recognize my continual need for steady vision. When teaching 4 kids of different ages, interests, and needs, I can get overwhelmed with the task. It isn’t always easy. But I press ahead because I know that every little step is going to lead me to a full journey. I am not racing them to a finish line; I am guiding them to a full life, guarded by divine purpose and supported in love.

I am building a future.

That kind of work requires the right mindset, and the faithful follow-through. Without the mindset, I will give up before I see the progress. And without the follow-through, it doesn’t matter how great my ideas were, for they never grew feet to make a mark.

“Be faithful in small things, because it is in them that your strength lies.”
-Mother Teresa

Like a little engine, too small for its task, we can complete seemingly impossible tasks because of a God who is able to do beyond all that we ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20-21.)

Set your vision.

Push through.

As you push and huff and puff faithfully, enduring, you will see the other side of that mountain. 

I thought I could. I thought I could. I thought I could.

I created a vision casting worksheet to help you get a glimpse of where you are heading and how you want to get there. Check it out below!

Vision Casting Worksheet

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What Kids Learn From Reading At Every Age

Now, more than ever, research is being conducted on how much learning kids do during the ages 0-5 years. If you aren’t up on all of it, this documentary discusses it well. Reading and stories are a wonderful way to engage them from the very beginning, with the benefits changing as your child learns and grows.

Jolie has a great article about how important telling stories to your kids are. I was especially focused on her tips for creating stories on the spot since I automatically reach for the bookshelf.

Reading that post got me thinking about how my three children, all under age 5, have interacted with stories and books during this critical time for absorbing information. Reflecting back, it has been fascinating to watch and observe their experience with stories as they have aged, and in hindsight pair it with developmental milestones.

Newborns & Babies

As newborns, they are most focused on your voice, snuggling, and having you close by. They are content to listen to you talk.

Up until 6 months when most become mobile, you have their undivided attention for almost as long as you are willing to read to them - naps and eating aside. I picked any book I wanted and read as much as I wanted from it.

From 6 months to 18 months, they become more focused on motor skills. Interest in books takes on the role of “I can hold and carry this” and “let me turn the pages”. I rarely got past two pages in a book before they were up and finding a new one to carry and turn pages in. Board books and touchy-feely stories are perfect now.

Toddlers

Somewhere in the 18-24month span, my kids were willing to sit and listen again. Books needed to be short, which lots of engaging pictures, but they would listen. I found myself reading full stories out loud again, and often on repeat of 5 times in a row. In the repetition they picked up new things each time. The predictability allowed them to absorb sentence structure, new words, grasp the story’s flow, and participate with “fill in the blank” opportunities if I pretended to forget a word.

From 34-36 months we started to read longer picture books from start to finish. On almost every library visit we return home and start reading. Typically, we end up reading through all the new books that same day. 

More recently, companies like Wonderbooks and Vox Books have designed an audio version of the story that is attached directly to the book for readers who want more than mom or dad can handle on a given day. Sold exclusively to libraries, they are a welcome update to the CD/Book idea.

Preschoolers

At four years old, we started reading chapter books with pictures. It give us as parents a little more to invest into, and a new story to follow for several reading sessions. The amount of pictures in early chapter books vary, so be sure to pull it off the shelf and thumb through it first. Classics like “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and “Matilda” are great places to start.

I’ll be curious to see what happens when my oldest has learned to read on his own. He already goes to bed with the light on and a book in hand to stare at the pictures once we leave the room.

Independent Readers

I have not hit this stage with my children yet, but as an avid reader myself, I know the multitude of benefits reading has provided me. 

Vocabulary is probably the most obvious. I love the meme that says do not make fun of a person who mispronounces a word because that means they probably learned it through reading. This rings true to me more often than I’d like to admit because it means I mispronounce a lot of words.

Another benefit is using your imagination and being able to escape a situation. You can also relate to and learn from characters.

Non fiction books (fiction can too) teach you things without realizing the process is happening. Books are also great resources when you purposely want to learn about something.

Reading also helps you become a better writer as you internalize sentence structures, experience how authors weave a narrative, and understand different ways words work together.

Do You Love Books Too?

I love them so much that when I decided to pass along some tips I used while parenting three under age three for over a year, I chose the format of a book for the content. It makes a perfect gift to buy yourself or someone you love. As this reviewer states “I literally use these tips everyday. This is my new go to baby shower gift because of how helpful it is. Highly recommend!”.

Find my recently released book “15 Ways For New Moms To Manage Stress & Stay Sane: The Actually Useful New Mom Care Package” everywhere books are sold. 

I discuss 15 ways not commonly written about you can use daily to make life easier while on yourparenthood journey. Each tip will help you manage your mental stress and organize your day to make you a happier mom.

Written by a mom who had three kids under age three for over a year. Edited and influenced by first time moms who are past the first year. Made for moms who want to:

• Learn about ways to organize their day and manage their expectations.

• Discover how to tap into their local community, family, and friends for support.

• Minimize stress caused by four main money concerns by implementing provided strategies.

• Maximize their mommy/baby bond with four parenting frameworks.

Whether pregnant for the first time or home with your fifth newborn, it helps you get a handle on your stress levels, stay sane, and enjoy the everyday in every day, starting today!

Available on Amazon and for your favorite eReader.

Kelly Mager

Author Bio: Kelly enjoys most articles that depict aspects of raising children. However, she has often been disappointed in products advertised as helpful to new moms since they have rarely been helpful to her. This inspired her to connect parents with meaningful resources to make life easier, more organized, and better supported. A mother of three boys, a lover of reading, and armed with experience in operations improvement, she kicked off her mission with the publication of "15 Ways For New Moms To Manage Stress & Stay Sane: The Actually Useful New Mom Care Package". Learn more about her current projects on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Etsy at MiniMischiefManaged. 

7 Powerful Picture Books to Make Your Child Feel Loved

Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links of products I believe in. If you follow the link and make a purchase, I may get a small commission.

Story time builds deep connection with your child. Reading books together builds social, emotional and intellectual awareness. With one book you can introduce vocabulary, shape, color, and moral values. Not only does reading aloud encourage a life long love of reading (and therefore building your super genius child), you are also bonding together, relating to characters in the pages, and finding yourselves on a journey together that knits your hearts close.

Reading books together is a simple and powerful way to deepen your parent-child relationship. Letting your little ones know they are precious and loved can be as simple as a 5 minute picture book.

In no particular order, I present you with 7 powerful picture books will let your child know they are valued and utterly loved.

Jez Alborough’s Hug is probably my favorite almost wordless picture book— and definitely my kids favorite, too. With three little words, the illustrations carry this sweet story straight to your heart. A young chimpanzee sees a mama and baby elephant in a hug, and quickly realizes he wants a hug, too. The elephants help the little chimp look for a hug, finding all sorts of animal hugs. Their quest ends with a dream fulfilled in — you guessed it—a hug. Recommended ages: Baby to 5

Sam McBratney’s Guess How Much I Love You recounts an endearing conversation between Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare about how much they love one another. Tender battles of “I love you more” end with sleeping Little Nutbrown Hare feeling very loved indeed. Illustrated by Anita Jeram. Recommended ages: Baby to 5

Amelia Hepworth’s I Love You to the Moon and Back features a bear-pair day of adventures and ends with a sweet good night. This cuddly parent bear and cub are captured in truly adorable illustrations by Tim Warnes. A simple story combined with flowing rhymes make this a quick read with all the feels. Recommended ages: Baby to 5

Emily Winfield Martin’s The Wonderful Things You Will Be carries a soothing charm in both illustrations and poetry. This beautiful line at the beginning is enough to make me want to read it over and over:
When you were too small to tell me hello,
I knew you were someone I wanted to know.
Written directly to the child, this story encourages the reader to be whoever they want to become. A gentler version of All the Places You’ll Go, it’s a sweet story to help your little one dream of making their mark on the world while knowing you will always be cheering them on. Recommended ages: 2-7

Jolie Canoli’s You Are Wonderful, Marzette is a story of departure and return, ending at the certainty of unconditional love. Marzette learns that her value is not based on her performance the hard way. The villain demonstrates the futility of living to please others. Margherita Grasso’s stunning illustrations transport the reader from despair to delight as Marzette discovers that she is, and always will be, loved. Recommended ages: 3-9

Nancy Tillman’s Wherever you Are, My Love Will Find You. Nearly any Nancy Tillman book is capable of making a parent grab a box of tissues, but this book is probably my favorite. The classical yet surrealist illustrations paint whimsical images of connection. Each spread includes a child playing with an animal followed by a trail of magical light, signifying the love that will follow you on every path you take. This story reminds children that no matter where they find themselves, they can never outrun the love you have for them. Recommended ages: 3 to 9

Max Lucado’s You Are Special. Punchinello is always receiving dots, (similar to dislikes or put downs), and he feels unloved until he meets a God-like character named Eli. Eli tells him that Punchinello is special, and reveals the secret of removing the dots- they don’t stick if they don’t matter to you. A precious reminder to children to bolster themselves against criticism, and remember they are truly special. Recommended ages: 3-9

Quina Aragon’s Love Gave: A Story of God’s Greatest Gift is a Christian book with poignant portrayal of the gospel. Rommel Ruiz’s illustrations portray bondage of our wrongs with a snake-like entanglement that merges onto the cross of Jesus. The message is clear and beautiful— God’s love was so great that he paid the highest price to bring us back to him. Recommended ages: 6-12

Words of Healing

A pharmacy in Bishops Castle, England offers prescriptions on site, and the medicine seems to boost its patrons health, despite its out of the ordinary medicine. It prescribes poetry. Deborah Alma runs the “pharmacy,” as she believes poetry can help with a variety of heart and mental ailments. After listening to the troubles of her visitors, she prescribes a poem just for them. 

The idea that words can work healing is not new. Words of life spoken, repeated, sung, and believed make a big difference. In fact, it was recently discovered that words can actually change our DNA. 

Words of healing

“You are wonderful, Marzette. Absolutely wonderful.”

I recently published the book “Marzette: You are Wonderful.” The story shows the impact of listening to the songs and whispers God has for us. When God speaks, there is life, hope, rebirth, renewal, redemption, and healing.

Derek Prince wrote a book called God’s Medicine Bottle. (You can read it here.) Prince talked about how God’s word is like a medicine, referring to the passage in Proverbs 4:20-22, which says, 

My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart;
For they are life to those who find them,
And health to all their flesh.

He shared how he had a skin condition that no medication would respond to. He went to so many doctors, and finally he decided he would seek God for healing. He started reading God’s word regularly, believing, and confessing God’s goodness for him; and he was healed. 

Words that we believe have power. Words are not a spell we cast, but when we believe them, they affect our actions, thought life, our spirit, and in turn, our physical well being. 

Maybe there is an ailment that you are struggling with— a heartache or a physical pain. Find the words of life that speak to your situation, and begin rehearsing those words, and believing God’s heart for you. As we listen to what God says, and believe that it true, He builds our faith.

Jesus said “Let it be done according to your faith.” It’s not a matter of mustering up a enough faith to please God, as if we can earn the right to be healed. Rather faith is like a doorway. Our faith is an open door for God to have his way. When we have no faith, we lack the trust to let Him in. When we believe He is “the rewarder of those who seek Him,” then we are giving Him permission to do what He does— restore, refresh, and heal.

Below are some scriptures that might be helpful for you. God’s words for you are hope-filled, life-giving, and healing to your soul.

He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. Psalms 147:3

Heal me Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. Jeremiah 17:14

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Prov 3:7-8

You shall serve the Lord your God, and he will bless your bread and your water, and I will take sickness away from you. Ex. 23:25

Words: Sticks and Stones

Proverbs 18:21 

The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

This proverb is so revealing. Firstly it lets us know that our words have consequences. We can raise someone to faith, courage and hope with our words. We can also quench a spark, bring division, and sentence one another to misery with our words.

One night my husband started a game with my kids. He called one of them a name. It was a ridiculous name- “finger head.” My little boy responded back “toe eyeball!” On and on they went, calling each other silly non-sensical names and giggling at each one.

When they were through I pulled my husband aside and asked him- “why did you do that?” thinking how dare he teach my children to call each other names. His answer surprised me “so they can learn to laugh off names. They will be called all sorts of things as they grow up. They need to know to laugh it off so it won’t stick.”

Stick.

That reminds of something I’ve heard before.

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.

Many people despise this phrase. Iʻve heard long speeches condemning this phrase. They condemn the “sticks and stones” phrase for one reason only- they know that words affect us. But the whole purpose of this phrase is completely missed.

We will continually be bombarded by words throughout our life. Words of life, and words of death, written, spoken, sung and screamed. The sticks and stones mantra is there to give us the power of rejection. We can choose to take those words in and believe them, or we can choose to reject those words and hold to truth.

Sticks and stones is a childrenʻs epithet to empower them to reject lies, falsehoods, name calling, and the poison of words of death. And not only reject them, but choose to not take offense. Y

our child will be called names, and they will be told lies. Empower them with this- “I reject your names, I reject your lies, and I will not carry the offense. I will forgive you, and I will cling to what is true. Your words are death, and I will bury them here and now.” 

Iʻm not saying we need to resurrect the phrase, but we need to grab hold of this important fact- some words are not to be held onto. Sometimes we must bury them and leave no gravestone to return to. 

The only way to truly bury hurtful words spoken about or to us is to forgive. Forgiveness can be seamless or seemingly impossible, but it is a necessity that must be practiced throughout life. 

I hope you find the strength to forgive those who have spoken words of death to you. I hope you hold tight to the truths that embolden you and give you vision. May you find the power to do what Paul so simply encouraged us to do…

Reject what is evil.

Cling to what is good.