Do you suffer from SADD?

Do you suffer from SADD?
….Devastation, a dagger through the heart of a mom. The response to a simple question that knocked the wind out of me. Sitting in a meeting with a 4th grader teacher and hearing “...there is nothing more we can do for him”.

Jadon had been diagnosed with severe ADD toward the end of his 3rd grade year. 98th percentile severe; there are only 2% of boys his age with less attention. Medications did not work for him, we attempted 4 different prescriptions, with bizarre side effects. In light of this, Jadon was labeled intervention resistant, and the teacher's proclamation translated to me “...there is no hope for your son”. I withdrew Jadon from school and am currently homeschooling. I have found creative ways to keep his attention. that have been successful. I have eliminated distractions, created a quiet, calm atmosphere, and I have to remain close as he is doing his work in order to remind him to focus. We have good days, and some not so good days, but we have both adapted quite well.

Deuteronomy 4:9
9 Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren,

One of the most dangerous weapons in satan's arsenal is distraction. Our lives are busy, and if we allow it to, “life” will choke God out. Kids, work, school, meetings, workout regimens, bill paying, grocery shopping, doctor appointments, laundry, cooking, recreation, home maintenance, relationships.....the list is endless. And you are at risk for SADD (spiritual attention deficit disorder). Self medication is not the answer. The best answer is to get to the root of the problem. Eliminate the non essential distractions of life, create quiet time and remain close to God in order to keep focus on Him.

Just like Jadon; “there is hope for you”, but you have to be intentional in creating and maintaining this atmosphere in your life.

Hold Me Daddy

In the pre-dawn hours as I am still stuck somewhere between floating in peaceful bliss, and awakening to the demands of a new day, I am jolted into reality by the sound of coffee beans being ground into a much needed fuel to jump start my morning. I then hear the familiar sound of tiny feet rhythmically slapping against the tile floors. The tapping pauses and I know what the next request will be ---- “I need a boppy”. For those of you that are not fluent in Aubry-nese that is what he calls his sippy cup. I lay still in bed listening to the exchange between Father and Son, anticipating what the dialogue will be. With boppy and silky (his blanket) in tow, Aubry will grab his Dad's hand and guide him to his chair, saying “Sit down Daddy, hold me”. Scott will sit down, and Aubry will climb into his lap, clutching “boppy”, in the same manner I will be clutching a coffee mug in a few minutes. He will fully recline into Dad's chest and snuggle into the most comfortable position possible. As I stumble out of the bedroom I see both Father and Son with looks of complete contentment, just enjoying that moment together.

Many of us have forgotten that God is our Father. Not a father with imperfections, and flaws, but a perfect Father. He desires to spend time with us, but “religion” has depicted God as sitting on a throne, waiting for us to mess up so he can hurl lightening bolts down at us. If your Dad was non existent in your life, or worse yet, your Dad was abusive, then your view of fatherhood is probably skewed. Even if you had a great Dad, you are still seeing a Dad with flaws, and imperfections. We serve a God that is our Father; a perfect Father, and he wants to spend time with us just being with Him, not “doing” anything. Do not confuse doing with being. We were created to be human beings, not human doings.

John 15:7If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
Romans 8:15For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

The word Abba is much deeper than Father, the word Abba is a very intimate word, that is translated Daddy. God has a deep love for us, and a desire for us to abide in Him. Going to church, and serving is great and is required in scripture, but it is no replacement for quiet time with the Father. It is in these intimate moments that we learn about His character and we build a trust relationship. These are the times that we need to be enjoying with our heavenly Father.

So at the onset of each new day, grab Abba Father by the hand, climb up in His arms and just sit quietly with Him for a while.