You Are Special In The Lord's Eyes

Mrs. Shannan Needleman
"The teacher quickly corrected the group, but with gentle encouragement reassured the group, “Don’t get discouraged, you are all special in the Lord’s eyes.” The class uses this mantra to support one another when they make mistakes, and this has even spilled over to our home.  When I asked my daughter if she had taken her laundry upstairs, after several requests, she replied, “No mom, but don’t forget I am special in the Lord’s eyes.”
I have found raising a teenager requires a healthy dose of humor.  If you are the parent of elementary aged children, keep this in mind. For those of you in the same boat as me, well you know… it’s not an easy job.  I am never cool and my jokes are never funny.  Rolling the eyes is sign language for “I don’t want to do this.” Do you want to test this theory?  Try singing a popular radio song in the car with your teenager and a group of friends. Cringe!
 
Not surprisingly, teenagers can laugh at one another and they find humor within their peer groups, but when adults are involved the patented smirk emerges.  That look when a teenager wants to giggle but chokes back the overwhelming urge.  Often I pray that God graces me with the ability to find humor in my teenager's antics and recently it was answered when my daughter shared a story from school.  She explained to me that a group of students in her science lab emphatically and confidently came up with the wrong answer to an experiment.  

The teacher quickly corrected the group, but with gentle encouragement reassured the group, “Don’t get discouraged, you are all special in the Lord’s eyes.” The class uses this mantra to support one another when they make mistakes, and this has even spilled over to our home.  When I asked my daughter if she had taken her laundry upstairs, after several requests, she replied, “No mom, but don’t forget I am special in the Lord’s eyes.”  

Despite my irritation, how could I discipline her with that response?  All I could do was scoop her up, plant a big smooch on her face and say, “Yes you are, dear!  Without a doubt, you are beyond special.”  I am reassured to know that the bible speaks of using humor as a coping technique because these days I need to laugh rather than cry!
 
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” - Ephesians 4:29
My name is Shannan Needleman. I have been a busy stay-at-home Mom for the past fourteen years. Just recently I have returned to the military, serving in the Texas State Guard, and I have returned to nursing in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Currently, I am writing a book, I lead two girl scout troops, I perform with the Southlake Community Band, and I design and maintain seven school PTO websites.  I could not achieve this hectic schedule without the loving support of my family and the guiding wisdom of my almighty Father above.
 
Our youngest daughter, Reagan Needleman, is a new student and attends the eighth grade at CDA-FM. Reagan was searching for more religious meaning in her curriculum than the public education system could offer. In her words, “I feel at home at CDA, and I know the teachers care.” Coram Deo has been a blessing to our family.
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