I got my home studio back in 2013 when I came out with my first music album “Kanden”. After releasing “Kanden”, I did a couple of more songs, all with the help of my home studio. And then, for a few years it lay dormant. One day I went to my studio to record a simple song and realized that something was wrong with the ‘settings’. I sat there for hours trying to figure things out. I asked Jeev to help me and he did everything that he knew. Uninstalled the software…reinstalled it, searched YT to trouble shoot it…we practically did everything we knew. But it still didn’t seem right to me.

For almost 4-5 years we couldn’t use it!!!! And then when I started working on “Vanandira Padhaiyil” I realized that it was something UNBELIEVABLY small. I mean I couldn’t believe that something so so so small could hamper the ability for the system to be running as it should.

What I’m about to share with you today is possibly basic. Very very very basic! But nevertheless it was a groundbreaking revelation to me personally. So I thought I’d share with you as well. Hope this opens your eyes, as it did mine. 🙂

One thing that I’m constantly doing is watching and talking to my friends who are senior moms to learn how they teach their kids faith, values and character. In the world that is getting increasingly ungodly by the second, it becomes the responsibility of parents to guard and guide their young ones’ minds no matter how old they are!!

A couple of weeks ago I asked my friend Kelly at my workplace, for some simple nuggets. She simply replied, “Varna, a lot of talking…I mean…. a lottt of talking.”

I started to chew on what she said.

The need for simple faith- based conversations at home:

“We have heard with our ears, O God, Our fathers have told us,

The deeds You did in their days, In days of old:” Psalm 44:1

I got married in 2007 and moved to the US in 2007. Ever since 2010, my in-laws visit us every other Summer. That has given me so many opportunities to have meaningful conversations with my Mother-in-law. If I said that her conversations with me, has shaped me as a woman, I won’t be overstating! Sometimes, it may seem boring… but when I step back and ‘see’ the impact those conversations have had on my own heart, it is enormous!

She has taught me invaluable lessons which will remain with me for the rest of my life, and ALL of it was through simple conversations!!!

My MIL who has gone through extremely hard times in her life, often shares her own experiences with us (with me and my Sister-in-law / co-sister) and how God was FAITHFUL to bring her through it ALL. To me, her sheer resilience to withstand all the storms she faced, is inspiring to say the least! It has absolutely had a HUGE impact on me as a woman. All because she simply took the time to “talk” to me. It’s such a simple basic truth, but so often overlooked!! Having simple meaningful conversations with our children and loved ones is KEY to shaping their ‘thought processes’ for life!!!

In the story of Martha and Mary where Jesus reprimanded Martha for being overly busy with serving, we normally look at it in the sense that we need to spend time “listening” to Jesus. That is a 100 percent undeniable. We must ‘listen’ to our Lord! But we can also look at it this way!!

What was it that Jesus was doing? He was simply having a “conversation” with his disciples. He was “shaping” them by “talking to” them. As parents, Christ is our pattern. We imitate him. And, here’s what Jesus said:

“few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42

Key line:

“It will not be taken away from her”

That’s the incredible truth about simple conversations! Whatever seed is planted, CANNOT be taken away. It’s there buried deep within the mind of the child. We may not know “How” and we may not know “When”, but it is sure to sprout at some point bearing a 30, 60 or 100 fold fruit!

“Teach them (Gods laws) to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 11:19

Parents, initiate conversations with your kiddos. You will be blown away by the questions that may come your way, and better still the wisdom that will be given to you at that very moment to steer your children in the path of LIFE!! God is faithful! Always…always … faithful to guide parents!!!

Wishing everyone a Blessed 2023!! 🎊🎊🎉