Parenting and Religion

Taking life seriously enough to take our commision seriously, means raising our children to take the commision seriously.
Thinking about that, it amazes me how many Christian parents won’t encourage, or let their children be involved in ministering to other children.
Sure, sometimes it may be because they don’t know of an outlet for them ministerially. But most often, to my observation, fear is what keeps parents from letting thier kids minister.
Fear of having some attrocity done to their child.
Fear of them learning bad behavior from other children who may not know better.
Fear of the kids being influenced with bad language, or coarse jesting.
When you let your kids be ministers to other kids, some of that may happen. But do you know what else is more likely to happen?
The kids being ministered to will have their lives changed by being shown the love of God.
Your children will learn how to reach out to others, to people of all ages.
Your children will learn what gifts God has placed within them.
Your children will see that God uses children, as well as adults.
Your children will have a sense of purpose, knowing they are doing good for others, and being used for the glory of God.
I don’t know about you, but I refuse to let fear rule what I allow my kids to do. If God leads me there, He will protect them there.

Sometimes it seems like life can get so busy, that we forget to take time for fun. This time of year, with spring sports starting, spring cleaning, trying to get ready for summer, getting all the school work done (especially if you homeschool as I do), and just being busy with life in general, can take so much time and attention that we forget to take time with our kids and have some fun.
The moments we do take may feel rushed, like there is so much we should be doing. When attention is taken by what is pressing, it can interrupt the time we spend with family.
One way to help correct that, is to make having fun with the kids a priority. Think about how they will remember it. Think of the memories you are building for a lifetime of family bonding.
Think about the things you enjoyed with your own parents, or the things you wish they would have taken more time for.
Make a committment to keeping the fun time stress free. Keep the mood light, and the humor high.
Being together is the important thing.
When you take time to have fun with your kids, you are showing them love in ways that nothing else will.

Sickness, it’s a part of life, right?
When there seems to be no end to the sharing the sickness, spreading it around like it is the best thing going, and passing it from one family member to another, the toll it can take on the main care giver in the family is huge.
What to do?
Pray, disinfect everything, pray, bleach the toilet, pray, wash all the bedding in the house, pray, make sure there are enough puke buckets to go around, pray, wash your hands…again…pray, give medicine, pray, visit the doctor, pray, wash your hands, pray, disinfect everything again..pray, pray, pray.
That sums up my last three weeks.