What is the most important thing to do as a parent?
Do you know what the top three principles of real estate investment are? Location, location, location. My wife and I have 4 kids. Younger parents have asked, what we consider the most essential principles of parenting. Here they are -- in order: pray, pray, pray. Whether you have one child or fifteen, the job of raising kids to become godly adults takes more than we as humans can do. Let's face it, we make too many mistakes. We need the power of God, the creator of our kids for wisdom, love and courage we so desperately need. Set aside time to pray for your kids today. I’ve never heard parents complaining they prayed too much for their kids, but many wished they'd prayed more.
I hate snow, why can’t we live in Hawaii?
If you live in areas where this time of year is uncomfortable for the cold-blooded, you’ve probably heard something similar from your kids. Here are some suggestions. First, tell them even the cold is God’s creation. Point out the snow is actually a picture of salvation. Before the snow falls, the ground is brown and ugly. But the covering of snow makes everything beautiful, just like Jesus’ blood does for us when He saves us. Then remind them how good it feels to experience that first warm day of Spring. It would be so memorable if it wasn’t for the cold. And, it could always be worse. Yakutsk, Russia’s average high temp in January? -37 degrees.
New Year’s resolutions – do you make them?
New Years is just a few days away. Have you been thinking about making a New Year’s resolution? I have to admit, while I don’t usually say them out loud, I do make them. Usually they’re things like: losing a few pounds, spending more time in God’s Word, or wanting to spend more time with the family. But, the reality is I rarely see them through to the end of the year. No matter how hard I try, I typically fail in some area. But, here’s the good news – it doesn’t matter. What’s the lesson for kids? Not sure, but remind them what the Bible says about our word – “let your yes be yes and your no be no.” In other words, your word is important. This kind of integrity can lead others to Christ.
Proactive Christmas vacation for the kids
The time after Christmas can be depressing. We get all geared up for the holiday, then “boom” it’s done and then we wait for the ball to drop so we can start the new year. For kids this can be a time of frustration – almost like the holiday sugar hang-over. They many not even know what’s causing it. Gift envy can create jealousy, frustration and all-out conflict with brothers and sisters. What do we do? Be proactive about the Christmas vacation. Give your kids things to do like help take down the Christmas tree and put away the decorations. Give them daily chores to do before playtime. And, schedule some time together as a family just having fun. Togetherness during the holidays will be something they remember for a lifetime.
God bless us everyone
It’s Christmas. This day is FINALLY here. It’s a day everyone’s been waiting for. The kids finally get to open their presents. The family will finally be altogether. While that’s great for most families, it’s also a very difficult day for others. It’s the first holiday without a loved one. It’s a time when family ISN’T together because of a major misunderstanding. Christmas highlights the good and the bad in people. Which, to me, is amazing because that’s why Jesus was born – to bring the good to earth to die for the bad. Wherever you find yourself this year, the blessing of happiness or the frustration of disappointment, remember Jesus came to die for you and for me. That’s reason to celebrate whether you’re together or alone.