Psalm 32

“E ven though it’s been over 30 years ago, I’ll never forget the week when I saw God in the most tender and pleasant light, I believe I’ve ever seen him in in my life. My second daughter, Courtney, must have been in second or third grade and came home in tears over a math test that she was having difficulty with in school. Apparently, the teacher had insisted that each student had to complete 30 math problems in a minute or two, in order to go on to the next level in math. The hands of the timer moved too swiftly for her young mind to capture the answers. I recalled all the times I had struggled in school with testing and came to Courtney’s side with as much daddy love as I could give her. She let me sit next to her on her bed and go over the problems again, and again, and again, so she could roll them off her tongue in a breath.

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Some moments happen even if you didn’t plan for them, but many more moments and memories can be created with a little more intentionality and consistency. Here are 44 ideas I put together as a resource for our Heart of Mom Gathering events.

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as we parent, there are many things we want to hold tight to and not let go of when it comes to raising our kids. It’s easy to get caught up in caring for our children by always helping and holding on, but sometimes what our kids need is a chance to try and fail and feel some freedom. What are the things that are safe to let go? What are the thing you shouldn’t let go of as a parent? Here are 48 ideas for “letting go” and 12 things you should never let go. I put these together as a resource for our Heart of Mom Gathering events and want to share them with you here as well.

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 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise),  so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6: 1-3)

 

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Folks, it’s Christmastime again! Christmas means celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s also a time of renewed hope for a spiritual rebirth for those we love who do not yet know Him as their personal Savior. It’s a time when even the secular media are full of songs like “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!” It’s, likewise, a time when even folks who rarely darken the door of a church are more willing to attend.

Maybe you have loved ones you’ve been praying for and have been trying to show the love of Christ for years. And maybe their continual rejection of Him has you discouraged and wondering if you should even try to interest them in the gospel story again this year.

If that’s your situation—and I believe it is for many of you reading this—I have a two-word message for you: Perseverance pays.

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For the Kanakuk Christmas Party last week, I wrote a “last minute” poem that I think will perhaps make you chuckle a bit and maybe even shed a tear. Feel free to watch the video below and read it with your family. I think the family discussion could bring some focus back to the CHRIST of Christmas.

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Each month as I write, I think of your children and how we can partner to raise Godly kids. This month, I am writing very personally from my heart to yours. This is a “parent to parent” letter. I hope and pray that it will touch your heart in a significant way.

 

In recent months, I’ve written about life’s tough times. I’ve said that God is always there, even in the midst of our trials, and that He can bring good out of even the worst of them. But, what if there are other people involved – people who caused our pain and heartache? Then, for the sake of all, and most especially ourselves, we need to learn to forgive. We simply will have no peace and healing until we do.

Let me tell you about a time when I had to forgive a terrible wound.

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I’ve pondered long over this month’s letter and offer it with much empathy and sensitivity due to the fragile nature of its content. Suffering with a hurting child is probably the most difficult task in parenting. I can’t think of anything that is more emotionally consuming and heart wrenching than walking alongside a child who is reeling from emotional or spiritual pain.

 

 

Medical issues, friendship difficulties, cultural issues, indescribable social pressures with the recently added electronic and social media barrage lead this youth culture, I am discovering more and more each year, into more anxiety, hurt and suicidal thoughts than I’ve witnessed in 45 years of adolescent counseling.

All is to say, “Growing up can be a painful experience!”

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