Partners in Parenting

“The Ability to Speak the Truth!”

This past week, I had a very cool conversation with a young man I had just met. He told me that through a personal finance class, he had figured out that “you have to make a lot of money in order to ever be able to save any money.”  That jumped out at my ears since I believe that is one of the lies many of our youth believe.  I asked him if he could save $10 in a bank account from his first paycheck if his paycheck was $100.  He said he probably could do that.  So I told him to decide now to do exactly that – save 10% of whatever his paycheck is for the rest of his life.  I told him he would grow into having enough money if he always “pays himself” with 10% savings every pay day.  He was quietly thinking for a few moments before he said, “Yeah, that would probably work.”  I pray God gives me a chance to talk to him some more about this or other things.  This conversation reminded me of how often I have to point out “lies of the culture” to my own children.  All parents have to do that.  God had to point out Moses’ excuses of an inability to speak well as lies when God asked him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.  [God said] “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”  Moses believed the lie that he couldn’t speak well and was of no use to God.  God spoke the truth to Moses that he was the perfect spokesman for God in Egypt.  Parents, you are the same spokesman for truth to your kids!

Family Discussion Points!

Play a game of True or False as a family.  Parents, make up some lies to see how the kids respond.

Where can absolute truth be found?  It is only in the Bible, but what about my own truth???  Isn’t that also true?

Talk about how each family member can save some money with whatever they earn.  Don’t forget about CEF Stamps if you aren’t already participating.  Talk to me if you want to learn more.

Partners in Parenting

“Take Your Vitamins!”

One of the morning jobs I have in my house is to get the vitamins out for the kids.  I set them on the counter so they can take them when they eat breakfast.  Now, I’ll admit that the one chewable vitamin tastes what I imagine chewing on a piece of sidewalk chalk would be like.  My kids don’t like that vitamin.  My wife won’t take it.  I only eat it because it is good for me, and I want the kids to eat theirs.  More days than not, it is almost bedtime, and those nasty tasting vitamins, all three of them, are still on the counter providing their nutrients for healthy living to absolutely nobody.  It kind of reminds me of sometimes how kids won’t eat healthy foods like broccoli because it doesn’t taste good.  I’m sure you have foods and vitamins your kids avoid too.  For them, avoidance of an unpleasant taste in their mouth is more of a goal than healthy living.  As a Christian parent, I have to remember that kids will avoid things they don’t like.  Where did they learn to do that?  Hmmm.

I guess I avoid things I don’t like most of the time too – no olives or coconut for me, please!  I avoid admitting my sinfulness.  I avoid taking time to read my Bible daily.  I avoid daily exercise.  I avoid driving the speed limit 100% of the time.  I avoid using good manners when I’m upset or frustrated.  I avoid all kinds of things that are good for me because it is unpleasant in the short term. 

As I think about it, I am reminded of how God’s laws and commandments leave a “bad taste in my mouth.”  The law is good for me, but I don’t want to live by it all the time. I want to do my own thing.  Thankfully, God’s grace is there to grant forgiveness when I don’t want to live under His good law.  His grace covers me, and you, and our kids!

“For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.”  Romans 6:14

 

Family Discussion Points!

What are some things people in your family avoids eating?

What are some things your family avoids doing that are ultimately good for you?

Simply:  Law = you are sinful, but God’s grace = you are completely forgiven.  How should the law impact your life?  How should God’s grace?

Partners in Parenting

“Silent in the Snow!”

Over the Christmas break, my two boys and the neighbor boy built a huge igloo by our driveway.  Before they made it into an awesome igloo, I went out and hollowed out a bunch of it.  I crawled inside and instantly, everything went silent.  It was amazing that I couldn’t hear anything going on outside of that igloo any longer.  I was warm.  I couldn’t feel the wind.  I heard a really interesting sound – silence!  I closed my eyes, and I was interested to find my mind immediately focused on God.  It was odd that I suddenly thought of God and his gifts of snow, love, family, and on and on it went.  I found myself inside a big pile of snow enjoying absolute silence while talking to God like He was in there with me.  The realization came to me that God was with me the whole time I was outside the igloo as well as now inside it.  The difference was that silence brought Him to the forefront of my mind.  Silence, what a way to find time with God!  God even says:  “Be still and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10

Family Discussion Points!

Where can/do you find the most silence in your house?  When does that happen?

Have every family member lay on the floor in silence for 2 minutes.  Talk about what you thought of during that time after it is done.

Talk about when silence is a good thing.  When it is a bad thing!