Partners in Parenting

“Planning Ahead!”

I enjoyed some time in the woods this past weekend.  I enjoyed seeing many things in God’s wonderful creation, but I was really intrigued by the squirrels scurrying here and there all morning.  The multiple squirrels I saw were busy dropping acorns from the trees at the very end of tiny branches.  They would do this for 15 – 20 minutes before climbing down the tree to collect the acorns.  They would collect the acorns one at a time and bury the acorn in the moist soil in the woods.  They would continue to dig a hole, hide an acorn; dig a hole, hide an acorn; dig a hole, hide an acorn…  This went on for hours as the squirrels made preparations for the coming winter months.  If they didn’t hide the acorns, other animals would come eat them, and the squirrels would be short of food this winter.  In short, the squirrels were planning ahead.  Seeing this happen reminded me of my need to plan ahead as a parent.  Plan ahead for activities coming up that the kids are involved in, plan for meals, plan for college, plan for driver’s training, plan for ______(you can fill in the blank with lots of things).  However, as I think about the future for my kids, I’m reminded of the importance of focusing on what really matters.  Having enough food really matters to the squirrel!  What really matters to a human being?  Faith in Jesus Christ will secure the future for my children in life on earth and life for eternity.  Right now, I’m really good at being busy like the squirrels are, but I have to be busy about the important things that pass on faith in Jesus.  I can’t lose track of that in my busyness with all the other activities of parenting.  The faith future of my kids depends so much on my ability to be “planning ahead” right now.  “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”  Proverbs 22:6

Family Discussion Points!

Plan ahead for a family activity this weekend.  Then enjoy the activity together.

Talk about busyness and how important it all is or isn’t for your family.

Discuss all the ways you are “planning ahead” for the faith of your family (worship, prayer, reading the Bible, Christian education, Bible Study, helping others, using God’s Word to guide your life, etc.)

Partners in Parenting

“Coming Alive!”

Over the weekend, I cut some of the dead stalks growing out of the center of my hosta plants on the side of my garage.  Afterward, I walked into the back yard and noticed all the dead Black-Eyed Susan stalks where beautiful yellow flowers once bloomed.  Yep, Summer is coming to an end as Autumn begins on Saturday, so lots of plants, leaves, grass, etc. will begin to die off.  It has to die so it can come to life again in the spring.  I started thinking to myself: “What makes me ‘come alive?’  What makes my kids’ come alive?’  What did God design them for doing in life?”  I “come alive” in the fall because I love the cool air and spending time outdoors.  Cool days energize me.  My kids “come alive” due to different things from sports to friends to activities.  It was neat to consider their uniqueness in light of who God has made them to be.  People tend to “come alive” when they are doing things that bring them great joy because it is a part of who they are.  Some kids love sports; some music; some theater; some reading; some socializing; some working with their hands; etc.  Parents consider your kids!  When do you see them “come alive?”  It is a clue into who God has made them to be, and God clearly cares about each one of us – “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”  Luke 12:7

Family Discussion Points!

Talk about your favorite season of the year and why.

Parents, make a list of things that you think makes each of your kids “come alive.”  Share it with them.

Talk about the Top 5 activities each family member enjoys doing pretending that they are the only 5 things they can do with their free time for the rest of 2012.

Partners in Parenting

Instant Recognition!

There are some people that you can instantly recognize when you see them.  Those people are typically famous people that we get to see fairly often thanks to the media.  But there are other people we recognize from years gone by.  I had this happen a few weeks ago at a Detroit Tigers game. 

At the conclusion of the game, people began to stand up to leave.  Before I stood up (in Row 42 of my section), I noticed a large man in the front row stand up.  I instantly told my wife, “That is Dan who just stood up.  Look, that’s Dan!”  Doubt crept into my mind, but then the man turned sideways, and I thought, “Oh yeah, that’s Dan alright!  Where is his wife Nancy?”  Shortly afterward, I spotted Nancy, and I had all the doubt erased that the person I instantly noticed from behind and 42 rows away was truly Dan.  Now understand, I haven’t seen Dan in 10-15 years, but Dan spent about as much time with my brother and me growing up as any of my other siblings.  My kids have heard numerous stories about Dan.  The amazing stories about Dan have almost given Dan legendary status with my kids.  Dan got to meet my kids, and I got to meet his.  My kids just stood there looking at him in disbelief – this guy they have heard of for so long is actually real.  I recognized him in an instant, but my kids couldn’t believe they were actually looking at the Dan they had heard about so often.

The disciples had a hard time recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, but eventually they did (Mark 8:29 “But what about you?”  Jesus asked. “Who do you say that I am?”  Peter answered, “You are the Christ.”)  Do we always recognize God all around us?  Where?  I hope you can instantly recognize God all around you – He deserves instant recognition!

 

Family Discussion Points!

Have every family member share people who they think everyone will instantly recognize when they see them (President Obama, etc.)

Parents, share a story with your kids about a childhood friend.

Discuss where you see God all around you and why?  examples: 

• in nature because He is the creator of every drop of water, tree, plant, animal, cloud, etc. (Genesis 1);
• in acts of love and kindness because He is defined as love (I John 4:8) so love comes from Him;
• in the Bible because God is the Word (John 1:1)