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.)