Partners in Parenting

“Turmoil and Peace!”

As Thanksgiving and Christmas are upon us, I’d love to think that everyone is going to experience an abundance of joy, peace, calm, blessedness, good cheer, and things like that.  However, I know the realities of life that can bring as much turmoil as happiness in times like the “holiday season.”  Turmoil is defined as “a state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty.”  The families I know don’t like turmoil, but most families never talk about the things that cause turmoil.  In fact, just talking about it might create more turmoil than families are willing to welcome into their lives. Turmoil is NOT caused by Thanksgiving or Christmas.  It is not caused by stressful lives or busyness.  It is not caused by events or circumstances.  Turmoil is caused by our own sinfulness allowing any kind of situation to get our heart and mind focused on the situation instead of Jesus Christ! 

The opposite of turmoil is peace.  True peace is only found in one person – Jesus.  In the Old Testament, Micah prophesied about Jesus being born in Micah Chapter 5.  As he writes about the coming Savior from Bethlehem, Micah writes, “And he [Jesus] will be their peace.”  Micah 5:5

Personally and in a family, turmoil is part of our existence due to sin, but personally and in a family, peace is part of our existence due to all that Jesus has done for us on the cross.  Enjoy your holiday time coming up and find peace as often as you can – and that means finding Jesus as often as you can.

Family Discussion Points!

What holiday events cause turmoil in your family?  Can they be avoided?  If not, can they be controlled to allow Jesus (and thus peace) to be evident?

Talk about the emotions of situations that create turmoil.  How does it feel?

Peace is different.  How?  Who does it come from?

Partners in Parenting

Partners in Parenting

“Differences are Important, but so is Unity!”

I was reading on in my Bible at church the other night while visiting my home congregation.  I came across a verse that really caught my attention.  You see, my #1 strength using Clifton’s Strength Finders is Individualization.  Basically, that means I inherently see everyone’s uniqueness and strongly dislike generalizations about anyone.  I am of German heritage, but I don’t think of myself as a German – I am Julian.  I don’t think of myself as “all males” either – I am Julian.  I don’t think of myself as a farm boy – I am Julian.  To me, nobody is a group!  Everyone is who they are, so you can’t think of them any other way!  I know not everyone thinks that way, but I certainly do.

Well, the Bible verse sure lumped everyone together in ONE GROUP, so it really made me take notice:  “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,…” Galatians 3:26 

I was reminded that God obviously appreciates the differences in all the people He has made, but He also unites people in faith in Jesus.  I was reminded of how God values differences, but he also values unity.  That fact reminded me of families.  Families are all different, but they are united as family members because God made it that way.  Same with faith – Christians are all different, but they are united as family members because God made it that way through faith.

Family Discussion Points!

Point out positive differences of family members – no pointing out negative differences.

Discuss who made family members differently (God) and why you think that happened.  What’s the purpose?

As a family, list things that apply to everyone.  Talk about your unity.  (example:  Last name Petzold, Christians, baptized, sleep in our house, etc.  Keep it going)

Partners in Parenting

“Patience until the End!”

This past weekend, I had a chance to visit the farm I grew up on from birth until I left for college.  It reminded me to practice being more patient.  Here is why:

I helped on the farm throughout my childhood.  I had to do lots of chores, but I also got to do a lot of fun things living on 60 acres!  One of the things I remember doing with my dad each spring was planting the crops on our land.  Our land consisted of four different small farms within a mile of each other.  So four times each spring, we would plant a field.  Before leaving the field, my dad and I would get off the tractor, kneel on the soil, pick up a handful of soil in each hand, and then he would pray to God asking for the harvest to be a good one.  I can’t really remember the prayer except that some of it was in English and some of it was in German.  Then we would go plant the next field.

Our next move was to basically wait for the harvest time to come.  Yes, we would cultivate every once in a while if weeds appeared, but basically, we had to wait.  There was no hurrying the plant along.  That was out of our control.  The important lesson I remember learning growing up on a farm was that God was in more control than I was.

As a parent, sometimes I want to be in control of too much in the lives of my children.  Sometimes I am not a patient with the growing process they are all three undertaking along with our family each day.  I get too narrowly focused as parent, but really, the “harvest” of their life doesn’t come until later - in who they become as a Christian, spouse, employee, parent, etc. as adults.  Being on the farm reminded me to be patient in the growing process of my children, not only for today, but also patient all the way until they go to heaven.

“See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.  You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”  James 5:7

Family Discussion Points!

Parents, ask your kids:  Do you wish you grew up on a farm?  Why or why not?

Parents, tell your kids if you wish you did?  If you did, tell your kids what you liked and didn’t like.  If you didn’t, tell your kids, what you would have liked about it.

Why is being patient so hard many times???