"It's only six more years," said the exhausted mother of teens who were involved in multiple sports. "And then they'll be out of the house." I was dismayed, but held my tongue. How sad! This mother was enduring, not enjoying, her years of child rearing. God meant for her to delight in that time, not just survive it. God wants you to experience joy as a parent, too. Remember, a passionate parent is a mom or dad who enthusiastically and fully invests him or herself in the joyful responsibility of teaching their children about Jesus. Here are three qualities you'll exhibit as a Continue Reading
Why You Can’t Afford to Confuse “Comfort” with “Comfortable”
As our friend pondered the tragic loss of a family member last year, he wondered, "Why do I never feel comfortable when I'm mourning? Doesn't God promise to comfort us in our grief?" Americans are all about being comfortable. We don't even know what the weather feels like most of the time, unless it's so glorious we decide to risk it and go outside. We don't usually have to suffer heat, cold, or hunger, so we opt out of those inconveniences. We use running water without a second thought, and holler our protests if someone dares flush while we are in the shower. We're a pretty Continue Reading
How to Relax About Your High Calling as a Parent
Sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it? How can we be relaxed about something that is super important? Let's back this whole truck up and look at the big picture. There's something I want you to grab hold of, because when you do, you will carry out what God has set before you with peace and with great effectiveness. We need to begin at the proper starting point for all this to make sense, which is: God has a destiny in mind for your child. Whatever thoughts, hopes and dreams you have for your child, God has bigger things in mind than you can even come remotely close to Continue Reading
How “Safe” May be Quite Dangerous
My friend, a counselor, tells the story of a suicidal client who somehow managed to find out where he lives. This troubled person showed up on my friend's doorstep at dinner one night with the intention of ending his life then and there. Why? Because he figured that was a "safe" place to commit this final act. Let's think this through for a moment...is suicide safe anywhere? What's wrong with this picture? Before we are tempted to think that only someone in desperate straits would practice such convoluted thinking, let's remember we are all brainwashed about what is "safe" in Continue Reading