Faith in Parenting

Psalm 118:29 tells us to “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever.”

As parents, we want to teach our children to appreciate all that the Lord has blessed them with, from their siblings to their toys and collections. But teaching that “attitude of gratitude” isn’t always easy, especially in our materialistic culture.

It’s important, though, because as Christian parents, we’re not just teaching our children to be grateful so that they can be polite and mannered. We have a higher goal in mind! Teaching gratefulness is one step toward helping our kids develop an attitude of worship toward the Lord.

So how do we do this? That’s our topic for this week’s “Tuesdays at 2:00” support call. We’re going to talk about how we can teach gratitude in three different areas of our kids’ lives:

• Their possessions
• Provisions
• Relationships

We’ll share practical ideas for instilling an attitude of gratitude in each of these areas; and with the approach of Christmas just around the corner, I think you’ll find the discussion to be particularly timely, too!

Remember, participating in the call is absolutely free, with the exception of any long distance charges you may incur, and you’re welcome to invite your friends to join us.

Here are all the details you’ll need:

Date and Time: Tuesday, October 9, 2007, at 2:00 PM (ET)

Telephone Number: (641) 715-3200

Access Code: 229468#

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

It’s easy! You can either check the web site each Monday for that week’s topic, telephone number, and access code, or you can sign up to receive weekly E-mail updates that will include all the information you need. To do that, simply enter your E-mail address in the form located within the sidebar to your right.  (Don’t worry; I will never share or sell your contact information!)

And the calls are completely free, with the exception of any long distance charges you may incur.

Feel free to invite your friends to join us, as well. And please don’t worry if you have little ones in the background; that’s no problem at all! We’ve all been there, and I’ll teach you how to use the “mute” feature, so that you can continue to tend to your kids’ needs while you participate in the support call.

It’s hard to believe October is here already. It seems like I was just saying to a friend, “Yeah, I am looking forward to school starting again. I think we could all use the routine.” You may have spoken similar words yourself back in the heat of August.

Well, how is the routine going? Are the routines of the school year proving to be helpful to you, or stressful?

Today I want to share a word with you, a word about that very thing. It’s from Matthew 11:28-30. You may be familiar with this passage, which in the NIV is written as: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Now, take a look at how it’s written in The Message Bible:

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.

“The unforced rhythms of grace.” Does that explain your life, Mom? Where, where, are the unforced rhythms of grace in our lives?

Well, actually, they’re really there. Take a look. I imagine that unforced rhythms of grace might be found at bedtime, when you’re reading to your kids. Or in the moments when you’re sitting outside in the sunshine, watching your preschooler ride her bike up and down the sidewalk, up and down, and then up and down again.

There are many rhythms to our days, especially as moms caring for young children. Let’s seek them out and ask the Lord to show Himself there, in the surrender to the everyday.

Lord, Sometimes being a mom feels tiresome. We love it, and we know we’re so blessed! But some days it takes more energy than we can muster ourselves to go through the repeated tasks and routines with enthusiasm and joy. Fill us, Lord, with your joy. Prepare us and teach us to find YOU, right there in the routines of everyday life. Bless us by your hand as we seek to raise up these little ones to know you.

~Amen