Faith in Parenting

This week, our church’s Children’s Minister and Preschool Director collaborated on an awesome series of activities designed to help families prepare for Easter Week. Along with various crafts, we had the opportunity to simulate washing one another’s feet (okay - we washed hands, but you get the idea!), share in the Last Supper, pray in the garden of Gethsemane, and walk through the empty tomb. On our Faith in Parenting Support Call this week, I’d like to share with you some of these activities and discuss how we can prepare our hearts for Easter as a family.

To join us, call (218) 486-1300 at 2:00 pm (ET) on Tuesday, March 18, and enter the access code 669379.

(For those in other time zones, the call will take place at 1:00 pm CT, 12:00 noon MT, and 11:00 am PT.)

Directions for Joining Us on the Weekly Support Call:

• Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2008
• Time: 2:00-2:35 PM (ET)
• Telephone Number: (218) 486-1300
• Access Code: 669379

And as always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Blessings,
Jennifer

My aunt sent me this prayer last week:

St. Theresa’s Prayer 

May today there be peace within.

Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of you.

Hmm…read that again, but this time, focus on you as a parent; as a mom or dad.  You were uniquely created by God to be your child’s mom or dad!  May you be at peace, knowing that He - the Lord himself! - equips you.  Celebrate both the gifts He has given you already, and that which He is growing in you right now.  ~Amen!

Isaiah 9:2

The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.

Luke 2:30-32

For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.

Reflections:

Doesn’t everything dark and frightening seem much better by the light of day? Think about a time when you were scared, or faced a huge problem - one so big it kept you from sleep. Once dawn breaks, that same issue often looks smaller and more manageable. There’s something about turning the light on - whether it’s a physical lamp by your bed, or the light of daybreak - that makes us feel more capable.

And how much more so the light of Jesus in our lives! See, He is THE Light. The light that makes all the difference!

John 8:12 tells us that “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”

And Isaiah 60:20(b) tells us that “The LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end”

Let’s also look at John 1:9-12

The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

Here we see that Jesus came to give light to every man (and woman). Not for some. Not for few. True, there may be few who will accept Jesus’ offer of salvation and truly follow Him, but His offer is for ALL.

Friends, that means that Christmas Day is for each and every one of us! And one common theme through all of these Advent devotions has been focusing on our response. Today, what is our response to this news? If Jesus came in to the world - fully human and yet fully God - to bring Light to our lives, to offer us hope, and peace, truth, and salvation, what is our response to Him? It’s a truth that’s too big to ignore, too huge to push aside or overlook.

Take some time today to get away - even for just a few minutes - and pray with God about your response. Don’t worry about having the right words or the right posture.  Your words don’t have to be lengthy or eloquent to count to Him! He’s ready, even right now, to listen to and accept your response to His most awesome gift - eternal life!

Luke 2:15-20

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

John 10:11

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Reflections:

When has your life gone exactly according to your plan? Can we even name one occasion, one family vacation, even one holiday gathering that went off without a hitch? It’s hard to come up with, isn’t it?

Fortunately, we’ve learned to be flexible and accommodate changes in our routines and plans. In fact, I think we almost expect something to go wrong. After all, we’ve become so accustomed to not having our expectations met, that when something goes smoothly, it’s surprising.

When I look at this passage, it occurs to me that perhaps the shepherds felt like that, too, to some extent. Why else would Luke point out that the shepherds praised God for all that they had seen and heard, and specifically mention that the events took place exactly as they’d been told they would?

It’s interesting. And it also reminds me that there’s another plan that won’t go awry, that you - like the shepherds - can share with others. It’s the story of how God is drawing you to Him, calling you to follow with all of your heart, mind, and soul. Do you sense it?

There are many names for Jesus in the Bible, and one of them is The Good Shepherd. That’s because He takes care of his sheep. How do we know if we’re one of His sheep? Well, in John 10:27, Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Do we listen for Him? And do we respond to his voice?  Do our actions change as a result of knowing him?

Let’s think on that this season, for He is still calling, leading, and caring for us, just as a shepherd cares for his flock. The question is: How will we respond?

Lord, help us to hear your voice and take even just one step in the direction of following you with our whole hearts. We know you are there, gently and loving calling to us. Thank you for never giving up or turning away from your children. Amen.

Isaiah 52:7

How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”

Luke 2:8-14

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 4:18-19

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Listen again to these key words spoken by the angel of the Lord who appeared before the shepherds: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Not just some. The Good News of Jesus Christ is for all!

He came for each one of us. Not just for those who see to have it all together, or for those who attend church every Sunday or who can recite the Apostle’s Creed from heart. No, friends - He came for all.

John 10:10 tells us that Jesus came “…that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Look again at today’s passage from Luke chapter 4. What does the Lord wish to give you to today? Is it good news you need in order to press on for yet another day?  Freedom from the “prisons” of your everyday life?  Recovery of sight for those areas in our lives where we no longer see what’s right in front of us?  Or release from that which has a hold on you? See, He can do all that and more!  And that was the very purpose for which He entered this world as a baby - fully human and yet fully God.

Where can He meet your needs today, Mom? Where do you have need of Him in your life?  And are you willing to ask Him, to turn to Him, and to rely fully on Him?

Lord,  There are areas in our lives where we’re poor in spirit, held captive by our circumstances, blind to what you might want to show us, and oppressed. Yet you came to this earth to set us free from these restraints and give us new life. By your Spirit, move within us to turn away from that which holds us back and to believe more fully that you came to earth for each of us - yes, each one of us.

~Amen.

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6-7

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.

Luke 1:30-35

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

Reflections:

Lord, help us to see the Bible as one complete story. Help us to see in our hearts how You planned Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection - not as a last resort - but as part of your intentional plan to communicate the very personal and enduring love you have for each one of us.

In addition, help us to see where we fit into the story even today. What unimaginable tasks might you be calling each of us to in this season in our lives? Will we, like Mary, respond with complete trust and obedience, or will we choose to ignore your precious tug on our hearts, calling each of us into a deeper relationship with you?

Show us what that means, too, Father! Reveal your presence in our lives and turn our minds first to you when we need to talk. Remind us that you are always present and always listening! ~Amen.

Where are you at today, Mom? Are you in the throes of raising babies, squeaking by on less sleep than you thought humanly possible? Are you trying to keep up with the ever-changing emotions and activities of a toddler? Helping a preschooler learn her alphabet? Or are you raising much older children; perhaps trying to decide whether your concern warrants a call to your child’s teacher, or whether the recent changes in your teenager’s behavior are the result of a transition he’s going through, or something much worse.

Friend, God cares about your concerns. He wants to know what’s on your heart today. Yes, He knows already; but just as we want our kids to come to us with that issue they’ve been having with a friend or sibling, He wants us to come to Him, pour out our hearts, and rest in the grace and comfort only He can provide.

Read these verses from Hebrews 4:14-16 (RSV)

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have a not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Are you in a time of need? Approach Him - run to Him! - with your heartache. He’s our “high priest” - our intercessor. The go-between. Not just between us and God; but between us and every trouble we face in this earthly life.

Raising kids isn’t just one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do; it’s the most challenging. Invite Him in to that process. Ask Him directly for the wisdom you need, and He will give it to you (James 1:5). Go boldly and without hesitation, knowing that your Lord cares deeply about each and every aspect of your life.

My daughter’s preschool class is doing a unit on butterflies, so there’s a butterfly kit hanging in the room with twenty chrysalises in mid-transformation. Madelyn couldn’t wait to show it to me! She took my hand and led me right over to the display. And as we got closer, I couldn’t help but notice that they look kind of, well, gross! I mean, they look a little bumpy and furry and sticky. (I bet they smell, too, although I really didn’t get that close.)

And so I told Madelyn what I thought - that they were awesome, and also kind of gross-looking.

“Isn’t it neat that God can take something that looks kind of gross and turn it into something so beautiful?!!”

She just laughed and went on her merry way, picking out the clothespin to match the station she wanted to go to first.

But as I drove home, I kept thinking about those butterflies, and how they relate to us as human beings. Do you have anything icky and gross hanging around in your life? Something bumpy, furry, and maybe a little sticky? What’s God preparing to do with that?  Can we even imagine?

Lord, we’ve all got places in our lives that look a little dead or gross or ugly, and we want to give them over to you. You are the giver of all life, and you can transform our unsightly bumps into creations more beautiful than butterflies. So we just hand them over to you now, Lord, and wait with expectation and faith, to see what you’re going to do. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20)

This is a great question! Many of us bring a lot of formal routines to our prayer life, and to what we teach our children about prayer. These ideas include thinking we “have to” have our eyes closed when we pray, or kneel, or begin with “Father,” or close with “In Jesus’ Name.”

And for many of us, as adults, these routines are helpful. Closing your eyes and bowing your head may make it easier for you to shut out the busyness of your day. And you may feel more reverent of the Lord when you’re on your knees. That’s absolutely valid! And, I might add, these are practices that we do want to introduce our children to at some point.

But I’d also encourage you to consider timeliness. There will be times when it feels right to get on your knees together as a family. When I’m teaching Sunday School (to four-year-olds), I’ll often make a big show about spreading our arms out wide and then folding them in our laps for prayer, because it helps mark the transition for the kids between the time that we’re going around the circle and sharing prayer requests, and the time that we’re actually going to the Lord in prayer.

But that doesn’t mean that we always have to have our hands folded, our heads bowed, and our eyes closed.

My son has a book that really illustrates this concept, and it’s one that we like to read together as a family. It’s called Am I Praying?, by Jeannie St. John Taylor. The main character, a little boy named Erik, experiences lots of tumultuous ups and downs during the course of a field trip to the zoo. First he’s excited to go, then he forgets his lunch box, then he gets lost, and finally - because he forgot his lunchbox - his mom arrives at the zoo and finds him sitting in the main office. What’s so great about it is that it illustrates to children that we can pray to God in many different ways, whether we’re talking out loud, in our minds, literally crying out to God, or rejoicing. No matter how or why we communicate with God - it’s still prayer!

Log onto your local library’s web site and see if they have a copy of it, or click on the link below to order it online. It’s a great way to help your kids discover all the ways they can - and do - communicate with the Lord over the course of an ordinary day, whether their hands are folded and their eyes closed or not.

(And I have to tell you, too, that when I looked up the book on Amazon just now to get the link for you, I discovered that Jeannie St. John Taylor has some other great books about little Erik, like Am I Trusting? and How I Pray for My Friends. I can’t wait to check them out!)

Today is Friday, and at our house, that means Pizza Night! In fact, I just called it in a few moments ago. Traditions like this can be a lot of fun for your family. It’s simple, everyone enjoys it, and your kids know what to expect.

Do you know that the same can be true of our spiritual traditions? We can build some regular faith practices into our family life just as easily as ordering a 14″ cheese pizza on Friday nights.

If this is something you haven’t considered before, take a look at these ideas to help you get started:

• Pray over your children before they walk out the door each morning. Or, if you drive them to school, pray for them in the car each day. This is a great way to let your kids know that you’re praying for them continuously, and you’ll also appreciate the unique prayer requests that your kids will share with you!
• Pray for one another while you fold laundry together.
• Ask your children to consider what it means to serve while they’re doing their chores. When you’re all finished, sit down and talk about it together.
• When your child is preparing to go to a birthday party, say a prayer together for the honoree while your child signs the birthday card.
• While you take a walk around the neighborhood together, pray for your neighbors.

There are countless ways that we can begin to weave our faith into the everyday tasks we do with our children. But don’t let yourself be sidetracked by the idea that your spiritual traditions have to be “perfect.” They don’t! Start by applying some of these small and simple ideas, and see where your family’s faith journey takes you!