Establishing traditions in your family can be lots of fun and can give your child many special memories to cherish. As a little girl growing up I can remember the traditions of my childhood...some of which I've brought into my home as my children were growing up.
At Thanksgiving we always had a very traditional meal of turkey, dressing, my grandma's egg noodles, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. We usually still have the same thing now if I am doing the cooking, but I haven't mastered the egg noodles.
We usually decorate for Christmas on Thanksgiving weekend and leave our decorations up till after the New Year. It has been a special joy to put up the Nativity scene that was in my grandparents yard each year as I was growing up. It has now be up for over 60 Christmases.
My grandparents always had their children and grandchildren in their home on Christmas Eve, usually before the children's Christmas program at church. We always had ham sandwiches with lots of salads and sides for dinner (that was my grandfather's request because it was his birthday too). After church we got to open one Christmas present before we went to bed. We would get up the next morning and all our presents would be under the tree and we would get to open them before we went to worship on Christmas day.
As my children were growing up we didn't live close to family, but we have held on to our Christmas Eve meal over the years. We also baked lots of Christmas cookies (a marathon baking event) and then fixed up special plates of cookies to take to all our friends and neighbors. Since my husband is a pastor and he was usually gone to the church on Christmas Day when the kids got up, we started opening all our gifts on Christmas Eve. We save our stockings till Christmas Day and open them after dinner and the worship service.
We even have traditions at Kids of the Crown at Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Each year I read the story "Parable of the Pumpkin Patch" and we carve a special pumpkin with the children. At Thanksgiving, we have a "Sharing Feast" and the children prepare a meal for their parents to come and have lunch with them. At our Christmas party, I read "The Jesus Tree" to the children and we sing "Happy Birthday Jesus" and blow out candles on a birthday cake.
These traditions in my home and at school create memories for the children that they can draw on as they become parents some day.
I know that you must have traditions as well...I would love to hear about them, so please write about them below.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Parenting is a Team Sport
I have just started an online daily devotion entitled "Parenting by Design" through YouVersion (the Bible online). Even though my children are grown, these devotions make me think about what kind of a parent I was and am. I still learn a little something new everyday...imagine that!
Do you sometimes feel that you are doing this parenting thing all alone? Are you far away from family? Do you and your spouse have differing ideas on how to parent? All of these things can lead to a lot of frustration and stress in your marriage and family.
In the world today being a parent is not an easy task. It has changed so much since I was a little girl and even since my children were young (basically your age). There are so many worldly things to distract you from what you want for your child. The world in general has stepped away from God's plan for families. With all the outside forces trying to grab your attention and all the many activities that we try to get our children involved in we forget to take time for what is most important...raising our children in the Lord. Parenting is certainly not for cowards!
From my devotion this morning:
Do you sometimes feel that you are doing this parenting thing all alone? Are you far away from family? Do you and your spouse have differing ideas on how to parent? All of these things can lead to a lot of frustration and stress in your marriage and family.
In the world today being a parent is not an easy task. It has changed so much since I was a little girl and even since my children were young (basically your age). There are so many worldly things to distract you from what you want for your child. The world in general has stepped away from God's plan for families. With all the outside forces trying to grab your attention and all the many activities that we try to get our children involved in we forget to take time for what is most important...raising our children in the Lord. Parenting is certainly not for cowards!
From my devotion this morning:
Parenting is a team sport. When you and your spouse are "of the same
mind with one another according to Christ Jesus," you can make the kind
of parenting decisions that are best for everyone in the family. The Bible verses below are a helpful prayer for parents. With the aid of the Holy
Spirit, the result will be appropriate choices, great consequences, and
the empathy necessary to deliver both. By praying and seeking God's will
together, you and your spouse (or friends) can with "one voice glorify
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Each spouse can learn something from the other. Single parents can learn from friends who are parents. When you talk about difficult parenting situations and pray together for guidance, you glorify God.
Each spouse can learn something from the other. Single parents can learn from friends who are parents. When you talk about difficult parenting situations and pray together for guidance, you glorify God.
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6
You are not in this alone! God is on your team and walks by your side every day! Put together your team...first with your spouse or if you are a single parent with other people who you trust and who are important in your children's lives. May God bless your journey as your raise your children in HIM!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Leaving a Legacy
A few years ago I read a devotional that asked the question, "What will you be remembered for?" As I think about that question many things pass through my mind.
When my son was eight years old, he watched his grandpa slowly pass from this life. He was in hospice care for 3 months. He also had a friend whose mother died around the same time. One day when we were running errands he asked me what I thought heaven was like...I told him that I thought it was a wonderful place where everything was good. He wanted to know what people who died did in heaven. I told him that we didn't know the answer to that, but that I imagined both of his grandpas working side-by-side helping Jesus and that his friend's mom was there too. He thought about that for a moment and then said "I know what you will be doing in heaven mom. You'll be sitting with the children, teaching and singing with them about Jesus." WOW! I hadn't realized it, but he already understood my passion for Early Childhood ministry.
I am so thankful for parents that raised me in the Lord and made sure that I was in church every Sunday to hear Bible stories, study God's Word and spend time in Worship. They made it a priority in our family and left a legacy of faith. As I continue to learn and grow closer to my God, I am thankful that the foundation that my parents laid is solid and strong.
What is your passion? Do you want to leave a legacy of faith for your children? You have probably heard the saying "children learn what they live". It is very true! If you place a high priority on your faith walk, your children will follow your example and you will be placing their feet on a firm foundation. If you are committed to your Savior, your child will learn to do the same!
It is never too late to begin working on your "legacy of faith"! If you don't have one, find a church home and make Sunday worship a priority in your family. If you have done that already, then make sure that your child sees and knows what Jesus means to you, not just on Sundays, but every day!
I'll be praying for you...for your journey of faith...for the legacy that you will leave for your children! May God be with you!
When my son was eight years old, he watched his grandpa slowly pass from this life. He was in hospice care for 3 months. He also had a friend whose mother died around the same time. One day when we were running errands he asked me what I thought heaven was like...I told him that I thought it was a wonderful place where everything was good. He wanted to know what people who died did in heaven. I told him that we didn't know the answer to that, but that I imagined both of his grandpas working side-by-side helping Jesus and that his friend's mom was there too. He thought about that for a moment and then said "I know what you will be doing in heaven mom. You'll be sitting with the children, teaching and singing with them about Jesus." WOW! I hadn't realized it, but he already understood my passion for Early Childhood ministry.
I am so thankful for parents that raised me in the Lord and made sure that I was in church every Sunday to hear Bible stories, study God's Word and spend time in Worship. They made it a priority in our family and left a legacy of faith. As I continue to learn and grow closer to my God, I am thankful that the foundation that my parents laid is solid and strong.
What is your passion? Do you want to leave a legacy of faith for your children? You have probably heard the saying "children learn what they live". It is very true! If you place a high priority on your faith walk, your children will follow your example and you will be placing their feet on a firm foundation. If you are committed to your Savior, your child will learn to do the same!
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Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
WHAT WILL YOU BE REMEMBERED FOR?
It is never too late to begin working on your "legacy of faith"! If you don't have one, find a church home and make Sunday worship a priority in your family. If you have done that already, then make sure that your child sees and knows what Jesus means to you, not just on Sundays, but every day!
I'll be praying for you...for your journey of faith...for the legacy that you will leave for your children! May God be with you!
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