Here are some things I read this week that I found encouraging that I hope will encourage you as well.
These are words from a young adult who had "revolutionary parents". "As I look at the lives of my childhood friends, the ones I envied because they had so much freedom when we were growing up, their lives are now a mess. I'm not perfect, but I think I understand life a lot better and have a better foundation for life. Now I have all the appreciation in the world for the tough stands my parents took to keep me in check. Kids can't handle too much freedom; they're children! I thank God regularly that my parents put up with all the whining and complaining from me and my brothers and sisters but did not give in. They held their ground, and I think the results of their efforts are a real blessing to God and the community."
Most likely we will not be thanked for the hard work we are doing as parents while in the midst of their growing up years. It is important to realize the "ultimate results of our child-rearing efforts will not be known for years." We don't have to be their best friend right now. It is our job to raise them to love and honor God - to obey us so that in turn they will obey God. Not an easy task, but it is our calling. That is why we need each other - encouraging each other on this assignment! There will be many days they will not like us. I have been told quite often lately that I must not like this particular child because of the consequences she faces and she often threatens to run away. I love hearing from someone that has grown up with "revolutionary parents" and can now thank them for the type of upbringing they provided. I have more ambition to put up with the "whining and complaining" and I hope you do too!
Love,
Susie
Monday, February 16, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
First Things First
I will continue to give you excerpts from Revolutionary Parenting. Here are some quotes and research that I thought were good.
"Parenting cannot be Revolutionary if it adopts the core assumptions and practices of the prevailing culture. Our research found that parents are more likely to raise spiritual champions if they accept the fact that from day one their parenting efforts will stray from the norm and will put them at odds with parents who are pursuing a more conventional approach. Revolutionary Parents are more likely to:
Be single-income households
Schedule a much greater amount of time to spend with their children each day
Intentionally identify their children as their main earthly focus in life during their
parenting years" (I am assuming this means marriage as their #1 priority
with children as #2)
Research also showed that "raising a spiritual champion is best accomplished by having at least one parent in the home who is fully committed to honoring God through his or her parenting practices." I thought this was good for those that may have a spouse that isn't fully committed - that you still can raise a spiritual champion if at least one of you is committed to being obedient to Christ - but think what could be done with two fully committed parents!
These families had family conversations that bring biblical views into their shared lives and efforts to regularly engage in faith activities (Bible study, worship, prayer) that model the integration of faith into their lives. These parents stressed the importance of reading the Bible together and discussing faith principles as a normal part of the decision making process. This is rare even among "Christian" America, and yet vital in raising a spiritual champion.
Hands on:
1. Examine your real priorities in life - those demonstrated by your calender, checkbook and emotions. What stands in the way of making your children a top priority in your life?
2. How comfortable is your family spending time together, several times a week, exploring God's Word, sharing openly during prayer sessions, and engaging in conversations that relate your faith principles to your critical life choices? What could you do to make faith a more natural centerpiece of such discussions and activities?
3. If your children were asked to honestly assess your personal commitment to growing deeper in your faith, what kind of rating would they give? How satisfied are you with your personal investment in growing spiritually? What might you do to foster a more fulfilling spiritual journey?
Some great questions to ponder. #2 was especially convicting for me. We talk about the Bible, and discuss Bible stories, but we still are not consistent in actually reading the Bible out loud with them and discussing it with them. This is something I really want to implement in our family. I have read so much about families that have really benefited from this. So this is what I will be working on this week. How about you?
Susie
"Parenting cannot be Revolutionary if it adopts the core assumptions and practices of the prevailing culture. Our research found that parents are more likely to raise spiritual champions if they accept the fact that from day one their parenting efforts will stray from the norm and will put them at odds with parents who are pursuing a more conventional approach. Revolutionary Parents are more likely to:
Be single-income households
Schedule a much greater amount of time to spend with their children each day
Intentionally identify their children as their main earthly focus in life during their
parenting years" (I am assuming this means marriage as their #1 priority
with children as #2)
Research also showed that "raising a spiritual champion is best accomplished by having at least one parent in the home who is fully committed to honoring God through his or her parenting practices." I thought this was good for those that may have a spouse that isn't fully committed - that you still can raise a spiritual champion if at least one of you is committed to being obedient to Christ - but think what could be done with two fully committed parents!
These families had family conversations that bring biblical views into their shared lives and efforts to regularly engage in faith activities (Bible study, worship, prayer) that model the integration of faith into their lives. These parents stressed the importance of reading the Bible together and discussing faith principles as a normal part of the decision making process. This is rare even among "Christian" America, and yet vital in raising a spiritual champion.
Hands on:
1. Examine your real priorities in life - those demonstrated by your calender, checkbook and emotions. What stands in the way of making your children a top priority in your life?
2. How comfortable is your family spending time together, several times a week, exploring God's Word, sharing openly during prayer sessions, and engaging in conversations that relate your faith principles to your critical life choices? What could you do to make faith a more natural centerpiece of such discussions and activities?
3. If your children were asked to honestly assess your personal commitment to growing deeper in your faith, what kind of rating would they give? How satisfied are you with your personal investment in growing spiritually? What might you do to foster a more fulfilling spiritual journey?
Some great questions to ponder. #2 was especially convicting for me. We talk about the Bible, and discuss Bible stories, but we still are not consistent in actually reading the Bible out loud with them and discussing it with them. This is something I really want to implement in our family. I have read so much about families that have really benefited from this. So this is what I will be working on this week. How about you?
Susie
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