Follow Up To This Morning's Post

A year ago I blogged some ideas for parents as they enter into the purposeful world of designing time into their busy schedule to get one on one with their kids.  "Just Do It"!

One of the things I shared with my parents on Sunday night was the fact that we need to spend priority time with our kids, but a lot of us are asking ourselves, "what does that look like?" Here's some rules for priority time with your children that will help you get started.
1. Find common ground
2. Make sure there is no agenda
3. Keep it outside of your home
4. Do it without friends
5. Put it on the calendar
6. Stay flexible
7. Remember your goal is not to CHANGE them.
8. Keep working on it (even when it doesn't seem to be going well)
9. Use it as an opportunity to give your teenager one thing...

What is that one thing? "the gift of approval" You as a parent are the only one that can give them this! You know your child better than anyone. You've seen them at their best and at their worst. If you believe in them after all that, they know "your approval" is REAL!

A Weekend Away, Can Make All The Difference

Our family is our treasure.  What we pour into them will be what's passed on to their children and their children's children.

Not too long ago I took Zach to VA Beach to participate in a football tournament.  We packed up the camper and headed south.  It was a long drive so we spent a lot of time talking about dreaming of being a pro football player, the trials of elementary school, the love of God, fear of thunderstorms, girls (yes, girls!)and well, life.  These are the things you won't find out from your kids unless you spend some quality time with them.

Each day we have with our kids is a gift.  Be purposeful with your kids this week.  Schedule a time with each of your kids just to "be" with them.  Make them feel special.  Let them know how much you love them.  Show them what God's love looks like.  Show them the Father heart of God.  What does that look like? Just remember what love is.

 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.  (I Corinthians 13:4-7)

Lift your eyes up to the heavens

Have you ever had that sick feeling in your stomach when you receive news about something that was less than favorable?  This past week I had some news come into my inbox and it literally made me feel like I was going to get sick.  How could I be so sure of something just one week before?

I know when I call on Jesus name my life changes.  My attitude changes.  When I lift my eyes to the heavens my perspective changes.  A friend of mine went to Williamsburg recently and went through one of those hedge mazes.  Our lives are like that. We can only see from the ground level.  We can't see what's around the corner.  But God sees from a heavenly perspective.  He sees the "maze" of our lives and we can trust him when he leads us to the left or right.  When we receive news that seems less than favorable we can look to the heavens and know that God sees the big picture.  Lift your eyes up and you'll catch a glimpse of the one who can see our lives and can order our steps.  Thanks God, for ordering my steps this week.  I trust in you that you are going to lead me on....