Learning to listen to your children is one of the most important things you can do to strengthen your relationship. Your children need you, no matter their age, and will continue to need you even as they reach adulthood and begin their own families. One of the ways you can be there for them is to listen to them. Truly listen.
This is difficult, I know. There are a lot of people and activities competing for our time that create a number of hindrances to really listening. Here are a few I’ve noticed in my own life: (more…)
In a world full of devices and non-stop connecting…They still call Mom.
One day you are wrapping your arms around your child to comfort them for a skinned elbow, or making them a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or putting on a colorful Band-Aid that fixes anything. Now, you are receiving late night texts from your young adult child asking for prayer about a heart-breaking relationship. It appears our older, wiser mentors were right when they said, “Challenges of parenting do not go away when the kids get older; they just get more complex.”
This is what I was told many times.
Now that my children are older I find myself echoing similar statements.
In my early years of parenting, when I passed up opportunities to be more involved outside the home, I questioned my decisions.
Invitations to sit on boards in the community or serve on committees at church were carefully considered so that I could have the time, and energy to avail myself to training the hearts of my children and cultivating our relationships. The early morning time readings, conversations and prayers, the talk-time in the cars on the way to co-ops and sporting events, the hanging out on the couch in the very late evenings because that’s when they liked to open up and share their deepest thoughts—all these cumulative moments and hours helped cultivate a heart in my children to maintain a relationship with me even now.
When they were younger, the focus was on teaching worldviews, Biblical truths, and basic life disciplines. That focus continues but now with more emphasis on listening, encouraging and supporting. It is a rich blessing, a high calling and a beautiful ministry.
Why do we pray for the Lord to lead and then doubt when He does?
Do you struggle with this? I’d like to think of myself as a faithful daughter of the King, but I discover time and time again that I question His providence. I have to give myself the proverbial slap to refocus my proper perspective. Here are His promises:
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave your nor forsake.” Deuteronomy 31:8
“For we are God’s Masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Eph 2:10
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11
He promises to go before us (and our children). He planned good things for us (and our children) long ago. He promises prosperity, safety, hope and a future for us (and our children). Yes, I believe this Lord. Help me in my unbelief! (more…)
With the litany of voices all wanting to be heard, it behooves me to ask, who do you listen to? This is worthy of consideration. The person you allow to speak into your life may have a lasting impact on how you think about or live life.
So why would this matter? Well, if you are being influenced by someone else’s calling, you run the risk of living someone else’s life and not hearing the unique plans God has for you.
This leads me to ask yet another question: who should you be getting advice from? The person who talks about doing something, a person who has once done something, or the person who has consistently done something and has a record of success. I say the later. You may still choose to spend time with those from the former categories, but those are the folks who have yet to prove if their ways will workout as planned.
When I read about the Proverbs 31 woman I see a life well lived. For many women, they interpret this passage as something that must be done all in one day or season. Truth is, this describes a woman’s life in totality… not a day.
Let’s begin by defining “consider.”
: to think about carefully in order to make a wise choice or decision
: to take into account to gaze on reflectively
: come to judge or classify
There are, however, key principles a wise woman practices on a daily basis. She… (more…)
A friend once said, “Busy always seems to find you.”
Does busy seem to find you, too?
We hear, “Don’t be too busy now”, or “you’re too busy.” These statements can cause inner turmoil for many. How can someone know if you are too busy? Could it be that we have different callings, drive levels, and interests? What one person feels is too busy may be the perfect balance for someone else. After all, God has equipped us with individual passions, skill sets, and drive.
Busy for the sake of being busy accomplishes little. The key is not so much. Are you too busy, but are you busy with the things God has called you to do? Or are you busy trying to avoid dealing with something in your life? Hurt, conflict, unmet needs, or neglect, maybe? Are you busy chasing after a career or a relationship? (more…)
