"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thes. 5:18. 
I have to admit--this verse chokes me a bit. Give thanks for the temper tantrum? Give thanks for the teenage rebellion? Give thanks for the illness threatening the survival of my child? Yes. 
Over  the years I have learned the blessing of keeping this verse, even though my follow-through still struggles a bit. In my child's temper tantrum, I see a reflection of my own occasional attitude toward God. The view brings me to needed repentance. 
In the teenage rebellion, I get a glimpse of the areas of my child's heart that need Jesus's saving touch and the discipleship we must attend to before they leave home. 
In my child's illness, I gain a glimpse of the absolute dependency we have on God for every breath. I'm reminded to be grateful for all He gives.
In everything give thanks. God sends it all for a purpose.  #parenting


Please join us to encourage each other with your insights, remembering to keep comments uplifting and considerate of all. Click on 'comments' above to discuss this month's topic.

"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18. 

The other night as I said to daughter, "I'm so proud of you," her face lit up, then fell. "What's the matter?" I asked.

"I'm not supposed to be proud," she answered. "I don't want God to be upset." We had read Proverbs 16:18 earlier that morning. As I used a word she had heard God didn't like, the intended encouragement fell flat.

What's the difference between pride that leads to destruction and feeling good about an accomplishment? As in most of life--the focus. Bad pride--pride that leads to destruction--is a focus on ourselves, an elevation of ourselves. When our children begin to find satisfaction within what they can do or use accomplishments to point others to themselves--that's the pride scripture warns against.

Alternatively, when our children recognize that God has done something amazing using the talents He placed within them and begin to find their satisfaction in God--that's "good" pride. More--when our children use their achievements to point others to God, that makes God smile.

Teaching our children to follow scripture can be so tricky. Words can be used so many different ways which can confuse young minds. We want to be able to tell our children when we are proud of them and what they are doing without them being afraid of disobeying God. When we help them create a right focus, we distinguish between real encouragement and a pride that causes destruction.
Please join us to encourage each other with your insights, remembering to keep comments uplifting and considerate of all. Click on 'comments' above to discuss this month's topic.

"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is peace. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is love." Stephen Adams. 
Ouch. Lately, our house has been not-so-peaceful. Instead, there has been much conflict, crying, and stress. 
This quote reminds me that in these moments, the most important thing I can do is to pause and pray. As I ask the Spirit to enter, to guide, to protect--His peace can permeate our home even as He resolves the conflict, comforts the crying, and relieves the stress.

Please join us to encourage each other with your insights, remembering to keep comments uplifting and considerate of all. Click on 'comments' above to discuss this month's topic.