Month: December 2020

Devotionals

Welcoming 2021

everyday adventure

We have all heard the phrase, “Because of Covid…” many times and each of us could finish this sentence with our own stories. For me, 2020 has canceled a lot of plans, rearranged my schedules and challenged me to, as Paul wrote, “learn the secret of being content in any and every situation (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me).” 

Who would have guessed 12 months ago all the things that would transpire and where we would be on this New Years Eve. Wow – what a year! And yet, here we are.

I make a family photo album every year and as I’ve looked back at this year’s memories, it is marked with so many joys amidst the challenges. And I’m grateful. I’m grateful for the “ups” but I’m also grateful for the growth I’ve made in the “downs.” 

During days of question and tears, Jesus has drawn me closer to Himself as He’s taken me to places in my heart that needed to be surrendered. 

In his article, Last Days Ministries: Free As A Slave, Winkie Pratney talks about yielded versus unyielded rights. We have ideas of how life should look and how we want our plans to unfold but if we hold too tightly to these ideas, we will find ourselves in a place wrestling between God’s peace and life’s anxieties. God wants us to surrender everything to His loving care – our plans, dreams, fears, hopes, failures, expectations and so on – and trust Him. 

I’ll never forget what Pastor Shull said at a conference last summer, “Peace is the reward of surrender.”

As we close out this crazy year and enter into the unknowns of 2021, I pray that we will walk with confidence knowing that if we are journeying with Jesus, we are not alone no matter what lies ahead. He is already there. 

So…2021…welcome.

Wishing all of my readers a very Happy New Year. 

Parenting

Parenting with Jesus

everyday adventure

Parenting is one of my favorite (and one of the hardest) jobs I’ve ever had. It’s amazing to think that God would entrust us with the responsibility of raising and training little humans. This is not something to be taken lightly. This takes sacrificial love, tough love (aka discipline) and flat out hard work.

Several years back when we had two little ones I reached out to a friend, who had eight kids, and asked her for any parenting tips she would be willing to share.  She offered a variety of great advice but the thing I will never forget was this quote, “I offer God my best and ask Him to fill in the gaps.”

This is so beautiful. When we allow the Holy Spirit to be our teacher, He parents along side of us. Sometimes He changes our character to make us better parents. At other times, He protects our children in moments when we didn’t even know they needed protection. He shows us what each child needs in their own unique, God-given personalities. 

Everyone says that these years pass quickly, and I believe it. If you are a parent with kids still in the house, I challenge you to make the most of this precious time you have with your children. If your kids are already grown, never underestimate the result that prayer and love produces. 

There are many people way ahead of us on this journey (we are only 6 years in) but I pray that something God has shown us can be an encouragement to you. Whatever stage you are at in this process, it is not too late to allow the Holy Spirit to direct you in this responsibility.

The influence that we have within the home is extremely powerful. Our words are being processed. Our lives are being watched. Things we do consciously and unconsciously are being observed and repeated. 

I know at some point our kids are going to face the temptations of this sinful world, but I never want that door to be opened inside of our home. I want our home to be a safe place to talk and discuss, learn and grow. 

For those of you who are like me and enjoy reflection, here are four questions to ask yourself today:

  1. What have I done today to encourage my children in their gifts and talents
  2. What have we talked about today that would direct their thoughts to Jesus
  3. How have I responded to them (under pressure and in calm moments)
  4. Have I prayed for (and with) my children today

It’s never too late to start. It is my prayer that as we walk close to Jesus and introduce our children to Him, they will have a passion to know Him for themselves and they will be world changers. 

Go love your kids today. 

*Side Note

Shout out to my parents. I’m forever grateful for their example. They pointed us to Jesus and showed us by their lives what servanthood and unselfishness looks like. 

Oh the places we go...tips and tricks for traveling with kids

In the car…for hours and hours

everyday adventure

Here is a list of things we have done on road trips with our kids (ages 1, almost 4 and 6). I’d love to hear what your family does. New ideas are always fun and helpful. 

  1. Reading time 
  2. Screen time (mix in educational shows/apps/games)
  3. Eye Spy (color game)
  4. Snack time (We sacrifice crumbs for peace and quiet and killing a little more time – We just try to vacuum our car after every long trip and it’s SO worth it)
  5. Coloring with magic crayons (the ones that only color on specific coloring books) are perfect for any age
  6. Stop and get wiggles out
  7. The humming game (hum a tune and everyone else guesses the song)
  8. Look outside and try to find interesting things
  9. Bring a bag of toys / books / coloring books
  10. Find it first game (I have no creative title for this game. Split family into two teams and have a list of outside objects to find. The first team to find them and say them aloud wins and gets candy)