Practice Gratitude

Good morning!

When children are little we teach them how to pray and talk to God. Then hopefully as they grow and mature their prayer life grows just as our relationship with Christ grows.

As moms we pray for our children all the time, we ask God to bestow blessing on them, help them and guide them but I was reminded recently in Philippians 4:6 this important message..." Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God."

The part that jumped out was, "with thanksgiving." As a parent I'm so thankful for my children but when I talk to God and ask him for help with my family, I want to make sure I do it with thanksgiving first! This is something we can teach our children to do when they pray. Giving thanksgiving before we ask for guidance teaches children even more about appreciating and trusting in him.

Gratitude is a discipline that we can practice and what a better way to practice it but in prayer :)

Peace and blessings,
Lesa


                                         "A thankful heart is a happy heart." ~Unknown

Parents Need "Peeps"

Hello friends!

I was thinking about what we need to be successful in parenting. There is one simple answer..we can't do it alone!

As our children were growing we always wanted to make sure we surrounded them with godly people that could give them great advice and be mentors to them. Of course we are their parents and the number one advice givers but it's so important to have those friends and family members that can be there for them too. We liked to call those friends, "our peeps." Our children knew them as their youth ministers, church friends, teachers or family but to us they were "our peeps." The people who gave them godly advice, watched over them when they didn't think anyone was watching and gave us advice on how to parent them.

Now that my oldest daughter is married she has asked me to reveal my "peeps" but I don't think that's a good idea because there is still time for good parenting even at that age :) Besides we have other children that need the same benefits!

Peace and blessings,
Lesa


                                       "It takes a whole village to raise a child." ~African Proverb

Where's Your Table?

Good morning!

This morning I was thinking about what I was going to make for dinner tonight. It reminded me of our family dinners when the children were young. Our family dinners weren't always dinners they were lunches. My husband worked long hours when the kids were little and family dinner wasn't always an option so I would pack up the kids, take them to the sod field and have a family lunch. It wasn't around a table with pretty place settings or a centerpiece. It was usually some type of sandwiches that we ate together in the car, the truck or on a picnic blanket.

Our children have great memories of our lunches! As they grew and my husband's hours lessened in the field our lunches didn't stop they became more cherished! In our family we make sure we continue the tradition by meeting them where they're at..whether it's school, work or home. We have many family dinners now but our family lunches will always be a special time of bonding for each of us!

Wherever your table is... make it your special family time and then keep the tradition going :)

Peace and blessings,
Lesa

     "The fondest memories are made when gathered around the table" ~Unknown