Easter is all about HOPE! Beyond the plastic eggs, grass-filled baskets and sweet, sugary confections, there’s a message waiting to be stamped on the hearts of our children….a message of redeeming life and all prevailing hope. Hope that transcends our yesterdays, captivates our todays and leaves us anticipating our tomorrows. Yet this hope can often be difficult for our children to grasp, and sometimes we have to look for creative, intentional ways to bring hope to life so the gift can saturate their tiny, moldable hearts and carry them to the lap of God. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14 So many times these intentional efforts become such a rich experience that before we Continue Reading
The Christmas Ninja
Too many years have gone by to remember names, but the image on Christmas morning is forever etched in my mind. We were newlyweds, celebrating our first Ohio Christmas together, both of us bored out of our minds. The tiny “blink and you’ll miss it” country town held little charm and even less in the way of evening entertainment. Our first ministry in the brick church by the railroad tracks wasn’t going so well, and we had lacked hope that our efforts were making any lasting impact on the community. I’m not really sure how it all came about because we really had no extra money to speak of. But we were both hungry for something more. When the opportunity to give hope presents itself, it’s a good idea to grab hold and let it take us places we might not normally go. We Continue Reading
On Stepping Up as Keeper of Our Child’s Dreams
I remember vividly the day I realized my calling to parent my children was also a calling to be the keeper of their dreams. Dreams which began as a passing glimmer in their hearts and required vigil and nourishing. The kind of dreams that shape a soul and a future. And the kind that can’t be accomplished in a young and tender heart without the gentle coming alongside of a parent. ~a 10 year old's passion for european history grew from a desire to connect with his Scottish heritage and play the bagpipes ~a 9 year old's passion for worship ministry grew from a desire to play the guitar and sing like a rock star ~a 9 year old's passion for biology grew from a desire to own and draw every animal possible Each dream unique yet each equally profound in its potential to shape a life for a Continue Reading
Parenting Children in Who God Created Them to Be
Parenting isn't easy! The answers are rarely clear and the task of soul shaping doesn't include a step by step manual anyone can follow. It's rigorous and tiring and daunting. And it takes unimaginable courage and sacrifice over a lifetime. But it's also the adventure of a lifetime. One that sends our adrenaline shooting with each accomplishment and our tears flowing with every cute and contagious heart tug. We watch the life entrusted to our care. The wonder of every breath. And we hope... they will grow in character and strength they'll develop compassion and kindness their hearts will be honest and generous and good We hope our children will become all we imagine... and more than we can possibly imagine. Their dreams become our dreams, and we become the keeper Continue Reading