Exploring Styles of Prayer
“Now I lay me down to sleep…” “God is great, God is good…” “Thank you for the world so sweet…” “Oh, the Lord is good to me…” “Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest…” Prayers like these that are part of a regular routine become rote. Then there are borrowed prayers – words someone else has […]
Kids and Salvation
Salvation is a church-y word that kids don’t automatically understand. As we try to explain it, we may struggle in our desire to neither traumatize nor water down its meaning. Here are three of my concerns about how salvation is often described, along with suggestions for different language to use with kids. (It’s OK if […]
Kids and Baptism
Your kids may have questions about baptism. Or maybe you wonder if your child is ready. Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind. Baptism is a personal decision – not one that parents should make for their children. Kids don’t need our permission. They need our support and affirmation throughout their journey of learning. […]
Parenting Is Like Reading
I’ve heard it said that our children are like a book. We might have certain expectations at the start of chapter one based on the title, author, and genre. But by the end of the book, we often realize the story was far different from what we anticipated. Think back to when your first child […]
Practicing Empathy and Lament
It’s hard to put ourselves in the shoes of parents living in places experiencing natural or human disasters. We can’t imagine their fear and weighty decisions, their loss, their need to lament yet still show hope for their kids… Sometimes praying for them feels insufficient. But these are times when we can practice empathy with […]
Be a Thermostat
So many things rally for attention in our minds and emotions as parents. Managing all the schedules and to-do’s for work, kids’ activities, holiday events, and family gatherings. Helping kids navigate issues with friends, classmates, or schoolwork. Trying to keep up with meals, laundry, housework, and (maybe) exercise. Attending to the unique needs of our […]