Last week we talked about creating an environment in our home for ministry to take place.  I truly believe the first place our kids should experience God's power and presence is in their home.  It's our job as parents to create an environment where God can dwell and move in our family life.  The question is "how do we accomplish this?"  There are many ways to invite God's presence into your home, but in this short space, we will talk about two.  I will cover one today and the second in part 3 next week.

The first thing that must be done in order to create an environment of ministry is to acknowlege the Lord at every opportunity.  In other words....talk about Him A LOT!  At the end of Joshua 24:15, Joshua declares, "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (NIV).  Your children will know who is Lord in their home by who is given the most attention.  In conversation, it should not be unusual for His name to be brought up.  Questions like "I wonder what God would say about that?" or "How would Jesus handle that situation?"

We must give Him praise at every opportunity.  Psalms 113:3 says "From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised" (NIV).  This verse is referring not only to when something great happens, but when something difficult is going on.  Our kids need to see us calling on the Lord, praising His name, relying on His strength in ALL THINGS.  The ongoing acknowlegement of God is critical to creating an environment where ministry can take place in your home.  Your children need to know...Jesus is ALL this family needs....He is enough...in good times and hard times.  They learn Jesus can handle anything that comes our family's way. 

When our children are toddlers, we point out the greatness and wonder of God in a beautiful sky or a butterfly as it floats by. In the elementary years when our child is hurt by a unkind comment, we teach them Jesus' instruction to forgive and pray for those who hurt us.  In junior high when our child comes home frustrated because math is too hard, we point them to their "Help in times of trouble", and pray with them for understanding.  During the high school years, when our teenager is fighting to be strong in a culture totally against everything you are teaching, remind them they are not alone - that God is with them in every hard decision.  We remind our college student of Jeremiah 29:11 as he is navagating his career choices and other important decisions.  We bring God into EVERYTHING.

So, try it this week. Bring His name into your conversations...talk about what He might say in certain situations.  Give God praise with your kids. Let your kids know who is Lord of your home! Next week we will talk about the power of prayer in our home. Come back and join us!

In Him,

Elizabeth

Last night I tripped climbing our two little wooden stairs that lead into the kitchen.  I came down full force on both knees and as I did, the ceramic cereal bowl I was carrying careened across the floor splitting into a million pieces.  Sean rushed up from the basement to find me bent over, holding both knees.  He knew I was in pain and immediatly began to pray while putting his hands over mine.  When he was done praying I eeked out the words "I think I'm going to need some ice."  Elin came in and sat down next to me and asked if I was ok.  I respond with a groan that my knees really hurt....she puts her arm around my shoulders and begins to pray out loud over me.  It was so cool.

While I sat on the couch icing down my two knees I was very aware of the sweetness that had settled in my soul as my hubby and daughter took such tender care of me.  They ministered to me.  Ministry.  We think of that word in regards to church and pastors and national ministries, but we don't tend to connect it with home.  Ministry.  What is it?  It's caring for and "being" Jesus to others.  It seems to me that "ministry" should be alive and well in our homes first.  That makes sense doesn't it?

I think God loves when we as families are intentional about creating an environment of ministry in our homes.  If the only time our kids hear about God and hear people pray is at church, they are missing what God is all about.  On a daily basis, we as parents are called to live out our faith and love for Christ in front of our kids....inside the walls of our homes. We have to be intentional in getting across the point that God is not a God for Sundays only, but a God who wants real, live, thriving relationship with us everyday. 

So how do we go about creating this environment of ministry?  In my next blog I will be talking about two ways to go about accomplishing this critical and awesome task. I'm excited as I think of the wonderful ways God is going to touch you and your kids as you begin to create this culture in your home.   I hope you will join me!

In Him

Elizabeth

 

If I have learned one thing this past year and a half it's this....I don't have control over anything other than my response to this life.  When my kids were young I thought I had control because I could, for the most part, make them behave how I wanted them to....notice I said "for the most part."    As they got older I thought I had control because I could control where they went and who they were with.  As the teen years came around, I still thought I had control because I was engaged with them and knew where they were (supposedly) and who (supposedly) they were with.  But the reality was and still is this....I never had control.  Never.  Ever.

Even though I have come to terms with this reality...I still struggle with trying to control.  As parents we think we know what needs to change in our kids lives.  It might be their attitude, how they treat others, how "Christian" they are, etc.  We think we know what they need to hear....we have such great suggestions on pretty much any subject.  But the truth is...I don't know my kid's heart like God knows their heart.  I don't love them like God loves them.  I don't know what they need in the depths of their soul.  Only He knows.  And only He can do a work in them that truly lasts.

The other day I was praying over my kids and all of a sudden I heard this come out of my mouth..."Lord, help me to stay within the boundaries you have put in place for my parenting.  Help me not to move into Your territory in their lives."  God must have known I needed to ask for this....cause I didn't think that before I prayed it...it just came out of my heart as I was praying.  I realized I do this alot...I move into His territory...His area...what He is responsible for in their lives..and I try to do His job.  I AM LOUSY AT HIS JOB!  HE IS AMAZING AT HIS JOB! 

If you have kids of any age and you struggle with feeling the need to control...I encourage you to ask God for a clear understanding of your territory verses His territory.  I am learning to get out of the way, shut my mouth, and pray like crazy.  I have seen God do some amazing work in the lives of my kids.  He is changing them in ways I could never change them.  He is transforming them into His likeness and drawing them into relationship with Him. My kids aren't perfect, I don't want them to be..what I want is for them to have their own relationship with God and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and listen and obey Him. I want them to be mighty warriors for the Kingdom of God.  This is all I want...more than anything on this earth...this is what I want.

In Him,

Elizabeth

This past week Kevin came home and announced that he unexpectedly had to leave. My tone carried disappointment, "leaving again......for how long?" Somehow after all these years, I still have to work my head around his absence. It seems crazy that it doesn't matter if it's 10 days or 10 months.....I always hate for Kevin, my husband, to leave town. As time has marched on and we have weathered many separations, short and long, I have watched many marriages struggle with the isolation that deployment or a traveling job creates.  The isolation of physical presence, communication, conversation, laughing, and touching. These are the things that I long for when he is gone but I've found a small way to help during these times and at the same time it screams to my man....."I LOVE YOU AND I'M WAITING FOR YOU!" 

Just before Kevin leaves on a deployment or short training/trip I pick up a stack of Post-it Notes, grab different pens, and begin to write. On each Post-it I write just a little something to him such as "I'm so blessed to be yours!" "you are such a great dad...I love watching you with the kids" or "Sleep tight....I wish you were in my bed tonight!" and tuck them in various places in his bags. I may put a little note about how handsome he is in his shaving kit, or a note about loving how he takes care of himself in his running shoes, and I ALWAYS write a couple of intimate notes about how I can't wait for his return! You see, these notes help guard his heart and mind....he knows..... 1) that he's MY MAN! 2) I'm so proud of him and appreciate what he does to provide for our family, and most importantly 3) I long for his return and I can't wait to be with him! They also make me think about what I love about him!

There are times between work-ups, trainings, and deployments where Kevin is not gone much at all.....the Post-it idea still works wonders! Sometimes I will just put a note on his dash so when he gets in the car to start the day he knows that I believe he can do anything and I'm so proud to be his wife. Other times I will place a note in a book he's reading or in his calendar so that it will be a nice surprise in the middle of his day! Ladies, I believe this speaks volumes to our men and they need to be encouraged and lifted up by us!

So, give it a whirl, pick up a Post-it and get started! I'd love to hear about the response you get when you post it for him!

Blessings,

Tracie