Guess what? The storms will come. They show up in hidden ways like the busyness in schedules that slowly fades to chaos and lost time with one another. They show up in environmental stress from careers, or academic struggles, or conflict in relationships. The storms come from the disorganization in our homes that lead to battles over “lost” things or unsigned papers or arriving late to our obligations. What communication practices do you have in place right now to withstand the storms?
I was at the grocery store the other day and walked through an aisle where a teenage boy was standing with his mom. He had the cart and it was blocking the end of the aisle. His mom just looked at him and yelled, “move the cart, dumb a**.” My eyes got huge, my jaw dropped and I had so many things I wanted to yell back at that woman. I bit my tongue and moved to the checkout line. I’m pretty sure I knew what they were practicing at home…
Read MoreWhen Saturday morning came with the kids running into my room screaming, “There’s snow! Snow! Can we pleeeease go play outside??”, my anxiety went up with the thoughts of the bundling up, the wet clothes, the complaining of freezing wrists, and the thought that I may have to go out there and play. I like snow days from inside my house looking out and not freezing from outside. I am okay with the fact that I don’t think we are called to like everything we do as parents.
Read MoreAs we look forward to our goals of the New Year, it’s important to reflect on the fact that everything doesn’t come with instant gratification as our world may falsely tell us. Sometimes we can think everything should come with ease, especially our prayers, hopes, and dreams. God surely offers us blessings, but we can’t forget what it requires of us: steadfastness, perseverance, sacrifice. Values that are not often highlighted in our society, but ones we must not neglect teaching and modeling.
Read MoreGood habits at the dinner table teach consistency and set the expectation of what family meals should look like. You have the opportunity to make that table a gathering place for stories shared, lessons learned, and memories made. Model positive communication at a young age. It will quickly become routine and will surely lead to growth within your family.
Read MoreDon’t push those moments off one more time. I know you will have incredible moments without that “one” moment, but missing that one may turn out to be your biggest regret.
Read MoreHere I was in a defining moment and revelation in my life and those closest to me encouraged me and did not crush my spirit. Many times now, with my own children, I will recall that conversation with my dad, and wonder why I can’t be more supportive like he was. Why do I tell them it can't be done? Who knows if, in that moment, seeds are being planted to help our children figure out what they are created to do and who they are meant to be.
Read MoreI think it’s completely normal and healthy to question and evaluate how we are raising our families. In fact, it is necessary or we’d never be able to measure our success. But I do believe there is a good balance in the whole matter. And who knew? The answer lies in those truck drivers.
Read More“Mommy, is it hard to do all this?” I stopped. In a few short seconds my mind had a million thoughts of why we were standing in just this place. What if I had quit? What if I still quit? What lessons am I teaching the little eyes?
Read MoreHow can it be that so many of us grow up and forget to be brave? To just go for it. Would many of us adults even dare to cross those monkey bars in our lives without first evaluating how high we are?Let’s be brave for our family. What if we could live our fearless life as examples for our children?
Read MoreAs the years have carried on for a decade since we met our first baby girl, I am convinced that God planned this just for me. Life has a way of giving us many moments we don’t understand. When you think God hasn’t worked something out in just the way that you see fit within your family, sit back and let him do his work. Even if it takes 30 years.
Read MoreThe time goes quickly - as quickly as twelve summers and if we aren’t careful with how we foster our communication, our connections will fail. The time we have with our family is the time we are given to plant seeds and what we do with that precious time determines how rich we can make the soil of our family. May Togather be your tool for cultivating growth in your home.
Read More
