THANKSGIVING, A New Holiday Challenge

It seems to me, in my humble opinion that we have gone from a nation of people that are thankful, grateful for what we have, to a nation of consumers.  We always want and demand more…more…MORE until we are not satisfied or thankful for anything!  We have skipped over Thanksgiving, in our actions, attitudes, and dare I say it, retail market!  Remember when Christmas wouldn’t be put on display until November?  I do and I am not THAT old, (well I am getting older…but that is another post in and of its self)

What I have noticed is that we are not thankful for anything anymore.  Our children are not happy with what they have, after all Christmas is coming, the season of MORE…MORE…MORE!  There are posters, bumper stickers, plaques with the words “Who ever dies with the most toys wins!”  Is that our American Dream?  We are the wealthiest nation in the modern world, and yet we are one of the most ungrateful, unmannered, unkind people on the planet.  In short, we are miserable!  Why?  So glad you asked!

My theory, and remember that this is just my opinion, is that we are miserable because we have nothing to want for!  Everything we want and desire is just a trip to the store.  Want peaches in November; the produce department will have it!  Want a new seat warmer for your car, all the dealership and order it!  Want a ‘newer’ vehicle, after all ours is only (gasp) 5 years old…head to town and purchase it!  Who cares if it takes five, six, or seven years to pay off!  We, after all, deserve only the very best!  

Here is where I want to challenge you!  We are at the start of the holiday season with the amazing holiday of THANKS GIVING!  We are seeing a demand for more in our nation as our economy and economic situation is growing worse, it seems like a silly and pointless holiday to celebrate!  After all, what is there to celebrate in job loss, economic downturn, stock market plummeting!  There is a lot to be thankful for!  Can you breathe?  Did you make the air that you are inhaling?  Can you walk, write, see, hear, and think?  Who gave you the ability to do all of that?  Changes perspective a little bit doesn’t it?  We have a lot to be thankful for, we are creations the Almighty God, ruler of the universe!  He loves us enough to give us today, allow us to live, and live in America.  BUT, being thankful is only one part of THANKS GIVING.  The other part is the GIVING!  What are you going to give to someone else this holiday season?  There are needs everywhere, the Angel Trees at Wal-Mart and the mall, the bell ringers for the Salvation Army, the World Vision website (which has added a section for donations needed for American families), Compassion International needs people to sponsor children, and the local Care Centers need food for their pantries, gifts for their children.  The need is everywhere!  So my challenge to you is what are you going to GIVE and be THANKFUL for this Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday!

We have much because Christ gave much.  “For God so loved the world that He GAVE His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.  Christ willingly gave up His life so that we could be blessed!  What are you going to give to bless others this Thanksgiving?  My prayer is that is nothing short of your very best, just like Christ!

BEST FAMILY HOUSE RULES

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”  Joshua 24:15 b

1.      Always use soft words, even when you don’t feel well.

2.      Always display kind actions and joyful attitudes, even if you have been mistreated. Have the right response by quickly forgiving others in your heart even before they ask.

3.      Always be enthusiastic and look for opportunities to praise others' character.

4.      Always deflect praise and be grateful to God and others for the ways they have benefited your life.

5.      Always use manners and be respectful of others and their belongings.

6.      Always do what is right, even when others may not, or when no one is looking.

7.      Thank God for how He made you, for what He has given you and everything He allows you to go through. (Romans 8:28)

8.      Don’t mock or put others down. Develop compassion and pray for others.

9.      Never argue, complain, or blame. Quickly admit when you have done wrong and ask for forgiveness (even if you were only 10% at fault). Don't wait till you’re caught. Be sure your sins will find you out. He who covers his sin will not prosper, but he that confesses and forsakes it shall find mercy.

10.  Have a tough accountability/prayer partner to daily share your heart with and to keep you in line (your parents, spouse). The power of sin is in secrecy.

11.  Be attentive and look for ways to serve others with sincere motives and no thought of self-gain.

12.  Think pure thoughts (Philippians 4:8, Romans 13:14).

13.  Always give a good report of others. Don't gossip! Never tale-bear unless physical harm will come to someone. (Use Matthew 18.)

14.  Never raise a hand to hit.

15.  Never raise a foot to kick.

16.  Never raise an object to throw.

17.  Never raise a voice to yell.

18.  Never raise an eye to scowl.

19.  Use one toy/activity at a time. Share!

20.  Do your best to keep your surroundings neat, clean and organized.

21.  Never let the sun go down on your wrath. (Don’t go to bed angry or guilty)

22.  Amendment J.O.Y. -
       Put Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last.

Compliments of the Duggar Family Rules!

Practical Parenting Tips: The “C” Word

Last time I offered a fun parenting tip, with no bites, so today I am getting practical!  There are, after all, times to laugh but there are also times to be serious!  Today, I am in a reflective serious mood; I want to talk about the dreaded “C” word……CHORES!

I am amazed at the amount of parents that do not believe that children need to assist in their home, there are no chores!  That is not something that happens in our home, not only do we have chores, but we have chore charts, and rules.  Even the “baby” of the family, (who by the way is 3), has chores.  All of the children have to make their beds, all of the children are responsible for their toys, and there are certain things that they do to help Mommy and Daddy maintain their home.  For example, feeding their animals, wiping their bathrooms, dusting and even doing their own laundry!  The work that is done by our children is not corrected, unless they have made a horrible mistake!  I know that they can't make their beds like I do every morning, that's not the point, the point is that they tried, and they did it!

Now, here is where we get controversial.  Our children do NOT get an allowance or payment for their work?  WHY?  Simple, they are a member of the Best family, and we work together to make family life more acceptable for everyone.  It is everyone’s responsibility to make the home and family life comfortable, from the baby to the parents, we all work together.  In the midst of the chore times, you can often hear laughter, giggling, talking, sharing, and music.  Interesting huh?  Do “CHORES” really equate to a happy, laughing family!  You bet!  

The “C” word….what a glorious parenting word it is!

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

In our house, November is C-R-A-Z-Y!!!!!  Why?  So glad you asked!  The main reason is that God, in His infinite wisdom and grace, gave us two babies three years and five days apart!  LOL!  That’s right, Doodle Bug is 11-8-00 and Cowboy is 11-14-03!  Can you say BUSY?  Yes, we are with a capital “B”!  Between school, finding the perfect gift, planning the perfect party, and keeping up with life in general (who knew that laundry still had to be washed in November?), November is CRAZY!

 

However, today I find myself in a reflective sort of mood.  Our oldest was 10 on Monday…our middle will be 7 on Sunday.  Yes, reflection is common for a Mother whose children are growing too fast.  I was thinking of Hannah, that amazing example of not only an awesome Mother but a True Woman found in 1 Samuel.  She longed for a child, just one, and then had to give him away, not having the privilege of watching him grow up!  WOW!  That is something that I could not imagine.  Next my thoughts drifted to other family members, who through their own choices or not, lost babies.  I could not imagine laboring to be told that I can not hold my baby, for whatever reason.  Then I closed my eyes and saw my children as babies, and had the overwhelming urge to weep!  Gone are the cherubic cheeks, milk grins, beautiful sleeping eyes, contented sighs.  My children are growing, and I don’t want them to!  How selfish is that?

After all that reflection (and a few Kleenex that were used), I realized something; something profound and deeply important.  I am morning the loss of my children. WHY?  They are growing too fast for this mother’s liking.  Yet, because of the provisions of my God, (the One that gave my children to me to start with), I have nothing to mourn over!  You see, one of my children accepted Christ as their Savoir at the young and tender age of 5!  The other one, while not having made an open profession of faith, is working on it!  They are questioning everything, wanting to understand the mind workings of a God that loved them enough to die for them.  Knowing that, I have peace that I will have my children forever!  All because of the never ending love of a Father that wants to have His children with Him forever!  AMAZING!

When was your Happy, Happy Birthday?  Not the date your were born, but the date that your were born again?   Don’t know if you have a Happy, Happy Birthday?  There is a way to know, it involves some personal reflection, thinking, confessing, and looking at the one True God to provide you with a Birthday that will last forever!

Happy Birthday to my amazing children!  I look forward to the next millennia with you all, celebrating the happiness that only Christ can bring to our lives!  I love you and it is a pleasure being your Mommy!