Family Plan...Heritage of Faith

Good morning! Thinking this morning about our heritage of faith passed down from our parents and grandparents. Some of us are so blessed to have grown up in homes that were centered around God. Although, at times I think we take it for granted and are too comfortable in the Christian lives we live, I pray that we will keep hunger for His word and for speaking His name alive.

I am thankful for our heritage of faith. The picture below is of my Mom and Dad at a social I think right before they were married. We were just a twinkle in their eyes at this time. Thank you Mom and Dad for living to glorify God and for teaching us His ways and His word. Love you so much. I am excited that no matter what, we will never be without each other. In this world or in heaven, together.

Family Target or Plan: (Rick Atchley)

1. God is real and He loves us.

2. God's word is our guide to what is true and good. It teaches right and wrong and character development.

3. People are more important than things.

4. Doing right is never wrong

5. Anything with God is better than everything without Him.

You cannot hit a target when you are not aiming at it!

Colossians 3:15-17
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

My husband and I were enjoying a walk a few days ago and were talking about raising children and what we might have done or are doing right or wrong. We agreed that we feel one of the most important things that we tried to do was "be together". We tried to nurture our family time and see all of our time as family time.

One thing we saw early in our marriage was other parents making sure that they had their "me time". We would hear, "You did your thing, now here are the kids and I am going to do my thing." We vowed early on not to have to have "me time". It is ALL about "us time." So, we did not have our own hobbies that had to be included in our time schedule. When we had time to be together, we committed that time to the kids. There were times when we would exercise or read, etc., but these things were done strategically, like when the kids were sleeping or busy. We have not missed anything by being selfish and focusing other places besides on our children. One thing we have done though and I think is so important is that my husband and I made sure we spent time occasionally alone on a date or a weekend away together. It is so important to show our children that Mom and Dad love each other and love to spend time together and to model for them a healthy, Godly look at marriage.

This time of raising our children has flown and they are leaving and we now have all the time we need for hobbies and things that we want to pursue and enjoy. If we are going to decide to have children, then let's as parents commit to being there faithfully for them.

It's not about me, it is about us.

Truthfully, no hobby or time with the guy's or time with the girl's could ever compare to the moments and hours and years of time we have had with our children.

Just a thought. For what it is worth.
Blessings on this beautiful day! Amy