What I have learned from my Dad

As Father's day approached and went, I have been thinking of the things I have learned from my dad that I hope to pass down to my kids. The first thing is - people are important. Dad always has time for people. He had time to play tons of ping pong with his girls as they were growing up. He had time to mentor teenage boys who needed odd jobs to do. On Sunday morning our car would often make one or two stops on the way to church to pick up kids who my dad had invited to come with us. Today he has a group of friends he plays racquetball with. I don't know what they enjoy more the racketball or the talks on the way to play racquetball. Now I enjoy just hanging out with dad when he is in town and talking to him about what is going on with my family and I.

Dad also believes in people. Somehow he makes you think you can do anything. I don't know how many people he has talked in to doing a job that they would never would have thought of doing and most of the time they end up liking it. He often sees things in people that others don't.

The third thing I am learning from my dad is to think outside of the box. The woods behind our house became a retreat for the youth group. Dad and others built a mobile miniature golf course for fundraising and to use at our church camp grounds. Dad would buy and resell all kinds of things in his shop. Anyone need bubble wrap?

Dad likes to dream. It is fun to dream. We had a flat place where we use to live that we called the tennis court. One day it would be one. It didn't matter that it never was but it was fun to think it could be. We were going to have a raquetball court once and build a pontoon boat. These dreams never were realized but others have. Dad is now learning to sail. Dad has helped his shops grow and multiply. He also dug a basement underneath his house. Who would have thought?

These are just a few things I see in my dad and hope to see in me someday. I thank God for my Dad because he is just right for me.

What James 1 says about Parenting

In our church home team, we have been studying James 1 and I have noticed the many ways the verses can be applied to my role as mother. To begin with, James 1:4 says "Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do..." I don't know about you but I find my patience tested often. Children will sometimes not obey. Children will whine. Children will get on our nerves. Patience is a needed virtue that this mother could use more of. It is also a virtue that needs help from the Father above. I was glad to read in James 1:5 that " If any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it." (James 1:5a) When I see my need for patience and wisdom it should lead me to my knees. This is an area I would like to see grow in my life. I would like to be a person who goes to God for wisdom right when I need it instead of being frustrated or trying to get help from other sources. Verse 6 reminds me to just believe that God can give me wisdom and not to doubt. When I do this, I see God's hand helping me. His help isn't always how I would have imagined it to be but it is fully a part of his perfect plan. So I need to remember patience, ask for wisdom from God, believe and do not doubt.

The parenting advice continues in verse 19. When James reminds us to be willing to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry. As a parent, I often find myself reacting to the situation instead of finding out what is really going on. I blame the children for something they didn't do and end up apologizing. I find though if I listen to God's spirit within me, he is saying slow down and find out what is going on. I am then able to think before I speak and my correction will be more effective. I may also find that no correction is needed just a hug and some reassurance and guidance. This is a New Year's resolution that I am still working on two years later.

Dear God, You are the ultimate parent. Thank you that you know I need your help, your wisdom. Help me to slow down, listen and to be slow to speak. Help me to model this to my children not only for their sake but for your glory. In your son's name, Amen