Survey

While social media is the norm now, it doesn’t have to be for our kids. I remember a Christian Counselor, Sissy Goff, saying to wait as long as possible to start all that for our kids.

Our kids are forming their identities when they’re young. They’re so vulnerable to comparison and feeling like they need to fit in. Social media just intensifies that. In elementary school, middle school and early grades in high school, so much of a kid’s worth and who they are, hang on what other people think (and many times years beyond that- even as adults we grapple with that.) 

It can be detrimental for our kids to be on social media, playing the comparison game, always wondering what others think of them, or trying to present themselves in a certain way that they waste so much time and lose sight of who they are, not even having a chance to find out who they are because they get lost in others’ thoughts of them. 

I’m not saying what every family should do or at what age something should be allowed. That’s for each family to decide and every child is so different. But, I do think it’s really, REALLY important to look at the maturity level of our kids to determine that. 

A friend of mine let her kids decide junior or senior year in high school if they wanted to have social media. I know that might seem crazy to many, but she said that her kids were able to see the constant drama that surrounded social media and were so glad to not be a part of it. By the time they could be on it, they didn’t want to be.

A youth might decide to be on social media at some point when they’re mature, but in the meantime, let’s show our kids what it looks like to have real friendships, real conversations, by giving them opportunities to be with friends, IN PERSON. It’s so important to laugh and be silly and to be a kid and to enjoy the simple things. 

Our kids might feel like they’re missing out, but if you can tell them that really, the kids on social media are missing out because there are so many exciting things happening around us while others are tied to their screens. Let them know…Live your life! Don’t watch others’ lives on a screen. 

We. Do. Not. have to do what culture does.

Jesus never cared what culture thought. He cared what the right thing to do was. When he wasn’t supposed to heal on the sabbath, He did, because it was right. When everyone cared so much about being accepted, he told His followers to “shake the dust off their feet and leave that town” if someone didn’t welcome them. When the Pharisees called Jesus out for healing, He called them hypocrites. 

Jesus didn’t care what people thought. 

And we don’t need to care what culture thinks either.

We need to care most about our kids’ hearts and mental state.

That. Comes. First. 

What do your kids enjoy doing?

What makes them laugh?

What makes them smile and just be themselves?

Do more of that. 

And, if you can find other parents who think similarly and other kids who are of a similar mindset, that can be huge in your child not feeling like they are missing out or being left out. 

But again, you have to decide what’s best for your child.

Lord, we pray you would give us wisdom in this world of technology. Help us to navigate it and do what is best for our kids, regardless of what culture does. We pray for great opportunities for our kids to be kids, and to find joy in simple things. We pray for life-giving friendships for our kids, and that they would be lights for You and for what really matters. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

*If you’re looking for a way to be able to get in touch with your kids when they’re not with you, but don’t want social media on the device, The Gabb watch is great!

___________________

I don’t know what it is you’re going through right now- that big thing, small thing, hard thing, exhausting thing, whatever it is. 

But, what I do know, is that Easter morning shows us that God is greater than all. That no matter what you’re going through, you can take heart that Great is our Lord and Mighty in Power. 

He walked through the darkest places and rose above them so he could be with you, connect with you, to heal your heart, to carry you, to strengthen you, to pull you through this, whatever it is.i

With Easter approaching, remember that,

God knows. God cares. God loves you. 

We praise you, Lord, for your great miracle on Easter. We praise you for raising Jesus from death to life so we could have full and forever life with you. We praise you for giving us hope in You and for meeting our needs today according to your glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 
In Jesus’ Name, amen.

__________________________

Enjoy these screensavers for your phone to encourage you! They’re from For Girls Like You 
and you can download them for FREE here: Phone Screensavers

Thomas was unsure, and Jesus met him where he was. Martha asked questions, and Jesus welcomed them and told her truth. Jesus asked God a question when he cried out in prayer, and God met Him there. 

Sometimes we think spiritually feeding our kids only means to give more and more information. But, sometimes, I think it means to simply give an open space for our kids to ask questions or to release doubt. It can be scary to hear our kids share doubts with us and to seem unsure about things, but if we don’t hear them they will either share with someone else or lock them up deep inside. 

When Thomas doubted, Jesus listened, invited him to come and see, and told him truth. When Martha asked why Jesus let her brother, Lazarus, die, Jesus didn’t scold her, but instead shared truth with her. And, Jesus Himself, asked God, ‘Why have you forsaken me?” after he took the sin of the world upon Himself.

Questions are okay. 

Sharing things we’re uncertain of is okay. 

I would say it’s even a good thing. Because it’s being honest. And, God is truth and He loves truth. He knows our hearts and our thoughts, and He wants a true, honest relationship with us. 

Jesus constantly asked reflective questions – He asked about 80 questions just in the book of Luke. I wonder why? Maybe because when we think through things ourselves, it helps our faith to be our own and to grow even deeper. 

The next time your child asks you questions, don’t be afraid, but listen. Be there for them. Let them know it’s okay and that we all have questions sometimes, and then point them to truth…that Jesus loves them, and meets them right here in this and loves them more than they could ever imagine. 

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38

______________________

Lord, be with us today. Fill us up today. Lead us today. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

_________________

You might have heard this verse many times: “We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him.” (Romans 8:28) I understood it in a new way after reading “The Hiding Place” by Corrie ten Boom.

She was a Christian evangelist who hid Jews during the Holocaust and was imprisoned because of it. When Corrie and her sister, Betsie, entered one of the filthy prisons infested with fleas, both starving, they cried out to the Lord.

As they lay side-by-side on a bunk with several other women, 1 Thessalonians 5 came to Betsie and she shared them with her sister: “Give thanks in all circumstances.”

Corrie asked what on earth they could give thanks for. Betsie said that they were actually able to be together in prison and that their Bible miraculously had not been confiscated.

Then, Betsie prayed, “And thank you, Lord, for the fleas.” Corrie said she could never give thanks for fleas, but Betsie insisted that it is God’s will to give thanks in all circumstances.

So, while lying on their flea- and lice-infested straw beds, they gave thanks for the fleas.

After some time, they noticed that the soldiers rarely came into the barracks where they slept. Betsie and Corrie did not know why, but it allowed them to share the light of Jesus to other women for hours during such a dark time.

One day, Betsie asked a supervisor to come to the barracks. Betsie said to Corrie, “'[The supervisor] wouldn’t step through the door and neither would the guards. You know why?’

Betsie could not keep the triumph from her voice: ‘Because of the fleas!’ That’s what she said, ‘That place is crawling with fleas!’”

Corrie wrote, “My mind rushed back to our first hour in this place. I remembered her thanks to God for creatures I could see no use for.”

Hours of ministering, changing lives, and offering hope in a dark time, all came because of the presence of fleas.

What is the hard thing in your life that God can use for good? To help someone. To bring comfort to someone. To point someone to the light of the Lord, and to finding hope in Him.

This daily shift of giving thanks always, can be hard and it takes discipline. But when we change our outlook, it moves our eyes and hearts upon things eternal and puts God’s purposes over ours.

Corrie writes,

“Side by side, in the sanctuary of God’s fleas, Betsie and I ministered the Word of God to all in the room. We sat by death beds that became doorways of heaven. We watched women who had lost everything grow rich in hope.”

Whatever is happening in your life, be encouraged by these words that relate to us even now:

“In everything God works for the good of those who love him.” Romans 8:28

Whether this season is a seamless or difficult one, let us keep giving thanks, knowing that the Lord is right there with us, walking with us, loving us always.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

________________

You can find my Mother-Daughter devotional for moms and their 6-10 year old daughters at: Amazon,  Barnes & Noble,  ChristianBook.com,  Books-A-Million,  Target,  Mardel’s &  Focus on the Family. 

The devotional is a fun way to connect mothers & daughters with Jesus & one another! The 40 devotions include a prayer, story, Scripture, questions within the stories, action prompts, & creative fun activities!

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

___________________

When the perfect morning we planned unravels, when the day turns out just as we hoped, when our kids argue incessantly, and when our kids play seamlessly, let’s ponder and treasure the moments right in front of us just like Mary did. All is well because a Savior has been born to us, Christ the Lord!

___________________

While we all are experiencing different things in this moment, let us remember that Jesus is the One who will fill our souls in it all. No matter the depth of pain or height of joy, He is with us always and will walk with us when we ask Him to.

In this world, just as we experience both joy and pain, Jesus did too.

Jesus spent quality time with friends.

Jesus suffered terribly.

Jesus walked along the road with friends.

Jesus was left in darkness on the cross as he carried the sin of the world.

Jesus broke bread and fellowshipped with friends

Jesus connected with those sick and outcasted and rich and poor and lonely, and offered Life to them all through Him.

As we are all experiencing different things this Christmas – some great and some difficult – let us pray for each other and not forget one another. And no matter where we find ourselves, know that we can ALL find hope in Jesus always.

In this world, as we experience trouble and joy and heartache and contentment, let us remember to seek Jesus first. There we will find peace, joy, and rest for our souls.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Jesus (Matthew 11)

____________________