Tag: beautifulheartedparenting

Finding Contentment in the New Year (and not letting the green grass fool you)

Linsey Driskill

My article below was inspired by one of those entertaining church slogans you see on road trips: “Don’t Let the Green Grass Fool You”

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Finding Contentment in the New Year 

by Linsey Driskill

During my family’s road trips, we have read numerous entertaining church slogans such as “God answers knee-mail,” and “Forecast for tomorrow: God reigns and the Son shines.” I recently saw one that resonated with me: “Don’t let the green grass fool you.”

What’s the green grass in your life? What is it that you long for, but don’t have? What are your hopes for the upcoming year?

We all have something. Something we wish we had. It’s settling to know everyone deals with this and that Jesus addressed it for this very reason.  The truth is, even if you did get your green grass, it wouldn’t satisfy. You would then long for something greater. Don’t let the green grass fool you.

The better question is what happens to us when we pine after our green grass? It corrodes our hearts and chips away at our relationships, leading to empty life.

It’s easy to be swayed into thinking that temporal things will satisfy us.

In the Luke 12 parable, the “rich fool” wanted more and more, but was never satisfied. “God said to [the rich man], ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”

How can we pursue contentment in the New Year instead of pining after “green grass?” Some practical ways are spending time with Jesus in prayer, reading his words, serving others, and giving thanks. Then, the deception of “green grass” will fade and that longing will lessen. Moving closer to contentment is a daily process, but as we do, joy and peace will become a fountain within us and lead us to the full life Jesus talks about.

Jesus follows up the parable about the rich fool with powerful words: “Do not worry… But seek His kingdom. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” What are you seeking? Where’s your treasure? That is right where your heart will be also.

Don’t let the green grass fool you.

It’s not that green after all. Let’s find contentment with the grass that lies under our feet. Let’s shift our perspective, serve, give thanks, and seek his kingdom. Jesus’ greatest blessing is his presence, and I pray that his presence would be your fountain of life in the New Year!

This Family’s Simple Secret to Closeness: Creating Family Traditions in the New Year

Linsey Driskill

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There is a family I admire greatly because of how close they are to their high school girls – they are open with each other, spend time together, and love the Lord. One day I asked the girls, “What do you think your parents did that makes your family so close?” Both of their answers: “Our weekly Pizza and Movie night.” They said that every Friday is their family time, and many times they prefer to do that over other things going on.

That’s what most of us probably desire as our kids get older – that they would still crave family time. The girls’ answer was easy. Having a weekly tradition. Having a safe place to go each week that is always open to them. A place where they are known, accepted, and loved for who they are.

John Townsend, a Christian counselor and writer, said, “Kids who are emotionally connected in healthy ways are more secure.” Let’s create traditions in the New Year to build our relationships with our children as well as their confidence, so they will be ready to go out into the world and explore.

Every Friday we do pizza and movie night. The kids look so forward to it! What’s your family tradition? Looking forward to hearing some fun family ideas! Happy New Year!!!

 

Merry Christmas!

Linsey Driskill

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Eat birthday cake, Rejoice, and Celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus on Christmas day! Merry Christmas, everyone!!!

 

Create a Sparkle Box with your Kids

Linsey Driskill
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Create your own Sparkle Box from a shoebox, decorate one from a craft shop, or find the original fold-out Sparkle Box and book at the link below.
Leading up to Christmas, the family writes ways that each person has loved God and others on notecards and slips them in the gift box.
On Christmas morning, open Jesus’ gift box and read the cards aloud. The Sparkle Box will give our kids a more tangible understanding that loving him and others is the best gift we can give him.
For the original “Sparkle Box”, go to this link: http://www.lifeway.com/Product/sparkle-box-P005544567
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Disney Princesses and Women of the Bible: Encouraging Inner-Beauty in our Daughters

Linsey Driskill

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My most recently published article…

How do we encourage our daughters to focus on inner-beauty more than outward appearance?

My six-year-old girls love reading the Disney Princess books and dressing up. We’ve visited Disney World and enjoyed every minute of it (except the long lines!) – the magic of kids’ imaginations is heart-warming. However, one summer, as my daughters wore their princess dresses, I imagined them wanting to imitate women who love the Lord like Esther, Deborah, Mary, Ruth and Tabitha.

I began sharing story after story of women in the Bible who sought the Lord with all their heart. We read about Esther saving the Jewish people because of her bravery and loving God and others first. We talked about a simple girl named Mary who was courageous and carried Jesus, the Savior of the world. They learned that Ruth left everything to show compassion for her mother-in-law and that Tabitha cared deeply for the poor because of her love for Jesus.

Who do our daughters want to imitate? Who are their heroes?

The day my daughter, Gracie, told me she wanted to dress up like Esther, it was music to my ears. As we share Bible stories about beautiful hearted women who gained their confidence from God and loved the Lord and others, our daughters will want to imitate these women.

To continue reading the article, go to this link on church.org:  https://www.church.org/2017/12/05/disney-princesses-women-bible-encouraging-inner-beauty-daughters/