The Best Ingredient
It’s no secret that parents are busy people. Between managing your household, working, trying to stay ahead of the laundry, and figuring out what’s for dinner – every night, you also have an important ministry: providing for and raising up your child(ren). Being the loving parent you are, you want the best for them. It’s natural to want our children to have and be their best.
What are the ingredients for ‘best’?
Does ‘best’ mean the best schools, good health, friendships, sports, music lessons? Does it include experiences such as a Disney vacation, big birthday parties, and trips to the museum? Perhaps it includes material things like the latest video game, books, or an iPhone? Obviously, there is more than one ingredient when it comes to giving kids the best. One thing I know for certain is that God wants the best for his children (us!).
What is God’s best? The simple answer: to know Him.
The best, the very best, for our children is including God in their lives (and yours). Impressing God’s commandments on them; keeping God at the center of your family life.
The most important job you’ll ever have is the privilege of raising your children. If you’re feeling like your life has gotten too busy or your family time is lacking substance, take a step back, re-evaluate, and focus on what’s important. A new iPhone, that latest video game, a Disney vacation – these are all ‘nice-to-haves’ but will never be more valuable than creating a solid family life with God at the center. We are stewards of our children. Knowing what God wants and teaching that to our children is the essential ingredient.
It may be that you are a young parent and/or a new Christian who is still trying to put all of the pieces together when it comes to knowing God and nurturing your child(ren)’s faith (and your own). If you need assistance, reach out to Pastor Dan.
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
deuteronomy 6:6-7
Here are a couple of resources that you may find helpful:
- Building a Family of Faith: Simple and Fun Devotions to Draw You Close to Each Other and Nearer to God
by Andy Dooley – Whether your family has been doing devotions for years or this is your first time introducing them, Building a Family of Faith–recently featured on GMA3–is just what you need to help your family connect with one another, grow in faith, and learn how physical activity can influence your relationships and your faith.
- One Year of Dinner Table Devotions and Discussion Starters: A Daily Family Devotional with 365 Opportunities to Grow Closer to God as a Family
by Nancy Guthrie – Getting the kids to turn off the TV and video games is challenge enough―let alone gathering as a family to read and discuss the Bible! One Year of Dinner Table Devotions & Discussion Starters helps families start where they are already gathered together on a daily basis―around the dinner table. As the meal comes to a close, family members can take turns turning to the dinner-table devotion for that day, designed to be done together as a family in 10 to 15 minutes. The result is a meaningful daily discussion in which every family member can participate, drawing the whole family closer to God . . . and each other.
Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.
PSALM 127:3
In Christ,
Peggy Kelly
Family Ministry Director
cccbillerica.org