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Parenting Q
& A by Mary Allen A Potpourri of Essays about the Family, the Home, and Parenting |
“As thou hast
sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them
into the
world.” John
17:18 |
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Q:
This
time of year I always
struggle with the selfishness displayed by my children. How can we do
better at
keeping Christ the focus this Christmas? A: As
a Christian mom, this is definitely a subject close to my heart.
Especially as
it’s one I’ve bombed out on too many times myself. Thankfully I’ve
learned a
few things along the way. Getting carried away by the traditions of
Christmastime, can pretty much be summed up by King Solomon’s edict
that “All
is vanity” if the true reason for
celebration—Jesus—is not first in our hearts. The
question is: What would Jesus want us to
do for Him this Christmas? Often the
answer to reclaiming our children from bad habits is to give them
opportunities
for change. In this instance, if December activities induce selfishness
in our
children, we should give them plenty of opportunities to practice
selflessness,
while at the same time, cutting back on anything that feeds the
“monster”
within. Ways to cultivate
the heart of a
servant-giver in our children during the holidays: · Be
hospitable. Include your children in party planning and follow-through.
Think
outside the box as to who you could invite to your home for a Christmas
party.
The widows in your church? The elderly? Single moms? You could keep
this small
scale in your home with a few guests, or recruit another family’s help
and host
it at your church. Have the children provide entertainment! · Ask
your local homeless shelters, soup kitchens or homes for unwed mothers
what
their needs are this season. Opportunities abound. Just be prepared if
their
real need is someone to scrub down the greasy kitchen to state
inspection
standards! · Visit
the nursing homes in your area as it brings such joy to their lives to
see the
children. And it does something to the children as well. Mine beg to
go,
knowing how lonely this precious generation is. Sing a few Christmas
carols
while you are there! Make gingerbread house villages and donate them
for the
resident’s enjoyment! · Is
there a home for disabled children or adults in your area? Could you
organize a
Christmas gift drive for them, or a fun day where you take pets to
share?
Puppies and kittens are always a hit, or maybe you have a horse they
could see
and pet. Many children have never even seen a real, live horse.
Consider the
logistics and then brainstorm the possibilities! As you see,
opportunities abound for blessing others, and in so doing, blessing
your
children with the gift of serving others. Children are capable of
seeing needs
and ministering to others to meet those needs. Our young people are
never too
young to catch the vision, and live their life for a higher goal. Once
they
catch that vision, they will discover true happiness. Selfishness and
its
sidekick “boredom” need never get their footholds in your family life. Jesus was
born to bring light into this dark world, and to reveal His truth to
the deceived.
How better to bless Him this Christmas, than by being His messengers of
light
and truth to the hurting and neglected around us? Deuteronomy
30:2 promises that if we return to the Lord, and obey His
voice according
to all that we’re commanded, both us and our children, with all our
hearts, and
with all our souls then He’ll rescue us from whatever holds us captive,
and
will have compassion upon us. May God hear our
hearts this Christmas, and may we and our loved ones be fervent in our
desire
to seek His will, and in so doing, bless others. Have a
blessed Christmas, Mary Rejoicing in
hope... Romans
12:12 by Mary Allen
Published by WordExplain.com Email Contact: Mary@homesteepedhope.com Scripture quotations from the KJV. About the Author: Mary Allen is a stay-at-home, homeschooling, country-loving mom. She makes her home in the mid-west amidst Border Collies, horses, cows, a horde of chickens, her beloved husband and their three girls. She writes articles for several online publications, including her own website, Home-Steeped Hope.
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