Don’t Waste Your Coronavirus Quarantine

I can honestly say that if it weren’t for the robust sermon that my pastor preached the last time we met in person, my Loopy Factor would be substantially higher than today’s meter is registering.

One of my biggest lightbulb moments occurred when he referenced John Piper’s “don’t waste” series (don’t waste your life, your time, your cancer, etc.) Our pastor encouraged us to embrace this time at home—be still, and figure out how not to waste this unprecedented time.

Well, I’m always at home. My office-based career changed when a sweet-smelling little 8-pounder was placed in my arms. I come from a long line of homebodies, so I have plenty of stamina for this time. But I don’t want these days to look like all the others.

I started thinking of my children, who are always watching (especially my little one--anyone else have a Nosy Rosey?) This is a big deal, a historical event, and something that will be talked about for years to come. It’s my job to make an impact. What will they see over these next few weeks?

I want them to see me submit to authority. Regardless of our personal feelings about elected officials, they have a huge team of highly trained scientists giving them advice. They want success, and success to them means a low number of deaths in our country. Now would be a great time to consider Hebrews 13:17 as a family.

I want them to see me treasuring our family time. We’ve seen the jokes about how we’d almost rather take our chances with this virus than have to teach our children Proof Theory, but be careful that they don’t overhear you complaining about having extra time with them. (Matthew 18:10)

I want them to see me acting out of faith-filled confidence. You know the deal—trust the Lord and wash your hands. Hope for vaccines and medicine and good health, but don’t turn any of that into an idol. (Proverbs 14:26)

I want them to see me loving my community. I will be checking on my elderly friends daily, and if they need food or medicine or even if they just get a hankering for their favorite brand of gingersnaps, I’m going to be available to them. (Galatians 6:10)

I want them to see me being resilient. This one is hard for all of us; even our most extroverted and spontaneous loved ones still like their routines, right? But no one’s life turns out exactly the way we expect (and if yours has so far, then hang on). You know how you put an address into the GPS but then ignore its directions for a few steps? What message pops up on the screen? “Recalculating.” That’s what we all need to learn to do in these days. (I Thessalonians 5:18)

These are also days to relax the rules a bit. There should be pajama parties, slightly later bedtimes (don’t go crazy—kids need structure, and you need that time to spend with your spouse or to take time for yourself), movie and popcorn nights, and a lot of family time. Our grandchildren are going to ask our children what this experience was like. Let’s plant some seeds (and make some memories)!

--Andrea (with gratitude and virtual hugs to Pastor Chuck Parker)

Impress them on your children . . . .

TRUTH

Remember this today . . . and always!

No Greater Joy

One of our favorites!

Promises

Thank You, Lord, for keeping Your promises to us. Help us to do the same with the ones we love.

The Whole Point of it All

"I don’t believe there are devils enough in hell to pull a boy out of the arms of a godly mother." ~ Billy Sunday

 
#livesummerdeliberately

Marriage 1st, Children 2nd

Yesterday while doing a little shopping with my kids after school, it dawned on me . . . .

"Ya know, Stace, some of the folks reading your blog may be wondering why in the world you guys talk so much about marriage if this is supposed to be all about parenting!?"

That's how it is you know; if you're passionate about anything, you sometimes just assume others are as well--or even worse, that they understand where you're coming from. Obviously not always true.

So here it is:

I (as well as Andrea) are very firm believers in marriage before children. I'll even go one step further and say marriage before sex. How 'bout them apples!? You'll find no apologies here for our very strong belief in traditional marriage and in the divine plan for family balance: our relationship with Christ, then our marriages, THEN children.

I know, I know, I'm such an intolerant, hating, close-minded, old fashioned, ridiculous, ignorant woman. Did I leave anything out? Unrealistic? Yeah, I'm also unrealistic. Did I cover it all?

The truth is, as far as The Word goes, our marriages must come first in the home. I talk to A LOT of parents out there, and the longer I do this, the more I see a trend which, unfortunately, isn't a huge shocker. Parents are struggling. They are doing so primarily because their marriages have never happened, ended in divorce, or are heading in that direction.

We are even defining ourselves by our parental status: "Stay-at-home mom" rather than "housewife." And the logic is usually along the lines of, "I don't live to serve my husband. Why would I call myself a housewife?"

Really? But you're quick to point out that you are a "stay-at-home mom" . . . 'cause THAT doesn't scream "you're all about your children." You are serving your children. Soooooo . . . . ?

We know that the entire family thrives when the marriage thrives. Children who have a front-row seat to a loving marriage will undoubtedly succeed in their own family lives.  This is not to say that children in homes where a parent has passed or single parents for whatever reason can't successfully raise a happy, healthy, God-fearing child. But I will say that I have YET to meet a parent in one of these situations who disagrees that having a happy marriage--and a marriage FIRST--would have been much more preferable.

Here's my point: being "old-fashioned" isn't synonymous with "out of touch" or "ignorant."  It certainly shouldn't be a four letter word either. As far as I can gather, when we're old-fashioned in the ways of marriage and allowing the Biblical model for family to be your guide, most everything else falls right into place. God has the most perfect plan for our families . . . as Gary Chapman says, "it's one of his BEST ideas!"

That's just my two cents.

--Stacey