Parenting on Purpose means being intentional. Not allowing things to just happen by chance.
Our oldest daughter is in college now along with her dearest and closest friend. They are taking the same course and most days ride to school together. I love seeing them in the morning and joining in on their girlish interaction. This friendship began in grade two!
Our second child, our son, has remained very close with friends that he has made since kindergarten. And another close friend that moved to our area while he was in elementary school. My son is now in grade eleven.
These friends have attended the same church and the same schools.
These friends have been a part of our family.
I remember years ago commenting to my dear friend and pastor's wife how coincidental it was that our church seemed to have so many girls the same age as my daughter Sarah and so many boys the same age as my son Jonathan. (Our pastor's family has a daughter the same age as Sarah and a son the same age as Jonathan.) My dear friend let me know that it was no coincidence. She had been praying that God bring friends into the church for her children.
Thank you God for making us a part of her answered prayer and allowing us to benefit too.
Our youngest daughter also has some wonderful friendships. Good friends whose homes we can feel comfortable with her being in.
Friends influence friends. Don't you want your children to be making good choices? Then help them to choose good friends!
Our children need our guidance and want to know their boundaries. It is our love language to them.
Sarah recently volunteered at the high school where I work. (The high school that she graduated from in June.)
The school was putting on a play, actually a large production, and I suggested that she help out with the hairdos. (She is quite talented with a curling iron.) It is our responsibility as parents to help our children realize all of their giftings.
My husband and I feel it is important to give back to the community and want to instill that value in our children. She had a great time and her efforts were very appreciated. (Sarah would not have thought of this on her own. I guided her to make this choice.) She had a great time and felt really good about what she did to help.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Guidance
Sarah doing the hair of one of the actresses.
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7 comments:
Praise God for children who have godly parents, and who become friends with our children! Even "good" kids don't always make the best choices, but there is a much better chance...
My kids are still young, but I pray that they will forge the kinds of friendships that will last a lifetime with Christian brothers and sisters.
It is such a great feeling when you know the character of the children that have become your kids' friends...when you know the home life and share the same beliefs it is an even greater blessing.
Positive peer pressure is a very good thing, I thank God for it....helps us parents not look so "lame" when their friends' parents are setting similar guidelines too.
I am also thankful for the friendships my children have. My youngest is a social butterfly with lots of friends, but last year I saw a loneliness developing in my oldest that made me very sad. I began praying for God to send some friends to her life and began encouraging her to be a friend. In September, it was your daughter Sarah who began the Grade 9 Girls Book Club. Not only has my daughter enjoyed these times and been spiritually strengthened, but she also has made a beautiful friend.
Rhonda, your posts always challenge me to action! Thanks!
Well, Rhonda.. my kids are getting older but I continue to pray regarding their relationships... I think it's an on going prayer of a mother's heart.
Yes, your kids and family were an answer to our prayers, but not just for our kids.. in endless other ways.
I look back over the years since we began DS and realize how little we knew but the how much we loved God and depended on HIM. Once again we're back to the topic of relationship. Relationships are so key in all our lives NO matter our age.
I am thankful that my children have had opportunity to develop friendships with other Christian kids from DS.
We just had a birthday party for Calia and her friends on Saturday.I noticed that about half the girls at her party were her school friends and half were church friends.
Her school friends change from year to year. Her church friends are constants. They are girls that she has been friends with since....well...since they were babies in the church nursery. What a blessing.
well i am not a parent of any of these children from DS. But i guess i am considered one of the children! lol. And i would just like to say that i look at you children and your family as a whole as my family. I love you all so much and i am so blessed to know each of you!
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