God, friends, family… Of course. But if you had to pick one thing in particular – something out of the ordinary; something you enjoy doing very much; something that fills your heart, sooths your mind, renews your strength – what would that be?

For me, it would be books.

In fact, one of my favorite places to hang out at is the public library, which I visit in between job assignments. (I work as an interpreter.) I usually bring my laptop, so I can surf the net, check e-mail or do some writing.

There are few things I enjoy more than sitting in a quiet place – surrounded by fellow book lovers and hundreds of wonderful stories – and losing myself in a good book or my own writing. There are no interruptions, no rush, no needs to be met, no dishes to wash, no laundry to fold. That’d it for me.

What’s it for you?

I was thinking about this the other day, while doing some Christmas shopping. Because there is one other thing I really enjoy: I love giving and receiving gifts. And the Season provides such marvelous opportunities for this!

As I shop, I picture Christmas morning. It is still dark. The evergreen tree stands erect on a corner of my living room floor, surrounded by gifts and tinsel that glow with twinkling lights. My children run to the tree, and with eyes wide with excitement and glee, they beg me and my husband, “Can we open our presents, please!”

What an amazing feeling. It is a feeling most parents cherish. Even God, our Heavenly Father, loves to give gifts to His children. James 1:17 says, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights. (NKJV)

Also, in Matthew 7:9-11 Jesus said, Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (NKJV)

I find it interesting that Jesus brought the children’s wishes into the picture. This makes me think about an aspect of my giving I tend to overlook.

During Christmas, my desire is to surround my family with presents and to create beautiful memories for them. My husband and I carefully select and diligently hunt for the “perfect” gift, and we do take into consideration our children’s wishes, because we long to please them.

But do I ever think beyond the presents I put under our Christmas tree? Do I ever stop to wonder what my family really wants from me throughout the Season and not just on Christmas Morn?

What other gifts could I bless my family with? What would they say if I dared asking?

I think their answers would surprise me: Patience. Peace at home. A little more understanding. Affection. Less hustle, more spontaneity. A break. More of my time. My undivided attention.

How about you, dear friend? What would your family say if you ask them what is it they want from you this Christmas?

If you’re brave enough to ask, either them or yourself, would you share those answers with us by posting them as comments in the box below?

As for me, I think I’ll work on the “more patience” present. Truth is, that’s something I need to work on all year!

Growing together,

Ana
http://anastinescorner.blogspot.com/

 My husband and I were outnumbered and my life was completely up-ended.  For the next three years, I couldn’t even go shopping at Target by myself with the kids.  While one raced down the aisle, the toddler climbed out of the cart – all while the baby, who disliked being confined from the moment of his birth, screamed!  I was a mess!  I felt like climbing over the cart and racing down the aisle screaming myself.

 In those difficult three years, I kept trying to regain my old life.  An organizer and leader by nature, I’d volunteer to oversee something at church and then make my kids and me miserable trying to get it done.   My heart is heavy when I remember the times I dragged my three little boys to one event or another, only to leave angry and in tears because they couldn’t sit still.

 Instead of accepting my life as it was, I plowed ahead, wanting to serve God and certain He was pleased with my sacrifices.  The problem was that my innocent children made the real sacrifice by enduring my non-stop lifestyle.  I wish with all my heart that someone had taken me out to coffee and helped me get some perspective.  I was too blind to see.

 What I know now is that sometimes God calls us to a new mission field that on the surface looks like we’ve been called out of the “game.”  But nothing could be further from the truth!  For those three years (and truthfully beyond that) I was afraid to stop pursuing my goals in case an opportunity might pass me by.  What happened was the opportunity to minister more deeply to my children passed me by.

 First Peter 3:8 says, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends:  With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day”  (NIV).  Although this verse is speaking about the Lord’s return, I believe it can be applied to any time of “waiting.”  God doesn’t see time as we do.  Three years seems like an eternity, when it’s really just a breath in time.  The first part of verse 9 offers hope to those who think opportunities are passing them by and God has forgotten them:  “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.”

 I wish someone had told me that God would not forget me.  In fact, God had hand- picked me to be the mother of Joshua, Dylan and Robbie (and now our daughters – Cathrine and Ruth).   I have been called to raise these children.  I was, and still am,  right where He wants me. 

 Even though my days felt like years back then, they really were just a blink.  Funny how the rear view mirror gives you such a broad perspective.

In His Love,

Glynnis

When something exciting in your life happens, don’t you want to share it with someone?  I do! 

 So it is with great joy that I announce the publication of my latest book,  “When Your Child is Hurting.” 

 I wrote this book from my experiences raising five kids, and dealing with the everyday hurts they face.  As a mom, I found myself hurting  for my kids, and wanting to do something to help them.  Often however, what I did wasn’t always helpful.  Early on in my parenting, I found myself being very overprotective.   Instead of preparing them to deal with problems on their own, I was protecting them from pain.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where problems are a promise.  Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world”  (John 16:33).

My own emotional pain was hindering my ability to do the right thing for my children.  Thanks to God’s wisdom and help from moms who walked this path before me, I was able to address many of my children’s issues in a healthier way. 

I’d like to give away one book to a Vineyard Women’s blog reader.  If you’d like to win, please leave a comment on this blog telling us one parenting lesson you’ve learned that has helped your child deal with pain.  I’ll pick a random winner on Wednesday and send that winner an email.  So please make sure you leave your email address in your comment.  Share this blog with your friends so they can enter to win, and get some wise advice from other moms.

At this point, the book is available through www.Amazon.com or www.Proverbs31.org.  I’ll be talking with Patty about offering it in the bookstore. 

May God bless each and every one of you.

In His Love,

Glynnis

www.GlynnisWhitwer.com

As my kids have gotten older, their interests are more intense and time consuming.  Between commitments to church, music, sports and school, their time is stretched – and so is mine.   Now we are looking at August, back to school and a busy fall.  I know my children will want to be actively involved in everything.  But it’s up to my husband and me to be the gatekeeper for their schedules, and help them set priorities. 

If we model our lives after Jesus, we learn that He incorporated a lot of interests into His day.  He socialized at parties, met new people, spent time with friends, went to church, taught, worked, honored the Sabbath, and He knew when to step out of the demands of the day to rest and pray.  That’s the key.  Jesus knew His priorities, and He knew when He needed to reconnect with His heavenly Father.

As my husband and I try to teach our kids good time stewardship, there are a few things we’ve learned from the life of Jesus and from personal experience that might help you:  

• Talk to your child about the importance of honoring God with our time.  Explain that we are managers (stewards) of the time God has given to us, and we need to use our time wisely, and according to God’s will for our lives.

• Make church attendance a priority.   Consider it a tithe of time.  Give God the first and best part of your week.  We are encouraged to not give up this time of worship and fellowship with believers.

• Set a time of rest during the year.  Pick a season where no extra activities are added on.  In our family it’s summer.  Instead of joining library book clubs, sport’s teams or swim clubs, our activities are based around the family.

• Consider the reasons for taking on a new activity or responsibility.  Is it really because your child wants to do it, or is there influence from a friend?  Talk about this issue.

• Encourage your child to pray about new commitments before making a decision.  Teach your children to ask God for direction, and then expect Him to answer.  Encourage children to take time during the day for personal prayer and Bible reading.

• Check your own motives.  Is it possible you are encouraging your child to pursue an activity that satisfies a personal dream?  Lay your personal lost dreams before the Lord and watch what He will do with them. 

We have a limited time with our children to teach important life skills.  One important skill we can pass on is good time stewardship.  The writer of Ecclesiastes understood the frailty of time, yet the importance of using it wisely.    Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” Help your children learn to seek God’s will for their time as they make decisions about every opportunity.