Family Blog

Always in the Spotlight

The day you become a parent is the day you step into the spotlight. And you never step out.

From the moment your child is born, they are watching you. And they see all of your moments of kindness. They see the way you give your spouse an encouraging word after a long day. They see the way you put away your cell phone at the dinner table. They even see the way you smile at the cashier and ask how their day is going.

But they also see your moments of weakness. They see the way you slam your fist on the table out of frustration. They see the way you roll your eyes behind your spouse’s back. They see the empty bleachers at their soccer game. They even see a word or two slip out under your breath when you think no one’s listening.

Here’s the thing: your children are always watching you. Always. There are no days off and no behind the scenes. So be sure that you think about each word and action you take. Because once you’re in the spotlight, all eyes are on you.

A Note of Encouragement for Dads

No father is perfect.

Sure we all have moments of success. We have moments of kindness and selflessness and cheering on our children. But we also have plenty of moments of failure. We have moments of frustration and anger and selfishness and pride and distance.

In these moments, it’s easy for our opinion of ourselves to change. We begin to judge ourselves based on our actions–loving ourselves when we succeed as dads and frustrating ourselves when we fail as dads. But we need to stop putting so much emphasis on our failures as fathers, and begin to find our ultimate identity in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come!” In other words, God wants us to lean into who we are in Him–not who we are based on our mistakes. So be encouraged by this wonderful truth!

The Best Way to Teach a Boy to Be a Man

Every father wants his son to grow up to be a man.

Every father wants his son to know how to lead his peers well, how to love his wife well, and how to guide his children well. And every father wants his son to know who he is in Christ.

But not every father takes the time or makes the effort to teach his son these things.

The truth is that there is only so much our boys can learn from teachers and books and school. Because when it comes to character building, they need an example. They need a role model. They need someone to look up to. And dads, that’s where you come in. 

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” As a father, God has given you the responsibility to train up your son. And when you are faithful to teach him these lessons through your words and actions, God will be faithful to guide your son.

So be intentional with your time this week and figure out how you can begin to or continue to raise up your son.

The Secret to Being a Great Leader

It’s easy to think that our leadership credibility is based solely on our actions. On our success. On our expertise. We think that what people care about most is that we do things well.

And while these can be good things, they are not of the utmost importance. People want you to make wise decisions, to be successful, and to be an expert. But the best leaders are the ones who care. The ones who are there for you, no matter what.

Matthew 20:26 says, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” God wants us to stop trying so hard to lead others with perfect words and perfect actions. Instead, we’re just called to serve others. This means loving them, encouraging them, and caring for them in the best ways we can.

So stop worrying about falling short in your leadership and experience the freedom of simply caring for others well.

How to Be Present with Your Family

In such a fast-paced world, it’s more and more difficult to slow down and make time for your kids. Everything else is calling for your attention–your boss, your finances, and even your social media feeds.

So how can you make your kids a priority? By making sure to be present with them emotionally and physically! Here are some ideas to get started…

How to Be Present Emotionally:

• Write a letter to your kids with words of encouragement
• Tell your kids how much you love them every chance you get
• Ask your kids about what’s going on in their lives

How to Be Present Physically:

• Go watch and cheer on your kid at their soccer game or dance recital
• Hug your kids each night as you put them to bed
• Make it a priority to eat dinner together after a long day at work

What are some other ways you can be present emotionally and physically with your family? Share your ideas in a comment below!

New Beginnings

We’ve all made mistakes in our past.

We’ve all said things we regret and done things we wish we could take back and hurt people we never meant to. And it’s easy to think these things can disqualify us from making a better future. We assume that our past is too powerful for a fresh beginning.

Isaiah 43:18-19 says, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” It’s clear that God doesn’t disqualify us based on our past. In fact, he shares that “as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). Our God is bigger than our past and wanting to use us for a more glorious future!

So keep your eyes open for opportunities for God to use you for good this week and every week.

What God Sees When He Looks at You

Do you ever wonder what God thinks of you? Do you ever wonder what He sees when He looks down from Heaven and into your life?

It’s easy for us to assume that God is often disappointed and angry and discouraged when he sees what we’re doing behind closed doors. And while God may grieve some of your actions, there’s NOTHING you can do to change God’s love for you. There’s nothing you can do that will make God love you more or less. So today, let’s look at a couple of bible verses that explain who we truly are in Christ…

• God sees you as a new creation! “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
• God sees you as victorious! “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37
• God sees you as royalty! “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9
• God sees you as a co-heir with Christ! “Now if we are children, then we are heirs- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. If indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share with His glory.” Romans 8:17
• God sees you as wonderful! “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14

So keep your chin up and remember who you are in Christ this week and every week!

How to Quit Living in Fear

How would your life look differently if you were to follow your dreams?

We all have dreams. We all have goals and desires and plans for our life. But rarely do we have the courage to pursue them. Instead we make up excuses: blaming time or resources or circumstances for our lack of action.

But for many of us, I think the truth is that we’re scared. Scared of failing or embarrassing ourselves or any number of negative consequences. And so we’re like a deer caught in the headlights: we stop in our tracks, blinded by our fears and too afraid to pursue our dreams.

Romans 8:31 says, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” When we trust in God, we can be bold and confident and sure of ourselves. And so we are no longer stuck living in fear, but can boldly step into the life of courage that God is calling us!

What dreams are you ready to start pursuing? We’d love for you to share in a comment below.

How to Transform Your Marriage into an Uncommon Marriage

We all want to have a strong marriage.

We all want to find joy and fulfillment and passion and friendship and love in our marriages. But more often than not, we’re left feeling discouraged and exhausted and empty. We begin with high hopes on our wedding day, only to find that things aren’t as easy and wonderful as we’d hoped.

So how can we transform our current marriage into an uncommon marriage? Coach Dungy has two practical ideas for you and your spouse:

1. Stay Focused on Your Marriage. First, it’s crucial that you prioritize your marriage. When you spend all your energy on your career and your kids and your hobbies, you come home exhausted at the end of the day. This leaves no energy for you to love your spouse well and invest in your marriage. So be sure to begin to intentionally save time and energy and love and heart for your spouse!
2. Let God Lead Your Marriage. And above all, be sure to let God lead you and your spouse in your marriage! When you are deciding how to discipline your children, look to Christ. When you are deciding how to spend your money, look to Christ. When you are deciding where to live or work or worship, look to Christ. Trust God to lead you in every aspect of your marriage!

What are some other bits of marriage advice you’ve heard over the years? We’d love for you to share in a comment below!

 

How to Persevere Through Failure

Everyone wants success. But few are willing to work through the failures along the way.

When we face failures in life, our first instinct is to give up. We feel defeated and lost and distraught, unsure of whether to continue pursuing our dreams. We allow our failures to paralyze us in fear and keep us from reaching ultimate success.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

In this life, we will chase after success in our careers and our marriages and our families. But no earthly success will bring us everlasting joy. Instead, all these successes (and failures!) are simply preparing us for the glory of Heaven, pointing us to God more and more.

So no matter what you face this week, trust that God is using your weaknesses AND your successes to prepare you for an eternity with Him.