A Time to Resolve
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Well it’s that time again when you hear about resolutions and goals. I’ve been asked from time to time if I set goals. Yes, I do. Each year I spend some time alone to evaluate the previous year and then focus on what is important for the coming year. I set a number of different goals and among them are my personal parenting goals and then a few family goals.
Goals give me a vision and a sense of direction. I make them specific and measurable. Some goals are for one year and other goals span the course of many years. It is all too easy to get discouraged if you don’t reach a goal and just give up. I tend to set a realistic goal and then am usually pleased if I surpass it.
For example, it is important to be intentional about your parenting. This is nothing to take lightly or settle for being passive. The parenting years fly by quickly and before you know it you are helping them leave the nest to make their way in the world. There is much to teach our children during those short formative years. Setting goals helps to keep you on track with an eye towards preparing your children for the future. Spiritual goals, physical goals, educational goals-these and more are some possibilities.
All goals need to be made as we wait upon the Lord. He knows what our children need even more than we do. Listening to the Lord in the quiet gives one an awareness of His Will and Path. As we seek Him He will draw near to us.
Some of our goals for the coming year are still being tossed back and forth. Others we already know-for instance making more time to pray together as a family and planning to be involved in ministry.
Don’t miss this time to begin again and to stretch your family in new directions.
So what are your goals for the coming year? Get everyone involved. Listen and then write them down. Place those goals in a place where you can read them throughout the year. Make this year a year filled with promise and hope in your family.
Posted in Inspirational : No Comments
Sometimes the Simplest is the Best.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Well tomorrow is we are celebrating the adoption of two very special girls. I find myself remembering the adoption experience. The long wait. The nervousness. The endless ‘what ifs’ that kept tormenting me. My life has been enriched beyond measure by these two girls. God knew that I needed them.
From time to time people say “Oh how lucky you are to have been adopted.” But luck had nothing to do with it. It was a gift of God. A gift of love which has changed my life, their lives and many others. At this time of the year I usually receive Christmas cards from other parents who also adopted a child from
So what would you like to do? I asked a few days ago. Go out to eat? Have an Open House?
“Just to have you cook a special meal,” they both said at once giggling.
So I will. We will celebrate the gift of their lives.
Yes, sometimes simple is the best. We will be at home.
Posted in Adoption : No Comments
Adoption Day
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Adoption has permeated each Christmas season since the year when I adopted my oldest from
Beginning our second Christmas together we celebrated Adoption Day. Although she was only 1 ½ and didn’t realize the reason, I can still see her toddling happily from person to person on that first Open House. Some years we celebrated with a special meal. Other years we had a few friends and family over. But whatever we did she and I knew that it was her Adoption Day. It was a golden day in the year.
Then in 2003 when I brought home my second daughter Adoption Day became a shared event. We still celebrated the wonder of the fact that we were family because of their adoptions but now it was for two. More laughter. More cheers. And more memories. Even though the cake disappears faster these days the joy is the same. No matter how my daughters grow I don’t want them ever to forget that I am forever grateful for them.
Life is meant to be celebrated, don’t you think? Red letter days must never be forgotten. Maybe you don’t have an Adoption Day to celebrate in your family but don’t forget to celebrate. Life can get busy. Things continue to change. But one thing stays the same. We are celebrating Adoption Day soon. I’m so glad. Now I must go order that cake.
Posted in Adoption , Inspirational : No Comments
They Still Wait
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Have you seen the delightful Hallmark movie “A Dog Named Christmas”? It’s the story of a developmentally challenged young man’s longing to adopt a dog just for the holidays. He and his family end up taking in a beautiful golden retriever. I found myself not only drawn to this boy’s longing to provide a home for all the dogs in the shelter but also the hearts of other’s he knew who also end up opening their homes and their hearts.
I could not watch this movie without thinking about all the children who still wait for a forever home. Christmas is a time for family and love and giving. What better way to celebrate the season than to give a child a home. Oh, I know. It’s easier to give a dog a home if only for a few days than to give a home to a child. But if we could I would love to see every child nestled in a warm bed on Christmas Eve knowing they are loved.
Yes, there is a lot of work still to be done. Maybe it begins with taking that first step of asking ‘what can I do?’ Begin with your local child services. Ask what needs are available. These children need us to remember them. Yes, dogs are important. But let’s not forget the children. They might very well be the best gift you ever receive.
Posted in Adoption : No Comments