Trent and I have been so blessed by the challenge to pray for a specific character trait for each member of your family for a year. I have talked about this before. We start over each June right after family camp and I have already been amazed this year at how God is showing me the ways He is shaping the character of my kids. Because I am actively praying for those specific traits, I am more aware of this and can participate more directly.
For example, Sam got in trouble last week in Karate for talking in the ring. He left upset and determined that Karate is stupid and he wanted to quit. My first thought was that I don't care if he takes Karate and I only signed him up because he wanted to do it. Then God quickly reminded me that I have been praying for DISCIPLINE for Sam and this is an opportunity to teach it. Instead of letting him quit, I shifted my position to taking the week to talk to him about why focusing in Karate is important and why it is important to stay with things even when they get tough. He went back to Karate last night, didn't talk in the ring, and won all three of his matches (including one against an older kid). He was so excited. We were able to talk again before bed about the rewards of discipline.
We have the same kinds of things happen with Ruthie and Jack weekly and I have no doubt that it is because God is faithful to answer our prayers for character and to open our eyes to how He is moving in that area.
So the Challenge:
1. Take a few days and pray about what character traits you think God would want to develop in you and your family this year. We pick one per person. I would encourage you to look and see where God is moving more than what you want for that child.
2. Share those with your family and then write them down somewhere that you will see them daily and remember to pray.
3. Pray and look for God to move.
I hope you will share with me how it goes!
This is what we do in Texas for physical activity since it is 100 degrees outside. I walked out of my bedroom and found the kids like this yesterday.
2 comments:
...and, of course, Miss Princess commandeered the WII! haha
great post...wish I had done this when my kids were little
reminds me of our daughters who wanted to quit dancing every year when the teacher was strict - they each stayed for 10 years and rec'd their 10 yr pin - hmmm
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