Day 17 - The Dictionary Debate

When my children don't know the meaning of a word I tell them to do what every adult does: Google it. (e.g. define _______). 

We own multiple dictionaries but all they do is collect dust on the shelf. I've actually received criticism for not teaching my children to use a "real" (whatever that means) dictionary because, as the critics argue, "technology may not always be around, and then what will they do?"


Seriously?! 

Well, first of all, if technology is no longer around then some major apocalyptic event has occurred, and second of all, if that's the case and for some odd reason my kids desperately need to know the definition of a word, I'm confident they can teach themselves how to use a dictionary in that moment.

(I am also not big on teaching spelling for this same reason. In this post alone, I had five words with the red squiggly lines underneath that are now corrected -- and in a matter of seconds! I <3 you, technology! ) 

Day 14 - Winning Souls

I'm not advocating that you withhold discipline from your children -- not at all. All I am saying is beware of falling into the age-old trap of believing that the law can do in the hearts of your children what only grace can accomplish. I've fallen in the trap myself; not just in parenting but in my own walk. Obedience can either be a sign of mere behavior modification, or a sign of total heart transformation; and only a heavy, continuous dose of grace can ever bring about the latter. The law focuses on winning a battle, grace focuses on winning a soul.

Day 8 - How They Look on Paper

Posted this pic for no other reason than it makes me smile! 

I've noticed that when people talk about their children they always describe them in terms of how they look on paper, (i.e., "I have 2 kids in college, 1 working on his masters, and the other is an engineer.")

I'm not sure why this is our default way of describing our children. Do we think that their success or our success is measured by these things? And if so, why? 

Next time someone tells me about their children I want to hear, "I have the four happiest children ever! Oh, and they all love the Lord!" 

Now, *that* would be a success story! You can look fantastic on paper and still be miserable - trust me, I know. I want to hear about WHO your kids are, not WHAT they do.