Is there Rest for the Weary

 I'm back ready to start back to writing again.  

It is summer time; time to be laid back and taking it easy.  If you are like me work continues for the summer and schedules for the kids continue.  Days are longer and kids want more of your after work time.  Homework after school in the evening is replaced with trips outside for bike riding, to the pool, and weekends filled with more activities. 

Where is the rest for parents and to have a little of the relaxing and rejuvenation we had in our youth?

Our rest and rejuvenation is found in God.  Where do we start is the question?

I am going to start by reflecting on the past couple of Church school lesson we have had at our church.  The time frame of these events really caught my attention. The standard lessons for the past few Sundays have been coming from Ezra chapter 3 focusing on Restoring Joyful Worship, Restoring the Temple continuing later in chapter 6 Dedication of the Temple. 

 

1.     Restoring Joy( Ezra 3:1-7)

Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy.  Some people suffer from the self-inflicted problem of filling their time with too many activities as they try to have lives that are rewarding and fulfilling.  They become stressed in their efforts to complete the goals they have set.  As the old saying goes, they “confuse activity with accomplishment”.   The concept of balance is the farthest from their minds.  Today is not January 1 but what resolutions can you make today.  In the scriptures above in the 5^th Month (about June or July some April or May) began to gather, locate themselves in their ancestral land and villages to get serious about the purpose of their journey and to come on one accord. This was a great time to begin considering the rainy season was over and an excellent time to begin work on the foundation of the temple.

Now is a great time to take family stock of activities and refocus the family. School will start soon, what will be the set school activities and family activities.  Extra curricula activities are great but should not consume the family.

2.     Restoring Your Temple

After the two months of taking stock and determining the common goals rebuilding can take place.  In the scripture it tells me that construction for the temple should be complete on the first day of the seventh month (Late September and early October). With a goal time in mind is easy to understand why you must take the time to lay the foundation for restoring yourself and your family.  

How can you restore your temple and your house hold? 

·        Are family dinner’s happening on a regular basis? 

·        Can a couple days in the gym be replaced with family bike rides or walks? 

·        Can one night of the week include family game night or a fun family movie?

·        Summer is a great time to eat better and have a family garden.

How will you and your family celebrate the temple being restored? Remembering “And all the people shouted, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid” Ezra3: 11b.   Laying the foundation take work be willing to put in the effort it will pay off.

 Find your rest in God alone. Psalm 62:1

Family time is all the time enjoy.

Bryant

Balancing: Faith - Family- Friends

Hello Fellow Parents,

I am here for my second blog.  While I have one with my second passion education, this one  is my first passion faith and my family.   I hope this will be helpful to many working parents.  Let me start by saying your choices are just as tough to work as a parent as those who chose not to work.  It is how we use each time we have that is important not how much.  Take some time to browse the links and additional blogs.  I will add monthly information and posts(more it life allows); however the true additions will be your comments and interactions with the site. Below is a list of ways to I try to balance faith, family and friends.

1.  Weekly devotions-  This is not at all as deep as it sounds. Make is age appropriate.

• Discuss Sunday School Lessons as a family most churches have the same lessons for all classes just at different levels.
• Add-  I am thankful  or God Bless(add names) at the end of  routine bedtime prayers.
• 1 bedtime story per week is faith based or has a moral meaning
• WWJD - What would Jesus do?  Talk about your child's day take some situations and ask "In that situation what would Jesus have done?" How could we make better christian choices next time.
• Have family members rotate saying mealtime and bedtime prayers.

How do you incorporate devotion or family bible study time into routine family activities?


2.  Family Mealtime - a must

• Eat as a Family 3-5 days a week
• Involve the kids in cooking(gets them to eat variety and spend time together)
• Eat family style it encourages conversation and teaches children portion control and to fix a plate to meet their appetite.

3.  Group Homework

• My husband and I are both in school so whenever possible we model homework habits.
• Model reading and study habits
• My 12 year old and 4 year old work on homework together while I prepare dinner.

4.  Family Game Night-chose all types of games - Scrabble, Jr Scrabble, Monopoly, Jr Monopoly, Candy Land, Ella Fun, Uno, Hungry Hungry Hippo, Sorry, checkers, Phase 10, Memory Game the list can go on and on. 
What are your family favorites?

• We have game night at least 3 - 4 times per month
• Wii is a great way to have game night and exercise
• My family along with my extended family have group game nights each month or every other month and take turns hosting feel free to invite close family friends.

5.  More Family time Ideas

• Plan a family fun activity at least twice per month( family picnic, trip to the zoo or museums)
• Exercise together my whole family has bikes sometimes I walk while they ride.
• Go to the park at least once a week.
• Plan mini vacations - take a weekend and go to a near by town, or visit and out of town relative and do activities in their town.
• Take a train ride just for fun
• Find a local drive in

Challenge: Please share your low cost or no cost family fun activities.

6.  Friends - It is never to early to pray for good choices in friends for your kids.

• We all need friends but chose them wisely and teach your children to do so as well.
• Pray for God to guide your friend choices as well as your kid friends.
• Start a kids book club.  It gets your kids reading and a chance to get together with friends.

7.  Spouse Time - Remember to take time for each other.  Children are in your home for a brief time in your marriage remember to continue the cultivation of your relationship with your spouse.
Ephesians 5:31-33 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become flesh.

• Have a monthly date night.
• Have a date in night.( We have a 12 year old and 4 year old.  Sometimes we pay the 12 year old to baby sit while we are at home.  We watch a movie, or just some quite time alone.)
• Give children a bedtime that allows spouse time at the end of the day.
• Wake up early for some quality time or a cup of coffee on the patio.
• On a non-work night enjoy some quite time on the patio or a late night breakfast out.