A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR
Do you remember those old TV shows? My favorite was Leave it to Beaver. I loved Mrs. Cleaver and wished silently that my mom would be more like her: Always in a dress with a necklace, never yelling, screaming or spanking Beaver, and always ready to make everything better with some freshly baked cookies. She was a stay at home mom, and her husband, Ward, was a regular 9-5 sort of guy who lovedto tinker in the garage. This was the All American Family, I thought.
Rarely, however, does a TV show depict a real family, one with ups and downs, hidden secrets, taboo subjects, unwritten rules, happy and scary moments. Most of us grew up in families where the parents set the rules and children were encouraged to follow the rules and remain silent. What if we asked children for some rules of their own? Here are some suggestions children have for their parents:
Don't spoil me and then later on yell at me for being spoiled.
Don't fill my life up every minute of the day.
Don't get mad at me for something until I keep doing that thing over again.
Let me have my own style.
Please don't kiss me in front of the school.
Nevert forget to kiss me good night.
Come home early sometimes.
I love it when I'm considered a wonderful kid.
Love me for who and what I am.
Be proud of me even if I didn't get all the answers correct.
Think when you were a kid and try not to yell so much.
If you get mad at me remember to forgive me and not remind me of my mistakes.
Now that school has started, let me offer som suggestions to strengthen you family. Take your children to a nursing home or visit a shut-in. When you do your annual clothes shopping spree, buy something for a child at the homeless shelter. Something new would be better than just giving your child's leftovers. Eat together frequently, and even invite God to the table with you. Do you remember Jesus and his followers? They were always eating together. It is the place where stories are told and lessons are learned. The dining table is an excellent place to talk about your faith. And think about inviting a stranger to the table once in a while to show hospitality. You can always invite your minister and his wife over for dinner. Think about including a shut-in next time, or maybe someone without family nearby.
Family rituals are also an important element. Advent candles at home are an excellent way to learn about Christian traditions during the Christmas season beyond buying and wrapping presents. If you want to experience Christ at Christmas, go to a homeless shelter. Jesus is more likely to be found there than at the mall.
Make your home a sacred place. If someone were to walk into your home, would they notice that you are a spiritual family, or just a clean person with lots of nice stuff? Is your home peaceful, or is there so much tension you could cut it with a knife? Do people walk on egg shells in your home, or is it a place of comfort and care?
As summer comes to an end and we begin our old routines or begin new ones, let's all strive to build a Godly family. A Godly family finds God a the center of its being and living. A Godly family nurtures individual identity, healthy self esteem, and compassion for alll God's Creation.
Pastor Michael