Wahoo I can blog again! So much to catch up on since Christmas, and so little time! Since the last entry, Eric and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary with udon and cupcakes, bid farewell to 2011 and welcomed 2012 with Popwords and sparkling cider, and went on a date for Eric’s birthday — our second date since James was born. James turned 9 months today (technically, yesterday) and sat up on his own for the first time (from a lying down position), but my back was turned and I missed it, I CAN’T BELIEVE I MISSED IT, WHAT A BUMMER!!! He is babbling up a storm these days (”da da”, “ma ma”, and most awesome of all “wowww”), loves walking around our home (with us holding onto both of his hands), can give high-fives (sort of), and knows how to fake cough. It’s adorable. I know I probably sound like a broken record, but seriously, time is flying by too quickly.. he is growing up too fast.. I wish I could freeze him in this insanely cute, innocent, sweet, and immobile state for a while longer!
Anyway, of all the topics I want to blog about (of course the ideas would flow while my site was down, and now that it’s back up, I’m drawing a blank), the following is probably the most valuable piece that I wanted to share and record to remind myself. I came across a GREAT article by FamilyLife which lists 40 lessons to teach your children. The entire article can be found here. Here is the list:
- Above all, fear God.
- Respect authority—trust and obey your parents.
- The importance of friendships.
- Be in love with Christ and focus on your relationship with Him, not just on doctrine or on biblical principles.
- Have compassion for the poor and orphans.
- Believe God for too much rather than too little.
- Real strength is found in serving, not in being served.
- The power of moral purity and a clean conscience.
- How to motivate people without manipulating them.
- How to handle failure.
- Keep your promises.
- The power of the tongue for good or evil.
- Give too much rather than too little.
- The importance of manners and common courtesies.
- View life through God’s agenda—the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.
- Give thanks to God in all things.
- The importance of prayer.
- The art of asking good questions, carrying on good conversation.
- How to grow as a Christian.
- How to handle temptation.
- By faith, trust Christ as your Savior and Lord, and share with others how to become a Christian.
- Seeking wisdom—skill in everyday living. Knowing how to make good decisions.
- Gaining a sense of God’s direction and destiny for your life.
- Stay teachable and not becoming cynical.
- Obtain godly counsel.
- The importance of flexibility and adaptability to cope in life.
- Truth is best passed on through relationships.
- Leave a legacy of holiness.
- Keep life manageable. Prioritize decisions.
- Tame selfishness—you can’t always get your way.
- Choices are yours to make and results are yours to experience.
- Respect the dignity of another person and of all people.
- Be faithful in the little things.
- Character is the basis of all leadership.
- Life isn’t fair—don’t compare with or be jealous of others.
- Live by commitments, not by feelings.
- Express grace and forgiveness.
- A strong work ethic.
- Surrender to the authority of Christ.
- How to handle your finances.
Wow, what a responsibility. No pressure, huh?! I sure am thankful to be doing this with Eric, and that God promised to grant wisdom as long as I keep asking for it! I pray that I can instill these things in James. Guess we’ll have to wait twenty years or so and see.
