Praying for our kids: Joy
This is it! The Super Bowl of all holidays—it’s Christmas!
This week as we’re praying joy over our kids, I'm wondering what things have brought you joy this Christmas? Is it the small things like sitting by the Christmas tree late at night or car rides to look at lights? Or maybe it’s some of the bigger events that happen this time of year like parties and school programs.
I think my deepest joy in this season has come during an unexpected trip to New York City with my mom and my daughter to see the Rockefeller Christmas tree. There’s just something about NYC at Christmas, but also having the opportunity to do it with my mom and my daughter—well, what a sweet opportunity I’ve had to celebrate Christmas while being reminded that joy comes in all forms and fashions on this side of heaven.
The Blessing of You with Mark Batterson
When people ask me what books I consider “must reads,” I reference Mark Batterson 100% of the time. If I haven’t told you this week how much I love In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, then let’s just get it out there so you can add it to your Christmas wish list. 😀🎄
Knowing this, I’m going to ask you to excuse my gushing on today’s podcast since Mark Batterson is with us and talking about everything from Christmas in D.C., living with gratitude, speaking blessing over your kids, and so much more. Especially this time of year when we tend to be so consumer focused, I love his words on cultivating a lifestyle of gratitude and the heart behind his new children’s book, The Blessing of You.
As we begin thinking towards 2022, I know you will love his wisdom on setting goals and implementing changes in our daily habits. In other words, for those areas of our lives that need some, shall we say “growth” this next year . . . tune in for some great reminders on the importance of winning each day for the greater good.
If you listen for no other reason, Mark Batterson shares with us some of his must read books and let’s just say I’ve already bought three of them. So take this show on the road today for your Christmas errands and be encouraged!
Praying for our kids: Connection
At the risk of saying this ad nauseum, may I once again mention how desperately I want our kids to truly know God and not just know about God? Maybe it’s because I grew up in an amazing Christian home and went to church every time the doors were opened but didn’t really know God personally for many years that leads me to drive home this point so often.
But at the end of the day our kids need more than just head knowledge about Jesus—they need daily connection. That connection is exactly what we’re praying for this week, and I came up with a somewhat lame acronym to guide us as we pray (it’s better explained on the podcast):
S - Salvation by accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior
T - Talking to God and establishing a prayer life with significance
A - Acknowledging God’s work in their lives
T - Thirsting for God’s word and his plans for their lives
Even as there’s so much that feels STAT, or high priority these days, let’s flip the narrative and pray with urgency that our kids have a connection with the Lord that changes their lives.
When Life is Falling Apart with Sheila Walsh
I feel like there’s not a whole lot that needs to be said when introducing Sheila Walsh as the guest for today’s show. I mean after all, she’s godly, funny, and real. She’s not afraid to speak into some of the darkest places she’s faced and how God has met her there so faithfully.
But that’s exactly what we talk about today as we chat about her new book, Holding On When You Want to Let Go. She vulnerably shares about walking through another bout of depression this last year and how reading the Psalms has been so therapeutic. She identifies lies we believe about God when we’re in the middle of life’s struggles, and ways to reframe the narrative we allow in our hearts and minds.
Sheila and I have lots of fun talking about all things Christmas, but I also know this time of year can be difficult for so many, making her words very timely and necessary. So glad you’re doing this with me each week!
Praying for our kids: Favor
As I read through the Christmas story this time of year, I’m reminded of the great favor God has shown on us. Even before the world was created he devised this plan of sending his son in the form of a baby so that we might have the opportunity to spend all eternity with him.
He knew we would be rebellious, self-indulging, and sinful people, yet only by his favor are we not left in this desperate place—instead we’re lovingly called children of God. As we pray favor over our kids this week, let’s begin by praying they can experience even the tiniest glimpse of the significance God’s favor has over their lives.
How that changes the dreams they chase, the people they serve, and the routines they follow! And as we pray they fully experience God’s favor, let’s also pray that they live in a way that allows God to bless all they do and be a blessing to all those they encounter.
It’s a great privilege to start each week by praying for our kids. Take a minute to listen to today’s podcast and also share it with a friend as we focus this month on the things of significance in the midst of the craziness.
Reclaiming the peace of Christmas with Tama Fortner
I’ve figured something out about myself the last few years when it comes to holidays, especially Christmas. I’ve realized that even though I say I have “no expectations” of what Christmas should look like and I wholeheartedly believe that it’s important to let go of the idealism behind the “perfect” Christmas—I still carry around some deep rooted expectations that leave me feeling disappointed when things don’t look like I had hoped.
I see it on the dreaded Christmas card photo day when I lose all signs of godliness trying to get my people to dress right, smile right, and have a good attitude while taking a picture that means virtually nothing to them (but for some reason is so important to me).
Or maybe it’s in the need to have the perfect “fun gift” for my kids each Christmas morning, or to host the most festive party, to be invited to the right events, or even when I’m knee-deep searching for the most meaningful Christmas show that’s entertaining, yet life-changing (but on a week night because our weekends are crazy in December, but not too long because it’s a school night, and we need Santa pics right before so it can’t be too early, and why can’t they have a snack bar because these people have to eat . . . ).
I’m guessing I’m not alone in this madness which makes today’s podcast with Tama Fortner very timely as we consider reclaiming the peace of Christmas. Tama suggests ways to camp-out at the intersection of ordinary and the divine, finding joy in the important things and dropping the rest of it.
We also consider the Christmas story and how Mary’s uncalculated yes can change our approach to the holidays and everyday. Here’s to kicking crazy to the curb this Christmas!
Praying for our kids: Hope
If your pants are a little tighter and the stress level a little higher this Monday after Thanksgiving, you’re not alone. With all the shopping, wrapping, parties, family gatherings, cooking, and baking—it may feel like a little hope is exactly what it’s gonna take to keep going.
Kay Wyma is with me today (I mean seriously, she’s the best), and we’re talking about the role hope plays in our lives and the lives of our children. As we pray hope over our kids this week, we’re reminded that only the Lord can strengthen, restore, and deliver on the great plans he has for each of our lives. Knowing this, we can pray for our kids to find hope even on their most discouraging days as he faithfully restores their strength and gives them a kingdom perspective.
Can I encourage you these next few weeks to keep up the good work of praying for your kids each week? If you’re like me, it feels like sometimes the first things to go in the craziness of the holidays are those things that have the most significance. Prayer is significant, so let’s keep on keeping on the next few weeks.
Speaking truth into the darkness with Ellie Holcomb
On today’s show, Ellie Holcomb joins us to talk about seeing Jesus for who he really is and guiding our families to practice the truths of scripture and trust God even in the midst of the unknown. She very practically shares how she speaks truth into the darkness by using fighting words from scripture.
Ellie is an amazing singer, author, songwriter, speaker and, most importantly, mom. She literally draws me closer to Jesus every time I hear her speak. I’m so thankful for these few minutes with her today and can’t wait for you to hear her heart for the Lord.
Praying for our kids: Gratefulness
Happy Thanksgiving week!
Just curious, is anyone besides me completely grossed out by the whole cooking the turkey thing and pulling out the innards? Honestly, I could do without the turkey in general and just park myself in front of the sides for a fine little Thanksgiving. With great timeliness, my Mom is joining me on the podcast today to talk about Thanksgiving, praying for our kids, and everything in between.
One of my favorite things about this time of year (aside from the food) is the opportunity to reflect on and appreciate all that the Lord has done in the last year. Just as everything in me wants to rush right into Christmas decorating and gift shopping, I’m reminded that gratefulness is so critical for my soul and I desperately need to thank the Lord for his faithfulness day after day.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, join with me and my sweet Mom to pray gratefulness over our kids. Let’s pray they acknowledge the Lord’s faithfulness in their lives, seeing him in the big and the small, the successes and the failures, and the trials and the triumphs.
Truly the Lord is the giver of all good things—let’s celebrate this truth by praying our kids are marked with a heart of gratitude.