What happens when we tell our children that Jesus will fix all of their problems?  How do we damage their faith by not preparing them for adversity?  This week we talk about the danger of presenting the gospel as a tool for life enhancement rather than salvation from our sin.

We want God to transform all of the frustrating things in our family and lives in an instant. But Scripture shows that God is in the habit of driving out enemies from the Promised Land little by little.

A parent recently asked me to address the topic of contentment with children.  That’s the source of this week’s podcast.  Listen to hear my thoughts.  I’ll give you a hint: it’s not going to come by giving them everything they want!  Listen and share with any of your friends who might be struggling with the same issue.  I talk about how we can

• Create perspective
• Take responsibility for others
• Live more by having less

The good news for moms and dads – the steps to encourage contentment in our children’s lives are the very same steps for being happy in our own lives!

Some kids are miraculous makers of mountains out of molehills.  It can be incredibly frustrating as a parent.  In my podcast this week I share how to create some emotional resiliency using a tool called a Drama-meter.

I learned about the Drama Meter from a book I highly recommend by Sissy Goff, David Thomas, and Melissa Trevathan called Are My Kids on Track.  You should definitely pick up a copy.

Listen to the podcast and let me know how the Drama Meter works for your family! And if you like the concept, you’ll love the rest of Are My Kids On Track as well!

29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

John 20:29 ESV 

As a dad who has never seen, but still believes, here’s how I feel blessed and hopeful as a parent:

1. Easter is the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus.  The resurrection is the validation of everything Jesus said and did:

• It means that His teachings aren’t just sound advice, they are commands with a supernatural power behind them.
• It means that wen Jesus says I can call God my Father, it’s true.  He’s not just some distant authority figure, He’s my Daddy.
• It means I’m truly forgiven of my sins.  I don’t have to live a life of penance making up for past mistakes (including parenting mistakes).  I can focus on walking in grace and humility, trying to do what’s right today instead of wallowing in the guilt of my failures from yesterday. I’ve trusted Jesus to save my soul, and I’m trusting Him to give me the grace for what He’s commanded me to do as a parent.

2. Easter is a reminder that life comes from death, that light comes after the darkness, and that God is actively at work even when nothing makes sense.

• It means that even my worst parenting days are redeemable, and that what I (or others) meant for evil, God will turn for good.
• It means that my children’s disabilities, shortcomings, and failures are just details in a greater story that God is writing.  He is forming their character as well as mine, and He is making All Things New!
• It means that my son getting cancer or my wife dying is not the last word.  My hope is not in a particular outcome, it’s in a Person.  And that Person conquered death and the grave and promised to do the same for me and all of those that love HIm.

3. Easter is a conviction that I am not the center of the universe, and neither are my children.

• I don’t have to have it all figured out, because I’m not in charge of this planet.  I’m not God and I don’t get to dictate everything in my life or my children’s life.  That’s really freeing.
• My kids get to mess up as well, because my pride and identity should not be wrapped up in them looking impressive.  I am created in the image of God and am a brother of the King Most High.  Who cares whether my kid qualifies me for an honor roll bumper sticker?
• Since I’m not the center of the universe, or even the dictator in my own house, I get to REST like it depends on God.  Because it does.

These are among the 5,000 things I’m thankful for this Easter.  What about you? How does Easter give you hope as a parent?