Episode #12   – BONUS: A Blessing for Young Families 

Welcome to Small Steps – a Podcast for Growing up Grown Ups.  

This is a Bonus Episode - So hang around for some encouragement as you raise up your little one. 

I’m Nanette Johnson, Minister to Preschoolers and their families at First Baptist Arlington. 

This is Episode 12 of the Small Steps Podcast [issue: A blessing for Young Families] 

Well friends – we did this new thing for a whole year! 12 whole episodes in 2022. We’ve talked through matters of the heart, big emotions, attitudes of gratitude, and even included some references to Charlotte’s Web and Good Night Moon. All with the focus of helping guide your little one and their Small Steps. What a sweet place to share some Parenting cheers of: “You can do it” – “You are going to make” – “You are doing ok!” We all need daily words of encouragement. I hope the Small Steps Podcast has been encouraging for you on this parenting journey.  

The small consistent steps that you have taken this year have impacted your child’s own steps. Over time, these committed steps turn into some regular rhythms. Those rhythms, then become milestones and before you know it your family has journeyed through all kinds of experiences, together, learnings and growing along the way. And then you realize you really have made it to the end of another year! Congratulations!  

So, as we bring 2022 to a close, we also bring Small Steps Podcast to a close as well. 2023 will bring new opportunities and blessings for each of us. This end-of-the-year season provides a natural time to reflect on our many blessings. It feels fitting for me to share a blessing here as one final Small Step of encouragement. May this blessing cover your family, your new year, your home, and your lives. And from this blessing – may you also bless others.  

• May your Family live an abundant life – together. Together, may you be blessed with: laughter, understanding, respect, and a deep love for each other.  
• May your Children be guided by wisdom, strengthened with confidence, and always find God’s Truth.  
• May your Home be a blessing to others who need to:  Feel God’s Love, See God’s Kindness, and Know God’s Truth. 
• And may You, yourselves, live lives that naturally - Hold space for God, hold space for others, and hold space for quiet peace.  

In Ephesians 5, The Lord God Almighty promises us an abundant life when we live with wisdom. The Passion Translation says it this way:  

“Be very careful how you live, not being like those with no understanding but live honorably with true wisdom…Take full advantage of every day as you spend your life for his purpose… And your hearts will overflow with a joyful song to the Lord…  Always give thanks to the Father God for every person he brings into your life in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  

(Eph. 5:15, 16, 19, 20 The Passion Translation) 

– I am so very thankful to God Almighty for each of you and your children. He has brought you into my life, for which I am so very grateful. You and your family have indeed, filled my life with joyful song. Thank you! 

“May the Lord bless you 
 and take good care of you. 
May the Lord smile on you 
 and be gracious to you. 
May the Lord look on you with favor 
 and give you peace.”  

(Numbers 6:24-26, NIrV) 

Thank you for joining me here in this slice of time within the Small Steps Podcast. May you be blessed.  

Episode #11   – Challenge Title: The Gift of Presence – Guest episode: Meagan Bergeron  

Welcome to Small Steps – a Podcast for Growing up Grown Ups.  

These Small Steps will be simple, do-able and practical to help you relate to your young child in a healthy way as each of you grows. So hang around for some encouragement as you raise up your little one. 

I’m Nanette Johnson, Minister to Preschoolers and their families at First Baptist Church Arlington.  

This is Episode 11 of the Small Steps Podcast The Gift of Presence

This Episode is a little different format – I’m not by myself. I have the presence of a friend with me as my guest on this podcast. Meagan Bergeron is here to share some insight on The Gift of Presence! I love this play on words between Present – Presence & PreSENT. So we are going to pause here and have some conversations about being Present and being in the Presence of each other. Before we do that let me welcome Meagan to Small Steps Podcast.    

Words to describe Meagan: Creative, teacher, connector of people, wise, & intentional  

– Driven by loving and caring for others as individuals; quality; consistency; and making or providing a happy homelife 

You have the privilege of being - mom to 3 active Boys, homeschooling, supporting ball games and leading at Bible Study Fellowship 

Questions: 

What are some of the first words that come to mind when I say “Presence” or “Be Present”?   

How do you ground yourself so you can be Fully Present with family & friends? 

What does it mean to Live in God’s Presence?  

What choices have you made as a family to be more present with each other? 

What are your top 3 ways of being present with your children?  

In a society that lives with “heads down”. What qualities are you trying to train up in your children that help them relate to people?  

How do you Gift others/neighbors with “Presence”?  

The Good news is -  you have time to be with your child. Be available and bless them with your presence.   

As you repeat these Small Steps consistently, you will learn more about your child’s design and will be amazed by their growth. Their Growth depends on your Small Steps - as you too are Growing Up!  

As humans, we might naturally gravitate to a more negative outlook which can translate to “NO” behavior. Training your child to find more “YES” behavior takes a lot of repeat guidance but it is so rewarding! Take a break and find ways to say YES as you guide your child through their small steps.

Your child’s heart is always absorbing. So how best should you guard, guide, and grow their heart? Nanette shares some deep thoughts on the importance of this vital organ. Listen in and be encouraged to guard your own heart while parenting little ones.

Description: Finding rest might be a real challenge in your household as you raise young children. It turns out, Rest is more than good sleep. Real rest is about finding Ease for your Soul. Listen in as Nanette shares some helpful tools for Grown Ups to be refreshed and hopeful.

The reality is, your child probably doesn’t think like you! Nanette shares three reality markers of young children to help parents check their responses. Responses based on facts can be more grace-filled than responses based on expectations.

Establishing a safe and happy atmosphere is vital for your child’s ability to trust. When the rich soil of trust is establish, a child’s confidence is more likely to grow and flourish. Listen in as Nanette shares some tangible ways to build trust.

Time is an interesting concept when raising little ones. Nanette Johnson encourages time to doddle!