Summer Focus: Nurturing my Family

I like to create goals - not that I always, or even frequently, meet the goals I set for myself.... At the beginning of every new season, I look ahead and think about what I would like to do differently; what I would like to accomplish. As summer approaches, and as I look forward to no work and no school, I can not help but consider summer goals. My main focus this summer will be my boys: Tanner and Tyler. They have patiently (sort of) endured my educational journey. This summer will be dedicated to them.

Chuck Swindoll recently spoke on nurturing our kids. I caught his 5/13/09 Insight for Living broadcast. It appears I only heard the third message of a three part series. Even so, the message spoke to me about my summer goals. Swindoll defined "nurture" as (1) helping our kids know their God-given giftedness and (2) cultivating those gifts. This has inspired me to consider and pray about Tanner and Tyler's giftedness. Tanner is 11, so his are clearer to me than Tyler's gifts. Tanner is a "behind the scenes" kind of guy. He comprehends technical things with amazing ease. He has an exceptional memory, and he is a good athlete. His teachers tell me he is very social at school and is quite funny - I think of Tanner as more shy than social.

I believe Tyler's gifts may be related to leadership and they need some serious honing - if you know what I mean! Seriously though, Tyler is perseverant and outgoing. He has some creative interests, but he doesn't express much care in pursuing them, yet. Tyler is 9 and he is more interested in emulating his brother than developing his own strengths.

This is my prayer:

God, help me to know Tanner and Tyler better; to respond to them with more sensitivity; to nurture their growth in You. Grant me the wisdom to make decisions with their best in mind. You know my strengths and weakness, dear God, nurture my parenting skills and guide me in growth.

On May 18, 2009, Lysa TerKeurst wrote of "Mommy Guilt." She hit the nail on my head! If I have areas vulnerable to Satan's attack, then mommy guilt is one of those areas. What I really liked about Lysa's blog, though, was her guidance in dealing with mommy guilt. In following her direction, I pursued reading and applying Proverbs to my diagnosis of mommy guilt. From my time in Proverbs, I am asking God for wisdom - He is the provider of wisdom. Based on the wisdom He provides, I am seeking consistency, discipline, self-control, honesty, and purposefulness in being a better mom and wife.

"Let the words of Christ, in all of their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise.... And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus."
Colossians 3:16-17 (NLT)