GinaMcClain.com

I’m no Clair Huxtable either.

I’m more like Seinfeld’s Elaine with a moral bent.

So when fellow parents request parenting advice from me I feel like I must offer a disclaimer… a little “fine print” that lets them know that I’m on the journey as well… and I don’t have all the answers.

But I do have some suggestions when it comes to teaching kids how to have a right heart.

So many times as parents, we can teach kids the response we expect.  However it’s obvious when they’re just giving us the response we expect yet their heart is not in the right place.  How do we address the heart issue?  This isn’t something you can beat out of them… (err, I mean) This isn’t something you can reach inside and change. 

But there are a few things you can do that address the issue and teach your child over time how to do their own ‘heart check’.

1. Right vs Wrong- This is one of the best books I’ve read about the reasons I want to teach my kids the character of God.  Why?  B/c relating back to the character of God draws our focus back to the image in which we were created.  Character gets to the heart of the issue.  I want my kids (and myself) to learn to act in ways consistent with God’s character b/c that’s who He created me to be.
2. Gods Word – Pray His Word over your child.  This is different from praying with your child.  Pray scripture over your child.  Why?  B/c Isaiah 55:11 tells us that God’s Word does exactly what He purposes for it to do.  And Hebrews 4:12 tells me that His Word “…is sharper than a double-edge sword… that discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart.” So, if it’s a heart issue then it’s really not our job to change it.  That’s God’s domain.  Our role is to actively speak His Word into their lives so that His Word can dissect, discern and develop the heart of our kids.

There you have it… my “not-so SuperNanny… nowhere-near Clair Huxtable… yet so-much-better-than Elaine” parenting advice on how to address the heart issue of your child.  Enjoy

I have a way of creating my own truth… and Jesus has a way of dispelling it.

My truth: I’ll befriend someone and love them as long as they befriend and love me.

Jesus truth:  Love your enemies.

My truth:  My family and I will live a comfortable life following Jesus in the suburbs.

Jesus truth:  Sell everything you have to follow me.

I believe there are many times in my life where the mountain called “My Plan” is what needs to be moved.  It seems I need to bury the mustard seed of faith deep into the heart of my Savior.  Maybe the deeper I dig, the more I’ll let go of my truth and embrace His.

The message I heard growing up was, “Don’t have sex before marriage.”

I think that’s a common theme in many mainstream Christian homes.

I wonder how kids would view sex if we changed the message and lead our kids to embrace purity.

The message “Don’t have sex before marriage” allows for a measure of interpretation.  Consider former President Clinton’s definition of sex.

Teaching kids to embrace purity leads them to protect mind, heart and soul from things that can harm them in the long term.  Things that distract them from God’s best.

Thoughts?  What’s your message to kids regarding sex?