Day 25

A fresh start always excites me! Whether it is a new year, a new morning, or a new toothbrush. In our home when someone has confessed a mistake and all has been forgiven, we quickly say, "Fresh start!" With God, there is always mercy anew! 

But this I call to mind,
     and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
     His mercies never come to an end;
They are new every morning;
     great is Your faithfulness.
"The Lord is my portion," says my soul,
     "therefore I will hope in Him."*

The journal continues…

Children are taught the fear of the Lord as they learn to obey their parents. As obedience is taught, children find joy in the safety of their boundaries and are a delight to their parents in return. While they are young they will comply or be forced to comply to some degree, but growth into adulthood will reveal if true obedience of the heart was taught.

This was my father-in-law's response to my question on how to have joy in the home, as we headed toward the fall colored mountains of North Carolina to spend the day exploring trails and munching on apple cider donuts.

Such simple advice, yet it hit me today as profound. If I want my children to fear God and be happy, I must follow God's pattern for me as a parent and teach them to obey. Not force them, bribe them, persuade them to obey, but teach them through clear instruction and loving, consistent discipline.

My Dare: 

To encourage a happy home by giving my children clear boundaries and consistently enforcing the rules of the home (so as not to exasperate the ones seeking to do right).

The new year is off and running! We are busy getting our homes—and children—and ourselves—back in shape and on schedule. But, tomorrow we are going to ignore the clock and instead look up with eyes of faith to see if the windows of Heaven are waiting to pour us out a blessing!





*Lamentations 3:21-24 ESV