Welcome Spring Cleaning with These Easy Tips

I am welcoming spring with open arms! After a long winter my body is craving sunshine and spring breezes. Spring is a season for renewal and rejuvenation both for your body and home. Spring cleaning is both therapeutic and rewarding. Cleaning out the clutter and sweeping out the old while ushering in the new is good for the whole family, it is unbelievably cleansing.

Spring cleaning can be simple, below are some tips to keep in mind as you begin.

Have a Goal
Think about what you want to accomplish. Maybe it isn’t cleaning the entire house from top to bottom. You may want to focus on the one area in your house that has been a thorn in your side for the past three years. Focusing on a goal for your home helps you target exactly what you want to attain and keeps you from getting overwhelmed.

Create a List
Never underestimate the power of a list. Lists are a great way to stay organized, while keeping your goals and to do list on task. If you plan on cleaning all the rooms in your house make a list for each room. Write down what you want to accomplish in each room, be specific, and keep track of your progress. If your kids are spring cleaning their room, give them a list this will eliminate misunderstanding and they’ll know exactly what you expect of them and you can track their progress.

Have the Supplies Ready
Before you sweep up those cobwebs make sure you have all the cleaning supplies, storage boxes, and any other resources you need. Nothing throws you off your cleaning groove more than running out of window cleaner or paper towels. Create a separate list of all the supplies you need and purchase them in advance. Save money by going to the dollar store for sponges or paper towels.

Create Reasonable Expectations
Life is busy! Moms are running in a million different directions so don’t place too much pressure on yourself. If you expect to thoroughly clean your house from top to bottom in two days and you have three children, a dog, and other obligations most likely it isn’t going to happen. Think about your daily responsibilities and fit it in where it fits. Set your expectations to meet your lifestyle. Don’t neglect to set expectations because then nothing will get done, but be realistic.

Think Outside the Box
Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be exclusive to cleaning. It can include rearranging the furniture, changing the color of a room, or adding new pieces to a once dreary nook in the house. Spring conjures up a sense of renewal so while a thorough cleaning is a great detox for your home so is switching it up and adding something new! Also with all the tragedies occurring around the world donating home goods or clothes is a wonderful way to help out those in need. Check with local and international charities to find out donation procedures.

Don’t Do it Alone
The beauty of a family is that you aren’t alone. Too often moms take on the role of superwoman which only makes them frustrated, overworked, and exhausted. Involve your family from the youngest to the oldest and make it a family project. Kids want to be included and should be. You are part of a unit so make sure you work together as a team. Assign each family member a chore and hold them to it!

Don’t Give Up
It is easy to become overwhelmed, but don’t give up. Keep going and stick to your original goal. If you procrastinate the task only becomes bigger the next year and the stuff keeps on accumulating making the next time you decide to return to it worse. Once you finish you’ll feel relieved, uncluttered, and you’ll love the results.

Open the windows, put a fresh vase of flowers on the table, plant some seedlings and enjoy the spring time! Make spring cleaning satisfying and manageable. Take time to smell the roses while clearing out the old to make room for a new season!

Copyright © Chere Williams, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Creating Family New Year Resolutions

Hopefully everyone had a wonderful and safe New Years! This year I rang in 2010 with my whole family, a true blessing since we live in different states. My parents and brother were able to come for Christmas and I went to their house to spend the week after Christmas. It was wonderful to visit family and friends and truly celebrate the season with those I love. It was with bitter sweet sadness that I returned home, but the memories will last far beyond the holiday.

While home, I was quickly reminded of the importance of family togetherness to the well being of our soul. This time of the year resolutions are made to diet, save money, or stop bad habits which are all well intentioned resolutions. I decided to make some resolutions that pertain to my family. Strong families have direction, goals, and aspirations that they share together. For 2010 why not gather the family together and make some resolutions that you wish to accomplish as a family unit? The resolutions don’t have to be on a grand scale, they should be simple and attainable.

Ideas for family resolutions for the New Year

Spend More Time Together

Quality family time is underrated. Children crave attention and time from their parents, and we crave the same from them. Unfortunately, life often gets in the way and family time gets neglected. Make a resolution to spend more time together. The first step is to be realistic, we are all busy and even our kids are busy so it is important to look at everyone’s schedule and choose at least one day a week for family night. If you find that you can’t fit at least one or two days of family time in, it is time to shift your priorities around. Time is the best gift you can give one another as a family.

Share a New Hobby Together

You are never too young or too old to learn. Sharing a new hobby together is a great way to spend time with one another while having fun and trying something new. Collaborate on a list of hobbies that everyone would like to try and then choose a month for each hobby. You might want to try something new each month or every other month. Get creative with your list! Some examples are studying a new language together, quilting, rollerblading, or gardening. If one hobby holds more interest to you than to your husband split up the hobbies. For example, you and your son may want to learn rollerblading and your husband and your daughter may take on gardening, then make the next month a hobby the whole family wants to participate in.

Spiritual Goals

The family that prays together stays together. One of our goals as Christian parents should be strengthening our family spiritually. Making spiritual goals not only strengthens your family bond, but also strengthens their walk as Christians. Make it a resolution to have family bible study once a week, keep a blessings journal, or volunteer more at church. Try creating a family prayer time, when the entire family prays and worships God together. In today’s world it is so important that we instill in our children biblical principles and values. This is a resolution that can’t afford to be broken if we want to stay faithful followers of Christ.

Home Improvements

Some of the most precious moments are those created in the comfort of your own home. Kids love to decorate and be part of creating the place called home. Schedule a family meeting and discuss improvements that everyone would like to implement in the house. It doesn’t have to be a $50,000 kitchen renovation, it can be as simple as redesigning the family room. Pick a room and give it a new design that suits the needs of each family member. Try moving the furniture around, painting the walls, adding art, anything that is simple, cheap, and requires the involvement of whole family will work.

Fitness Goals

Fitness goals are probably one of the most common New Year resolutions of all times. Unfortunately, within about four weeks they are usually forgotten. However, everyone desires a healthy family and one of the best ways to attain a fitness goal is to partner up with someone. This year make a pact with your family to eat healthy, exercise, and stay fit. Teach your children to worship their temple by giving it the fuel it needs. Make a resolution to walk at least twice a week after dinner, take a bike ride, join a dance class, pick healthy recipes, or sign up for a marathon! There are so many fun ways to stay healthy and do it as a family!

Be Green Together

Our environment has taken a beaten and it is up to us to take care of it. This year make an effort to conserve more, use recyclable bags, and make a conscious effort to keep our world healthy. Work together as a family to learn more about how to keep our earth clean and what you can to contribute. Organize a neighborhood cleanup, don’t drive as much, and find ways to be green. This is a great lesson for your children that can make a positive impact in the future.

The New Year is a time to look forward and get excited about the year ahead. It is great to have individual resolutions, but making resolutions as a family is a wonderful way to create stronger bonds and work as a team toward a common goal. Family time is quality time whether you’re painting a wall or sitting around the dinner table. The point is to cherish one another and to learn and grow together while involving God every step of the way. Make 2010 the year that your family keeps their resolutions!

Copyright © Chere Williams, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Faith and Business 101: Pursuing the Dream

Happy New Year! I hope you have taken a much-needed and well-deserved break this past week! I hope you have recommitted your life, your plans and your business to your Heavenly Father. I assure you that without His blessing, you will just be spinning your wheels as you get back to work. It will truly be all for nothing, if He is not in it!

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Revelation 4:11

Have you been dreaming? I hope so! Let’s start putting our dreams into action.

First, answer these questions:

• What is your dream for your business?
• Can you write it out clearly?
• Where do you see your business in 20 years?
• What do you want to accomplish?

Second, begin writing out details:

• What needs to happen for your dream to start becoming reality?
• What do you need to do today, next month, this year, next year?
• What is your monthly and yearly budget?

In an article I read recently by John Maxwell (yes, him again!), he says this: “It sounds overly simple, but a primary reason why most people don’t get what they want is that they don’t know what they want. They haven’t defined their dream in clear and compelling detail.”

I have my own dream written out on paper, in vivid detail. I can close my eyes and SEE my dream! I have written out exactly what it’s going to take me to get there and I measure all of my activities and business pursuits against this dream. I consciously “take every thought captive” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Is this new opportunity going to further my God-given dream or pull my focus away from it? I say no to good things all the time, so that I can “say YES to the best!” I want everything I choose to do, to be in line with what God wants me to do in my business. I pray, I respond and I move towards the goal.

I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do:

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3: 13-14

Until Next Time…

MariLee

Copyright © MariLee Parrish, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Ring in the New Year with Family and Friends

It is unbelievable that 2009 is over and a new year is approaching. Personally, 2009 was a good year for me, but I am looking forward to ringing in 2010 with my daughter. Since I have had my daughter, I can’t imagine spending New Years any other way than with her. This year I am going to my parent’s house and will celebrate with them and some family friends. Kids love the New Year it is the one time of year they can stay up until midnight and hang out with the adults. Our family friends have younger children and we are planning to let the kids have their own little New Year’s Eve celebration. Many parents will find themselves at home with their families so add some party hats and noise blowers and have some fun!

Ideas on how the whole family can join in on the New Year’s festivities

Have a Pajama Party
Invite some good friends and their families over for an old fashioned sleepover. Depending on how much space you have in your home you may want to invite one or two families. Have everyone bring their favorite movie or game, pop some popcorn, get in your pajamas and wait for the ball to drop. Let the kids build a tent in the living room or create their own little party space. Order some food or cook a meal together of traditional New Year’s Eve recipes like black-eyed peas, or hot dogs and sauerkraut. Get into the spirit by wearing party hats, hang streamers, and use noisemakers.

Have a Game Night
Tell each person in your family to pick their favorite game for game night. Playing games are a great way to get in some fun bonding time. Order a pizza and sit down for an evening of games. Some great games are charades, Pictionary, Uno, Monopoly, and Scrabble to get the crowd excited.

Scrapbooking
New Year’s Eve is a wonderful time to reflect on all of the memories of the past year. So much happens in a year both good and bad. It is amazing when we look back and realize all of the changes that occur and how much God has blessed us and brought us through hard times and provided good times. Gather family pictures, ticket stubs, and anything that holds sentimental meaning to create a family scrapbook for 2009. Ask everyone to recall their favorite memory of 2009 and even their not so favorite memory it reminds everyone of all they have to be thankful for. Talk about your hopes and plans as a family for the new year.

Attend Church
The best place to be on New Year’s Eve is church. Attend church on New Year’s Eve and having fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ is a beautiful way to welcome the New Year. Start your New Year by praising God through worship and prayer. Thank God for all of your blessings and pray for a fruitful new year. This is a worthy tradition to pass on to your children and to partake in as a whole family.

The New Year is a time for celebrating and thanking God for giving us another year to spend with our family and friends. It is a time to reflect and a time for renewal. I always thought of the new year as a time for new beginnings, a time to move forward and leave the past behind. Regardless of how you spend the evening, spend it with a heart of gratefulness for another year. Spend it with the people you love and remember to always give praise to our Savior for the gift of life. I wish you all a safe, happy, prosperous, and blessed New Year!

Copyright © Chere Williams, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Faith and Business 101: Christmas Vacation

Merry Christmas!

I urge you to give your full attention to your family this day and as much as you can the following week. The kids are off school, so take advantage of the time you have together! Play, read books, camp out under the Christmas tree, make up games, take pictures…have fun! Your Mom Business will be right there waiting for you when Christmas Break is over! Take some time off and re-fuel! Pray! Ask for God’s blessing on your family and your business!

Some scriptures to ponder during this time of vacation:

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him .He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Psalm 62:5-6

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:21-22

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2: 10-11

Are you fearing the future… or are you a living example of one who’s life is filled with GREAT JOY? Is your faith evident in your everyday life? In your business? Reflect on this! Re-commit your life and your business to the Lord.

Until Next Time…

MariLee

Copyright © MariLee Parrish, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

10 Creative Ways to Spark Christmas Tradition

This time of year we are faced with all the materialism the world has to offer. One must stop and think of what happened to simple family Christmas tradition that keep the spirit of the holiday alive. Do we remember why we celebrate Christmas? Sugar Plum dreams fill our heads but is there room for Christ and family? This year many families are facing difficult economic times. This causes many to go beyond their means to provide what the world calls a good Christmas or feel depressed for being unable to provide presents. If you feel out of the Christmas spirit due to finances or inability to purchase gifts then you need to re-examine what the Christmas spirit is and how your celebrate it.

Ten simple ways to add the true meaning of Christmas back into your family

1. Special Christmas Breakfast. Every year I make French toast. I cut the toast in half crosswise to make a triangle shape. This serves as the tree. I sprinkle green sugar sprinkles on top to give it color. To finish it off, I use a sausage link for the tree bark. Try something fun for your family!

2. Present for Jesus. Wrap a box but leave a slit at the top where you can insert an index card. Each time a family member does something for Jesus have him or her write down the action on the card and insert in the box. Then on Christmas, open up the box and share with everyone what you gave Jesus this year.

3. Make Prayer Cards out of Greeting Cards. Each time you get a greeting card be sure to put it in a prayer rotation. Have cards lined up on a mantle or make into garland for the tree or however you store your cards, then each night have a family prayer time and pray for each person who sent you a card.

4. Read the Christmas Story. Read the Christmas story out of the bible. Either have dad read the entire story or have family members rotate verses. Do this before you open presents, so you can remember the true reason you should be thankful for another Christmas.

5. Christmas Craft. Every year, my family makes a Christmas craft. The craft changes yearly. One year we made ornaments, the next we made votive candle holders out of flower pots, and the next we made our own Christmas cards. Just choose something! As time goes on, you will be able to decorate your home with your Christmas crafts! I know I would rather see my family’s creations up than something I purchased.

6. Advent Paper Chain. Get red and green construction paper and cut it into thin strips. Then form a circle with one and glue end to end. Next, use an alternating color and attach it to make another circle and glue end to end forming a chain. You can make one link for each day in December up until Christmas day. Before forming the links and the chain, write on the inside a verse, an activity, or permission for a special treat, for the kids to open each day until Christmas.

7. Cookies for the Neighbors. Every year I make cookies for my neighbors. Included in the tin are strips of paper like confetti with printed verses. I also insert a track.

8. Christmas Caroling. When passing out your cookies you want to offer up some Christmas carols for your neighbor’s enjoyment. If you are too shy, then just make singing a regular family tradition.

9. Christmas Decoration Tear Down Day. Taking down decorations should be part of the fun! We make it a family affair because it goes faster and it makes it more fun. Use that time to reflect on the memories surrounded by the decorations, ornaments, gifts, greeting cards and so forth. Reflect on the meaning of Christmas and how you can keep that spirit in the upcoming new year. Then when the work is done play a game, watch a movie or do some fun family activity.

10. Iron Chef Christmas Cookie Competition. We all love Christmas cookies and treats. I am sure every family member has a personal favorite. Well, one day get in the kitchen and whip up some cookies. Split up into teams and make your favorites to share. To make it more fun, have a secret ingredient! Pick out of a hat, a strip of paper with an ingredient on it, like chocolate chips. That will be the challenge secret ingredient for each team. This will make baking so much more fun and personal.

Copyright © Richele McFarlin, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Before Christmas Party Fun at Home

Some of our favorite memories are gathering with family and friends during the Christmas season. On Christmas day most people are spending time with their family and often unable to spend quality time with their friends. I remember as a child waking up at home on Christmas and then spending the day at my grandparent’s house, but rarely did we have the time to visit friends that day. Celebrating the holiday with friends is just as important as celebrating with family. This is usually a busy time of the year for most folks, but throwing a small pre-Christmas party doesn’t have to monopolize your time, it can be a simple fun way to create moments with those you love.

Ideas to have a gathering before Christmas day

Have a Potluck

I will always have mixed feelings on potluck, part of me feels like if you are going to throw a party then you throw the party. However, people like potlucks and seem to enjoy whipping up one of their specialty dishes and sharing it with others. I suggest the host cook the main dish and the guests bring sides. This is an easy way to have a full blown Christmas dinner that everyone can enjoy without you going crazy. Most likely your decorations are up so all you have to do is set the table and enjoy the meal!

Cookie Exchange

A fun theme for a pre-Christmas party is a cookie exchange. Invite your friends and their children over and bake cookies. Cookies are always a big hit and especially during Christmas. This is great bonding time for parents, kids, and friends. Cut down on costs by asking everyone to bring the ingredients they need to bake. By the end of the party you will have baked enough cookies to exchange among one another and have enough of your own for Christmas day.

Christmas Caroling

Christmas Carolers are not in full effect like they used to be, but that doesn’t mean you can’t participate in a little Christmas caroling! Invite some friends over, get their suggestions on their favorite Christmas tunes and make copies of the lyrics. Create a Christmas caroling party a few days before Christmas by handing out the copies and making hot chocolate, cookies, and eggnog for your guests. Gather together and sing the carols. If you are adventurous go out into your neighborhoods and belt out a few tunes.

Christmas Movie Night

Everyone loves a good Christmas movie. Host a Christmas movie night with friends at your home. Ask everyone to bring their favorite movie. You may want to have this party a little earlier in the day than the other parties. You can also make a list of well known Christmas movies and have everyone pick two or three that are their favorites and choose those to watch. Don’t forget to include the kids and give them choices. Pop some popcorn, make hot chocolate and enjoy the movie! Split the time so that there is some adult time and kid time to make everyone happy.

Christmas Gift Exchange

Kids aren’t the only ones who like to receive gifts, adults do too. A gift exchange in these economic times may not seem feasible. Why not get back to basics? Presents do not have to cost money. Some suggestions are writing a few stories about times that were memorable between you and your friend, they will love it and it is a great way to reflect on cherished memories and why your friendship is so important. Make a CD of your friend’s favorite songs. Give them a homemade gift certificate, for example, “This certificate is good for a whole night of babysitting.”Create a photo album of all the great pictures you have together. These are the gifts that mean the most.

The Christmas season is for reflecting on the birth of Jesus and being thankful for the people in our lives which include family and friends. The season seems to rush by in a wink of an eye, but don’t let it escape without spending time with those you care about most. A pre-Christmas party doesn’t have to make you frazzled nor do you have to plan an extravagant party with caterers all you needs is a little bit of creativity and a whole lot of love. So call your friends and invite them over for some good old Christmas fun!

Copyright © Chere Williams, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Faith and Business 101: Holiday Helps for You and Your Mom Business – Part 2

It’s Friday, December 18th. One week until Christmas! How are you feeling? My prayer is that you have done the busy work this past week so that you can slow down and focus on your family and the birth and life of Christ these next few weeks!

I am a huge list maker. If you are still feeling frantic, then I suggest that you take an hour to sit down and write out everything else that you must accomplish in the next few days. I realize that when you run a Mom Business, things are rarely 9-5! You may have had some last minute orders come in that you are excited about but you’re just not sure how to fit it all in! My advice? Ask for help. If you are feeling overwhelmed this last week before Christmas, get your family and close friends involved.

Let your immediate family know what needs to be done and how you are feeling about it. You can get everyone in the family involved at some level of your business! Even the toddlers can help you stick address labels on cards! Make it fun for everyone with the promise of milk and cookies for their efforts, and you’ll get things done in half the time! If you have bigger jobs that still need to be done, ask a close friend for some help! It is a busy time of year for everyone, but if you spend the hour over lunch working, eating and chatting…it’s a win-win for everyone.

Take this weekend to catch up on anything big that just HAS to get done, and then save the rest until after the holidays. I want to encourage you to make this coming week about GIVING and SERVING. Talk with your family about what this means and why it is important to serve one another as Jesus did.

Some Ideas:

Call up your church. Ask your secretary if there are any jobs that need completed that you can accomplish as a family. Make copies, clean, fold programs, etc. This is a wonderful gift to give your church and a busy secretary this time of year!

Volunteer at a soup kitchen.

Make gifts for the elderly in your neighborhood or visit a nursing home. Sit with them awhile and let them know that someone cares… and that God loves them. Let the younger ones color pictures with scripture verses about God’s love. Many elderly people do not feel loved at all. Especially this time of year. Do whatever you can to remind them that they are valued and precious to our Heavenly Father!

Is it snowy in your area? Shovel some driveways when no one is looking!

Ask around at church or school to find a family in real need this year. With the economy the way it is right now, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding someone. Purchase gifts and make goodies for this family. Consider purchasing a grocery gift card for them as well. Secretly deliver it to the family and make sure no one utters a word!

The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40

Until Next Time…

MariLee

Copyright © MariLee Parrish, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Celebrating Christ at Christmas

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Children love the Christmas season and for good reason. It is the time of year when people have a little more joy and of course there are the toys, Christmas tree, cookies, and if they are lucky they get to roll around in the snow. The stores are bustling with frantic shoppers trying to find the perfect gift and houses on every corner are lit. Yes, the Christmas season is a great time of the year for old and young to enjoy. However, are we teaching our children the real reason that we celebrate Christmas? Do they realize the special meaning behind the celebration? Christmas means more to Christians than opening gifts and baking cookies, it is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our savior who came to earth to die for our sins. I love sitting around the tree and having a cup of cocoa with my daughter and I find immense joy in watching her little face light up at all the gifts under the tree, but it is more important that she understands why we celebrate Christmas.

I read an interesting article by one of my favorite bloggers about consumerism and Christmas. In the article she states that is our job as a parent and a Christian to instill in our children the true meaning of Christmas and I agree wholeheartedly. We need to spend more time reflecting on Christ during this special time of the year and teaching our children that gifts are not the center of the Christmas holiday. I am not saying that we can’t do the decorating, baking, and gift giving, but more so this year let us focus on Jesus.

There are many ways in which we can get our children’s attention on Christ instead of the new Barbie or Nintendo game.

Here are a few ideas to bring Jesus back into Christmas:

Giving Thanks to Christ
My daughter and I have a ritual in the morning. We always start our morning by thanking God for the day. It is a wonderful way for your day to begin with gratefulness. It also reminds us that the day is a gift to be thankful for. I suggest during the Christmas season at dinner after the prayer, asking everyone why they are thankful that Jesus Christ was born. This is a way to reflect on Christ’s love and God’s gift to us.

Read the Story of the Birth of Jesus Christ
All children love to be read Christmas stories, such as, “The Night Before Christmas,” and I love them too, but make sure you incorporate reading the story about the birth of Jesus Christ. After you read it talk about the admirable characteristics of Mary, Joseph, and the wise men. Some godly characteristics to discuss are the faith and obedience that Mary and Joseph had in God. Discuss how important these characteristics are in their own life. Talk about how that special night was so important to Christians and how the baby Jesus would be our Savior.

Build A Nativity Scene
Nativity scenes are a great way for children to have fun while learning about the birth of Jesus Christ. Gather the family around, make some cocoa, put on some spiritual Christmas carols and build your nativity scene. Reflect with your children on how that night must have been when our Savior was born.

Adopt a Servant’s Heart
Jesus Christ was a servant. He had fellowship with his people and served them with kindness and love. What better way to honor Christ then to adopt his characteristics? This year get your children involved in serving. Whether it is at a shelter, church, or preparing cookies for a nursing home teach them about having a servant’s heart. While they are serving remind them of how Christ served others with a giving heart.

The important thing is to establish a sense of tradition that makes Jesus Christ the focus of Christmas. It is our responsibility to give our children the real story of why we celebrate. Children are bombarded with consumerism, but we have control of how each one of us celebrates the Christmas holiday. I want my daughter to have fun and watch Frosty but I also want her to know that God gave us a gift when Mary gave birth to baby Jesus in the manger. Start a tradition that honors Jesus, celebrate the month giving praise and thanks while reflecting on the true meaning of this blessed holiday. Teach your children that the joy of Christmas is about celebrating the life of Christ.

Copyright © Chere Williams, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Tuesdays Mommy Tip: Gifts Under the Tree Should NOT Be the Focus

Do you have a great tip for Moms? They can be about anything (family friendly, of course) that pertains to a Mom’s life, including; beauty, kitchen, health, parenting, and so much more! Click Here to find out how YOU can join Moms of Faith’s Tuesday’s Mommy Tips!

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OK, on to this week’s Mommy tip…

Gifts Under the Tree Should NOT Be the Focus

Unfortunately, this time of year has turned into an over commercialized bunch of ridiculousness. Christmas is about celebrating the birth of a Savior that came to save the world from hell. THAT is the reality of Christmas! Not Santa. Not presents. Not parties. Not a new iPhone. Not stuff.

Sad Fact:

Did you know that it would cost LESS money to provide clean drinking water to every person on the planet then what the United States alone spends on Christmas??? Yeah, pretty darn sick, huh?

I seriously doubt that Jesus, who came here and lived a common life as a carpenter’s son, would want this kind of mess happening on His birthday…think about His reaction to the selling, lot casting and other bologna that was going on in His Fathers house…hmmm…He was ticked enough to toss some stone tables around. (Read it for yourself…it’s in the New Testament)

Maybe…just maybe, we should focus on WHO we are celebrating instead of what we are getting or even giving our kids. We need to teach them what this “holiday” is really about. Love. The Love of CHRIST! It is our JOB to train them up to be followers of Christ and to learn how to give and receive His love…NOT to shop til they drop!

A few things to consider…

• Cut back drastically on gift giving…unless it is to the needy.
• Volunteer.
• Make Jesus the focus…not shopping and gifts.
• DO what you think Jesus would do…I highly doubt it would be waiting in line at 2 in the morning to get a deal on a new dell…

Think about it…

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

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