Parenting Thoughts

I've been reading a lot of parenting books and article lately. I can never get enough instruction in this area. I am constantly in need of reminders to love and train my children in the discipline and admonition of the Lord. As a result of my reading, I've been thinking about justice and child training. How respond when my kids are not treated "fairly" and if I am training them to have a biblical world view. So I Karis and I have been talking about these verses from Matthew 5:39-42:

39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

This morning I read this, makes me wonder, what would I do in this situation.

Friends

This week marks the start of the NCAA March Madness. My husband loves this tournament and every year schedules to take some time off to build family memories and watch some hoops. This year he surprised me by taking me to Boston for a few days before it started. We were able to go with our dear friends the Dabbs for a few days. It was a fun time to explore the city and visit the places we used to live on the North Shore. We arrived home in time to enjoy the start of the tournament yesterday. The best part was the plan to have the Dabbs over for a sleepover. It was a fun memory for the kids to sleep in the same room and wake up together for breakfast. Hopefully this is just the start of many fun sleepovers.

Jenn took these pictures of Cia during our time and I wanted to share them.

Homeschool News

Erik & I hope to one day homeschool our children. This recent development in California is somewhat concerning. If you have time to read or even listen to the broadcast please do.

Hospitality

We Sheffers love to have guests over. It is something we do often and something we really enjoy. We are grateful to God for providing the means to open our home up to groups both large and small. I grew up in a home that was open to anyone and everyone. My Mom thrives in creating a welcoming home. My hope is that someday my children will also love to open their homes, that they would eagerly embrace 1 Peter 4:9. So it was a great delight the other day to see the table Karis had set.

I was quite impressed with the detail. She actually gave each plate a fork, knife and spoon and put the knife and spoon on the same side. Now I would LOVE to give myself props for teaching her this put that would be just an outright lie, no table I ever set looked that nice!

But then later that same day Karis looked at the kitchen while I was making dinner for just our family and she asked, "Mommy, are we having guests over?" I said, "No, not tonight." She then asked, "Then why is there so much food."

As I reflected on her question I thought why do I make more and better food when we are having guests and then just skimp on our family dinner? Shouldn't I treat the people in my own family as the best guests in the world? Do I delight in making a meal for the most important people in my life and or do I grumble at the work? And then am I really serving others through hospitality? Am I honoring God or myself?

Good questions for me to ponder as I'm sure I'll be serving leftovers sometime again this week (and you can probably imagine it won't be to guests)!

I'd love any thoughts anyone has on how to bless your family through your family meals.