I absolutely love the Focus on the Family subscription we receive. It is a tiny little magazine that comes (free) once a month or so. The guidance and insights I receive from this magazine are absolutely priceless. And, with raising children in a society like ours, I need ALL the advice I can get. Seriously! I often wonder if Jim and I are raising our kids right, teaching them, guiding them, living by example. It's a lot of pressure to say the least.

I really feel blessed (for lack of a better, stronger word) that we have Jesus in our lives...to help us through child-raising (and everything else). I've often read (and heard our Pastor say) that, statistically, 90% (or around that number) of people accept Jesus into their lives before the age of 18! That is staggering! No wonder God says we need to have a "child-like faith"...it's the only time in our lives when we trust completely and unconditionally, without skepticism. God saved Jim and I in His perfect time. Where would our kids be if they were not raised to know Him? What if they were not taught that before everything else in life comes our (their) relationship with Jesus? What if they were rarely (or never) taken to Church? My heart breaks when I think about it. This brings me back to the Focus on the Family article I recently read that I MUST share!

A 5-year old girl was sitting on her mother's lap, enjoying a time of quiet conversation. Her mother prayed with her child, read her Bible stories each evening, and took her to worship services frequently--so it wasn't surprising when the girl asked, "Mom, does God live in your heart?" The mother smiled and nodded. Wanting to find out more, the girl asked "Can I listen?" Her mother laughed as the daughter placed her head against her chest. Suddenly the little girl's eyes widened, and she jerked her head away. "Did you hear anything?" the mother asked. "I did!" the daughter exclaimed. "God was making coffee!"

Observant parents soon understand that a child, like an adult, is a spiritual being. Every child has the capacity for a personal relationship with Him. A child can learn to see life through spiritual eyes and apply truth to his or her beliefs and choices. The earlier this foundation is laid, the more likely the child is to thrive during adulthood. A strong spiritual foundation is essential for healthy children, families and society. Children who have a healthy spiritual foundation grow up knowing they are loved by their Creator, who has endowed them with unique gifts, talents and abilities. When children have a personal connection with God and know what the Bible says about them, they are better equipped to accurately assess their abilities and live life to the fullest. In contrast, the failure to establish a healthy spiritual foundation can be a recipe for disaster. A child who hasn't been shown how to have a personal relationship with God is at a huge disadvantage. He will struggle to figure out life and his place in it. Such a child may not realize how special each person is to the Creator and may fail to develop a healthy respect for all human life.