Why playing is important.

Today, I want to encourage everyone who is a parent to keep playing with your kids. It can be easy in the busyness of life to forget to nurture the playful spirits that children have. We may feel tired, or discouraged by the stresses that unexpected bills, problems, or the never-ending list of things that we "need" to get done.

Children develop identity in close relation to the emotions that they feel. They chemically link emotions and memories. Their memory works sort of like a series of snapshots. At around 12, they start to develop the ability to string these snapshots together, and develop their identity from these things. If the majority of the snapshots that they find are linked with negative emotions, they can easily develop a negative view of themselves. Perhaps they think, "I'm just a sad person, because most of my memories are sad." Or they may think, "I'm just an angry person, because I'm always angry."

You might be asking, how does this relate to playing? We need to cultivate joy in the lives of our children, and ourselves. As a young parent myself, I love to watch my son Judah enjoy life. I love it when he is captivated by the wonder of the world that God has made. When we play, we realize that the world is not just dark, depressing, and gloomy. There is joy, and wonder to be found. Encourage positive memory-making with your kids. Take time and invest it into your kids, expressing your joy in them. Play with them,and let them work alongside you. Make positive memories together.

It's important to note that Jesus can change these negative self-images in a heartbeat, although, often he addresses them little by little as we grow in relationship with him.

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”

Jesus took time for children, let's follow his example!

Be Blessed!

Everyday Miracles

What if we always recognized all the everyday miracles in our lives?

So often people ask God to do the impossible, and fail to recognize his hand in the ordinary. What if it's a miracle that you woke up this morning? What if it's a miracle that you took that breath you just did? What if your genetic code is a miracle? What if it's a miracle that you are even alive? What if it's a miracle if you didn't get into a vehicle accident today? Or that you have food to eat, a place to live, a place to sleep, friends, family? All these good things that we can take for granted

Take a minute to take stock of the everyday miracles in your life.

James 1:17 NIV Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,who does not change like shifting shadows.

Miracles of the day:

Jesus has saved me, set me free, made me whole, and given me a right relationship with God! And he continues to teach and mould me to reflect his character everyday.

My beautiful wife

My son Judah

My brother Eric showing up at just the right time to help me get my brakepads replaced and wheel back on before it started to rain.

Food to eat

A job/calling that I love

And many more.

My prayer for you is that as you reflect on the everyday miracles in your life, that you would grow in faith, and seek to be a miracle to someone you meet today, or tomorrow, or everyday.

May you enjoy the peace of Christ today.

Gerry.