Yesterday we made big baskets filled with love and gifts for teen moms. Everybody said prayers as we tied the material together to make a large, soft blanket. People brought gift cards and clothes, toys and towels, diapers and wipes, lotions and snuggly stuffed animals. I can imagine it is difficult to be a teen mom. I'm not sure if the baby's dad is in the picture, or if grandparents are supportive. I'm sure there are times when the mom feels judged or left out. But, hopefully, as she receives this huge care pack, she would see that people care, motherhood matters and she has people who will cheer her on! Hopefully she feels loved and accepted long after the last of the diaper rash cream is gone.
Isn't that what you remember- how you felt? I know how I felt special each year on my birthday, though I can't tell you one present that meant the world to me. I can tell you how I felt encouraged when people gathered for my baby shower, though I cannot tell you what we ate.
When people come to church for the first time, I hope they feel welcome and loved. I think that sometimes people attended church as a kid and did not feel that way, and so they haven't bothered to come back since. Our church is part of an on-going plan to shower love on our neighbors through partnerships and service projects. We call it, "Love Works"-- the whole idea is to BE the church, not just GO to church.
Switching gears here, but I always overthink the things I do/ don't do as a parent. But, I have to believe that this is true: they will remember feeling cherished, because of every book you read to them-- long after they remember the storybook's characters. They will remember feeling listened to, because of every family meal that you sat down to eat together-- long after they remember your fancy new recipes.
Well, that is some good news! Think I'll try and shower warmth and love-- and try and not get so caught up in the details!!
Isn't that what you remember- how you felt? I know how I felt special each year on my birthday, though I can't tell you one present that meant the world to me. I can tell you how I felt encouraged when people gathered for my baby shower, though I cannot tell you what we ate.
When people come to church for the first time, I hope they feel welcome and loved. I think that sometimes people attended church as a kid and did not feel that way, and so they haven't bothered to come back since. Our church is part of an on-going plan to shower love on our neighbors through partnerships and service projects. We call it, "Love Works"-- the whole idea is to BE the church, not just GO to church.
Switching gears here, but I always overthink the things I do/ don't do as a parent. But, I have to believe that this is true: they will remember feeling cherished, because of every book you read to them-- long after they remember the storybook's characters. They will remember feeling listened to, because of every family meal that you sat down to eat together-- long after they remember your fancy new recipes.
Well, that is some good news! Think I'll try and shower warmth and love-- and try and not get so caught up in the details!!