My family at our wedding (almost two years ago now!)
My siblings include (current ages): Stephen (25, married to Larissa), Christa (20), Kelly (17), Sam (16), Dan (14), Brandon & Brooke (10).
For part 1, visit here.
Coming from a large family, the challenge for my parents was to direct all eight of us children to God! They aren’t done either. How do you raise children to love the Lord? I am sure my parents would tell you it is only by humble dependence upon the Lord and through His grace, but here are a few things I thank my parents for being faithful in which helped reveal to me my desperate need for a Savior.
Firm but loving discipline
I am now in the learning process of how to effectively and lovingly train my little girl, but my dad has been a great source of wisdom in this area. I remember back as a little girl…I was very stubborn and rebellious. They never let me down on telling others about how I would steal my older brother’s hard earned candies (which he earned at school) and eat them. He would hide them high up on a cupboard, and somehow I would still get to them. Unfortuntately, I was not very smart and left a trail of rappers to my hiding place.
My dad realized that he must be very firm to break my stubborn will. Sometimes it would take a lot of discipline, but I believe his faithfulness was successful. He would never let me go until I would snuggle up to him, fully letting my will go in submission to him. He explained our sin and the reason for the punishment, but always expressed his love in the end (never forgetting the importance of reinforcing that!). Funny how one of the most stubborn of the children can turn out to be the most cuddly in the long run…that’s me!
A few recommendations from my parents for child training:
Child Training Tips: What I Wish I Knew When my Children were Young by Reb Bradley - this is the one they give to every couple that seeks their advice on child training – great book!
What the Bible Says about Child Training by Richard Fugate
Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp
Quick to Repent & Prayerful – my mother’s example
My mother is a beautiful example of one who is quick to repent of her sin, and she would always seek to humbly repent before us, if necessary. She didn’t hide the fact that she wasn’t perfect, but she was and continues to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings and quick to make sure things are right. To this day, she will call and apologize for something she said that might have been offensive, even if it was the smallest thing. I admire this about her.
She takes great thought to her words and doings and the impact thereof. As a mother, I believe it is so important to be humble before your children. They are watching at every moment! If we stumble, it is most often in response to them or some circumstance where they are as well. No matter the circumstance, if we were in earshot, she would apologize before us, even if it had nothing to do with us. As a result, we recognized that we are all sinners and need to be humble before one another.
Another thing I appreciate about my mother is her love for prayer. She would never cease to remind us to stop and pray together as a family before a road trip for traveling mercies or before beginning our morning Bible studies that the Lord would give us rich nuggets of wisdom from His word. I laugh now because I have started to do these very same things, without even realizing it! I sound just like my mom! At the time, it was more of drudgery (not again, mom!), but now I see the true seeds that it planted in our souls. She took the importance of prayer and seeking the Lord seriously, and it rubbed off. She would always pray before we went shopping that the Lord would direct us to good deals. If someone expressed a need, she was quick to pray with them, and not delay till later. Once again, I was watching…and my life has been impacted as a result.
Part 3 to come…
What a beautiful picture! The twins are adorable! Is everyone’s ages as of the picture, or is it current Your sister’s look like twins themselves. How weird is that?
I can’t help much on the competitive side, my siblings and I were all 6 1/2-7 yrs apart. My mom said it was the best thing to do! My girls are too young yet.
Dear Linsay, I am really enjoying reading your blog. It has helped me in many ways. I have 4 young girls (2 7 year olds, a 4 1/2 year old and a 3 year old) and as they grow I am finding(especially with the oldest ones) that they are having increasingly difficult situations where they are competitive. Did you or your sisters ever feel competitive with one another? HOw did your parents handle this with you.
Marianne, that is a wonderful question! My siblings and I were definitely competitive and had our battles. I think I will ask my mom for her thoughts and share them later. Any one have thoughts on this?
Marianne, I talked with my mother and she recommended the book, For Instruction in Righteousness by Pam Forester. This book deals topically with training in many of these different areas. Her encouragement was that competitiveness is not necessarily bad. The important thing is to direct them to the importance of doing their best to the glory of God.
I remember being competitive with my older brother and then with my younger sister. I battled with this throughout my youth, until I came to the realization that the relationship/friendship was more important them competing with them. The was a work of grace and prayer in my life. As a result a friendship blossomed that was far more valuable in my eyes. My parents encouraged me to rejoice in the giftings God had given to me and not compare them to my siblings. This was the truth I needed to hear! Christ-centered encouragement is the key!
Hope that is helpful.
I so enjoy reading your blog, and your tribute to your parents has been so beautiful. It has been such an encouragement to me in the way that I want to raise my daughter and any other children the Lord blesses us with!
I love the pic!! It was great seeing your whole family! You are all so nice looking! Man, your mom looks awesome – so youthful looking having 8 kids!
Your wedding looked very classy and stylish! I love the colors and your gown looks so pretty. I love to see brides’ wedding gowns, which reveal so much about their personality and taste.
Lindsay, I very much enjoy reading your blog. Your family sounds very much like my family. Parents are such a powerful influence for the Lord on their children. Although, we don’t have children yet, I can’t to read more of what you have to say on this topic. Thank you for sharing!