Bethany Reformed Church
705 Cajon Street, Redlands CA 92373 (909)793-1966
Pastor's Monthly Letter
Dear Friends,
Today I write to the young families within Bethany Reformed Church. All you “old-timers” could be writing this, as well. You’ve “been there, done that”, so there isn’t anything new here for you. Matter of fact, most of you who are younger know this already, too, but I know how life infringes and choices have to be made. I’m simply going to encourage one choice over the other and hold it up to you as the better choice for you and your family over the long haul.
I’m talking about all the things that stand in the way of being strong and healthy husbands and wives and parents. Chief of those things seems to be earning a living. I want to assure you that choosing extra time with your spouse, just being together, talking, planning, sharing, even going on a date will never be a choice you lose out on. Keeping your relationship strong is vastly superior to earning an extra hour or two of overtime; holding down a second or third job; even focusing on maintaining your yard in pristine condition. (I once knew a young husband who insisted on mowing his huge lawn three different ways in order to get the “ball park” look he wanted—across, back and forth, and finally diagonally.) There is no amount of money or anything else that can heal a strained marriage.
Take time with your kids. Running around to soccer leagues and baseball camps have a place, but let me assure you, your children would rather go to the park and play tag or catch with you than to be involved in any kind of organized activity where all you do is watch. Treat them to an ice cream cone once in a while. Go for a drive and show them some places where you have had exciting events happen and tell them in detail what happened. Go to the beach for the afternoon. Be creative and make sure they know you love them by spending time with them. Nothing replaces that experience for them. I can still tell you about the times spent waterskiing with my dad!
Finally, pass on your faith to your children. Let me guarantee right here and now that very little of that happens by osmosis. You have to be intentional and tell the stories. Teach your children to pray by praying with them. Use their Bible and read from it right in front of them. Get the Chronicles of Narnia series and read to them before bedtime, leaving a little time to explain the biblical truths those stories contain. Keep your church commitment by coming regularly and insisting that your children are part of the wonderful training programs that are provided. Then talk about what they learned to reinforce it soon after, while still fresh in your child’s mind.
Oh yes, life is masterful at distracting from what is really important. Dads and Moms, listen to these words and discuss how you can best accomplish these goals in your family. I promise you that nothing is more fulfilling than watching your sons and daughters grow up to love the Lord and commit to serving him in their adult years. Everything else is definitely secondary.
I share with you from experience, believe me!
Pastor Leon
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