Determination: Week 2

Our virtue for the month of October is Determination: deciding it is worth it to finish what you started. During the first week of the month, we talked about the suffering of Paul and how we should keep doing what we should do even if it is hard.

This week, the "Bottom Line" (the one thing we want kids to walk away understanding) is that we should keep doing what God says even when others don't. This is a hard one, especially for kids, but it is SO key. Doesn't this really cut to the core of what we want for our kids to have: the conviction and determination to do what is right even when everyone else is not (including the times when it is their FREINDS who are not). This is when it is important for what we talk about at church to be echoed at home. It is when we as parents really need to initiate good conversations with our kids about times where we failed in this area and regret it OR a time when we succeeded in this area, and God used it in a powerful way either in your own life or in the lives of others. Talking about this sort of thing with your kids BEFORE they are in a situation where they need to show determination to do what God says when others are not is the best time. That way, when they are in the situation, they can know that you are behind them 100%- that may be the extra bit of confidence they need to do what is right when it seems risky.

Our Biblical example of the "Bottom Line" this week was Noah. Can you even imagine the determination it must have taken for Noah just to physically complete the ark- nevermind that everyone must have thought he was crazy?

As parents, we should also model this behavior. We need to show the same determination to do what is right even when others don't. Unfortunately, it never gets any easier. Just remember that actions speak louder than words. If we tell our kids how important it is to do what God says even when others don't, then we need to be SURE to do the same thing. AND, when a story crops up in the news or in the neighborhood that illustrates this point, we need to point it out. Make heroes out of everyday people who do what is right in the face of difficult circumstances.

Include this week's bottom line as you are praying with your kids this week (and throughout this month). Ask God to give us all the determination to do what is right even when others are not.