Parenting with Love and Laughter

: Fresh Inspiration for all Mamas that are Fresh Out

As a mama, do you feel like I do this summer? Normally, I am rearing to go with a boatload of fresh ideas just chomping at the bit for summer with my kids. Invigorated to build into them and inspired by great family plans. 

But, and that is a big “but,” this year feels really different.

No matter what season of parenting you are in, whether you kids are grown and gone or itty-bitty and all over you, this summer ushers a new challenge for how we connect as families and how we parent.

That family vacation may have been canceled. That reunion you always do - erased. The crayons have already been used up and the toys are already looking old. 

And like a hole in an inflatable pool, the air has seeped out of you, sadness has set in, and you feel stuck. Stuck as a mama, a grand-mama, or as an “adulting-mama“ (aka a mom of those “adulting”).   

In the series, Parenting with Love and Laughter, I am hoping we can be re-envisioned for our roles as a mama no matter our stage or their age.  Over the next few weeks, we will hear from some mamas of all stages and ages whom happen to be some of my favorite peeps on the planet. Mamas that inspire me to intentionally parent with love and laughter. Our collective hope is that you would be renewed and refreshed to lead the charge and champion love and laughter with your families.

 So let’s dive into the verses that pierced my heart a few months ago. 

Good friend, follow your father’s good advice; don’t wander off from your mother’s teachings.
Wrap yourself in them from head to foot; wear them like a scarf around your neck.
Wherever you walk, they’ll guide you; whenever you rest, they’ll guard you; when you wake up, they’ll tell you what’s next. For sound advice is a beacon, good teaching is a light, moral discipline is a life path.

Proverbs 6:20-23 The Message

Reading this early one morning, I was reminded how important our role as a mama really is. Metaphorically, I felt a healthy kick in the pants to up my game. 

In my words, these verses say…

Hey Kids! Listen to yo’ mamas! 

Their words are life and light. 

They will guide you all the days you walk this planet. 

You will turn back to them time and time again. 

They will guide you to water when your soul feels dry. 

They will light your path when your feet have stumbled into darkness.

They will awaken your heart when it has fallen asleep. 

(Wow – insert pressure!)

But before you think you have to be Gandhi, these verses are couched in a passage that talks about the danger of adultery and all it steals from our lives. God’s truth in our hearts, implanted by our parents and the Lord is number one on that list. 

So without trying to put a mountain in front of us that is too hard to climb, my simple summer invitation to us mama’s is to make an effort to encourage our kids in the truth of God’s Word, whether they are grown or getting annoying. 

Maybe it’s the Bible at bedtime, a card in the mail, talking about God’s creation as your looking at the stars, or a phone call to pray, may God’s truth inspire your conversation and connection with your kids. 

Right now I am watching four boys and a little girl (some are neighbors) splashing in the kiddie pool and smothering sunscreen all over their bodies. You bet I’m will bring a snack out and talk about how God’s love can be soaked in like the sun and splashed around in like the water. That his love isn’t intended to just be looked at or learned about but he wants us to experience his goodness and grace smothered all over us like that sunscreen.

On this journey of pursing God in our parenting, even when imperfectly, let’s lean into his truth and love and let it leak out onto our kids. 

5 Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that’s in you, love him with all you’ve got!

6-9 Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates. 

Deuteronomy 6:4-10 The Message

Father, Show us how to do this parenting thing. We invite your help in learning how to parent with love and laughter. Help us get your word and love inside us so that we can leak it out onto our kids. Spirit come. We can’t do this alone. But we know that by the power of Jesus we will see a victory as we raise our kids on the strong foundation of your truth. Amen.