Over this past week my kids were on Spring Break and I took a week off from work to be with them. I have taken vacation time with my wife and kids before, but this time was different. This time I did not wake up on the first morning back to work and school saying … More Intentional Yes
This morning my wife asked “I have a friend on Facebook who is wondering how does one define the word ‘holy’ to a three year old. Do you have any thoughts?” The first thought was “need more coffee,” but that was all internal as well as the next several minutes of silence. My wheels began … More Define “Holy” to a three year old child
How do you pass on the faith in God to the next generation? There are plenty of blogs, books, and studies conducted by research institutes on the topic that it is easy to ask “Why do we need another voice on the topic?” I have read plenty, listened to more, and watched countless experts videos … More Passing on the Faith
Weather weary. That is the only way that I can describe it for folks here on the East Coast (except you Florida just keep on doing your sunshine thing). I personally have no problem with snow, nasty weather, or whatever you want to call it. Sure it interrupts the routine of my “normal” week, but … More Patience lost and found
People are going crazy over the viral pic of a dad with his baby girl in a carrier on his chest while he helps his young daughter with her hair before school. http://daddydoinwork.com/dreamin/ Sadly, there are people who are offended by this image and have lowered themselves to such a level of brainless slander that … More Doing My Dad Thing
If you have ever helped a young child try to be brave while having their blood drawn or an x-ray taken in a very dark room then you know some of what I experienced last Friday. You wish in your heart that you could take their place so that they don’t have to go through it. I … More Do Adults Cry?
This morning I walked downstairs to my kitchen to start the morning coffee and noticed one of my daughters sitting on the couch. She was just sitting there, not watching TV, just being still waiting for someone else to join her and trying to wake up. I asked if she was okay and she said … More Daddy, can we make pancakes?
My wife is a genius! If you deal with children then you know that listening skills are something that are developed and obedience does not come easily. In an effort to maintain our cool and rationally address our frustration with a lack of listening she implemented the count-down to discipline. We begin with asking them … More Countdown to listening
I know people say it is hard to be a parent today and that children are exposed to so much more now then when we were young. That is true and yet as a father of four I wonder how much of the stuff children deal with is due to our impatience and investment (for … More Let them be kids!
Rev. Shawn J. Smith 