Full Bloom Blog

Remember that time that everyone was saying things like “I just can’t wait for 2020 to be over!” I’m sure it’s safe to assume that the vast majority of people [*Americans] shared that sentiment. Last year had more than its fair share of trials and tragedies. We all felt the heaviness of an unprecedented world wide pandemic and the further tearing and separation of our country’s social, economic, and political fabric. We all experienced loss in many forms and were faced with circumstances that were new and many times, scary. As much as everyone was excited to bring in the new year and move on with some sort of normalcy, the sad truth of the matter is that, 2021 will almost definitely bring considerably more challenges, trials, and adversity. I don’t write this as a downer, a dooms-day-er, or even to be a “glass half empty” kind of person. I am by nature an optimist, but my optimism does not come from a departure from reality, it comes from an honest assessment of situations and figuring out how to proceed in a good and Godly way. So thinking ahead to 2021 and all that we could potentially be facing, I am thinking about how to we proceed and where do we go from here. Here’s what has been on my heart….

The World is Not Newly Broken

Let’s be real, the rebellion of humanity started in the garden of Eden. People were so depraved in Noah’s time that God wiped out the entire population, except Noah’s family! In so many ways, I look at what’s happening in the world and I can’t help but feel discouraged at how far our world and culture have moved away from God. But this is not new nor is it the first time. The Old Testament is FULL of example God’s people (the Israelites) rebelling against Him and worshipping false gods and idols. Humanity’s current rebellion is nothing new for God nor is He surprised by it. And none of it happens outside of His control and sovereignty. Does that make it more pleasant to go through? Not at all! I frequently find myself worrying about the kind of world that my kids will grow up in but, but as I remember that the world has been rebelling against God in one way or another since Eve’s fateful “snack”. Although it is sad to watch the demise of Biblical morals in our county, the best news yet is that God holds the victory and if you’ve read Revelation, you know that He conquers it all.

We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

1 John 5:19

Invest in your family.

It might be fair to say, that you will never have a more important purpose in life than raising your children. That is not to say that it is your only purpose or that other things that you will do/have done are not also important; but I’m not sure that there is a more specific way that you directly affect the future and can in fact change the world. Mother Theresa even said “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” I couldn’t agree more. Children carry on your legacy and represent your family for generations. Let me say something that you’ve never heard before; the children are our future. Hahahaha. What do you mean you’ve heard that before?! I’m floored. But really let that sink in for a minute. The values that you raise your kids with will guide and influence their morals and decisions. It plays a role in the type of school they go to, what kind of career they choose, what kind of spouse to marry, or not marry…. You are shaping the person that they will become and how they will raise their children. Be intentional in your parenting.

Everywhere you look, the world is trying to send messages. I have recently been really discouraged at how many of them are subtle (and some times not so subtle) jabs and contradictions to our belief system. It is my job as a parent to decide what of those messages make it through to my kids and when. I may seem like an uptight and strict mom at face value, but it is because I am very cautious and discerning in what I allow to influence my kids. I want to raise kids that are filled with the Word of God, His love, and love for others. Take the time to raise up your children in the ways they should go (Proverbs 22:6).

In school years, your child’s educators are sometimes spending more time in a given day with your child than you are. That plays a huge role in their world view! Or what about the music they’re listening to? Is it portraying a message that builds your child up in the values you want to instill? I have been teaching dance for over 20 years now (don’t do the math, please) and one of the things I noticed very early on in my career is how quickly kids learn and memorize song lyrics. Perhaps you think they don’t understand or even notice, but I assure you, kids can recite all kinds of lyrics they’ve heard just a handful of times. What about the programs and movies they watch? I’m not even going to talk about YouTube and/or social media. Just kidding, I will say this; get your kids off of social media! I assure you that there is NOTHING on there that is important or helpful to your kids but it may be compromising their innocence and watering down your influence. Be intentional about what you allow to influence your child’s life.

Build and Support Community

Although it seems crazy to think about it, we are in fact living at a time in which conservatives are being refused service in restaurants, losing jobs, and being banned from social media platforms simply because of their belief system/political affiliation. And it’s just the beginning. If we want to continue in society and not be blocked completely, it’s important that we support one another both in community and business. Buy coffee from your friend’s coffee cart, subscribe to a conservative news outlet, shop at stores that prioritize policies that are conservative (come on, who’s sad about supporting Hobby Lobby?!). You will not feel alone in a world moving away from Christianity if you are build one another up, speak encouragement, and share advice with like minded families/individuals. My family is crazy blessed to have a church, school, and dance studio that share our beliefs and thus build up my kids and reinforce all the ways that my husband and I want to raise them; not undermine them. Don’t let schools and businesses and communities like that be shut down or ostracized for their values (which really is happening more and more). Support them! Immerse yourself in a conservative community and support the businesses as well. This is not to say that we have to shield ourselves from the world. We are called to be salt and light! But it is easy to be swayed and influenced by those you surround yourself with. Influence can go both ways and once salt loses it’s saltiness – it is no longer useful. Keep your community that builds you up and build up your community.

Love your neighbor.

In Matthew chapter 22, Jesus is asked “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?”

Jesus replied:” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all our mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’”

Matthew 22:37-40

There are a few things that we need to keep in mind with all of this. God calls us to worship Him and Him alone and not allow us to be conformed to the ways of the world (Romans 12:2). We love Him in living out His Word daily, and loving others. There is a tricky balance in loving others. The world tells us that loving others means agreeing with/allowing everything they say and do. I try to think of it in the context of parenting (especially as God is our heavenly Father). I do not allow my kids to eat chocolate cake for breakfast and watch endless amounts of TV simply because that’s what they want to do. I am not loving them if I allow them to make decisions that are destructive to their mental and physical health. I often show them love in guiding them in ways that help them to thrive.

The scripture says, Love your neighbor as yourself; thinking about what that looks like, I want people to show me compassion in difficult times, encouragement in good times, and gentle correction when needed. And so this is how we should treat one another. Do not say rude and unkind things to people you disagree with. Disagreeing is not the problem, it’s when you treat person as the disagreement. Each person is made in the image of God and if we look at others in that lens first and foremost, it is more likely that we enter relationships and exchanges with a Biblical perspective.

“I have the right to do anything,” you say- but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything” – but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

1 Corinthians 10:23-24

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:18

In the end, we all want to see a bright and beautiful future for our next generation and generations to come. It is our job as Christians to continue to hold to a Biblical standard and live in a way that wins people over to Christ, not push them away. If we put the two commandments that Jesus gives us in Matthew into practice, and we unwaveringly LOVE GOD, and LOVE PEOPLE, I believe that we do not need to be fearful of the future. I don’t think for one minute that we will be free of persecution, however. In fact, if I’m being totally honest, our country is now on a path that will be limiting freedoms and rights like we have never seen before – especially if you are a conservative/Christian. But if we want to see change in our country than we need to be the change in our country. Do not be conformed, stand strong and raise our future well.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance

James 1:2-3

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12