~by Kimberly Knowle-Zeller A toddler! The transition from baby to toddler isn’t for the fainthearted–child or parents. My daughter, Charlotte, is a year old now. She’s living in that cusp between baby and toddler. I’ve been receiving weekly updates about her growth and development since before she was born, topics such as how big … Continue reading
-By Bromleigh McCleneghan One of the latest trends in parenting and education is the emphasis on resilience and “grit.” On stick-to-it-iveness. We are supposed to show our kids how to set a goal and pursue it, despite setbacks. If they don’t learn how to weather hardship or setbacks in minor things in childhood, they’ll be … Continue reading
by Casey Wait Fitzgerald Opening Prayer God of Love, open our hearts and minds as we consider the words of the apostle Paul. Help us to remember God’s incredible love for us, and may we give that love to each other. Amen. Scripture The apostle Paul wrote his first letter to the church in Corinth, … Continue reading
By Erika Marksbury Every winter, we ski. I’ve only learned to ski in the past few years, and being leisurely is more fun for me than being speedy, so my husband usually takes our older kid on the downhill slopes while the younger one and I head for cross-country trails. A few weeks ago, we … Continue reading
by Tripp Hudgins It astonishes me how comfortably he sits facing outward strapped to my chest as we sing. It is Advent and the music director and I are leading the congregation in an Introit. “Open my heart,” we intone. I am teaching the low voices, Christopher is teaching the middle voices, and the choir … Continue reading
by Joe Greemore Parenting can be a bit like trying to solve a certain six-sided, multi-surface object: try every possible combination, yet nothing seems to yield the desired result. I can think of maybe a handful of times I have successfully solved the world’s top-selling game (I understand the solution has something to do with … Continue reading
Practicing Families readers are invited to join Seamless Faith author Traci Smith for a webinar about how to incorporate faith practices in to daily family life. The webinar will be this Thursday, January 21, at 9pm EST/ 8pm CST. For more information and to RSVP, visit the event Facebook page. Continue reading
~ by Dena Hobbs Scripture passage: Matthew 5:43-48 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes the … Continue reading
–by Wallace Smith Hanna got her braces. She seemed more excited than nervous—though she was a little nervous—when the day actually arrived. I held her hand and was nearby as the appliances were installed. Her attitude was brighter than what I remembered of my own when I had braces. In her words, “the sooner I … Continue reading
by Kelly Pittman Scripture Reading: John 2:1-11 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said … Continue reading
