As parents, mothers specifically, we are in charge of how things affect our families on a daily basis. Yes our hubby’s are the leaders but we get to carry out the wishes of that leadership. This time of year is a really good time to sit down and evaluate what traditions we follow and why. We often do so many things just because we have always done them and some are good and some a complete waste of time. Often times the children don’t know the value of the good things and don’t know the lack of value in the waste of time things. There is nothing wrong with family traditions that mean something to you unless they involve idol worshipping or are for absolutely no reason or purpose. Yet our time spent should always glorify the Lord. However glorifying the Lord takes on many forms.
My son in law likes to make rice crispy treats on Christmas mornings. Now since we don’t really celebrate Christmas Day any different than any other day that might seem a little odd, but let me explain. For our family on Christmas Day, (and we really don’t even call it that) we celebrate the fact that we have a Savior and we have a family who loves Him. We really do that every day, but since Dec 25 is a legal holiday everyone is a little more available to get together. We cook a big meal, but then we do that every day, and we fellowship, but then we do that every day too. But on that day we usually cook all together which is fun and we really spend some very productive family time centered around Jesus. That is our tradition and it glorifies the Lord.
Now back to the rice crispy treats. Making rice crispy treats was something my son in law did with his family as a child. He has brought that in to our family and it signifies that we are his family too. I love this young man more than words can say and thank the Lord constantly that He brought him into our lives and that He is my daughters husband and my grandchildren’s father. I am sure he did not purposely sit down and think about the whole rice crispy connection but it just evolved out of a loving heart. He probably eats rice crispy treats at his moms house too 🙂 . But it would become a waste of time if two generations from now folks were making rice crispy treats on December 25th morning and not knowing why. See my point?
Why do we do the things we do? Is there a point? Does it glorify God? Rice crispy treats at my house on Dec 25 glorifies God because it is a symbol of our family being my son in laws family. It reminds me to thank the Lord and brings me to tears at the goodness of God in bringing this young man for my daughter. It also serves as a reminder to my 4 other daughters younger than her that the Lord has a “perfect for them” young man out there and he is worth waiting for. I bet you never guessed I could get that much out of rice crispy treats did you? I will have to make a book on how to make them and share that testimony 🙂 . So as mothers I encourage you and your husband to spend some time evaluating why you do the things you do this time of year. Ask yourself these questions.
- Does my tradition glorify God?
- Does it encourage me to look more at Him or more at myself?
- Is it intended to please me or Him? Both is Ok but just me is not.
- Does it encourage greed or envy?
- Does it instill pride?
- Does is satisfy the flesh, or the Spirit?
- Does it draw me closer to God or make me want to hide from Him?
- Is it imitating pagan customs?
- Does it involve an idol? You can usually recognize an idol because folks are gathered around it.
- Do my children know why we do it and does it make them want to draw closer to God?
- Is my tradition something that Jesus would enjoy doing with me?
- Is my tradition dependent on a day on the calendar? Can we also do it on another day?
- Is there a purpose?
Over and over again the Lord tells the children of Israel to write down things they have down, and why. He encourages this to remind them of how and when He blessed them and to tell their children about it. Consider starting a Holiday Journal of family traditions. Discontinue the ones that have no purpose and write down the ones that do and why you do them. And tell your children about it.
this is an article from my front Porch Fellowship e-zine you may sign up for a free subscription at my bookstore
and .. your thoughts?