Rethinking Valentine’s Day

February 13, 2013 By

I have an issue with Valentine’s Day.

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As I grew up my parents gave my siblings and I candy and told us they loved us.

At school I got candy and those little cards that get thrown away almost as soon as you get home. I gave them too.

As I got older, I secretly wished a certain boy would send me a card that shared secret feelings. I hoped and wished, always to be disappointed. Even if I received a card from a certain boy that said something like “Be Mine” I could never be sure if he really wanted me or if he gave that same card to everyone.

Then middle school came around and high school. Every Valentine’s day I knew I didn’t have anyone “special,” but I wanted someone. So I quietly tried to squash the hope that rose in me each year, a hope that was repeatedly disappointed.

Valentine’s Day. Now as a married woman, I celebrate and enjoy Valentine’s Day. I have my true Valentine. The one who asked me for forever and offered his forever to me.

Still I look at my kids and groan. Valentine’s Day celebrated at school.  Inevitably someone ends up with hurt feelings. Little hearts filled with hope that another little heart will give them approval. I see it on Facebook statuses, like this one:

Copy this to your status and see what you get INBOXED!(:
GOLD : Be my valentine this year?
RED: I used to like you..
ORANGE: You will be mine
GREEN: I wanna date you!
BLUE: I love you
PURPLE: I wanna chill
PINK: I like you
YELLOW: Your sweet
WHITE: You’re funny
BROWN: You’re amazing
SILVER: You’re cute(:

Approval, love, acceptance…We all want it. We want to know others love us, like us, think we are good-looking. Yet we have all the acceptance we need in God. He loves us despite knowing all about us (Psalm 139) – not just the part we play or want others to see.

God knows you and loves you. God sent His Son to die for YOU!

So how do I teach my kids to “guard your heart” (Proverbs 4:23) when culture dictates we are place our hearts on the altar of Valentine’s Day to be filled by anyone? I am not perfect, but this is what I try to teach my kids.

  • I want them to know everyday, but especially the day the world celebrates love, that God loves them and that mommy and daddy love them. I want their hearts filled with God’s love and the love of their parents so they don’t need to offer their hearts to others until it is time. As Song of Solomon suggests (at least three times), “Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.”
  • My goal is to use this day to teach my kids real love. The 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love that can only be lived out through the Holy Spirit working it out in us. I pray my husband and I live it out in front of our kids. I pray we pour Godly love into them. I seek to make this day about His kind of love, not our sinful messed up kind.
  • I also want to teach my children not to expect a dozen roses or some huge token of affection. It isn’t about how much it is about genuine love whether it be a dozen roses or a dozen poems.

In case you are wondering, yes my sweet husband will be giving me a token of his affection on Thursday as I will for him.

 

What do you think about Valentine’s Day? What are you teaching your kids, friends, family about love?

 This post is edited and reposted. For the original post click here.

by Angela Mackey

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Fun Indoor February Activities for Kids and Moms

February 1, 2013 By

It is February and for most of us it is still cold outside. What do we do to keep our kids from going crazy? Here are some fun February activities to keep your kids from suffering boredom.

 

Did you know February is Canned Food Month?

Host a canned food drive for your neighborhood, church, school, or just your family. Have your kids help you bring the cans to a food pantry.

 

February is Snack Food Month

            Are you still trying to keep your New Years resolution to eat healthier? Check out this yummy and healthy snack that is easy to make. Have your kids help you whip these up.

 

February is National Dental Health Month

Consider taking your kids to the dentist. Teach them about their teeth. Read to them The Tooth Book or check out these books about dental health.

 

February 1 National Dark Chocolate Day

Celebrate this day by making a chocolate fondue with your kids or just picking up your favorite dark chocolate bar at the grocery store.

 

February 2 Groundhog Day

You don’t have to believe the superstition to enjoy celebrating a day a rodent decides our forecast. Throw a Groundhog Day party. Ask your kids what they predict will happen to Phil the official groundhog. Will he see his shadow or not? Whoever wins gets to choose the menu or games you will play.

 

February 3 is the Super Bowl

Are you a little leery of letting your younger kids watch it live after that “wardrobe malfunction” during the halftime show? Consider setting the DVR and starting it thirty minutes or so late. Consider making paper footballs and creating your own football game to play during commercials or halftime.

 

February 4 National Homemade Soup Day and Thank a Mail-carrier Day

Trust me a homemade soup is so worth it and not as difficult as it sounds. Check out these easy recipes. Have your kids make a thank-you card and put together a bag of treats for your mail-carrier. Then leave the note and goodie bag in your mailbox.

 

February 5 World Nutella Day

            If you have yet to try the wonderful goodness of Nutella, February 5th is the perfect day. If you have tried Nutella may I suggest attempting some Nutella bites by my friend at Stop and Smell the Chocolates.

 

February 10 National “Have a Brownie” Day

My husband loves brownies and my kids love to help me make them. Or if you are in a pinch buy some brownies and decorate them with icing. Just have fun with your family.

 

February 13 Lent Begins

Does your family observe Lent? Perhaps you might want to learn more about the whys of Lent. Here are some resources for what you and your kids could do for the Lenten season.

 

February 14 Valentines Day

            Celebrate your spouse and your kids. Also consider having your kids make cards for those in nursing homes or homeless shelters. Maybe even contact your local children’s shelter and put together Valentines treats for the kids there.

 

February 18 President’s Day

Consider asking your children to write a thank you card to our president for his hard work. Regardless if we agree with his policies or not, we should teach our children to respect those in leadership. Maybe plan a trip to the library to check out a book about the presidents of our nation.

 

February 24 National Tortilla Chip Day

            Who doesn’t love the crispy goodness of a tortilla chip? Ok I am sure someone is allergic or someone just doesn’t like them, but in my house we LOVE tortilla chips. What better day to make some dips to go along with the crispy fried corn perfection called tortilla chips? Buy or make some salsa. Here are some fabulous dip recipes.

 

February 27 National Chocolate Cake Day

            Don’t have time to make a cake or even buy one? Consider making a quick, but simple and tasty mug cake. Here are a few recipes I have tried. By the way, it is always a good thing to add chocolate chips or rolos to the recipe. Magic Chocolate Mug Cake, 5-minute Chocolate Cake, 3 Minute Chocolate “Cup” Cake – I never have orange zest so I add vanilla instead.

 

I hope these ideas get your wheels turning and help you make some memories with your precious kids. Remember nothing turns out the way we expect so have fun and laugh at the mess.

by Angela Mackey

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Happy Valentine’s Day Mom

February 14, 2012 By

Oftentimes, on a day when love is in the air, moms sometimes are so busy loving on others that they don’t necessarily ‘feel’ as loved as they are. So, here’s a reminder of just how much you are loved and a sweet little poem to reflect on all you do!

“The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’” Jeremiah 33:3

“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39

MY MOTHER

Who gave me love and held my hand
And caught me when I fell
Who never slept to comfort me
When I was scared or ill
Who praised me when I did my best
And wept when I did wrong
Who smiled at silly things I did
And taught me to be strong
Who gave and shared and cheered and cared
With her heart and hands
Who will always be a part of me
My mother, my best friend

You matter, sweet mom! You matter more than words can say and more than you’ll ever know! And you are loved just as much!

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

FROM THE M.O.M. INITIATIVE!

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10 Valentine’s Day Ideas for the Kiddos

February 9, 2012 By

Do you remember what Valentine’s Day was like when you were a child? Handmade heart-shaped cards, Sweathearts conversation candies with phrases like, “Be Mine” and “LOVE” impressed on the front, and a hollow chocolate heart Momma placed on the dining room table that day.

As moms, we love to make holidays fun and even educational for our children. So with Valentine’s Day looming largely over us, The M.O.M. Initiative is sharing 10 Valentine’s Day Ideas for the Kiddos.

1. Go old-school. Have them cut out heart-shaped cards from red construction paper and write a sweet note to their friends and family listing at least one thing they love about that person.

2. Throw a party. Decorate your home, blow up balloons, bake cupcakes and play games – all in the name of love. Let them help with everything. Use red and white cardstock paper to cut out homemade invitations and send them out at least two weeks ahead of time. Not only will that give their friends time to make plans with their parents, but it will help your little one experience the anticipation of the day.

3. Make it educational. Explore the myth’s and the facts behind Valentine’s Day with your children. Tell them the stories. If they’re old enough let them read it, if not let them draw and color pictures of one of the legends of Valentine. You may even be surprised at the various stories that surround our February 14th holiday of love!

4. Valentine’s Day Games. Create your own Bingo Valentine’s Day Style. Make your own cards, use a heart stamp to mark the numbers called and let your prizes be Valentine’s Day candy.

5. Make it missional. The cross reminds us that love is demonstrated by sacrifice. In Operation Christmas Child style, wrap and decorate some old shoe boxes and fill them with Valentine’s Day goodies and all things ‘hearts’ as a project of love to local children in need, to a school in a low income area of town or to the local homeless shelter or women’s center.

6. Eat red. Let your children help you bake a red velvet cake, or cupcakes with red frosting (you’ll love what it does for your teeth!), eat spaghetti, pizza or lasagna, drink pink lemonade or red punch.

7. Teach them to love well. Help them make a special Valentine’s Day gift for Dad or for their sister, brother, grandma or grandpa. Stir their hearts with thoughts about what love is by thinking about what the recipient would want and not just giving a gift for the sake of giving. Allow them to earn some money to buy those special socks for dad or a beautiful barrette for you or their sister.

8. Act it out. Write a play about how to love others. Make it fun and let your children become actors and actresses who demonstrate what it means to love, to be kind, to be giving and to be respectful.

9. Create a family tradition. If you have special Valentine’s Day memories from your childhood, begin to make them traditions for your own family. Each year implement something you did the year before to establish a family tradition and then build on that with new ideas.

10. Explore you options. The internet is chock full of sites that offer great ideas for Valentine’s Day fun. Here are a few I found just taking a quick glance in cyberspace:

http://familyfun.go.com/valentines-day/

http://holidays.kaboose.com/valentines-day/

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/valentines_day.htm

http://www.childrensministry.com/articles/more-valentines-day-ideas

Each holiday is a special opportunity to establish family traditions your children will grow to hold dear, express love to others in tangible ways and have  blast with family and friends.

What do you do with your children for Valentines Day?

By Stephanie Shott

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