I’ve just reviewed the final numbers from last Saturday’s Focus on ParentingTM simulcast and I must say I’m very encouraged by the turnout and impact. Some 31,000 attendees carved out the time for the day-long seminar. Although assembled in 270 different host churches spread across 44 states and 8 Canadian Provinces, these parents were united in their desire to help their families thrive.
So far, one of the big “take away” messages was the idea of intentionally giving each child the blessing before they go to bed at night. Missy writes about her experience on the first night when she returned home and gave her kids the blessing: “[By] the look in their eyes they thought we had lost it! I was crying and crying. Maya rolled her eyes and Krissy snickered—and I’m balling. [My husband] said, ‘Remember, 
honey, he said it takes time.’ The second night my Krissy said, ‘Mom, are you gonna bless us tonight?’”
Isn’t that great?
But that’s not all that changed in Missy’s home. Their entire morning routine changed as well. She adds, “I have been reading a chapter of the Bible every morning before their feet touch the ground. I used to yell, ‘GET UP!’ And now I gently go in and sit on their bed and read to them. Our mornings have been so peaceful. We pray now not only at meals and bedtime, but right before they get on the school bus to keep them from the devil and keep them safe.”
Doug, another participant, shares a similar experience. He writes: “This event was even better than I thought it would be—packed with great take aways. I’ve already started praying the blessing over my kids at night. What a great way to remind them how much you love them and how much more God loves them!”
Like many other notes I’ve read, Jill found herself falling deeper in love with her parenting role. She writes, “I am so grateful that you put this on and that I could attend. With each speaker I could sense in my heart a growing commitment to put this Godly wisdom into practice in my home. I SO want my children to see a mom who loves Jesus and who chooses to invest in the things He invested in. Thank you for helping to strengthen that resolve and to give me a ‘target!’”
Danielle was quick to apply what she had learned, too. She says, “I got a chance first thing [Sunday] morning before church to try one of Dr. Leman’s techniques—even though I had to quickly look it up in the book index first, and I needed to do it without [the kids] noticing of course! LOL! Let it be known that this stuff really works!”
For her part, Tracy confesses that she has been “a very ‘react’ kind of parent and I am going to try and be more of a ‘respond’ kind of parent. We want to bless our children every night and pray with them and bring Christ into our home.”
Thanks to each of you who joined us for that unforgettable day of inspiration and encouragement. If you were unable to attend, check out these online resources:
Parenting Community and Forum
And, mark your calendar for the second Focus on MarriageTM day-long simulcast conference. Hosted at hundreds of churches across north America, this celebration of marriage is slated for February 27, 2010. Get all of the details here.
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