Things of Which I am Convinced

God is good. When I say this, I don’t mean it in a trite, fluffy way. I mean it in my bones. He is so all-emcompassing and complete, that I am convinced of my dependence on Him for my very next breath.

Sleep is essential. For every member—from the toughest, most enduring Daddy to the little baby who can’t eat her dinner because she missed her nap and is too fussy. Sleep is a gift from God and if we neglect it, we cannot function at the fullest capacity of usefulness for His kingdom. At the times we need to miss sleep for extentuating circumstances, we are afforded the opportunity to rely more heavily on God’s grace and strength.

Food is deeper than mere sustenance. Family meals centered on homecooked favorites and fun experimental failures are the heart of bonding, and every member should participate as often as possible. A great deal of corporate laughter happens around our table, as do many frustrating moments fraught with fidgeting bodies, messy slops and noisy chewing, but we’re together, and we work it all out together. This is where manners are taught and conversation is mastered. If home is where the heart is, then the heart is where dinner is served.

TV is very unnecessary. Completely unnecessary, in fact. Life is full enough, so why waste it watching other people whose lives are mostly trainwrecks?

Friends and companions are necessary. They must be chosen carefully. Then once chosen they must not be neglected, but tended to carefully, like a garden.

Children are a gift. Wondeful, sweet, tender, and innocent, they remind us of our own beginnings and carry us through to our ends. Above all, they turn our eyes to our own Heavenly Father to remind us that He is good, and that we need him more than anything.