Not Always a Cake Walk

By Hally Franz –

I love Italian Cream Cake. I’ve not made it myself, but Mom still bakes one for me occasionally. I hear it’s not difficult, but involves a lot of steps. I could do it, if I were to take my time and follow the directions exactly. My finished product would likely be just fine.

Some might see parenting in this same light.

My husband’s 4-H aerospace project group is planning to build model airplanes. I am sure they will do quite well with their projects provided they exercise care and diligence. I don’t believe any advanced training is required for that.

Perhaps, parenting is a bit like building a model.

It’s science fair time at my children’s school. They’ve done background research to help understand the experiments they are conducting, and to develop hypotheses based on the research. They anticipate a certain outcome, but only time will tell what the results will be.

Could this be a parenting analogy?

The fact is that we parents want to believe that a simple (or complicated) set of instructions can guide us through the rearing of a happy, successful and Godly child. We bank on the fact that some basic study may be required to prepare for parenthood, but no advanced degrees are required. We optimistically set about the parenting experience anticipating the desired results, feeling confident that things will go as planned.

That isn’t always the truth, though. In most cases, great parents raise great adults. Most of the time, the hours of toil and worry, the tears, the time, the energy and the prayers all pay off. But, just as there are resilient children who become wonderful adults even when they’ve had hard and dysfunctional childhoods, there are kids who seem not to thrive, even under the best circumstances. In both my professional and personal experience, I have known the best of parents who have had much heartache and discouragement along their parenting journeys. It is important to recognize that not all parents are challenged equally.

It’s easy to become arrogant about parenting if we find our offspring have matured into contented Christian adults. Some children, young or old, may spend their entire lives in search of peace. Like the Prodigal Son and King Nebuchadnezzar, some of our children must learn lessons the hard way. In any case, those child challenges are loved as much as the low-maintenance ones.

And, blessed be those resilient parents.

PRAYER: Merciful Father of us all, please give Christian parents encouragement and hope when we face challenges in child-rearing. As You have loved those who are slow to learn, help us to love our children unconditionally, to have patience, and to gain peace throughout the process, even when there is heartache and disappointment.

“For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. So they began to celebrate.” (Luke 15:24 NIV).

Ad to the Kingdom

By Hally Franz –

Today is the eve of Super Bowl 2012. By the time you read this devotional, the game will be history, and the highlights of the evening will be old news. I have to confess I’m not feelin’ football, but my husband does. So, I know that tomorrow evening he will expect junk food and a prime seat for the big event. I’ll busy myself with laundry and will tune in to the half-time show and commercials. I do enjoy the commercials.

Isn’t it funny how certain ads entertain and captivate us? My tween daughter gushes over any featuring cute, cuddly babies, and my teenage son howls at those with obnoxious and generally gross boy themes. My husband enjoys crazy animal commercials, and I, of course, being more cerebral than the rest of my family, enjoy those with clever writing.

How’s that for obnoxious?

The products are varied, from beverages and snack foods to cars and investment firms. There are big-budget marketing campaigns designed to bring in big bucks long after the conclusion of the biggest night in football.

Lately, there has been a new trend in advertising. Not only are individual church assemblies advertising on television, there are also entire faiths turning to the media to spread their message. Those messages may be geared toward educating others about their groups, re-energizing those who have left, or inspiring others to learn more. I like this; faith should get some air time.

Isn’t the goal of every Christian to sell our faith? Isn’t it God’s expectation that we make it our business to get our message out? I recently heard someone say that we can’t really make others give up or change their sinful ways; however, what we can do is show them how great life can be when we chose to live for Christ. Cleverly written messages and gimmicks may entertain and get attention, but, ultimately, the best sales pitch for God is demonstrating to others what He has done for us, and this message is free and easy to deliver.

PRAYER: Almighty God, help us be walking billboards for You. May Christian salespeople demonstrate what You will do in the lives of all who believe and seek the saving grace of Christ.
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere” (2 Corinthians 2:14 NIV).

Waging War on Immorality

By Hally Franz –

“War Horse” is Steven Spielberg’s recent movie. It is based on Michael Morpurgo’s young adult novel by the same name. Set during World War I, the movie tells the story of a miraculous horse and the boy who raised him. My family saw the movie shortly after the new year began, and we ranked it among other really fine horse movies. Have you ever noticed that there are some awesome movies about horses and football? “Secretariat”, “Dreamer”, “Rudy”, “Remember the Titans” and “Facing the Giants” – good flicks!

This is not a movie review, but seeing “War Horse” did make me realize how very accustomed we are to seeing sights of war. Both of my children, ages 14 and 10, quickly recognize battles from The Civil War, The Revolutionary War or World War II. My son is able to determine from the garb and weapons whether he’s seeing a scene from Korea, Vietnam or Iraq. Most kids can. This is because the images are so prevalent in our movies and media today.

It may not be a bad thing that kids see these scenes from history. They represent the truth of our country and are more meaningful than the graphic violence that is depicted on television nightly. However, it would be nice if our youth were also able to see images of people doing battle with internal forces of evil.

Would they be able to identify a person in crisis? Would our kids know what it looks like when human beings face difficult choices between right and wrong, good and evil? There don’t seem to be many of those situations on TV. Sitcoms are filled with characters who exhibit very little moral character. Questions of right and wrong seem not to be on their radar at all. Characters portray lifestyles involving sex without love or marriage, as well as drug and alcohol use. Consequences or consciences rarely come into consideration. “Reality” shows are just as bad.

Nightly viewing once included dramas like “The Waltons” and “Highway to Heaven”. Comedies were clever and kind, rather than uncreative and crass. While today, people behaving badly can gain celebrity status through reality programming, variety shows once highlighted the real talents of big name celebrities.

There are some exceptions, and, at the risk of sounding terribly old, I am grateful for the stations now running television classics and the few networks geared toward family viewing.

PRAYER: Almighty God, illuminate for our children the struggles they may encounter as they live in this sinful world. While the world provides little instruction, enable them to face the battles between good and evil, right and wrong with wisdom and discernment.

“Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.” (Romans 16:19).

Humanity and Humility

By Hally Franz –

“Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble.” Those are the famous words from country music star Mac Davis’s 1980 recording. The song is now over thirty years old. Likewise, the character trait of humility seems almost outdated in today’s society.

Last evening, I taught my early elementary bible class about one of Daniel’s adventures. The familiar story illustrates Nebuchadnezzar’s desperate need to learn the meaning of a dream that had tormented him for many nights. When all his magicians, sorcerers and astrologers tell him they can’t know or interpret the dream, Nebuchadnezzar demands that all the “wise men” be killed. Daniel requests time from the king, during which he and his companions pray to God for mercy and guidance. God answers their prayers, and He shows Nebuchadnezzar’s dream to Daniel in a vision. Daniel then shares the dream and the interpretation with King Nebuchadnezzar, who is amazed by Daniel and wants to honor him greatly. However, Daniel is careful to give the glory and praise to God.

The facts of this story are fascinating, and it would be easy for youngsters to miss the greater, but perhaps less exciting, lesson of humility. After all, our culture does not encourage or foster humility within our young people. Instead, we instruct our children to tell about their accomplishments, and we decorate their rooms with ribbons and trophies, which they receive for nearly every activity in which they participate. As with many issues of parenting, there is a delicate balance to reach when building confidence and teaching humility.

When I think about how I have discussed humility with my children, I recognize that it has primarily been from the perspective of what’s socially acceptable. In other words, I have explained that bragging is not the way to win friends. I probably have not fully emphasized God’s perspective on humility as much as I should have.

It is hard to be humble sometimes, even when we are all far from perfect. Many people don’t value humility, nor do they work toward remaining humble. As parents, let’s put some energy into the humility issue; let’s add it to our parenting goals. It’s not splashy or exciting, but those who appreciate and exercise humility will one day be honored far beyond trophies and ribbons.

PRAYER: Most gracious and glorious Father, help me to provide an example of humility for my children and to train them to be humble servants, so that in their successes throughout life, they will give praise and glory to You.

BIBLE VERSE: “Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these…” (Daniel 2:27-28 NIV).

Footloose and Fashion Free

By Hally Franz –

Kevin Bacon’s 1984 original, Footloose, was released during my college years, and twenty-seven years later, the remake starring Julianne Hough hit the big screen. I’ve seen the first several times, but have not yet viewed the updated version. However, I did attend our local high school’s musical production of “Footloose” just recently, and it was both fun and frightening.

In the live show, students unabashedly replicated the 1980’s fashions. I envisioned girls reviewing their mothers’ old photos and raiding their closets for vintage looks, as any dedicated artist would. And, each actress embraced those crazy trends, working every terrifying one into the outfits worn on stage. Neon-colored leggings and tights, leg warmers, gym wear hanging topsy-turvy off their shoulders, cock-eyed pony tails, and gloves with lace and without fingers—scary fashion flashback to the third power!

While inspired and amazed by the talent of our local young people, I think I sat mouth agape when reminded of how I no doubt looked some thirty years ago. Then, I looked down at my 10-year-old daughter. She was enthralled by the performance of the teens on stage, and she was sporting some of her own styles.

Rosaline’s skinny wrist was encircled by numerous “bracelets”: hair bands, rubber message bracelets, elastic shape bands and bead craft jewelry. Apparently, she figures that more is better. She recently purchased a very interesting “hat”. Imagine marching band shako meets Russian fur hat. Next, picture long hot pink yarn braids down each side of the—hat. Now, against the background of spiky hot pink faux fur, add the face of famous Muppet character Animal. You’ve got quite a headdress!

When she first wore her hat, I noticed moms looking at me with big eyes and nervous smiles. I had to respond truthfully. I said matter-of-factly “her money, shopping with Dad,” and, in Forrest Gump style, indicated that was all I had to say about that.

As my daughter grows into a teenager and young woman, I’ll continue to question her fashion choices sometimes. I may question other decisions along the way, too. While I hope she’ll always make good clothing choices and, more importantly, wise life choices, I know she may not. That’s when my guidance, understanding and forgiveness will be important. So, bring on the wardrobe, friend and school drama, frightening though it may be.

With His help, she and I are going to have fun!

PRAYER: Gracious God, provide me with wisdom and understanding so that I may raise my daughter well. And, please walk with the two of us through the challenges of the teen years.

BIBLE VERSE: “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them” (Deuteronomy 4:9 NIV).

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