Living Courageously

Last night my family and I decided to watch the movie Courageous.  This is our family's favorite movie.  We can watch it over and over.  And yes, I cry every single time.

When I watch Courageous, I am always left feeling encouraged.  Encouraged to be a more involved parent.  Encouraged to be more intentional with my family.  Encouraged to be more.

Then a few days go by.  The world weighs heavy on my shoulders.  I get busy.  I get lazy.  I simply give up.

I am tired of this. I am tired of living out this routine of trying and quitting!  Doesn't my family deserve better?

How can I break this cycle?  How can I be a truly courageous parent?

1. Unplug more often!  I know I say this often but it really is time to unplug from the world and plug into family.  Turn off the tv in favor of playing a board game with the kids.  Turn off the computer and head outside to play basketball with the kids.  Spend more time face to face with family.

Photo from Courageous

2.  Commit to family devotions.  My family seems to go in cycles with this.  I am just being transparent with you.  We will spend a couple weeks doing devotions as a family, then a couple weeks not doing them.  They say it takes 21 days to create a habit.  If we can just stick with it for those 21 days, chances are we will have formed a solid habit of spending time with God as a family.  My family's eternal life depends on this.

3.  Live by example.  I try to be a good example to my kids.  But the truth is, when I am spending so much time on the computer, watching tv, etc, I am giving my kids a bad example to go by.  When I am yelling at the driver in front of me, I am giving my kids a bad example.

4.  Communicate.  It is so very important to communicate with each other.  To have heart to heart talks.  To make eye contact.  To let the noise of the world fade away and really talk with our kids.

5.  Lighten up and laugh a little!  My husband always tells me that I do not smile and laugh enough.  He is right.  It is time to laugh with my kids.  Even if their joke doesn't make sense, I can still laugh with them.  Even if my husband is telling me the same joke I have heard a hundred times, I can still laugh with him.  I need to smile with my kids more.  Not be so serious and down all the time.

These are five ways to become a courageous parent.  Five ways to get more intentional with my family.  Are you with me?