While You're Waiting: Blessing Parents

(Image Credit: Jomphong)

*Recently I was thinking about all I would want my daughters to know before they get married.  Instead of wishing the days away until they walk down the aisle, how would I encourage them to live?  Living in the joy of who God created.  The practicalities and the dreaming.  What would I want to encourage... While they're waiting?  These are some of those thoughts.

While you're waiting for marriage, I would encourage you to bless young parents in your community.  When you have young children, every day is full of blessings, but also exhausting challenges.  We love our children.  We want what's best for our children.  But it's a very intensive time of work.  It's such a breath of fresh air to have someone love our children while we need some refreshment.

Blessing parents doesn't have to mean showing up at their house with a 5 day V.B.S. in a box plan.  Blessing parents can be as simple as offering to come over before dinner and keep the kids entertained while mom prepares the evening meal.  Trust me.  Even something as simple as making dinner without interruptions can seem like a vacation.

And there are so many other ways you can be a blessing to young parents:

*Take the kids to the park once a week.

*Volunteer as a MOPS childcare worker.

*Volunteer in the church nursery or Sunday School.

*Offer to watch siblings while one child goes to the dentist.

*Take the kids home for PB&J while Mom & Dad go out to lunch after church.

*Watch the little ones while Mom runs some errands solo.

Don't be afraid to offer your help.  Young parents are so grateful for the help and encouragement that we receive.  You can be a huge blessing to families and learn so much about children.  The relationships you grow in this time will be so fruitful and your ministry will be greatly cherished.  From all young parents, thank you!