Cabo Festival

When our very first child was born, less than a week old, I helped a nurse restrain her when she had to be pierced with a three-inch syringe for her antibiotic shot. Her tiny scream cut my heart in two; I wanted to take her place because I loved her. I realized I had ceased becoming only a man- I had become a father.

Here are some thoughts we learned about parenthood from our experience, from books, from friends, relatives and from our father…

1. Children too are a gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. It is good to thank God for our children and for the privilege of being parents.
2. Parenting is our first ministry. Before we think of evangelizing other people, it would be good to ask ourselves if we have evangelized our homes.
3. Children spell love as t-i-m-e Let the new bike be the wrapping, and the time to ride it with your child be the real gift.
4. Great marriages make great parents. It’s not enough to love our children. Even before that, they need to know their parents to love each other. Ephesians 5:22 and 25 says “Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the lord. Husbands love your wives, even as Christ loved the church… Simple ways to let your children know their dad loves their mom:

1. Couch time. When you get home, spend the first 10 to 15 minutes with your wife on the sofa. In the presence of the children- but without their distraction- lovingly share about your day.
2. Open doors for her
3. Hold her hand, kiss and hug her in front of them
4. Give her flowers- just because
5. Go out on a date once a week

1. No man can be a perfect parent, but anyone can be a praying parent. Pray for blessings and protection today instead of praying for healing and deliverance to morrow. “Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord; Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your little one’s.
2. The child is the father of the man. Proverbs 22:6 tells us “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. How we train our children in their foundation years (0-8 years old) will strongly determine the kind of man or woman they become.
3. Be a parent now so that you will become their close friend later. When they are young, children need our authority to direct and protect them. It is by this loving authority that we earn this respect, which becomes a foundation for beautiful friendships when they grow older.
4. We can help form their conscience. After correction, let them explain why their actions were wrong, how they can make it right and what the proper behavior should be the next time around.
5. Be a man of the Word to become a man of your word. Let our father teach and empower us with his Word that we may become the parent he calls us to be.
6. The first Gospel our children will ever read is the one according to their parents
7. The most effective form of discipline is consistency.
8. When you ask them to do something, teach them to respond with a “Yes, Dad or “Yes Mom” It means I heard you Dad or Mom, I respect you, and I will do what you want me to, right now.
9. Have a special date night with each child. It establishes your communication lines and makes them know you love them equally even if they have five other siblings!
10. Leave your father and your mother. It is more effective for us to raise our children in our own homes (rented or otherwise) than it is to raise them with our parents.

Smaller portions means a smaller butt. I discovered that it is OK to be hungry. I will not die. I do not need to stuff myself. So, instead of two or three helpings… no matter how yummy the food… I only allow myself ONE portion. One small portion.

Better choices mean no more laying down and praying the zipper will zip. Instead of the old 5-7 cookies I would eat when in the mood to munch. I grab 25 grapes. Do I like grapes more than cookies. No way! However, I want a thinner and healthier me, so bye bye cookies. Not forever. I will have cookies again someday. Within reason of course.

No sugar means no more jiggles. I have eliminated refined sugar almost completely from my diet. The only sugar I have now is from fruit. I had to be this extreme because of the temptation to over do it. I have decided out of mouth off of hips is the only way for me.

More water means less calories. I used to drink ice tea ALL the time and soda was a close second. No more. ONLY water now, I am not a fan of water. LOL. However, I KNOW it is the healthy choice and it will not add any flab to my alredy over flabbed body. I allow myself ONE treat at the end of the day.

No more night feedings. Gone are the nights I would plop on the couch and have a junk food feeding frenzy. I do not allow myself to eat past 6:00 pm, or at least pretty close to that. This allows my body to actually SLEEP instead of spending all night cleaning up the mess I made with the frenzy! I actually get better sleep.

Frequent mini meals leads to a learner me. Like I mentioned earlier, smaller portions are key. However, three meals a day does not make for a speedy metabolism. I eat 5-6 small meals a day. I space them about every two hours or so. And, of course, water water water.