Parent Moment: Introduction
Jen and I had the great honor of spending most of our careers, before coming to Midland, working in Camp Ministry. Of course this came with getting to know some of the most relationally intentional people you could meet. One family I heard of but did not get to know was the Davidsons. The Davidsons’ patriarch had started a camp 3 generations ago that still serves kids to this day. That patriarch used to tell his kids daily “You are a child of The King and you are a Davidson”. I am sure many of the times he recited those words were met with rolling eyes and embarrassed blushes but it stuck. Today, two generations later, cousins will recite this saying to each other with their respective surnames attached. I would imagine there are signs on their walls or memorabilia in their rooms that reminds them of this. I can also imagine that they walk a bit taller because they know that the King of Kings is their father and that they share a family legacy.
We too wanted this for my family so we began telling our kids every night, “You are a child of the King and you are a Waller.” If you have been to our house you will see it painted onto our living room wall with pictures of the kids all around it. This tradition has morphed into a series of questions I ask the kids that require a route response they would give me.
In the fall of 2019 I entered into a journey with my boys and started reading The Chronicles of Narnia to them at night, before bed and have given shape and context to those questions. It all came together for us in the Middle of The Silver Chair, where Aslan gives the human hero’s of the story “Signs” to follow on their quest. These signs must be recited daily and when they are not the children find they are way off course and in very much danger.
Through this I realized we are instilling in them “Signs” to live by. “Signs” that would keep them out of trouble and more importantly, encourage them to be in pursuit of the daring life God has called us all to.
For the next year we are going to blog monthly on the some of the “Signs” we have used in raising kids and we hope it helps you build a culture within your family.
For now here are all of the “Signs”:
Parent:
Remember these signs.
Who are you?
Child:
I am a child of the King and I am a Waller
Parent:
(to the boys) Strength and honor
(to the girls) Strength and dignity
Child:
(to the boys) Strength and honor
(to the girls) Strength and dignity
Parent:
Will to obey?
Child:
Will to obey.
Parent:
Together?
Child:
We are stronger
Parent:
Lamplighting?
Child:
Start’s here.
Parent:
Because if we don’t light lamps?
Child:
It's gonna be dark.
Parent:
(boys) And never forget?
Child:
(boys) To wipe your sword
Parent:
As you grow?
Child:
He gets bigger.
Parent:
I am with you.
Purchase your family a copy of "The Chronicles of Narnia" book set