Every family in the world is looking for a way to be happy, content, and valuable. In our ever-changing society the pressure is on to find any way possible to make our families "work". We all want a successful family life. We are looking for answers to all the questions of being a successful husband, wife, parent, and grandparent. We are seeking ways to have a loving, caring, committed family. We want our families to "make it." Everyone is tired of the label "dysfunctional family". People just want this thing called "family" to be functional again. So, what is the recipe for success? What can we do? How can we make the family simple and yet successful?
I remember as a child that my parents wanted what was best for me in all things. When our local pediatrician told my parents that I needed to take a multi-vitamin they bought me the regular ones that tasted terrible. I would hide them or pretend to take them. (I guess that is where my own children got that idea) Then the maker of multi-vitamins began producing "fruit flavored" ones. I loved them and took them regularly. The fruit flavoring allowed me to get what I needed and to enjoy the taste.
The "fruit flavored" style of leading our families has also been around for many years but is not something that people use. It is a great way to see your family "work". In a world gone wrong, we have a chance to do what is right. For the Christian believer, the Holy Spirit in you is this "fruit flavoring". Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and, self-control, placed in you at conversion by the Holy Spirit, is the "fruit flavoring" that allows the family to function smoothly. The overflow of God's Spirit in you "flavors" your parenting and your family with a workable recipe.
This book is the result of years of seeking to be a "fruit flavored" family of faith. Cheryl and I (Garry) have had the honor of being the parents of three children and now the grandparents of four. This is quite a blessing and has allowed us to continue to experience and grow in our lives as a family. So, one can see our parenting journey is well traveled. We are definitely not perfect, but we have been there and love to share.
Let me remind you that this book is not intended to be a guide or a teacher. It is a tool to allow God to speak to you directly and be your guide and teacher. The Holy Spirit is always your teacher in faith and practice. (John 16:13) The Holy Spirit will guide you to understand Truth. Although everyone who reads this book is reading the same words, the Holy Spirit will personalize each chapter to guide each individual toward the lesson he or she needs to learn and apply at this given moment in their lives. As our lives and situations in our families change from day to day, (and for us over the years) may the Holy Spirit bring back to your mind and heart what you will learn during this time you will take to read and study. (John 14:26)
Finally, as we introduce this writing, never forget that Godly parenting and grandparenting is centered in prayer. It begins there and continues there throughout every task, phase, problem, pain, and victory. Prayer is communicating with God. It is talking to your God and listening to His response. God is always at Work around us and when we "pray without ceasing", God walks and talks with us daily. So we begin this journey with a prayer that God will use this book to speak to your heart.
Your children and grandchildren are watching!