Young Parenting and Old Parenting. My Thoughts and more...

Hello SUMites,

In our Healthy Relationships in August. The next topic of a vital communication is………

Parenting.

Can I just say, UGH!

This area in an unequally yoked marriage is ……. STRESS. It’s likely when we were young and engaged, we never considered parenting roles and ideals. But you still can have conversations with your spouse about raising the children. I know all of us readers here want to raise our kids in morality and faith. Most unbelievers also want to raise children with a moral underpinning.

I think one area to focus on is how to have one another’s back. I know I wrote a lot about parenting and raising kids in faith in Raise Kids book. And now as a grandma and my kids are grown, I know I was able to raise moral and contributing to society adults. Both are living their lives and they have a faith foundation. However, it is interesting that they do not practice faith similar to me.

Well, ahem, I’m a bit of a self-proclaimed, over-the-top, fanatic about Jesus. grin

They are not.

But I know they met Jesus and He is their savior.

There was a lot of conflict when the kids were little. Always about church attendance and certain media choices.

Here is the message to the young parents: Your faith matters. Your faith is impacting your kids. Your prayers of protection are working. Your love and encouragement is utterly the most important aspect of healthy development. Be assured, they will discover Jesus in their own way.

And, the next gen, my grandchildren are enthralled with Jesus right now. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I baptized them last month. Hallelujah.

Parents of adult children: It’s hard. We watch them make poor choices sometimes and must standby as they will not listen. Indeed, it’s difficult at times. But wasn’t it the same for us? I know as a young woman I married even knowing that hitching up with an unbeliever wasn’t going against the Word.

But the most beautiful thing is this. God redeems is all. He restores. He creates something beautiful from our dumbness. He must work out the same for our children. Don’t fret over what your spouse may be modeling.

Why?

BECAUSE YOU CARRY JESUS.

Mic drop.

Love ya, Lynn

Guest post by Jeanne Ritari

Imagine several people in a neighborhood relaxing in their homes on a summer
morning. Through their open windows, they each hear a garbage truck coming down the
street.

One thinks, “That’s the neighbor’s trash pickup; today is Tuesday, and my service
comes on Wednesday.” Another thinks, “Good thing I took the trash to the curb last
night.” A third leaps up and rushes their trash can to the curb.

The Hebrew word often translated as “hear” doesn’t just mean physically perceiving a
sound. The closest equivalent in English would be something like “hear and respond
appropriately.” In the garbage truck illustration, the appropriate response depends on
the circumstances of the person who hears.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read or heard a challenging passage of Scripture
and thought to myself, “My neighbor should listen to this,” or, “I already did my part.”
What I am learning to do instead is to ask Jesus what he wants me to know about the
passage. He usually responds by showing me that I still have some trash to take
out—and then offering to take it out for me.

What a Savior he is!

Barb Twigg here with What I Know For Sure! He’s always pursuing!

 

Healthy Relationships August 2026

Hi my friends, Lynn Donovan here.

Let’s explore communication. Communication is complicated. Who would agree.

I don’t know about you but Mike and I have different communication styles. These differences have led to much of our conflicts throughout our marriage. Some of our differences I was able to identify then earnestly tried to discuss our differences and make adjustments in the manner in which we talk and communicate.

Sometimes we don’t even know what to communicate about, especially in the early years of marriage. I would like to share five conversations every marriage should have. Perhaps for us old-timers here on SUM, we have already tried these suggestions, but they are worth a look at once more. For the newer readers here, these are great suggestions.

At the end of this study, I’ll share some creative ideas to initiate communication.

I would be grateful for your comments and suggestions.

The first conversations couples should engage in is the relationship between them.

Psychologist who work with couples recommend that spouses check in with one another monthly and inquire:

Do you feel loved, respected, supported and connected.

These questions open up an opportunity to work through issues or challenges. They also offer time to affirm each other. Similarly, there is an excellent recommendation; establish relationship agreements. What a great idea. Wish I had thought to create something like this with Mike.

A relationships agreement in my mind would include the core “musts” needed to achieved relational love and support. Simple ideals that lead us both in the same direction and in support of one another.

Okay, what are your thoughts? In your marriage, have you put something similar into your relationship. Please offer me some ideas that have worked for you.

I love you my friends. Blessings and hugs, Lynn

Hello SUM Nation

Lynn Donovan here with a check in and an update. If you are fatigued praying for lost children, spouses, family members. READ THIS UPDATE!

I hope you are all doing well and your faith in Jesus is growing. I pray you are aware of how your faith is sanctifying your marriage, your spouse and kids. It’s a glorious thing to see how your faith affects those around you.

Glory to God.

Ian update. Please remain prayerful over Ian’s health. He’s in the middle of treatment and is feeling the fatigue. Ask Jesus to bless his body and bring him into divine health.

Ann update: Ann traveled this summer and is now at home pursing her coaching education. She will remain a writer here, once a month. Hallelujah. It’s always a joy to hear from her and Ian.

Barb update: Her videos are wonderful and she has a couple to share this month. Pearls of Wisdom, my friends.

Lynn update: Last week I baptized both of my granddaughters in the river near our home. THIS is the result of years and years of faith and prayer. And I was the one privileged to ask them to state their belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and to say aloud, they choose to follow and serve Him all of their lives.

Glory to GOD!!

Beginning in September, I will lead us through a Bible study. I decided to move our summer study to the fall. We will begin after Labor Day here in the US. Fall and back-to-school always allows more freedom for us to lean into the Lord. I’m very excited to teach the Word of God.

I’m still waiting for Jesus to share with me the topic or passage we will study. I appreciate all of you who completed the survey and your suggestions. I will use one of them. They were all really good.

Stay tuned. Be ready to study this fall. I’m feeling inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Today, would you share with me what the Lord is teaching you? And how can I pray for you?

Submit a prayer request. I read every one of them and I pray.

Blessings and hugs, Lynn