We are a ministry rooted in the reformed faith that offers resources on grief, autism, alcoholism, terminal illness and life crises, as well as hope and help for daily life.

It’s officially fall and stores and catalogs are reminding us its time to think about three upcoming holidays.

Halloween usually brings the most questions from young families. Should we celebrate it? Isn’t it harmless fun? Won’t my child feel awkward if he misses out on what other children are doing? How can we handle it from a safety issue?

Each family needs to discover what works best for their family. We tried to ask ourselves questions before we came to a decision on participating in this holiday.

What are we celebrating?
Where did this tradition begin?
What are the benefits for our family?
What character qualities will this celebration encourage in our children?
How does this celebration fit into our overall vision for our legacy to our children?

View your parenting responsibilities, even this one, intentionally. Examine your choices through the grid of scriptural principles.

Fall brings with it opportunities to celebrate the changing seasons and create traditions only enjoyed at this time of year. Again, be intentional about teaching your children to appreciate God’s beauty.

We loved walks crunching the falling leaves under our feet; visits to pumpkins patches and apple orchards. Rake up leaves and jump in the piles – yes, jump into the piles with your children! Help your children think of people who might like a gift of candy – maybe plan a visit to a nursing home. Make spice cookies and drink apple cider together. Scoop out pumpkin seeds, roast them and use the pumpkin pulp for a pie or pumpkin bread (to share with those lonely friends).

Enlist your children to help prepare your yard for winter. Our children helped as we cleared away dying flowers to allow room for new growth in the spring. Even when they were little they helped by putting on garden gloves and carried brush and sticks to the “pile” that Pop would bind together for the trash. Like all of us, children like to feel needed and useful, so even simple little things that make them feel a part of the process can be fun and meaningful.

The world offers many things for us to celebrate. Every day and every month is a gift from God. I pray that He will give you the wisdom you need to help your children see His Love for them and His Glory in the beautiful changing season this month.