How exactly do you thank your mother for being your mother? This year, I wanted to drop some Biblical wisdom that you might want to take to prayer and share with mom this weekend (or anytime, for that matter).
Here are some verses you might want to share within a card or note and some ideas for how you can tie them into a message fo’ yo’ mama . . .
Although there may be times when we face loneliness, whether by choice or by circumstance, as Catholics we’re not asked to walk every aspect of our faith journey alone. This can be difficult for those of us who don’t have support at home or for someone like me who likes to do a lot of things by himself. I’ve discovered though, that as I strive for heaven everyday I need as much help as I can get. It’s your community that cheers you on in this life, encouraging you with their words and actions in the good times and the bad (Proverbs 12:25).
Let’s be real, I think the Lord had teenagers in mind when He came up with the fourth commandment. It’s no secret that the teen years are often the hardest when it comes to the parent-child relationship.
But does it have to be that way?
Not at all! When we realize that we have a responsibility to honor our parents, the relationship becomes a lot easier. Here’s a little piece of my experience with the 4th commandment.
When this video started I quickly labeled Leila Hurst as “cool” and “popular” and “happy.” I saw a gorgeous, blond, teen surfer who was getting lots of money and fame for doing what she loved. What could be better? As the video went on I saw her close relationship with her sister who has spinal bifida, and how strong the bond of siblings can be if we don’t let our struggles or resentment get in the way. Then I listened more closely to what Leila was saying. This is what I heard: “When I started going forward in my surfing [...]
One of the biggest stresses of the Christmas season is gift giving. It can be difficult to find the right gift for a person. Or the stores you shop in are incredibly busy or your wallet isn’t keeping up with your heart (especially for students and others on tight budgets). Gift-giving should be joyful though!
To help you out we have a list of a few meaningful, inexpensive and homemade presents you can give to your friends and family. You can easily put your own spin on each of these ideas. Some of them might take longer to make than others but it’s still a great way to show someone how much you appreciate the gift of their life!
Being a teenager without the presence of my father was a struggle. I often felt a void, longing for someone who would show me what it was to be a true man of God. As I travel around and meet a lot of teenagers, I know that many young men and women struggle in their relationship with their fathers. For those of you who have a great relationship with your dad, please take some time to honor him this Sunday. For those of you who struggle, here are some thoughts from someone who’s been struggling as well.
Late in 2010, my dad was diagnosed with cancer. In March of this year his doctors said he only had weeks to live. Suddenly, my world, my faith, and my relationship with my dad were all flipped upside down. I held my dad and my siblings as we cried in the hospital room that day. The next 8 days we spent laughing together and acting like it was any other weekend visit. But that time was definitely more special than anything I had experienced. The difference was that this time we were free to pray together and share our faith. The chaos and confusion of the past all seemed unimportant.
Mother’s Day has always been tricky for me. What gift is ever good enough for Moms – those souls who constantly give so much of themselves? Appliances might make their lives easier, but they don’t exactly get them out of the kitchen. A massage or spa day are great, too, but a few days later their backs are usually tied up in knots again. And what do you do on a fixed budget with no artistic skill? Popsicle picture frames are great when you’re in preschool, but what about high school, college and beyond? So this year I’m taking a [...]
Family is a word that can a lot of different things, and when the crew of LifeTeen.com sat down to look at the theme of “Family,” we realized that even working in the same office, we all come from different types of families. Our Director of Internet Ministry and first-round draft pick out of Georgia Tech Matt Smith came from a family that has a pretty unique story. I turned around the chair at my desk, looked over to Matt, and interviewed him about what it was like in the Smith family.
My mom likes to text me. I don’t know if you have the same relationship with your mother, but my mother has found that texting is the easiest and quickest way to get my attention. And while she loves to ask me random questions during my week, she does a very good job of keeping me informed about my extended family: you know, those aunts, uncles, cousins… the ones you rarely see, but you know are somehow related to you (as evidenced by that large tree map someone put together years ago).
It’s often already hard to build good relationships with the people we live with, but even more difficult with family whom we rarely see. How are we supposed to be “in relationship” with people we barely know and who live so far away?
Experience a story of forgiveness, family, and conversion in this Life Teen film. “…this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.”
I grew up in a family of five—my two parents, my older brother, my younger sister, and myself. Although my brother, sister, and I get along now that we are adults, growing up we fought A LOT. I can honestly say that I don’t remember a time when we weren’t yelling at each other about something.
Conflict resolution, especially with siblings, is a very important skill to have within your family. Fighting or arguing with your family members can have a lasting impact on your relationship.
