Warning: This blog post is a plea, a call to rise higher. You may read the follow-up post on my blog. It is not meant to offend those who find themselves in this situation but to provide a Biblical perspective for those seeking it.

“Is it normal that my child is back-talking me/throwing a fit/fighting with their sibling?” Well, it depends on whose normal you’re wanting. If it’s allowing the normal sin nature to have its way, then, yes, that’s normal. But, if you are a Christ-follower, then this is the nature we are called to put to death in ourselves and our children.

“Therefore…throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1, NIV).

Biblical Training

Biblical training is training away from what is ungodly and training in a new bent. God has called us to be set apart, in the world but not of it. How will we and our children be different from the world if we allow ourselves to settle for lack of self-control? I am learning as I work with my children (and myself) that discipline is the grammar (the building blocks) of character.

Proverbs 16:32 says, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”

Self-control is unnatural in our world but the way of life in God’s culture. Am I consistently teaching my children to rule their own spirits? Or am I excusing behaviors and attitudes, saying He’s only 3 or She’s just had a long day?

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8, NKJV).

If a farmer tending his vineyard let his vines go their own way, it would be normal (for a wilderness) but not productive. Pruning, guiding, structuring, tending…if a crop takes so much work, how much more the eternal souls of our children!

Rising to the Task

We Christians can be sadly lacking in the vigorous character that consistently rises to the challenge of training our children. How can we expect our children to learn self-sacrifice, discipline, and servanthood if we ourselves meander in the comfortable valley instead of scaling the heights? It is not odd that our children struggle with similar weaknesses as they see in us.

“He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to stand on the heights” (Ps. 18:33).

Don’t settle for the sin nature in yourself or your children. Unlike the popular transformer toys, our transformation is from “glory to glory” as we behold His face and allow ourselves to be changed in the light of His presence. We are called to a life much higher! In parenting circles, it can be a lonely road. But don’t give up; keep your radar out for other families who are being obedient to God’s calling.

Remember, God’s reputation in on the line in the earthen vessels of our families. Let’s not be like Eli the priest in 1 Samuel 3 who was judged for failure to restrain his children. With God’s power in us and His Word before us, we can raise our children according to His calling.

Should our children be morose over every failure of theirs to measure up to holiness? No, but humility, teachability, using the Bible as our guide for attitudes and behavior–these are the patterns to impart. Denying ourselves, serving untiringly, loving unconditionally, don’t we all have a long way to go? But to never start because the road is long and hard, we’ll never get there.

What has been your own family’s journey or is this a new idea for you?

Please join me on my blog for the follow-up post.

About Rebekah Nafziger

Rebekah is a Stay-at-home mom to two blessings, Katelyn (5 ½) and Elliot (3), with another on the way. Parenting is the current step God’s using to mold her into Christ-likeness, along with 11 years of marriage to her best friend. Her passions are homeschooling, homesteading, homemaking, from-scratch living, worship and discipleship, and most of all, glorifying God in everything she learns and attempts. Her family’s blog is just getting started over at Hallelu-Jah Homestead. She also teaches a local workshop called Waste Not, Want Not: Practical Ways to Free Up Your Budget and Live Intentionally, sharing the journey God has led her family on over the last few years.

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Today’s post is by contributing writer, Rebekah Nafziger. You’ll love her practical and insightful camping tips!

I grew up camping and backpacking with my family, and I want to pass along that love of the wilderness to my own children. The problem is…the ground’s not so comfortable anymore! And getting away, for a mom, isn’t really getting away. The work load is there (food, anyone?) and it can be harder in some ways for its inconveniences.

But camping can, like an arrow to our hearts, align ourselves to worship God like nothing else. It is worth the inconveniences for that refocusing in our lives. I’ve gleaned several ideas over the years to make an amazing family camping trip more likely.

The Basics of a Smooth Camping Experience

• Have a checklist that you go to each year. Plan in advance. It simplifies the running-around-with-your-head-cut-off feeling and helps you be more certain of arriving at your destination with the stuff that’s most important. Edit it every year.

• Keep your whole food philosophy while camping. If you’re like me and are committed to feeding your family real, whole foods (and find it difficult to choke down the unhealthy stuff even in the outdoors), check out  the e-book Kitchen Stewardship in the Big Woods for some real food ideas while camping.

• Invest in some good all-around camping gear. A decent quality tent must have a rain fly that extends to the ground on all sides, never touches the tent, and pulls out with stakes away from the sides. A skimpy rain fly means a wet tent, inside as well, even simply from the dew. We have chosen to go with 3-season backpacking tents. Our family doesn’t get to be all in the same tent, but with limited finances and storage, we have good lightweight backpacking tents to also use for car camping. Tip: Sleep outside when you can! I remember feeling almost dizzy when I awoke at 11,000 feet to an unfamiliar and magnificent sky at 2 a.m. It was breathtaking!

• Cooking gear: We have just purchased an EcoZoom Versa Stovefor homesteading purposes as well as for camping. We also use cast iron skillets and a camp dutch oven.

• Avoid anything disposable. We don’t use disposables at home, and it’s just as easy to pack a few dishcloths than have to go out and buy a roll of paper towels or wet wipes.

• Be prepared with sunscreen and insect repellant. I choose to make our own. For the insect repellant, I used 1 1/2 teaspoon of citronella, cedarwood, and lavender. It’s simple to make, lasts forever, and smells great! Plus, it works! Ashley has another recipe she uses  featured here-How to Make Your Own Natural Insect Repellant.

Tuning in to God’s Plan for Your Trip

• Leave all the electronics at home. That includes grownups’ toys too. Those devices can stay in the car and be checked now and then if needed. Clear your brain and your children’s. With intention, the habit will stay kicked even at home!

• Designate a quiet time with God in the morning. This can be a time for each of you to sit apart, read, and pray. Even small children can be taught to sit still, listen to God’s creation, and thank Him for it! At the end of the day, allow each person to share what he read/learned.

• Enjoy the campfire while you read and reflect in worship. Psalm 8, 19, 24, 104, 147, and Job 38 are great Scriptures to start with in the wilderness. Start memorizing them with your children before you go. An absolutely thrilling account of Creation in poetry is the picture book When the World was New. Our family also worships nightly with the old hymns.

Even though camping is out of the ordinary, our family’s calling (Deut. 6:4-9) is to extend discipleship of our children into everything we do. Don’t let the weekend pass without drawing your children’s hearts ever again to the Source of our life and purpose. The traditions you set with your children while camping will become cherished memories.

Like learning to ride a bike, tuning in to the God-song of creation is a skill that’s never forgotten. Let’s be intentional in discipling our children even when camping; those are the heart-strings that will pull them back to us and to the faith long after they are grown.

What are some traditions your family enjoy while camping?

About Rebekah Nafziger

Rebekah is a Stay-at-home mom to two blessings, Katelyn (5 ½) and Elliot (3), with another on the way. Parenting is the current step God’s using to mold her into Christ-likeness, along with 11 years of marriage to her best friend. Her passions are homeschooling, homesteading, homemaking, from-scratch living, worship and discipleship, and most of all, glorifying God in everything she learns and attempts. Her family’s blog is just getting started over at Hallelu-Jah Homestead. She also teaches a local workshop called Waste Not, Want Not: Practical Ways to Free Up Your Budget and Live Intentionally, sharing the journey God has led her family on over the last few years.

We’re linking up at the Better-Mom , Miscellany Mondays

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