Family Journal with Mary DeMuth: January 2009 Archives

How has God been reshaping your idea of family through these journaling prompts? Write a prayer to Him, asking for His help, His focus, His ideas, His desires for your family.

--Mary E. DeMuth

This is part of Mary E. DeMuth's guided journal, "Creating the Family You Always Wanted," a 12-week journey in Christian parenting. Twice a week, you'll receive a new journaling prompt encouraging you to think about your family--and God--in new ways. Use these prompts in your own journal or in group discussion. If you're joining this journal mid-way through, you can start journaling at any time, and stay subscribed at the end, when the journal will restart and you can receive the prompts that you missed.

I remember a parent telling "little white lies" when I was a child. After a while, I didn't know what the truth was, and I seldom believed anything this parent said. And I took to hiding the truth myself. When I didn't want to admit that I was ashamed of the way my lunches were made, I hid them under my bed and didn't eat lunch. I was too afraid to tell the truth.


Consider this Scripture: "Truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter" (Isaiah 59:14). How important was telling the truth in your family of origin? Was truth told with grace or anger? Recall an incident in either case. What role does truth play today as you parent your children? How have you modeled grace-filled truth telling to your children?

--Mary E. DeMuth

This is part of Mary E. DeMuth's guided journal, "Creating the Family You Always Wanted," a 12-week journey in Christian parenting. Twice a week, you'll receive a new journaling prompt encouraging you to think about your family--and God--in new ways. Use these prompts in your own journal or in group discussion. If you're joining this journal mid-way through, you can start journaling at any time, and stay subscribed at the end, when the journal will restart and you can receive the prompts that you missed.

Author Marjorie Thompson made this observation: "The Jewish faith has been characterized as a 'table spirituality' in which the central feasts and holy days are celebrated around the altar of the family table." Was this true in your family of origin? What role did the table play in your upbringing? What role do you want it to play now? What five things prevent you from eating together as a family?

--Mary E. DeMuth

This is part of Mary E. DeMuth's guided journal, "Creating the Family You Always Wanted," a 12-week journey in Christian parenting. Twice a week, you'll receive a new journaling prompt encouraging you to think about your family--and God--in new ways. Use these prompts in your own journal or in group discussion. If you're joining this journal mid-way through, you can start journaling at any time, and stay subscribed at the end, when the journal will restart and you can receive the prompts that you missed.

When I was younger, there were times when I made little vows about how I would parent differently -- things like "I will allow my children to choose sugar cereals," or "I will listen when my children are explaining something." Write a letter from yourself as a child. What advice would you give yourself? Now, consider how you have followed that advice? How have you not? Which pieces of advice were realistic? Which weren't?

--Mary E. DeMuth

This is part of Mary E. DeMuth's guided journal, "Creating the Family You Always Wanted," a 12-week journey in Christian parenting. Twice a week, you'll receive a new journaling prompt encouraging you to think about your family--and God--in new ways. Use these prompts in your own journal or in group discussion. If you're joining this journal mid-way through, you can start journaling at any time, and stay subscribed at the end, when the journal will restart and you can receive the prompts that you missed.

Call to mind a difficult childhood memory -- one where you were maligned, or when you felt uncared for. Write five paragraphs about the event as if you are in the midst of the memory, starting with these words:


a. I see . . .

b. I hear . . .

c. I feel . . .

d. I want . . .

e. I hope . . .


After writing your impressions of the event, answer these questions: What can you take away from this experience? What do you choose to do differently today as you parent your children? Write this as a prayer to the Lord, asking Him to help you parent.

--Mary E. DeMuth

This is part of Mary E. DeMuth's guided journal, "Creating the Family You Always Wanted," a 12-week journey in Christian parenting. Twice a week, you'll receive a new journaling prompt encouraging you to think about your family--and God--in new ways. Use these prompts in your own journal or in group discussion. If you're joining this journal mid-way through, you can start journaling at any time, and stay subscribed at the end, when the journal will restart and you can receive the prompts that you missed.

Recall an event in your childhood when you were happy and carefree. Write about it as if you were telling a friend the story, answering questions like: What were your parents doing? How were you feeling? Where were you? Why...

Parents worry. It's part of our job description. Consider the words of Jesus: "Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met" (Matthew 6:33, MSG). Make a...

The way my daughter goes out of her way to cheer up a hurting friend reminds me of Jesus' pursuing, encouraging love. When my son agonizes for hours over what gift to buy, I can see glimpses of God's extravagant...