When I go around the country and visit my grandchildren, I always offer to sing songs and give backrubs before bedtime. The most requested song is one that I wrote when my own children were small called, “The Love of Children.” I’m so grateful that I’ve passed on the “love of children” to my children and that they love and cherish their children as much as I always loved and cherished them.

 As you teach your children to know and love the Lord, there will be peace in your home and your family will feel united. Your happiness and self-esteem will grow as you make personal sacrifices to build a strong, loving family.

For some people, Christmas is a joyous time. However, for many other people, they just pretend to be happy while counting the days till the holiday is finally over. Most sadly, are those who already struggle with chronic depression, and the holidays only make it worse. Hopefully, by trying to make Christmas more Christ-centered, and being realistic about our time, energy-level, and finances, we will eliminate stress and feel real joy.

I remember my mother always saying to me as I walked out the door to go to any activity, “Have fun!” While she was confined to her bed a lot throughout her life because of a serious back injury, she knew the importance of encouraging her eight children to have a good time. This was a noble act of kindness for a mother to do. While she couldn’t do fun, recreational activities herself, she pointed us in the right direction from her bedside. I now cherish those words, “Have fun!”