A GENERATION THAT REMEMBERS

Dear Modern-Day Parents,

Of all the twelve months of the year, November will always have my heart. Every year, from January onward, I look forward to its arrival. November is even more special to me because our family has three birthdays to celebrate! It is truly a month filled with reasons to rejoice, give thanks, and celebrate God's goodness. 

Recently, my coach encouraged me to revisit Nehemiah 9. I had read this chapter several times before, but this time, it spoke to me in a fresh way because I was struggling with gratitude.

A couple of weeks ago, I also participated in an online praise and worship marathon called the Hallelujah Challenge. During one of the sessions, the host encouraged us to recall, recount, and reflect on the goodness of God.

Those three words stayed with me.

As I thought about them, I realized that this was exactly what the Israelites were encouraged to do in Nehemiah 9. They gathered to confess their sins, worship God, and remember His faithfulness throughout their history. They recounted how God had called Abraham, delivered their ancestors from Egypt, provided for them in the wilderness, and remained faithful even when they were unfaithful.

They took time to remember what God had done.

And there is something powerful about remembering.

When we recall God's goodness, recount His faithfulness, and reflect on His character, our hearts are reminded that the God who helped us yesterday is still with us today. Fear and doubt begin to lose their grip, and faith finds room to grow.

One thing my boys and I do during prayer time is take turns mentioning three to five things we are thankful to God for. And let me tell you, "I don't know" is not an acceptable answer.

I want them to develop the habit of looking back and recognizing God's goodness, even in the ordinary moments of life. It might be a good day at school, a delicious meal, a friend's kindness, a prayer answered, or simply the gift of another day.

I don't want gratitude to become something we practice only on Thanksgiving or when something extraordinary happens. I want my children to learn to recognize God's goodness in the everyday moments of life.

This November, let's be intentional about creating opportunities for our children to remember, talk about, and celebrate God's goodness.

During dinner, bedtime, family devotions, or prayer time, simply ask:

• What are three things you are thankful to God for today?

• Can you remember a time God helped you?

• What is something God has done for our family that we don't want to forget?

• What does remembering God's goodness teach us about Him?

Give your children time to think. Help them look beyond the obvious. And don't be afraid to share your own stories of God's faithfulness. Your testimony can become part of their spiritual inheritance.

And if you haven't read Nehemiah 9 recently, I encourage you to set aside time to read it. Let it remind you of the importance of remembering God's faithfulness.

As parents, we are not just teaching our children to say, "Thank You, God." We are helping them develop hearts that recognize His goodness and trust Him through every season of life.

Let's raise a generation that remembers!