"I'm Bored" is a bad word

It has literally been over 15 years since I remember hearing, "I'm bored!" It was in one of my oldest kids, and I had a talk with them all about how selfish and prideful it is to say that they were bored. I explained that when they say, "I'm bored," they are being prideful and complaining, and the Bible has a lot to say about both of those. There is never a reason to be bored. There is always someone to bless or serve. There is always something that you can contribute towards the family workload. There is always someone that would be blessed by an email or letter. There is always a smaller sibling that would love to have a book read to them or a game played with them. There is always a dog that would love to have a ball thrown for them to retrieve. 

If your kids (or you) are in the habit of saying those "bad words," then read what the Bible has to say about work, selfishness, being a servant, or doing things without complaining:

Philippians 2:14,"Do all things without complaining,"

Prov. 19:15, "Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger."

Eccles. 9:10, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might"

Col. 3:23, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,"

Prov. 13:4, "The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.'

Gal. 5:13,"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

1 Corinth 10:24," Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor." 

I'm thankful that I don't hear this phrase. I think it was helpful to teach my older kids why we don't say that so my younger kids have not heard it or seen selfish boredom modeled. This requires training though. You need to teach your kids that they don't always have to be entertained by movies, screens or fun activities. They can think of productive things to do on their own because you have explained and taught them a lot of fun things to do in their free time. Blessing others. Crafts. Hiking and enjoying nature. Asking a parent or sibling, "How can I help you?" Writing letters. Learning a hobby. Selling on ebay. Being okay with times of prayer and quiet time just hearing from God themselves.


Even a 4 year old can see needs. In this picture my then 4 year old asked on her own to fill up our water filter. She took great pride in that job!!

But as always we need to model what it looks like to "do all things without complaining." and to show them how to joyfully do mundane chores with the right attitude.

People always say that they wish that children came with an instruction manual. They, do, my friend! Everything you need for life and godly parenting is in the Bible!!! God is awesome!!!!

Siblings: Best Friends!!!

I'm reading 2 Timothy this week, and a verse came up that we have taught our kids: "A servant of the Lord must not argue but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient..." (V24)

I'm often asked by people, after finding out we have a small army of children, if our children get along or if they fight all the time. That is usually followed with them telling me that they hated their siblings growing up or that their own children argue all the time and don't like each other.

I thought I'd address this question. Our children for the most part are best friends. They don't fight. They occasionally disagree and work it out. They occasionally push each other's buttons (especially the younger boys), but at the end of the day, they love being together and are very thankful for each other. Society will tell you that brothers and sisters are supposed to bicker and not like each other. I just wanted to throw in the truth, cause parents have been lied to. Truth comes from God's Word and it tells Christians that we should not argue, but die to ourselves and love others more than we love ourselves. It tells us to be gentle and patient. self controlled, and loving. It tells us in the previous verse to "avoid foolish disputes."

What better training ground for life than in your own home with your own brothers and sisters learning to have a servant's heart, to love, to learn to not argue, to be gentle and patient? What better place to practice the fruit of the Spirit (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Self Control, Meekness, Faithfulness)?

So don't buy into the lie. Don't allow your kids to foster anger and hatred towards each other. Start young and don't let them be ugly or selfish with each other. Stop nasty tones in their voice and teach them to be sweet to each other. Remind them that they are a gift to each other and are best friends. God's ways work. You can have a home filled with peace. But 3 things are required: 1. You have to believe that God's Word is truth. 2. You have to teach the truth to your kids. 3. You have to model this yourself to your spouse and children.

If you can't live your Christianity at home, then it's not real.

   

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