International Parenting Commitment Day - March 20

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Parent of the Month

Thank God for Light Bulbs

By John M. Schmitt

Bedtime is one of my favorite parts of the day. It’s when my three daughters and I share some special time together. Even though many nights I feel totally exhausted, I do my best to summon the energy to be enthusiastic as we undergo our nightly ritual. After reading a book or two, we share what happened during the day just finished and our plans for the next. Then it’s time for family prayers. We always begin by thanking God for the day behind us. Then we take turns asking Him to help people we know who are having problems, or we give special thanks for people or things for which we are most grateful.

Every night we can count on Kellie (age three-and-and-a-half) to thank God for light bulbs! For the longest time we couldn’t’ figure out the reason, and we never thought to ask her. A psychologist friend suggested that Kellie might be afraid of the dark, a common fear at her age. We asked Kellie about it the very next night and, sure enough, she confirmed the psychologist’s suspicion.

We’ve stopped chuckling over her light bulb prayer, and we’re even leaving the hall light on a little longer.

Kellie won’t always be afraid of the dark, but long after she’s stopped thanking God for light bulbs, I’ll continue to give thanks for the light bulbs of my life: Susann, Kellie, Jenna, and their mom.

Thanks, God, for light bulbs!

Committed Parent of the Month Nominations

Please send nominations for Committed Parent of the Month to ipp57@aol.com. Each month a new parent will be selected who has demonstrated an active commitment to his or her family. The winner will be displayed on the www.10commitments.net website and will be moved to the Committed Parent of the Month archives the following month.