Family & Parenting |

Culture… It can be defined as the customs, beliefs, values, and celebrations of a particular group of people. While we typically associate culture with a country’s people group, there is a myriad of other cultures.

Family cultures vary in birthday celebrations, entertainment choices, discipline styles, faith commitments, and vacation destinations. Churches, restaurants, towns, and workplaces also have their own versions of culture.

Whether you are a stay-at-home parent, a teacher, a waiter, a welder, a consumer, or a football fan, you are contributing to some culture, most likely several cultures! So, what are you adding to the cultures in your realm of influence as you go through your day?

I ask this because cultural contributions are a topic close to my heart. Each part of our day gives us an opportunity to choose between positive and negative contributions. As we drive to work each morning, we can positively or negatively impact the traffic culture. (Let that sink in… is your horn a tool or a tactic? Do you wave someone on or wag a finger at them?)

In the busy coffee shop, we can stir up discontent or exemplify patience. Yes, even that seemingly small choice will make a difference in the atmosphere while we wait. Cultural contributions are evident in our facial expressions, our words, our actions, and our attitudes. (When stressful moments come, what we carry in our heart is what comes pouring out… but that’s a topic for another blog!)

While your daily contributions do impact the culture around you, facilitating a culture takes our responsibility further. If you’ve read this far, don’t stop now! 😊 Think of the top 2 or 3 places you spend most of your time. These are the places where you have a role in culture facilitation.

I’ve worked jobs that felt like I was working with family. There was laughter, encouragement, and a boatload of inside jokes. I’ve also worked at jobs that felt like eggshells were scattered all over the floor and stepping on even one would lead to disaster. You had to be careful of what you said, who you said it to, and what tone you used. Similar contrasts can be seen in every culture that we engage in. A negative culture will multiply stress, decrease fulfillment, and increase a sense of aloneness.

My current school has been my work home for over 14 years. We’ve had our ups and downs and the student population we serve comes with more challenges than many. And yet, I have no desire to go to a more affluent school, higher paying district, or one with more accolades. Why? Because I am part of a staff that has worked to develop and maintain a positive culture even through administration changes. Is everyone 100% all in? No… rarely does that happen. Is everyone trustworthy or positive or culture-focused? Nope! BUT, the majority–from admin to cafeteria staff to custodians to teachers–are committed to giving their best day to day. And… don’t miss this… there is an attitude of togetherness, support, and “I’ve got your back” that sets our school culture up for continued success even when the changes, the data, the challenges, can feel smothering and disheartening. This positive culture was not built by one, but by many. It didn’t happen overnight, it happened when individuals chose to show up, give their best, and seek the good of the whole consistently.

Is this type of work or school culture feel foreign or unattainable to you? Do you want to help facilitate a positive culture but you’re thinking: “You have NO idea what my workplace, home, or school is like!” Let me encourage you… YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Maybe the macro level is out of your realm of influence, but the micro level is not! You can facilitate a positive culture in your home, your office, your workshop, your classroom, your worship center, or on your team!

The starting point is this: Treat others the way you’d like to be treated (not the way you’ve been treated)!¹

How did Cindy Lou Who get through to the Grinch? By showing kindness that he did not expect or deserve!²

In addition to kindness in the face of crudeness, consider these commitments needed to facilitate a positive culture:

Be humble-We all make mistakes, don’t be afraid to own up to yours!
Be generous-It will come back to you!
Be honest-Lies and half-truths will eventually bite you in the behind and ruin your reputation!
Be respectful-The CEO and the janitor deserve the same level of respect, manners are important!
Be nonjudgmental-Rarely do we know what others are walking through!
Be cautious with your words-Talking about others negatively reflects more on you than on them!
Be encouraging-Celebrate the successes of others, big or small!
Be compassionate-Life can be challenging for all of us even on a good day!
Be teachable-No one knows it all or likes a know it all!
Be integrous-Doing the right thing will help you sleep well at night and make you the type of person that others trust and appreciate!

Be the change! Choose 1 thing you can do today or tomorrow that will bring a positive vibe to your realm of influence. You won’t regret stepping up your game when it comes to facilitating a positive culture at home, school, work, or on the field. When you lay the groundwork, others will join you. You truly can make a difference!

My students say a chant with me every day. It starts with: “I am one of a kind! I bring something to this world that no one else can.” We declare some other things over ourselves and then end the chant like this: “I am a world changer!” So are you!

You are amazing!

¹Jesus (Luke 6:31)

²The Grinch Who Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

It’s Resurrection Celebration week, also known as Holy Week! It’s a week to remember the events leading up to the empty tomb that Mary found on that morning so long ago. I had the pleasure of home-schooling my children and even though I worked full-time from home, I remember the blessing of being able to just BE with my kids. During this season, we purposely chose to spend time each day focusing on the gift of Jesus’ Sacrifice for us. One year, we even made a poster and added a picture or symbol for each day. This year, many families will have the flexibility and time to do the same, whether by necessity or by choice.

With that thought in mind, I’ve created a daily plan with activities focused on the events of Holy Week. With a few supplies (many found around the house or easily picked up while grocery shopping), you can facilitate focused conversation, thoughtful activities, and a meaningful family time that honors the Lord and deepens your own understanding of God’s gift to us through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Palm Sunday & Monday: Read Matthew 21:6-11. Palm Sunday is the day that Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It was a day when the people publicly declared that He was sent from God! Declare today how amazing Jesus is! Have each family member share something they love about God. Create an individual or family acrostic with the word HOSANNAH by writing each letter on its own line. Then, write something that the Lord has blessed you with beside each letter. Decorate your acrostic and hang it on the fridge!

Example: H is for a Healthy body and mind!, I is for Incredible creativity…

Tuesday: Read Matthew 26:6-13. A woman poured a bottle of perfume over Jesus’ head to demonstrate her thankfulness for His love and forgiveness. Choose some Scriptures that celebrate Who the Lord is to us as His children. Write the Scriptures on slips of papers and enclose them in plastic eggs (add a few jelly beans if you’d like!). Hide the eggs around the house and have an egg hunt! When the eggs are found, gather as a family and read the Scriptures. Sing a song together such as How Great is Our God or Our God is an Awesome God. Here are a few Scripture suggestions: Exodus 34:6, Psalm 89:9, 136:3, Isaiah 9:6, Matthew 16:16, Mark 1:1, John 11:25, 14:6, 14:26, Romans 15:13, II Corinthians 4:7, Ephesians 3:20, I John 4:9, Revelation 22:13

Wednesday: Read Matthew 26:36-46. Jesus was willing to do what Father God wanted Him to do, even though it would be difficult. He knew that God was faithful and trustworthy! Create a reminder of God’s faithfulness! Gather planting supplies: small pots, soil, flower seeds, water. As you put the seeds into the soil, name your worries, fears, and dreams. Cover those seeds with soil and water. As you do so, pray together declaring that you trust God with all of them! When we give our desires and worries to God, He can make something beautiful from them! Read: I Peter 5:7, Romans 8:28.
Note: A planting “how to” video can be found here.

Thursday: Read Matthew 26:17-30. On Holy Thursday, Jesus served a Passover meal to His disciples. Sing a song together and then brainstorm ways for each member of the family to serve one another. With older children, consider having communion together using grape juice and crackers or even spend time washing each others’ feet as a sign of willingness to serve and honor one another. Here are some ideas for serving your family:

Do another family member’s laundry
Share a chore that would typically be individual
Wash someone’s car
Make a sibling’s bed
Create a meal together

Friday: Read Matthew 27:11-55 (or a shorter portion depending on the age of your children). Good Friday is a day to remember what Jesus did on the cross for us. Watch a kid-friendly video about Jesus’ Crucifixion. Share about the love that God has for us, even when we mess up. Draw a cross shape or print one (one for your family or one for each person). In pencil, write on the cross wrong behaviors such as unkind actions, impatience, selfishness, etc.. As a family, confess those actions and ask the Lord for forgiveness, then erase the words. Celebrate! Jesus’ death on the cross erases our sins! Then decorate the cross by coloring it, painting it, gluing on tissue paper, colored rocks, or pretty ribbon!

Saturday: Read Matthew 27:57-66. Imagine how the Disciples felt when Jesus was gone. They didn’t realize that it was only temporary! What is something that you are asking God for in your family? Thank the Lord for the answer even though you haven’t seen it yet!
The Jelly Bean Poem: This is a fun and concrete way to think about Jesus’ sacrifice for us! Write out or type the Jelly Bean Poem and create baggies of Jelly Beans to share with others. You can also make a Jelly Bean Prayer bracelet or necklace using beads! You can find the Jelly Bean Poem here.

Resurrection Sunday: Read Matthew 28:1-10. He is Risen! Make Easter Sunrise Empty Tombs to celebrate that His grave is empty! Use t his recipe or find one on Pinterest. One family I know creates an Empty Tomb cake each year. Click here for an easy miniature version. 🙂 Whatever your tradition, embrace it as a way to bring your family together to focus on the beautiful Gift of Easter morning!
Celebration time! Get dressed up! Wear one new item (shirt, dress, hairbow, socks) as a reminder that we are new creations (II Corinthians 5:17). In lieu of going to church this year, watch an online service. Sing along to the songs, participating just as would if you were there in person.
Organize a neighborhood car parade: Decorate your cars with streamers and a poster saying, “Jesus is Alive!” or something similar. Line up in a central place and then drive around your neighborhood with the windows down, cheering and honking! If you can’t organize a parade, be your own 1-car parade! Celebrate Jesus all day long!

Each Resurrection Sunday, as I get ready for the day, the song Ari se My Love plays through my mind (and usually through my speakers)! The grave no longer has a hold on us as believers in Jesus! I am so thankful for the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice! In His death and resurrection we have forgiveness, freedom, healing, deliverance, restoration, an inheritance and everlasting life! Hallelujah! He is Risen!

Live Loved and Free!