Raising PKs

Sharon Adkins pulled this picture out of some pile somewhere and gave it to me this weekend.

  

Well, my wife hasn’t changed, but the rest of us sure have. This was a picture from 1990 it looks to me. It would have been somewhere in that first year, because Rachel is maybe 3 years old. This past weekend that little three year old who is now 22 was treated like royalty as she brought in five of her friends to lead worship for us. Mosaic Link

I just want to say that it’s been an amazing experience raising my kids in this church. Remember I was a Pastor’s Kid, and so was Denise. We know how it can go. We know about expectations and fishbowls. Thankfully, Parkview is the only church they’ve ever known. They have always been accepted for who they are.  Rarely have they felt expectations thrust upon them, because they were “Harlows.” To the contrary, they have been cared for in very special ways. Both by the church taking care of their parents very well and by the care and treatment they’ve received personally.  Our children’s and youth programs have been stellar for them. I’m so excited for Lauren and Becca to go to CIY again this year. Becca is going on a trip to the Czech Republic this summer with the youth group – which was a pivotal time in Lauren’s life. 

Rachel said several times this past weekend how much she loves coming here and bringing friends here. You are the most loving congregation we could have asked for.  I just want to say thanks.  I hope that when you see one of “our” kids doing something well, you will take a little pride yourself for the way they have been allowed to grow into their own faith, because you let them and you helped them.  And when they screw up, remember it’s all your fault too.:)

Honestly, the only problem is that they were raised in the best church in the world, and it’s difficult for them to go out and find a new church when they go to college, because they are church-spoiled. 

I just wanted to say thanks.  Thanks for being great their entire lifetime.  It’s crazy for me to look at this picture that’s almost 20 years old and think about all the memories in between.  Now that little girl is on her own.  Good grief. 

Thanks.  That’s all I can say. 

The Harlows love you all. 

Tim 

P.S.  Show Me – we really want you to demonstrate your faith, like we talked about this weekend.  Faith without works is dead.  Mostly, I want to make sure you are living out your faith.  Hopefully you are already involved in a project or ministry.  But if you need an idea – we still have plenty of slots open on our  Show Me website.  Take one of these projects on and let’s show the south suburbs we mean what we preach!  

Comments

[iHateChurch]

:: looking good ::

one of the hardest tasks in america (raising children especially PK) and can always sing the tune of dusty springfield "son of a preacher man"

Good to see you brag on them a bit, in a good healthy way :: children and parents need it.

[Pat Perry]

Hi Tim,
Mosaic was great, very professional! The message last weekend was way cool too. When I describe Parkview I say that it's a Church that's fun and one of the few places that I have found where the actions match the intentions, walk the walk. Thanks for that!
Do we have a running group in the Church? I'd like to see if anyone wants to hook up in the early mornings during the week.