The Blueprint

It’s Sunday, September 2^nd.  I am Lance Pisowicz and this is Lance’s Weekly Walk!  At long last I am back on my Sunday blog.  I apologize that I haven’t been able to do any blogs these past few weeks.  Before we begin I have a couple of reminders for you.  If you haven’t yet, be sure to follow me at:  www.twitter.com/lancejponline.  My Facebook page is also getting more attention as several of you have liked me there.  You can find it at:  www.facebook.com/lancepisowicz.  Also a reminder for you to check out Lance Pisowicz Online (www.wix.com/lancejp/online).  From there you can access my Facebook and Twitter page, my Youtube channel, and everything to do with my blogs.  You can also fill out a prayer request there by clicking on the “Media” tab at the top of your page.  One last reminder for today and it’s a special one for this summer.  If you haven’t heard about the Ultimate Patriot competition and sweepstakes I encourage you to visit www.wix.com/lancejp/patriot for more details.  There is a lot of great features and information about the event waiting for you there.  I hope you enjoy Lance’s Weekly Walk and everything there for you at Lance Pisowicz Online.

There were many important news stories last week that I would love to cover, but since this is my Sunday blog I try to look past partisan issues and keep the focus on Christ.  I will say this though.  On Friday evening I went and saw 2016:  Obama’s America and would like to give the writers, directors, and producers a shout-out.  It was a very well done documentary, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has not seen it yet.

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to celebrate not only my youngest brother’s 11^th birthday but also share the special day with my grandmother and her twin sister’s 82^nd birthday.  My grandmother’s twin is from Tennessee but came up for the weekend to spend this special time with us all.  There was even an official announcement made to celebrate at Spring Mill State Park (in Mitchell, Indiana) next year for their 83^rd, Lord willing.  We did the same thing when my grandma and grand aunt turned 80, two years ago.  My grandmother’s real birthday is not until Wednesday, but it was a special day nonetheless.  To think through the struggles and triumphs in her life, and yet praising God regardless of her circumstances can inspire us all.

My grandmother was born on September 5, 1930, just over ten months after the Stock Market Crash.  At the time my great-grandmother had just one son.  The surprise of twins must have been bittersweet.  How blessed she must have felt to be blessed with twin daughters, but now there was not just one more mouth to feed but two.

The Great Depression did not hold my great-grandparents back.  They went on to have six more children, and although my great-grandfather changed jobs often prior to World War II, the family managed better than most people at the time.  My great-grandmother took care of the home and her eight children.  She never stopped working her entire life.  She was what you’d call a workaholic, something my grandmother undoubtedly inherited.

Being one of the older children in the family meant that greater responsibilities were expected of my grandmother.  She was tasked with numerous chores that ranged from housework, to farm work (when the family lived on a farm), to caring for her younger siblings.  Not only did this help her family get by during her childhood, it also prepared her for the future.

My grandmother married my grandfather in January of 1951 after my grandfather returned from serving in Korea.  They had their first daughter in 1951.  They would have another six children (including twin boys who passed away in their infancy) concluding with my mother.  Even through the trials and tribulations of losing two of their sons before they truly got to know them, my grandparents remained strong in their faith.

God has blessed my grandmother with fifteen grandchildren and over sixteen great-grandchildren (with more certain to be on the way in the coming years).  Through my family’s modest roots individuals have succeeded in the fields of business, law, education, and most importantly their faith by following the blueprint left by my grandmother.

Her values of hard work, kindness, patience, perseverance, and faith in God have been echoed in my parents, aunts, uncle, cousins, and siblings.  I am no exception.   It just goes to show that having good parents will not only help a child but also help guide one’s descendants for many years to come.

Here’s a verse that I feel describes what my grandmother has followed since day one:  “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” - Proverbs 22:6

No matter what struggles have occurred in my grandmother’s life she has never allowed it to affect her trust in God.  I can only hope my grandchildren can say the same about me, but Lord willing they will.  As I finish high school, go off to college, and start my life in the outside world that’s just what I’ll do.  Follow grandma’s blueprint.

Thank you for joining me again today.  I hope you have enjoyed your time here, and I invite you to join me on Lance Pisowicz Online (www.wix.com/lancejp/online). Thanks again. God bless you and have a great week!

Three Key Elements

Today is Sunday June 3rd and this is Lance’s Weekly Walk! Today I’ll continue a series regarding the American Family and its role in developing the next generation, but first I’ve got a couple of quick announcements for you all. If you haven’t yet, be sure to follow me at: www.twitter.com/lancejponline. My Facebook page is also getting more attention as several of you have liked me there. You can find it at: www.facebook.com/lancepisowicz. Also a reminder for you to check out Lance Pisowicz Online (www.wix.com/lancejp/online). From there you can access my Facebook and Twitter page, my Youtube channel, and everything to do with my blogs. You can also fill out a prayer request there by clicking on the “Media” tab at the top of your page. One last reminder for today and it’s a special one for this summer. If you haven’t heard about the Ultimate Patriot competition and sweepstakes I encourage you to visit www.wix.com/lancejp/patriot for more details. There is a lot of great features and information about the event waiting for you there. I hope you enjoy Lance’s Weekly Walk and everything there for you at Lance Pisowicz Online. Although I did not have time to post a video for this Weekly Walk, I do have several key points I want to highlight since we took a break from this series last week to honor our heroes with a Memorial Day tribute. Today we’ll take a look at who the ideal American family is and analyze this proposal a bit more. The model American family has been portrayed throughout history in a relatively similar way. Whether one considers a mother’s role as described in the idea of Republican Motherhood or looks at the model suburban family in the 1950s, generally the same thing is portrayed. The family consists of a father who makes the living in one way or another, a mother who stays at home and maintains the household, and children who attend the local public school. While there is nothing wrong with this ideal American family, history has shown that families can come in all shapes and sizes and still be just as patriotic as a “model” family. In America today, there are more single parent homes, generally less children in each household, and millions of American women have jobs as well as their duties at home. The American family has experienced many changes in the last fifty years or so, but they don’t necessarily have to have negative outcomes. While divorce is not a desired experience, it is often present in the increasingly complicated world we live in. Fewer children are born to each family as households tend to be in suburbs as opposed to rural farms. In fact, the average number of children per married couple is just 1.96.1 With the rising costs of living and changing social landscape, millions of women have chosen to pursue opportunities outside of the home and begin working. But even with these changes, the American family has the potential to maintain its level of positive influence it has on the nation and the next generation. The keys to making a positive influence on the next generation are found in many different elements, but I would like to highlight three of the most important. Example is one of the greatest ways to be a positive influence in a young person’s life. When a teenager or adult chooses to be honest or to help someone in need, a child is then able to see exactly how it is done. Many children are visual learners and pick up best from example. Encouragement is another key element to the fight to create a better future. When a young person does something well, they should be praised and applauded for it. This is not done to make the child arrogant, but rather encourage the repetition and expansion of such positive behavior. The final element I want to recognize is the most important. Faith and trust in God to lead you as a parent or mentor is the greatest way to insure you are a positive influence. When you have a concern lift it up to the Lord in prayer and He will direct your path. Matthew 7:7 says: ”Ask, and it will be given to you seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Regardless of what your concern is, the Lord is there to help you. Remember, you are one of the most important influences a young person will have. You hold the key to a better future. Genesis 22:18 tells us: “And in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” Thank you for joining me again today. I hope you have enjoyed your time here, and I invite you to join me on Lance Pisowicz Online (www.wix.com/lancejp/online). Be sure to join me later on this week for “What’s Wrong With Washington” and next Sunday as we cover an another great topic. Thanks again. God bless you and have a great week! Sources: 1. http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ2011102215449

A Pivotal Role

Today is Sunday May 20^th  and this is Lance’s Weekly Walk!  Today we’ll begin a new series regarding the American Family and its role in developing the next generation, but first I’ve got a couple of quick announcements for you all.  If you haven’t yet, be sure to follow me at:  www.twitter.com/lancejponline.  My Facebook page is also getting more attention as several of you have liked me there.  You can find it at:  www.facebook.com/lancepisowicz.  Also a reminder for you to check out Lance Pisowicz Online (www.wix.com/lancejp/online).  From there you can access my Facebook and Twitter page, my Youtube channel, and everything to do with my blogs.  You can also fill out a prayer request there by clicking on the “Media” tab at the top of your page.  I hope you enjoy Lance’s Weekly Walk and everything there for you at Lance Pisowicz Online.

As I said today we will look into exactly what the American family’s role is in shaping the next generation.  Our objective for today is to take a look at who should be the greatest influence in a child’s life.

When one thinks of a government, often the group that gets together in Washington, D.C. comes to mind.  However, although the federal government may be our largest government, they are not the only ones making the rules.  Below them are fifty state governments each with their own authorities.  If one were to look even deeper, he would notice that there are countless county and city/town governments that make their own rules as well.  But often the most overlooked government is found right at home.  Typically, they have planned meetings, but they hold the key to America’s future.

The home government may not take in taxes or regulate international trade, but they do something all the more important.  They will determine where the United States will be ten, twenty, or fifty years down the road.

Parents have the potential to determine a child’s moral standards, values, and outlook on life.  They have an unparalleled level of control regarding how a child is taught to speak, act, and essentially think.  If a parent condones lying, cheating, and stealing, then the child in essence has a greater potential to take part in these actions than a child brought up in a morally sound home would.

Children are also taught by their parents’ actions.  If there is disrespect and marital strife in the home, then the child may struggle with the same issues when he is an adult.  On the other hand, if a child is taught to love the Lord, respect his wife and children, and be a good steward of money, he is on a better path to do so when he becomes an adult himself.

Now you may be thinking that I might be over-embellishing the role of the American family.  Well, let’s think about this.  Typically, who has the greatest level of influence in a child’s life?  Throughout the history of our nation, parents have often held that prestigious position.

Until the last fifty years or so, a child went to school, but when they came home they helped out with chores around the house/farm, ate dinner with the rest of the family, and spent the evening at home.  Although teenagers did go out with friends, they typically spent more time with their parents and siblings then teenagers do today.

But in today’s day and age, the American family is spending less and less time with one another.  Along with school, the homework schedule for kids has become more rigorous and social activities “eat up” even more family time.

In 2003, 24% of American families reported eating dinner together three or fewer times a week.¹  When they do eat together, who is to say that a television, iPod, or Kindle is not in front of them.  In fact, one out of every three families eat in front of the television.²

Obviously this has decreased the level of influence parents have in their children’s lives.  So who as a result is replacing their influence?  Now teachers, coaches, and other adults are playing a greater role in who a child becomes as an adult.³

There is nothing wrong with attending public school, playing sports, or being in another social group, but when they begin to replace parents as the key influences in the lives of children, parents have the right and the reason to take back control.

At the end of the day, they are your children and you are the person who has their best interest in mind.  What you say goes, and nobody else can tell you how to raise your kids.  God is the only person you are subject to, and He has your and their best interest in mind. 

A great solution my family has to this problem, is my dad coaches my brothers’ and my sports teams and is very involved in our lives.  My mother provides the support structure at home, and she also plays a crucial role in our social activities, such as volunteering to help as a room-parent.  Both of my parents are also involved in our church activities for AWANA, Vacation Bible School, and Youth Group.  If you are a parent, find out how you can get involved and do it!  Even if you are very busy with work, just making the time to eat a meal with your child will have a positive impact on them.

Proverbs 22:6 says:

“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” (NLT)

God has chosen you for a very important role:  to be a parent.  If you are not a parent yet or will never be, He also has an important role for you.  Be a positive influence in a young person’s life.  Help parents by reinforcing godly teachings.  Remember, you can always call upon your Heavenly Father for guidance yourself.

Thank you for joining me again today.  I hope you have enjoyed your time here, and I invite you to join me on Lance Pisowicz Online (www.wix.com/lancejp/online).  Also be sure to go to our online form if you wish to share your thoughts on this show or What’s Wrong With Washington” (www.lponline.wufoo.com/forms/z7x3k7/).  Be sure to join me later on this week for “What’s Wrong With Washington” and next Sunday as we cover an another great topic.  Thanks again. God bless you and have a great week!

Sources:

1. http://www.gallup.com/poll/10336/Empty-Seats-Fewer-Families-Eat-Together.aspx

2. http://parenting.families.com/blog/why-families-should-eat-dinner-together

3. http://www.mesacc.edu/dept/d46/psy/dev/Spring99/schoolage/family.html

Happy Mother's Day!

This week I will not be presenting our normal "Lance's Weekly Walk." Instead I wanted to take a step back to honor our mothers on this very special day. I encourage you to watch my Mothers' Day Tribute on Youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm7zP-GnXTQ.

Also, next week I will begin a series regarding Family Foundations. We will be taking a look at the elements of a strong, successful family at home and how it translates into a more successful community and nation. I hope you will join me for that. Thanks again and I hope you have a truly blessed Mothers' Day!