Relationship Building Archives

Encourage Teens at Work

By Samantha Evans

My sixteen-year-old son has been working at Chick-Fil-A for several months now. He has learned a lot of valuable lessons during his time there. Some of these lessons have to do with responsibility, managing a schedule, and such. But one lesson that has made a long-lasting impact is the importance of treating people who are serving you with kindness and respect. I personally know several teens who are currently working at drive-through restaurants. I’ve known eight of these kids and their families for a long time, and they are very dear to me. All of them have shared stories with…

Parenting, Relationship BuildingEncouraging teens, Teens at work

The Days Are Long, but the Years are Short

By Samantha Evans

Yes, I still have the Christmas tree up in my family room. No, it was not my idea. Those who know me well know my Christmas decor is down by January 1st every year. I like getting it done while we’re still on break so I don’t have to worry about it once we get going with school and activities again. I’m also very practical and somewhat of a minimalist when it comes to home decor. So as much as I love Christmas, I prefer not to have a big tree in my family room (in place of my side…

Parenting, Relationship Building

What Difference Can I Make?

By Samantha Evans

I laid in bed unable to sleep. What can a stay-at-home-mom like myself do to make a difference? I wondered as I struggled to still my restless mind. I snubbed every idea that came to mind because they seemed too small and insignificant compared to the colossal crisis we are up against. I began to entertain the narrative that tricks me into believing that unless my efforts reach and impact the masses, they are not as important or meaningful as those that do. God gently corrected my wrong thinking: You can make a difference in your circle of influence. Do what…

Parenting, Relationship Building

Family Meetings – Tips and Benefits

By Samantha Evans

When I announced to my teens I wanted to start having family meetings, I could see the look of dread on their faces. I don’t blame them. The fact is the few family meetings we had in the past were always to address some kind of family issue, so the agenda involved a lecture, correction, and a consequence. For this family meeting, however, I wanted to focus on unity, appreciation, and goal setting. I made sure to let them know that this meeting was going to be different, and that there would be a reward if they showed up with…

Parenting, Personal Development, Relationship Building

5 Tips to Set Your Husband Up for Success this Christmas

By Samantha Evans

I don’t know about you but if I don’t keep myself in check I can very easily fantasize about the perfect Hallmark Christmas, and I seem to forget that every guy in those movies is an actor following a script that was probably written by a woman. Neither one of those men had to personally come up with thoughtful gift ideas, go shopping, wrap presents, or create the dreamy ambiance for their Christmas extravaganza. No, they had the movie art directors and the prop team to thank for that. So keep that in mind and give your man a break!…

Marriage, Relationship Building

Releasing Your Teen’s Hand

By Samantha Evans

I was praying for my teens one morning asking God to protect them and to do His will for their lives, when I had a vision of myself walking with my two teens as we held hands, then I suddenly let go of their hands to grab God's. It was a powerful image in which God communicated to me that as long as I'm holding their hands, my hands are not free to hold His. And He reminded me how much more important it is that I hold His hand than my children's hands through my parenting journey. Then I…

Parenting, Relationship BuildingGod's Will, Parenting, Prayer

At His Table

By Samantha Evans

I was setting the table for dinner the other day (something I hadn’t done in a very long time), and my heart began to stir-up with excitement about intentionally preparing to share a meal with my family. Then out of nowhere, I started wondering if they were as excited to have an ordinary family dinner as I was. I think the bottom line is that I was wondering if they would even notice and appreciate my effort and excitement to spend time with them. Just as I was having that realization, I felt God smiling on me and telling me,…

Parenting, Relationship Building, Spiritual GrowthGod's table, Time with God

When Your Teens and Pre-Teens Question Their Faith

By Samantha Evans

My family and I recently attended an apologetics conference for High School students with both of my teens, and one of the topics discussed was the fact that teens will at times doubt their faith and question why they believe what they believe. I became a Christian when I was 15 years old, and my husband became a Christian in college. I had child-like faith and I never really questioned the validity of the Bible or the Gospel before I became a Christian. My husband, on the other hand, used to attend Bible studies in college as an antagonist. He…

Parenting, Relationship Building, Spiritual Growth

Time Management for Teens

By Samantha Evans

How would your teens school experience be different this year if they learned a few time-management skills? How many stressful moments could be avoided in your family dynamics if your teens consistently completed their assignments on time, and if they were adequately prepared for soccer practice, gymnastics, or piano class every time they need to head out the door? (Especially if you are still driving them!) Sit with that thought for a moment. Wouldn’t that be amazing? I’m always trying to teach my teens skills that will set them up for success and make their lives easier. Time management is…

Parenting, Relationship Building

Do Your Teens Have Mentors?

By Samantha Evans

As a mother of two teenagers, I see my kids and their friends and often think to myself, how can I share with them the important things I’ve learned that I wish I would have known when I was their age? How can I communicate to them the importance of the decisions they make now, and how these will impact their future? If I could only give them one piece of advice, what would it be? There are a lot of things I want to share with them, but one that stands out is the importance of finding mentors. The…

Parenting, Personal Development, Relationship Building