Glad to Have PEEPS

There’s a new ministry in town, and it’s the PEEPS Meeting at River Valley. Those that don’t know might think it’s an Easter candy support group, or just a meeting of close friends. At least I think some generation back in the 1900’s called their friends peeps, maybe?

In reality, this fellowship group is a growing collective of loving and concerned parents (PEEPS= Providing, Encouraging, Empathetic, Parental, Support). It might even be a secret hideout, or just an excuse local parents use to get away from their loving children for a much needed break. Also, any opportunity to meet together is a chance to eat together. Am I right Uncle Pastor?

RVBC is currently filling up with parents that are striving to grow closer to God through many avenues, and especially on the continuously rugged frontier that is parenting. The PEEPS Meeting allows parents an outlet for judgement free support as we are all trying to stay in God’s Will while also trying to sustain the spiritual wellness of our children (and even a healthy coexistence between both parties).

I know sometimes we say that we wish we could give our children the world, but instead we should really be striving to introduce God into their lives to help further them from the world’s temptations and struggles. The world is not something that any of us need, especially kids. Faith in Jesus needs to be at the forefront of our parent/ child relationships.

God has a plan for each of our lives that is revealed when we learn to trust and follow his lead. We cannot fulfill his will on our own, just like we cannot parent on our own. Some may try, but it will be to the detriment of the child and parent together.

We are finding through our fellowship that we parents are fighting, have fought, or will fight similar battles. It’s comforting to know that we’re not alone. PEEPS, and many other ministries at our church, are helping us learn to better cope with all of the “joys” of parenthood.

As Christians, we might first think of “spare the rod” portions of scripture, but there’s plenty of other more beneficial parenting advice in the Bible that has little to do with discipline, and more to do with patience, love, or just plain old understanding.

“And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.”
Isaiah 54:13

Hopefully, we’re not still just thinking about Easter candy. While we look ahead to Easter and what it means to us who have accepted the gift of salvation, and for what it means for those who haven’t yet.

I pray that we will find ways to better utilize RVBC’s PEEPS Meeting, and other ministries. Help us to not only be better parents going forward , but also start being better examples to those who might be unsaved in our lives, especially for our children.

*PEEPS meet the first Saturday of every month in the RVBC Fellowship Hall

RVBC Blog #2