By Sean Egmon

I have to admit, when I first heard Confirmation was changing, I thought “well it’s probably good to try to do things a little different and maybe a little better”. Having had the anxiety once already as my oldest child went through confirmation, I had watched and talked with her throughout the process. I knew she had fun. I knew she formed deeper relationships with some other kids in the St. Luke community. I know she learned about Jesus and was ready to give her life to Him. She wanted to do it, she liked it and she learned!

When I heard that our whole family was being asked to commit to the new process and we all had to be there each week for several months, the anxiety was higher than ever. I knew I had to convince not one, but three kids that they couldn’t do dance, karate or other activities on Wednesday nights for the entire school year. In addition to that, I have to commit to being there (I never know when I’ll get out of work or when I’ll be traveling).

Making the commitment isn’t easy but I tried to evaluate the process as it relates to our family.

This process is intentional and will help affirm my daughter’s faith and help us all grow. Instead of being something she does outside the family that we hear about, it’s something we will experience together.

I also see how this can help me fight the battle of leading the family in those daily devotions that are not at a level that we would like. Building momentum to do evening devotions is a real struggle in our house. We start trying to do something at dinner, then we struggle to have dinner as a family then we lose momentum. We’ve allowed our life with kids to get too busy. I’d do it differently if I knew then what I know now….

Instead of being something she does outside the family that we hear about, it’s something we will experience together.

While your faith journey is personal, your family should be the primary supporters of your faith. We are going to see, hear, learn and experience this together as a family and I can’t think of a better way to move from telling my children what I want them to learn too building a bridge to lifelong discussions about faith and what we’ve all learned.

Setting this as a priority may not be popular but it sends a message about what’s really important. I often find myself considering where I draw the line and how I set priorities. This one seems easier to me. God, faith, family and relationships…

I can’t think of a better way to move from telling my children what I want them to learn too building a bridge to lifelong discussions about faith and what we’ve all learned.

I’ve come to the point that I’m really looking forward to doing this process. To get more time together as a family and to build our knowledge and relationship with God and each other is just the push my family and I need. The added benefit of really getting to know other families and supporting each other throughout this process as well as into the future will change our St Luke community.