We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
about his power and his mighty wonders.
For he issued his laws to Jacob;
he gave his instructions to Israel.
He commanded our ancestors
to teach them to their children,
so the next generation might know them—
even the children not yet born—
and they in turn will teach their own children.
So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
not forgetting his glorious miracles
and obeying his commands.
Then they will not be like their ancestors—
stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful,
refusing to give their hearts to God.
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
about his power and his mighty wonders.
For he issued his laws to Jacob;
he gave his instructions to Israel.
He commanded our ancestors
to teach them to their children,
so the next generation might know them—
even the children not yet born—
and they in turn will teach their own children.
So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
not forgetting his glorious miracles
and obeying his commands.
Then they will not be like their ancestors—
stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful,
refusing to give their hearts to God.
Psalm 78: 4-8
When you are elbow deep in diapers, laundry, tuck-in and get up routines, obedience training and just getting through the day, it is difficult to maintain the proper focus as a parent. So, we buy books...lots and lots of books and take parenting bible studies, and go to MOPS to gain wisdom from other moms, and read Mommy blogs to feel like we are not alone and we scramble to gain little truths and tricks of the trade that will help us in our overwhelming task of raising perfect children. We all say that we don't want our kids to be perfect, but really what we spend most of time and energy doing is training them to be polite, obedient and not embarrass us in public. All of these are important things...especially when they are preschoolers. But, there comes a time and we have beyond entered it with our almost 9 year old when we have to stop and ask ourselves, "Who does God want this child to become and how can we create the best possible atmosphere for her to meet Jesus in our home and experience her faith now and as she grows into adulthood?" and "How can we communicate to her that she wasn't just "saved from hell" or "saved for Heaven," when she received salvation? But, she was saved FOR a life of being Jesus' hands and feet here on earth...24-7...in body and in spirit...living out the Gospel message...bringing hope to the hopeless, friendship to the lonely, food to the hungry, shelter for the homeless, healing to the broken and sick...truth to the lost and confused...
We don't want to spend the 18 years we have them at home teaching them to be nice, have good manners, maintain a good reputation, get a good education, make a lot of money and make a name for themselves.
What a waste, if that is all we do. We are called to make disciples (not robots) and that starts at home.
I have always been passionate about this topic of discipling my children, but I was headed in the wrong direction.
(The direction of good behavior and attracting people to Christ...not BEING Christ to them)
Over the past 3 years God has caused me to take a U-Turn in my thinking and this new direction is taking root more and more lately as I am being reminded by Him daily the reason for my own Salvation. I am saved FOR Him and to glorify him in all I do. My hands, feet and entire body belong to Him and if I do not use them to teach and serve others, I am slapping Him in the face.
I am reading One Million Arrows right now and it is all about Raising Your Children to Change the World. Can you tell I am inspired?
