But what about the days in between? Herein lies the journey of sanctification - where I search the scriptures, pray, and try my best to pursue His perfect will in my life. This is where my witness is pieced together, for better or worse, as I live my life under the watchful eyes of my children, trying to show them Christ's love through my actions. My prayer is that what they see and hear will make them long for their own relationship with Christ, and that when the time comes, my children will recognize that the unconditional love, forgiveness, discipline, peace, and grace that God offers them are not altogether foreign.
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"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." (Ephesians 5:2)
<3 this!! I think it's so important to have a vision for being parents. When I was starting up my at home preschool I had that moment where I thought, "hmmm...what do I WANT to give these kids?" And that's when I thought of the parable of the sower (Mark 4:1-8). I got stuck on verse 8 "Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” Without boring you with lengthy details, that soil is what I pray that I'm providing for my little one and the other children coming to school here. Thanks for reminding me today of my own mission...parenting is a ministry, for sure!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful verse for the foundation for your school! I love it, and I've never thought it all the way through before. To be "good soil" it must already be full of water and great nutrients so that when the seed falls, the roots will be drawn out into the soil. Only when the root system is anchored will the plant be able to grow and thrive. Because we are sinners, the soil of our hearts doesn't naturally contain all the good stuff - we must add it and nurture it, so that when the time comes, the soil will be ready to receive and nourish the seed! What a great visual for our children! Thank you for helping me see it this way!
DeleteThank you for posting! I ask myself this, too. I try to show authenticity during prayer and mostly in day-to-day life... man, there are some moments I'd love to erase. But then again, being transparent and surrendered is where I find my peace. And I pray that my kids see the difference the hope we have in our Savior brings. :)
ReplyDelete- Jen House
I completely understand! There are so many moments when I am not a good example to my children. But when I have the goal clearly set in my mind, and I've been meditating on it, I see my mistakes for what they are and at least I'm able to correct them quickly! Those moments, when we let our children in, are going to teach them so much about imperfection and repentance. They need to see us act out our faith - they need to see us NEED our Savior!
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