I had a longer blog post planned for this week, but quite honestly I’m having a hard time keeping it together this week. Let’s just say the combination of three kids doing school at home all day plus the frustration of not getting to do all the things I’d like to do is draining for me.
As I looked through some photos I snapped recently of old family photos at my mom’s house, I thought about my parents. I want to share this little pep talk with you who parent (whether it’s your own kids or the ones you minister to).
My parents became Christians in the 70s. They did a puppet ministry in the summer on the Outer Banks as young Christians. Dad went to seminary and became a Baptist pastor. His first church was a small church in Cottonwood, Idaho. He later joined the Navy as a Chaplain when I was in elementary school. We moved from tiny-town Idaho to hear Los Angeles, CA, my youngest sister just a baby!
From there we endured countless transitions and challenges too many to detail here. But you know what? I watched it all. I watched them pray. I saw them make family out of friends in all our travels. My mom made us a home wherever we went. They loved people. They met needs. They persevered.
More than anything it is WHO MY PARENTS ARE, in all that human imperfection and glory, that had and has the greatest impact on me.
Not perfect family devotions or behavior charts or complex traditions or the perfect situations, churches, schools, or neighborhoods. I saw a real faith lived out–a tested faith. It’s the faith they still live out today and it’s the faith I follow myself. It’s the faith I hope my kids follow after me.
Parenting and schooling and socializing in the pandemic–all are imperfect and try our faith, but what a faith for our children to build on and follow!
I hope that encourages your heart today as it does mine.
“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” Hebrews 13:7
Grace & peace!
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This is a wonderful perspective and reminder, beautifully expressed. Thank you!
I shared your post with my adult daughter (mother of my grandsons) on her Facebook page. 🙂
You are so right, Mary Dean! Parents need to give their all to growing in their love- filled faith and obedience to God and tell the kids the why! of all they do. I’ll never forget my daughter asking me why I was always talking about God. That was a teachable moment! I also prayed that my children would not just learn facts about God, but would see God’s goodness for themselves. You are not striving for perfect children, but for adults that will be faithful.
Yes, so true Catherine! So glad to hear that this is true in your experience as well.
Great post. I will be dealing with many of these issues as well.. Philis Nowell Mensch