Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Good morning, Girlfriends! I wanted to let you know that I hesitated somewhat on posting this specific devotional today simply because it has to do with parenting. I know that there are women without children and women with grown children for whom this will not have as much meaning as it will for those of us still raising children at home. However, we each have opportunities to impact the life of a child, no matter who we are. We each have children with whom our lives intersect. And at this special time of year, it is the perfect time to stop and take a minute to reflect on our responsibility in the lives of these children. Children were special to Jesus; they should be to us to.

Thank you for sharing these few moments with me this morning. I really appreciate you.

Becky


A PARENT’S GREATEST PRIVILEGE

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” (Deut. 6:5-7, NASB)

Sometimes as a parent it is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day bustle of life that we forget what is really important. There are clothes to be washed and errands to run and kids to referee and meals to be cooked and cleaning to be done. And in the midst of that busyness we sometimes put aside what matters most in raising our children.

When my oldest son was not quite two years old, he was learning about Jesus and Heaven. I would often ask him, “Where is Jesus?”, and he would lift his little forefinger and point up toward the ceiling or the sky.

My son loved our little game. Even at such a young age he was already quite a thinker. He had apparently been pondering all of this information about Jesus and Heaven when one day he came over to me and asked to be lifted up. Once in my arms, he pointed heavenward and said in his little toddler way, “Help see Jesus.”

Tears instantly sprang into my eyes. I knew he had no way of comprehending the true meaning behind his words. I also knew that God had used that little child to remind me of the most important aspect of parenting.

I know that there is no job more important than pointing my children to Jesus. I just need to do a better job of making that a daily priority. The things I do, the things I say, the choices I make should all point to Him. It’s quite a responsibility. After all, it’s unnerving to think that there are impressionable lives watching every decision you make. But it is also a great privilege.

Perhaps you don’t have children of your own, but you do have children you come in contact with on a regular basis: nieces and nephews, children of friends, neighborhood kids, a Sunday School class. God grants you that same privilege (and responsibility) to be an example in their lives.

Think of one tangible thing you can do today to point a child toward Christ. Is it teaching them a memory verse? Showing them what it means to help the less-fortunate in Jesus’ name? Praying with them? Showing them kindness and love? Whatever you do, do it purposefully.