You know what’s hard?
Being Christlike.
You know what’s even harder? Teaching your children how to be Christlike when you are struggling to get it right yourself.
Not an easy feat.
It’s easy to teach our kids about God when they are in preschool and want to learn about Jesus.
It’s a whole ‘nother story when they are older, their eyes are on you and they are questioning if this Jesus dude is real.
Unfortunately, our kids have the front row seat to all of our failures. But, if we invite them along on our journey of faith they will see our victories as well.
I’m sure Adam did not want to explain to his kids he jacked up the whole paradise thing for us all because of his passivity.
And I can about guarantee David did not want to have that talk with Solomon about his lust issues.
And I’m about 150% positive if Peter would have had children he would not want to tell them he denied the Son of God three times.
The Lord could have left out all the mistakes his kids made, but I’m so glad He didn’t. We can relate more with their weaknesses and it makes their victories that much cooler.
As I learn about sharing my faith with my kids I’m realizing– our kids don’t need us to act perfect or super holy, but they do need us to be open and transparent.
How in the world are they going to know God transforms us from the inside out if we don’t share with them the things He’s healed in us or is delivering us from?
My kids know I can be a miss bossy pants know it all, but they also know He is refining this in me. Slowly. (wink).
Here’s the thing–our kids see us doing a lot of religious activity.
We go to church. We blare the Jesus music in the car. We go all out and get dressed up on Christmas and Easter.
But here’s the deal. There’s a big difference between religious activity and a relationship with Christ.
If our kids aren’t seeing Christ transform our lives and all they see is religion, they aren’t buying it.
Period.
The truth is Jesus came to set us free, not just take us to church.
So if we want our kids to really know Him, what He’s about, who He came for, and what He can do then we need to be honest with our kids and vulnerable.
I’m not saying we have to share every sin or struggle, we need to have discernment and the Holy Spirit will tell us when and what to share.
But our kids need to know God’s strength is made perfect in our weaknesses, more than they need our lectures.
So be open with your kids. Share what God is doing in your heart and life. Talk about the answers to your prayers. Tell them about what He is teaching in you.
Shout it from the rooftops when He rocks your world or gets in your business about unforgiveness.
Don’t lie, we all struggle with it. And if you say you don’t, then you need to talk to them about your lying problem 😉
If you are new in this faith journey and have never opened a bible with your kids or prayed with them, but the Holy Spirit is prompting you, let me be honest: You are going to be uncomfortable. It’s gonna feel weird. You are probably going to start sweating in all kinds of strange places.
Lean in and listen close: BE BRAVE.
Your kids need to see you fumbling around in the dark in your faith and feeling like an idiot for Christ so that when they go to step out of the boat and do the same, they will remember that’s when mom and dad walked on water.
(I can see you smiling.)
To the Moms and Dads reading this:
As our kids look back on our faith they are going to remember us failing and falling– but, let it be said they saw us get back up and run our race.
They may remember us stumbling over our words in prayer without a touch of eloquence—but, let it be said they saw us bend a knee and bow our heads to our King.
Our children may have witnessed our temptations, failures, and addictions–but, let it be said they came to know our Deliverer.
They may recall moments it seemed the enemy had won from knocking us flat on our faces–LET IT BE SAID: they saw us rise up swinging, kicking him in the teeth as the Lion of Judah sent him straight back to hell.
They may say there seemed to be times their parents had forgotten God and had forsaken their First Love-–let it be said they saw us turn back and run straight into the arms of grace waiting there.
Friends–we got this.
We have the power of the resurrected King living inside each of us.
May our kids remember mamas and daddies that didn’t just pass down their faith. There is not going to be anything pass-ive about it.
May they remember mamas and daddies who fought, prayed, risked, acted like fools, and had their lives turned upside down and inside out.
All because of a man who once was a carpenter but, became a King and our Risen Savior and rescued us all.
*Friends if any of you felt discouraged because your kids are older now and you regret not sharing your faith with them please, please, please hear my heart: It is never too late to pass down our faith to our children and leave a legacy. God can do more in our lives in a day than we could ever do in a lifetime!
THIS is AWESOME!
So beautifully written. Thank you.
He used you to answer a prayer tonight.
Thank you Dawn! So glad it blessed you. Amen to answers to prayer! 🙂