This summer I have been blessed to be a part of the mom’s small group study at BUMC, “Enriching the Heart of Intentional Moms.” The author of this study gives us insight and perspective about God’s heart for mothers as His daughters. It is structured in a way that each week moms have an opportunity to implement and apply the truths we learn. It also gives us time to reflect on some very important and challenging questions. Our answers allow us to go to a deeper place with God, ourselves, and our kids. It is a grace-based study that is again reminding me just how much I need Christ to help me in my life and especially in parenting my child.
In one of the recent weeks, the focus was on what we can learn as moms from Mary, the mother of Jesus. The author pointed out that Mary was just 14 or 15 years old when the angel told her that she would give birth to God’s son. Mary’s response, after asking just a few questions, (see Luke 1:26-38) was “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”
Can you imagine having that response? An angel just appeared to you and said that you have been chosen to be the mother of God’s only Son! And then you say OK? The depth of faith that Mary had at that age was just amazing. We learned that in those times, the girls were taught about faith by the women relationships in their lives. This leads us to believe that Mary’s depth of faith and trust in God had very likely been nurtured, taught and shaped by her mother’s deep faith.
As I reflected on these lessons, I was struck with what an important role—a crucial role—we as parents and grandparents play in helping to shape the faith of our kids. In his book Rock-Solid KIDS
, Larry Fowler shares several scriptures that remind us of this truth.
Genesis 18:19 (NIV) –“For I have chosen (Abraham), so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD.”
Deuteronomy 4:10 (NIV) – “Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they….may teach them to their children.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 – “These words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children.”
Joshua 24:15 –“As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Psalm 78:5-6 (NIV) — “He commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them,….and they in turn would tell their children.”
I have to say that this responsibility can feel pretty overwhelming to me. But then in those moments, I am reminded that it is also a privilege as a parent to pass on our faith to our kids.
One of the questions in our homework from the moms group was “In what area of your relationship with your kids do you want to be remembered?”
This question brings many answers to mind for all of us parents I’m sure…….and as I pondered my answer I was brought back to a recent Sunday that I was visiting my hometown and the church in which I grew up. My mom was there of course – singing in the praise team at age 71! :) And so many of the people in that small hometown church who I saw that day were people who had played a part in shaping my faith journey….my past Sunday school teachers, people who had taught me in school, family friends, and church friends whom I have known all my life. It was a really great visit.
Something that I took for granted as a kid—being involved in a church and learning about God’s love—was the result of my parents (especially my mom) being intentional about passing on their faith to me. Thank you Mom and Dad!
That was my answer to the question in the homework. I want my daughter to remember me for striving to give her the opportunity to build a faith foundation… that will hopefully one day help her through no matter what life throws her way…..good times and bad.
Wow! A huge responsibility? Yes! Is it overwhelming? Yes, at times. But we don’t have to do it alone. Where we are not equipped, God will step in and help us. (And that is pretty much every minute, in my humble opinion!!) :)
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this idea and what your answer might be to that homework question, “In what area of your relationship with your kids do you want to be remembered?”
In one of the recent weeks, the focus was on what we can learn as moms from Mary, the mother of Jesus. The author pointed out that Mary was just 14 or 15 years old when the angel told her that she would give birth to God’s son. Mary’s response, after asking just a few questions, (see Luke 1:26-38) was “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”
Can you imagine having that response? An angel just appeared to you and said that you have been chosen to be the mother of God’s only Son! And then you say OK? The depth of faith that Mary had at that age was just amazing. We learned that in those times, the girls were taught about faith by the women relationships in their lives. This leads us to believe that Mary’s depth of faith and trust in God had very likely been nurtured, taught and shaped by her mother’s deep faith.
As I reflected on these lessons, I was struck with what an important role—a crucial role—we as parents and grandparents play in helping to shape the faith of our kids. In his book Rock-Solid KIDS
, Larry Fowler shares several scriptures that remind us of this truth.Genesis 18:19 (NIV) –“For I have chosen (Abraham), so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD.”
Deuteronomy 4:10 (NIV) – “Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they….may teach them to their children.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 – “These words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children.”
Joshua 24:15 –“As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Psalm 78:5-6 (NIV) — “He commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them,….and they in turn would tell their children.”
I have to say that this responsibility can feel pretty overwhelming to me. But then in those moments, I am reminded that it is also a privilege as a parent to pass on our faith to our kids.
One of the questions in our homework from the moms group was “In what area of your relationship with your kids do you want to be remembered?”
This question brings many answers to mind for all of us parents I’m sure…….and as I pondered my answer I was brought back to a recent Sunday that I was visiting my hometown and the church in which I grew up. My mom was there of course – singing in the praise team at age 71! :) And so many of the people in that small hometown church who I saw that day were people who had played a part in shaping my faith journey….my past Sunday school teachers, people who had taught me in school, family friends, and church friends whom I have known all my life. It was a really great visit.
Something that I took for granted as a kid—being involved in a church and learning about God’s love—was the result of my parents (especially my mom) being intentional about passing on their faith to me. Thank you Mom and Dad!
That was my answer to the question in the homework. I want my daughter to remember me for striving to give her the opportunity to build a faith foundation… that will hopefully one day help her through no matter what life throws her way…..good times and bad.
Wow! A huge responsibility? Yes! Is it overwhelming? Yes, at times. But we don’t have to do it alone. Where we are not equipped, God will step in and help us. (And that is pretty much every minute, in my humble opinion!!) :)
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this idea and what your answer might be to that homework question, “In what area of your relationship with your kids do you want to be remembered?”
Also, for what do you most remember your mom or dad? Do you want to be remembered for the same things, or something entirely different?
-Vicki Cromarty
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