Dear Moms and Dads,
Do you remember when your kids were young, or maybe you have young ones at home right now, and maybe you have lots of them. Can you believe how many questions they ask? “What are we having for lunch? What time is it? What are we doing next? Can I go to my friend’s house? Do I have to take a bath? Do I have to brush my teeth? Do I have to take a nap? Are we there yet?”
Well, take heart Moms and Dads. You are on the mission field. I often think about the fact that we are our children’s first examples of God. How they see us is very likely the way they first envision their Heavenly Father. So, realize that when you are answering those endless, often frustrating, repetitive questions, you are establishing your children’s relationship with God. You are showing His love, His patience, His wisdom, His understanding, His interest in their lives. You are also letting your child know that he or she can trust you and come to you, that you care and understand, that you have compassion and concern. Then, when the question becomes, “Who is God, and why do I need Him?” your child knows He can trust you, and he or she is more receptive to your wisdom.
So, those myriad of often seemingly pointless question and answer sessions, become your platform for a foundation of trust and communication between you and your child. I know this probably seems to many to be a really simple point I am making, but it is so important, and I want you to realize the importance of the job you are doing. Never take it lightly. God doesn’t. He gave you your specific children for a reason. You are equipping future soul-winners, apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers, preachers, witnesses for Jesus, and so on. You are a minister of the Gospel. You are the head of your child’s first church, the family. Every answered question, every miniscule task, every repetitive routine that makes you want to pull out your hair is building a foundation when you do it as an offering unto
God for those He has entrusted to you. You are valuable, and everything you are doing is bridging your little ones’ hearts to God. Scripture tells us that what you have done for the least of these, you have done unto Christ (Mt. 25:40).
Remember, when you are faithful in the small things, God is pleased. He will give you much over which to be faithful (Lk. 19L16-17). Realize this is actually no small thing. Your seeds are planted for all of eternity, and the seed of the Word, which you plant in each child, becomes the Life of God not only to that child, but to all those whom that child touches throughout his or her life. So, be blessed; be strong; know that you are doing a mighty work for the Lord when you demonstrate His patience, His peace, His joy, His wisdom to your children (of any age). You are mighty in the land, and so shall your children be (Ps. 112:1-2; read the entire Psalm).
Keep bridging their hearts to Jesus,
Pastor Lisa Marie
If you have never made Jesus the Lord of your life and desire to, pray this: Dear God, I believe that Jesus is your Son, that He died on the cross for me and was resurrected for my redemption. I choose to make Jesus the Lord of my life. I thank you for forgiving me and for filling me with Your Holy Spirit. I thank You that I am Your child, that You are my Father, and that You have great things planned for me. Amen.