Being a Parent is a High Call
As Advent season approaches, we will look at the Parents of the Christmas Story and how God works in their lives: Elizabeth, Zechariah, Mary, and Joseph.
Being a parent is hard work. Be encouraged, your work matters. The work you are doing is eternal work.
Author John Mark Comer writes in his book Garden City,
Do you see your work as an essential part of your discipleship to Jesus and as the primary way that you join him in his work of renewal?
If not, you should.
Learning how to become a really good mom or dad to your children and a really good disciple of Jesus are the exact same thing.
We Are Writing on Human Hearts
Paul writes to his readers, those he is vested in:
You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 2 Corinthians 3:2-3
When you write a letter on paper, you reach the end of what you have to say, sign your name, seal the envelope, and put it in the mailbox. Done!
Not so with writing on human hearts. Investing into the lives of our children is an ongoing process filled with intricacies of each individual human heart.
Do you Feel Inadequate?
Well, you are (inadequate that is) and so am I! We are all inadequate in ourselves.
Discipling our children is a serious calling and should be taken seriously, but keep in mind we are human beings who cannot do the work of the Holy Spirit. Our adequacy comes from God.
Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:4-6
Our discipleship should be life giving. (See Equipped to Lead for the Single Parent Part 6 to learn how our parenting should be encouraging and life giving.)
God Gave You Your Specific Children
Dear reader, God has given you your specific child for a reason.
You, in partnership with the work of the Holy Spirit, are called to disciple your child. Consider the two quotes below written in response to 2 Corinthians 3:4-6.
Some people refuse to be used by God because they think of themselves as “not ready,” but in a sense, we are never ready or worthy. If we were, the sufficiency would be in ourselves and not from God. (David Guzik)
Our sufficiency is of God; let us practically enjoy this truth. We are poor, leaking vessels, and the only way for us to keep full is to put our pitcher under the perpetual flow of boundless grace. Then, despite its leakage, the cup will always be full to the brim. (Spurgeon)
Advent Season
The Hebrew word “Yadah” means “to know intimately, through deep experience”. It is how the Jewish people read and interpret the Bible. Let’s use that concept to put ourselves in the stories of these biblical parents who are so human just like us.
My guess is they often did not feel adequate either. Let’s observe together how they responded to God’s call as parents.
It is not too soon to start thinking about how to prepare your child’s heart for Christmas. Fellow writer, Cara Ray, has a free download with 24 Advent devotionals.
If your children are in their teens, you may desire to check out Tina the Storyteller’s website Advent the Second Half.
Explore more holiday links below.
