Please welcome our featured blogger for the month of September,
Christina from To Show Them Jesus.
You know you’ve had a bad day when your child prays that God would give you patience. Have you been there?
My days are spent rushing from one thing to the next and trying to get my kids to keep up with me. I am irritable and short. I get frustrated by whatever slows me down. And as my son pointed out, I get impatient.
My heart’s passion is that my children would know and love Christ with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. I read to them from Scripture, explain the gospel, and help them learn about their maker.
Yet far too often, my own behavior is a deterrent and distraction. St. Francis said “Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary use words.” As a parent, if my life doesn’t show my children Christ, then everything I say and teach them is meaningless.
When I think about how God parents me, I am humbled. He is gracious, compassionate, merciful, patient and kind. He embodies everything listed in 1 Corinthians 13, the famous love chapter. When I fall, He forgives and picks me back up again.
This is who I want to be as a parent. I want to show Jesus to my children, not just teach them about him. They will see Jesus in me by the way I respond to them, through my forbearance and forgiveness. The way I prioritize and spend my time will speak volumes of my love for Christ. The more I love Him, the more it will overflow into everything I do.
I want to live out the gospel in my parenting.
As a sinner saved by grace, I will stumble as a parent. I will say things I regret, do things I wish I hadn’t, and fail to love as I should. Yet, every time I fail it’s a great opportunity to show how the gospel covers all my sin. Admitting my sin and failures to my children and showing how the gospel covers it all is a teaching lesson in and of itself. The way I appropriate the gospel for my own sin will help my children see how to do the same with theirs.
Today, may we all not only teach Jesus to our children, but show them Jesus as well.
Christina Fox is a homeschooling mom of two boys. She is a licensed counselor, Bible study teacher, writer, and blogger. She loves her coffee strong and black and her tea unsweetened. You can find her sharing her faith journey at www.toshowthemjesus.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/
Linking to:
A Wise Woman Builds her Home
Women Living Well Wednesday
Christina, I think this is something that will resonate with each of us. We’re human and we fall short. Admitting this to our kids is so important.
I pray for humility that I would admit my falleness to my kids. I’m so thankful for the Spirit’s power at work in me. Blessings to you!
Great encouragement this morning as I have been crying out to God this morning for forgiveness for this very thing…under stress failure to act like Jesus. So thankful I can approach the throne of grace for His mercy and forgiveness when I fall short. Love this quote: “A thousand times I failed, still Your mercy remains.”
I too love that quote! And cling to grace everyday. Blessings to you!
Christina~
Thank you so much for guest posting today. I too want to show my children Jesus. It’s a daily decision, and one of the most important ones we can make.
Blessings~
Shari
Thanks for the opportunity Shari!