I’ve been the mother in the grocery store with the screaming baby, just trying to finish and get home with a shred of dignity, or is it sanity?I’ve since seen mothers in the store with little ones who are past the point of no return and I wonder at the varied responses I see to the cries. Sometimes I’m awed by the patience of a momma but more often than not, I’m shocked, slightly embarrassed for the momma, and sad for the baby.
Rather than get on a soapbox, let’s take a look at how I came to make this observation. I am certainly a product of my own upbringing, but more importantly, I am the temple of the Holy Spirit who lives in me, (I Corinthians 6:19) and I have the mind of Christ. (I Corinthians 2:16)
I was raised by God-fearing parents and grandparents. Until I was a parent, I usually didn’t appreciate the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord as I do now. (Ephesians 6:4) I began walking in faith, trusting Jesus as my personal Savior and Lord over my entire life when I was ten years old. Living out my faith has been a constant journey since my public profession of faith 42 years ago.
God’s Spirit in me uses the Word of God to open my eyes to areas in my life, be it thoughts patterns, gut-level responses, or ingrained habits, that I have failed to submit to the Lordship of Christ. Each time, I must choose to surrender that area of my life in obedience to Christ or I will continue to walk out of sync with my Creator and His perfect plan. At first, I was ignorant of much of God’s Word and His way, as I was to parenting a needy little person. I learned from experience and from the example of others.
My grandmother was my first babysitter and also my first Sunday school teacher. She was a first generation believer, as her own parents met the Lord and began walking in obedience to Him only after she was married with children. She and my mother are the primary role models in my life. Of course, the Lord provided others whose influence marked me, but no one more profoundly than these two.
“These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands.
Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.
Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized.
Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.
For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.
And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures.
We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.”
Titus 2:4-5, 8, 11-14 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/tit.2.4-14.NLT
I remember telling my children that my rules did not originate with me, but they were God‘s rules for us all. I believe that I will be held accountable for my own obedience to all of God’s Word and that my willingness to submit to the authority of Christ is a reflection of my trust in Him. As a young mother, I did this imperfectly but my aim has always been to lead by example. Jesus taught this way and through stories.
Now that all of my children are married and two have children of their own, I seek to serve them in this same way. The apostle Paul instructed the Corinthian Christians to “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ,” just after reminding them to “do all for the glory of God, not just what was best for themselves but what was best for others so that many may be saved.” (I Corinthians 10:31-11:1 NKJV)
So tonight before I proofed and posted this blog, I helped my daughter get her one year old ready for bed after she drove me to pick up my granddaughter, who’s spending the night while her daddy prepares for a medical test tomorrow. We do life together and we learn from one another every single day. I am grateful for my family, and I tell God so many times a day, but I know that not everyone has the spiritual heritage I can claim.
“Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe.
They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News.
They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves.
We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake.
For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.
This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.”
2 Corinthians 4:4-7 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.4.7.NLT
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for my family, both my biological one and the spiritual one I share in Christ.
The next generation needs to see us trusting You and walking in obedience to Your Word.
And Lord, for those who do not know You as I do, put a new spirit within them.
Take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, so they will obey Your decrees and regulations.
Then they will truly be Your people, and You will be their God.”
Ezekiel 11:19-20 NLT
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