"When it comes to parenting, the days are long, but the years are short." I love that quote. It was said at the parenting night I was at during the weekend, but I don't know where it originated from.
Here is something that I have been thinking about: Dr. Kimmel (Of Grace Based Parenting) was talking about raising our kids to be truly great- not successful, which society seems to measure based upon wealth, beauty, power, and fame. He defined true greatness as a passionate love for Jesus Christ that shows itself in an unquenchable love and concern for others. I love that. It is a biblical principle found in Matthew 21: 26-28:
...whoever wants to become great must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Now, if my kids turn out to be beautiful, wealthy, powerful, and famous, I guess that could be a bonus, but I want them to have a passionate love for God and others more than anything. First of all, I think they need a new mother to show them how to do this! Just kidding, I am thankful that God has compassion on me and I pray that He would fill in the gaps that I have left in my children's upbringing! I am trying examine our comfortable life style and to think of practical ways to be more intentional in serving, such as cleaning up a mess that isn't yours, to volunteering time, money and hard work. I would love to hear some of your ideas on how you incorporate "seeds of greatness" into your children's hearts.
4 comments:
one of the things we do here is "give" once a month. whether it's our time or a donation, or both we choose one thing each month to be our "mission". it can be as simple as baking cookies for a neighbor to adopting a family for christmas.
my kids get an allowance. with that they have to set aside 10% for giving. they put that into our giving fund to help with whatever we choose that month.
(we don't have a regular church to tithe to, so this is how i instill it.)
they also get to help come up with different ways we can serve. i think this helps them become more aware of all the opportunities we have to bless someone else.
"true greatness as a passionate love for Jesus Christ that shows itself in an unquenchable love and concern for others."
I love this. I was thinking about how to turn my kids on to what i know and I have experienced.I was raised in a Christian home. We were in church all the time, saw my parents having devotions, went to Christian conferences, had family devotions--none of this flipped the switch for me.I wanted what I saw-but until I decided to pursue the Lord--nothing changed.
So for me it is letting my children see God in my life. The way I love Him and want to please Him. The way i serve Him because I love Him and I know He loves me. And after that it is all about talking to them about what is right and why.Not preaching. If they see it works in my life--they will want it in the end.
Here is a quote I love--Witness, and if you have to use words.
Thanks for sharing this. It is awesome to find others that love the Lord and want their kids to live for Him above all else.
Enjoyed reading about your sweet family. Look forward to reading more. :)
Jane, great thoughts here! My highest desire for my kiddos as well, and my daily prayer. My kids need a new mom, too =) But it's okay, God's into doing a new thing (in me).
Jennifer, diaryof1.com
Post a Comment