Ohhh and something else came to mind- you know that I think after leaving home the people God used most to shape and mould me into His image were and have been unbelievers. Remember the story of Jonah? I had unbelievers and people following other religions calling me homewards through their questions and own seeking for answers. So, maybe we should also pray for God to put our kids into contact with unbelievers and seekers of other faiths, to humble and heal their hearts to come to know God in beautiful new ways.
My Muslim friend has grown my faith so much with all the questions she has asked me about my faith. Truly, God is speaking through her and in the love she has shown me, not just in her questions, but just in her sweet and kind presence, she reminds me of that verse- when were You hungry, Lord, when were You thirsty...whatever You do to the least of these You do to me." And you know, she has fed me and given me cold drinks of water in my thirst- through her questions that have brought me so much healing, helping me to discern truth from lies.
This really landed. The reframe from producing perfet kids on a timeline to trusting their becoming continues beyond us is so freeing. I've caught myself in that exact trap with my nephew, trying to cram in every virtue before he grows up. The Pevensie parallel is spot on.
Oh, you are so right that praying for those who surround our kids when they leave home is so important- thank you for that. I see how each of the people I got to know after leaving home taught me something more about Christ. Each gave me a sweet gift that stretched and grew my heart and that's not over.
I so love your humility in the way you end. Repentance and humility is I think the best thing we can give our children to encourage them on their path of holiness.
Because you know, when I look back on what my own Mum taught me most about holiness that has stuck with me- it's repentance. She modeled openly confessing her weakness, her sin and in that left me a legacy to return and rest in God's grace. And that humility came in her last few months of suffering on this earth- when she walked through cancer that stripped her social filter and let everything spill out. I will forever be thankful to God for that sweet gift.
I actually think our kids can still learn so much from us after we leave home. I am not saying other mentors don't- but what my Mum taught me in those last few months, when she was 59 was the most priceless gift I have ever been given. As was her model of prayer- continually seeking God in prayer for us kids. I now do the same for my girls.
Ohhh and something else came to mind- you know that I think after leaving home the people God used most to shape and mould me into His image were and have been unbelievers. Remember the story of Jonah? I had unbelievers and people following other religions calling me homewards through their questions and own seeking for answers. So, maybe we should also pray for God to put our kids into contact with unbelievers and seekers of other faiths, to humble and heal their hearts to come to know God in beautiful new ways.
My Muslim friend has grown my faith so much with all the questions she has asked me about my faith. Truly, God is speaking through her and in the love she has shown me, not just in her questions, but just in her sweet and kind presence, she reminds me of that verse- when were You hungry, Lord, when were You thirsty...whatever You do to the least of these You do to me." And you know, she has fed me and given me cold drinks of water in my thirst- through her questions that have brought me so much healing, helping me to discern truth from lies.
This really landed. The reframe from producing perfet kids on a timeline to trusting their becoming continues beyond us is so freeing. I've caught myself in that exact trap with my nephew, trying to cram in every virtue before he grows up. The Pevensie parallel is spot on.
Oh, you are so right that praying for those who surround our kids when they leave home is so important- thank you for that. I see how each of the people I got to know after leaving home taught me something more about Christ. Each gave me a sweet gift that stretched and grew my heart and that's not over.
I so love your humility in the way you end. Repentance and humility is I think the best thing we can give our children to encourage them on their path of holiness.
Because you know, when I look back on what my own Mum taught me most about holiness that has stuck with me- it's repentance. She modeled openly confessing her weakness, her sin and in that left me a legacy to return and rest in God's grace. And that humility came in her last few months of suffering on this earth- when she walked through cancer that stripped her social filter and let everything spill out. I will forever be thankful to God for that sweet gift.
I actually think our kids can still learn so much from us after we leave home. I am not saying other mentors don't- but what my Mum taught me in those last few months, when she was 59 was the most priceless gift I have ever been given. As was her model of prayer- continually seeking God in prayer for us kids. I now do the same for my girls.