Matthew 5:14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
I've been so behind on my blogging, but its not for lack of ideas. There have been several things God has been stirring in me but this one in particular is about not overly sheltering my kids. Now before you leave the page and think horrible things about me, hear me out.
I as a parent, like most of you, have tried very hard to protect my children. I've realized that I don't want them blind to the things of the world. I homeschool them and stay home with them to try to teaching them the values that Ry and I believe in. I want them to know why they believe what they believe. My children are getting older and need to be aware of WHY we have done all that we have to teach and protect them. The flip side of that is that we live in a world that constantly challenges what I have taught my children and I need to prep them for those challenges and some of the answers that worked in the past for Christians aren't enough anymore.
I want my children to be a light, a light that shines brightly and effectively. God has them in this world for such a time as this and I need to equip them as best as I can, and the only way to effectively and precisely train them is to be led by God's Holy Spirit. He knows what each one of them has been called to do and accomplish in this world. They will be facing things in harder times then I did growing up and I need a plan and guidance for each one of them.
Matthew 21:22 : If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
James 1:5 : If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
So Moms, as you face this great task, I encourage you to rely on the Holy Spirit and talk through situations with your kids. We can't always keep everything from our children, one of my kids heard about the Boston Bombing. I could have freaked out, or turned the radio off, or just have given a silly excuse. Instead, God told me to use it as a learning tool, she asked why someone who do that, and I kept it simple but I was honest, because those men didn't live for God. There's really no in between with God. If you are not living for Him fully you can end up in some BAD situations. I was also able to remind her that even though what those men did was horrible, God still loves them and we need to remember that. I would rather teach her about these things in my home than have someone else give them her take.
So many people dislike Christians because so many can be so hateful. God doesn't hate the bombers He hates their sin. He doesn't hate the woman who had an abortion, He doesn't hate the thief, He doesn't hate couple who is living together and aren't married; God doesn't hate. We don't wrestle against flesh and blood but principalities. I think its such an important principle to teach our kids, don't hate, don't be quick to pass judgement, and never be rude. I always want them to be able to identify sin but also to be able to see that there is a person involved and God LOVES people, so should we. If we can teach this next generation to LOVE; teach them to love God, love people, love truth and justice we can change the world.
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