Faith That Lasts

If you are anything like me, your children are the most important people in your life, along with your spouse and God, of course!   I know I think daily about how I am doing as a parent, wonder what I am not doing that I should be doing, praying I am giving my children the love, guidance, support and discipline that they need to grow up to be independent, hard-working, unselfish, compassionate, giving adults. 

We have been attending a Sunday School class for the last several months.  The last few weeks have been about "Raising your child with a Faith that Lasts".  It has been interesting and thought provoking.  Some of the statistics that we hear are unbelievable to me.  It saddens me to hear that up to 70% of children raised in Christian homes, that attend church regularly, will eventually leave the church or worse yet, not have a relationship with God.

Today, the presenter asked a great question. "Where do you see your children when they are 30?"  Essentially asking, what are your hopes and dreams for your children...what will make you feel successful in raising them?  He talked about most people answering that question with a having been successful at sports, having completed college, making a good career choice, being married, having money, etc.  What he brought up was not many people answer that they hope their child have a relationship with God, attend church regularly, have faith and peace in their lives that can only come from a relationship with God. 

It really made me think.  What do I want for my children...more importantly, what do I show them is important to me by my daily actions?  And am I raising them so that they CHOOSE for themselves to be a man or woman of God.  Asking those questions can be difficult.  And answering those questions honestly, can be even more difficult.

I often wonder...
Does what I say is important to me coincide with what I show them is important to me?

If I were to ask them who I love, what would their answer be?  Would God even be mentioned?

Do I treat others, how I ask them to treat others?

Do I treat my own children with the kindness and love that I use when helping others?

Does what happens in our home on a daily basis support what I am preaching to them?

Think about it...if we are teaching them that relationships matter, that being a good person is the most important thing, that loving God and following his commandments is our top priority...then why do we spend more time making sure they get to a sports practice, take time to make sure we DVR American Idol, make sure we have the latest music downloaded, make sure we respond to every call and text that we get at all hours of the day, but...

Do we make sure they see us reading the Bible?

Do we make time to discuss their feelings? 

Do we make time to pray for them or with them?

Do we take to ask them what is important to them?

Do we make sure they know we love God?

Do they see us helping others?

Do they KNOW we love them...just the way they are?

Do they KNOW that they do not have to be the best at basketball, at baseball, at piano, or in school in order to have our love and support...that we are proud of them and love no matter what?

Do they KNOW that GOD LOVES and FORGIVES them?


Just something I have been thinking about all day and felt it was too important not to share!

If we want to see change in society and in the world, we have to start at home.  We have to get our priorities in order.  We have to love and support those living in our home.  We have to take the time to teach them and be good role models for them.  We have to lead by example...through faith, prayer, kindness, love and through our own relationship God.

I know I have a lot to work on!  When I think about how my relationship with God has grown in the last few years and think about the peace I have now and the faith in Him that I rely on now, I can't imagine not wanting that for them!  And the sooner that can happen for them, the better off they will be!

Friday morning, Abbie was concerned about the weather.  On the way to school, she said, "Mom, I was really worried about the storms and tornadoes, but I just said a prayer and it made me feel so much better!  That's what I am going to do all day today if I get scared!"  It really touched me!  I am so proud and relieved that she knows she can go to Him in prayer when she is happy, sad, scared, unsure or lonely!  I wish that for each and every one of us!  Our lives could be so much better, if we could just take that leap of faith and trust in Him alone!  If we could just live how He has asked us to live. 
I know none of us will ever be perfect.  We will all make mistakes.  We will look back and wish we would have done things differently.  I already do that! 

But I do know, we will be much better parents if we begin with the end in mind!!!

So, I am asking myself and I will ask you...
Where do you hope to see your children when they are 30? 
And what are you doing to help them to get there?