When I was five I remember my twin and I jumping on our beds with so much joy and love for Jesus. My Mum led us to Jesus that night, many years ago. We accepted Him together and were filled with the Holy Spirit.
This experience has left a lasting impression on me and a strong desire for my kids to know Jesus all their days. There is no greater gift than to truly walk with the Lord all your days. This is the gift I want for my own children.
Becoming a Mum
I met the love of my life Bruce at 19 we were married at 23. We had our first born son at 28 years of age. Our beautiful daughter came 15 months later and our newest addition is now 10 months old. My background is in teaching, but until I had my own baby I had never held a baby. How crazy is that!
It was scary becoming a Mum, but it has been the most rewarding experience the Lord has blessed us with.
Grace for Parenting
Training our kids is not easy. It is hard work!
Kids come with personalities and wills. As parents we come with predispositions in our parenting, which can be hard to change. Parenting doesn’t come with a manual but I am so thankful when we walk with Jesus there is GRACE!
I am the first to admit to my kids, that I am not perfect and I have to eat humble pie daily and apologise for when I mess up and get it wrong. But, that’s parenting. I’m glad it’s parenting not called perfection-ing because we would all be lost!
Training Our Children for the Kingdom
Parenting as a Christian looks different to what the world offers. Parenting in the world is all about making my child happy. Parenting as a Christian is about training your child. One is focused on self the other is focused on pleasing God.
If our children are to walk in the Lord’s ways then this is our commitment to them.
We train our children in God’s ways so they do not depart from it. We are training our kids to have a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. This involves training our children’s senses. Helping our kids to remain sensitive to the things of the Spirit is guarding their senses. Their eyes, ears, taste, smell and touch need to be protected.
Our Children’s Eyes
Of all the senses, let’s focus on our children’s eyes. Never before has there been such an assault on a generation for their eyes. Everyone is wanting the attention of our kids, and this is done by appealing to their eyes. Instagram, youtube, phones, video games, netflix. Parents, are we awake to what is happening?
Jesus said… The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! – Matthew 6:22-23
Jesus is wanting to get our attention too! And He does this by telling us how important ours eyes are to the condition of our lives. What we see in the physical determines the affection of our hearts and the direction of our life. Don’t believe that this doesn’t apply to us our kids; His wisdom is timeless and here to direct us today.
How Our Children Perceive Reality Around Us
Our eyes not only see but they affect how we perceive the world. When there is light, we have a godly perception of the world. When there is darkness there is confusion and our perception is changed.
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12
Do you see why our eyes are so important? What we see determines how we perceive things and whether we walk in the light or in darkness.
Jesus is the light of the world and His desire is for us to walk in the light of life. We have an enemy that is seeking to blind us, to dull our senses to change our perception. The enemy wants to bring darkness into our lives through our eyes by what we read, what we look at, what we consume with our eyes.
Gatekeepers of Our Homes
As parents, we are the gatekeepers to our homes and we are responsible for what comes into our homes. We need to protect not only what our children will see but we need to protect how they perceive the world.
I have found the one scripture I will refer to with every decision about what my children see is Philippians 4:8
Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].
Holding the Line
There have been many situations in the life of my family where I feel my kids have missed out because of my commitment to this verse. We have said no to many cartoons, shows, games, movie dates, many sleep overs and even parties.
This stand is hard. Holding the line is hard. As a parent this is hard but my responsibility before the Lord will always come first. Doing what is right is never easy. There is a fight for my kids eyes and with the Lord’s wisdom we will raise kids who love the Lord more than anything.
Living in the Light of God’s Goodness
Can I encourage you today? Be proactive with what is being placed in front of your children’s eyes.
If you don’t know what is in front of your children’s eyes then make it your mission to find out and start to make changes. Say no when you have to – this will be uncomfortable and your kids will let you know this! But hold the line. There is blessing when you do it God’s way. Remember you may not see the fruit of your decisions for many years!
I pray daily whatever needs to be brought into the light let it be exposed.
Time and time again I have seen the Lord reveal and expose matters of the heart in my children. What has been done in secret is exposed to the light so we can deal with it and pray over situations that would seek to bring our children into darkness.
When we live in the light, we live in a place where darkness has to flee. I pray you and your family commit to living in the light of God’s amazing goodness and grace.
