I’ve asked you before if your children see God in you. I ask myself this question quite often. However, this book:
Let Us Highly Resolve
by David & Shirley Quine
made me realize I need to take it a step further.
In the 4th chapter of Joshua we see the Israelites building a visible reminder of the Lord’s mercy. Stones piled high in the middle of a river would make any child question what happened there, and children’s questions lead to a retelling of the stories. A retelling of the stories leads to generation after generation knowing God as a mighty, yet personal and caring God.
That’s what I want!
But, so often I keep my stories to myself.
Most of the time it is because I just don’t think to praise the Lord OUT LOUD so my children can HEAR how He has answered prayer or blessed our family. My husband and I are well aware of it all, but the children, because of the very fact they are children, often only get scraps of our conversations and therefore, don’t see and hear the full picture.
Additionally, I pray all day long for little things that God answers over and over. My children don’t know about these prayers muttered under my breath, therefore, they never hear the outcome of those prayers. But, why not?
Why not tell them how mommy prayed for this certain thing and the Lord answered her prayers in this certain way?
And while I’m at it, why not tell them the big things? Why not tell them how merciful the Lord has been to us in all things concerning Emily’s life and death? Why not tell them how God has used The Grieving Mother section of this website to help others (and how grateful I am for the opportunity to offer others hope)?
I should be leaving rocks in the river! Rocks that lead to questions that lead to stores that lead to God!
Let Us Highly Resolve convinced me that this story-telling is important. Page 82 says it all:
If we reduce Christianity to merely a code of ethics, rules to be lived by, and omit the personal walk with God, we miss the mark.
We’ve all heard Josh McDowell’s equation of
Rules – Relationship = Rebellion
Apply this to teaching the Bible to your children. Are you teaching it as a rule book? Have you missed the fact that the entire Bible–front to back–points to Christ? Our lives should reflect this same truth. Our lives should be pointing to Christ.
So, get your rocks in the water and start telling your stories!
Clara says
I realised how important this was when my children were very small, and have tried to share personal things with my children all along. It becomes a huge blessing when you see them do the same back to you, or when you see them sharing personal things with others because that is what they are used to. It really does NEED to be a part of their lives to make their relationship more real both with us as their parents, and in their relationship with God.
This post is a great reminder and encouragement – thanks Amy!
Stephanie says
I loved this challenge! Our walks with the Lord ARE to be personal so what better way to reach our childrens’ hearts than to share that personal experience!! Thanks – this was excellent!
Sandi says
I have so been feeling the need to do the same thing. It’s almost as if I think they know becasue we are together all the time but yet most of this goee on in my head not ALOUD.
We have started a a gratitude journal and prayer together during our morning bible time. Thisd has helped us to be connecting at this level more.
This a a much needed thing to talk about.
Debra Worth @ Happy To Be Home says
My husband and I have often considered writing things like this down, so that we can remember and so that we can tell our children. Unfortunately, other then sometimes in personal journals we forget to. I should bring it up again. A ‘Wow, look what God has done for us’ book would truly be wonderful.
He has done so many things…
Lena says
A well said reminder for me. To set up reminders of Gods love, Gods mercy, Gods gifts to us everyday, and teach my children to pray and sing early on.
Janis says
Aw I love your blog, this was a needed post today. I am overwhelmed with homeschooling right now having a 5 week old and havent even read the Bible to my kids since right before Jaxxon was born, I need to step it up too, but its always nice to remember that rules do NOT make our walk in Christianity, our personal relationship with Christ does. 🙂 Thanks, time to get up early for quiet time tomorrow morning…..something I havent done since delivery!
Amy says
Garin is 7 weeks..pushing 8… and I am still struggling to find routine again that includes a consistent Bible time. It will come. Until then, God is merciful to send me His word through my husband, the radio, and other venues. I try to, in turn, pass all that along to the children. Those early weeks are tough, but fleeting. 🙂