The Princess's new cast iron dutch oven! I guess I should have wiped the slop off of the middle of the stove! I have wiped it up now, but don't feel the need to take another picture!!I have been reading in 1Chronicles the last few days. Chapter 22 talks about David telling his son, Solomon, to build a temple for God. David wanted to build the temple but God told him no and listed several reasons, you can read this for yourself. God also told David that his son would be the temple builder.
David was thinking, "My son Solomon is too young to plan ahead for this. But the sanctuary that is to be built for God has to be the greatest, the talk of all the nations; so I'll get the construction materials together." That's why David prepared this huge stockpile of building materials before he died. Then he called in Solomon his son and commanded him to build a sanctuary for the God of Israel. 2Chronicles 22:5-6 The Message
I thought that was neat how David was preparing and helping his son do the Lord's work. He was equipping him to succeed. Am I preparing my son and daughter to do the Lord's work? Am I teaching them how to do the Lord's work? When I leave my earthly home, will I have done all I can to set them up to serve the Lord? More questions than answers. I have not looked into this passage enough to know if Solomon is an adult here, but I am assuming that he is a young adult. If I am correct in this assumption, that also means I should still be teaching my children how to serve the Lord when they are adults, I don't get to quit when they hit eighteen. Many things we are no longer responsible for when our children turn eighteen, but teaching them about God and setting a Godly example for them does not end until the day we as parents leave our earthly dwelling. Back to the questions, how do I prepare, teach and equip them to carry on the Lord's work? Some answers came to me immediately, I have asked God to teach me other answers that I have not even thought about.
The first answer that came to me was setting a Godly example. It will be pretty tough for them to live for Christ on a day to day basis if they never see it! Let them see me spending time in the Word, in prayer, going to church because I want to - not because I feel I have to, serving others with a grateful heart. Other things that came to mind were getting Princess and Trucker to as many Bible studies, youth events and church activities as they want to attend. Encourage them to work for the Lord now through youth group events or serving others even if it has nothing to do with the church or youth group.
What are your thoughts and ideas? Do you have specific ideas and ways that you are preparing your children (adults and younger children) to continue serving the Lord after you have left your earthly home?
You are right, Candy (shock, huh?), you are never done teaching your children. The odd thing is as you get older and older and maybe crabbier and shorter tempered, etc. you still are teaching your kids - but by bad example. Trust me, it works. Mom has been gone too long now and she still teaches me. I remember both the good things she did and try to be like her then and I remember the things she did that I did not like and I try to remember not to do those things. My round about point here is that I'm still learning and using things she taught me ages ago. Your kids learn things from you that you never tried to teach them, good and bad. It's scary! I think my mom did a fairly good job, I hope I did too, and I know you're doing a great job!! Don't panic, your kids are great. You're planting good seeds.
ReplyDeleteGood points, Mom. Thanks!
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