They're Next
“If you don’t teach the next generation, how will they ever know?” - Unknown.
I repeat this phrase to myself often. As a mom to two little girls, I am constantly striving to teach them everything that I can. This can include but is not limited to: how to say their alphabet, how not to pick her sister’s nose, how to pray, how to ask nicely for fruit snacks, how to share with others, and the list could go on and on. The absolute most important thing that we can teach our children is how to love the Lord.
To be completely vulnerable with you all, I didn’t want to mess up such an important part of what will become the rest of their eternity. I read Joel 1:3 NIV: “Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.” As daunting as this task seemed at the beginning, since growing our faith through Champion and alongside other families doing the same, there was truly no challenge behind it. Our daughter simply copied our love for Jesus as we led by example. We would pray over each meal together. If an ambulance drove by, blaring its lights, we would ask our daughter if we should pray for those in danger. When she was not feeling well, we’d pray over her.
Don’t just tell your children there is power in the name of Jesus; show them there is power in the name of Jesus! Your children watch your every move. If you complain over small tasks that are monotonous to do, your children will take their emotional vulnerability and mimic that. If you pivot your perspective and remind yourself that those monotonous tasks are a privilege that some people pray to have, suddenly your heart gets heavier out of having empathy for others, and those tasks seem a little easier to do. I am sure there is someone who lives on the streets nearby, who only dreams of a warm bed to sleep in and a trash can full of old food they never got around to eating. A home where the gutters need a spring cleaning and where toys are scattered amongst the floors.
Do not be afraid to be vulnerable with and in front of your children. Teach them to not only love the Lord but also love those around them without judgment. Teach your children to pray not only for people they know but also for the people they don’t.
Titus 2: 8 NIV reads: “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching, show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”
The world needs more followers of Christ. Our savior gave us one main job: to bring souls back to Heaven, and one prayer could do just that. Teach your children to love the Lord.