MODEL

I often tell our team:  'You have to model everything.'

Yup.  Model sacrificial giving -- model passionate worship -- model serving enthusiastically -- model sharing your faith with others -- model doing life with people -- model prayer and fasting -- model forgiveness -- model a healthy marriage and family -- model it all.

It isn't enough to teach with your mouth -- your life is your most powerful instructor.

Paul said:  'Whatever you have learned and received and heard and seen in me  --  practice these things.'  (Philippians 4:9)

Welcome to the Big Leagues.

One of the things that often gets left out of that list - at least verbally - is to model good parenting.  What follows that statement is not a long list of 'Ten Ways To Be a Better Dad/Mom.'

It's a list of ONE that begins:  "God, make ME the man, make ME the woman, make ME the husband, make ME the wife, make ME the father, make ME the mother You want me to be so my kids learn and see the Jesus-life practically lived out."

I know a lot of you didn't grow up with Godly parents, so you had to learn Jesus later.  Your parents didn't aim you in the right direction.  But though bad parents are a fact, they aren't an excuse.

So here's an idea:  Sit down with your kids and ask them this question.  It isn't an easy question, but it's a good one:

'What is your mom or dad most passionate about?'

I know.  Frightening, right?

And if they say the lake house or your favorite hobby or football season or their own athletic career, you'll set your children on a wrong course.

If they say something like: 'Dad, you're really focused on Jesus' ... 'Mom, you're about living a life that puts God first,' then you're doing your job.

Can you even imagine them saying something like that?

And yet there are others of you who could genuinely tell your kids:  'Here's how great it's been serving Jesus these X-number of years ... '

I've missed out on extra-marital sexual pleasures.  Yeah, I haven't done that.
I've missed out on achieving great renown.  Missed out on that.
But I haven't missed out on joy and peace and hope and contentment.  I found all those in Jesus.

We're praying for you as you navigate the challenges of modeling Jesus to your children.

And be blessed.