Building up our children in Christ

Proverbs 20:11(NLT) ¹¹ Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.

I think sometimes we may take our children for granted; that they will just always be here tomorrow or will greet us at the door when we come home from work.  Sometimes we don’t encourage them like we should or speak enough life into them, but instead unknowingly break them down.  Too often we neglect to teach them what God sees in them and wants for them so they end up straying too far away.  Now by no means am I labeling us as bad parents, but just like with anything in life, sometimes we forget that they are blessing from the Lord and we have an obligation to teach them His ways.  Blessings, which truly could be taken away at any given moment. 

My goal is not to get us down on ourselves and think we’re doing this and that wrong because the simple fact of the matter is we do make mistakes…and always will, but instead to help make us all aware.  One thing God knew, when He blessed us with our beautiful children, is that we would hit some bumps and hiccups along the way.  But, with that, He has also shown us that He is always there to help guide the way. 

Over this past weekend, in the Jesus Journals that I made up for the kids, I asked them to tell me a bit about themselves…what they liked and disliked, what they were good at and not so good at..etc.  Some of the answers made me smile and laugh out loud, while others made me wonder and even some made me a bit sad.  All of which, I will say, helped me to better understand my children and how they see and know themselves. 

My son, Keondre’, still gets upset about not seeing enough of his brother.  McKenzie doesn’t like when she can’t bring her composition notebook everywhere she goes because she may have a writing idea and need to write it down.  My oldest, Sade’, is growing more confidant in what she sees when she looks in the mirror.   These things, along with many more, are helping me to see where my children’s thoughts about themselves and ideas are and also what I need to be diligent in prayer about for them too.

Exodus 18:20 (NLT) ²⁰ Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives 

One of my most cherished gifts from God are my children and I realize that sometimes I do fail them.  However, my prayer is that more often than not I am there for them; teaching them not only right from wrong, but also how to live an encouraging and productive life.  I am learning one way to teach them this is to build them up…and I’m not just talking about the nice words of “you’re beautiful”, “you’re so smart” and “you did such a great job” either.  The type of building up I’m referring to is in Christ.  We need to teach them who they are in Christ. To show them that He loves them, is always there for them even when we sometimes fail them and how important it is to live for Him.

2 Timothy 3:14-15 (NLT) ¹⁴ But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. ¹⁵ You have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

Because I want my children to know how important they are and how much they mean to God, I wrote a letter back to them telling them what I see when I look at them.  I told them how talented they are and how much I appreciate their help. I told them how much love is in their hugs and how their smiles are infectious and heartwarming.  I also told them how good they were at the things they love to do, but most importantly, I made it very clear just how precious and loved they are simply because God loves them. 

This is a small part of what I wrote and you can use it with your babies too…

…you’re a child of the Most High God, a prince/princess in His royal family who is loved and cherished by family and friends, but most importantly by God.  He loves you better than anyone else ever could.  He has placed special gifts inside you that He will teach you how to use and develop throughout your life.  Gifts that will not only be a blessing to you, but to those you come in contact with.  He is going to use you to help build up His Kingdom…

We may not be profound writers or have the gift of putting words together like some of the authors we read from, but we all love our children enough to say something.  My prayer for us today is that we will begin to and continue to build up our children.  Telling them what wonderful blessing from God they really are and that they have special gifts to offer and most importantly how truly loved they really are.