Toy Stories: Barbie — Nurturing vs. Domineering - Friday
Today’s Verse
Titus 2:3a-4
Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior… They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children. (ESV)
My favorite part of parenting has been watching our children grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. It has also been one of the hardest parts of parenting, because it was our first and primary responsibility as their parents to disciple them above everything else. And just like me, they are sinners in need of sanctification and grace.
My relationship with my daughters specifically has been such a gift as I now watch them pour into and disciple others with what they have learned about the love of Jesus, the grace of God, and the gift of the Holy Spirit in their lives. For many years, my husband and I were the primary voices speaking those truths into their lives, but we certainly can’t take all the credit.
Growing up in the church, they learned that they were a vital part of the body of Christ, and they were taught and loved by countless other people. From Kids Ministry staff and leaders who allowed them to volunteer while still in elementary school and taught them how to serve sacrificially, to Student Ministry group leaders who welcomed them into their lives and homes, showed up to their performances and games, and loved them unconditionally through their adolescent angst, to my friends who felt like bonus moms and were available day and night. They needed all these people to mother and nurture them.
And as our kids have moved away and are now part of other churches, they have older women who have taken them under their wings and continue to help shape them to look more like Jesus. You see, my kids are my kids, but they need others, and other people’s kids need me sometimes, too. This is part of the beauty of God’s people and his church, and it is not exclusive to just Southland.
You may not have physical children, but if you are a follower of Jesus, God expects you to have spiritual children. None of us is exempt from the call to teach, lead, and disciple others. There is someone that God wants you to stand beside, and God has equipped you for that role. We have so many young people in our church who need us to speak truth into their lives and show them the love of God.
APPLICATION
Check out southland.church/volunteer to see where you can step into being an active part of the church.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for the church and for allowing me to be a part of Your family. Show me what I have to offer and equip me to serve and love others.