Having children is a huge assignment and responsibility. Unfortunately, many take the job lightly and don’t realize the impact that God is allowing them to make by raising children. Children are more than an heir to our belongings or a continuation of our legacy. They are our disciples that we have been assigned to in order to impact the world.
I never would have imagined that I would be a parent of so many children. In our culture it is frowned upon and stay at home moms often lack the respect and honor that is deserved. I know many moms have to work and that is honorable as well, but there is a stigmatism of low worth that is placed on a woman who isn’t in the world pursuing a career goal. Believe me, I worked full time up until almost 2 years ago, and it was often easier working then staying home with a baby and 2 toddlers. Not to mention the older ones coming home hungry from school with homework and an “I want list” longer than I want to think about.
Just think, if believers had as many children as nonbelievers, we would be raising the opportunity for reformation to take place and an advancement of the Kingdom of God to overturn the wickedness that is now considered normal. I realize that everyone is not called to children, but we must give this area to God and surrender our will for His. Sometimes we decide what we want before we let Him have a say.
When I was pregnant with my last child, I was complaining to God about being tired, my age, and the gender of my baby (I was having a girl and I know I’m supposed to have another boy). I was in worship and I saw an image of Jesus being crucified. I saw all of my sin placed on Him as He hung there brutally tortured. I heard Him say “I did this for you, and you can’t endure the children that I’ve called you to have?” I in no way felt condemned, but the conviction of God to be obedient to my assignment. Everything that I desire to do is for Him anyway. So who am I to say that have Kingdom kids is less significant than pursuing a ministry or starting some organization. I am called to make disciples. What better disciple could there be than my children who see me and know me on every level.
Matthew 28:18-20(NKJV)
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore[a] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.[
We have to do more than just parent our children. We have to disciple them. God trusts us to raise them according to His will. He expects us to activate their gifts and nurture their callings. We are to teach them, correct them, encourage them, and send them out. Everything they learn is rooted in what we teach them at the foundation. We shape their perspective and teach them boundaries. We build their faith and point them in the direction of Jesus.
Luke 6:40
A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.
If we train them properly, they will look like us. Hopefully we look like Jesus! This is not to say they are our clones. They will have their own assignments and gifts, but their character and integrity will mirror ours.
This is not to say things won’t happen and they will never mess up, but with the proper guidance, they will know Who to turn to. They will know Who their source is. They will know Where the answer is. They will know that God will never leave them and in Him they are safe.
Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)
6 Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.
So I encourage you today to embrace your assignment as parent. There is no more important job on this earth. Someone’s life is literally in your hands and dependent on you. For moms, it starts in the womb. The well-being of your baby is determined by your well-being. Enjoy your assignment. God sees you well fit to bring His creation into this world. The most amazing accomplishment ever!
Father, we thank You for the joy of parenting. Forgive of for feeling unworthy or less successful than woman who are doing other things. We embrace the assignment that You have given us. Show us how to not just parent our children but disciple them. Help us raise Kingdom leaders that will set a standard of holiness and righteousness. Let them destroy perversion, lawlessness, and all the works of the devil around them. Help us be content in our season and not miss what You are doing through us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
I never would have imagined that I would be a parent of so many children. In our culture it is frowned upon and stay at home moms often lack the respect and honor that is deserved. I know many moms have to work and that is honorable as well, but there is a stigmatism of low worth that is placed on a woman who isn’t in the world pursuing a career goal. Believe me, I worked full time up until almost 2 years ago, and it was often easier working then staying home with a baby and 2 toddlers. Not to mention the older ones coming home hungry from school with homework and an “I want list” longer than I want to think about.
Just think, if believers had as many children as nonbelievers, we would be raising the opportunity for reformation to take place and an advancement of the Kingdom of God to overturn the wickedness that is now considered normal. I realize that everyone is not called to children, but we must give this area to God and surrender our will for His. Sometimes we decide what we want before we let Him have a say.
When I was pregnant with my last child, I was complaining to God about being tired, my age, and the gender of my baby (I was having a girl and I know I’m supposed to have another boy). I was in worship and I saw an image of Jesus being crucified. I saw all of my sin placed on Him as He hung there brutally tortured. I heard Him say “I did this for you, and you can’t endure the children that I’ve called you to have?” I in no way felt condemned, but the conviction of God to be obedient to my assignment. Everything that I desire to do is for Him anyway. So who am I to say that have Kingdom kids is less significant than pursuing a ministry or starting some organization. I am called to make disciples. What better disciple could there be than my children who see me and know me on every level.
Matthew 28:18-20(NKJV)
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore[a] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.[
We have to do more than just parent our children. We have to disciple them. God trusts us to raise them according to His will. He expects us to activate their gifts and nurture their callings. We are to teach them, correct them, encourage them, and send them out. Everything they learn is rooted in what we teach them at the foundation. We shape their perspective and teach them boundaries. We build their faith and point them in the direction of Jesus.
Luke 6:40
A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.
If we train them properly, they will look like us. Hopefully we look like Jesus! This is not to say they are our clones. They will have their own assignments and gifts, but their character and integrity will mirror ours.
This is not to say things won’t happen and they will never mess up, but with the proper guidance, they will know Who to turn to. They will know Who their source is. They will know Where the answer is. They will know that God will never leave them and in Him they are safe.
Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)
6 Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.
So I encourage you today to embrace your assignment as parent. There is no more important job on this earth. Someone’s life is literally in your hands and dependent on you. For moms, it starts in the womb. The well-being of your baby is determined by your well-being. Enjoy your assignment. God sees you well fit to bring His creation into this world. The most amazing accomplishment ever!
Father, we thank You for the joy of parenting. Forgive of for feeling unworthy or less successful than woman who are doing other things. We embrace the assignment that You have given us. Show us how to not just parent our children but disciple them. Help us raise Kingdom leaders that will set a standard of holiness and righteousness. Let them destroy perversion, lawlessness, and all the works of the devil around them. Help us be content in our season and not miss what You are doing through us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!