Several years ago, I spent a brief amount of time at a Success Seminar, which started off by asking the question, "What determines your success?" or "Who can make you successful?" The speaker responded, "Our success is based on ourselves,"... and he lost me right there. You see I know what I'm capable of in my own strength and under my own abilities. I am capable of messing up my life, losing focus on what really matters, and accomplishing very little. However, when I put my confidence in what God can do through me as I trust and follow Him, I find myself in awe of His ability time after time, as He turns my meager efforts into something of lasting value.
When it comes to raising our kids, so many good things can get in the way of what really matters. We can focus on teaching them to do chores, good manners, and the importance of getting good grades or doing well in sports -- the list truly goes on and on. As parents, though, our number one job has to be to teach them to understand what it means to live a life that is pleasing to God.
One of my favorite scriptures comes from 2 John 4-6 where John writes to the "chosen lady." He says,
"It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love."
John is saying that the measure of our children's success really needs to include this aspect of loving others and walking in the truth. Not walking in the "truth" that the world would like us to believe, like what the guy at the seminar said. Instead, we want them to know the truth of God's Word and that they have the ability to reflect that truth with their loving actions towards others. These are the things that please God the most.
So my friends, I challenge you to always be looking for ways to encourage your children to love others the way God has loved us and work that truth out in practical ways this month! Some ideas are to visit a nursing home filled with people who would love to feel loved. Bring them a card or sing them a song or go on a walk with them! You could show love to firefighters or police officers or nurses and doctors for the work that they do to help others. I have witnessed how generous kids are with their love, and with continued encouragement from the people who matter most in their lives (YOU!!), they will grow up to be successful citizens who walk in the truth!
I look forward to interacting with you during your spiritual journey. Please email me to let me know how God is working in and through your life. Your greatest life is just ahead.
In His service,
Laurie Kelley