Your children need to see a good God in the midst of a broken world…
Perhaps as we purpose to protect our children, we should not purpose to keep them from experiencing pain?
There is this underlying assumption that because someone homeschools, and raises their children in the faith and guards what they see and listen to- that one wants to “keep their child in a bubble” so as to protect them from all things that are not good.
But we live in a fallen world. Pain is inevitable. In fact, Jesus tells us to expect it…
So no, as a servant of Christ, raising arrows for His Kingdom, I don’t seek to “keep them in a bubble” from all things bad. But rather I seek to teach them how to spiritually go to war in victory, whether they are in the middle of a good circumstance or bad one.
Often times we feel like we need to protect our babies from the hardships, difficulties and disappointments in life.
We run off to the bathroom or closet and shut the door quickly if we need to cry, and reappear once we’ve fixed all that’s disheveled…
But Mama…it’s OK if you cry in front of them. It’s OK if they see the hurt and pain that this life can bring.
How can they put into practice all that we teach them, about God’s goodness, if we isolate those truths from the “hard”? Character and growth do not exist solely in the “knowing” of Scripture and Bible verses, but in the fruit that the Holy Spirit produces, when we are squeezed by difficulty, pain and disappointment.
This past weekend we walked through some harrrd difficulty and disappointment. My girls saw me cry…but they also saw me worship Jesus at the top of my lungs while I cried. They saw my husband hug me and comfort me. They saw the hope that Christ gives in the midst of despair.
Later that same day, they disappeared and came back with cards that they made, saying “mommy we love you. We are so sorry you are sad. We are sad too…but we love you so so so much.” They were so compassionate, just like their Daddy was. Then when they prayed for dinner that night, they told God all about their disappointment and sadness but then went on to say “we praise you anyway Father, because you are so good…”
Protecting them at all costs from pain is not the goal…we live in a fallen, broken world. Pain is inevitable. Jesus even tells us we will go through various trials and hardships. But what are we doing while we go through them? THAT is what we should be modeling for our children…just like people like to see you show up in authenticity, here on the internet…think of how much MORE necessary it is, that in our every day life, around our family, we walk out our faith in the Lord with authentic truth. Showing our children what is necessary in the face of difficulty. Preparing them to know how to operate from a place of victory, no matter the circumstance.
Don’t isolate the Biblical lessons you teach them, from circumstances that arise- good or bad. Praise Him in the pain. Worship Him in the breakthrough. Honor him on the mountain top and honor Him in the valley. He is with you in both. He promises never to forsake you.
Just like Daddy showed me compassion, so did they…
Just like they saw me praising Jesus, in the midst of pain, so did they…
Children are impressionable and pick up more than you know from observation. So plant those seeds from a young age. Show them that HE is worthy of our praise, even when we don’t understand…
He is worthy…no matter the circumstance.
He is worthy and He is all we need.
Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
James 1:2
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
James 5:13
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.