I think most of us have our parents on a pedestal mostly because the love shared between a parent and child is like no other. Although I know my parents are not perfect by any means I definitely feel very blessed to be their daughter. I hope Garon will feel that way about us when he's an adult. My parents lived an incredible Christian example in front of my sister and me. We are Christians because they ensured we met Jesus through them and at church. Garon's salvation is my main priority. When Garon accepts Jesus as his Savior I will know the most important part of my Mama-job will have been completed. But then I will have the responsibility of making sure he understands that being a child of God is a daily walk. I think that is the toughest part. It's easy to say I'm a Christian but living it day in and day out is tough. Things happen and we get distracted. We lose our footing and slip into bad habits. We all do it. I'm so thankful that Jesus has promised to help me and catch me when I fall...and mostly hold me accountable when I make mistakes. He doesn't promise an easy road but He will be there every step of the way.
I think part of the reason this has bothered me so much lately is that I see and hear so many worldly things being brought into the Church. Shouldn't it be the other way around? I want Garon to go to Church to worship not be entertained with various multimedia presentations and the latest and greatest playground equipment. None of that gets you to Heaven. There's a time and a place for everything and it really concerns me that the Church, ours included, is being diluted with worldly activities. We have replaced quality Bible study with watching DVDs. When did that become the standard? I don't think they are all bad but I also believe that it is not a replacement for digging into The Word itself with fellow believers. The Body of Christ and the world is starving for the Gospel but it has become unpopular to preach it and live it. It makes me really sad. We all deserve better than that and most importantly, God deserves better.
So, after that little tangent, I'm very concerned about the world my son will grow up in. As Christians we are continuously being argued down by believers & non-believers who are very convincing because we don't possess the Bible knowledge we need to stand against it. That terrifies me for Garon. Will he get bogged down in the lukewarm Christianity or have a daily walk with God? The odds of this world are against him. But my earnest prayer is that he will be a "man after God's own heart" and that the light of Jesus will shine in every aspect of his life. I know Jesus doesn't always shine in mine but I hope others will see some semblance of his grace in me. It's the least I can do for the Savior who died to set me free.
If you've never experience the intimate walk with Jesus, I can assure you there is no describing the love, peace and joy that comes with it.
I hope this does not sound like a holier-than-thou sermon. I just have carried this burden around for a few months and felt I should share it with fellow parents.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
-love-
Laura
