Family Mission

I love my sister!  We are alike in a lot of ways, yet we each have our own distinctiveness.   We both love being a mom, and we each have four children.  We love holidays, traditions and family gatherings, homemade ice cream, and creating fun and memorable times.  She used to live halfway around the globe, which made those things a little challenging at times, living here in Los Angeles.  She sings and writes beautiful poetry.  I play the piano.  She loves animals.  I tolerate a dog and a cat at my house.  However, we both share a high priority for living a missional lifestyle—sharing Jesus with others through our lives.  We utilize our homes and lives as missional outposts. 

There are three aspects that make up this perspective in our lives.  I will share the first one this week, and the other two in the following two weeks.

First, take a look at your family.  God has given your family a mission.  It is easy to understand that God has a mission for each of us as an individual, but he also has a mission for your family to accomplish.   My family enjoys hosting people—for parties, small groups, dinners, etc.  We want people to feel loved in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.  We love to share through the arts as well—movies, live shows, music, art, etc.  We try to celebrate anything we can—with other people!  My sister’s family participates in events that reach out to other cultures and faiths through holiday parties, Karaoke nights, meals at other’s homes, and even through helping the homeless and distressed by packaging supplies and food and taking it to them.

Your family has particular strengths.  Extraordinary gifts.  Distinctive uniquenesses.  What are they?  What characteristics have others expressed to you that typify your family?  As you think about these qualities, bring them to your family and talk about them.  Discuss how you can excel in loving others and sharing Jesus with your own unique expressions! 

Isaiah 8:18 (NIV) “Here am I, and the children the Lord has given me. We are signs and symbols in Israel from the Lord almighty…”

A Heart for God

One of my greatest desires for my children was for them to make a decision to follow Christ, to know him personally.  I wanted them to experience a full and “alive” life...one that involved an ongoing desire to please God.  I also wanted to know that they would spend eternity with God.  The motivation that leads a child (or adult) to this decision is having a heart for God, to want what God wants for our life.  Our heart is all about our deepest desires.  As a mom, how can I motivate my child’s desires, and help them enter into a personal relationship with Jesus?  How can I affect their heart to please God?  Here are a few ways:

1) Read the Bible to your children.  In the New Testament, we discover that Timothy learned the scriptures as a child from his mother and grandmother (II Tim 1:5 & 3:15), and that the scriptures gave him wisdom which led to his salvation.  As you read people’s stories in the Bible, point out God’s character, who He is, and how he interacted with these individuals.  Encourage them to ask questions (although, this may come naturally!)

2) Model a heart for God.  Let them see you read God’s word, pray to Him, and serve others.  Also, let them know you make mistakes and sin, but that you ask God for forgiveness.   When you do something that hurts your child, ask their forgiveness.  And then love on them. 

3) Pray with them.  Teach them to pray by letting them repeat after you in prayer (when they're young), and later to pray on their own.  Encourage them to pray aloud.  Point out when God answers their prayer! (finding a lost toy, etc.)

4) Foster an environment where they are comfortable and inspired to ask questions about God (through music, stories, movies, etc)  Grab those teachable moments--even when you don't think you have time (or patience) for them!  Let them know their questions are good!  We may not have answers, but that’s a good time to teach faith and trust in God’s sovereignty.

We can’t make our child choose to follow God, but we can strongly influence them with our lives and prayers to have a heart for him and enter into a personal relationship with him.  Remember--children imitate what they see,

“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.”  Proverbs 4:23

 “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.”  III John 4

Pass it On...Family Traditions

What can I give my children to pass on to their future family?  Family heirlooms are a definite possibility.  Yet, I think there is something even more valuable than tangible gifts.  Family traditions.  We adopted quite a few traditions that we absolutely love!  I’d like to share some with you...

For Valentine’s Day, Dave and I usually plan something special for the girls.  When they were growing up, we took them to lunch or a movie, gave them “love baskets” filled with goodies, etc.  We still celebrate by giving them cards and tokens of our love, never wanting to miss an opportunity to say, “I love you!” 

Every summer, we go on a family vacation.  As we raised our girls, we would typically go to our timeshare in Lake Tahoe.  We have precious and innumerable memories of our family, cousins, grandparents and friends having the time of our lives...swimming, sea-doing, parasailing, hiking, bicycling, pedaling a surrey, campfires, great bbq’s and tons of pictures.

To initiate the fall season, we take our annual trip to the Los Angeles County Fair, enjoying the various displays, artwork, gardens, shows, and of course, our favorites—the food and the Pig Races! 

October brings the opportunity to visit Oak Glen and pick apples, make fresh apple cider, take a pumpkin home, and go to the local fair, with homemade crafts, food and their famously huge apple pie.

And of course, at Thanksgiving we gather together to share a meal, and at Christmas we give meaningful gifts to one another. 

Throughout the year, everyone’s birthday is celebrated with a special “family dinner”.  The birthday person gets to choose their menu, and we celebrate with lots of laughter, and a raucous rendition of “Happy Birthday”! 

Traditions create memories never to be forgotten.  They give value and identity to your family, times of bonding, and experiences to pass on to the next generation.  They are an excuse to celebrate one another...and have FUN!  (By the way, feel free to invite others to join you in your celebrations!  They will feel a part of your family.)

Ps 100:5  “For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations.”

The Investment of a Mom

Recently, a friend of mine was talking with one of her friends who was wondering “if motherhood is really so important”.  The world says that we are number one, and should look out for ourselves.  My friend wanted to tell her, “This (being a mom) is the most important job there is!  We have the opportunity to influence a life.  Children are important!”

Another friend of mine is an experienced aeronautical engineer.  She met a great guy, started dating, and before long was married and started a family.  By their third child, she told me, “Being a mom is a lot harder than being an engineer!  But it is so rewarding.”  Imagine that!  She also expressed it is the best investment she has made with her life.

 

When a mom invests in her children, she is investing in the kingdom of God, and in future generations.  She is shaping and molding their life, influencing their thoughts, affecting their attitudes, and training them in godly actions.  Yes, the investment is up-front 24/7—at times exhausting!  But, the pay-off is for the rest of their lives, and for eternity…it’s more than worth it! 

As you begin this new year, consider specific ways you can influence your child—think of goals to help them grow and mature in different areas—physically, emotionally, spiritually, socially, intellectually.  Maturity doesn’t “just happen randomly”—it takes thought, planning and work. 

Intentional investment makes a difference.  It matters.  Especially in the small stuff.

Matthew 19:14  “Jesus said, ‘Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”