The other day I was having one of those "pity" moments. I was feeling the weight of the Great Commission and feeling like I was not apart of it. Because of the ages of our children, and our desire for more, I feel as though I am unable to pick up and go on a missions trip or help with world evangelism. But on a smaller scale, sometimes even a local ministry is difficult when you have two small children in tow. (And some people do not WANT your little children in tow, as evidenced by a lack of reply from a local baby pantry).
Nonetheless, I found myself reading Friedeman's book, and it spoke to me at exactly the right time. I want to share it for all of you Christian mommies of little ones! Our work is not in vain (let's hope the lack of sleep is not in vain, either haha). :)
(pg. 97-98 Discipleship in the Home)
The Parent and the Plan
The parent's life is to be ordered by God's objectives. Everything done in parenting should be a part of the whole pattern- that of world evangelization. Not for one minute can we lose sight of this goal...
Concentration
With Jesus "there was a rapidly diminishing priority given to this outside the twelve." For the Christian parent, there should be a rapidly dimishing priority given to those outside the family, as well. The Twelve, for Jesus, were His first concern, and it showed in the gospels in the use of His time and energy. Does it show in the use of our time and energy as parents?
This does mean, of course, that those outside the family shouldn't be ministered to significantly. Obviously the Lord wants all of us to serve Him in some kind of sacrificial way for the cause of His kingdom. But this is not to be at the expense of the time and attention given to those who have been given to you- your children. Jesus was busy, incredibly busy, in ministry. But the discipleship of the Twelve was always paramount in His mind; indeed, when He ministered with His teaching, healing, feeding, and blessing, they were there spending time with Him and with the masses.
Here is the point-- ministry, yes; time and energy spent with your children, a greater yes. In fact, if you really care for the masses and world evangelization, you need to multiply your efforts and your impact through your children. God wants to use them precisely for this purpose!
I love it when Solomon calls children "a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth" (Psalm 127:4). Arrows! To be shot from the family bow for God's holy effect. But those arrows need attention... They need to be crafted straight and true; they need to be sharp to cut the wind; they need guidance (feathers, for instance); and they need an archer trained in the ways of godly bows and arrows....Concentrate well on these arrows, and they can be shot going in God's direction for the sake of a lost world.
You can buy Matt's book here.
What do I take from this? Be open to having children (is your house full of arrows)? Spend the most time with them as possible and during that time spend the most time talking of the things of God (Many arrribute (or call it)Deuteronomy 6 parenting). Sometimes we can also be seeking out "programs" instead of God. I've been convicted about dragging my tired and sick kids to a Women's Bible study. (Was I seeking the Word or time with friends? Was I putting my needs or my kids' needs first)? Or even leaving for a church activity or time away when my kids (and my husband!) needs me home to help with mealtime or bedtime. I want to see Christ glorified in my life and through my children. I don't always know the perfect answer to what that looks like, but I want to seek Him and His Word for the answer.
What do you think about Matt Friedeman's thoughts? Do you think our own children are our first line of world evangelism?
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