Living the Gospel at Home
Posted by TulipGirl | Under Christianity and the Church, Mommy-Inspiration Files, Nurturing Children, Theology for Girls Thursday Jan 15, 2009We’ve forgotten what Luther said. We don’t parent to demonstrate the Gospel — to show those around us how beautifully we can do it all. No, we parent because it is the Gospel — because God takes us in as foundlings, lifts us up as His own, loves us even when we stink, puke, and screach, and He dresses us, carries us, and loves us.
It’s not about showing. It’s about loving. It’s not about beauty. It’s about serving the smallest and the littlest in the darkest part of the night when there’s no one is up except us and that wee one and God.
– Camille
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Lord, let my life be a reflection of the Gospel, especially in my relationships with my husband and children.
Oh, how I needed those words today. Thank you.
Great reminders! My dh is away with the army, and I’ve pulled alot of single mom excuses out….but that shouldn’t be the case. We need that daily grace – that daily manna from the Lord – to live the life He’s given us. Thanks for visiting us today on the blog. God bless you and yours. (Any plans for the Calvin 500 events? I need to do more research then will probably do a blog series this year on that.)
TG, thanks so much for this. I think about this often as I parent with/in front of my non-Christian neighbors. What will they think?! I am SO terribly flawed. But it IS the gospel…As the Father delights in such a sinner as I, I delight in my children. I can’t do it like God does…but I can remember His love and ask Him to pour through me. More Jesus, more Jesus…
I have to say that I love your blog, and this post was an inspiration (one of a couple) for my last post. I really appreciate your insights. Thanks!
Good words for me to hear. Thanks for the post.
“…because God takes us in as foundlings, lifts us up as His own, loves us even when we stink, puke, and screach, and He dresses us, carries us, and loves us.”
As a mom of a teenage daughter, I think about how this applies to caring for a 16-year-old. Pretty much the same… when I doubt what limits He has put in place for me, when I question His authority, when I heave deep, exasperated, disrespectful sighs up to Him…He still loves me, cares for me, provides for me.
I will continue to think on this. Blessings to you. B.
Shelley, Abby, and Melinda. . . I needed this, this week, too. While I hope that the mommy-encouragement I put online provides a little nurturing to others, I really put it up for me. *grin*
Thank you, B, for translating it from toddler to teen. Toddlers seem “easier” to me now — now that I don’t have any! But we’re soon to embark into the teen adventure. I haven’t been dreading it, but I have been treading softly because it is all new territory. What you said, I need to remember. “when I doubt what limits He has put in place for me, when I question His authority, when I heave deep, exasperated, disrespectful sighs up to Him…He still loves me, cares for me, provides for me.”
Quote: “I think about this often as I parent with/in front of my non-Christian neighbors. What will they think?! I am SO terribly flawed.”
Well, Kit, I think that it is -better- to have our flaws be transparent than it is to be all “together” with our neighbors. Because it is as you say, “it IS the gospel…As the Father delights in such a sinner as I. . . I can remember His love and ask Him to pour through me.”
A prominent “Christian parenting” ministry has tried to sell the idea that if you buy into their products and ideas, then you will have great kids, and all your neighbors will be wowed by your family — and so want Jesus. I’m left scratching my head. I know that they are well-meaning, but. . .
Where is the Gospel in that? It misses the mark in communicating that a holy God loves the flawed people of this world. . . That we can not “obey right away, all the way, with a happy heart” and reach His holiness or deserve His favor. It misses that we (and our children, and our neighbors) will not be satisfied with well-behaved kids and a strong family. Those are good things, but our satisfaction is found in God alone.
What beautiful words! Thanks for that great reminder. It’s His grace that gives us ours.
Thank you, oh thank you for sharing this link. This is precisely what God has been speaking to me in the past few days. Exactly.
See, this is what I should have been reading at 2:30am this morning. :smile: Thanks TG!
Wow, that is so powerful. Thank you for the perspective. I needed it.