I have been both encouraged and refreshed with the wisdom of Matt and Kristal Wicker. I felt that their wisdom should be the first installment of “Why I Love.” A series dedicated on finding what there is to love about people. It is an effort to reflect on God’s commandment to love others.
While discussing serving at church, my friend Kristal Wicker, talked about the worth of service in the children’s ministry. Making a great point, she goes further about how we often feel very gratified about serving 2 hours on the weekend, yet we do not give ourselves enough credit for what we do at home as parents. That struck a cord in me. We spend hours with our children each day, and ask ourselves, “What have I accomplished today?” The house is still a mess, and I am exhausted. The dedication, importance, and joy of being a parent are immersible, yet we often overlook it as our most important ministry. We find ways to dismiss what we do on a daily basis as mundane instead of a sacred service to the Lord. We are the Lord’s instrument to help our children follow the Lord.
Proverbs 22:6 “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
Children Are A Gift
What is so delightful about raising children is the intrinsic reward. Yes, there are so many challenges along the way, but the return of love is profound. Children think that we are their heros. They want to be around us and like us. They run to us when they are young, and call us when they are older. When we are old, they are our security. Our children are one of the first things we think about in the morning, and often the last as we lay down our heads at night.
3 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.
Children Are The Next Generation
We are called to teach our children with both great patience and skill, so that the generations to follow us will know and follow the Lord. We are as the Lord’s ministers in their lives to guide them. No one else is as responsible in this ministry as us, and we should take joy in the fact that our daily lives are making a difference for them and their children.
Psalm 78:5-7
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our forefathers
to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.
- What is the best thing about ministry at home?
- What are the challenges that you face?
- Knowing that ministry at home is so critical, are you feeling more involved and encouraged in the work of God?
*Name and image used with permission
Bible References:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1984 (Pr 22:6). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. 1995 (Ps 127:3–4). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1984 (Ps 78:5–7). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
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