Parent's Joy in Small Packages

I'm beginning to understand the joy John talks about when he says “it has given me GREAT joy to find some of your children walking in the truth” (2 John 4)

For when I witness God working in and through our kids it moves my heart.  It’s a beautiful thing.  And when you love your kids so much, you so want them to know and experience the love of God for themselves not just hearing it from you. 

That was my issue growing up (actually I had lots, but here’s a big one)… I only knew my parent’s God not that He wanted to intimately be MY GOD. 

I see this in many ways, but as I want to remain fresh and current with my blog writings I shall give you recent.  J

We were in Mexico with the girls on vacation and although they have saved lots of money they didn’t want to bring back anything for themselves.  They had two specific requests.  One wanted to get their bus driver a magnet for their specific collection and the other one of their meanest teachers a postcard for their world map collection.  Both specific, though out acts of sincere kindness. 

This was interesting for we had to shop in many stores to find just the right one.  Seems so trivial and so cheap and my normally “driven” heart was engaging in a relaxed time of finding the perfect magnet/postcard.  I KNEW the specific nature to these gifts would dumbfound both recipients.  That thought got me excited even before they knew the full joy that would be theirs when they gave them away.

The sheer delight and change of heart to both these adults (teacher/bus driver) now has blessed and witnessed to our girls.  You see both teacher and bus driver had no idea that such specific attention and devotion would be given to THEIR personal passions.  That even from another country these two young ladies would bring back a treasure for them.

Oh how it blessed me!!  Truly.  It’s not about the big things in life as much as denying yourself and really listening, involving yourself in someone else’s and proving it by a little act of kindness that says, “I appreciate you.”  I’ve been teaching that not with word but in little ways… but nothing was a greater return to me than to see them putting it into practice as they let their Lord lead their hearts to loving others. 

Little… insignificant… silly… perhaps to some… but to me…”it has given me GREAT joy to find my girls walking in the truth.” (2 John 4)

May we as parents lead in everything, in our OWN lives, even the little things.  God reminds us that our children will be a great example of our leadership. (1 Tim 3:4,5  and Proverbs 22:6)  Therefore despite the world’s belittling or lack of glamour to a parenting role… let me remind you that it is a HIGH calling.  Be encouraged and strive even today to love and teach them by relying on God’s spirit in you.  That is the Spirit of Truth.  He will guide you in all things.