Under His Construction
• Apr. 2, 2008 - When Family Becomes an Idol
You know that family - the one whose children are respectful and loving in their words and actions at all times. They eat everything set before them without complaint. They are obedient to every command given by their parents, and not only that, they do it quickly. The siblings all have a genuine love for each other and enjoy each other's company. They are a tight knit family unit that is a joy to be around. You know the family that I am talking about. They have either existed in your mind as your ideal that you are striving towards or you actually have the privilege of knowing such a family. We do. They have become very good friends of ours. We love them very much but...
this is the kind of family that can cause much turmoil in another home if the mother does not guard her heart against covetousness. I know this personally because God has revealed it to me recently in my very own heart. Amazing how the very thing we seek not to do creeps up and surprises us by being the very thing we are doing. We can be so blind to what is going on in our hearts. I totally and completely understand what Paul meant when he said "For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do." Romans 7:15.
My focus had moved from winning my children's hearts to Jesus to my own success as a parent. I began desiring for my children to emulate the fruit of other families that appeared successful in my eyes. My family had become a trophy to me! I was just another Pharisee more interested in outward appearances. Amazingly many of our school lessons were about how the things we do are evidence of what is in our hearts but unfortunately I lost sight of where I was directing their sweet little hearts and what means I was to use to get them there. I was using a form of scorn and condemnation (that I was completely blind to) rather than consistent discipline, but this will only lead to outward changes for the sake of self-preservation and is never a true representation of Jesus to them.
But my God loves me so much that He does not let me continue on in these sins. He is so faithful to bring me just the teachings I need when I need them, in His perfect timing!
This last week He did just that by making it a priority for me to be at a local homeschool conference where the amazing speakers Reb and Bev Bradley were going to be sharing the incredible wisdom God has given them through some extreme difficulties they had experienced. How exciting it was to come away with a renewed sense of purpose and the tools I need to reach the goal God has for me and my family: To know Him and love Him.
So what am I doing to make the needed changes in our household? Recognizing the problem is the first step, unfortunately this was not the only problem we had. This was just one of my many "blind spots" that God used the Bradleys to show me about my parenting and I am hoping to begin sharing these lessons I am learning with you all in the next few posts (bear with me though - I am very busy working on child training right now). ( : |
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• Apr. 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment
I look forward to your upcoming posts.
Peace to you,
Renae
http://lifenurturingeducation.com