Give Them the Word

I have some time to write. We'll just call this last week the attack of strep throat and canker sores. Good gracious. All three of my boys had strep throat. And, canker sores decided to invade my tonsils. Pain from the pit of hell. I'm telling you. It's awful. But, it's also giving me some time to type while my busy little 2 year old nugget is actually happy just watching Toy Story (for the first time, by the way. It's magical watching him realize that Buzz and Woody come to life).

A few weeks ago, I had one of those days where I was really ready for bedtime. Meaning the kids' bedtime. I was not overly patient about the million questions that my kids were using to stall bedtime. Maybe I raised my voice. I guess you could call it yelling. But, whatever. It was ugly.

As I tucked Jameson into bed, he told me I hadn't been very nice. I wish I could insert that cringe emoticon right here. Out of the mouths of babes.

By God's grace, I slowed down and apologized. Jameson asked I why I was mean. I explained that just like him and his siblings, I am a sinner who desperately needs Jesus to save me.

For some reason, this broke the dam on a waterfall of questions about what sin is, and why we need Jesus, and how in the world does Jesus dying on the cross do anything to save us. Jameson had very evidently been listening at BSF and church and conversations around the house, taking in God's Word. Like the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8, he needed someone to explain it to him.

Right there in his bottom bunk, sweet Jameson realized that he desperately needs Jesus.

Thus began his own journey with his Creator, and the angels had quite the party that night.

Sometimes when you say no, it really means yes. Because it's summer. And getting soaking wet in your clothes is just fun.

I went to bed humbled. You know what? Jesus doesn't need me. Graciously, even after my anger toward my kids, Jesus allowed me to explain Him to Jameson. But, it was God's Word that did the work. He was not going to let me and my grumpiness get in the way. He says Himself, "[My Word] shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11).

Give them the Word, moms. Yes, I'm being bossy. But heck, when I was little, the neighbors called me Bossy Jossy. So, I'll just own it. Give them the Word.

You are going to have days where you are struggling. You are going to have days where you are empty. You are going to have days where you are bound by exhaustion or depression or anxiety or anger. There are days when the reality of your human limits is going to feel all too real. 

But, God's Word is not bound! (2 Timothy 2:9) It's just not. It's not bound by anything. In fact, Jesus is free and scandalous enough to use my sin to begin a conversation with Jameson about a Holy God and salvation. It's by His Word that He works.

God has chosen you as your children's mother. It was not by chance or happenstance. But, ultimately, it is God who will woo your son or daughter to Himself. You may be an instrument in the Redeemer's hands, but you yourself are not the Redeemer. There's a reason that God Himself came to redeem your children. It's because you couldn't. No matter how true it is that you would be willing to take their place, you just can't. And no matter how much you sacrifice for them, you can't give them salvation.

So, I'll say it again. Give them the Word. God's Word goes out and moves hearts. It was God's Word that moved a four year old to love and believe in Him. The Word is what will be constant and stay with your kids no matter how old they get, what happens to you, or what trials come their way. 

Give them the Word.