From generation to generation…

Note: Considering ‘worry’ has been my default button (especially where my children are concerned), for as long as I can remember, I always have to pause and remind myself of God’s truths, so many times, every single day. Where I was or am insufficient, He is more than enough. And He is called “Faithful & True”.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Psalm 22:6

This is a devotional (below), written by Becca, our oldest daughter. Yes, He’s the Faithful One… from generation to generation!

You’ll find that I am my mother’s daughter. We share a lot of similarities. A few of them being that I am also a mother of 3 and there is a considerable age difference between my 2 older sons and my youngest. Solomon and Noah will turn 10 and 8 this year (Judah turns 1), and recently I have been burdened to share more about Jesus with the older boys. They listen to the Bible stories shared at Sunday school, have scriptural promises hung on their bedroom walls, they know about the biblical men of faith that share their names. But, I haven’t been able to shake the feeling that I needed to start them on a conversation about Jesus that I shouldn’t expect to finish anytime soon. So, I took a page out of mom’s book.

When I was in elementary school back in Dubai, mom used to use the long morning car-rides to listen to Sunday school songs or to tell us Bible stories. One of my clearest and happiest memories are singing loudly with her and Debbie… and then arguing with Debbie about who gets to sing which part in the next song. One day when this memory came to mind, it dawned on me! My sons are trapped in the car with me on the way to the morning school drop off too! It is a distraction free zone – no devices, no friends to chat with, no one is tired, cranky, or hungry (OK – that’s not entirely true. We do have “I don’t want to go to school” arguments at least twice a week on the way to school). But I have their attention for a solid 15 to 20 minutes. So, one morning I started sharing about Jesus. And then the next morning. And then the next morning we listened to some worship music.

Everything was going according to plan, when I started getting questions from the back of the car that made me stumble a bit. “Wait, who’s the Holy Spirit again? I thought Jesus was God. We have 2 Gods?” “Why are there bad people in the world?” “I am praying that we have another baby! Do you think Jesus will answer my prayer?”

I didn’t realize that being a Christian parent required a theological degree! So, I did the next best thing. I called up my mother. “How do I explain the Holy Spirit and the Trinity to a 7-year-old?” “Why does God allow certain struggles in our lives?” “Can I reject someone else’s prayer?! I don’t want another baby!”

During this season, I have come to terms with the fact that I might not know all the answers to my kids’ questions. In fact, this has been a rough patch of my personality that the Holy Spirit has been smoothing out – to put my pride aside and say, “That’s a great question! I’m not sure of the answer myself. Let’s learn, together, what the Bible (or Gaga! 😀) has to say about it!”

I know that as their parents, it’s important that we tell them what Jesus has to say about all areas of their lives. It’s a foundation that we must set strong – otherwise the world will do it for them. It also helps to know that Jesus loves my children more deeply than I ever could, and He will pursue them despite my parenting mistakes. Just as He did for me. Just as He did for my parents and grandparents. Right now, my responsibility is to this next generation and the next …!

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great deeds. They celebrate your abundant goodness, and joyfully sing of your righteousness. Psalm 145:3-5

~ Rebecca David