PINIMAGEYesterday I sent my four kids off to summer camp with our church’s student ministry. This year, Abby is going as a leader which frankly makes me feel old.
I am always prayerful that God will speak to them in a special way while they have this concentrated time to enjoy each other and hear great sermons catered to their generation and struggles. I’m finding more and more (mostly according to them) that I’m “old and wouldn’t get it.” Of course they say this in the nicest way possible. But, honestly, I don’t often “get it.” I’m losing touch with “what’s up.”
PINIMAGEWhat I DO get is that God has the ability to speak their language and reach the depths of their hearts.
I know that it is the Word of God that has the power to transform their lives more than any parenting tip or effort on my part. I simply cannot “move their hearts toward God.” That’s His work. But I can give them opportunity to encounter Him. And I try to do that at every turn.
It reminds me of a passage I read on Sunday morning in my quiet time. I noticed something I had never considered before. It’s a simple but brilliant parenting move.
Here’s the passage:
13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.
14 When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16 Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16 NLT
I have read this passage many times over the years and what has always seemed to stick out to me most was the fact that Jesus rebuked His disciples for hindering the children from coming to Him and the fact that Jesus said in essence that people must come to Him with the faith of a child.
But, this time I was struck with something that hit me personally as a parent. Notice the first sentence.
“One day some parents brought their children to Jesus.”
Think about it. No one was sick or dying. We’ve seen accounts in scripture of parents bringing their sick and dead to Christ and He worked miracles. Here we simply see that one day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could “touch” and “bless” them.
Maybe they decided that morning when they woke up. Maybe over breakfast. Maybe they saw the crowds and thought it then. Maybe they were waiting for Jesus to come to their town. But what we know is that it was important to them to get their children before Jesus.
Brilliant parenting move.
Here are some reasons why their decision was brilliant:
There’s a time when getting your kids before Jesus is favorable.
When the disciples began to turn the parents and their children away, Jesus said in so many words, “Don’t send them away. These children are prime candidates for receiving the things of God. If someone wants to come to God, they must have faith like a child.” So, we see, we have a prime opportunity when our children are still under our roof to bring them to Jesus.
The second thing that gripped me is that Jesus Himself “touched” and “blessed” the children.
Did you ever think about the power behind that touch? Behind that blessing?
If it’s coming from Jesus, it’s coming with power. No empty blessing here.
I know I fail in the parenting department often. But one thing I’ve learned can never be a bad idea is to bring my children to Jesus. A touch from Jesus supersedes any award certificate, trophy or accolade.
Oh, that my children would be touched and blessed by Jesus!
Obviously, Jesus is not walking the earth right now. So, how can we bring our children to Jesus today:
Pray them to Jesus:
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Teach them the Word:
But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:14-17
So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 11:18-20
Make Jesus your priority:
As parents, we “bring” our children to a lot of things. In fact, we influence where they go early on by where we “bring” them. The priority we place on where we bring them as children influences where they will go when they are grown.
We bring them to sports.
We bring them to vacation spots.
We bring them to social events.
But let us ALWAYS “bring” them to Jesus first.
Bring them to church. Bring them to student ministry. Bring them wherever Jesus is being exalted.
Bring them to Jesus.
My kids return on Saturday and every day, as they come to mind, I’m asking Jesus to touch them and to bless them. I am praying He captures their hearts. I cannot do this for them. But I can “bring” them to Him and ask Him to do it.
How about you? Are you “bringing” your kids to Jesus?
